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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..50b7c40 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #52255 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/52255) diff --git a/old/52255-0.txt b/old/52255-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 49462d7..0000000 --- a/old/52255-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6109 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Brownie Scouts and Their Tree House, by -Mildred A. Wirt - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Brownie Scouts and Their Tree House - -Author: Mildred A. Wirt - -Release Date: June 7, 2016 [EBook #52255] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BROWNIE SCOUTS, THEIR TREE HOUSE *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Dave Morgan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - -[Illustration: “Open it quick!” urged Connie. - -“Brownie Scouts and their Tree House” (_See page 12_)] - - - - -The Brownie Scouts and Their Tree House - - by - Mildred A. Wirt - - Illustrated - - CUPPLES AND LEON COMPANY - Publishers New York - - - - - COPYRIGHT, 1951, BY - CUPPLES AND LEON COMPANY - - _All Rights Reserved_ - - THE BROWNIE SCOUTS AND THEIR TREE HOUSE - - Printed in the United States of America - - - - -Contents - - - 1 A Brownie Wish 1 - - 2 The Tossed Stone 12 - - 3 Surprise! 22 - - 4 Through the Field Glass 31 - - 5 Mixed Signs 44 - - 6 A Mysterious Sack 52 - - 7 Collecting Buttons 66 - - 8 Mrs. Myles’ Advice 78 - - 9 Unwelcome Visitors 91 - - 10 A Guest for Lunch 98 - - 11 Mischievous Boys 109 - - 12 Help for Mrs. Myles 120 - - 13 Grievous Trouble 132 - - 14 Mr. Vincent’s Disclosure 139 - - 15 Watchful Waiting 145 - - 16 Captured Culprits 156 - - 17 Bitter Words 164 - - 18 The Auction Sale 174 - - 19 “Flying Up” 183 - - 20 A Wish Fulfilled 198 - - - - -The Brownie Scouts and Their Tree House - -CHAPTER 1 - -A Brownie Wish - - -All morning the forest had echoed with laughter. The Brownie -Scouts--six of them--together with their leader, Miss Gordon, were -enjoying a weekly hike through the metropolitan natural park. - -Sure-footed, the girls had roamed over the many trails, lingering by -the brook and tossing stones from the rustic bridge. - -Now as the sun rose higher, they played their favorite game of -identifying trees. - -“Oh, that beautiful one directly ahead is a walnut!” declared Connie -Williams. - -The little girl was a leader in the Rosedale Brownie Troop and very -bright at school. However, all the girls liked her for she never tried -to show off. - -“Oh, I don’t think it’s a walnut tree!” exclaimed Veve McGuire. - -The dark-haired, freckled girl lived next door to Connie. Sometimes, -just for the fun of it, she disagreed with her friend. - -“It’s an oak tree!” chimed in Jane Tuttle, tossing her long yellow -braids. - -A hoot arose from the other Brownies, Sunny Davidson, Eileen Webber and -Rosemary Fritche. Jane, they knew, nearly always was wrong about trees. - -“It couldn’t be an oak,” insisted Eileen. “The leaves are shaped all -wrong.” - -Sunny appealed to Miss Gordon. “What kind of tree do you say it is?” -she demanded. “An oak or a walnut?” - -“A walnut,” replied the Brownie leader. “But then, I could be mistaken. -Let’s look at the identification tag.” - -Nearly all of the largest trees in the park had been marked with their -correct names. The girls enjoyed making their own guesses, and then -checking to see if they were correct. - -Before Connie could do so, Veve darted ahead to read the tag on the -tree trunk. - -“Ha!” she cried. “Everyone is wrong! It isn’t a walnut and it isn’t an -oak. It’s a _Liriodendron tulipifera_!” - -“Oh, that’s the scientific name,” laughed Miss Gordon. - -“It says tulip tree underneath,” revealed Veve. - -“A tulip?” repeated the Brownie Scout leader, deeply puzzled. “That’s -odd. To my way of thinking, it doesn’t look a bit like a tulip tree.” - -“Aren’t the leaves of a tulip dark green and very glossy?” inquired -Connie. She felt quite crestfallen to have made a mistake. - -“I always thought so,” replied Miss Gordon. “Also, the leaves of -a tulip usually are restless, almost like those of a poplar tree. -Apparently though, I’m not as clever about recognizing varieties of -trees as I thought.” - -Starting on down the trail, the Brownies soon came to another -interesting-looking specimen. - -“Well, there at least is a tree that no one can mistake,” declared the -Brownie leader. “Who agrees with me that it’s a red maple?” - -“I do!” laughed Connie. - -“Of course!” shouted Jane. “No one can mistake a maple.” - -As the girls approached the beautiful, slender tree, Miss Gordon -told them that at every season the red maple had distinguishing -characteristics. - -“Even during winter, the twigs shine as if covered with red varnish,” -the teacher explained. - -Each leaf, she added, had from three to five points, often with red -stems. - -“I’m going to gather some of the leaves for my notebook,” declared -Eileen. “I want to find one that is changing color.” - -Although frost had not yet come, the weather had turned somewhat -chilly. The Brownies noticed that many of the trees were beginning to -shed their leaves. Others were turning yellow, gold and rusty brown. - -In the act of picking up an especially pretty leaf from the ground, -Eileen chanced to glance at the tag tacked to the tree trunk. - -“Say! This isn’t a maple tree!” she exclaimed. - -“Go on!” Sunny retorted. “Don’t try to kid us!” - -“Read the tag for yourself if you don’t believe me.” - -The other Brownies clustered about Sunny. In amazement they read that -the tree was a white ash. - -“But that’s utterly impossible!” protested Miss Gordon. “Why, I never -in my life failed to recognize a red maple!” - -“We have a white ash tree in our yard at home,” contributed Rosemary. -“It has seed pods and the leaves droop. This tree doesn’t look one bit -like our white ash.” - -“I thought I could recognize nearly all of the more common trees,” -wailed Connie. “Now I’m mixed up.” - -“We’re all mixed up,” said Miss Gordon. “I simply can’t understand it. -Do you suppose the tags could have been exchanged?” - -“Maybe the pixies did it!” laughed Sunny. She liked to say she believed -in fairies, although she knew none actually existed. - -Deeply puzzled, the Brownie Scouts resumed their hike. - -Coming presently to a giant oak tree, they selected the site for their -picnic ground. The brisk morning walk through the wild park area had -made the girls very hungry. Eagerly they spread out the lunch. - -“What a beautiful oak!” Connie said dreamily, gazing up into the leafy -branches. - -“Are you sure it’s an oak?” teased Jane, biting into a peanut butter -sandwich. “There’s no identification tag.” - -“In that case, I’m sure!” chuckled Connie. “Don’t you say it’s an oak, -Miss Gordon?” - -The teacher agreed with her that it was. “I can’t understand our -mistake about those other trees,” she added, frowning thoughtfully. -“When we leave the park area, I intend to stop at the caretaker’s house -and talk to him about it.” - -After finishing their lunch, the Brownies rested for a while beneath -the rugged old tree. - -“Tell us a story, Miss Gordon,” Rosemary urged, stretching lazily on -the grass. - -“One about fairies,” added Sunny. - -“May we hear the story about the Brownies?” pleaded Veve. “The one upon -which our Brownie Scout organization is based?” - -The girls had heard this tale many times, but never tired of having it -repeated. - -So, starting off “Once upon a time in old England,” Miss Gordon -launched forth into the story of how a little girl and a boy named Mary -and Tommy learned to be helpful in their home. - -She told of their visit to the wise old owl in the forest and their -plea that he instruct them how to find the brownies who once did all -the family work. - -“Hoot! Hoot!” said Veve, pretending that she was the owl. “I know of -two brownies that live in your house right now!” - -“In my house?” echoed Connie, taking on the part of Mary, the little -girl. - -“In your house,” repeated Veve. “But they are idle.” - -“How can we find those brownies?” - -“I’ll tell you how to find one of them,” said Veve, the owl. “Go to the -pool in the woods and turn yourself around three times, saying this -charm: - - “Twist me and turn me and show me the elf, - I looked in the water and saw--” - -“MYSELF,” shouted the other girls in the Rosedale Brownie troop. - -“Oh, you’re getting ahead of the story!” Veve protested. “Mary didn’t -learn that she was the Brownie until a long while later.” - -“We all know what happened,” said Jane impatiently. “The children -started doing the work at home, making the old couple think they were -the brownies. Then one day they were discovered.” - -“Even so, they kept on helping,” Connie contributed. “And everyone said -the children were a blessing, not a burden.” - -“That’s a bob-tailed version of Mrs. Julianna Horatia Ewing’s lovely -story,” Miss Gordon laughed. “More than anything else, it embodies the -ideals of our organization.” - -“I wish there were real brownies today,” Veve said wistfully. - -“Ones that would do useful things such as washing the breakfast dishes!” - -“And making the beds!” added Eileen. At home that particular task fell -to her. - -“If I had a brownie all my own, I’d want him to plan special surprises -for me,” declared Veve dreamily. “I wouldn’t wear him out doing grubby -household tasks.” - -“What would you ask your brownie to do?” Connie asked. - -“Oh--wonderful magic things!” - -“For instance?” probed Connie. - -“Well--oh, I know! I’d have him build me a tree house!” - -“A tree house!” exclaimed Eileen, intrigued by the thought. - -“I’d have the brownie build it right here in this oak tree,” Veve went -on grandly. “It would be a wonderful little house! With windows and -doors and a roof! I’d have curtains and a table and chairs!” - -“How would you get up to your tree house?” scoffed Jane. “Fly like the -birds?” - -“Oh, my brownie would build a stairway around the tree trunk. He’d take -care of everything!” - -“You need a carpenter, not a brownie!” laughed Connie. “Some boys in -our neighborhood once built a tree house. It wasn’t very sturdy though -and fell down when a strong wind came along.” - -“A tree house would be grand,” declared Sunny. “Oh, wouldn’t it be -heavenly if the Brownies--us, I mean--had a place of our very own up in -that oak?” - -“Let’s all wish hard for it!” proposed Veve, fired by her own -imagination. “Maybe--who knows--it might come true!” - -“Are you crazy?” demanded Jane scornfully. “You know very well wishes -hardly ever come true.” - -“Well, they could!” Veve insisted. - -“Let’s all wish,” urged Sunny. “What’s the difference? Even if it -doesn’t come true, it won’t do any harm.” - -“It’s silly,” Jane argued. - -Sunny and Veve refused to be turned aside. To humor them, the other -girls said they would join in making the wish. - -Jane, however, would have no part in the pretense. - -“We have to do this right or it won’t work,” Veve instructed the -Brownies. “Everyone close her eyes.” - -“Not I!” announced Jane. - -“Now everyone wish very hard for a beautiful little house right above -our heads in this oak,” went on Veve, ignoring Jane. “Wish hard, hard, -HARD.” - -Jane snickered. - -“Where’s your tree house?” she teased. “I don’t hear any hammering.” - -“The charm didn’t work because you wouldn’t wish,” Veve retorted -crossly. - -“It didn’t work because there aren’t any brownies,” corrected Jane. “Of -all the silly ideas--” - -A stone clattered down the hillside, rolling and bouncing until it came -to rest almost at the base of the oak tree. - -“What was that?” Jane interrupted herself, startled by the sound. - -Veve was staring at the stone, unable to believe her own eyesight. - -“Look!” she finally managed to say. - -Attached to the stone--in fact, wrapped entirely around it--was a -paper. A rubber band held it tightly in place. - -“Well, what do you know?” Jane mumbled. - -By this time Veve had recovered from the first shocked surprise. - -Darting forward, she seized the stone. - -“It’s a message for us!” she shouted. “Who says now that there aren’t -any brownies?” - - - - -CHAPTER 2 - -The Tossed Stone - - -So excited that they chattered like a flock of blackbirds, the Brownie -Scouts gathered about Veve. - -“Open it quick!” urged Connie. - -“What does it say?” demanded Jane, forgetting that she ever had teased -Veve about being silly. - -The stone obviously had been tossed from the cliff a short distance -behind the oak tree. - -Miss Gordon gazed quickly in that direction. However, the face of the -cliff was covered with cedar and scrub trees. She could see no one -hiding there. - -“Here, give me that paper!” Eileen exclaimed, trying to take it from -Veve. “Your hand is shaking so you can’t unwrap it.” - -Veve, however, had gained a grip upon herself. Quickly, she unrolled -the paper. - -“It is a message for us!” she cried. “It is!” - -“Read it, can’t you?” pleaded Jane. - -“‘To the little girl who believes in brownies,’” Veve began, her voice -shaky. “‘Return to this same tree two days from today and who knows? -Your wish may be fulfilled.’” - -“Well, can you beat that?” Jane muttered. - -“It proves there are brownies!” Veve cried happily. “We’re to have our -tree house!” - -“If that brownie is so smart, why didn’t he just wave a wand and have -the tree house built presto-chango?” Eileen asked, doubt entering her -mind. “You know what I think? Someone is playing a joke on us!” - -“Of course!” agreed Jane, seizing upon the explanation. “From that -cliff above, our conversation easily could be heard. Every word of it!” - -“Let’s find out,” proposed Connie. “May we go up there, Miss Gordon?” - -The teacher hesitated and then nodded consent. “Yes, I think we should -investigate,” she said. “I’m curious myself to learn who tossed that -stone. I tend to share Jane’s belief that someone must be playing a -joke on us.” - -Losing not a moment, the Brownie Scouts started up the steep trail. In -their haste they slipped and scuffed their shoes on the sharp stones. -But at last they reached the summit. - -“No one here!” Connie announced, glancing carefully about. - -“Of course not!” exclaimed Sunny triumphantly. “That proves the message -came from a genuine brownie!” - -“Genuine, my eye!” Jane cut in. “Ask Miss Gordon if fairies and -brownies are real.” - -“We all know they are merely story-book characters,” the Brownie Scout -leader said. Then, seeing how crestfallen Sunny and Veve looked, she -added kindly: - -“But someone certainly tossed a message down the slope. Let’s look -around for clues.” - -Spreading out, the girls covered every inch of the cleared area. - -“Someone was here all right!” cried Connie as she came upon several -large footprints. “He wasn’t a brownie either! Look at these huge -footprints!” - -At least six large shoe marks were visible in the moist earth. - -“A person could have stood here and looked directly down upon our -picnic site,” Miss Gordon observed. “I wonder if voices carry that -far.” - -Eileen and Rosemary offered to run back to the oak tree to make a test. -Five minutes later as they talked together below the cliff, those above -were able to hear nearly every word. - -“That explains how the person chanced to learn of Veve’s wish,” Miss -Gordon said. - -“But it doesn’t explain who threw the stone,” protested Veve. - -“It was someone’s idea of a practical joke,” Connie replied, sitting -down on a log to rest. “Too bad! I’d have liked a tree house. Think of -the good times we could have had there.” - -“Maybe we’ll get it yet,” Veve hinted. - -The others, with the exception of Sunny, laughed. They were convinced -that the stone had been thrown by a practical joker. - -“All right, laugh!” Veve said crossly. “Maybe I will have the last one.” - -“You aren’t silly enough to think that tree house will be built?” Jane -demanded. - -“Maybe it will. At any rate, I intend to come back here in two days to -see.” - -“Why wait two days?” Sunny asked. “Let’s come again tomorrow.” - -Veve, however, said that would never do. “We must obey instructions -exactly,” she insisted. “Miss Gordon, may we have another hike through -the park?” - -“Well, I suppose so, if the others are willing,” the Brownie leader -answered thoughtfully. “As for finding a tree house at the end of two -days--well, Veve, I think it unwise to build up false hope.” - -“At least it won’t do any harm to come,” Veve argued. “Please, Miss -Gordon.” - -“It’s entirely up to the girls to decide what they wish to do.” - -Veve quickly put the matter to a vote. Everyone except Jane said they -would like to return to the park area in two days. - -Rejoining Rosemary and Eileen at the oak tree, the girls gathered -together their knapsacks and nature notebooks. - -Now not even Veve really expected that upon their return to the area -they would find anything out of the ordinary. - -However, in the past the Brownies had enjoyed several unusual -adventures. From experience they knew that strange things could occur. -Hadn’t the entire troop once been snowbound at Snow Valley? - -And another time, Veve and Connie had been carried away with a -traveling circus. The Brownie Scouts never would forget that time, -because in trying to find the two girls they also had become involved -with a man named Pickpocket Joe. - -Even more recently the Brownies had earned a great deal of money -picking cherries at a nearby orchard. Through their efforts the city -had sponsored a cherry festival. Then, as a special reward, the -Brownies had been sent to Washington with all expenses paid. This story -has been recounted in another volume, entitled: “The Brownie Scouts in -the Cherry Festival.” - -Wishing for a tree house, however, was an entirely different matter. -Even Veve and Sunny who were very imaginative, knew that fairies -existed only in story books. Yet could one be certain that the message -telling them to return had been a joke? - -“Time to start home,” Miss Gordon abruptly announced. “We’ve had enough -excitement for one day.” - -En route to the exit gate, the girls kept an alert watch for strangers. -The trail was deserted and not a car had been parked in the enclosure -near the road. - -Without meeting a single person they came presently to the caretaker’s -stone hut. - -“Let’s stop here a minute,” Connie suggested. “Maybe the superintendent -can tell us who has been in the park today.” - -“An excellent idea,” agreed Miss Gordon. “I was about to propose -the same thing myself. I also want to ask the caretaker about those -markings on the trees.” - -A cheerful fire blazed on the hearth inside the stone gatehouse. - -As the Brownies shuffled in, the superintendent, Charlie Karwhite, -poked at a log to stir up the flames. - -Hearing footsteps, he turned around to smile at the girls. The six were -dressed exactly alike in pinchecked Brownie uniforms, stout hiking -shoes, and beanies on their heads. - -“Well, well,” he said in a friendly way. “A delegation! Anything I can -do for you?” - -Mr. Karwhite, a man well past middle age, had supervised the -metropolitan park for seven years. - -The heavily wooded tract was less than a mile from the outskirts of -Rosedale. Stone fireplaces had been built in the area and many trails -marked. For the most part, however, the park remained in its natural -state. - -Circling around, the Brownies enjoyed the warmth of the fire. - -Miss Gordon explained that the troop had hiked through the park. “A few -minutes ago we had a most unusual experience,” she added. - -Sensing that the teacher had something interesting to report, Mr. -Karwhite put his poker away and listened attentively. - -“First of all, may I ask a question?” began Miss Gordon. “Are all your -trees correctly marked with scientific names?” - -“Why, yes. The job was done early this spring by Phillip Mallet, the -naturalist.” - -“Several trees on Trail 3 seem to be improperly identified. Either that -or I am hopelessly confused.” - -“I’ve not been over the trail within the last three days,” Mr. Karwhite -replied. “I’ll check the matter as soon as I can.” - -The matter of the trees disposed of, the Brownie leader next asked the -superintendent if many persons had visited the park that morning. - -“Not many,” he informed. “A few boys came through right after -breakfast. They didn’t stay long.” - -“No one else?” - -“Two or three cars drove through.” - -“No one in the last hour or so?” - -“Not that I’ve noticed,” Mr. Karwhite answered. “However, there is -another gateway at the far end of the park. Anything wrong?” - -“Someone played a little joke on us,” the teacher said. “We were eating -our lunch by a large oak tree when someone tossed a stone from the -cliff.” - -“A message was attached,” contributed Sunny. “It said--” - -Jane gave her a hard nudge in the ribs. She did not want Mr. Karwhite -to hear about the tree house. - -Sunny subsided into silence. The superintendent did not appear to -notice how quickly she had broken off. - -“It must have been those boys who threw the stone,” he said. “I’ve -warned ’em to behave themselves or have their park privileges denied.” - -“We’re making no complaint,” Miss Gordon said quickly. “After all, it -was just a little joke. Furthermore, we aren’t certain who tossed the -stone. The footprints we saw on the cliff were quite large.” - -“Well, if you’re annoyed again, let me know,” Mr. Karwhite invited. -“I’ll not tolerate any foolishness.” - -The Brownies soon said good-bye to the superintendent and started for -home. Veve and Sunny lagged at the rear of the line, talking over the -events of the morning. - -“Maybe it was just a joke,” Veve said, walking along with her arm about -Sunny’s waist. “I don’t think so though.” - -“Neither do I,” agreed the other. “I’m certain that stone never was -thrown by a boy.” - -“There’s one thing sure,” Veve announced impressively. “I don’t care -what the other Brownies do! Two days from today I’m going back to the -park.” - -“So am I,” agreed Sunny. “I don’t really believe in fairies, but if we -should get our tree house--how wonderful it would be!” - - - - -CHAPTER 3 - -Surprise! - - -Two days had elapsed. - -For the Brownie Scouts, never had time seemed to pass so slowly. - -“Oh, I hardly can wait to see if anything has happened!” Veve declared -excitedly. - -Except for Sunny and herself, the other girls pretended they weren’t -much excited at the thought of returning to the metropolitan park area. - -Actually, they wouldn’t have missed the hike for anything in the world. - -On the appointed day, the girls gathered after school at Miss Gordon’s -home. - -Each Brownie brought her own neat package of sandwiches. In addition, -the leader had provided two thermos bottles filled with hot chocolate. - -“This is a silly trip,” Jane complained good-naturedly. “I wish we’d -gone somewhere else.” - -The beautiful early autumn day had turned a trifle chilly. Even if the -weather had not been nippy, the girls would have walked fast, so eager -were they to reach the park. - -“I don’t know why I came,” Jane went on. “It’s a long walk out here.” - -“No one asked you to come,” Veve said crossly. She was certain that -when they reached the oak tree, Jane would say “I told you so.” Already -she had been teased too much about wishing for a tree house. - -“Girls, let’s not bicker,” interposed Miss Gordon. “I thought we were -going on this hike for the fun of it. I’m sure no one expects to find a -tree house.” - -Veve and Sunny looked at each other and made no response. - -“_They_ expect to find one!” teased Jane. “I guess all that wishful -dreaming comes from reading books like ‘Jack and the Beanstalk.’ Veve -figures a tree house will sprout out of the ground, complete with -curtains and a fireplace!” - -“Oh, hush!” Veve retorted savagely. - -Miss Gordon brought peace by directing the girls’ attention to a rabbit -which had paused near a briar patch. When Jane tried to creep closer, -the animal hopped away. - -Passing the stone gatehouse, the Brownies again selected Trail three. - -“Why don’t we eat our lunch before we go to the cliff?” proposed Jane. -“I’m hungry.” - -“Try eating your words for a while,” Veve muttered. “The rest of us -want to go straight to the oak tree.” - -Jane said no more. Or at least she managed to remain silent until the -troop approached the cliff area. Then she could not resist remarking: -“If we should find anything, I’d drop dead! I would for a fact.” - -Veve, who was at the head of the line of hikers, had stopped on the -trail. - -“All right, Jane!” she exclaimed. “Drop dead then! ’Cause I can see -something ahead.” - -“Oh, you’re kidding,” Jane retorted, unimpressed. “You don’t see a -thing.” - -“Don’t I?” demanded Veve. “Then my eyes are deceiving me!” - -Swinging her knapsack over the other shoulder, she ran forward. - -“Do you suppose--” Sunny began, and then she uttered a little shriek of -joy. “Veve’s right!” she cried. “Something has been built in the oak -tree!” - -Sunny also bolted down the trail. - -Not to miss out on anything, the other girls followed as fast as they -could. - -Reaching the clearing, the Brownies stopped dead in their tracks. - -Directly ahead of them stood Veve and Sunny, their enchanted gaze -fastened upon a little house built in the lower branches of the oak -tree. - -“Pinch me,” whispered Connie. “I know I’m dreaming.” - -Eileen obliged by giving her such a hard nip that she yipped in pain. - -“Is it real?” whispered Rosemary in awe. “It doesn’t seem possible!” - -Jane was too dumbfounded to speak. Veve and Sunny however, capered -around as if they were crazy. - -“Didn’t we tell you?” Veve shouted. “Now who says wishes don’t come -true?” - -The square house had a window, a door and a balcony with a stairway -leading down. The steps were far apart, but a railing had been put up -so that anyone climbing to the little house would not fall. - -“What are we waiting for?” demanded Veve. Excitedly, she started up the -stairway. - -“Veve!” called Miss Gordon. - -Reluctantly the little girl waited for the teacher. - -“Dear me, I don’t know what to think!” Miss Gordon declared testing the -stairway. “The steps are well constructed and seem safe enough.” - -“Up I go!” shouted Veve. - -Before the teacher could offer a protest, she darted up the steps. - -Reaching the balcony, Veve turned to look down. The Brownies, watching -from below, appeared rather small. - -“Oh, it’s a wonderful house!” the little girl shouted. “And it’s all -ours too!” - -She disappeared into the house. - -Sunny and Connie now started up the stairway, but Miss Gordon called -them back. - -“I must be certain that the steps are strong enough to bear so much -weight,” she warned. “I’ll climb up first. Then if it appears safe, you -all may come.” - -“Hurry! Hurry!” urged Jane, who now had forgotten that she ever had -made fun of Veve or Sunny. - -As Miss Gordon started up the steps, Veve popped her head out of a -window. - -“It’s super--simply super!” she yelled down. “The house has a window -seat and a cupboard!” - -The other Brownies by this time were jumping up and down in their -excitement. Unable to wait for Miss Gordon to give the word, Eileen -started up a few steps. - -“The stairway is very sturdily built,” the leader called down. “You may -come up one at a time. Eileen first, since she is half way up.” - -Each girl took her turn. Jane, the disbeliever, was the last one to -climb the stairway. - -As she viewed the interior of the neat playhouse, her breath was quite -taken away. - -“Oh, this place will look grand when we bring dishes and books and put -curtains at the window!” she exclaimed. - -“But is it really ours?” returned Miss Gordon quietly. “I can’t -understand how this house came to be here. It is well built, evidently -by a skilled carpenter.” - -“We don’t care who built it,” chortled Jane. “It’s ours to use, isn’t -it?” - -“I’m far from certain that it is,” replied the leader. “This is a -public park you must remember.” - -“Very few people come here, especially so late in the year.” - -“All the same, I’m sure no one would have the right to put up a tree -house without permission. Or for that matter to use it.” - -The house had been built large enough so that all the Brownies and -their leader could enter. - -At first Miss Gordon would allow only two or three of the girls in the -room at one time. As the house remained absolutely firm in the branches -she finally permitted the others to join the group. - -“Let’s eat our lunch here!” Connie proposed. “Oh, we’re going to have -wonderful times!” - -“Providing we’re allowed to use the playhouse,” Miss Gordon reminded -her. “It’s a marvelous thing in a way--but I can’t understand how it -came about.” - -“The brownies,” laughed Veve. - -“A very substantial brownie, I think,” said Miss Gordon. “Mr. Karwhite -may know something about the matter. We’ll question him when we leave -the park.” - -As the girls ate their sandwiches and sipped hot chocolate, they made -elaborate plans. The house was perfect, they thought, except that it -needed a table and chairs. - -“How cosy it will look with a rag rug on the floor and a curtain at the -window,” Rosemary declared. “And the view! One can see the road from -here!” - -“And the stone bridge!” added Eileen, peering over her shoulder. - -“I feel just like a bird living up in a tree,” laughed Veve happily. -“Wouldn’t it be fun to sleep here at night?” - -“The house would rock you to sleep!” laughed Connie. “It’s just like a -cradle when the wind blows.” - -“It wouldn’t be any fun in a storm,” Sunny said with a shiver. “This -house would rock like an earthquake was shaking it then. And it might -come crashing down.” - -The girls so thoroughly enjoyed themselves in the little house that -they took a long while eating lunch. - -With an anxious glance at her wrist watch, Miss Gordon warned that it -was time to leave. - -“We have stayed far too long,” she declared, gathering up the lunch -papers. “Unless we hurry, we’ll be caught on the road after dark. That -will never do.” - -“We may come again soon?” Sunny pleaded. “Tomorrow perhaps?” - -“I hardly know what to say,” replied Miss Gordon. “Before I give my -answer, I must make inquiries. I do hope though, that this house is -truly ours to use.” - -Reluctantly, the girls trooped down from the tree house. - -Once on the ground, they stood for a moment, gazing up at it. - -“Wouldn’t it be dreadful if it vanished over night?” Connie said, -voicing the fear that had beset them all. “Oh, it’s such a perfect -little house!” - -“Let’s wish hard that it’s just for us,” proposed Sunny. - -Not even Jane offered a protest. - -“And let’s wish that the brownie, whoever he is, builds us a nice table -and set of chairs!” added Veve. - -“Why, that’s greedy,” protested Connie. “We should be grateful that we -have this splendid house.” - -Veve, however, only laughed, as she turned to follow the others up the -trail. - -“It’s forethought,” she insisted. “I have a hunch we’ll get to use this -darling little tree house for a long while. So while that Mr. Brownie -is in a good mood, why not ask him to do a good job of furnishing our -home?” - - - - -CHAPTER 4 - -Through the Field Glass - - -In leaving the park area, the Brownies again stopped at the gate house -to talk to Mr. Karwhite. - -The superintendent listened in amazement to their story that a tree -house had been built in the branches of the oak. - -“Why, I can’t believe it!” he exclaimed. - -“Then the house couldn’t have been constructed by park workmen,” -remarked Miss Gordon. - -“I should say not!” agreed Mr. Karwhite. “We’d be afraid to put up a -tree house lest some child climb up and fall. I’ll have it torn down -immediately.” - -A wail of protest greeted this announcement. - -“Oh, no! You can’t!” cried Veve. “It’s such a cute little house.” - -“It was built for the Brownies too,” insisted Sunny earnestly. “It -would be a shame to destroy such a darling little place.” - -“The house seems very well built,” added Miss Gordon. “Whoever put it -up knew his business.” - -“That’s what annoys me,” sputtered Mr. Karwhite. “No one had the right -to put up any structure without my permission. Where is this tree -house?” - -Although the hour was growing late, the Brownies offered to show the -superintendent the way. - -Back at the oak, Mr. Karwhite scratched his head in perplexity as he -gazed up at the house amid the leaves. - -“Well, at least it looks well built and in keeping with the rustic -design of other park buildings,” he admitted grudgingly. - -“Then you won’t tear it down?” Connie asked. - -“I suppose it could stay up until winter,” the superintendent said -after he had inspected the stairway. “Now that it’s so late in the -season not many children come here any more. The house isn’t as high -from the ground as I thought either.” - -“And the stairway has a railing,” pointed out Eileen. “Oh, Mr. -Karwhite, having a little house like this would be so wonderful!” - -The superintendent turned to Miss Gordon. “I can’t have children -playing here unwatched,” he said. “Now, if you were to be here with -them--” - -“I always accompany the Brownies on all their hikes.” - -“Then I’ll let the house stand for the time being,” the man consented. -“I don’t know who built this house, but I have an idea. Most of the -work must have been done late in the day when I’m at the other end of -the park feeding the deer.” - -The Brownies plied Mr. Karwhite with questions, seeking to learn the -name of the person he thought might have built the house. - -“I can’t say,” the superintendent put them aside. “I intend to do a -little investigating though.” - -Long shadows were beginning to envelop the forest. - -Fearful of being caught on the road after dark, the Brownies and their -leader hurriedly said good-bye to Mr. Karwhite. - -All the way to their homes, the girls could talk of nothing except what -they would do in the new play room. Miss Gordon promised she would make -a pair of dainty curtains for the window. - -Several of the girls had extra dishes which they planned to bring. - -“May we go tomorrow?” Connie pleaded. “The park officials may decide to -take the little house down. We want to play in it every minute we can.” - -Miss Gordon was very easy to persuade. “Yes, we’ll hike to the park -again after school,” she decided. “It isn’t every Brownie troop that -has its own tree house!” - -“And a mystery with it!” added Jane pertly. - -“What’s the mystery?” inquired Rosemary, trudging along beside her. - -“Why, how did the tree house come to be in the park?” - -“A brownie built it!” laughed Veve. “My wish came true!” - -“Your wish!” Jane snorted. “You know very well there isn’t such a thing -as magic except in story books.” - -“You said we’d never get a tree house, Jane Tuttle! Wrong, weren’t you?” - -“Yes, I was. But to say the tree house was built by a brownie is -downright stupid!” - -“I’m not stupid,” Veve retorted. “It’s fun to pretend a brownie did it. -And until you can give me a better explanation, I’m going to keep right -on saying so! There!” - -“Girls, girls!” laughed Miss Gordon, who always found it necessary to -make peace between Jane and Veve. “We’re certain of one thing. Whoever -built the tree house, must have heard our wish. And the person, whoever -he or she is, wishes to have his identity remain unknown. So perhaps, -just as a little game, we can say that a brownie was responsible.” - -“See!” exclaimed Veve triumphantly. - -To the bitter disappointment of all the girls, the following day was -cold and rainy. - -By Saturday, however, the sun was out, and the Brownies again visited -the park. - -Clomping along in galoshes, they found the trails muddy and the forest -area deserted. Not even Mr. Karwhite was in evidence at the gate house. - -“We’ll certainly have the park to ourselves today,” declared Miss -Gordon. - -The Brownies selected the shortest route to the tree house. Their way -took them past a stone grill, across a rustic bridge and then down a -long series of steps cut in the side of the steep slope. - -“The house is still there,” declared Connie in relief as they presently -came within view of it. - -“I’ll race you!” shouted Veve. - -Before Miss Gordon could warn the girls not to run, she was off, with -Connie close behind. - -Breathless, the two reached the base of the giant oak. - -“Beat you to the top!” challenged Veve. - -Again she was first. Two steps ahead of Connie she arrived on the tiny -balcony. Waving at the other girls on the ground, she ducked into the -tree house. - -Immediately she gave a loud yell, which told those below that another -surprise awaited them. - -“Hurry! Hurry!” shouted Veve. - -The girls hastened up the stairway as fast as they could. - -Upon reaching the doorway, they instantly saw why Veve was so excited. - -During their absence, a table and six sturdy chairs had been added to -the little house. Also, a corner shelf had been built to hold books or -miscellaneous articles. - -“Our wish came true!” cried Veve, quite carried away. “Now what do you -say?” - -“Who do you suppose did it?” murmured Jane in awe. - -“Mr. Karwhite maybe,” suggested Eileen. - -The others, however, did not share her belief that the park -superintendent had contributed the furniture. - -“I can’t understand it,” Miss Gordon remarked, deeply puzzled. “Girls, -where were you standing when you made the wish for table and chairs?” - -“At the foot of the stairway by the oak tree,” supplied Veve promptly. -“But no one except the Brownies heard the wish.” - -“Someone must have,” insisted the leader. “Even though we saw no one -near, a person could have been hidden back among the bushes. It gives -me a queer, uneasy feeling to think about it.” - -“I think it’s nice to have an unknown good fairy doing things for us!” -laughed Connie. - -Thrilled by the latest gift for their house, the girls set to work -“moving in.” Miss Gordon had made a pair of dainty red and white dotted -curtains which exactly fitted the window. - -From home, Rosemary had brought one of her mother’s handmade rag rugs -for the floor. Connie, Eileen and Rosemary contributed dishes which -they arranged attractively in the cupboards. - -“Oh, if Mr. Karwhite only allows us to stay here, we’ll have grand -times,” Connie declared gaily. - -The other girls were equally thrilled. Taking turns they peeped out of -the window into a delightful world of branches and tinted leaves. - -From the balcony, they could see the gate house, the road, and many of -the park trails. - -Best of all, however, they enjoyed the gentle movement of the little -house, as the breeze rocked it in its bough cradle. - -“I feel almost as if I’m part of the tree,” declared Veve dreamily. -“Wouldn’t it be fun to sleep here at night?” - -“Now don’t get ideas,” interposed Miss Gordon. “Our tree house -activities definitely are limited to the daytime.” - -The brisk morning hike had made the girls very hungry. Although it was -not yet noon, they voted to have lunch immediately. - -“We must try out the new dishes,” said Eileen. “My, I wish we had a -little stove! Then we could heat things and have a hot meal.” - -“And be snug and warm after the weather turns cold,” added Eileen. -“Maybe we could keep coming here all winter!” - -“Dear me, don’t make any more wishes,” laughed Miss Gordon. “Let’s be -satisfied with this little house just as it is.” - -The girls spread out their lunch of sandwiches, hard cooked eggs, fresh -tomatoes and beverage. Scarcely had they settled down to eat than Veve -held up her hand in a signal for silence. - -“Sh!” she whispered. “I hear something!” - -The others listened intently. But they heard no unusual sound. - -“It was the wind whispering in the leaves,” declared Connie. “Or maybe -a bird.” - -Veve shook her head. “I’m sure it was someone below in the bushes!” she -whispered. - -“Veve’s right,” suddenly agreed Eileen, becoming tense. “Someone’s -sneaking up the stairway!” - -Distinctly now, the girls could hear footsteps on the steps below them. - -Rather alarmed, Miss Gordon went quickly to the door. Then she laughed. - -“We do have a visitor, girls! It’s Mr. Karwhite.” - -The superintendent came on up the stairway. He peeped into the little -house, but did not try to enter. In fact, not a square inch of space -was available for him. - -“Well, well,” he chuckled. “A full house! How are you getting along?” - -“Oh, just fine!” replied Connie. “We have a new table and chairs. -Aren’t they cute?” - -Mr. Karwhite agreed that the furniture was very nice. Carefully, he -examined each piece, remarking that the articles had been made of good -lumber and were well finished. - -“I can’t understand who is doing this!” he said in an annoyed tone. -“It’s against park rules. Whoever built this house had no right to do -it without permission.” - -“But it’s such an adorable little house,” said Connie anxiously. “You -wouldn’t make the person tear it down if you could find him, would you?” - -“I reckon not,” Mr. Karwhite smiled. “At least not before spring. But -it does annoy me.” - -He told the Brownies then that he was in a rather bad mood that morning -because in inspecting Trail No. 3 he had discovered that several of the -trees were incorrectly marked. - -“Then we were right about it!” exclaimed Connie. - -“You certainly were,” the park superintendent assured her. “The tree -you thought was a maple actually was one. Someone deliberately changed -the tags on at least five trees.” - -“What a stupid thing to do,” commented Miss Gordon. - -“I’ve no proof, but I figure the trick was done by a group of boys who -come through the park now and then. I’d like to catch them!” - -Mr. Karwhite started to leave, and then thought of another matter. - -“This tree house is almost like a lookout station,” he declared. “If -any of you see those boys playing pranks, I wish you’d let me know -right away.” - -“We will!” promised Connie. - -Mr. Karwhite unstrapped a black leather case which he wore over his -shoulder. - -“Here, keep my fieldglass,” he directed. “You’ll have fun using it, and -will be able to see almost anywhere in the park from such a high point.” - -“Oh, thank you!” cried Veve, taking the glass from him. “How do you -make it work?” - -The superintendent showed her how to adjust the glass. Each girl -insisted upon her turn. - -“Just leave the glass at the gate house when you start home,” Mr. -Karwhite instructed. “And if you should see those young rascals -tampering with the tags, be sure to notify me right away!” - -After the superintendent had gone, the girls had a great deal of fun -looking at various points of the park through the field glass. - -“I can see the animal pens!” announced Sunny when her turn came. - -“Let me look,” pleaded Veve. - -Taking the glass from Sunny, she adjusted it to her own eyes. After -studying the animal pens for a time, she trained the instrument upon -the roadway. - -“Come on, it’s my turn now!” exclaimed Jane impatiently. “You’ve had -that glass for five minutes.” - -Veve waved her aside. - -“Wait,” she mumbled. - -“Wait!” Jane retorted in exasperation. “It’s always ‘wait’ when you -have the glass, and ‘hurry up’ when someone else is looking.” - -“I’m really seeing something,” said Veve impressively. “Something -queer.” - -Her words drew the attention of all the Brownies. Quickly they -clustered about her, eager to learn what held her interest. - -“What d’you see?” Connie demanded. “Those boys Mr. Karwhite asked us to -watch for?” - -“It’s more interesting than that,” announced Veve, clinging fast to the -glass as Jane tried to take it from her. “Oh, my goodness! Where _is_ -she going with that sack?” - - - - -CHAPTER 5 - -Mixed Signs - - -Veve’s remark about a woman with a sack, further plagued the Brownies. -Quite carried away by curiosity, Jane took the field glass from her. - -“Who do you see with a sack?” she demanded. - -“Look toward the side road,” directed Veve. - -Jane trained the glass in that direction. The only living object in -her line of vision was a lean white horse with an old fashioned buggy -attached. - -The buggy had pulled up at the side of a dirt road beyond the park -boundary. Contentedly, the old horse grazed on grass. Her owner was -nowhere visible. - -“I don’t see anyone with a sack,” Jane complained. “I guess you were -kidding us, Veve.” - -“No, I wasn’t,” Veve denied. “She was there a moment ago. Here, let me -have that glass again.” - -She took it from Jane. But after studying the roadside area intently, -acknowledged that the woman no longer was there. - -“That’s funny,” commented Veve. “She must have disappeared somewhere in -this park. But what’s she doing with a sack?” - -“You’re sure you actually saw her?” Eileen questioned doubtfully. - -“Of course! The buggy is proof I did!” - -“What did she look like?” questioned Rosemary. - -“Well,” Veve said, thinking hard, “she was queer looking and real thin. -She wore a straw hat. Her dress was long with a full skirt. That’s all -I remember except the sack--and the odd way she looked around when she -jumped out of the buggy.” - -“What do you mean by the odd way she looked around?” asked Connie, -taking her turn at the field glass. - -“She acted as if she were afraid someone would see her.” - -“Oh, well!” Jane shrugged, losing interest. “She’s gone now anyway. Who -cares what she does with her sack?” - -“I’d like to know why she ducked into the woods,” Veve said. “Maybe she -might have something to do with this tree house.” - -“How could she?” demanded Sunny. - -“It’s just one of Veve’s crazy notions,” said Jane. - -“Maybe it’s not a crazy notion,” retorted Veve. “I guess if we ever -expect to learn who built this playhouse, we’ll have to ask a few -questions.” - -“The woman may live near the park,” Connie said, coming to her friend’s -defense. “It’s possible she does know who built the house.” - -While the girls talked, Miss Gordon had been looking through the field -glass herself. On one of the trails not far from the rustic bridge, she -had sighted the woman. - -“There she is!” she exclaimed. “Veve’s right! She does have a bag!” - -“I told you so!” declared Veve shrilly. - -Miss Gordon watched the old lady until she was blocked from view by the -trees. - -“Where do you suppose she’s going?” speculated Sunny. “She can’t be in -the park just for the fun of it, because she’s in such a hurry.” - -“She does appear to have business here,” Miss Gordon admitted. “The -trail she is taking leads over the bridge and to the spring.” - -“She can’t carry water in her sack!” laughed Veve. “I wish we knew more -about her. I know! Why don’t we manage to meet her at the spring and -ask a few questions?” - -“We need water too,” declared Connie, indicating the empty thermos -bottle. - -“I don’t want to go,” said Jane, who sometimes liked to be contrary. -“It’s a long walk to the spring.” - -“I’d rather stay here in the tree house,” agreed Rosemary. - -Sunny and Eileen sided with Veve and Connie, urging that they be -allowed to head the woman off at the spring. - -“I doubt you’ll learn anything by talking to her,” Miss Gordon told the -four girls. “But run along if you like. I’ll stay here with Jane and -Rosemary. We’ll finish tidying up while you’re gone.” - -“Just don’t take all day,” Jane tossed at them. “We want to start home -before too long.” - -Taking the empty thermos bottle with them, Eileen, Sunny, Veve and -Connie started down the winding stairway. - -“You know the trail?” Miss Gordon called after them. - -“Oh, yes!” replied Veve confidently. - -“We always can follow the trail markings,” added Connie. - -Walking single file, the girls moved briskly off in the direction of -the spring. - -The trail they followed was number two and at intervals was marked with -a tiny numeral “2” on little wooden signboards. - -The girls made a great deal of noise as their shoes crackled through -the leaves and dry pine needles. Gaily they trotted along, wondering -what they would say when they met the old lady at the spring. - -They were certain she must be going there, for after the trail crossed -the rustic bridge, it ended rather abruptly. - -Soon the girls came to a fork in the trail. Connie, who was leading, -paused to be certain she was taking the right turn. - -To her surprise she noticed that the signpost directed: “The Spring,” -and the little red arrow pointed toward the left hand path. - -“Why, I thought we turned right here,” she said in perplexity. - -“So did I,” said Eileen, gazing up at the sign. - -“Well, the sign must be right,” argued Veve, adding with a laugh, “That -is, it must mean we’re to take the left hand path. Come on, we’re -wasting time!” - -Still Connie hesitated. - -“It seems as if we should go the other way,” she said doubtfully. - -“Oh, you’re mixed up,” Veve told her. “From above, the trails look -different. This must be the right direction.” - -Veve now took the lead, walking fast because she did not want to miss -meeting the queer old lady with the sack. - -Eileen followed directly behind, while Sunny and Connie brought up the -rear. - -After the girls had gone a short way along the winding path, they came -to another marker which bore the numeral “2”. - -“You see, were on the trail all right,” Veve declared. “Nothing to -worry about.” - -“It just doesn’t seem right,” Connie answered. - -Veve trudged on with the others close behind. The trail seemed to be -getting narrower and less plainly marked. - -Quite often Veve had to push bushes aside to make room to slip through. -Some of the long branches whipped back into the faces of those who -followed. - -“Say! The park attendants don’t keep this trail up very well,” she -complained. - -“O-oh!” wailed Sunny. She had stepped into a soft spot and had sunk -half way to the top of her galoshes in mud. - -“I don’t like this one bit,” Connie declared, helping Sunny. “I never -remembered that the spring was so far away.” - -“Neither did I,” said Eileen, abruptly halting. “And where is the -rustic bridge? Shouldn’t we have passed it long ago?” - -Even Veve had grown uneasy. “I guess it only seems as if we’ve been -hiking a long while,” she said. “This trail must be right because it’s -plainly marked.” - -“It was at first,” Connie corrected. “We haven’t seen a signpost for a -long while now.” - -“But we’ve not passed another fork,” Veve insisted. “So we couldn’t -have taken a wrong turn.” - -Not knowing what else to do, the girls went on, but at a slower pace. -The path now seemed dark and mysterious. - -Suddenly Veve halted to stare at a marking tacked to a tree trunk. - -Behind her, Connie also saw it at the same instant. She uttered a gasp -of dismay. - -“Why, it says Trail 3 instead of Trail 2!” she exclaimed. - -“And look what’s written in pencil directly under the lettering!” -Eileen cried. - -Veve read the nearly illegible message aloud. In pencil someone had -scrawled: “Fooled you!” - -Seeing the sign, the four girls were badly frightened. - -“What does it mean?” Sunny asked, her voice shaking. “Why does the -trail sign say 3 instead of 2?” - -“Because someone has mixed up the signs!” Connie answered. Her eyes -flashed angrily. “Oh, those horrid boys who changed the markings on the -trees must have done it!” - -“Then we’re on Trail 3 instead of Trail 2, and a long way from the -spring,” Eileen declared uneasily. - -“I don’t think we’re on Trail 3 either,” Veve said, peering ahead. - -“Then where are we?” Sunny demanded. - -“We’re just off somewhere in the forest,” Veve admitted, her voice weak -from fright. “The trail has played out entirely. If you want to know -the worst--we’re lost!” - - - - -CHAPTER 6 - -A Mysterious Sack - - -Of the group, Connie was the only one who remained entirely cool and -collected. - -“We can’t be lost,” she advised the others. “All we have to do is -return the way we came.” - -“But we’re off the regular trail,” Veve insisted, less frightened. “We -must be a long distance from the spring.” - -“Those horrid boys should be kept out of the park!” declared Sunny -indignantly. - -The other Brownies shared her belief that the trail signs deliberately -had been changed by pranksters. - -They were convinced too, that the mischief had been done by the same -persons who had exchanged the tags on the trees. - -“We’ve wasted a lot of time,” Connie said regretfully as the girls -started to retrace their way. “I suppose the best thing now is to -forget about that queer old lady, and return to the tree house.” - -“Provided we can find it,” Eileen said, her confidence ebbing. -“This path has twisted and turned so much I’m not at all sure of my -directions.” - -“I think I can lead the way back,” Connie declared. - -However, with only false signs to guide her, the path proved most -confusing. - -Coming to a fork, Connie could not be certain which way to turn. Veve -and Eileen were for going in one direction, while Sunny was equally -sure that the other way was right. - -“Let’s keep to the left,” Connie urged. “The sun will be to our backs -then.” - -Veve demanded to know what that might have to do with the matter. - -“When we faced the roadway earlier, I noticed that the sun was shining -that same way--on our backs,” Connie explained. “The highway runs one -entire side of the park. So if we keep walking in the same direction, -were almost certain to come out at the road.” - -“But we don’t want to end up there,” protested Eileen. - -“If we once reach the road, it will be easy to take bearings,” Connie -pointed out. - -“Connie’s right,” agreed Veve, siding with her. “We’re sure of -striking the road, so let’s go that way.” - -With the sun to their backs, the four girls trudged on. By this time -they were on a well traveled trail again, but one entirely without -markers. - -“Maybe this isn’t taking us to the road after all,” Sunny presently -remarked. “We’ve been walking a long while.” - -“I see something ahead!” Connie encouraged her. “Yes, it’s the roadway!” - -In a moment the girls emerged upon a narrow dirt road. Connie convinced -the others that if they followed it for a short distance they would -come to a familiar trail which would lead them back to the tree house. - -“Which way do we go?” Sunny asked uncertainly. - -“To the right, I think,” Connie said, after studying various landmarks. -“If we are wrong we will circle the park and eventually come out near -the gate house.” - -“Miss Gordon will be worried to death if we don’t get back to the tree -house soon,” Eileen declared anxiously. “Let’s hurry.” - -The girls walked along the grass at the side of the road to avoid mud. -By the nearly unbroken stretch of the thoroughfare, they knew that -few vehicles had passed that way during the day. Automobiles usually -followed the paved highway which wound through the heart of the woods. - -Swinging around a curve, the girls were both startled and relieved to -observe a horse and buggy tied up at the roadside. - -“Why, that’s the same old-fashioned outfit we saw from the tree house!” -exclaimed Veve. “I know where we are now!” - -“So do I,” laughed Connie, greatly relieved. “We can’t be very far from -the big oak tree and our sky house.” - -The girls wondered what had become of the old lady with the sack. -Evidently, she remained somewhere in the park area, for the horse and -buggy had not been shifted from their original place. - -“Maybe she took a wrong trail as we did,” Connie remarked. “It would be -easy to do with so many markers mixed up.” - -As the girls approached the old horse, Veve heard someone moving -rapidly through the woods. - -“Someone’s coming,” she murmured. - -Even as she murmured the warning, the roadside bushes suddenly parted. - -From one of the nearby trails, the queer old lady unexpectedly emerged. - -At close range, she looked even stranger than from a distance. Hair -streamed over her face and her hat was pushed far back from her -forehead. - -Slung over her shoulder was the sack which first had drawn the interest -of the Brownie Scouts. - -Oddly enough, the sack now appeared to be half filled. Also, the old -lady carried the burden as if it were quite heavy. - -The Brownies were too far away to see what she had obtained. They were -very curious however. - -“Now what do you suppose she’s carrying?” Veve speculated. - -Although the little girl spoke in a quiet voice, the old lady heard the -remark. - -Glancing up in a startled manner, she seemed to hesitate and to act -confused. To the Brownies it was evident that she did not want them to -see what she was carrying. - -They were certain of it when she moved swiftly to the buggy and shoved -the sack out of view beneath the seat. - -“She’s hiding something!” whispered Sunny. - -The other Brownies thought so too. - -“Let’s try to find out what it is,” urged Veve, keeping her voice low. -“Maybe she’s stealing from the park!” - -As the four girls approached, the old lady hastily climbed into the -buggy. The Brownies moved a bit faster. - -“Good afternoon!” Veve greeted her breathlessly as they hurried up. - -The old lady gazed at the four girls and her thin lips cracked into the -faintest suggestion of a smile. However, she merely inclined her head -and did not speak. - -She gathered up the reins, intending to start away. - -“We’re lost,” said Connie to hold her attention. “That is--we were -until a second ago.” - -“Lost?” repeated the old lady. - -“Can you tell us how to reach the big oak tree with the house built in -it?” inquired Sunny politely. - -“The park is filled with oak trees,” replied the old lady somewhat -tartly. “As for a house being built in one--I never heard of such a -thing. If you’re lost though, just keep walking and you will come to -the gate house.” - -“We saw you a few minutes ago from our tree house,” said Veve, hoping -to continue the conversation. “You were carrying a sack.” - -The remark seemed to be a poorly chosen one. - -Apparently taking offense, the old lady gave Veve a sharp glance. -Without a word she gathered up the reins and drove away. - -“Well, how do you like that!” exclaimed Veve, very much displeased. - -“She was annoyed because you spoke of the sack!” declared Connie. “What -do you suppose she had in it?” - -“Something she got here in the park,” declared Eileen. “We know she hid -it under the buggy seat too, thinking we might see what she had.” - -“She’s a rude old woman!” Veve said crossly. “I don’t like her one bit.” - -“I thought she had a nice smile,” Connie replied, staring after the -disappearing buggy. “We probably seemed prying to her because we asked -questions.” - -“Well, what did she have in that sack?” Veve persisted. - -No one could hazard a guess. - -“We’ll have to report to the other Brownie Scouts that we didn’t find -out,” Eileen said in disappointment. “They’ll think were not much -good.” - -Rather let down by their experience, the four girls took careful -bearings before starting toward the tree house. - -To their relief the trail which they now followed was thoroughly -familiar and the signs had not been disturbed. - -Their way skirted a small pond fringed with cattails. Veve paused to -pluck one and to toss a pebble at a bull frog who croaked from his -perch on a lily pad. - -“Don’t fall in, young lady,” said a gruff voice. - -Veve whirled around and then laughed. Mr. Karwhite had come up without -any of the Brownies hearing him. - -“My, you walk on velvet feet!” exclaimed Connie. - -“How are you getting along at the tree house?” the park superintendent -inquired. - -The girls told him that so far as they knew everything was fine at the -little house. Then they went on to relate their unpleasant experience -on the trail. - -“Those pesky boys again!” exclaimed Mr. Karwhite angrily. “If ever I -catch the rascals I’ll see that they are punished!” - -The superintendent explained that the past two days he had kept an -alert watch for the gang. - -“I find mixed-up signs, broken shrubbery and other evidence they’ve -been here,” he declared. “Somehow I can’t catch up with them. They slip -into the park from somewhere along the road, instead of coming past the -gate house.” - -“We’ll help you keep watch,” Connie offered. - -“Good! If you see them doing any mischief, let me know.” - -“You have another park visitor who slips in from the roadway,” -contributed Veve. “We don’t know her name, but she drives an old horse -with a buggy.” - -“Oh, that must be old Minnie Myles.” - -“Who is she?” asked Connie. - -“A widow who lives in a farmhouse about a half mile from here,” -revealed the park superintendent. “She’s an odd one and no mistake! -Lives by herself with her chickens and goat. She’s harmless though.” - -As Mr. Karwhite talked, he had been glancing at the sky. - -Following his gaze, the Brownies were astonished to notice that the sun -no longer shone steadily. Very frequently it was hidden by dark clouds. - -“It’s getting a bit chilly again,” observed Eileen, pulling her sweater -tightly about her. - -“That’s because the wind is shifting,” Mr. Karwhite informed her. -“We’re in for another storm, I’m afraid.” - -“Not soon?” asked Connie anxiously. She hoped the Brownie Scouts would -not be caught by rain en route home. - -“It’s coming up fast,” the park superintendent replied, studying the -fast-moving clouds. “I doubt we’ll have much rain. But we’re likely to -have wind.” - -Mr. Karwhite gazed thoughtfully at the four girls, and then asked where -the other members of the troop were. - -“At the tree house,” Connie told him. - -“Better hike back there right away and warn your leader a storm is -coming up,” the man advised. “A tree house isn’t the best place to be -in a high wind. You may all come to the gate house until it passes -over.” - -The girls thanked Mr. Karwhite for the invitation, and hastened away. - -“My! It is getting dark here in the woods!” Eileen murmured uneasily as -they scurried along. - -On either side of the path, they could hear the trees and bushes gently -stirring. Mr. Karwhite had been right! The wind rapidly was rising. - -Presently the path opened up, permitting a view of the tree house. The -girls could see Jane leaning out of the tiny window. - -As she caught sight of the four on the trail, she waved and motioned -for them to hurry. - -Quite breathless, the girls reached the oak and climbed the stairway to -their little house. - -“You’ve been gone ages!” Jane accused them. - -“We’ve been terribly worried,” added Rosemary, jumping up from the -window seat. “What made it take so long?” - -Veve started to tell about being lost on the trail, but Connie cut her -short. - -“There isn’t time for that now,” she said, recalling Mr. Karwhite’s -urgent message. “We have to leave right away!” - -“That’s right!” agreed Sunny. “A storm is coming up.” - -Now Miss Gordon had noticed that the little house was swaying gently in -the tree. She had observed too that the sky was darkening. However, she -had not realized how fast the wind was rising. - -At Sunny’s words, she went quickly out on the tiny balcony. - -“A storm is blowing up,” she agreed. “We must leave at once. We’ll -have to move fast if we reach the gate house before it breaks!” - -Alarmed, the Brownies began to gather together their possessions. - -Connie was packing the remains of lunch into her knapsack, when she -felt the oak tree give a deep sigh. - -Then the little house started to rock back and forth. - -“Oh!” squealed Rosemary in terror. - -“The wind is here!” declared Miss Gordon. “Oh, dear! Now what?” - -Several large drops of rain had pinged on the roof of the house. - -Before the girls could start down the stairway, the droplets came -faster and faster. - -“We’ll be soaked if we try to reach the gate house now!” squealed -Rosemary. - -Peering out of the tiny window, she saw only a world of crashing leaves -and tree boughs. - -So fast was the rain falling that the ground below was invisible. - -“Oh, Miss Gordon, what will we do?” asked Eileen anxiously. She was -very frightened. - -The leader was worried, but tried not to show it. - -“Now don’t be alarmed,” she comforted the Brownies. “This house is -sturdily built and will withstand a strong wind.” - -“Shall we make a dash for it?” asked Connie, shivering. - -The air had turned so cold she dreaded the thought of having her -clothing soaked. - -“For the time being, we’ll stay right here,” Miss Gordon decided after -a moment’s hesitation. - -“What if the tree should be struck by lightning?” demanded Jane, who -always speculated on the very worst possibilities. - -“So far there is no lightning,” Miss Gordon replied calmly. “Unless the -wind continues to rise, we’ll be as safe here as if we were dashing -through the woods.” - -“And a lot warmer,” declared Connie, settling down on the window seat. -“I think it will be fun staying in a tree house during a storm!” - -The other Brownies huddled together and kept their thoughts to -themselves. Connie, they knew, was only putting up a brave front. - -Already the tree house was rocking back and forth as if it were a boat -on a choppy sea. - -Below, the stairway appeared wet and slippery. If the Brownies finally -decided to make a dash for the gate house, the footing at best would -be very treacherous. - -The girls were a trifle frightened. Conscious of every lurch of the -old oak tree, they clung together and wished very hard that the storm -quickly would pass. - - - - -CHAPTER 7 - -Collecting Buttons - - -For ten minutes heavy rain fell. Back and forth the tree house rocked, -the branches beneath the planking creaking weirdly. - -To make the girls forget the storm, Miss Gordon began to tell them of -plans for early fall activities. - -“Soon the weather may turn cold, and then we’ll be unable to come here -to the park,” she declared. “For the time being, we’ll work on our -nature scrapbooks. After those are finished, how would you like to -collect buttons?” - -Now this idea was entirely new to the Brownies. - -“Button, button, who has the button?” warbled Veve. Rocking back and -forth in the tree house made her feel a trifle silly. - -“We have some buttons at home in Mother’s sewing basket,” said Rosemary -without too much enthusiasm. - -“My mother will let me have some of her extra ones,” declared Sunny. - -Miss Gordon explained that she did not refer to ordinary buttons which -could be bought in the stores. - -“I propose to have the troop collect only unusual ones,” she told the -girls. “Many buttons are very decorative and beautiful. Some of the old -ones have historical significance.” - -“Just as quilts do!” exclaimed Rosemary. “Remember those we collected -to display at the cherry festival?” - -“I’m afraid old buttons may be a trifle more difficult to find than -pattern quilts,” Miss Gordon warned the girls. “Nevertheless, even if -we fail to find many buttons, we’ll have a good time searching for -them.” - -Jane inquired what would be done with the buttons once they were -collected. - -Miss Gordon explained that they might be strung, mounted on cards for -display or made into beautiful pins. - -“A pin!” cried Veve, now intrigued by the proposal. “That’s what I’d -like. Where will we find old buttons?” - -Miss Gordon replied that each girl must conduct her own search. - -“I can give you a few hints though,” she said. “Old buttons frequently -may be found in attics, usually attached to out-of-style garments.” - -“I’m going through our attic just as soon as I return home!” announced -Sunny. “I think some of my great-great-grandmother’s dresses are packed -in a walnut chest.” - -“Whatever you do, don’t snip any buttons without first asking -permission,” warned the leader. “Your mother wouldn’t like that, I’m -sure.” - -“We have no old clothes in our attic,” said Veve in a crestfallen tone. -“We haven’t an attic for that matter.” - -“Many of us are in that same situation,” smiled Miss Gordon. “If you -have no attic, inquire of friends and acquaintances. Elderly persons in -particular are likely to have old buttons.” - -“I know a lady who might have some!” exclaimed Veve, for the teacher’s -remark had given her an idea. “She’s old enough!” - -The little girl winked at Connie, who guessed that Mrs. Minnie Myles -was the person meant. However, neither she nor Veve knew where the -woman lived, or whether or not she would be friendly. - -Miss Gordon suggested that the girls see how many buttons they could -collect before the next Brownie meeting. - -“May we hold it right here in the tree house?” pleaded Jane. - -Now that she was becoming accustomed to the gentle rocking of the tree, -she no longer felt frightened by the storm. - -In fact, so snug was the little house, that she rather enjoyed the dash -of rain against the tiny window. - -The other Brownie Scouts were feeling more at ease too. They did not -mind how long the storm lasted. - -“We’ll decide about our meeting place later on,” Miss Gordon answered -Jane’s question. “This tree house is nice though. And I must admit that -whoever built it for us, did an excellent job.” - -Observing that the rain had nearly ceased, the teacher went to the door. - -As she opened it, a blast of cool air rushed in. Stepping out onto the -balcony, Miss Gordon studied the overcast sky. Clouds were moving -swiftly. The sun, however, was trying to straggle through. - -“The first part of the storm has passed over,” she commented. “During -the lull, we should be able to make it to the gate house.” - -“Oh, must we leave so soon?” protested Eileen. “We were having such -fun!” - -“I don’t like the look of those clouds,” Miss Gordon replied uneasily. -“The wind may pay us a return visit. Buckle on your galoshes, kiddies, -and let’s be on our way.” - -Reluctantly, the Brownies put on their overshoes and gathered up -sweaters and jackets. - -“Before we go, let’s wish for a little stove or a fireplace!” suddenly -proposed Veve. “Then when we come again, maybe it will be here waiting -for us!” - -“Whoever heard of a fireplace in a tree house!” scoffed Eileen. - -“Well, we could have a little stove,” Veve defended her idea. “It would -make the house cozy and nice on chilly days.” - -“Let’s be content with the room as it is,” said Miss Gordon. - -“You don’t really think we’d get a stove if we wished for it?” Veve -demanded. - -“Probably not,” laughed Miss Gordon. “This oak tree seems to have large -ears however. Even though one can’t believe in magic, strange things -have happened here--delightful but amazing things. I simply can’t -understand who would give us this little house.” - -“You’re certain you didn’t arrange to have it built for us as a nice -surprise?” questioned Rosemary. - -“Gracious, no!” the teacher denied. “The house was as much of a shock -to me as to anyone else.” - -“Mr. Karwhite says he didn’t do it either,” commented Connie, thinking -aloud. “He smiles whenever he speaks of the tree house though. I think -he must know who built it or at least have an idea.” - -“I intend to talk to him,” said the Brownie leader. “I’d like to know -who built the place, if only to express our appreciation.” - -Knowing that they must make haste, the girls hurriedly left the tree -house. Walking carefully on the slippery steps, they descended single -file to the ground. - -“Miss Gordon is right!” Connie announced as they started away from the -clearing. “It’s certainly going to rain again.” - -Miss Gordon was somewhat disturbed to note how swiftly the clouds were -moving. - -“We must hurry, girls,” she urged. “I think we can make it to the -gatehouse at least.” - -The Brownies walked as fast as they could, but the trail was muddy. -Often they had to make little detours to avoid deep patches of surface -water. Mud caked on their galoshes and had to be dug off with sticks. -Drippy bushes splattered droplets, dampening their uniforms. - -“I feel like an elephant walking!” laughed Veve, lifting up an overshoe -encased foot which was heavy with muck. “Here I go! Plop! Plop! Plop!” - -“Never mind the comedy,” called Miss Gordon from the head of the line. -“If we don’t move faster, the storm will catch us again.” - -Made uneasy by the darkening of the trail, the girls heeded their -leader’s warning. - -Even though they walked fast, they were far from the gatehouse when -rain again began to fall. The drops were smaller this time, but they -came down steadily. - -“Oh, it’s going to rain a long time,” groaned Connie. “We’ll be soaked -getting home.” - -“Brownies are tough!” declared Jane staunchly. “We can take it.” - -“We can,” agreed Eileen, ducking her head to avoid the sheet of rain. -“But who wants to? I’m freezing!” - -As she spoke, a flash of lightning brightened the trail. - -Although it was not close, the clap of thunder seemed very loud in the -forest. Several of the Brownies cringed and gazed anxiously at their -leader. - -“We’ll soon be out of the woods--” began Miss Gordon encouragingly. - -Another flash of lightning startled the girls. This time it was -brighter and the roar of thunder followed quickly. - -“Wow! That was close!” exclaimed Veve, breathing hard. - -“Too close for comfort,” agreed Miss Gordon. “I’m glad we left the tree -house. We’re not very safe here amid the trees though. One could be -struck.” - -The Brownie leader was thoroughly familiar with all the park trails. -Even though a blinding wall of rain had started to descend, she knew -which direction to turn when the path forked. - -“How far to the gate house?” gasped Veve. The distance never had seemed -so long before. - -“Several hundred yards,” the teacher told her. Anxiously she gazed up -at the swaying tree branches. - -As she watched, a heavy dead limb came crashing down, falling across -the trail. - -“The road is close by,” said Miss Gordon, making a quick decision. -“We’ll strike for it, and then circle back to the gate house. On the -road we’ll be in no danger of having limbs fall on us.” - -Taking an off-shoot path, the teacher led the girls to an old-fashioned -rail fence. They scrambled over, leaped a ditch and reached the paved -main highway. - -“At least it’s easier walking here!” gasped Sunny. “But that rain!” - -A loud “toot, toot!” sounded directly behind the girls. - -The Brownies moved farther to the side of the road to allow the car to -pass. - -Instead, it pulled up alongside. - -“Want a ride into town?” inquired the driver. - -The man who had called wore heavy work clothes. Veve noticed a set of -carpenter tools in the back of his car as she peered curiously in. The -car itself was rather old and dirty, but no one minded about that. - -“Indeed, we’ll be grateful for a ride!” exclaimed Miss Gordon. - -The girls piled into the car. Miss Gordon, Veve and Rosemary sat in the -front with the driver. The others scrambled into the rear seat. - -“Going far?” inquired the man in a friendly way. - -“We had intended to seek shelter at the gate house,” Miss Gordon -explained. “If you’re driving to Rosedale though, we’ll ride -along--that is, if it doesn’t inconvenience you.” - -“Glad to have you,” the man assured her cordially. “This storm sure -came up fast.” - -He then introduced himself as Sam Vincent, and explained that he was -a carpenter by trade. The man said he had been building a porch at a -house three miles down the road, but had halted work when the rain -started. - -“We were in our tree house when the wind came up,” Veve announced. - -Mention of a tree house so interested Mr. Vincent that he asked a -great many questions. The girls told him about the mysterious person -who had built the playhouse, and also about the mischievous boys. - -“When I was driving to work this morning I saw four boys climbing the -fence into the park,” the carpenter recalled. - -“Then maybe they’re the ones who mixed up the trail signs!” exclaimed -Veve. - -“I drive past the park nearly every day,” Sam Vincent said. “If I see -those boys up to any mischief, I’ll report them.” - -Even though it meant driving a considerable distance out of his -way, the carpenter insisted upon taking all of the girls to their -separate homes. - -Miss Gordon, Veve and Connie were the last ones to be dropped off. - -“We appreciate this so much,” said the Brownie leader, thanking him for -all of the girls. - -“I should say so!” added Veve. “I hope we see you again some time, Mr. -Vincent.” - -“You probably will,” he replied, his eyes twinkling. - -“You must come to see our tree house,” Veve invited him earnestly. And -then without thinking that the other Brownies might object, she added: -“Come next Saturday--for lunch.” - -“It’s a date,” agreed Mr. Vincent, pleased by the invitation. “Shall we -say twelve o’clock sharp?” - -Veve glanced at Miss Gordon and Connie, who made no move to help her -out of the predicament. - -The carpenter accepted their silence for assent. - -“Saturday noon,” he repeated, shifting gears. “I’ll be there, and with -a huge appetite!” - - - - -CHAPTER 8 - -Mrs. Myles’ Advice - - -The moment the car had driven away, Connie turned accusingly upon Veve. - -“Now you’ve done it!” she exclaimed. “You’ve invited a man we scarcely -know to lunch! And what’s worse he’s expecting a big meal.” - -“How’d I know he’d accept?” Veve mumbled. - -“The other Brownies may not like it one bit,” Connie went on severely. -“And who is going to prepare the lunch?” - -“Maybe he won’t come.” - -“You hope--” said Connie. - -“Why, I think it was nice to invite Mr. Vincent,” interposed Miss -Gordon. “Especially after he brought us all into Rosedale. The lunch -will be no problem.” - -Veve felt much better then. Saying good-bye to Miss Gordon she ran into -her home. Connie lived next door, while the teacher resided only a -half block farther on. - -School examinations occupied the Brownies for the next three days. -After that came rain and more rain. - -By Friday the weather had turned chilly and no one could be certain -whether or not it would be possible to visit the tree house on the -following day. - -“What will we do about having Mr. Vincent to luncheon?” Veve fretted. -“I forgot to ask where he lives so I can’t very well get in touch -with him. If he should go to the tree house, and we aren’t there--how -embarrassing!” - -“You should have thought of that when you invited him,” Connie said -severely. - -Except for Veve, the Brownies did not worry much about Mr. Vincent. -During the week they had become engrossed in making periodic searches -for old and decorative buttons. - -Rosemary excitedly reported that in her mother’s attic she had come -upon an old wedding dress with five embroidered taffeta buttons made in -a star pattern. - -Her “find” had started the other Brownies on an intensive search. - -Jane obtained an opaque glass button, very old looking, and another of -clear glass on black pigment foil with gold stripes. - -But the button Eileen found on an aged coat cuff was the most -interesting of all--the head of a horse on a black background. - -“If anyone finds two buttons just alike, I’ll trade,” offered Rosemary. - -Connie and Veve felt rather discouraged because they could obtain only -modern, uninteresting buttons. - -“Don’t give up,” Miss Gordon encouraged them. “Our search has only -started, you know.” - -Veve and Connie asked their friends for buttons and then tried the -homes of strangers. On Friday night after school, they stopped at -several places near the outskirts of Rosedale. In each instance the -lady of the house regretfully told them that she had only modern -buttons. - -“It’s no use,” declared Veve, ready to give up. - -“Let’s try one more house,” urged Connie. - -Now it so happened that a Mrs. Listerstrom lived there and by chance -she had kept a very pretty cameo button which had belonged to her -grandmother. - -“You may have it, my dear,” she said to Connie. “I’m sorry I haven’t -two of them. But I know where you might find a great many old buttons.” - -“Where?” demanded Veve eagerly. - -Mrs. Listerstrom directed the girls to a house farther out into the -country, not far from the natural park. - -“I don’t think we should go out there today,” said Connie. Now that she -had her cameo button she was ready to go home. - -“Oh, it isn’t far,” insisted Veve. “We can walk fast. And just think! -We might find dozens of buttons!” - -Connie allowed herself to be coaxed into making the long hike. - -After a while the girls came to the house which had been described to -them by Mrs. Listerstrom. The dwelling stood some distance back from -the highway and looked very old. - -Withered vines covered a sagging porch. The house had not been painted -in several years. To add to the untidy appearance, chickens and geese -ran within the enclosure. - -“I don’t like the look of this place,” murmured Connie, holding back. - -“It may be a little old, but that’s so much the better,” argued Veve. -“We’ll be more likely to find a lot of old clothes. And old clothes -mean old buttons.” - -Thus encouraged, Connie walked on with her friend to the side door -of the dwelling. Someone was at home, they knew, for they could hear -movement within the kitchen. - -Veve rapped on the door. Soon it was opened by a thin woman in a dark -plaid gingham dress. - -The two girls were so astonished that for a long moment they could not -speak. - -Standing before them was the same woman who so abruptly had driven away -from them in the park! Her name, Mr. Karwhite had told them, was Minnie -Myles. - -“Good afternoon,” the woman greeted them as the girls remained silent. -“Haven’t I seen you somewhere?” - -“Oh, yes,” murmured Veve in confusion. - -“At the park,” supplied Connie, wondering if Mrs. Myles would order -them away. - -“To be sure! To be sure!” The woman spoke most pleasantly. “Do come in, -girls.” - -Now Veve and Connie were sorry they had chosen this particular house at -which to inquire for buttons. However, it was too late to retreat, so -they entered the warm kitchen. - -Mrs. Myles had been baking bread. Three fragrant, crusty brown loaves -cooled on the table. Heat continued to pour from the oven of the -old-fashioned cook stove. - -“H-m, that smells good!” exclaimed Veve, sniffing the air. - -“Wouldn’t you like a piece, with wild grape jelly?” invited Mrs. Myles. - -Now the change in the woman’s manner amazed both Veve and Connie. - -At the park, Mrs. Myles had seemed unfriendly to all of the Brownie -Scouts. The two girls could not understand why she previously had been -so cross unless their questions about the sack had annoyed her. - -“W-ell,” hesitated Veve. She very much wanted a piece of the warm -bread, but did not wish to appear too eager. From the barren appearance -of the kitchen she was afraid the woman might not have very much food -for herself. - -“Of course you want a slice of bread,” declared Mrs. Myles. “I never -met a child who wasn’t hungry. I’ll give you each a large slice. -I’m sorry I have no butter. Now tell me what brought you here this -afternoon.” - -Feeling far more at ease, the girls explained that the Brownie Scouts -were collecting old and historical buttons. - -“Well, that sounds like an interesting hobby,” declared Mrs. Myles. - -“The other girls are getting ahead of us,” Veve disclosed. “So we -thought we would come here and ask if you have any old ones.” - -“Not good buttons,” Connie said, stooping to pet a black and white cat -that rubbed against her legs. “Just buttons you no longer use.” - -“Let me see,” murmured Mrs. Myles, thinking hard. “Why, yes! I must -have dozens and dozens of them.” - -“Old ones?” gasped Veve hopefully. - -“Goodness, yes! The chest in the storeroom is stacked with old clothes.” - -Veve asked if they might see the garments. She was trying hard not to -reveal her excitement. - -“I’ll see what I can find for you, while you’re eating your bread and -jam,” Mrs. Myles offered. - -She sliced a generous piece of bread for each girl. Then, leaving -them by the fire to play with Tops, the cat, she disappeared into the -adjoining room. - -During the woman’s absence, Veve and Connie gazed curiously about the -kitchen. - -The room was scantily furnished. A well-scrubbed kitchen table, a -corner cabinet, three chairs and the stove constituted the only visible -items. Lacking an ice box, Mrs. Myles had set a milk bottle outside the -window. - -Connie could see that the dining room was equally bare. The floor had -no rug and the curtains were nearly worn out. - -“Mrs. Myles must be very poor,” she whispered to Veve. “Maybe we should -offer to pay for the buttons.” - -Veve did not know what to say. Neither she nor Connie had brought any -money with them. Nor did they know how much old buttons might be worth. - -By the time the girls had finished their bread and jam, Mrs. Myles -returned. Her arms were laden with old garments which smelled faintly -of moth balls. - -Shaking out a dress for the girls to see, she explained that it had -belonged to her grandmother. - -“The velvet buttons are very nice,” she remarked. “One doesn’t find -their like in the stores these days.” - -The front of the dress was decorated with four of the buttons. Of -silhouette design, they were made in two pieces with velvet showing -through the cut-out metal of the face. - -“Oh, I’m sure none of the other Brownies have buttons such as these!” -exclaimed Connie. “They’re even nicer than the taffeta ones Rosemary -found!” - -The girls were hopeful Mrs. Myles would offer them the four buttons. In -that event they would have a grand time trading with Rosemary! - -However, Mrs. Myles said quite frankly that she did not want to ruin -the dress by removing the buttons. - -“I know!” she declared. “You may have the button on the belt. It will -never be missed.” - -Taking her scissors from the sewing basket, she snipped the thread and -gave the button to Connie. - -“Please, Mrs. Myles,” the little girl offered, “can’t I pay for it?” - -“No, my dear. You are welcome to the button. Now let’s see what we can -find for this other little girl. You’re--?” - -“Veve McGuire.” - -“To be sure. Well, we must find a nice button for you also.” - -Mrs. Myles examined several of the garments she had brought from the -chest. Veve noticed nice buttons on several dresses and would have -taken them. Mrs. Myles, however, told her that they were not very old -or valuable. - -“I know!” she exclaimed suddenly, putting away the pile of clothing. - -Again Mrs. Myles disappeared, returning a moment later with a tiny box. -From it she removed several small articles, and then came upon the -button for which she had searched. - -“Recognize this face?” she asked Veve. - -Veve looked carefully at the button. “Why, it’s a picture of one of our -presidents!” she exclaimed. “President Grant!” - -“I see you know your history, my dear. Yes, this is a tintype button -popular in Victorian time. It will make a nice addition for your -collection.” - -“Is it really for me?” Veve asked in awe. - -“I have no further use for it, my dear.” - -The girls wondered if Mrs. Myles might not have many other interesting -buttons in her home. - -Not wishing to appear greedy, they did not hint that they would like -to see them. Instead, they thanked her for the two she had given them -and said it was time to leave. - -“Wait!” Mrs. Myles said impulsively. “I have something else to show -you. Come with me.” - -She led the girls into the living room. The sofa was frayed and the -chairs appeared to be falling apart. Lace curtains, once of good -quality, had been mended many times. - -Nevertheless, the room did have one attractive object. On the sofa was -a beautiful pillow decorated in neat cross-stitching. - -Veve noticed it at once and remarked on its beauty. - -“My mother made that pillow,” said Mrs. Myles proudly. “I’ve had it in -the house more years than I can remember. But this is what I want you -to see.” - -She pointed to a star-shaped match holder on the wall. - -Veve and Connie drew in their breath, for the decorative object was -made entirely of buttons! Many appeared quite old. - -“Oh, wouldn’t the other Brownies be excited if they could see this!” -explained Veve. - -Mrs. Myles was very pleased by her interest in the match holder. -However, she explained it had been made by her mother, and for that -reason she could not give it away. - -“Anyway, we’re glad to have these other two buttons,” Connie thanked -her. - -The hour was growing late, so the girls said they must be hurrying home. - -“Do come again,” Mrs. Myles invited them cordially. “Tomorrow perhaps? -I may be able to find a few more buttons.” - -“We’d love to,” accepted Connie. - -“But tomorrow’s Saturday,” Veve reminded her friend. - -“That’s so,” Connie agreed. “If the weather is nice, all the Brownies -will be at our tree house in the park.” - -“We’ll be pretty busy too,” added Veve in a worried tone. “You see, we -invited Sam Vincent to luncheon.” - -The name seemed to startle Mrs. Myles. “Sam Vincent?” she repeated in -an odd tone. - -“He’s very nice,” declared Connie. “The other day during the storm, he -picked us up in his car and drove us to our homes.” - -“Sam has plenty of time to go galavanting around in a car it seems!” -Mrs. Myles said tartly. - -“You know him?” asked Connie in surprise. - -“Know him! Well, rather! If I were to give any advice to the Brownies, -I’d say to have nothing to do with him! But then, it’s none of my -affair! Good afternoon.” - -The woman firmly closed the door upon Veve and Connie. - - - - -CHAPTER 9 - -Unwelcome Visitors - - -“Why, what did we say that offended Mrs. Myles?” Connie demanded as she -and Veve started toward the road. - -“Nothing that I know of,” replied the other little girl. “We were -talking about going to the tree house tomorrow.” - -“And having Mr. Vincent there for lunch,” reflected Connie. “Do you -suppose she was offended because we didn’t invite her?” - -“I think it was mention of Sam Vincent’s name that made her so angry, -Connie. Her eyes snapped like firebrands. And don’t you remember, she -started to say she could give the Brownie Scouts some advice about -having nothing to do with him--” - -“Only she broke off and closed the door on us.” - -“It was mention of Mr. Vincent’s name that annoyed her,” Veve said -with conviction. “For some reason she must dislike him. I wonder why?” - -“He seemed very nice,” Connie answered thoughtfully. “Of course, we -don’t know him well. Maybe we should have become better acquainted -before inviting him to lunch.” - -“Well, he may not come,” Veve returned, almost hopefully. - -The following day dawned bright, although not particularly warm. -Directly after breakfast Miss Gordon telephoned each member of the -Brownie Scout troop to say that the hike would be held. Each girl was -given a list of items to bring. - -“Mr. Vincent may not take Veve’s luncheon seriously,” the teacher -declared. “Our motto though is to be prepared. So, if he does come, -we’ll have a little food for him.” - -By ten o’clock the Brownies had arrived at the park. Carrying their -well-filled knapsacks, they paused for a moment at the gate house. Mr. -Karwhite, however, was not there. - -In fact, the entire park area appeared deserted. - -“We’re the only ones here so early in the day,” declared Sunny, -covering a yawn. “I’ll bet a frosted cookie Mr. Vincent never shows -up.” - -“He has plenty of time to get here before noon,” Connie assured her. -“What are we having to eat?” - -She had brought sandwiches, but did not know what the other girls had -been asked to contribute. - -“Were having a hot drink from the thermos jug,” replied Miss Gordon. -“We have cake too and a salad. I planned the menu when the weather was -warmer.” - -“A hot meal would taste better today,” declared Jane. “I wish we had -decided to cook it in one of the park fireplaces. In that case though, -we couldn’t serve Mr. Vincent lunch in our tree house.” - -On their way to the giant oak, the girls walked a short distance on -Trail No. 3. Immediately they noticed that during their absence from -the park, workmen had placed correct identification tags on each tree. - -“It’s a relief to know that we weren’t as confused as we thought that -other day,” laughed Miss Gordon. “After reading those mixed-up tags I -began to wonder if ever again I could tell one tree from another!” - -The teacher called attention to a handsome white ash, whose leaves -mostly had been swept away by the wind. - -“The tree is very regular in shape,” she pointed out. “Notice that the -wide-spreading branches stand opposite each other.” - -“What’s that tree next to it?” inquired Rosemary. - -“A horse-chestnut, I believe,” returned Miss Gordon. “In summer, or -rather, early in May, tall white flowers appear upright on all the -branches.” - -“Like a tree with thousands of white candles!” declared Connie, who -frequently had noticed the sight. - -Miss Gordon went on to explain that after the flowers of the -horse-chestnut tree fell, prickly burrs formed. Inside were large brown -nuts. - -“Are they good to eat?” Sunny inquired. - -“No, the nuts are quite bitter,” the teacher replied. “I should advise -you not to sample any of them.” - -Eileen made a pencil sketch of the tree for her nature notebook. Then, -aware that time was elapsing, the girls hiked on toward the tree house. - -“What time is it now?” inquired Veve anxiously. - -“Fifteen minutes after eleven,” Miss Gordon said, looking at her watch. -“We’ll have just time enough to set the luncheon table.” - -“I’m sure Mr. Vincent won’t come,” Jane said pessimistically. “He only -said he would to be polite.” - -“Well, if he fails to show, we’ll have more food for ourselves,” -laughed Rosemary. “I wish though, that we were having a hot meal.” - -The cool air and the long hike had given all the girls hearty -appetites. To wait very long for their invited guest might be rather -trying, they thought. But having extended the invitation, politeness -required that they postpone their own meal for at least twenty minutes -past the noon hour. - -The girls had reached the base of the oak tree. Veve stared at a -cluster of footprints plainly visible in the soft earth. - -“Say, someone has been here while we were away!” she exclaimed -indignantly. - -Miss Gordon reminded the girls that the park was for the use of -everyone. - -“We can’t prevent people from visiting our tree house,” she said. -“Naturally, it will attract attention.” - -“We could keep people out if we had a lock on the door,” Veve replied. - -“Let’s wish for a lock!” proposed Connie, half in jest. “We’ve had luck -with our other wishes. Maybe we can get one!” - -The girls were disturbed to observe that the trail of footprints led -up the steps to the tree house balcony. Thick, half dry mud had caked -heavily on the unpainted boards. - -“Someone’s been here, all right, since the rain,” Veve announced with -disapproval. - -“Mr. Karwhite, probably,” Eileen returned carelessly. - -With Veve and Connie, she started up the steps. Miss Gordon and the -other girls waited below. Although the stairway was sturdily built, the -teacher never allowed more than three persons to ascend or descend at -one time. - -Reaching the balcony, Connie put down her package of dishes to open the -door. - -The recent rain had warped it a trifle. She had to shove hard to force -it backward. - -“This old door’s stuck!” she complained. - -As she spoke, it suddenly swung open. Caught off balance, Connie -stumbled forward into the room. - -Behind her, Veve and Eileen uttered shrieks of dismay and anger. - -Not only was the floor covered with mud, but dishes had been removed -from the shelves. Furniture had been overturned. Everything was a -shambles! - -“Our tree house!” wailed Veve in a voice which carried to those waiting -below. “It’s ruined!” - - - - -CHAPTER 10 - -A Guest for Lunch - - -Startled by Veve’s cry, Miss Gordon, Jane, Rosemary and Sunny came -hurrying up to the balcony. - -“Oh, what a mess!” exclaimed Jane as she too viewed the upheaval. - -“Who did such a mean, hateful thing!” exclaimed Sunny wrathfully. “Our -lovely little house!” - -Miss Gordon righted the chairs and picked up the broken pieces of a cup. - -“Those horrid boys must have done it!” Veve declared. “Oh, I wish we -could catch them!” - -From the shoe tracks on the floor, the girls were convinced that at -least three persons had been in the invading group. Miss Gordon shared -the opinion of the Brownies that the same boys who had mixed up the -trail signs were responsible for the disorder. - -“Fortunately, the house itself hasn’t been damaged,” she said to -encourage the girls. “We can clean up this litter.” - -“Yes, but unless we catch those boys, they’ll come again and do the -same thing!” Connie declared. - -“They might,” the Brownie Scout leader admitted. - -“If only we’d had a good lock on the door, this never could have -happened,” remarked Veve. “Oh, let’s all wish again very hard for one!” - -Connie had been glancing carefully about the room to see if anything -were missing. - -“The cushion for the window seat is gone!” she exclaimed. - -The girls could find it nowhere in the little house. Nothing else -appeared to be missing. However, before the room could be used, every -dish would have to be washed. - -“What time is it?” Eileen suddenly demanded. - -Her abrupt question reminded the girls that it must be nearly noon. - -And at any moment Sam Vincent might arrive for lunch. - -“Oh, dear!” wailed Veve, deeply regretting the invitation. “What shall -we do now? We can’t possibly get this place cleaned up in time.” - -“He’ll think we’re horrible housekeepers,” added Rosemary in distress. - -Miss Gordon told the girls that it was exactly ten minutes until twelve -o’clock. - -“We can’t possibly serve the lunch here,” she decided. “If Mr. Vincent -does come, we’ll have to find another place somewhere in the park.” - -“That won’t be any fun,” Jane said, frowning. “We wanted him to see -this tree house.” - -“I’m sure he’ll understand when he learns what happened,” Miss Gordon -answered. - -“Will we have enough dishes?” Rosemary asked. She had noticed that two -cups were smashed and also a small plate. - -“We’ll be short of cups,” the teacher admitted. “Otherwise, I think we -can manage.” - -“Let’s get to work,” proposed Connie briskly. “We can clean up the -worst of this mess before he arrives.” - -Quickly the girls gathered up the broken dishes and restored other -china to its assigned place. Having no broom they could not clean the -floor. - -Noon came and another ten minutes elapsed. Mr. Vincent had not -appeared. - -“He isn’t coming,” Veve announced with conviction. She felt quite -relieved. - -“I think he will,” insisted Connie. “It’s barely possible he doesn’t -know how to find the place, or is mixed up on the trails.” - -After another ten minutes had elapsed, she and Veve and Sunny asked if -they might go to the gatehouse to inquire if Mr. Vincent had been seen -in the park. - -Miss Gordon told the girls they might go and suggested that while there -they report to Mr. Karwhite the damage done to their playhouse. - -“Don’t be gone long,” she said as the girls started away. “We’re all -very hungry.” - -At the base of the oak tree, the three Brownies paused a moment to -study the cluster of footprints. - -“If we followed those, we might trail the persons who wrecked our -house,” Sunny suggested. - -“Oh, the footprints must be a day old by now,” Connie discouraged her. -“We would only waste time.” - -“Anyway, Miss Gordon told us to hurry,” declared Veve, starting off -down the trail. - -The little girl had taken scarcely a dozen steps when she was brought -up short. At that moment an amazing thing happened. - -Something red flashed in front of her, lodging over her head in the -trunk of a young maple tree. - -The object was an arrow. - -“Indians!” shrieked Veve, backing away. - -“Indians, my eye!” snorted Connie. “They’re all on reservations these -days.” - -“But it is an arrow,” declared Sunny in awe. - -“And something is attached to it!” Recovering from fright, Veve darted -over to the maple to pluck the arrow from the bark. - -Attached to it was a neatly rolled scrap of paper. - -Veve unsnapped the rubber band, and spreading out the message, read: - -“COME TO THE RUSTIC BRIDGE. A SURPRISE AWAITS YOU.” - -“A surprise!” murmured Sunny. “We’ve already had one unpleasant one -today. Who wants another?” - -“This may be different,” declared Veve. “I think we should investigate. -Don’t you, Connie?” - -“Yes,” she agreed, “but not without telling Miss Gordon.” - -The three girls remained within view of the tree house. Seeing Jane -shaking out a rag on the balcony, they waved frantically to her. - -“What’s wrong now?” she shouted back. - -Connie held up the arrow with the message attached. - -“Jeepers creepers! I want to see that!” cried Jane. Dropping the rug, -she started down the stairway. - -Made aware that something exciting had occurred, the other Brownies and -Miss Gordon quickly joined the group below. - -Carefully the teacher read the note. “This may be another joke those -boys are playing,” she said slowly. “On the other hand, we’ve had many -pleasant surprises since we came to the park.” - -“Let’s follow instructions,” urged Veve. “It won’t take long to dash to -the rustic bridge and see what’s what.” - -“Veve and I could go,” offered Connie, equally excited. - -This proposal, however, the teacher rejected. “No, we’ll all hike there -together,” she decided. “It may be another trick those mischievous boys -have played. If so, I want to be along.” - -The person or persons who had shot the arrow were nowhere visible. -Hastening along the trail without seeing anyone, the six girls and -their leader soon reached the rustic bridge. - -Connie gazed carefully about. No one was within view. - -“It’s a trick,” she announced. - -“Maybe it isn’t,” insisted Veve. “Someone has been here.” - -“That’s so,” agreed Miss Gordon. “I see smoke coming from one of the -fireplaces. Someone built a fire there.” - -The Brownies walked over to the stone fireplace. The wood had burned -down to cherry coals which were exactly right to broil steaks. - -An iron frying pan stood ready for use, filled with uncooked meat. On -the back of the fire a kettle of thick bean soup gently simmered. - -“Uhm, uhm,” murmured Rosemary, “does that ever smell delicious?” - -“Just the sort of food for a fall day,” added Jane enviously. - -Connie had been looking over the rustic table near the fireplace. -Buttered buns were in a paper sack, and there was an ample supply of -paper plates and plastic tableware. - -“Oh, just the sight of this food is driving me wild!” Rosemary moaned. -“Let’s get away from here quick!” - -“I wonder where the picnickers are who started the fire?” Veve -speculated. - -“And the mysterious person who shot that arrow!” added Jane -indignantly. “We’ve been taken in again.” - -“No, we haven’t!” Connie suddenly exclaimed. - -Turning toward her, the other girls saw that she had picked up a sheet -of paper from the rustic wooden table. - -“Here’s another message!” she announced. “It’s in the same handwriting -as the one attached to the arrow!” - -The girls clustered about her. - -“What does it say?” Sunny demanded impatiently. - -“TO THE BROWNIES,” Connie began, reading aloud. - -“Why, that’s us!” laughed Jane. “What about the food?” - -“The message says: ‘EVERYTHING HERE IS FOR SIX LITTLE GIRLS WHO LIVE IN -A TREE HOUSE.’” - -“That IS us!” shouted Jane. “Hurrah!” - -“What a glorious surprise!” yelled Veve, capering about. “Especially -after our tree house was left in such a mess.” - -“Let’s start those steaks to broiling,” urged Jane. “I can eat a dozen -of ’em myself.” - -“With the lunch we brought from home, we’ll really have a feast,” -laughed Miss Gordon. “My, that soup smells delicious!” - -“How will we serve it?” asked Connie in perplexity. - -Rosemary, who had been peering into another sack, produced a nest of -paper cups. - -“We can use these for the soup,” she announced. “Whoever gave us this -wonderful meal thought of everything.” - -Miss Gordon directed Jane and Eileen to hike back to the tree house for -the cold food which had been left there. - -“Make certain that Mr. Vincent hasn’t arrived for lunch belatedly,” she -advised. “If he should be there, invite him to join us. I’m sure he’ll -like a hot meal much better than the one we prepared.” - -The two girls were gone nearly fifteen minutes. When they returned -carrying the picnic baskets, the steaks were nearly done. - -Jane assured Miss Gordon that Sam Vincent had not put in an appearance -at the tree house. - -“Too bad,” declared Veve, hovering near the fire. “If only he had come, -we could have offered him a real meal.” - -All the Brownies and Miss Gordon as well were convinced that Mr. -Vincent had forgotten about the luncheon invitation. - -“He isn’t coming or he’d have arrived a half hour ago,” Connie said. -“Let’s eat!” - -Soon the steaks were ready. The girls filed past Miss Gordon, each -receiving a cup of steaming soup and a hot sandwich. - -Gathered on either side of the wooden table, they excitedly discussed -who might have prepared the feast for them. Their mysterious benefactor -was nowhere to be seen. Nor had he left any clue as to his identity. - -“The brownies must have done it,” chuckled Veve. “The imaginary ones I -mean.” - -“I wish we knew who built the tree house,” Connie said, taking a large -bite of sandwich. “The person who did that must have planned this -surprise for us too.” - -Eileen asked Miss Gordon if she had any idea who might have provided -the meal. - -“Not the slightest,” the teacher said, placing another pan of steak -on the coals. “I did have a thought about the tree house, but this -completely baffles me.” - -Before the girls could question Miss Gordon as to the person she had in -mind, Connie unexpectedly held up her hand in a signal for silence. - -“Listen!” she commanded. - -Startled, the other girls became quiet. - -Distinctly, they could hear someone approaching on the trail. As yet -they could see only a slight movement of the bushes. - -“Keep quiet, everyone!” whispered Connie. “Someone is coming this way. -Who knows? It may be the person who planned this nice surprise for -us--the one who shot the arrow.” - - - - -CHAPTER 11 - -Mischievous Boys - - -As the Brownie Scouts waited by the picnic table, an old lady came into -view on the trail. In her hand she carried an empty sack. - -“It’s Mrs. Myles, the button lady!” exclaimed Veve. - -“And she’s carrying that sack again!” murmured Eileen. “I wonder what -she does with it?” - -By this time, Mrs. Myles had seen the Brownies. She slackened her -pace. Then, as if aware that she could not retreat without being very -obvious, she reluctantly came on toward them. - -“Let’s ask her to share our lunch,” suggested Connie impulsively. -“Perhaps she’ll tell us more about the old buttons she has at her home.” - -Miss Gordon said she thought it would be very nice indeed to extend the -invitation. - -Veve and Connie ran to greet the woman. Mrs. Myles seemed a trifle -embarrassed at meeting them again. They noticed too that she tried to -keep them from seeing the empty sack. - -“Mrs. Myles, do have luncheon with us,” Connie invited cordially. -“Doesn’t the steak smell delicious?” - -“My goodness, it does!” exclaimed the old lady. - -“Do come,” urged Veve, tugging at her hand. “The Brownies want you to -tell them about old buttons.” - -Mrs. Myles allowed the girls to pull her over to the table. - -“I don’t know very much about buttons,” she apologized. “In fact, I -never thought on the subject until you young’uns came to my house to -ask if I had any.” - -As Connie introduced the other girls, Mrs. Myles’ bird-like gaze darted -from one person to another. The array of food on the table seemed to -fascinate her. - -“Steak,” she murmured. “Why, I haven’t tasted any since--well, never -mind.” - -Quickly the girls set a place for Mrs. Myles and filled her plate. -Remarking that she had not eaten much breakfast that day, the woman ate -greedily. - -Finally, when her plate had been refilled and emptied the second time, -she laughed self-consciously. - -“There! I’ve made a pig of myself! This crisp outdoor air gives one a -tremendous appetite.” - -Secretly, the Brownies wondered if Mrs. Myles had enough to eat at her -home. Of course, they were too polite to hint at such a thing. - -After lunch, the girls questioned their guest about buttons. Despite -the fact that she owned a match holder made of them, she did not know -the history of any of the odd types. - -Miss Gordon, though, described milk glass buttons, hair buttons, -lithographs, those of carved bone, horn buttons, gold coin, brass, -pewter and kinds the girls never had heard of before. - -“Why, I’m sure I have samples of some of those!” Mrs. Myles declared -in astonishment. “When I return home, I’ll see. If I have them, the -Brownies may have every single one. But not the match holder!” - -Thanking the girls for the delicious lunch, Mrs. Myles picked up her -sack and went on her way. She did not say where she was going or why -she came to the park so regularly. - -“What do you suppose she does with that sack?” Sunny speculated. - -“Perhaps she gathers wood or sticks,” suggested Jane. - -This explanation did not satisfy the other Brownies. They pointed out -that if Mrs. Myles needed wood, she could obtain it much nearer her -home. - -“This forest is filled with mysteries!” laughed Connie. - -“Our tree house is the greatest one of all,” agreed Veve, helping to -gather up the paper plates. “I’d give a lot to know who built it. Or -for that matter, who gave us this luncheon today.” - -“The brownies,” chuckled Jane. “Wasn’t that what you said, Veve?” - -“I was only joking. I don’t really believe in them. You have to admit -though, that it’s queer so many nice things keep happening to us.” - -“It wasn’t nice the way those mean boys broke into our playhouse,” -Sunny declared. “I do wish we had a lock on the door.” - -Of the opinion that Sam Vincent never would arrive for luncheon, the -girls cleared away the remains of the meal. Paper napkins and plates -were burned and refuse dropped in a can provided for the purpose. - -Finally, when everything was spic and span, the girls started back to -the tree house. - -The six were trotting along the trail ahead of Miss Gordon when from -somewhere to the left, they heard a strange cry. - -For a moment the girls thought that the sound had been made by an -animal. Then they were certain that it was a human cry. - -“What was that?” Rosemary asked uneasily, pausing to listen. - -“I thought it sounded as if someone were shouting,” declared Jane. - -“It was a woman’s voice,” insisted Veve. - -“I heard several boys,” asserted Connie. “They were laughing!” - -Drawn by a confused babble, the girls turned down an off-shoot path to -try to discover what was wrong. Before they had gone many yards the -voices became plainer. - -“I can hear Mrs. Myles!” declared Veve. “She’s in trouble!” - -“It does sound that way,” agreed Miss Gordon, moving ahead of the -Brownies. “Hurry, girls! We must find out what is wrong.” - -At a dog trot, they all hastened on, soon coming to a small clearing. -As the trees opened up ahead, the girls plainly saw what was causing -the commotion. - -Mrs. Myles stood beneath the branches of a black walnut tree, hemmed in -by four boys. On the ground beside her lay a sack half filled with nuts. - -“Stealing walnuts--stealing walnuts!” the boys chanted. - -One of the naughty lads picked up a nut from the ground and threw it at -Mrs. Myles. - -As she angrily started toward him, another darted in and quickly upset -her sack of walnuts. - -“Why, those mean boys!” exclaimed Connie. “Stop it!” - -Her cry caused the four to turn quickly around. Seeing Miss Gordon and -so many Brownie Scouts, they knew that it would be wise to retreat. - -One of the boys hurled a walnut at Jane, but missed his aim. - -As the other girls started to gather up nuts to return the barrage, the -four doers of mischief ran away. - -“Are you hurt?” Miss Gordon asked, hastening to the old woman’s side. - -Mrs. Myles murmured that she was quite all right. “But those dreadful -boys--see what they did,” she mumbled, her gaze on the spilled sack of -walnuts. - -“Never mind,” the Brownie leader comforted her. “That can be quickly -remedied.” - -Taking their cue from Miss Gordon, the girls began to gather up the -scattered nuts. For the first time they realized that Mrs. Myles had -tried to keep them from learning why she came to the park area. - -“She’s been gathering nuts in that sack we’ve seen her carry,” Veve -whispered to Connie. “Do you suppose she is taking them without -permission?” - -Now Mrs. Myles was deeply embarrassed to find herself in such a -situation. Although she did not hear what Veve said to Connie, she knew -that the Brownies must be wondering about her. - -“It isn’t true that I am stealing nuts,” she said quietly. “Mr. -Karwhite gave me permission to take as many as I like.” - -“I’m sure he did,” agreed Miss Gordon. “Don’t be disturbed by anything -those boys said or did. They are very badly behaved and have caused -considerable trouble in the park.” - -After the Brownies had picked up all of the scattered nuts, they -offered to escort Mrs. Myles to her horse and buggy. - -“This sack really is too heavy for you to carry,” Miss Gordon said -somewhat anxiously. - -By this time, although Mrs. Myles had not said so, the Brownies guessed -that she gathered nuts because she needed them for food. - -Connie and Veve, who had visited her rundown home, were certain of it. - -Walking with Mrs. Myles to the road, the girls took turns carrying the -heavy sack of walnuts. The horse and buggy were within view, when from -a slope above the trail a small stone clattered down. - -“Someone threw that!” declared Miss Gordon, halting. - -Another pebble came skipping down the steep bank, striking Sunny on the -leg. Although it did not hurt much, she let out a sharp cry. - -“It’s those boys again!” shouted Jane furiously. “Come on, let’s teach -them a lesson!” - -She and Sunny were carrying the bag of walnuts at the moment. Dropping -it on the trail, they started up the slope. The other Brownies were -almost at their heels. Miss Gordon and Mrs. Myles, fearful that the -girls might be injured if it came to a fight, started after them. - -The boys, however, easily eluded their pursuers. Shouting taunts, they -darted down and seized the abandoned sack of walnuts. - -“Oh, they’re going off with them!” cried Veve in dismay. - -Four boys were in the group. One was tall and large enough to be -fifteen years of age. The others, who seemed to follow his orders, were -younger. - -“Ya! Ya! Ya!” they mocked the Brownies. “Stealing walnuts! Stealing -walnuts!” - -“That’s not so!” shouted Jane. “You’re the ones who mixed up the park -signs!” - -“Put that sack of nuts down!” ordered Veve. “Don’t you dare--” - -The older boy, who had slung the sack over his shoulder, deliberately -untied the cord as if to empty the contents upon the ground. - -Miss Gordon tried to reason with him, but he paid no attention to -anything she said. - -“Take one step down the slope, and I’ll dump ’em all!” he challenged. - -“What possible fun can you see in making work for a nice lady?” Miss -Gordon asked, edging a little closer. “Did she ever make any trouble -for you?” - -“She’s been stealing walnuts,” the boy repeated. - -His companions took up the hateful chant: “Stealing walnuts--stealing -walnuts.” - -“You’re just saying that to be mean!” Jane accused. “We know very well -that you’re the ones who mixed up the tree signs and broke into our -playhouse.” - -“You ought to be reported to the police!” Eileen added. - -“Please be reasonable and put down Mrs. Myles’ sack,” requested Miss -Gordon. - -“Like fun!” retorted the eldest boy in the group. “I just guess I’ll -take these nuts home!” - -Slinging the sack over his shoulder again, he started away. - -Now the Brownies could not know whether he was merely trying to goad -them or whether he meant to take the walnuts. - -At any rate, with one accord they started down the slope in pursuit. -But the other three boys blocked off the trail. - -“If they want a fight, let’s give it to ’em!” shouted Jane. - -Trouble certainly would have developed save for the timely arrival of -Mr. Karwhite. The park superintendent, who had been working nearby, had -been drawn by the loud cries. - -Wondering what might be amiss, he came hurrying up the trail. - -“What’s going on here?” he demanded. - -His appearance was enough to frighten the four boys. - -“Beat it fellows!” - -With this warning to his three companions, the eldest culprit dropped -the sack of nuts, and fled through the trees. - - - - -CHAPTER 12 - -Help for Mrs. Myles - - -Mr. Karwhite did not attempt to pursue the fleeing boys. - -Nevertheless, he had recognized one of the gang. - -“The taller boy was Al Bramowitz, unless I’m mistaken,” he told Miss -Gordon. “He’s frequently been in trouble with the police and Juvenile -Court authorities.” - -“Those boys never should be permitted in the park again,” declared Mrs. -Myles. “Why, they are hoodlums!” - -The park superintendent assured both Miss Gordon and Mrs. Myles that -the boys would be ordered away. - -“First, though, I have to catch them,” Mr. Karwhite said grimly. “That -won’t be easy. They slip over the fence and then run off whenever they -see me approaching.” - -“Perhaps the Brownies can help you,” suggested Eileen. - -“You certainly might,” agreed the park superintendent. “If ever you see -those scamps changing trail signs or causing anyone annoyance, report -to me at once.” - -Mr. Karwhite picked up Mrs. Myles’ sack of nuts, offering to carry it -to the roadside for her. - -“Thank you,” she murmured gratefully. “I’ll go directly home. Meeting -those boys has upset me dreadfully.” - -Saying good-bye to the old lady, Miss Gordon and the Brownie Scouts -went on to the tree house where they had left a few belongings. - -“It’s downright queer who fixed that meal for us,” Connie remarked as -they walked along. “Could it have been Mr. Karwhite?” - -“The possibility occurred to me,” Miss Gordon admitted. “He seems very -busy though. I doubt he would have time for such doings.” - -“He didn’t act as if he knew anything about it either,” chimed in Veve. - -The Brownies were equally certain that Mrs. Myles had played no part in -the pleasant surprise. By now they were firmly convinced that she had -none too much food herself. - -“That’s why she tried to keep us from learning what she did with the -sack,” Jane declared. “She was ashamed to have anyone know she gathered -nuts for food.” - -Presently, the Brownie Scouts came within view of the big oak tree. - -Rosemary, who led the line of girls, was the first to see that someone -stood on the balcony of the tree house. - -“We have a visitor!” she informed the others. - -“Oh, great toads!” exclaimed Veve, recognizing the man. “It’s Mr. -Vincent!” - -The Brownie Scouts were dumbfounded. With one accord, they halted on -the trail to discuss the embarrassing situation. - -“He’s here for lunch!” Connie said. “And all the food is eaten!” - -“What can we do?” Jane demanded. “If this isn’t a pickle!” - -Miss Gordon consulted her watch. “It’s well past one o’clock,” she -said. “I can’t think Mr. Vincent would have expected us to wait so -long. At any rate, all we can do now is to explain what happened.” - -Rather reluctantly, the Brownies went on to meet their visitor. - -Seeing the girls, Mr. Vincent came quickly down the stairway. - -“Am I late for luncheon?” he asked with a broad smile. - -Then as the Brownies looked very unhappy indeed, he said quickly: - -“To tell you the truth, I’ve had my meal. I didn’t think you would -expect me.” - -“But we did!” declared Connie in relief. “Only we thought you would -come much earlier.” - -“So we ate up all the food ourselves,” added Veve truthfully. - -Mr. Vincent assured the girls that it did not matter in the least. - -“My real purpose in coming was to see this wonderful tree house,” he -announced. “I’ve already looked in, but I’d like a personally conducted -tour.” - -The Brownies were proud to show the carpenter their playhouse. He -inspected every nook and corner, declaring that it was sturdily built -and safe even in event of a severe wind storm. - -“We know that!” laughed Connie ruefully. “The house is very snug. We -need a lock on the door though, to keep mischievous boys away.” - -“And a little stove to keep us warm,” added Veve, shivering in the -chill wind. - -“Both could be easily acquired,” the carpenter assured the girls. “Tell -you what! I’ll see that a lock is put on the door.” - -“Oh, fine!” shouted Jane. “I guess that will keep those boys out of our -place!” - -“And it will be another wish come true,” declared Veve. “First, we -received this adorable tree house, and its furnishings. Then our dinner -mysteriously appeared!” - -“Mr. Vincent, you didn’t see anyone building a fire in the stone -chimney near the rustic bridge, did you?” Rosemary inquired. - -“Why, no,” the carpenter replied. He replied rather absently for he was -carefully looking over the interior of the playhouse. “I think a little -stove could be put in here very easily,” he told the girls. “It would -be no trick to run the pipe up through the roof.” - -“Then we’d be warm and cozy on the coldest days!” cried Connie. “We -could use this house almost until the snow flies.” - -“Let’s all wish hard for the little stove,” laughed Veve. - -Miss Gordon asked the carpenter if he really thought it would be safe -to have a stove in the little house. - -“As safe as in any home on the ground,” he reassured her. - -“The stove would be used only when I am here,” the Brownie Scout leader -said, thinking aloud. “And it would make the room much cozier.” - -“Then the stove is the same as ours right now!” chuckled Sunny. “Let’s -all wish for it, girls.” - -The Brownies noticed that Mr. Vincent was estimating distances with his -eye. They couldn’t be sure, of course, but they thought he might be -thinking of installing the stove for them. - -Miss Gordon seemed to think so too, for she gratefully told the -carpenter that it was nice of him to take an interest in the tree house -and the activities of the troop. - -“I enjoy doing it,” he replied. “Someday I may ask a favor in return.” - -“You must come for luncheon--really come I mean,” urged Connie. - -“Maybe we can get the park brownies to cook it for us,” laughed Veve -in high humor. “They did a good job today!” - -Mr. Vincent apparently did not understand the remark, so the girls told -him of the mysterious manner in which their luncheon had appeared. - -Veve elaborated too upon their meeting with the group of boys who had -pelted Mrs. Myles with walnuts. - -“Mrs. Myles?” the carpenter repeated in surprise. “Does she come here -to the park?” - -“We’ve seen her twice,” revealed Rosemary. “Each time she brought her -sack with her.” - -“She gathers nuts,” contributed Eileen, aware that the conversation -interested the carpenter. “We think she has to have them for food.” - -“Her house is run down and she’s very poor,” added Veve. “We didn’t see -much to eat in the house when we went there looking for buttons.” - -“Of course we don’t know how much she had in the cupboards,” Connie -said truthfully. “She did have some nice warm bread.” - -“The Brownies are judging from superficial evidence,” remarked Miss -Gordon. She did not want Mr. Vincent to think that the girls were -gossiping about the old lady behind her back. - -“Nevertheless, I’m afraid what they say may be true,” declared the -carpenter, looking troubled. “Years ago--well, I knew Mrs. Myles -very well indeed. She never had much money. I’m alarmed lest she may -actually be in need and not let anyone know because of her pride.” - -“Doesn’t she have any children to look after her?” inquired Rosemary -earnestly. - -“No, the only child she ever had died in infancy. Her husband too has -been dead many years. He left her almost nothing except the farm which -eats itself up in taxes.” - -“Hasn’t she any sisters or brothers?” This question was posed by Eileen. - -“She did have a brother,” Mr. Vincent replied. “He tried repeatedly to -help her, but Mrs. Myles is proud. She refused to accept any assistance -from him.” - -“You know Mrs. Myles real well, don’t you?” remarked Veve. - -“I’ve not seen her in several years,” the carpenter replied. “That is, -not to speak to her. I do see her driving along the road sometimes in -her buggy. Each time she looks thinner and more tired--” - -Mr. Vincent broke off to gaze speculatively at the Brownies. The girls -could tell that he had thought of some plan which involved them. - -In this they were right too, for an instant later he said: - -“How would you girls like to help Mrs. Myles?” - -“HOP is our motto!” chuckled Veve. - -Mr. Vincent did not understand what she meant, so Miss Gordon explained -that HOP was a code used by the Brownies. The letters stood for “Help -Other People.” - -“‘DYB’ means ‘Do Your Best,’” supplied Rosemary eagerly. “We make up -lots of code words.” - -“We’d like to help Mrs. Myles,” declared Connie, thinking how nice the -old lady had been about giving away buttons. “How do we go about it?” - -“I’m not certain what she needs,” replied the carpenter thoughtfully. -“Undoubtedly she is short of money, but that may be a delicate matter. -Suppose we start by making certain she has ample food.” - -“Do you think she would like to accept charity?” Connie asked. - -“She would refuse,” Mr. Vincent answered. “If I offered her anything, -she would turn it down. There’s only one way.” - -“What’s that?” questioned Veve. - -“We must make it into a game. Furthermore, she must think that -everything given to her comes from the Brownie Scouts.” - -“While you’ll actually be the one doing it?” asked Veve. - -“I’ll supply the money to buy anything needed. For a long while I’ve -wanted to help Mrs. Myles. This is my chance.” - -The Brownie Scouts very much wanted to co-operate in the plan, but they -had no idea how to begin. - -“I live not far from here,” explained Mr. Vincent. “At the first white -house on the main highway after one passes the park entrance gate.” - -“Oh, I know that place!” cried Connie, recalling the well-kept lawn. - -“Suppose the Brownies come to my house tomorrow after school,” the -carpenter suggested. “My wife will have two baskets of food ready to -take to Mrs. Myles.” - -“What if she refuses to accept them?” murmured Connie anxiously. - -“That’s where the Brownies must use psychology. Ever hear of the word?” - -“I guess it means getting folks to do something you want ’em to -without letting ’em know they’re being twisted around your little -finger!” chuckled Veve. - -“I have an idea,” proposed Miss Gordon, who had listened attentively -to the carpenter’s proposal. “The Brownies might act out the story of -Little Red Riding Hood going through the woods to Grandmother’s house.” - -“I want to be Red Riding Hood!” shouted Veve. “May I wear a red cape?” - -“You don’t own a red cape,” cut in Jane. “But I do! I have a bright red -rain cape, but it’s much too large for you!” - -“We’ll decide later who is to be Red Riding Hood,” said Miss Gordon, -settling the argument before it was well started. - -“Then I may count on the Brownies to help me?” asked Mr. Vincent, -pleased that the girls had taken so enthusiastically to the proposal. - -“We’ll be at your home Monday right after school,” Veve promised. - -Mr. Vincent soon departed, but before he left he promised the Brownies -again he would see that a lock was put on the door of the tree house. - -“He’s real nice,” declared Rosemary, watching until the carpenter was -out of sight on the trail. “Imagine offering to help Mrs. Myles--almost -a stranger!” - -“She may be a stranger to us, but he knows her well,” Connie declared -thoughtfully. “Didn’t you notice how he listened to every word we said -about her?” - -“He’s well acquainted with her--or was,” agreed Veve. “I think he has a -special reason for wanting us to help her--one he isn’t telling about.” - -“Mr. Vincent did act mysteriously,” Connie admitted. “And don’t you -remember, Veve? Mrs. Myles bristled up the other day when we mentioned -Mr. Vincent’s name!” - -“That’s so!” Veve replied. “Oh, playing Red Riding Hood will be a lot -of fun! Not only can we help Mrs. Myles, but we may run into some very -interesting information!” - - - - -CHAPTER 13 - -Grievous Trouble - - -“My, what a big mouth you have!” teased Veve, pretending to gaze in -horror at Rosemary’s tiny set of even teeth. - -“The better to eat you with, my dear,” responded Rosemary, making a -playful lunge at her friend. - -In high spirits the two were playing “wolf,” acting out the lines from -Little Red Riding Hood. - -The entire Brownie Scout troop was en route after school to the home of -Sam Vincent. By common consent it had been decided that Jane, who owned -the only red cape, was to be Little Red Riding Hood. - -The carpenter’s house of white clapboards was not large, but had been -well built. A tidy workman, he had surrounded the yard with a neat -picket fence, freshly painted. - -As they entered through the ornamental gate, the girls saw Mr. Vincent -trimming dead wood from a bush in the yard. - -“We’re right on time!” sang out Jane. “I’m Red Riding Hood. Are the -baskets ready to take to Mrs. Myles?” - -“They certainly are,” the carpenter assured her. “My wife has packed -them so full of good things to eat that I’m afraid they may be too -heavy for even husky Brownie Scouts to carry.” - -When the girls saw the two well-filled baskets, they were inclined to -share the carpenter’s opinion. - -One of the baskets contained a pie and a cake and several pounds of -smoked meat, besides numerous other small items. - -The larger basket was loaded with staple items such as coffee, tea, -sugar and flour. - -“I’ll take you most of the way in my car,” Mr. Vincent offered. “Then -when we come within view of Mrs. Myles’ house, you may go on alone. -Remember--you must never hint to anyone that my wife and I furnished -this food.” - -The Brownies promised to keep the secret. - -Everyone crowded into Mr. Vincent’s automobile, although it was a very -tight squeeze. Miss Gordon sat in front, holding the two baskets. - -“This is as far as I dare go,” Mr. Vincent announced when the car -rolled over a hill and the tumble-down Myles home was seen ahead. -“Think you can manage those heavy baskets without me?” - -“Oh, yes, we’ll take turns carrying them, even if I am Red Riding -Hood,” declared Jane quickly. - -Mr. Vincent handed the baskets down from the car after the girls had -scrambled out. - -“Now don’t forget!” he said in final warning. “Even if Mrs. Myles -questions you, don’t let her know I sent the food.” - -“We won’t,” promised Connie. - -“If you can, without seeming to ask too many questions, learn if she -needs money,” the carpenter urged. “We may be able to find a way to -help her.” - -Carrying the heavy baskets, the Brownie Scouts trudged on to the Myles -home. - -Jane had been coached in her lines. When Mrs. Myles presently opened -the door, she made a very pretty speech about being Little Red Riding -Hood. - -“And I’m the big bad wolf!” added Veve, not to be cut out of the act. - -Mrs. Myles gazed at the two baskets filled to overflowing with -attractively wrapped foods. - -“Dear me!” she exclaimed. “Red Riding Hood and the Wolf, eh? And what -is this?” - -“Baskets of food we’ve brought through the woods,” said Jane quickly. -“You’re supposed to be Grandma and take the gifts.” - -“Come in, come in,” Mrs. Myles invited, belatedly thinking of her -manners. - -She seemed very flustered as she examined the many packages. The girls -could not tell at first whether or not she was offended. - -“Now I’m sure you have all of these things,” Miss Gordon said. “The -Brownie Scouts like to be helpful, and they especially appreciated the -way you gave them buttons the other day. I hope you don’t mind humoring -them in this little game.” - -“Mind?” Mrs. Myles laughed rather excitedly. “I’ve needed some of these -things for a long while.” Aware that she was revealing too much about -herself, the woman added hastily: “The grocery store is so far from -here, I don’t buy as regularly as I should.” - -“Then you’ll keep the things?” Jane demanded. - -“I’ll be glad to, my dear.” To Jane’s embarrassment, she stooped and -imprinted a prim little kiss on the end of her freckled nose. - -“Since it’s so hard for you to get to the grocery store, perhaps we -could do some of your shopping for you,” offered Veve. “What else would -you like to have?” - -“Dear me, I need potatoes and dried beans,” Mrs. Myles revealed. “I -would like material for a new dress and--” - -She stopped at that point and laughed self-consciously. - -“Thank you, my dears, for offering to do my buying for me. I appreciate -your thoughtfulness. A check I’ve been expecting for several weeks -hasn’t come, so I will have to wait a few more days.” - -The Brownies knew then that Mrs. Myles did not have enough money to -purchase the things she needed. This information they would relay to -Mr. Vincent. - -As the girls talked, they heard a loud rap on the front door. - -“Now who can that be?” murmured Mrs. Myles. - -While the Brownie Scouts waited, she went to open the door. - -The girls heard a low murmur of voices. Although they made no -attempt to listen, they could not fail to catch a few phrases of the -conversation. - -Mrs. Myles was talking with a man whom she seemed unwilling to admit to -the house. - -“I’ll do the best I can, Mr. Jennings,” they heard her tell the caller. -“Don’t press me too hard. I work and slave but I can’t make ends meet.” - -“I know, Mrs. Myles,” the man replied with sympathy. “I hated to come -here today. But you know how it is. I’m merely an employee of the bank.” - -“I’ll pay on the loan as soon as I can. You have my promise.” - -“We know you mean well, Mrs. Myles. But the bank already has given you -an extension of time. You owe three hundred and fifty dollars, not -counting the main note of nine hundred and eighty dollars.” - -“I can’t pay it this month,” Mrs. Myles said nervously. “Please go away -now--I have guests.” - -“Very well,” the bank employee said politely. “In due time you will -receive written notice of our action. We deeply regret it but to -protect our own interests we must collect.” - -“Action?” the old lady asked in a quavering voice. “What action do you -mean?” - -“We must foreclose this property. In fact, steps already are being -taken.” - -“Oh, no!” - -The voices dropped to a murmur again and the Brownies heard no more of -the conversation. A moment later, however, Mrs. Myles closed the door -and returned to the girls. - -Her face was flushed but she spoke brightly to cover her embarrassment -and heart-break. - -“We were speaking of--buttons?” she inquired. - -“Groceries,” corrected Connie. - -“Oh, yes, to be sure,” nodded Mrs. Myles. “Well, as I said, a check -I’ve been expecting has failed to arrive. So, although I very much -appreciate your offer, I can’t allow you to put yourselves to the -trouble of assisting me with my shopping.” - -As the Brownies started to protest that they would be glad to bring -other baskets of food, Mrs. Myles firmly shook her head. - -“No, my dears. I understand you are trying to help me, but no one can.” -Her eyes filled with tears. “Please go now. I do not wish to be rude, -but I have grievous troubles. I must be alone to try to think of a -solution.” - - - - -CHAPTER 14 - -Mr. Vincent’s Disclosure - - -Thus dismissed, the Brownies did not linger at Mrs. Myles’ home. - -However, once they were on the road again, en route to report to Mr. -Vincent, they discussed the snatch of overheard conversation. - -“Mrs. Myles is upset because she is afraid she will lose her home,” -Connie commented. “Miss Gordon, do you think the bank will take it away -from her?” - -“I’m very much afraid of it,” the teacher replied. “From what Mrs. -Myles said, I doubt she ever will be able to pay off the loan on her -property.” - -“What’s a loan?” demanded Rosemary, who knew little of business matters. - -“When Mrs. Myles found herself in financial need, she undoubtedly went -to the bank and asked if the officials there would advance her a little -money. I assume that they agreed to do so, but to protect themselves, -took a mortgage or lien on her property.” - -“And now that she can’t repay the money, they’re entitled to claim the -house,” supplied Eileen. - -“The house and possibly its contents will be sold at sheriff’s sale,” -Miss Gordon explained. “Of course if more money should be obtained -than the amount Mrs. Myles owes the bank, then she would receive the -difference.” - -“I don’t think that place will bring much,” said Sunny dubiously. - -“Nor do I,” agreed Miss Gordon. “I’m afraid Mrs. Myles is in a serious -predicament. I only wish we could help her.” - -“Maybe Mr. Vincent will think of a way,” suggested Connie. “He’s very -much interested.” - -The carpenter was waiting in the yard when the Brownies straggled in, -carrying their empty baskets. Eagerly he went to meet them at the gate. - -“She kept the food?” he asked. “How did she take it?” - -Miss Gordon related the entire conversation with Mrs. Myles. As she -added that the woman did not seem to have enough food, his face became -deeply troubled. - -“I was afraid of it,” he nodded. “Well, we’ll see to it that she gets -baskets regularly.” - -“Mrs. Myles said not to bring any more food,” Veve interposed. -“Besides, she has a worse problem.” - -“How is that?” - -The girls told him of the conversation they had overheard. - -As Mr. Vincent listened, he kept moving the gate back and forth. In his -nervousness he did not notice that it was making an unpleasant creaking -sound. - -“Oh, this is serious!” he exclaimed. “I didn’t know she had mortgaged -her place. In that case, she hasn’t anything left!” - -The Brownies thought it odd that the carpenter seemed so distressed by -Mrs. Myles’ misfortune. They very much wanted to help the old lady too, -but the matter did not excite them as it did Mr. Vincent. - -“Exactly what did the bank man say?” he questioned the girls. - -They related the conversation as best they could, telling of the sums -the bank employee had mentioned. - -“She must owe at least $1,330,” Mr. Vincent calculated. “That’s a tidy -sum. Mrs. Myles couldn’t raise it in a year. Unless someone helps her, -she’s certain to lose her home.” - -“Quite soon too,” added Miss Gordon. “We heard the man from the bank -say action already had been started.” - -“Do you know of any way to help Mrs. Myles?” Veve asked the carpenter. - -“Yes, I do,” he replied. “I could pay off the loan myself if she would -permit me to do it.” - -Even Miss Gordon was amazed by this generous offer. - -“The loan amounts to considerable,” she commented. - -“Yes, but I have a comfortable home of my own and a savings account. I -would like to help Mrs. Myles. The question is, will she permit it?” - -“She might, now that she is in such desperate circumstance,” said Miss -Gordon thoughtfully. “Why not go to her and--” - -“No, that would never do. She would refuse to see me.” - -“How stupid!” exclaimed Sunny. - -“If Mrs. Myles is that proud, I don’t think she deserves any help,” -declared Jane, tossing her pigtails. - -Mr. Vincent smiled. “You don’t understand,” he said quietly. “My -acquaintance with Mrs. Myles goes back a long, long time. The story is -one I hesitate to tell.” - -“We don’t wish to pry into personal affairs,” Miss Gordon said quickly. -“Please don’t feel that you need to explain anything, Mr. Vincent.” - -“Nevertheless, you must wonder why I take such an interest in Mrs. -Myles.” - -“I’m sure she needs help. It’s very generous of you to concern -yourself.” - -“Oh, I’m not such a charitable person by and large,” Mr. Vincent -belittled himself. “The truth is, I have a special reason for thinking -of Mrs. Myles’ welfare.” - -The Brownies listened attentively, certain that the carpenter was about -to make an interesting revelation. - -Nor were they disappointed. Taking a deep breath, Mr. Vincent went on: - -“You may not know this. Mrs. Myles dislikes me intensely. I might even -say she hates me.” - -“But why?” cut in Veve. “You’re awfully nice.” - -“Thank you,” he said, smiling down upon her. “To go on, Mrs. Myles -hasn’t spoken a word to me in years. My sister detests the ground I -walk on.” - -The Brownies wondered if they had heard correctly. - -“Your _sister_?” echoed Connie. - -Mr. Vincent nodded. - -“Now you know why I take a personal interest in Mrs. Myles,” he said. -“I want to help her and feel it is my duty to do so. But she will have -nothing to do with me.” - -“How strange!” exclaimed Sunny, unable to understand the odd situation. -“Why doesn’t Mrs. Myles like you?” - -The instant the question had been asked, the Brownies were sorry. Mr. -Vincent, they could see, did not want to answer. - -“It’s a long story and a painful one,” he said. “I’d prefer not to say -any more about it just now.” - -“Of course not,” agreed Miss Gordon promptly. “We’ll do anything we can -to help.” - -“I’ll appreciate it,” Mr. Vincent said soberly. “You might approach my -sister to see if she will accept the money. It will be difficult to -convince her though, and I’m very much afraid she’ll reject any offer -of help.” - - - - -CHAPTER 15 - -Watchful Waiting - - -Two days elapsed before the Brownie Scouts again found time to visit -their tree house in the metropolitan park. - -Meanwhile, Mr. Vincent had made inquiry at the bank, learning the exact -amount of money owed by his sister. - -“Unless the sum is promptly paid, everything she owns will be sold at -auction,” he informed Miss Gordon. “I am told she not only mortgaged -her house, but all her furniture, too.” - -The Brownies were eager to see Mrs. Myles at once to ask her if she -would accept money from the carpenter. - -Miss Gordon, however, held off making the call. - -“We will not speak to her of the matter until Mr. Vincent definitely -instructs us to present his offer,” she decided. “This is a case in -which too much haste might ruin everything.” - -Dismissing Mrs. Myles temporarily from their thoughts, the girls hiked -once more to their tree house deep in the woods. - -“I wonder if Mr. Vincent put a lock on the door for us?” Connie -speculated as they reached the big oak tree. - -“He’s doing that tomorrow,” Miss Gordon answered. “When I talked with -him yesterday, he told me he had been too busy with other work to get -around to it.” - -“Then I guess we have no surprises in store for today,” Connie said, as -she started up the stairway. - -Veve had gone on ahead. “Yes, we have too!” she shouted. - -In a moment the other Brownies saw what the little girl meant. - -A tiny stove had been set up in the playhouse. The pipe was in and -everything appeared in readiness for a fire. Beside the stove was a -neat pile of wood and kindling. - -“Oh, do you suppose Mr. Vincent did this?” Veve cried. - -“It’s possible,” admitted Miss Gordon. “He didn’t say a word about it -yesterday though when I talked to him about Mrs. Myles.” - -“Then maybe he didn’t do it,” said Eileen doubtfully. - -“Anyway it’s another wish come true!” laughed Sunny. “Oh, it will be -cozy here with a fire.” - -“We’ll be able to use our little house much later in the season too,” -added Eileen. - -The girls were all for building a fire immediately. However, Miss -Gordon said it would be necessary first to obtain permission from Mr. -Karwhite. - -“The park has strict rules about starting fires,” she reminded the -girls. “I feel certain it will be all right, but to avoid any possible -difficulty, we must ask permission.” - -“Let’s do it right away!” urged Veve. - -Leaving a few belongings in the tree house, the girls and their leader -tramped to the gate house. Mr. Karwhite was not there, but they found -him a short distance away, repairing a fence. - -“Hello, strangers,” he greeted them, putting aside his tools. “Haven’t -seen you for a long while.” - -“Two days,” laughed Connie. “While we were away, another splendid -surprise arrived at our tree house.” - -“No!” - -“A little stove,” explained Sunny. “Now we want permission to use it.” - -Miss Gordon assured the park superintendent that the stove had been -properly installed and appeared very safe. - -“The Brownies never will use it except when I am with them,” she added. - -“In that case you may use the stove whenever you like,” the park -superintendent consented. - -“We’d like to know who installed it for us,” Connie said. “Have you -seen Mr. Vincent here lately?” - -“Not that I recall. He comes and goes occasionally. As I said before, I -don’t pay too much attention.” - -“It’s certainly queer how that house of ours was built and no one knew -about it,” Jane murmured. “I’d like to find out who is responsible for -all our nice surprises.” - -“Finding out might detract from some of the fun,” suggested Miss -Gordon. “Why not enjoy the tree house and not worry too much about our -kind benefactor?” - -“The work must be done late in the afternoon or maybe at night,” Jane -went on thoughtfully. “You know what! I’d like to hide out and watch -sometime!” - -“Let’s!” proposed Sunny taking up the idea. - -Miss Gordon did not encourage the girls in the matter, so the proposal -quickly was dropped. - -“We’re wasting valuable time,” Veve complained. Always impatient, she -was eager to return to the tree house. “Let’s get back and try out our -new stove!” - -“Race you!” challenged Jane. - -Off they ran with the other Brownies in pursuit. - -Veve and Jane, having a start of the others, were the first to reach -the tree house. - -“Say! Someone’s been here while we were away!” exclaimed Veve, pointing -to fresh footprints at the base of the oak tree. - -“I’ll bet a cent they went up into our tree house too,” Jane said -indignantly. “Oh, I’ll be glad when Mr. Vincent gets that lock put on -the door. Then we won’t have to worry about anyone breaking in.” - -Uneasy lest damage might have been done, the two girls swiftly ascended -the stairway. Veve pushed open the door. - -A squirrel sat on the table, nibbling at a nut. - -“Why, the little scamp!” laughed Veve. “How did he get in here?” - -“Through the window.” - -“But we didn’t have the window open,” Veve recalled. “It’s chilly in -here and we kept it closed all the time.” - -“That’s so, we did,” recalled Jane, looking around. “Oh, see what’s -happened!” - -She pointed to the wood which had been scattered. - -“The squirrel didn’t do that!” cried Veve. - -“It must have been those mean boys again! They’re somewhere in the -park.” - -“I wish Mr. Karwhite could catch them at their tricks.” - -“So do I,” Jane muttered, starting to pick up the wood. - -The other Brownies came trooping up the stairs and were informed what -had occurred. By this time the squirrel had scampered away. Running -along the balcony rail, he leaped into a tree branch. From there he -chattered excitedly. - -“Mr. Squirrel is annoyed too!” Rosemary declared. “Oh, I wish we could -find those boys.” - -“They can’t be far from here,” Veve said. - -“Let’s track them down,” proposed Jane. “We’ll arm ourselves with -sticks and--” - -“No, girls!” Miss Gordon reproved firmly. “That would never do.” - -“If we don’t stop them somehow, they’ll keep on wrecking our tree -house,” Eileen protested. “How are we going to catch them?” - -“I know!” proposed Veve suddenly. “Why don’t we hide out in the bushes -and keep watch? They may come sneaking back here.” - -“Probably they ran away because they saw us returning,” Jane added, -instantly falling in with the idea. “We could pretend to leave the -park, but not actually do it.” - -The girls now beseeched their leader to consent to the plan. - -“We might wait hours to no purpose,” she tried to discourage them. - -“I wouldn’t care if I had to stay all night!” Jane announced. “It would -be worth it to catch those bad boys.” - -The other Brownies said they felt the same way about it. - -“Very well,” Miss Gordon finally gave in. “We’ll hide out for awhile. -Even if we aren’t successful, it may teach us how to be patient.” - -Putting the little house to rights, the Brownies gathered up all of -their personal possessions. - -When they were ready to leave, they closed the door of the tree house -and tacked a sign on the door which read: - -“Brownie Scout property. Please do not enter.” - -“There!” Veve said in satisfaction as they went down the stairway. “If -they deliberately disobey now, they’ll deserve to be arrested!” - -The Brownies walked a short distance down the trail. As they came to a -dividing path, they saw a group of four boys playing in a nearby pond. -The youngsters were tossing stones into the water. - -“There they are now!” exclaimed Jane. “I’m sure they’re the ones!” - -“We can’t be certain,” Miss Gordon said quietly. “Before we can turn -anyone in, they must be caught actually damaging our property. Keep -walking girls, and don’t look toward the pond.” - -Well aware that they would be watched by the group of boys, the Brownie -Scouts continued on the path until they no longer could see the pool. - -“We’ll come to another trail a little farther on,” Miss Gordon said. -“By taking it we can double back to the tree house without being seen.” - -Convinced that the boys would take advantage of their absence to invade -the playhouse again, the Brownies hurried as fast as they could. - -However, when they reached the oak tree there was no indication anyone -had been there. - -“We haven’t given them very long,” said Miss Gordon. “Suppose we seek -hiding places.” - -Each girl found herself a hide-out amid the bushes. Jane and Veve were -the closest to the oak tree, sheltered by a heavy screen of branches -and leaves. - -For a time, it was very exciting to lie in wait. Each time a stick -crackled or any unusual sound was heard, the girls waited tensely, -certain that the boys were coming. But they never did. - -“Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all,” Jane said presently, -shifting her cramped legs. “How long have we been here now?” - -“Oh, fifteen or twenty minutes,” Veve replied. - -“It seems a couple of hours. I don’t think I want to wait much longer.” - -“You were the one who said you wouldn’t mind waiting all night!” Veve -reminded her. - -“Well, I’m getting tired. Besides, I don’t think they’re coming back. -Those boys probably are playing at the pond.” - -“You’re too impatient,” Veve chided her. “I’m not going to be the first -Brownie to quit. No, sir!” - -“Who is quitting?” Jane demanded crossly. “I just said I was -tired--that’s all.” - -To make the waiting period pass more quickly, the girls watched the -birds. They played a game of identifying trees, flowers and plants -within their range of vision. - -Finally Veve became deeply interested in watching what went on in an -ant hill. - -“Look at ’em go!” she exclaimed, scraping sand from the top of the -mound. - -“Quiet, you dope!” warned Jane, punching her hard in the ribs. - -Veve listened intently. She could hear light steps on the trail. - -“Someone’s coming!” - -“Sure,” whispered Jane. “Be quiet. Or do you want to give everything -away?” - -On the opposite side of the path, Miss Gordon and the Brownies also -had heard the sound of shuffling feet through dry leaves. Flattening -themselves on the ground, the girls quietly waited. - - - - -CHAPTER 16 - -Captured Culprits - - -Presently four boys swung into view on the trail. - -Batting at the bushes with their sticks and whistling gay tunes, they -seemed in high good humor. - -“It’s those same boys who pelted Mrs. Myles with walnuts!” Jane -whispered. - -Veve pinched her as a warning to remain silent. - -The boys now were so close that she was afraid they would hear even a -whisper. - -“Let’s go up to the tree house, fellows,” proposed the eldest boy. - -“Aw, we’ve been up there once today,” a companion rejoined. “We had to -beat it when we saw that Brownie Scout leader coming.” - -“Sure, but she’s gone now. Didn’t we see ’em all leaving the park? They -won’t be back today.” - -“Now that they’ve gone, we can have a lot of fun,” urged another boy. -“We’ll really make that tree house into a mess!” - -“Afterwards, let’s mix up some more park signs,” his companion -proposed. “And then tear off tags from the trees.” - -“Okay, only it will be too bad if old Karwhite catches us!” - -“He won’t,” the older boy said confidently. “Not that fat old duck! He -can’t run worth a cent.” - -The four passed very close to the clump of bushes where the Brownie -Scouts lay hidden. Veve was tempted to reach out and grasp one of the -boys by the leg, but instead she kept very quiet. - -Never dreaming that they were being watched, the four boys climbed the -stairway to the tree house. - -On the balcony they halted to stare in astonishment at the sign which -the Brownies had tacked on the door. - -“Hey, what’s this!” exclaimed one of the boys. - -He read the message aloud, and his companions all hooted. - -They considered it a great joke that the Brownie Scouts would tack up a -sign requesting them not to trespass. - -“Let’s do a good job tearing up the place!” proposed the leader of the -gang. Boldly he ripped the sign from the door. “How about it, fellows?” - -“Sure!” the others agreed, following him into the tree house. - -By this time Miss Gordon and the Brownies had emerged from their hiding -places. Several of the girls would have started up the steps after the -boys, but the teacher told them to wait. - -“They would only dart away and elude us again,” she advised the girls. -“Veve, you and Jane run as fast as you can to the gate house. Bring Mr. -Karwhite here.” - -“We certainly will,” Jane promised. - -“Fast too,” added Veve. “Just don’t let those boys get away until we -return.” - -Making no sound, the two girls slipped away. Once they were a few yards -away and knew they could not be heard, they broke into a run. - -“What if Mr. Karwhite isn’t at the entrance gate?” Veve gasped, short -of breath. “That would be just our luck.” - -“He _has_ to be there,” Jane replied. “This is our one chance to have -those boys arrested.” - -The girls reached the gate house, and flung open the door. - -Mr. Karwhite had been working at his accounts. Seeing the girls, he -regarded them in astonishment. - -“Come quickly, Mr. Karwhite!” Veve urged, tugging at his hand. - -“Why, what is wrong? Is anyone hurt?” - -“Oh, no!” Jane assured him. “It’s those horrid boys. They’re wrecking -our tree house.” - -“They are, eh?” demanded the park superintendent. Before leaving the -gate house, he equipped himself with a stout stick which he kept handy -behind the door. - -“Hurry, Mr. Karwhite,” Veve urged, as she and Jane led the way. - -The boys had been right in saying that the park superintendent could -not run very fast. The two girls had to slow their pace so as not to -outdistance him. - -Upon reaching the oak tree, Veve and Jane found that Miss Gordon was -having difficulty in restraining the other Brownies. It had been very -hard for them to remain on the ground, knowing that the four boys were -inside the tree house. - -“They tore down the curtains!” Rosemary informed the park -superintendent. “We saw them do it.” - -“And they threw some of the wood over the balcony railing!” added -Eileen. “Get them quick, Mr. Karwhite.” - -“I will,” he said grimly. - -The park superintendent told Miss Gordon to stand at the foot of the -stairway. In that way she would block off any possible escape, should -the boys elude Mr. Karwhite. - -All the Brownies gathered beside the teacher, ready to assist her if -their help was needed. - -Armed with the stick, Mr. Karwhite started up the stairway. - -He made no attempt to muffle his footsteps. As he reached the balcony, -the door suddenly flew open. - -“Jeepers!” cried one of the boys, belatedly warning his companions. -“It’s Old Karwhite!” - -The other boys poured out of the house like ants from a disturbed hill. -Their escape, however, was cut off. - -“I’ve finally caught up with you,” the park superintendent said. -“You’re coming with me!” - -“Aw, have a heart,” pleaded one of the boys. “We aren’t doing any -harm.” - -“You’ve mixed up park signs, pulled valuable shrubs, not to mention the -damage you’ve done here.” - -“We won’t do it again.” - -“Let us off this time,” wheedled the eldest boy. “We’ll stay away from -the park after today.” - -“You’ll stay away all right,” the superintendent agreed. - -First he took the names and addresses of the four boys. Then he ordered -them to march ahead of him down the stairway to the base of the oak -tree where the Brownies waited. - -“Now if you try to run away, it will be the worse for you,” he warned. -“I’m turning you over to the police.” - -The boys were badly frightened. No longer arrogant and cocky, they -obeyed the superintendent’s order. - -Mr. Karwhite made the boys walk in single file to the gate house. -There, while the Brownies and Miss Gordon listened, he gave them a -severe lecture on their misconduct. - -“We know we did wrong,” one of the boys admitted. “Please don’t arrest -us, Mr. Karwhite. Let us off this time and we’ll never come to the park -again.” - -“We’ll clean up everything in the tree house,” volunteered another of -the group. “Just give us a chance.” - -Now Mr. Karwhite had not intended to call the police even though he had -threatened to do so. He only meant to frighten the boys so they never -again would come to the park. - -“Very well,” he said. “Arm yourselves with brooms and scrub pails. -We’ll see to it that you give the tree house a thorough cleaning. If -you do a good job I may consider letting you off.” - -Relieved that they were to have another chance, the boys accompanied -Mr. Karwhite to the oak tree. While the Brownies sat on the ground -watching from below, they cleaned every inch of the little house. - -The park superintendent made them put up the curtain they had torn -down. He also ordered them to wash and polish the window, even though -they had not dirtied it. - -When the playhouse was in perfect order, Mr. Karwhite told the boys -they were free to go. - -“But never come here again,” he warned them. “Remember, I have your -names and addresses. If ever I set eyes on you in the park, I’ll turn -you over to the police.” - -The boys were very glad to be let off so easily. Promising Mr. Karwhite -that they would stay away, they darted off. - -“They’ll not be back,” the superintendent told Miss Gordon confidently. -“This time I really threw a scare into them they won’t forget.” - -So much time had been consumed, that it was too late for the Brownies -to build a fire in their little stove. - -Regretfully, they gathered together their wraps and notebooks and -prepared to leave the park area. - -“From now on, you should not be annoyed here,” Mr. Karwhite assured -them. “The playhouse will be all yours until the snow flies.” - -“I only wish we knew who built the house for us,” remarked Rosemary -wistfully. “It would be nice to thank the person.” - -“Are you sure, Mr. Karwhite, that you don’t know who built the house?” -Veve asked him. - -“Well, maybe I do, and maybe I don’t,” he said mysteriously. - -“That means you do know!” accused Eileen. - -Mr. Karwhite merely laughed. “Be patient,” he advised. “In good time, -I’m sure you’ll learn the answer for yourselves!” - - - - -CHAPTER 17 - -Bitter Words - - -The following week the Brownie Scouts found many demands upon their -time. - -Not only were they busy at school, but the organization gave a tea for -all the mothers. At this meeting the girls displayed the buttons they -had gathered and discussed plans for obtaining others. - -Eileen had acquired a glass swirlback button, unlike any other on -exhibit. Molded on the front, it had a wire loop shank with the back -twisted in a snail-like spiral. - -Sunny’s mother had given her an old Czechoslovakian button and there -were others of foreign make. The most beautiful one of all, however, -was an old Sheffield silver button which Miss Gordon herself had -obtained. She planned to have it made into a pin. - -Although gathering buttons and giving a tea required a great deal of -work, the girls nevertheless found time to have a cook-out at their -tree house. - -Since Mr. Karwhite had ordered the gang of boys away, no one had -bothered the little tree dwelling. - -True to his promise, Mr. Vincent had put a sturdy lock on the door. -However, it was not really necessary. Only the birds and the squirrels -were regular callers. - -To the delight of the Brownies, surprises continued to come at most -unexpected times. On one occasion the girls arrived at the tree house -to discover mysterious boxes piled on the balcony. Inside they found a -complete set of dishes with a handsome cherry design. - -Another time a book was left explaining about the different kinds of -trees and flowers. - -Eileen, who was verging on ten, had become very studious. She spent -many hours reading all types of books, particularly those relating to -the Girl Scout organization. - -Now, though the matter seldom was mentioned, all the girls knew that -Eileen soon would be leaving the Brownie troop. - -Upon her tenth birthday she would move on up into an intermediate Girl -Scout troop--“flying up” as the occasion was called. - -Eileen was looking forward to the day when she would join the older -girls. In preparation for the “fly-up,” she spent hours learning -tenderfoot requirements--the Girl Scout Promise, the laws, slogan and -motto. Nevertheless, the thought of leaving behind her good chums and -Brownie activities filled her with regret. - -“I’ll hate to give up this darling little tree house,” she remarked one -day to Veve. “Were having such grand times.” - -“You can come back to visit the troop next year,” Veve assured her. - -“It won’t be quite the same though,” Eileen said wistfully. “I wish -before I become a Girl Scout that we could solve the mystery of the -identity of the person who gave us this house.” - -“Is that a real wish, Eileen?” - -“Yes, it is. I hope it comes true as some of the others have.” - -“I’ll make the same wish,” declared Veve. “Maybe that will help make it -come true.” - -“I have another wish too,” added Eileen after a moment. - -“What’s that?” - -“It has nothing to do with this tree house--or not directly. I wish we -could help Mrs. Myles.” - -“All the Brownies feel that way. I don’t know why Miss Gordon never has -taken us to her house again.” - -Now as Veve spoke, it so happened that the Brownie leader and several -of the girls came up the stairway after being on a hike. Miss Gordon -could not fail to hear the remark. - -“Veve, I’m glad you mentioned Mrs. Myles,” she said. “I’ve held off -going to her home because Mr. Vincent thought it might be better to -wait a few days. Now a certain situation has arisen, so we’ll go there -today.” - -“Today?” demanded Eileen in pleased surprise. - -“Yes, the date of the sheriff’s sale has been set. Something must be -done soon if Mrs. Myles’ home is to be saved.” - -“What does Mr. Vincent say we should do?” inquired Connie. - -“He wants us to go to Mrs. Myles and offer her the money she needs. If -she insists upon knowing who is giving it, then we must tell her. But -only if she insists.” - -“Let’s go now,” urged Sunny. “It’s getting late.” - -“Yes, it is,” agreed Miss Gordon, preparing to lock the door of the -tree house. “We have no time to lose.” - -A brisk hike took the girls to the Myles home. In the gathering shadows -of late afternoon, the tumble-down dwelling looked even more desolate -than on the first occasion they had seen it. - -“I don’t think this place is worth saving,” Jane muttered. “A good -strong north wind would blow the house over.” - -“Nevertheless, it’s the only home Mrs. Myles has,” declared Miss -Gordon. “What a pity she dislikes her brother so intensely. He could -fix this place up for her if she would allow it.” - -“Wonder why she will have nothing to do with him?” Connie speculated. -“She must have a very good reason.” - -“Mr. Vincent was careful not to tell us that part of the story,” -remarked Eileen. - -Before knocking on the front door, Miss Gordon advised the girls to let -her do most of the talking. - -“This mission is a most delicate one,” she said with a worried frown. -“I’m not at all certain that we’ll be successful.” - -Mrs. Myles seemed very pleased to see the Brownies and their leader -again. Cordially she invited them into the kitchen. - -Glancing around, the girls noticed that several boxes and barrels had -been packed with dishes. - -“Excuse the untidy appearance,” the widow apologized. “I’m packing a -few things the bank has allowed me to keep out of the sale.” - -Mrs. Myles spoke with forced brightness. The Brownies knew though, from -the strained expression on her face, that she had suffered. - -“It’s the sale that I came to discuss,” began Miss Gordon. “There need -be none.” - -Mrs. Myles, who had been wrapping a dish in paper, nearly dropped the -piece of china. - -“No sale?” she inquired. “Oh, I wish you were right, Miss Gordon. -Unfortunately, the bank has refused to extend credit. Posters are -already out, advertising the auction.” - -“If you say the word, it can be called off.” - -“That is quite impossible, Miss Gordon. Oh, it’s useless to pretend. I -have no money. I can’t pay the bank loan or even the interest on it. -I’m down to my last dollar. When I leave here, I don’t know where I’ll -go.” - -Sinking into a chair, Mrs. Myles covered her face. - -“Please don’t cry, Mrs. Myles,” the Brownie leader comforted her. -“Money is available to pay off the bank loan.” - -The widow gazed at Miss Gordon as if unable to believe the wonderful -news. - -“Oh, I prayed that help would come,” she murmured. “It just doesn’t -seem possible that my prayers were answered.” - -“They were, Mrs. Myles. You need worry no longer.” - -“You went to the bank and the president agreed to extend the loan?” - -“No, a friend of yours--someone who has your welfare deeply at -heart--has offered to pay the indebtedness.” - -Mrs. Myles arose and walked nervously across the kitchen. - -“Charity,” she said in a bitter voice. - -“No, one can’t call it by that name, Mrs. Myles. You need the money -badly and it will save your home.” - -“Who is the person that has made this kind offer?” - -“I feel it would be better if the person remained anonymous.” - -Mrs. Myles shook her head. “I can’t accept with out knowing.” - -Miss Gordon glanced at the Brownies and drew a deep breath. - -“You insist upon knowing, Mrs. Myles?” - -“Yes.” - -“Very well, then, I will tell you. Your brother, Sam Vincent, has made -the offer.” - -Mrs. Myles appeared stunned by the revelation. - -“Sam!” she exclaimed. “That sneak! He didn’t have the nerve to make his -offer face to face. He knew I’d never listen to him!” - -“He honestly wants to help you, Mrs. Myles. Who has a better right than -your own brother?” - -“Don’t call him a brother of mine! I’m ashamed I ever knew him!” - -The Brownies could not understand Mrs. Myles’ strange outburst. So -far as they knew, Sam Vincent was a very kind man who always did nice -things for people. - -“Never as long as I live will I take a penny from Sam!” Mrs. Myles went -on angrily. “He’s a cheap, low-down thief!” - -Miss Gordon and the Brownies were shocked by the accusation against the -carpenter. - -“Surely you don’t mean that!” gasped the teacher. - -“I do! I never want to see Sam again in my life! I’ll starve before I’d -accept money from him.” - -“He seems to have your interests so deeply at heart,” Miss Cordon -murmured. “If it’s only a misunderstanding--” - -“Sam is a thief!” Mrs. Myles repeated. “He knows it too. That’s why -he’s ashamed to come here himself! He knows I’ll never speak to him as -long as I live. Didn’t he bring disgrace upon the family?” - -“That I wouldn’t know,” the teacher replied quietly. “The important -thing now is that a little money would save your home. If your brother -is willing to help--” - -“Don’t talk him up to me,” Mrs. Myles interrupted again. “He’s given me -nothing, and he never will.” - -“Oh, but he has given you something!” exclaimed Veve. - -Too late, she recalled that Miss Gordon had warned the Brownies to let -her do most of the talking. - -Mrs. Myles was quick to take advantage of Veve’s slip of the tongue. - -“What do you mean?” she demanded. “What did Sam ever give me?” - -“Those baskets of food,” informed Sunny as Veve remained silent. - -“Oh!” exclaimed Mrs. Myles, exactly as if she had received a deep stab -wound. “To think of it! If I had dreamed Sam had sent the food, I -wouldn’t have touched it!” - -“We didn’t mean to deceive you,” Miss Gordon said. “Sam only wanted to -help.” - -“Well, I know now!” the widow exclaimed. “Thank goodness, I learned in -time. Don’t ever bring anything here again! The sale will go on, and if -I land in the Poorhouse, Sam has only himself to blame!” - - - - -CHAPTER 18 - -The Auction Sale - - -Mrs. Myles’ bitter tirade left the Brownies without a single argument. - -From what she had said, they were certain nothing they could tell her -ever would induce her to accept money from her brother. - -Realizing that it was quite hopeless to try to change Mrs. Myles’ mind, -Miss Gordon arose to leave. - -The elderly lady walked with the teacher and the Brownies to the door. - -“I’m sorry I let my temper flare,” she apologized. “I bear you no ill -will. It’s only Sam that has me so riled. He should have known better -than to think I’d take the money.” - -Miss Gordon told the widow that if she should change her mind before -the day of the sheriff’s sale to notify her. - -“You’ll not hear from me,” Mrs. Myles said firmly. - -On the road en route to their homes, the Brownies discussed the failure -of their mission. All were agreed that Mrs. Myles was too stubborn ever -to change her mind about accepting the money. - -“I can’t understand why she dislikes her brother so intensely,” -remarked Connie. “I think he’s nice.” - -“She called him a thief too!” recalled Veve. “It must have been -something about money that caused their first quarrel.” - -Regretfully the Brownies reported to Mr. Vincent their failure to -induce Mrs. Myles to accept the money. - -Of course they were too tactful to tell him everything his sister had -said. They were hopeful that the carpenter would disclose why he and -Mrs. Myles had quarreled. He did not do so, however. - -“If Minnie refuses to accept the money, then nothing can be done to -help her,” he said. “At least I tried.” - -The coming auction sale had been advertised on posters. Reading that -all household goods were to be sold the next Saturday, the Brownies -asked Miss Gordon if they might attend in a group. - -“Why, yes, if the girls care to,” the Brownie leader consented. “I may -buy a few things just to help out.” - -“I’d like to bid in some buttons,” declared Veve. “I wonder if the -match holder and cross-stitch pillow will be auctioned?” - -On the day appointed for the sheriff’s sale, the six girls went early to -the Myles’ home. - -Cars were parked two deep in the yard and a considerable number of -persons had gathered there. Nearly all of the household goods had been -set out in the yard. - -Veve spied Mr. Vincent in the crowd and ran over to talk to him. - -“I didn’t expect to see you here!” she greeted him. - -“I couldn’t stay away,” he replied. “I’ve tried to talk to Minnie, but -she won’t speak to me.” - -Mr. Vincent told Veve he was afraid the auction would not raise enough -money to pay off the bank loan. - -“Not a cent will be left for Minnie to live on,” he declared anxiously. -“What will she do? Where will she go?” - -Miss Gordon had come up in time to hear the remarks. - -“Don’t worry about your sister,” she assured the carpenter. “After the -sale is over, I expect to ask her to come to my home to live for a few -weeks until she can adjust her affairs.” - -Mr. Vincent gratefully thanked Miss Gordon for her generous offer. - -“I only hope she accepts,” he said. “Minnie is proud.” - -Soon it was time for the auction to start. - -First the auctioneer put up a barrel of dishes. Only two persons made a -bid, for the china was old and not very valuable. - -The entire barrel sold for fifty cents! - -Next the man auctioned off a bedstead and a rocker. These brought only -a few dollars. A chest of drawers and a dining room table went for -three and five dollars. - -“This is terrible!” Mr. Vincent whispered to Miss Gordon. “I am going -to bid on the next item.” - -The auctioneer offered an old clock. It was shabby in appearance and -the carpenter knew for a fact it never had kept accurate time. - -All the same, his opening bid was five dollars. - -“Five dollars!” shouted the auctioneer, his hope reviving. “Five -dollars! Who will make it six?” - -Before anyone could raise Mr. Vincent, Mrs. Myles stepped forward. She -whispered a moment with the auctioneer. - -“I am sorry,” the man then announced to the crowd. “Mrs. Myles requests -that the bid not be accepted. Let’s have another. How much am I offered -for this handsome old clock?” - -A gasp of astonishment went over the crowd. People looked at Mr. -Vincent and whispered. - -“Minnie won’t even allow me to bid on any of the furniture!” he said -bitterly. “Oh, it’s useless to try to help her.” - -No one seemed willing to bid on the clock. Connie had brought a dollar -with her. Timidly she called out: “I’ll bid fifty cents.” - -“A little girl offers fifty cents,” called the auctioneer. “Who will -make it a dollar?” - -A woman some distance away raised her hand. Then the auctioneer tried -to get the bid up to a dollar and a half. But no one would offer that -much. - -“Sold to Mrs. Flikinger for one dollar!” called the auctioneer. - -After that several other items were sold. Only one of the articles, the -cookstove, brought more than four dollars. - -“This sale won’t total a hundred and fifty dollars,” Miss Gordon -murmured. “Of course the house will bring something--perhaps a thousand -dollars.” - -Only a few items now remained to be sold. Although the Brownies had -watched closely, they had not seen many things on which they cared to -enter a bid. - -But now the cross-stitched pillow was held up by the auctioneer. - -“How much am I offered for this bit of fluff?” he asked the crowd. - -Without stopping to think, Veve shouted: “A dollar!” - -The money was every cent she had brought with her. - -Connie tugged at her sleeve. “Dope!” she chided. “The pillow isn’t -worth it. Why you could buy a chair with a dollar!” - -“I don’t want a chair,” retorted Veve in a voice so loud that persons -nearby heard her. “I want that pillow.” - -No one else bid. The auctioneer now was hastening to be done with the -sale. - -“Sold to the little girl in the blue dress!” he called. “Catch!” - -The auctioneer tossed the pillow directly into her arms. - -“I know what I’ll do with this,” Veve declared, well pleased with her -purchase. “I’ll keep it in our tree house.” - -“I’d like to buy the match holder made of buttons if it is offered for -sale,” Connie announced. - -The Brownies paid close attention but the article in which they were so -interested was not put up. Finally, the last item had been sold and the -crowd began to leave. - -Mrs. Myles came over to speak to Miss Gordon and the Brownies. Her -face, they noticed, was streaked from tears. However, she tried to act -as if she had not minded seeing her possessions sold. - -“There! Everything is gone! What a relief it will be not having to keep -house and dust!” she chattered. - -As the Brownies could think of nothing to say in return, Mrs. Myles -offered Connie a package. - -“This is for all of the Brownies,” she said. “Hang it in your tree -house, or wherever you like.” - -Connie unwrapped the parcel. Out tumbled the match holder made of -buttons. - -“Just what we wanted!” Connie cried in delight. - -“I always intended you should have it,” Mrs. Myles said. “Well, -good-bye my dears. I probably won’t be seeing you again soon--” - -The widow’s voice broke then and she could not finish. - -Miss Gordon took her gently by the arm. - -“Mrs. Myles, you must come home with me,” she urged. “I have a room -waiting for you.” - -“It isn’t right to burden you with my troubles,” the old lady protested. - -“We’ll work out everything,” the teacher assured her. “Eileen, you and -Jane take Mrs. Myles to my car. I’ll be along in a minute. I must speak -to someone.” - -Mrs. Myles gave up protesting. She allowed the two Brownies to lead her -to the parked automobile. - -Once the widow was out of sight, Miss Gordon sought Mr. Vincent who had -remained in the crowd. - -“Your sister has agreed to go to my home,” she assured him. “She’ll be -well taken care of for the time being. Later we can work out something.” - -The carpenter gripped the teacher’s hand gratefully. - -“This old house wasn’t worth saving,” he said. “If only I could induce -my sister to move in with me, all would be for the best. I’m afraid -though, she’ll never have anything to do with me.” - -“Why not?” demanded Veve, who had joined the group. “Is it because she -thinks you are a thief?” - -“Veve, hush!” commanded Connie in a shocked voice. - -Miss Gordon and the other Brownies were sorry Veve had spoken so -carelessly. No one had intended to mention to Mr. Vincent what his -sister had said about him. - -The carpenter remained silent a moment. Then he replied: - -“You have a right to know the true story of what occurred so many years -ago. I’ll tell you my version, and then you may decide for yourselves -whether or not I am a thief or an honest man.” - - - - -CHAPTER 19 - -“Flying Up” - - -Lowering his voice so that others would not hear, Mr. Vincent related -to the Brownies what had happened many years before. - -“As a boy I lived in the city with my father and sister,” he began the -story. “That was before either of us married. We did not have very much -money in those days. - -“For some reason my father did not entirely trust the banks. So he kept -some of his savings in the house. To make the story short, five hundred -dollars disappeared.” - -“And you were accused?” interposed Connie. - -All of the Brownies and Miss Gordon were listening attentively to the -story. - -“Yes, I never could understand why my father had so little faith in me -that he would make such an accusation. Perhaps it was because I was a -heavy spender of my earnings in those days. Easy come--easy go, was my -motto then. I’ve since reformed.” - -“You say five hundred dollars vanished?” Miss Cordon asked -thoughtfully. “Was it never recovered.” - -“Never. My father was sure I had taken it because no one except my -sister and myself had been in the house.” - -“Maybe someone broke in,” suggested Rosemary. - -Mr. Vincent smiled and shook his head. “My father almost never left the -house in those days. He was old and ailing. In fact, the feeling that I -had taken his money was an obsession with him.” - -“He died without learning that you were honest?” asked Veve, deeply -troubled. - -“Yes,” the carpenter replied. “I should have told you that my father -ordered me out of the house. Instead of trying to reason with him, I -packed up and left.” - -“Your sister didn’t take your part?” Miss Gordon questioned. - -“Far from it. Minnie sided with my father. After he died, she married -and moved to this house. Her husband never was well-to-do, and he also -passed on a few years ago. About all Minnie had was this house and the -furniture--most of that came from the old homestead.” - -“How long ago was it that your father died?” the Brownie leader -inquired. - -“Twenty-nine years ago.” The carpenter drew a deep sigh. “How fast time -passes! It hardly seems possible. - -“In those twenty-nine years I’ve tried repeatedly to make Minnie come -to her senses. She’s as stubborn as a mule! She took the attitude that -disappointment over me hastened my father’s death. Minnie just hasn’t -been rational on the subject.” - -“It seems funny that five hundred dollars could just disappear,” Connie -offered her opinion. “Maybe it was spent.” - -“I rather doubt that.” - -“What do you think did become of it?” Veve asked. - -“I wish I knew, little girl. Your guess is as good as mine. I’ve -thought, though, that my father might have hidden the money somewhere -and forgotten about it.” - -“From what you say, he could have done exactly that!” declared Miss -Gordon. - -“Unfortunately, the money never came to light. And it never will.” - -“I don’t suppose so,” Miss Gordon regretfully admitted. “Thirty years, -or twenty-nine, to be exact, is a very long time.” - -“A great deal of water has gone over the dam,” the carpenter murmured. -“Our old family homestead has been sold, and now the last of the -furniture is gone. Poor Minnie! If only I could help her!” - -“Don’t worry, Mr. Vincent,” Miss Gordon said to cheer him. “Right now -she is very much upset to see her home sold. However, after she has -had a few days to reflect upon matters, she may view everything in a -different light.” - -“You don’t know my sister Minnie if you think she will ever change her -mind about me! She never will accept a penny from me--she’d go to the -Poorhouse first.” - -“Those were her very words!” Connie recalled. - -“Minnie is convinced I stole the money and nothing ever will make her -change her mind.” - -“Not even if the money were found?” asked Veve. - -“That is an impossibility now,” Mr. Vincent answered. “I’m sorry to -have bored you with my story. I only told you what happened so you -would understand.” - -“We’re sure you never took the money!” cried Veve. - -“I should say not!” added Connie. - -“Thank you, for having confidence in me,” Mr. Vincent said, smiling. -“Well, I’ll move along, or my sister will think it odd that I am -talking with you.” - -He turned and gripped Miss Gordon’s hand. “Thank you mightily for -looking after Minnie,” he said. “I can’t give you money now for her -keep, or she would refuse to go with you. Later, I’ll see that you’re -repaid.” - -The teacher assured him that pay for an act of kindness had not entered -her mind. Promising to let him know how matters went with Mrs. Myles, -she escorted her Brownie charges to the parked car. - -“What was Sam saying to you?” the widow demanded as they squeezed into -the sedan beside her. - -Before anyone could answer, she announced flatly: “If he’s given you -money for my keep, I won’t go an inch--not an inch!” - -“Mr. Vincent didn’t give me any money,” Miss Gordon said in a soothing -voice. “He is concerned about your future though.” - -“I can imagine!” Mrs. Myles retorted. “I’ll have nothing to do with him -and that’s final.” - -Although the Brownies longed to question the widow about the lost five -hundred dollars, they knew better than to do so. - -She herself abruptly changed the subject by talking about the -cross-stitched pillow which Veve had bought. - -“My mother made that pillow and set great store by it,” she remarked -sadly. “It’s gone now--everything is gone.” - -“You keep it,” Veve said quickly. “Please take it back.” - -Mrs. Myles smiled through her tears. “Thank you, child,” she said, -patting Veve’s hand. “No, I can’t take the pillow. It would mean -nothing to me now in any case. My life is ended.” - -Lapsing into a moody silence, she said no more during the ride to Miss -Gordon’s home. - -During the next week and a half, the Brownies saw Mrs. Myles -infrequently. Nevertheless, she managed to dominate their lives. - -Whenever they called at Miss Gordon’s home, they found her occupying -a rocker in the sun room. She complained constantly about her “hard -lot,” yet made no attempt to plan a future. - -The Brownies knew Miss Gordon was worried because the old lady took so -much of her time. She was forced to cancel a Brownie meeting. Unable to -take the girls to the tree house, she asked Mrs. Davidson to drive them -there in her car. - -“Were losing Miss Gordon,” Veve declared one day when the girls were -all at the tree house. “It’s Mrs. Myles’ fault too! I don’t think it’s -fair of her to take up so much of anyone’s time.” - -“Mrs. Myles doesn’t mean to be selfish,” Connie defended her. “She just -doesn’t think, that’s all.” - -Mrs. Davidson told the girls she did not believe very much could be -done to change the unfortunate situation. - -“Miss Gordon can’t very well send Mrs. Myles to the county home,” she -said. “She has no other place to go.” - -“She could live with her brother,” Veve insisted. - -“If she would,” agreed Mrs. Davidson. “But why discuss something we -know is utterly out of the picture? I doubt if Mrs. Myles ever will -change her mind.” - -As the fall days grew a bit sharper, the Brownies visited their tree -house every few days. They wished to make the most of their time, -knowing that very soon the snow would fly. - -“We’ve had such wonderfully good times here,” Eileen said wistfully. -“It seems a pity we never learned who built the house for us.” - -“Mr. Karwhite could tell if he would,” declared Rosemary. “Whenever -I ask him about it, he only smiles and says the secret isn’t his to -reveal.” - -“After the fifteenth of the month, we likely won’t be coming here -again,” Sunny remarked. “Oh, dear!” - -Now the Brownies had set aside the fifteenth as the day upon which they -would have their last ceremonial meeting of the fall season. On this -occasion, Eileen would “fly up” into the Girl Scout organization. - -“I almost wish I could be a Brownie forever,” she remarked regretfully. -“Being a Girl Scout will be fun too though!” - -For nearly two weeks Miss Gordon had taken little active part in the -Brownie meetings. Instead, she had turned the programs over to Mrs. -Davidson and Connie’s mother. - -However, the girls knew she would be on hand for the final ceremony of -the year. To insure that their leader could come, they had extended an -invitation to Mrs. Myles as well as their own parents. - -“I hope the weather is right,” Connie said anxiously. “What a pity if -it should turn cold before Saturday.” - -“Rain or shine we’ll have to hold the ceremonial,” Mrs. Davidson -assured the girls. - -All that week the girls worked very hard preparing for the affair. The -tree house was given a thorough cleaning and everything put to right. - -By Saturday, cookies and cakes had been baked ready to serve to the -mothers. Brownie uniforms and ties also had been pressed and cleaned. - -Several Girl Scouts and their leader planned to attend the ceremonial. - -“Everyone will be here,” Eileen declared, her teeth chattering. “Oh, -I’m so scared. I know I’ll forget my lines.” - -“You will not,” comforted Connie, squeezing her hand. “Almost before -you know it now, you’ll be a Girl Scout.” - -“But being a Brownie was such fun, Connie. I almost think I don’t want -to fly up.” - -“Nonsense!” Connie laughed. “We’ll all join the Scouts before long. And -you always may come back and visit our tree house.” - -This assurance made Eileen feel much better. - -Soon Miss Gordon, Mrs. Myles and many of the parents began to arrrive -at the tree house. - -Because it would have been impossible to get even a portion of the -crowd into the house at one time, it was planned to hold the ceremonial -at the foot of the oak tree. - -The day had started out warm and sunny. This pleasant beginning, -however, was only a “teaser.” - -Not long after the parents had gathered, clouds began darkening the sky. - -“We’re due for rain,” announced Mrs. Myles, drawing her shawl about -her. “Soon too.” - -Miss Gordon and the mothers shared the old lady’s opinion. So it was -decided that the ceremony should be hastened. - -Those who were not to take part, seated themselves on cushions near the -base of the big oak. - -The Brownies formed a horseshoe, and upon signal, the Scout Troop made -a similar one opposite the younger girls. - -Miss Gordon then opened the service by saying that the time had come -for Eileen to take wings and fly up to the Rosedale Girl Scout Troop. - -“Tell us, Eileen,” she invited, “what did you like best about being a -Brownie?” - -Now that question was very easy to answer. - -“I liked everything,” she answered promptly. “The hikes, the parties -and the cook-outs. I loved our wonderful week-end at Snow Valley and -the time we spent with the circus. It was fun picking cherries too. But -best of all, I liked this tree house!” - -All of the Brownies cheered, for of course, they felt the same way. - -Now came an important moment. - -Miss Gordon moved forward and pinned the Brownie Wings on Eileen’s Girl -Scout uniform. Of gold, embroidered on green felt, they signified her -past membership in the Brownie organization. - -Eileen then was asked to repeat the Girl Scout Promise: - - “On my honor, I will try: - To do my duty to God and my country, - To help other people at all times, - To obey the Girl Scout Laws.” - -The Girl Scouts then greeted Eileen as a new member after reciting in -unison their laws: - -A Girl Scout’s honor is to be trusted. - -A Girl Scout is loyal. - -A Girl Scout’s duty is to be useful and to help others. - -A Girl Scout is a friend to all and a sister to every other Girl Scout. - -A Girl Scout is courteous. - -A Girl Scout is a friend to animals. - -A Girl Scout obeys orders. - -A Girl Scout is cheerful. - -A Girl Scout is thrifty. - -A Girl Scout is clean in thought, word and deed. - -The Scout pin was bestowed upon Eileen, who then was welcomed into the -troop by the girl Scouts of the Rosedale Troop. - -“I guess I’m a full-fledged Scout now,” she said with a laugh. “Dear -me, it seems a Girl Scout must be just about everything!” - -The ceremony now was over, and everyone congratulated Eileen. She was -glad to have joined the older girls’ organization, but of course she -was sorry to bid farewell to the Brownie troop. - -“I really should fly down instead of ‘fly up,’” she remarked, gazing -ruefully at the tree house. “After having a meeting house up in the -branches, it will seem strange to have a regular down-to-earth meeting -place.” - -“A regular room has some advantages though,” declared Connie as a drop -of rain splashed on her upturned face. “One thing, you aren’t always in -danger of being caught by a storm.” - -The rain began to come down faster and faster. - -“Let’s all run to the shelter house,” urged Miss Gordon. “I don’t -believe this will last very long.” - -The mothers and friends of the Brownies hastened through the woods to -the gate house. - -For five minutes the rain came down very fast and hard. Then it ceased -as abruptly as it had started. - -“I believe it’s safe to return for our cookies and cake,” encouraged -Miss Gordon as the sun straggled out again. “The trail isn’t very -muddy.” - -Some of the Girl Scouts and the mothers did not care to return to the -tree house since the investiture had been completed. - -However, all of the Brownies, Eileen, Miss Gordon, Mrs. Myles and a few -of the mothers braved the slippery path to have their refreshments. - -Before leaving the tree house, Miss Gordon had taken care that all of -the food was under cover. Some of the cushions had been overlooked. - -As the group reached the base of the oak tree, Mrs. Myles noticed that -the cross-stitch one which once had belonged to her, was thoroughly -rain soaked. - -“Oh, what a shame!” she exclaimed, picking it up from the ground. “The -feathers must be aired or they will mat down.” - -With a hairpin, Mrs. Myles ripped the covering of the pillow. Reaching -in, she began to fluff the damp feathers. - -“If these don’t dry out before I leave, I’ll take the pillow home--” -she began. - -Mrs. Myles did not complete what she had started to say. - -Instead a most peculiar expression came over her face. - -“Why, what is wrong, Mrs. Myles?” inquired Connie, who had been -gathering up the other water-soaked pillows. She thought that perhaps -the elderly woman suddenly had been taken ill. - -“I--I think I’ve found something inside this pillow,” Mrs. Myles said -in a strange voice. - -The Brownies and their mothers quickly closed in about her. - -“What have you found?” demanded Veve, for Mrs. Myles had not withdrawn -her hand from the interior of the pillow. - -“It’s something round--tied with a piece of string,” Mrs. Myles -murmured. “I’m--I’m almost afraid to look.” - -Now the Brownies thought this a most peculiar attitude to take. - -“What have you found?” Veve repeated impatiently. “Show us!” - -Very slowly, Mrs. Myles withdrew her hand. Clutched in her gnarled fist -was a roll of greenbacks. The bills were neatly fastened in a roll with -a piece of string. - -“Money!” shrieked Veve in such an excited voice that a squirrel -overhead dropped a nut. “Where’d it come from?” - -Mrs. Myles held the bills almost as if they would burn a hole in her -hand. She leaned back against the oak tree for support. - -“I think I know how this came to be inside the pillow,” she said in a -shaky voice. “If this roll should contain exactly five hundred dollars, -then I’ve done a grave injustice to my brother Sam!” - - - - -CHAPTER 20 - -A Wish Fulfilled - - -“Let’s count the money,” urged Connie as Mrs. Myles made no attempt to -do so. - -The widow seemed quite stunned by the unexpected discovery of the roll -of bills inside the pillow. Without saying a word she handed it over to -Miss Gordon. - -Rapidly the teacher computed the amount of money. Nearly all of the -bills were tens, most of them old in appearance. - -“Exactly five hundred dollars,” Miss Gordon announced when she had -completed her count. - -“Then this must be the money my father lost so long ago,” Mrs. Myles -said in a weak voice. “He was very forgetful. I suppose he hid the roll -of bills in the pillow and then in his infirmity, forgot all about it.” - -“But Sam Vincent was accused,” Veve reminded her. “All these years he -has been blamed.” - -“I’m so ashamed--I don’t know what to say. Father was so sure the money -had been stolen. Oh, dear, what shall I do?” - -“This is a fine windfall for you,” declared Miss Gordon, delighted -over the widow’s good fortune. “I’m sure you have use for five hundred -dollars.” - -“But the pillow no longer is mine. One of the Brownies bought it at the -sale.” - -“That doesn’t matter,” declared Veve quickly. - -“I should say not,” added Connie. “It was only the pillow that was -bought--not the money inside of it.” - -“How will I ever make amends to Sam?” - -“That part should be easy,” Miss Gordon assured her. “He always has -wanted to help you.” - -Mrs. Myles nearly broke down then. “That makes it all the harder,” she -declared. “He always insisted he was innocent, but I never would listen -to any explanation. I was as unjust as I could be.” - -“You couldn’t have known the money was hidden in the pillow,” Rosemary -said kindly. - -“I should have trusted my own brother,” Mrs. Myles berated herself. -“Oh, I’ll never be able to face him.” - -“Nonsense,” declared Miss Gordon. “Now that the money has been found, -everything can be adjusted very easily. Just leave that part to me.” - -Drawing apart from Mrs. Myles, the Brownie leader whispered to Veve and -Connie. She requested them to hasten to Sam Vincent’s house and if he -were at home to ask him to come to the park at once. - -The two girls ran most of the way, so eager were they to impart the -news. - -Reaching the Vincent home, they found Sam’s wife there, but the -carpenter had not yet arrived from his work. - -“He should be driving in any minute,” Mrs. Vincent assured the girls. -“Sam was working on an outside job and probably started home when it -began to rain.” - -“I see a car coming now that looks like his!” cried Veve. - -The automobile turned in at the driveway. Seeing that it was indeed the -carpenter, the girls ran to meet him. - -“Well, well, this is a surprise!” he greeted them with a warm smile. -“How does it happen you aren’t at the tree house today? Rained out?” - -“Not exactly,” Connie answered. “We were having an important -ceremony--” - -“Eileen flew up into the Girl Scout troop,” Veve broke in. “But that’s -not the important part. It began to rain and the pillow got wet.” - -“So Mrs. Myles ripped it open,” Connie resumed the story. - -“Minnie was there?” The carpenter was surprised at this information. - -“Yes, of course,” Connie said impatiently. “She ripped open the -pillow--and what do you think was inside?” - -“Money!” shouted Veve. “Five hundred dollars!” - -“Five hundred dollars,” Mr. Vincent repeated. “I don’t get it.” - -“The pillow was the one with cross-stitching on it,” Connie explained. -“The one that belonged to your family.” - -At last Mr. Vincent understood. - -“Then the money Minnie thought I took has been found,” he said quietly. - -“That’s right,” laughed Veve. - -“Miss Gordon wants you to come as fast as you can to the tree house,” -Connie urged. “Your sister is waiting for you there.” - -“You bet!” the carpenter replied. “We’ll drive to the park. Hop in!” - -During the swift ride to the gate house, Veve and Connie told Mr. -Vincent exactly how the money had been found. He laughed when they -repeated that Mrs. Myles had said she would be ashamed to face him. - -“I never held it against Minnie that she thought so poorly of me,” he -told the girls. “For a long while I’ve only felt sorry for her. Now -that this misunderstanding is cleared up, I hope she’ll let me help -her.” - -At the tree house, the Brownies remained very excited over discovery -of the money. Between bites of cookies and cake, they reviewed every -detail of the wonderful day. - -“I’m so glad we found the money today, while I’m still almost a -Brownie,” Eileen declared. “I couldn’t have stood it if the roll of -bills had turned up later on.” - -“To think that the money was hidden in the pillow all these years!” -Mrs. Myles murmured. “If it hadn’t been for the Brownies, I never would -have learned the truth.” - -At this moment Veve, Connie and Sam Vincent arrived at the tree house. - -Seeing her brother so unexpectedly made Mrs. Myles feel ill at ease. - -However, he walked over to her and flung his arm around her thin -shoulders. - -“Oh, Sam, you know about the money?” she murmured. “Can you forgive me?” - -“There’s nothing to forgive,” he assured her. “Minnie, the only thing -that matters is the money has been found. You know now that I never -took it.” - -“Sam, I’m so ashamed of myself for ever doubting you--” Mrs. Myles -covered her face and began to sob. - -“There! There!” her brother comforted her awkwardly. “Let’s forget -about it now. I want to help you, Minnie.” - -“I’ve lost everything.” - -“You have five hundred dollars,” Veve reminded her. - -“That’s right,” Mrs. Myles agreed through her tears. - -“And you have a home for the remainder of your life,” her brother -convinced her. “My wife and I want you with us.” - -“I can’t impose on you.” - -“We really want you,” Mr. Vincent said firmly. “Later on, if you find -you would like to have a place of your own, I’ll build you a modern -cottage close to our property.” - -By this time the Brownie Scouts were certain that Sam Vincent was a -most wonderful person. They were pleased that Mrs. Myles would have a -good home and that she no longer would be dependent upon charity or -Miss Gordon’s kindness. - -“Oh, hasn’t everything ended just like a story book!” Rosemary said, -her eyes shining. - -“Miss Gordon will have lots of time for our Brownie troop from now on,” -Jane declared in satisfaction. - -Of all the girls, only Eileen seemed a trifle sad. - -She fingered the Brownie wings on her uniform and stood silently gazing -up at the tree house. - -“Don’t think about it,” Connie said, taking her hand. - -“But I want to,” Eileen replied earnestly. “Never as long as I live do -I want to forget about the grand times we’ve had here.” - -“You’ll come back next summer, Eileen.” - -“I know, but only as a visitor. I wouldn’t so much mind not being a -Brownie any more, if only one thing had been settled.” - -“What’s that?” asked Connie. She thought she knew, though, the answer -Eileen would give. - -And she was right. - -“More than anything else, I’d like to know who built this tree house -for us,” Eileen said slowly. “I don’t suppose we ever shall though.” - -Veve had overheard the remark. - -“I have an idea,” she proposed. “Almost all of the wishes we’ve made -here have come true, haven’t they?” - -“That’s so,” nodded Sunny. - -“Let’s all close our eyes and wish hard that we knew who built the tree -house for us,” Veve went on. “Maybe we’ll have our answer.” - -The suggestion appealed to the other Brownies. All of the girls, -including Eileen, closed their eyes, and for a moment concentrated very -hard on the wish. - -When they opened their eyes again everything was exactly the same. -However, Mr. Vincent, who had been leaning against the oak tree, had an -odd expression on his face. - -“Do you youngsters really want to know who built your house?” he asked. - -“Of course!” cried Connie. - -“I should say so!” added Jane. “Eileen never will have any piece of -mind as a Girl Scout unless she learns the answer today.” - -“Was it Mr. Karwhite?” demanded Sunny, who began to suspect that the -carpenter might be hiding something. - -“It wasn’t Mr. Karwhite,” replied the carpenter. - -“But you do know!” cried Jane. “You could tell us if you would!” - -“Yes, I could,” Mr. Vincent replied slowly. “I’m wondering, though, if -the fun might not be spoiled.” - -“Oh, no!” cried all the Brownies together. - -“We’re not children,” added Veve. “It was fun to say that the brownies -built our tree house, but we always knew better.” - -Sam Vincent stood gazing down at the girls, his eyes twinkling. - -“It was a very large brownie who built this house,” he said. “One about -my size.” - -“You did it!” shouted Veve. “Oh, that doesn’t surprise me one bit!” - -“Or me either!” cried Connie. “I think I suspected it all the time. -Only I couldn’t quite be sure.” - -The Brownies gazed at Miss Gordon and saw that she did not look -surprised either. - -“I’ve known for quite a while,” she admitted with a smile. “I didn’t -tell you because it wasn’t my secret to relate.” - -The Brownies urged Mr. Vincent to tell them exactly how he had chanced -to build the house. - -“I frequently come to the park just to walk around,” he explained. -“Mr. Karwhite is a good friend of mine. Well, one day I overheard the -Brownies wish for a tree house. I knew one could be built quite easily.” - -“Then it was you who threw that first stone with the note attached,” -Sunny recalled. - -“Yes, I managed to hide while you were searching for me.” - -“But how did you get the house built so quickly?” Connie asked. - -“For a carpenter, the job wasn’t such a big one. I had plenty of boards -at home. I did take one chance though.” - -“What was that?” questioned Veve. - -“Well, I didn’t tell Mr. Karwhite about the tree house until after it -was built. I figured if I asked him first, he’d turn me down.” - -“That’s why he didn’t know anything about it that first time we talked -to him,” remarked Connie. - -“I brought the boards and materials I needed in at night and built the -house in one day--it happened that Mr. Karwhite was away from the park. -I did a good job on the house if I do say so myself!” - -“Magnificent!” declared Miss Gordon. - -“At any rate, Mr. Karwhite decided to let it stay in the park when he -saw that it was a good sturdy job. One thing that influenced him was -the fine time you youngsters were having here.” - -“Tell us how you were able to make so many of our other wishes come -true,” urged Sunny. “Every time we asked for something--presto chango! -There it was!” - -“Not quite presto chango!” laughed the carpenter. “I was curious to -see how you liked the tree house, so I frequently hid in the bushes to -overhear your comments. It pleased me to make a few of the wishes come -true.” - -Connie asked Mr. Vincent if he were the one who had prepared a hot -meal for the Brownies on the day they had invited him to lunch. - -“Guilty,” he chuckled. - -The Brownie Scouts told the carpenter again how well they liked the -tree house and the many surprises. - -“It wasn’t much,” he said, belittling his work. “The Brownies did far -more for me by finding the lost money.” - -The day had turned rather chilly following the brief rain. Mr. Vincent -built a fire in one of the stone fireplaces of the park and everyone -gathered about to warm themselves. - -Some distance away, plainly visible in the old oak, could be seen the -little tree house. - -“Now that the leaves are falling, it stands out just like a light -house!” declared Connie proudly. - -“Yes, it does resemble one,” cried Veve, her imagination deeply -stirred. “That little window is the searchlight!” - -“A bright beacon blazing a trail to the future,” supplied Miss Gordon. - -“May we come back here next spring?” Connie asked. - -Even before the teacher replied, the girls knew what her answer would -be. - -“Of course,” she said heartily. “We’ll fly back with the birds--not -only for good times, but to carry out many wonderful new Brownie -plans!” - - - - -Transcriber’s Note - -Punctuation has been standardised. Changes to the original publication -have been made as follows: - - Page 65 - best would be very treachous _changed to_ - best would be very treacherous - - Page 76 - the girls to their seperate homes _changed to_ - the girls to their separate homes - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Brownie Scouts and Their Tree House, by -Mildred A. 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Wirt - </title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - body {margin: 0 10%;} - .chapter {page-break-before: always;} - - h1, h2 {text-align: center; clear: both;} - h2 {line-height: 3em; font-size: 1.2em; font-weight: bold;} - h2 span {font-size: 1.8em;} - p {margin-top: 1em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: 1em; text-indent: 1em;} - .p120 {font-size: 1.2em;} - .p130 {font-size: 1.3em;} - .p150 {font-size: 1.5em;} - .p180 {font-size: 1.8em;} - .p200 {font-size: 2em;} - em {font-style: italic;} - - /* General */ - .noi {text-indent: 0;} - .center {text-align: center; text-indent: 0;} - .right {text-align: right;} - .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - .mt-1 {margin-top: -1em;} - .mt3 {margin-top: 3em;} - .wordspacing {word-spacing: 3em;} - - /* Table */ - table {margin: auto; border-collapse: collapse;} - td {padding: .2em;} - .tdl {text-align: left;} - .tdr {text-align: right; padding-right: 1em;} - .tdr2 {text-align: right; padding-left: 1em;} - - /* Notes */ - ins {text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 1px dotted #dcdcdc;} - .tn {width: 60%; margin: 2em 20%; background: #dcdcdc; padding: 1em;} - ul {list-style: square;} - ul.nobullet {list-style: none; text-align: left;} - li {margin-bottom: .5em;} - - /* Horizontal rules */ - hr {width: 60%; margin: 2em 20%; clear: both;} - hr.short {width: 10%; margin: 1em 45% 0em;} - hr.tb {width: 20%; margin: 1em 40% 0em;} - hr.divider {width: 65%; margin: 4em 17.5%;} - hr.divider2 {width: 45%; margin: 4em 27.5%;} - - /* Page numbers */ - .pagenum {position: absolute; right: 2%; text-indent: 0em; - text-align: right; font-size: x-small; - font-weight: normal; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; - letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; - color: #999; border-top: 1px solid; border-bottom: 1px solid; - background-color: inherit; padding: .01em .4em;} - - /* Images */ - .figcenter {clear: both; margin: 2em auto; text-align: center; max-width: 100%;} - img {max-width: 100%; width: 100%; height: auto;} - .width400 {width: 400px;} - .caption {margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; line-height: 1.5em;} - - /* Poetry */ - .poetry-container {text-align: center; margin: 0;} - .poetry {display: inline-block; text-align: left;} - .poetry .verse {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} - .poetry .line {text-indent: -3em; padding-left: 3em;} - .poetry .outdent {margin-left: -.5em;} - - @media handheld { - body {margin: .5em; padding: 0; width: 98%;} - p {margin-top: .1em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: .1em; text-indent: 1em;} - hr.divider, hr.divider2 {border-width: 0; margin: 0;} - hr.short {width: 10%; margin: 2em 45%;} - img {max-width: 100%; width: auto; height: auto;} - table {width: 96%; margin: 0 2%;} - .tn {width: 80%; margin: 0 10%; background: #dcdcdc; padding: 1em;} - a {color: inherit; text-decoration: none;} - .hide {display: none; visibility: hidden;} - } - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Brownie Scouts and Their Tree House, by -Mildred A. Wirt - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Brownie Scouts and Their Tree House - -Author: Mildred A. Wirt - -Release Date: June 7, 2016 [EBook #52255] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BROWNIE SCOUTS, THEIR TREE HOUSE *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Dave Morgan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="hide"> -<div class="figcenter width400"> -<img src="images/cover2.jpg" width="400" height="562" alt="Cover" /> -</div></div> - -<hr class="divider" /> -<h1>The Brownie Scouts<br /> -and Their Tree House</h1> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider2" /> -<a name="frontis" id="frontis"></a> -<div class="figcenter width400"> -<img src="images/frontis.jpg" width="400" height="606" alt="" /> -<div class="caption">“Open it quick!” urged Connie.<br /> -“Brownie Scouts and their Tree House”</div> -<div class="right mt-1"><i>(See <a href="#Page_12">page 12</a>)</i></div> -</div> -</div> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -</div> -<p class="center p200">The Brownie Scouts<br /> -and Their Tree House</p> - - -<p class="center p120 mt3">by<br /> -<span class="p150">Mildred A. Wirt</span></p> - - -<p class="center p120 mt3">Illustrated</p> - - -<p class="center mt3"><span class="p130">CUPPLES AND LEON COMPANY</span><br /> -<span class="p120"><span class="wordspacing">Publishers New</span> York</span></p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -</div> -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1951, by</span><br /> -CUPPLES AND LEON COMPANY</p> - -<hr class="short" /> - -<p class="center"><i>All Rights Reserved</i></p> - -<hr class="short" /> - -<p class="center">THE BROWNIE SCOUTS AND THEIR TREE HOUSE</p> - -<p class="center mt3">Printed in the United States of America</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -</div> -<h2><a name="Contents" id="Contents"></a>Contents</h2> - - -<table summary="Contents"> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">1</td> -<td class="tdl">A Brownie Wish</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#chapter_1">1</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">2</td> -<td class="tdl">The Tossed Stone</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#chapter_2">12</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">3</td> -<td class="tdl"> Surprise!</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#chapter_3">22</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">4</td> -<td class="tdl"> Through the Field Glass</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#chapter_4">31</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">5</td> -<td class="tdl"> Mixed Signs</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#chapter_5">44</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">6</td> -<td class="tdl"> A Mysterious Sack</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#chapter_6">52</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">7</td> -<td class="tdl"> Collecting Buttons</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#chapter_7">66</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">8</td> -<td class="tdl"> Mrs. Myles’ Advice</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#chapter_8">78</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">9</td> -<td class="tdl"> Unwelcome Visitors</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#chapter_9">91</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">10</td> -<td class="tdl"> A Guest for Lunch</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#chapter_10">98</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">11</td> -<td class="tdl"> Mischievous Boys</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#chapter_11">109</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">12</td> -<td class="tdl"> Help for Mrs. Myles</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#chapter_12">120</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">13</td> -<td class="tdl"> Grievous Trouble</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#chapter_13">132</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">14</td> -<td class="tdl"> Mr. Vincent’s Disclosure</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#chapter_14">139</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">15</td> -<td class="tdl"> Watchful Waiting</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#chapter_15">145</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">16</td> -<td class="tdl"> Captured Culprits</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#chapter_16">156</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">17</td> -<td class="tdl"> Bitter Words</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#chapter_17">164</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">18</td> -<td class="tdl"> The Auction Sale</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#chapter_18">174</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">19</td> -<td class="tdl"> “Flying Up”</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#chapter_19">183</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">20</td> -<td class="tdl"> A Wish Fulfilled</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#chapter_20">198</a></td> -</tr> -</table> - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<p class="center p180"><strong>The Brownie Scouts<br /> -and Their Tree House</strong></p> -<hr class="tb" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">1</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="chapter_1" id="chapter_1"></a>CHAPTER 1<br /> -<span>A Brownie Wish</span></h2> - - -<p class="noi">ALL morning the forest had echoed with laughter. The Brownie -Scouts—six of them—together with their leader, Miss Gordon, were -enjoying a weekly hike through the metropolitan natural park.</p> - -<p>Sure-footed, the girls had roamed over the many trails, lingering by -the brook and tossing stones from the rustic bridge.</p> - -<p>Now as the sun rose higher, they played their favorite game of -identifying trees.</p> - -<p>“Oh, that beautiful one directly ahead is a walnut!” declared Connie -Williams.</p> - -<p>The little girl was a leader in the Rosedale Brownie Troop and very -bright at school. However, all the girls liked her for she never tried -to show off.</p> - -<p>“Oh, I don’t think it’s a walnut tree!” exclaimed Veve McGuire.</p> - -<p>The dark-haired, freckled girl lived next door to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">2</a></span> Connie. Sometimes, -just for the fun of it, she disagreed with her friend.</p> - -<p>“It’s an oak tree!” chimed in Jane Tuttle, tossing her long yellow -braids.</p> - -<p>A hoot arose from the other Brownies, Sunny Davidson, Eileen Webber and -Rosemary Fritche. Jane, they knew, nearly always was wrong about trees.</p> - -<p>“It couldn’t be an oak,” insisted Eileen. “The leaves are shaped all -wrong.”</p> - -<p>Sunny appealed to Miss Gordon. “What kind of tree do you say it is?” -she demanded. “An oak or a walnut?”</p> - -<p>“A walnut,” replied the Brownie leader. “But then, I could be mistaken. -Let’s look at the identification tag.”</p> - -<p>Nearly all of the largest trees in the park had been marked with their -correct names. The girls enjoyed making their own guesses, and then -checking to see if they were correct.</p> - -<p>Before Connie could do so, Veve darted ahead to read the tag on the -tree trunk.</p> - -<p>“Ha!” she cried. “Everyone is wrong! It isn’t a walnut and it isn’t an -oak. It’s a <em>Liriodendron tulipifera</em>!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">3</a></span> -“Oh, that’s the scientific name,” laughed Miss Gordon.</p> - -<p>“It says tulip tree underneath,” revealed Veve.</p> - -<p>“A tulip?” repeated the Brownie Scout leader, deeply puzzled. “That’s -odd. To my way of thinking, it doesn’t look a bit like a tulip tree.”</p> - -<p>“Aren’t the leaves of a tulip dark green and very glossy?” inquired -Connie. She felt quite crestfallen to have made a mistake.</p> - -<p>“I always thought so,” replied Miss Gordon. “Also, the leaves of -a tulip usually are restless, almost like those of a poplar tree. -Apparently though, I’m not as clever about recognizing varieties of -trees as I thought.”</p> - -<p>Starting on down the trail, the Brownies soon came to another -interesting-looking specimen.</p> - -<p>“Well, there at least is a tree that no one can mistake,” declared the -Brownie leader. “Who agrees with me that it’s a red maple?”</p> - -<p>“I do!” laughed Connie.</p> - -<p>“Of course!” shouted Jane. “No one can mistake a maple.”</p> - -<p>As the girls approached the beautiful, slender tree, Miss Gordon -told them that at every season the red maple had distinguishing -characteristics.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">4</a></span> -“Even during winter, the twigs shine as if covered with red varnish,” -the teacher explained.</p> - -<p>Each leaf, she added, had from three to five points, often with red -stems.</p> - -<p>“I’m going to gather some of the leaves for my notebook,” declared -Eileen. “I want to find one that is changing color.”</p> - -<p>Although frost had not yet come, the weather had turned somewhat -chilly. The Brownies noticed that many of the trees were beginning to -shed their leaves. Others were turning yellow, gold and rusty brown.</p> - -<p>In the act of picking up an especially pretty leaf from the ground, -Eileen chanced to glance at the tag tacked to the tree trunk.</p> - -<p>“Say! This isn’t a maple tree!” she exclaimed.</p> - -<p>“Go on!” Sunny retorted. “Don’t try to kid us!”</p> - -<p>“Read the tag for yourself if you don’t believe me.”</p> - -<p>The other Brownies clustered about Sunny. In amazement they read that -the tree was a white ash.</p> - -<p>“But that’s utterly impossible!” protested Miss Gordon. “Why, I never -in my life failed to recognize a red maple!”</p> - -<p>“We have a white ash tree in our yard at home,” contributed Rosemary. -“It has seed pods and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">5</a></span> leaves droop. This tree doesn’t look one bit -like our white ash.”</p> - -<p>“I thought I could recognize nearly all of the more common trees,” -wailed Connie. “Now I’m mixed up.”</p> - -<p>“We’re all mixed up,” said Miss Gordon. “I simply can’t understand it. -Do you suppose the tags could have been exchanged?”</p> - -<p>“Maybe the pixies did it!” laughed Sunny. She liked to say she believed -in fairies, although she knew none actually existed.</p> - -<p>Deeply puzzled, the Brownie Scouts resumed their hike.</p> - -<p>Coming presently to a giant oak tree, they selected the site for their -picnic ground. The brisk morning walk through the wild park area had -made the girls very hungry. Eagerly they spread out the lunch.</p> - -<p>“What a beautiful oak!” Connie said dreamily, gazing up into the leafy -branches.</p> - -<p>“Are you sure it’s an oak?” teased Jane, biting into a peanut butter -sandwich. “There’s no identification tag.”</p> - -<p>“In that case, I’m sure!” chuckled Connie. “Don’t you say it’s an oak, -Miss Gordon?”</p> - -<p>The teacher agreed with her that it was. “I can’t understand our -mistake about those other trees,” she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">6</a></span> added, frowning thoughtfully. -“When we leave the park area, I intend to stop at the caretaker’s house -and talk to him about it.”</p> - -<p>After finishing their lunch, the Brownies rested for a while beneath -the rugged old tree.</p> - -<p>“Tell us a story, Miss Gordon,” Rosemary urged, stretching lazily on -the grass.</p> - -<p>“One about fairies,” added Sunny.</p> - -<p>“May we hear the story about the Brownies?” pleaded Veve. “The one upon -which our Brownie Scout organization is based?”</p> - -<p>The girls had heard this tale many times, but never tired of having it -repeated.</p> - -<p>So, starting off “Once upon a time in old England,” Miss Gordon -launched forth into the story of how a little girl and a boy named Mary -and Tommy learned to be helpful in their home.</p> - -<p>She told of their visit to the wise old owl in the forest and their -plea that he instruct them how to find the brownies who once did all -the family work.</p> - -<p>“Hoot! Hoot!” said Veve, pretending that she was the owl. “I know of -two brownies that live in your house right now!”</p> - -<p>“In my house?” echoed Connie, taking on the part of Mary, the little -girl.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">7</a></span> -“In your house,” repeated Veve. “But they are idle.”</p> - -<p>“How can we find those brownies?”</p> - -<p>“I’ll tell you how to find one of them,” said Veve, the owl. “Go to the -pool in the woods and turn yourself around three times, saying this -charm:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"><div class="verse"> -<div class="outdent">“Twist me and turn me and show me the elf,</div> -<div class="line">I looked in the water and saw—”</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>“MYSELF,” shouted the other girls in the Rosedale Brownie troop.</p> - -<p>“Oh, you’re getting ahead of the story!” Veve protested. “Mary didn’t -learn that she was the Brownie until a long while later.”</p> - -<p>“We all know what happened,” said Jane impatiently. “The children -started doing the work at home, making the old couple think they were -the brownies. Then one day they were discovered.”</p> - -<p>“Even so, they kept on helping,” Connie contributed. “And everyone said -the children were a blessing, not a burden.”</p> - -<p>“That’s a bob-tailed version of Mrs. Julianna Horatia Ewing’s lovely -story,” Miss Gordon laughed. “More than anything else, it embodies the -ideals of our organization.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">8</a></span> -“I wish there were real brownies today,” Veve said wistfully.</p> - -<p>“Ones that would do useful things such as washing the breakfast dishes!”</p> - -<p>“And making the beds!” added Eileen. At home that particular task fell -to her.</p> - -<p>“If I had a brownie all my own, I’d want him to plan special surprises -for me,” declared Veve dreamily. “I wouldn’t wear him out doing grubby -household tasks.”</p> - -<p>“What would you ask your brownie to do?” Connie asked.</p> - -<p>“Oh—wonderful magic things!”</p> - -<p>“For instance?” probed Connie.</p> - -<p>“Well—oh, I know! I’d have him build me a tree house!”</p> - -<p>“A tree house!” exclaimed Eileen, intrigued by the thought.</p> - -<p>“I’d have the brownie build it right here in this oak tree,” Veve went -on grandly. “It would be a wonderful little house! With windows and -doors and a roof! I’d have curtains and a table and chairs!”</p> - -<p>“How would you get up to your tree house?” scoffed Jane. “Fly like the -birds?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">9</a></span> -“Oh, my brownie would build a stairway around the tree trunk. He’d take -care of everything!”</p> - -<p>“You need a carpenter, not a brownie!” laughed Connie. “Some boys in -our neighborhood once built a tree house. It wasn’t very sturdy though -and fell down when a strong wind came along.”</p> - -<p>“A tree house would be grand,” declared Sunny. “Oh, wouldn’t it be -heavenly if the Brownies—us, I mean—had a place of our very own up in -that oak?”</p> - -<p>“Let’s all wish hard for it!” proposed Veve, fired by her own -imagination. “Maybe—who knows—it might come true!”</p> - -<p>“Are you crazy?” demanded Jane scornfully. “You know very well wishes -hardly ever come true.”</p> - -<p>“Well, they could!” Veve insisted.</p> - -<p>“Let’s all wish,” urged Sunny. “What’s the difference? Even if it -doesn’t come true, it won’t do any harm.”</p> - -<p>“It’s silly,” Jane argued.</p> - -<p>Sunny and Veve refused to be turned aside. To humor them, the other -girls said they would join in making the wish.</p> - -<p>Jane, however, would have no part in the pretense.</p> - -<p>“We have to do this right or it won’t work,” Veve<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">10</a></span> instructed the -Brownies. “Everyone close her eyes.”</p> - -<p>“Not I!” announced Jane.</p> - -<p>“Now everyone wish very hard for a beautiful little house right above -our heads in this oak,” went on Veve, ignoring Jane. “Wish hard, hard, -HARD.”</p> - -<p>Jane snickered.</p> - -<p>“Where’s your tree house?” she teased. “I don’t hear any hammering.”</p> - -<p>“The charm didn’t work because you wouldn’t wish,” Veve retorted -crossly.</p> - -<p>“It didn’t work because there aren’t any brownies,” corrected Jane. “Of -all the silly ideas—”</p> - -<p>A stone clattered down the hillside, rolling and bouncing until it came -to rest almost at the base of the oak tree.</p> - -<p>“What was that?” Jane interrupted herself, startled by the sound.</p> - -<p>Veve was staring at the stone, unable to believe her own eyesight.</p> - -<p>“Look!” she finally managed to say.</p> - -<p>Attached to the stone—in fact, wrapped entirely around it—was a -paper. A rubber band held it tightly in place.</p> - -<p>“Well, what do you know?” Jane mumbled.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">11</a></span> -By this time Veve had recovered from the first shocked surprise.</p> - -<p>Darting forward, she seized the stone.</p> - -<p>“It’s a message for us!” she shouted. “Who says now that there aren’t -any brownies?”</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">12</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="chapter_2" id="chapter_2"></a>CHAPTER 2<br /> -<span>The Tossed Stone</span></h2> - - -<p class="noi">SO excited that they chattered like a flock of blackbirds, the Brownie -Scouts gathered about Veve.</p> - -<p>“Open it quick!” urged Connie.</p> - -<p>“What does it say?” demanded Jane, forgetting that she ever had teased -Veve about being silly.</p> - -<p>The stone obviously had been tossed from the cliff a short distance -behind the oak tree.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon gazed quickly in that direction. However, the face of the -cliff was covered with cedar and scrub trees. She could see no one -hiding there.</p> - -<p>“Here, give me that paper!” Eileen exclaimed, trying to take it from -Veve. “Your hand is shaking so you can’t unwrap it.”</p> - -<p>Veve, however, had gained a grip upon herself. Quickly, she unrolled -the paper.</p> - -<p>“It is a message for us!” she cried. “It is!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">13</a></span> -“Read it, can’t you?” pleaded Jane.</p> - -<p>“‘To the little girl who believes in brownies,’” Veve began, her voice -shaky. “‘Return to this same tree two days from today and who knows? -Your wish may be fulfilled.’”</p> - -<p>“Well, can you beat that?” Jane muttered.</p> - -<p>“It proves there are brownies!” Veve cried happily. “We’re to have our -tree house!”</p> - -<p>“If that brownie is so smart, why didn’t he just wave a wand and have -the tree house built presto-chango?” Eileen asked, doubt entering her -mind. “You know what I think? Someone is playing a joke on us!”</p> - -<p>“Of course!” agreed Jane, seizing upon the explanation. “From that -cliff above, our conversation easily could be heard. Every word of it!”</p> - -<p>“Let’s find out,” proposed Connie. “May we go up there, Miss Gordon?”</p> - -<p>The teacher hesitated and then nodded consent. “Yes, I think we should -investigate,” she said. “I’m curious myself to learn who tossed that -stone. I tend to share Jane’s belief that someone must be playing a -joke on us.”</p> - -<p>Losing not a moment, the Brownie Scouts started up the steep trail. In -their haste they slipped and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">14</a></span> scuffed their shoes on the sharp stones. -But at last they reached the summit.</p> - -<p>“No one here!” Connie announced, glancing carefully about.</p> - -<p>“Of course not!” exclaimed Sunny triumphantly. “That proves the message -came from a genuine brownie!”</p> - -<p>“Genuine, my eye!” Jane cut in. “Ask Miss Gordon if fairies and -brownies are real.”</p> - -<p>“We all know they are merely story-book characters,” the Brownie Scout -leader said. Then, seeing how crestfallen Sunny and Veve looked, she -added kindly:</p> - -<p>“But someone certainly tossed a message down the slope. Let’s look -around for clues.”</p> - -<p>Spreading out, the girls covered every inch of the cleared area.</p> - -<p>“Someone was here all right!” cried Connie as she came upon several -large footprints. “He wasn’t a brownie either! Look at these huge -footprints!”</p> - -<p>At least six large shoe marks were visible in the moist earth.</p> - -<p>“A person could have stood here and looked directly down upon our -picnic site,” Miss Gordon observed. “I wonder if voices carry that -far.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">15</a></span> -Eileen and Rosemary offered to run back to the oak tree to make a test. -Five minutes later as they talked together below the cliff, those above -were able to hear nearly every word.</p> - -<p>“That explains how the person chanced to learn of Veve’s wish,” Miss -Gordon said.</p> - -<p>“But it doesn’t explain who threw the stone,” protested Veve.</p> - -<p>“It was someone’s idea of a practical joke,” Connie replied, sitting -down on a log to rest. “Too bad! I’d have liked a tree house. Think of -the good times we could have had there.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe we’ll get it yet,” Veve hinted.</p> - -<p>The others, with the exception of Sunny, laughed. They were convinced -that the stone had been thrown by a practical joker.</p> - -<p>“All right, laugh!” Veve said crossly. “Maybe I will have the last one.”</p> - -<p>“You aren’t silly enough to think that tree house will be built?” Jane -demanded.</p> - -<p>“Maybe it will. At any rate, I intend to come back here in two days to -see.”</p> - -<p>“Why wait two days?” Sunny asked. “Let’s come again tomorrow.”</p> - -<p>Veve, however, said that would never do. “We<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">16</a></span> must obey instructions -exactly,” she insisted. “Miss Gordon, may we have another hike through -the park?”</p> - -<p>“Well, I suppose so, if the others are willing,” the Brownie leader -answered thoughtfully. “As for finding a tree house at the end of two -days—well, Veve, I think it unwise to build up false hope.”</p> - -<p>“At least it won’t do any harm to come,” Veve argued. “Please, Miss -Gordon.”</p> - -<p>“It’s entirely up to the girls to decide what they wish to do.”</p> - -<p>Veve quickly put the matter to a vote. Everyone except Jane said they -would like to return to the park area in two days.</p> - -<p>Rejoining Rosemary and Eileen at the oak tree, the girls gathered -together their knapsacks and nature notebooks.</p> - -<p>Now not even Veve really expected that upon their return to the area -they would find anything out of the ordinary.</p> - -<p>However, in the past the Brownies had enjoyed several unusual -adventures. From experience they knew that strange things could occur. -Hadn’t the entire troop once been snowbound at Snow Valley?</p> - -<p>And another time, Veve and Connie had been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">17</a></span> carried away with a -traveling circus. The Brownie Scouts never would forget that time, -because in trying to find the two girls they also had become involved -with a man named Pickpocket Joe.</p> - -<p>Even more recently the Brownies had earned a great deal of money -picking cherries at a nearby orchard. Through their efforts the city -had sponsored a cherry festival. Then, as a special reward, the -Brownies had been sent to Washington with all expenses paid. This story -has been recounted in another volume, entitled: “The Brownie Scouts in -the Cherry Festival.”</p> - -<p>Wishing for a tree house, however, was an entirely different matter. -Even Veve and Sunny who were very imaginative, knew that fairies -existed only in story books. Yet could one be certain that the message -telling them to return had been a joke?</p> - -<p>“Time to start home,” Miss Gordon abruptly announced. “We’ve had enough -excitement for one day.”</p> - -<p>En route to the exit gate, the girls kept an alert watch for strangers. -The trail was deserted and not a car had been parked in the enclosure -near the road.</p> - -<p>Without meeting a single person they came presently to the caretaker’s -stone hut.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">18</a></span> -“Let’s stop here a minute,” Connie suggested. “Maybe the superintendent -can tell us who has been in the park today.”</p> - -<p>“An excellent idea,” agreed Miss Gordon. “I was about to propose -the same thing myself. I also want to ask the caretaker about those -markings on the trees.”</p> - -<p>A cheerful fire blazed on the hearth inside the stone gatehouse.</p> - -<p>As the Brownies shuffled in, the superintendent, Charlie Karwhite, -poked at a log to stir up the flames.</p> - -<p>Hearing footsteps, he turned around to smile at the girls. The six were -dressed exactly alike in pinchecked Brownie uniforms, stout hiking -shoes, and beanies on their heads.</p> - -<p>“Well, well,” he said in a friendly way. “A delegation! Anything I can -do for you?”</p> - -<p>Mr. Karwhite, a man well past middle age, had supervised the -metropolitan park for seven years.</p> - -<p>The heavily wooded tract was less than a mile from the outskirts of -Rosedale. Stone fireplaces had been built in the area and many trails -marked. For the most part, however, the park remained in its natural -state.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">19</a></span> -Circling around, the Brownies enjoyed the warmth of the fire.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon explained that the troop had hiked through the park. “A few -minutes ago we had a most unusual experience,” she added.</p> - -<p>Sensing that the teacher had something interesting to report, Mr. -Karwhite put his poker away and listened attentively.</p> - -<p>“First of all, may I ask a question?” began Miss Gordon. “Are all your -trees correctly marked with scientific names?”</p> - -<p>“Why, yes. The job was done early this spring by Phillip Mallet, the -naturalist.”</p> - -<p>“Several trees on Trail 3 seem to be improperly identified. Either that -or I am hopelessly confused.”</p> - -<p>“I’ve not been over the trail within the last three days,” Mr. Karwhite -replied. “I’ll check the matter as soon as I can.”</p> - -<p>The matter of the trees disposed of, the Brownie leader next asked the -superintendent if many persons had visited the park that morning.</p> - -<p>“Not many,” he informed. “A few boys came through right after -breakfast. They didn’t stay long.”</p> - -<p>“No one else?”</p> - -<p>“Two or three cars drove through.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">20</a></span> -“No one in the last hour or so?”</p> - -<p>“Not that I’ve noticed,” Mr. Karwhite answered. “However, there is -another gateway at the far end of the park. Anything wrong?”</p> - -<p>“Someone played a little joke on us,” the teacher said. “We were eating -our lunch by a large oak tree when someone tossed a stone from the -cliff.”</p> - -<p>“A message was attached,” contributed Sunny. “It said—”</p> - -<p>Jane gave her a hard nudge in the ribs. She did not want Mr. Karwhite -to hear about the tree house.</p> - -<p>Sunny subsided into silence. The superintendent did not appear to -notice how quickly she had broken off.</p> - -<p>“It must have been those boys who threw the stone,” he said. “I’ve -warned ’em to behave themselves or have their park privileges denied.”</p> - -<p>“We’re making no complaint,” Miss Gordon said quickly. “After all, it -was just a little joke. Furthermore, we aren’t certain who tossed the -stone. The footprints we saw on the cliff were quite large.”</p> - -<p>“Well, if you’re annoyed again, let me know,” Mr. Karwhite invited. -“I’ll not tolerate any foolishness.”</p> - -<p>The Brownies soon said good-bye to the superintendent and started for -home. Veve and Sunny<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">21</a></span> lagged at the rear of the line, talking over the -events of the morning.</p> - -<p>“Maybe it was just a joke,” Veve said, walking along with her arm about -Sunny’s waist. “I don’t think so though.”</p> - -<p>“Neither do I,” agreed the other. “I’m certain that stone never was -thrown by a boy.”</p> - -<p>“There’s one thing sure,” Veve announced impressively. “I don’t care -what the other Brownies do! Two days from today I’m going back to the -park.”</p> - -<p>“So am I,” agreed Sunny. “I don’t really believe in fairies, but if we -should get our tree house—how wonderful it would be!”</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">22</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="chapter_3" id="chapter_3"></a>CHAPTER 3<br /> -<span>Surprise!</span></h2> - - -<p class="noi">TWO days had elapsed.</p> - -<p>For the Brownie Scouts, never had time seemed to pass so slowly.</p> - -<p>“Oh, I hardly can wait to see if anything has happened!” Veve declared -excitedly.</p> - -<p>Except for Sunny and herself, the other girls pretended they weren’t -much excited at the thought of returning to the metropolitan park area.</p> - -<p>Actually, they wouldn’t have missed the hike for anything in the world.</p> - -<p>On the appointed day, the girls gathered after school at Miss Gordon’s -home.</p> - -<p>Each Brownie brought her own neat package of sandwiches. In addition, -the leader had provided two thermos bottles filled with hot chocolate.</p> - -<p>“This is a silly trip,” Jane complained good-naturedly. “I wish we’d -gone somewhere else.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">23</a></span> -The beautiful early autumn day had turned a trifle chilly. Even if the -weather had not been nippy, the girls would have walked fast, so eager -were they to reach the park.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know why I came,” Jane went on. “It’s a long walk out here.”</p> - -<p>“No one asked you to come,” Veve said crossly. She was certain that -when they reached the oak tree, Jane would say “I told you so.” Already -she had been teased too much about wishing for a tree house.</p> - -<p>“Girls, let’s not bicker,” interposed Miss Gordon. “I thought we were -going on this hike for the fun of it. I’m sure no one expects to find a -tree house.”</p> - -<p>Veve and Sunny looked at each other and made no response.</p> - -<p>“<em>They</em> expect to find one!” teased Jane. “I guess all that wishful -dreaming comes from reading books like ‘Jack and the Beanstalk.’ Veve -figures a tree house will sprout out of the ground, complete with -curtains and a fireplace!”</p> - -<p>“Oh, hush!” Veve retorted savagely.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon brought peace by directing the girls’ attention to a rabbit -which had paused near a briar patch. When Jane tried to creep closer, -the animal hopped away.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">24</a></span> -Passing the stone gatehouse, the Brownies again selected Trail three.</p> - -<p>“Why don’t we eat our lunch before we go to the cliff?” proposed Jane. -“I’m hungry.”</p> - -<p>“Try eating your words for a while,” Veve muttered. “The rest of us -want to go straight to the oak tree.”</p> - -<p>Jane said no more. Or at least she managed to remain silent until the -troop approached the cliff area. Then she could not resist remarking: -“If we should find anything, I’d drop dead! I would for a fact.”</p> - -<p>Veve, who was at the head of the line of hikers, had stopped on the -trail.</p> - -<p>“All right, Jane!” she exclaimed. “Drop dead then! ’Cause I can see -something ahead.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, you’re kidding,” Jane retorted, unimpressed. “You don’t see a -thing.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t I?” demanded Veve. “Then my eyes are deceiving me!”</p> - -<p>Swinging her knapsack over the other shoulder, she ran forward.</p> - -<p>“Do you suppose—” Sunny began, and then she uttered a little shriek of -joy. “Veve’s right!” she cried. “Something has been built in the oak -tree!”</p> - -<p>Sunny also bolted down the trail.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">25</a></span> -Not to miss out on anything, the other girls followed as fast as they -could.</p> - -<p>Reaching the clearing, the Brownies stopped dead in their tracks.</p> - -<p>Directly ahead of them stood Veve and Sunny, their enchanted gaze -fastened upon a little house built in the lower branches of the oak -tree.</p> - -<p>“Pinch me,” whispered Connie. “I know I’m dreaming.”</p> - -<p>Eileen obliged by giving her such a hard nip that she yipped in pain.</p> - -<p>“Is it real?” whispered Rosemary in awe. “It doesn’t seem possible!”</p> - -<p>Jane was too dumbfounded to speak. Veve and Sunny however, capered -around as if they were crazy.</p> - -<p>“Didn’t we tell you?” Veve shouted. “Now who says wishes don’t come -true?”</p> - -<p>The square house had a window, a door and a balcony with a stairway -leading down. The steps were far apart, but a railing had been put up -so that anyone climbing to the little house would not fall.</p> - -<p>“What are we waiting for?” demanded Veve. Excitedly, she started up the -stairway.</p> - -<p>“Veve!” called Miss Gordon.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">26</a></span> -Reluctantly the little girl waited for the teacher.</p> - -<p>“Dear me, I don’t know what to think!” Miss Gordon declared testing the -stairway. “The steps are well constructed and seem safe enough.”</p> - -<p>“Up I go!” shouted Veve.</p> - -<p>Before the teacher could offer a protest, she darted up the steps.</p> - -<p>Reaching the balcony, Veve turned to look down. The Brownies, watching -from below, appeared rather small.</p> - -<p>“Oh, it’s a wonderful house!” the little girl shouted. “And it’s all -ours too!”</p> - -<p>She disappeared into the house.</p> - -<p>Sunny and Connie now started up the stairway, but Miss Gordon called -them back.</p> - -<p>“I must be certain that the steps are strong enough to bear so much -weight,” she warned. “I’ll climb up first. Then if it appears safe, you -all may come.”</p> - -<p>“Hurry! Hurry!” urged Jane, who now had forgotten that she ever had -made fun of Veve or Sunny.</p> - -<p>As Miss Gordon started up the steps, Veve popped her head out of a -window.</p> - -<p>“It’s super—simply super!” she yelled down. “The house has a window -seat and a cupboard!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">27</a></span> -The other Brownies by this time were jumping up and down in their -excitement. Unable to wait for Miss Gordon to give the word, Eileen -started up a few steps.</p> - -<p>“The stairway is very sturdily built,” the leader called down. “You may -come up one at a time. Eileen first, since she is half way up.”</p> - -<p>Each girl took her turn. Jane, the disbeliever, was the last one to -climb the stairway.</p> - -<p>As she viewed the interior of the neat playhouse, her breath was quite -taken away.</p> - -<p>“Oh, this place will look grand when we bring dishes and books and put -curtains at the window!” she exclaimed.</p> - -<p>“But is it really ours?” returned Miss Gordon quietly. “I can’t -understand how this house came to be here. It is well built, evidently -by a skilled carpenter.”</p> - -<p>“We don’t care who built it,” chortled Jane. “It’s ours to use, isn’t -it?”</p> - -<p>“I’m far from certain that it is,” replied the leader. “This is a -public park you must remember.”</p> - -<p>“Very few people come here, especially so late in the year.”</p> - -<p>“All the same, I’m sure no one would have the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">28</a></span> right to put up a tree -house without permission. Or for that matter to use it.”</p> - -<p>The house had been built large enough so that all the Brownies and -their leader could enter.</p> - -<p>At first Miss Gordon would allow only two or three of the girls in the -room at one time. As the house remained absolutely firm in the branches -she finally permitted the others to join the group.</p> - -<p>“Let’s eat our lunch here!” Connie proposed. “Oh, we’re going to have -wonderful times!”</p> - -<p>“Providing we’re allowed to use the playhouse,” Miss Gordon reminded -her. “It’s a marvelous thing in a way—but I can’t understand how it -came about.”</p> - -<p>“The brownies,” laughed Veve.</p> - -<p>“A very substantial brownie, I think,” said Miss Gordon. “Mr. Karwhite -may know something about the matter. We’ll question him when we leave -the park.”</p> - -<p>As the girls ate their sandwiches and sipped hot chocolate, they made -elaborate plans. The house was perfect, they thought, except that it -needed a table and chairs.</p> - -<p>“How cosy it will look with a rag rug on the floor and a curtain at the -window,” Rosemary declared. “And the view! One can see the road from -here!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">29</a></span> -“And the stone bridge!” added Eileen, peering over her shoulder.</p> - -<p>“I feel just like a bird living up in a tree,” laughed Veve happily. -“Wouldn’t it be fun to sleep here at night?”</p> - -<p>“The house would rock you to sleep!” laughed Connie. “It’s just like a -cradle when the wind blows.”</p> - -<p>“It wouldn’t be any fun in a storm,” Sunny said with a shiver. “This -house would rock like an earthquake was shaking it then. And it might -come crashing down.”</p> - -<p>The girls so thoroughly enjoyed themselves in the little house that -they took a long while eating lunch.</p> - -<p>With an anxious glance at her wrist watch, Miss Gordon warned that it -was time to leave.</p> - -<p>“We have stayed far too long,” she declared, gathering up the lunch -papers. “Unless we hurry, we’ll be caught on the road after dark. That -will never do.”</p> - -<p>“We may come again soon?” Sunny pleaded. “Tomorrow perhaps?”</p> - -<p>“I hardly know what to say,” replied Miss Gordon. “Before I give my -answer, I must make inquiries. I do hope though, that this house is -truly ours to use.”</p> - -<p>Reluctantly, the girls trooped down from the tree house.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">30</a></span> -Once on the ground, they stood for a moment, gazing up at it.</p> - -<p>“Wouldn’t it be dreadful if it vanished over night?” Connie said, -voicing the fear that had beset them all. “Oh, it’s such a perfect -little house!”</p> - -<p>“Let’s wish hard that it’s just for us,” proposed Sunny.</p> - -<p>Not even Jane offered a protest.</p> - -<p>“And let’s wish that the brownie, whoever he is, builds us a nice table -and set of chairs!” added Veve.</p> - -<p>“Why, that’s greedy,” protested Connie. “We should be grateful that we -have this splendid house.”</p> - -<p>Veve, however, only laughed, as she turned to follow the others up the -trail.</p> - -<p>“It’s forethought,” she insisted. “I have a hunch we’ll get to use this -darling little tree house for a long while. So while that Mr. Brownie -is in a good mood, why not ask him to do a good job of furnishing our -home?”</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">31</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="chapter_4" id="chapter_4"></a>CHAPTER 4<br /> -<span>Through the Field Glass</span></h2> - - -<p class="noi">IN leaving the park area, the Brownies again stopped at the gate house -to talk to Mr. Karwhite.</p> - -<p>The superintendent listened in amazement to their story that a tree -house had been built in the branches of the oak.</p> - -<p>“Why, I can’t believe it!” he exclaimed.</p> - -<p>“Then the house couldn’t have been constructed by park workmen,” -remarked Miss Gordon.</p> - -<p>“I should say not!” agreed Mr. Karwhite. “We’d be afraid to put up a -tree house lest some child climb up and fall. I’ll have it torn down -immediately.”</p> - -<p>A wail of protest greeted this announcement.</p> - -<p>“Oh, no! You can’t!” cried Veve. “It’s such a cute little house.”</p> - -<p>“It was built for the Brownies too,” insisted Sunny<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">32</a></span> earnestly. “It -would be a shame to destroy such a darling little place.”</p> - -<p>“The house seems very well built,” added Miss Gordon. “Whoever put it -up knew his business.”</p> - -<p>“That’s what annoys me,” sputtered Mr. Karwhite. “No one had the right -to put up any structure without my permission. Where is this tree -house?”</p> - -<p>Although the hour was growing late, the Brownies offered to show the -superintendent the way.</p> - -<p>Back at the oak, Mr. Karwhite scratched his head in perplexity as he -gazed up at the house amid the leaves.</p> - -<p>“Well, at least it looks well built and in keeping with the rustic -design of other park buildings,” he admitted grudgingly.</p> - -<p>“Then you won’t tear it down?” Connie asked.</p> - -<p>“I suppose it could stay up until winter,” the superintendent said -after he had inspected the stairway. “Now that it’s so late in the -season not many children come here any more. The house isn’t as high -from the ground as I thought either.”</p> - -<p>“And the stairway has a railing,” pointed out Eileen. “Oh, Mr. -Karwhite, having a little house like this would be so wonderful!”</p> - -<p>The superintendent turned to Miss Gordon. “I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">33</a></span> can’t have children -playing here unwatched,” he said. “Now, if you were to be here with -them—”</p> - -<p>“I always accompany the Brownies on all their hikes.”</p> - -<p>“Then I’ll let the house stand for the time being,” the man consented. -“I don’t know who built this house, but I have an idea. Most of the -work must have been done late in the day when I’m at the other end of -the park feeding the deer.”</p> - -<p>The Brownies plied Mr. Karwhite with questions, seeking to learn the -name of the person he thought might have built the house.</p> - -<p>“I can’t say,” the superintendent put them aside. “I intend to do a -little investigating though.”</p> - -<p>Long shadows were beginning to envelop the forest.</p> - -<p>Fearful of being caught on the road after dark, the Brownies and their -leader hurriedly said good-bye to Mr. Karwhite.</p> - -<p>All the way to their homes, the girls could talk of nothing except what -they would do in the new play room. Miss Gordon promised she would make -a pair of dainty curtains for the window.</p> - -<p>Several of the girls had extra dishes which they planned to bring.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">34</a></span> -“May we go tomorrow?” Connie pleaded. “The park officials may decide to -take the little house down. We want to play in it every minute we can.”</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon was very easy to persuade. “Yes, we’ll hike to the park -again after school,” she decided. “It isn’t every Brownie troop that -has its own tree house!”</p> - -<p>“And a mystery with it!” added Jane pertly.</p> - -<p>“What’s the mystery?” inquired Rosemary, trudging along beside her.</p> - -<p>“Why, how did the tree house come to be in the park?”</p> - -<p>“A brownie built it!” laughed Veve. “My wish came true!”</p> - -<p>“Your wish!” Jane snorted. “You know very well there isn’t such a thing -as magic except in story books.”</p> - -<p>“You said we’d never get a tree house, Jane Tuttle! Wrong, weren’t you?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I was. But to say the tree house was built by a brownie is -downright stupid!”</p> - -<p>“I’m not stupid,” Veve retorted. “It’s fun to pretend a brownie did it. -And until you can give me a better explanation, I’m going to keep right -on saying so! There!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">35</a></span> -“Girls, girls!” laughed Miss Gordon, who always found it necessary to -make peace between Jane and Veve. “We’re certain of one thing. Whoever -built the tree house, must have heard our wish. And the person, whoever -he or she is, wishes to have his identity remain unknown. So perhaps, -just as a little game, we can say that a brownie was responsible.”</p> - -<p>“See!” exclaimed Veve triumphantly.</p> - -<p>To the bitter disappointment of all the girls, the following day was -cold and rainy.</p> - -<p>By Saturday, however, the sun was out, and the Brownies again visited -the park.</p> - -<p>Clomping along in galoshes, they found the trails muddy and the forest -area deserted. Not even Mr. Karwhite was in evidence at the gate house.</p> - -<p>“We’ll certainly have the park to ourselves today,” declared Miss -Gordon.</p> - -<p>The Brownies selected the shortest route to the tree house. Their way -took them past a stone grill, across a rustic bridge and then down a -long series of steps cut in the side of the steep slope.</p> - -<p>“The house is still there,” declared Connie in relief as they presently -came within view of it.</p> - -<p>“I’ll race you!” shouted Veve.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">36</a></span> -Before Miss Gordon could warn the girls not to run, she was off, with -Connie close behind.</p> - -<p>Breathless, the two reached the base of the giant oak.</p> - -<p>“Beat you to the top!” challenged Veve.</p> - -<p>Again she was first. Two steps ahead of Connie she arrived on the tiny -balcony. Waving at the other girls on the ground, she ducked into the -tree house.</p> - -<p>Immediately she gave a loud yell, which told those below that another -surprise awaited them.</p> - -<p>“Hurry! Hurry!” shouted Veve.</p> - -<p>The girls hastened up the stairway as fast as they could.</p> - -<p>Upon reaching the doorway, they instantly saw why Veve was so excited.</p> - -<p>During their absence, a table and six sturdy chairs had been added to -the little house. Also, a corner shelf had been built to hold books or -miscellaneous articles.</p> - -<p>“Our wish came true!” cried Veve, quite carried away. “Now what do you -say?”</p> - -<p>“Who do you suppose did it?” murmured Jane in awe.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Karwhite maybe,” suggested Eileen.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">37</a></span> -The others, however, did not share her belief that the park -superintendent had contributed the furniture.</p> - -<p>“I can’t understand it,” Miss Gordon remarked, deeply puzzled. “Girls, -where were you standing when you made the wish for table and chairs?”</p> - -<p>“At the foot of the stairway by the oak tree,” supplied Veve promptly. -“But no one except the Brownies heard the wish.”</p> - -<p>“Someone must have,” insisted the leader. “Even though we saw no one -near, a person could have been hidden back among the bushes. It gives -me a queer, uneasy feeling to think about it.”</p> - -<p>“I think it’s nice to have an unknown good fairy doing things for us!” -laughed Connie.</p> - -<p>Thrilled by the latest gift for their house, the girls set to work -“moving in.” Miss Gordon had made a pair of dainty red and white dotted -curtains which exactly fitted the window.</p> - -<p>From home, Rosemary had brought one of her mother’s handmade rag rugs -for the floor. Connie, Eileen and Rosemary contributed dishes which -they arranged attractively in the cupboards.</p> - -<p>“Oh, if Mr. Karwhite only allows us to stay here, we’ll have grand -times,” Connie declared gaily.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">38</a></span> -The other girls were equally thrilled. Taking turns they peeped out of -the window into a delightful world of branches and tinted leaves.</p> - -<p>From the balcony, they could see the gate house, the road, and many of -the park trails.</p> - -<p>Best of all, however, they enjoyed the gentle movement of the little -house, as the breeze rocked it in its bough cradle.</p> - -<p>“I feel almost as if I’m part of the tree,” declared Veve dreamily. -“Wouldn’t it be fun to sleep here at night?”</p> - -<p>“Now don’t get ideas,” interposed Miss Gordon. “Our tree house -activities definitely are limited to the daytime.”</p> - -<p>The brisk morning hike had made the girls very hungry. Although it was -not yet noon, they voted to have lunch immediately.</p> - -<p>“We must try out the new dishes,” said Eileen. “My, I wish we had a -little stove! Then we could heat things and have a hot meal.”</p> - -<p>“And be snug and warm after the weather turns cold,” added Eileen. -“Maybe we could keep coming here all winter!”</p> - -<p>“Dear me, don’t make any more wishes,” laughed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">39</a></span> Miss Gordon. “Let’s be -satisfied with this little house just as it is.”</p> - -<p>The girls spread out their lunch of sandwiches, hard cooked eggs, fresh -tomatoes and beverage. Scarcely had they settled down to eat than Veve -held up her hand in a signal for silence.</p> - -<p>“Sh!” she whispered. “I hear something!”</p> - -<p>The others listened intently. But they heard no unusual sound.</p> - -<p>“It was the wind whispering in the leaves,” declared Connie. “Or maybe -a bird.”</p> - -<p>Veve shook her head. “I’m sure it was someone below in the bushes!” she -whispered.</p> - -<p>“Veve’s right,” suddenly agreed Eileen, becoming tense. “Someone’s -sneaking up the stairway!”</p> - -<p>Distinctly now, the girls could hear footsteps on the steps below them.</p> - -<p>Rather alarmed, Miss Gordon went quickly to the door. Then she laughed.</p> - -<p>“We do have a visitor, girls! It’s Mr. Karwhite.”</p> - -<p>The superintendent came on up the stairway. He peeped into the little -house, but did not try to enter. In fact, not a square inch of space -was available for him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">40</a></span> -“Well, well,” he chuckled. “A full house! How are you getting along?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, just fine!” replied Connie. “We have a new table and chairs. -Aren’t they cute?”</p> - -<p>Mr. Karwhite agreed that the furniture was very nice. Carefully, he -examined each piece, remarking that the articles had been made of good -lumber and were well finished.</p> - -<p>“I can’t understand who is doing this!” he said in an annoyed tone. -“It’s against park rules. Whoever built this house had no right to do -it without permission.”</p> - -<p>“But it’s such an adorable little house,” said Connie anxiously. “You -wouldn’t make the person tear it down if you could find him, would you?”</p> - -<p>“I reckon not,” Mr. Karwhite smiled. “At least not before spring. But -it does annoy me.”</p> - -<p>He told the Brownies then that he was in a rather bad mood that morning -because in inspecting Trail No. 3 he had discovered that several of the -trees were incorrectly marked.</p> - -<p>“Then we were right about it!” exclaimed Connie.</p> - -<p>“You certainly were,” the park superintendent assured her. “The tree -you thought was a maple<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">41</a></span> actually was one. Someone deliberately changed -the tags on at least five trees.”</p> - -<p>“What a stupid thing to do,” commented Miss Gordon.</p> - -<p>“I’ve no proof, but I figure the trick was done by a group of boys who -come through the park now and then. I’d like to catch them!”</p> - -<p>Mr. Karwhite started to leave, and then thought of another matter.</p> - -<p>“This tree house is almost like a lookout station,” he declared. “If -any of you see those boys playing pranks, I wish you’d let me know -right away.”</p> - -<p>“We will!” promised Connie.</p> - -<p>Mr. Karwhite unstrapped a black leather case which he wore over his -shoulder.</p> - -<p>“Here, keep my fieldglass,” he directed. “You’ll have fun using it, and -will be able to see almost anywhere in the park from such a high point.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, thank you!” cried Veve, taking the glass from him. “How do you -make it work?”</p> - -<p>The superintendent showed her how to adjust the glass. Each girl -insisted upon her turn.</p> - -<p>“Just leave the glass at the gate house when you start home,” Mr. -Karwhite instructed. “And if you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">42</a></span> should see those young rascals -tampering with the tags, be sure to notify me right away!”</p> - -<p>After the superintendent had gone, the girls had a great deal of fun -looking at various points of the park through the field glass.</p> - -<p>“I can see the animal pens!” announced Sunny when her turn came.</p> - -<p>“Let me look,” pleaded Veve.</p> - -<p>Taking the glass from Sunny, she adjusted it to her own eyes. After -studying the animal pens for a time, she trained the instrument upon -the roadway.</p> - -<p>“Come on, it’s my turn now!” exclaimed Jane impatiently. “You’ve had -that glass for five minutes.”</p> - -<p>Veve waved her aside.</p> - -<p>“Wait,” she mumbled.</p> - -<p>“Wait!” Jane retorted in exasperation. “It’s always ‘wait’ when you -have the glass, and ‘hurry up’ when someone else is looking.”</p> - -<p>“I’m really seeing something,” said Veve impressively. “Something -queer.”</p> - -<p>Her words drew the attention of all the Brownies. Quickly they -clustered about her, eager to learn what held her interest.</p> - -<p>“What d’you see?” Connie demanded. “Those boys Mr. Karwhite asked us to -watch for?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">43</a></span> -“It’s more interesting than that,” announced Veve, clinging fast to the -glass as Jane tried to take it from her. “Oh, my goodness! Where <em>is</em> -she going with that sack?”</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">44</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="chapter_5" id="chapter_5"></a>CHAPTER 5<br /> -<span>Mixed Signs</span></h2> - - -<p class="noi">VEVE’S remark about a woman with a sack, further plagued the Brownies. -Quite carried away by curiosity, Jane took the field glass from her.</p> - -<p>“Who do you see with a sack?” she demanded.</p> - -<p>“Look toward the side road,” directed Veve.</p> - -<p>Jane trained the glass in that direction. The only living object in -her line of vision was a lean white horse with an old fashioned buggy -attached.</p> - -<p>The buggy had pulled up at the side of a dirt road beyond the park -boundary. Contentedly, the old horse grazed on grass. Her owner was -nowhere visible.</p> - -<p>“I don’t see anyone with a sack,” Jane complained. “I guess you were -kidding us, Veve.”</p> - -<p>“No, I wasn’t,” Veve denied. “She was there a moment ago. Here, let me -have that glass again.”</p> - -<p>She took it from Jane. But after studying the roadside<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">45</a></span> area intently, -acknowledged that the woman no longer was there.</p> - -<p>“That’s funny,” commented Veve. “She must have disappeared somewhere in -this park. But what’s she doing with a sack?”</p> - -<p>“You’re sure you actually saw her?” Eileen questioned doubtfully.</p> - -<p>“Of course! The buggy is proof I did!”</p> - -<p>“What did she look like?” questioned Rosemary.</p> - -<p>“Well,” Veve said, thinking hard, “she was queer looking and real thin. -She wore a straw hat. Her dress was long with a full skirt. That’s all -I remember except the sack—and the odd way she looked around when she -jumped out of the buggy.”</p> - -<p>“What do you mean by the odd way she looked around?” asked Connie, -taking her turn at the field glass.</p> - -<p>“She acted as if she were afraid someone would see her.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, well!” Jane shrugged, losing interest. “She’s gone now anyway. Who -cares what she does with her sack?”</p> - -<p>“I’d like to know why she ducked into the woods,” Veve said. “Maybe she -might have something to do with this tree house.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">46</a></span> -“How could she?” demanded Sunny.</p> - -<p>“It’s just one of Veve’s crazy notions,” said Jane.</p> - -<p>“Maybe it’s not a crazy notion,” retorted Veve. “I guess if we ever -expect to learn who built this playhouse, we’ll have to ask a few -questions.”</p> - -<p>“The woman may live near the park,” Connie said, coming to her friend’s -defense. “It’s possible she does know who built the house.”</p> - -<p>While the girls talked, Miss Gordon had been looking through the field -glass herself. On one of the trails not far from the rustic bridge, she -had sighted the woman.</p> - -<p>“There she is!” she exclaimed. “Veve’s right! She does have a bag!”</p> - -<p>“I told you so!” declared Veve shrilly.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon watched the old lady until she was blocked from view by the -trees.</p> - -<p>“Where do you suppose she’s going?” speculated Sunny. “She can’t be in -the park just for the fun of it, because she’s in such a hurry.”</p> - -<p>“She does appear to have business here,” Miss Gordon admitted. “The -trail she is taking leads over the bridge and to the spring.”</p> - -<p>“She can’t carry water in her sack!” laughed Veve. “I wish we knew more -about her. I know! Why don’t<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">47</a></span> we manage to meet her at the spring and -ask a few questions?”</p> - -<p>“We need water too,” declared Connie, indicating the empty thermos -bottle.</p> - -<p>“I don’t want to go,” said Jane, who sometimes liked to be contrary. -“It’s a long walk to the spring.”</p> - -<p>“I’d rather stay here in the tree house,” agreed Rosemary.</p> - -<p>Sunny and Eileen sided with Veve and Connie, urging that they be -allowed to head the woman off at the spring.</p> - -<p>“I doubt you’ll learn anything by talking to her,” Miss Gordon told the -four girls. “But run along if you like. I’ll stay here with Jane and -Rosemary. We’ll finish tidying up while you’re gone.”</p> - -<p>“Just don’t take all day,” Jane tossed at them. “We want to start home -before too long.”</p> - -<p>Taking the empty thermos bottle with them, Eileen, Sunny, Veve and -Connie started down the winding stairway.</p> - -<p>“You know the trail?” Miss Gordon called after them.</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes!” replied Veve confidently.</p> - -<p>“We always can follow the trail markings,” added Connie.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">48</a></span> -Walking single file, the girls moved briskly off in the direction of -the spring.</p> - -<p>The trail they followed was number two and at intervals was marked with -a tiny numeral “2” on little wooden signboards.</p> - -<p>The girls made a great deal of noise as their shoes crackled through -the leaves and dry pine needles. Gaily they trotted along, wondering -what they would say when they met the old lady at the spring.</p> - -<p>They were certain she must be going there, for after the trail crossed -the rustic bridge, it ended rather abruptly.</p> - -<p>Soon the girls came to a fork in the trail. Connie, who was leading, -paused to be certain she was taking the right turn.</p> - -<p>To her surprise she noticed that the signpost directed: “The Spring,” -and the little red arrow pointed toward the left hand path.</p> - -<p>“Why, I thought we turned right here,” she said in perplexity.</p> - -<p>“So did I,” said Eileen, gazing up at the sign.</p> - -<p>“Well, the sign must be right,” argued Veve, adding with a laugh, “That -is, it must mean we’re to take the left hand path. Come on, we’re -wasting time!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">49</a></span> -Still Connie hesitated.</p> - -<p>“It seems as if we should go the other way,” she said doubtfully.</p> - -<p>“Oh, you’re mixed up,” Veve told her. “From above, the trails look -different. This must be the right direction.”</p> - -<p>Veve now took the lead, walking fast because she did not want to miss -meeting the queer old lady with the sack.</p> - -<p>Eileen followed directly behind, while Sunny and Connie brought up the -rear.</p> - -<p>After the girls had gone a short way along the winding path, they came -to another marker which bore the numeral “2”.</p> - -<p>“You see, were on the trail all right,” Veve declared. “Nothing to -worry about.”</p> - -<p>“It just doesn’t seem right,” Connie answered.</p> - -<p>Veve trudged on with the others close behind. The trail seemed to be -getting narrower and less plainly marked.</p> - -<p>Quite often Veve had to push bushes aside to make room to slip through. -Some of the long branches whipped back into the faces of those who -followed.</p> - -<p>“Say! The park attendants don’t keep this trail up very well,” she -complained.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">50</a></span> -“O-oh!” wailed Sunny. She had stepped into a soft spot and had sunk -half way to the top of her galoshes in mud.</p> - -<p>“I don’t like this one bit,” Connie declared, helping Sunny. “I never -remembered that the spring was so far away.”</p> - -<p>“Neither did I,” said Eileen, abruptly halting. “And where is the -rustic bridge? Shouldn’t we have passed it long ago?”</p> - -<p>Even Veve had grown uneasy. “I guess it only seems as if we’ve been -hiking a long while,” she said. “This trail must be right because it’s -plainly marked.”</p> - -<p>“It was at first,” Connie corrected. “We haven’t seen a signpost for a -long while now.”</p> - -<p>“But we’ve not passed another fork,” Veve insisted. “So we couldn’t -have taken a wrong turn.”</p> - -<p>Not knowing what else to do, the girls went on, but at a slower pace. -The path now seemed dark and mysterious.</p> - -<p>Suddenly Veve halted to stare at a marking tacked to a tree trunk.</p> - -<p>Behind her, Connie also saw it at the same instant. She uttered a gasp -of dismay.</p> - -<p>“Why, it says Trail 3 instead of Trail 2!” she exclaimed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">51</a></span> -“And look what’s written in pencil directly under the lettering!” -Eileen cried.</p> - -<p>Veve read the nearly illegible message aloud. In pencil someone had -scrawled: “Fooled you!”</p> - -<p>Seeing the sign, the four girls were badly frightened.</p> - -<p>“What does it mean?” Sunny asked, her voice shaking. “Why does the -trail sign say 3 instead of 2?”</p> - -<p>“Because someone has mixed up the signs!” Connie answered. Her eyes -flashed angrily. “Oh, those horrid boys who changed the markings on the -trees must have done it!”</p> - -<p>“Then we’re on Trail 3 instead of Trail 2, and a long way from the -spring,” Eileen declared uneasily.</p> - -<p>“I don’t think we’re on Trail 3 either,” Veve said, peering ahead.</p> - -<p>“Then where are we?” Sunny demanded.</p> - -<p>“We’re just off somewhere in the forest,” Veve admitted, her voice weak -from fright. “The trail has played out entirely. If you want to know -the worst—we’re lost!”</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">52</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="chapter_6" id="chapter_6"></a>CHAPTER 6<br /> -<span>A Mysterious Sack</span></h2> - - -<p class="noi">OF the group, Connie was the only one who remained entirely cool and -collected.</p> - -<p>“We can’t be lost,” she advised the others. “All we have to do is -return the way we came.”</p> - -<p>“But we’re off the regular trail,” Veve insisted, less frightened. “We -must be a long distance from the spring.”</p> - -<p>“Those horrid boys should be kept out of the park!” declared Sunny -indignantly.</p> - -<p>The other Brownies shared her belief that the trail signs deliberately -had been changed by pranksters.</p> - -<p>They were convinced too, that the mischief had been done by the same -persons who had exchanged the tags on the trees.</p> - -<p>“We’ve wasted a lot of time,” Connie said regretfully as the girls -started to retrace their way. “I suppose the best thing now is to -forget about that queer old lady, and return to the tree house.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">53</a></span> -“Provided we can find it,” Eileen said, her confidence ebbing. -“This path has twisted and turned so much I’m not at all sure of my -directions.”</p> - -<p>“I think I can lead the way back,” Connie declared.</p> - -<p>However, with only false signs to guide her, the path proved most -confusing.</p> - -<p>Coming to a fork, Connie could not be certain which way to turn. Veve -and Eileen were for going in one direction, while Sunny was equally -sure that the other way was right.</p> - -<p>“Let’s keep to the left,” Connie urged. “The sun will be to our backs -then.”</p> - -<p>Veve demanded to know what that might have to do with the matter.</p> - -<p>“When we faced the roadway earlier, I noticed that the sun was shining -that same way—on our backs,” Connie explained. “The highway runs one -entire side of the park. So if we keep walking in the same direction, -were almost certain to come out at the road.”</p> - -<p>“But we don’t want to end up there,” protested Eileen.</p> - -<p>“If we once reach the road, it will be easy to take bearings,” Connie -pointed out.</p> - -<p>“Connie’s right,” agreed Veve, siding with her.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">54</a></span> “We’re sure of -striking the road, so let’s go that way.”</p> - -<p>With the sun to their backs, the four girls trudged on. By this time -they were on a well traveled trail again, but one entirely without -markers.</p> - -<p>“Maybe this isn’t taking us to the road after all,” Sunny presently -remarked. “We’ve been walking a long while.”</p> - -<p>“I see something ahead!” Connie encouraged her. “Yes, it’s the roadway!”</p> - -<p>In a moment the girls emerged upon a narrow dirt road. Connie convinced -the others that if they followed it for a short distance they would -come to a familiar trail which would lead them back to the tree house.</p> - -<p>“Which way do we go?” Sunny asked uncertainly.</p> - -<p>“To the right, I think,” Connie said, after studying various landmarks. -“If we are wrong we will circle the park and eventually come out near -the gate house.”</p> - -<p>“Miss Gordon will be worried to death if we don’t get back to the tree -house soon,” Eileen declared anxiously. “Let’s hurry.”</p> - -<p>The girls walked along the grass at the side of the road to avoid mud. -By the nearly unbroken stretch<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">55</a></span> of the thoroughfare, they knew that -few vehicles had passed that way during the day. Automobiles usually -followed the paved highway which wound through the heart of the woods.</p> - -<p>Swinging around a curve, the girls were both startled and relieved to -observe a horse and buggy tied up at the roadside.</p> - -<p>“Why, that’s the same old-fashioned outfit we saw from the tree house!” -exclaimed Veve. “I know where we are now!”</p> - -<p>“So do I,” laughed Connie, greatly relieved. “We can’t be very far from -the big oak tree and our sky house.”</p> - -<p>The girls wondered what had become of the old lady with the sack. -Evidently, she remained somewhere in the park area, for the horse and -buggy had not been shifted from their original place.</p> - -<p>“Maybe she took a wrong trail as we did,” Connie remarked. “It would be -easy to do with so many markers mixed up.”</p> - -<p>As the girls approached the old horse, Veve heard someone moving -rapidly through the woods.</p> - -<p>“Someone’s coming,” she murmured.</p> - -<p>Even as she murmured the warning, the roadside bushes suddenly parted.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">56</a></span> -From one of the nearby trails, the queer old lady unexpectedly emerged.</p> - -<p>At close range, she looked even stranger than from a distance. Hair -streamed over her face and her hat was pushed far back from her -forehead.</p> - -<p>Slung over her shoulder was the sack which first had drawn the interest -of the Brownie Scouts.</p> - -<p>Oddly enough, the sack now appeared to be half filled. Also, the old -lady carried the burden as if it were quite heavy.</p> - -<p>The Brownies were too far away to see what she had obtained. They were -very curious however.</p> - -<p>“Now what do you suppose she’s carrying?” Veve speculated.</p> - -<p>Although the little girl spoke in a quiet voice, the old lady heard the -remark.</p> - -<p>Glancing up in a startled manner, she seemed to hesitate and to act -confused. To the Brownies it was evident that she did not want them to -see what she was carrying.</p> - -<p>They were certain of it when she moved swiftly to the buggy and shoved -the sack out of view beneath the seat.</p> - -<p>“She’s hiding something!” whispered Sunny.</p> - -<p>The other Brownies thought so too.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">57</a></span> -“Let’s try to find out what it is,” urged Veve, keeping her voice low. -“Maybe she’s stealing from the park!”</p> - -<p>As the four girls approached, the old lady hastily climbed into the -buggy. The Brownies moved a bit faster.</p> - -<p>“Good afternoon!” Veve greeted her breathlessly as they hurried up.</p> - -<p>The old lady gazed at the four girls and her thin lips cracked into the -faintest suggestion of a smile. However, she merely inclined her head -and did not speak.</p> - -<p>She gathered up the reins, intending to start away.</p> - -<p>“We’re lost,” said Connie to hold her attention. “That is—we were -until a second ago.”</p> - -<p>“Lost?” repeated the old lady.</p> - -<p>“Can you tell us how to reach the big oak tree with the house built in -it?” inquired Sunny politely.</p> - -<p>“The park is filled with oak trees,” replied the old lady somewhat -tartly. “As for a house being built in one—I never heard of such a -thing. If you’re lost though, just keep walking and you will come to -the gate house.”</p> - -<p>“We saw you a few minutes ago from our tree<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">58</a></span> house,” said Veve, hoping -to continue the conversation. “You were carrying a sack.”</p> - -<p>The remark seemed to be a poorly chosen one.</p> - -<p>Apparently taking offense, the old lady gave Veve a sharp glance. -Without a word she gathered up the reins and drove away.</p> - -<p>“Well, how do you like that!” exclaimed Veve, very much displeased.</p> - -<p>“She was annoyed because you spoke of the sack!” declared Connie. “What -do you suppose she had in it?”</p> - -<p>“Something she got here in the park,” declared Eileen. “We know she hid -it under the buggy seat too, thinking we might see what she had.”</p> - -<p>“She’s a rude old woman!” Veve said crossly. “I don’t like her one bit.”</p> - -<p>“I thought she had a nice smile,” Connie replied, staring after the -disappearing buggy. “We probably seemed prying to her because we asked -questions.”</p> - -<p>“Well, what did she have in that sack?” Veve persisted.</p> - -<p>No one could hazard a guess.</p> - -<p>“We’ll have to report to the other Brownie Scouts that we didn’t find -out,” Eileen said in disappointment. “They’ll think were not much -good.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">59</a></span> -Rather let down by their experience, the four girls took careful -bearings before starting toward the tree house.</p> - -<p>To their relief the trail which they now followed was thoroughly -familiar and the signs had not been disturbed.</p> - -<p>Their way skirted a small pond fringed with cattails. Veve paused to -pluck one and to toss a pebble at a bull frog who croaked from his -perch on a lily pad.</p> - -<p>“Don’t fall in, young lady,” said a gruff voice.</p> - -<p>Veve whirled around and then laughed. Mr. Karwhite had come up without -any of the Brownies hearing him.</p> - -<p>“My, you walk on velvet feet!” exclaimed Connie.</p> - -<p>“How are you getting along at the tree house?” the park superintendent -inquired.</p> - -<p>The girls told him that so far as they knew everything was fine at the -little house. Then they went on to relate their unpleasant experience -on the trail.</p> - -<p>“Those pesky boys again!” exclaimed Mr. Karwhite angrily. “If ever I -catch the rascals I’ll see that they are punished!”</p> - -<p>The superintendent explained that the past two days he had kept an -alert watch for the gang.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">60</a></span> -“I find mixed-up signs, broken shrubbery and other evidence they’ve -been here,” he declared. “Somehow I can’t catch up with them. They slip -into the park from somewhere along the road, instead of coming past the -gate house.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll help you keep watch,” Connie offered.</p> - -<p>“Good! If you see them doing any mischief, let me know.”</p> - -<p>“You have another park visitor who slips in from the roadway,” -contributed Veve. “We don’t know her name, but she drives an old horse -with a buggy.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, that must be old Minnie Myles.”</p> - -<p>“Who is she?” asked Connie.</p> - -<p>“A widow who lives in a farmhouse about a half mile from here,” -revealed the park superintendent. “She’s an odd one and no mistake! -Lives by herself with her chickens and goat. She’s harmless though.”</p> - -<p>As Mr. Karwhite talked, he had been glancing at the sky.</p> - -<p>Following his gaze, the Brownies were astonished to notice that the sun -no longer shone steadily. Very frequently it was hidden by dark clouds.</p> - -<p>“It’s getting a bit chilly again,” observed Eileen, pulling her sweater -tightly about her.</p> - -<p>“That’s because the wind is shifting,” Mr. Karwhite<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">61</a></span> informed her. -“We’re in for another storm, I’m afraid.”</p> - -<p>“Not soon?” asked Connie anxiously. She hoped the Brownie Scouts would -not be caught by rain en route home.</p> - -<p>“It’s coming up fast,” the park superintendent replied, studying the -fast-moving clouds. “I doubt we’ll have much rain. But we’re likely to -have wind.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Karwhite gazed thoughtfully at the four girls, and then asked where -the other members of the troop were.</p> - -<p>“At the tree house,” Connie told him.</p> - -<p>“Better hike back there right away and warn your leader a storm is -coming up,” the man advised. “A tree house isn’t the best place to be -in a high wind. You may all come to the gate house until it passes -over.”</p> - -<p>The girls thanked Mr. Karwhite for the invitation, and hastened away.</p> - -<p>“My! It is getting dark here in the woods!” Eileen murmured uneasily as -they scurried along.</p> - -<p>On either side of the path, they could hear the trees and bushes gently -stirring. Mr. Karwhite had been right! The wind rapidly was rising.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">62</a></span> -Presently the path opened up, permitting a view of the tree house. The -girls could see Jane leaning out of the tiny window.</p> - -<p>As she caught sight of the four on the trail, she waved and motioned -for them to hurry.</p> - -<p>Quite breathless, the girls reached the oak and climbed the stairway to -their little house.</p> - -<p>“You’ve been gone ages!” Jane accused them.</p> - -<p>“We’ve been terribly worried,” added Rosemary, jumping up from the -window seat. “What made it take so long?”</p> - -<p>Veve started to tell about being lost on the trail, but Connie cut her -short.</p> - -<p>“There isn’t time for that now,” she said, recalling Mr. Karwhite’s -urgent message. “We have to leave right away!”</p> - -<p>“That’s right!” agreed Sunny. “A storm is coming up.”</p> - -<p>Now Miss Gordon had noticed that the little house was swaying gently in -the tree. She had observed too that the sky was darkening. However, she -had not realized how fast the wind was rising.</p> - -<p>At Sunny’s words, she went quickly out on the tiny balcony.</p> - -<p>“A storm is blowing up,” she agreed. “We must<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">63</a></span> leave at once. We’ll -have to move fast if we reach the gate house before it breaks!”</p> - -<p>Alarmed, the Brownies began to gather together their possessions.</p> - -<p>Connie was packing the remains of lunch into her knapsack, when she -felt the oak tree give a deep sigh.</p> - -<p>Then the little house started to rock back and forth.</p> - -<p>“Oh!” squealed Rosemary in terror.</p> - -<p>“The wind is here!” declared Miss Gordon. “Oh, dear! Now what?”</p> - -<p>Several large drops of rain had pinged on the roof of the house.</p> - -<p>Before the girls could start down the stairway, the droplets came -faster and faster.</p> - -<p>“We’ll be soaked if we try to reach the gate house now!” squealed -Rosemary.</p> - -<p>Peering out of the tiny window, she saw only a world of crashing leaves -and tree boughs.</p> - -<p>So fast was the rain falling that the ground below was invisible.</p> - -<p>“Oh, Miss Gordon, what will we do?” asked Eileen anxiously. She was -very frightened.</p> - -<p>The leader was worried, but tried not to show it.</p> - -<p>“Now don’t be alarmed,” she comforted the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">64</a></span> Brownies. “This house is -sturdily built and will withstand a strong wind.”</p> - -<p>“Shall we make a dash for it?” asked Connie, shivering.</p> - -<p>The air had turned so cold she dreaded the thought of having her -clothing soaked.</p> - -<p>“For the time being, we’ll stay right here,” Miss Gordon decided after -a moment’s hesitation.</p> - -<p>“What if the tree should be struck by lightning?” demanded Jane, who -always speculated on the very worst possibilities.</p> - -<p>“So far there is no lightning,” Miss Gordon replied calmly. “Unless the -wind continues to rise, we’ll be as safe here as if we were dashing -through the woods.”</p> - -<p>“And a lot warmer,” declared Connie, settling down on the window seat. -“I think it will be fun staying in a tree house during a storm!”</p> - -<p>The other Brownies huddled together and kept their thoughts to -themselves. Connie, they knew, was only putting up a brave front.</p> - -<p>Already the tree house was rocking back and forth as if it were a boat -on a choppy sea.</p> - -<p>Below, the stairway appeared wet and slippery. If the Brownies finally -decided to make a dash for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">65</a></span> gate house, the footing at best would -be very <a name="treacherous" id="treacherous"></a><ins title="Original has treachous">treacherous</ins>.</p> - -<p>The girls were a trifle frightened. Conscious of every lurch of the -old oak tree, they clung together and wished very hard that the storm -quickly would pass.</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">66</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="chapter_7" id="chapter_7"></a>CHAPTER 7<br /> -<span>Collecting Buttons</span></h2> - - -<p class="noi">FOR ten minutes heavy rain fell. Back and forth the tree house rocked, -the branches beneath the planking creaking weirdly.</p> - -<p>To make the girls forget the storm, Miss Gordon began to tell them of -plans for early fall activities.</p> - -<p>“Soon the weather may turn cold, and then we’ll be unable to come here -to the park,” she declared. “For the time being, we’ll work on our -nature scrapbooks. After those are finished, how would you like to -collect buttons?”</p> - -<p>Now this idea was entirely new to the Brownies.</p> - -<p>“Button, button, who has the button?” warbled Veve. Rocking back and -forth in the tree house made her feel a trifle silly.</p> - -<p>“We have some buttons at home in Mother’s sewing basket,” said Rosemary -without too much enthusiasm.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">67</a></span> -“My mother will let me have some of her extra ones,” declared Sunny.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon explained that she did not refer to ordinary buttons which -could be bought in the stores.</p> - -<p>“I propose to have the troop collect only unusual ones,” she told the -girls. “Many buttons are very decorative and beautiful. Some of the old -ones have historical significance.”</p> - -<p>“Just as quilts do!” exclaimed Rosemary. “Remember those we collected -to display at the cherry festival?”</p> - -<p>“I’m afraid old buttons may be a trifle more difficult to find than -pattern quilts,” Miss Gordon warned the girls. “Nevertheless, even if -we fail to find many buttons, we’ll have a good time searching for -them.”</p> - -<p>Jane inquired what would be done with the buttons once they were -collected.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon explained that they might be strung, mounted on cards for -display or made into beautiful pins.</p> - -<p>“A pin!” cried Veve, now intrigued by the proposal. “That’s what I’d -like. Where will we find old buttons?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">68</a></span> -Miss Gordon replied that each girl must conduct her own search.</p> - -<p>“I can give you a few hints though,” she said. “Old buttons frequently -may be found in attics, usually attached to out-of-style garments.”</p> - -<p>“I’m going through our attic just as soon as I return home!” announced -Sunny. “I think some of my great-great-grandmother’s dresses are packed -in a walnut chest.”</p> - -<p>“Whatever you do, don’t snip any buttons without first asking -permission,” warned the leader. “Your mother wouldn’t like that, I’m -sure.”</p> - -<p>“We have no old clothes in our attic,” said Veve in a crestfallen tone. -“We haven’t an attic for that matter.”</p> - -<p>“Many of us are in that same situation,” smiled Miss Gordon. “If you -have no attic, inquire of friends and acquaintances. Elderly persons in -particular are likely to have old buttons.”</p> - -<p>“I know a lady who might have some!” exclaimed Veve, for the teacher’s -remark had given her an idea. “She’s old enough!”</p> - -<p>The little girl winked at Connie, who guessed that Mrs. Minnie Myles -was the person meant. However,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">69</a></span> neither she nor Veve knew where the -woman lived, or whether or not she would be friendly.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon suggested that the girls see how many buttons they could -collect before the next Brownie meeting.</p> - -<p>“May we hold it right here in the tree house?” pleaded Jane.</p> - -<p>Now that she was becoming accustomed to the gentle rocking of the tree, -she no longer felt frightened by the storm.</p> - -<p>In fact, so snug was the little house, that she rather enjoyed the dash -of rain against the tiny window.</p> - -<p>The other Brownie Scouts were feeling more at ease too. They did not -mind how long the storm lasted.</p> - -<p>“We’ll decide about our meeting place later on,” Miss Gordon answered -Jane’s question. “This tree house is nice though. And I must admit that -whoever built it for us, did an excellent job.”</p> - -<p>Observing that the rain had nearly ceased, the teacher went to the door.</p> - -<p>As she opened it, a blast of cool air rushed in. Stepping out onto the -balcony, Miss Gordon studied the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">70</a></span> overcast sky. Clouds were moving -swiftly. The sun, however, was trying to straggle through.</p> - -<p>“The first part of the storm has passed over,” she commented. “During -the lull, we should be able to make it to the gate house.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, must we leave so soon?” protested Eileen. “We were having such -fun!”</p> - -<p>“I don’t like the look of those clouds,” Miss Gordon replied uneasily. -“The wind may pay us a return visit. Buckle on your galoshes, kiddies, -and let’s be on our way.”</p> - -<p>Reluctantly, the Brownies put on their overshoes and gathered up -sweaters and jackets.</p> - -<p>“Before we go, let’s wish for a little stove or a fireplace!” suddenly -proposed Veve. “Then when we come again, maybe it will be here waiting -for us!”</p> - -<p>“Whoever heard of a fireplace in a tree house!” scoffed Eileen.</p> - -<p>“Well, we could have a little stove,” Veve defended her idea. “It would -make the house cozy and nice on chilly days.”</p> - -<p>“Let’s be content with the room as it is,” said Miss Gordon.</p> - -<p>“You don’t really think we’d get a stove if we wished for it?” Veve -demanded.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">71</a></span> -“Probably not,” laughed Miss Gordon. “This oak tree seems to have large -ears however. Even though one can’t believe in magic, strange things -have happened here—delightful but amazing things. I simply can’t -understand who would give us this little house.”</p> - -<p>“You’re certain you didn’t arrange to have it built for us as a nice -surprise?” questioned Rosemary.</p> - -<p>“Gracious, no!” the teacher denied. “The house was as much of a shock -to me as to anyone else.”</p> - -<p>“Mr. Karwhite says he didn’t do it either,” commented Connie, thinking -aloud. “He smiles whenever he speaks of the tree house though. I think -he must know who built it or at least have an idea.”</p> - -<p>“I intend to talk to him,” said the Brownie leader. “I’d like to know -who built the place, if only to express our appreciation.”</p> - -<p>Knowing that they must make haste, the girls hurriedly left the tree -house. Walking carefully on the slippery steps, they descended single -file to the ground.</p> - -<p>“Miss Gordon is right!” Connie announced as they started away from the -clearing. “It’s certainly going to rain again.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">72</a></span> -Miss Gordon was somewhat disturbed to note how swiftly the clouds were -moving.</p> - -<p>“We must hurry, girls,” she urged. “I think we can make it to the -gatehouse at least.”</p> - -<p>The Brownies walked as fast as they could, but the trail was muddy. -Often they had to make little detours to avoid deep patches of surface -water. Mud caked on their galoshes and had to be dug off with sticks. -Drippy bushes splattered droplets, dampening their uniforms.</p> - -<p>“I feel like an elephant walking!” laughed Veve, lifting up an overshoe -encased foot which was heavy with muck. “Here I go! Plop! Plop! Plop!”</p> - -<p>“Never mind the comedy,” called Miss Gordon from the head of the line. -“If we don’t move faster, the storm will catch us again.”</p> - -<p>Made uneasy by the darkening of the trail, the girls heeded their -leader’s warning.</p> - -<p>Even though they walked fast, they were far from the gatehouse when -rain again began to fall. The drops were smaller this time, but they -came down steadily.</p> - -<p>“Oh, it’s going to rain a long time,” groaned Connie. “We’ll be soaked -getting home.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">73</a></span> -“Brownies are tough!” declared Jane staunchly. “We can take it.”</p> - -<p>“We can,” agreed Eileen, ducking her head to avoid the sheet of rain. -“But who wants to? I’m freezing!”</p> - -<p>As she spoke, a flash of lightning brightened the trail.</p> - -<p>Although it was not close, the clap of thunder seemed very loud in the -forest. Several of the Brownies cringed and gazed anxiously at their -leader.</p> - -<p>“We’ll soon be out of the woods—” began Miss Gordon encouragingly.</p> - -<p>Another flash of lightning startled the girls. This time it was -brighter and the roar of thunder followed quickly.</p> - -<p>“Wow! That was close!” exclaimed Veve, breathing hard.</p> - -<p>“Too close for comfort,” agreed Miss Gordon. “I’m glad we left the tree -house. We’re not very safe here amid the trees though. One could be -struck.”</p> - -<p>The Brownie leader was thoroughly familiar with all the park trails. -Even though a blinding wall of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">74</a></span> rain had started to descend, she knew -which direction to turn when the path forked.</p> - -<p>“How far to the gate house?” gasped Veve. The distance never had seemed -so long before.</p> - -<p>“Several hundred yards,” the teacher told her. Anxiously she gazed up -at the swaying tree branches.</p> - -<p>As she watched, a heavy dead limb came crashing down, falling across -the trail.</p> - -<p>“The road is close by,” said Miss Gordon, making a quick decision. -“We’ll strike for it, and then circle back to the gate house. On the -road we’ll be in no danger of having limbs fall on us.”</p> - -<p>Taking an off-shoot path, the teacher led the girls to an old-fashioned -rail fence. They scrambled over, leaped a ditch and reached the paved -main highway.</p> - -<p>“At least it’s easier walking here!” gasped Sunny. “But that rain!”</p> - -<p>A loud “toot, toot!” sounded directly behind the girls.</p> - -<p>The Brownies moved farther to the side of the road to allow the car to -pass.</p> - -<p>Instead, it pulled up alongside.</p> - -<p>“Want a ride into town?” inquired the driver.</p> - -<p>The man who had called wore heavy work<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">75</a></span> clothes. Veve noticed a set of -carpenter tools in the back of his car as she peered curiously in. The -car itself was rather old and dirty, but no one minded about that.</p> - -<p>“Indeed, we’ll be grateful for a ride!” exclaimed Miss Gordon.</p> - -<p>The girls piled into the car. Miss Gordon, Veve and Rosemary sat in the -front with the driver. The others scrambled into the rear seat.</p> - -<p>“Going far?” inquired the man in a friendly way.</p> - -<p>“We had intended to seek shelter at the gate house,” Miss Gordon -explained. “If you’re driving to Rosedale though, we’ll ride -along—that is, if it doesn’t inconvenience you.”</p> - -<p>“Glad to have you,” the man assured her cordially. “This storm sure -came up fast.”</p> - -<p>He then introduced himself as Sam Vincent, and explained that he was -a carpenter by trade. The man said he had been building a porch at a -house three miles down the road, but had halted work when the rain -started.</p> - -<p>“We were in our tree house when the wind came up,” Veve announced.</p> - -<p>Mention of a tree house so interested Mr. Vincent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">76</a></span> that he asked a -great many questions. The girls told him about the mysterious person -who had built the playhouse, and also about the mischievous boys.</p> - -<p>“When I was driving to work this morning I saw four boys climbing the -fence into the park,” the carpenter recalled.</p> - -<p>“Then maybe they’re the ones who mixed up the trail signs!” exclaimed -Veve.</p> - -<p>“I drive past the park nearly every day,” Sam Vincent said. “If I see -those boys up to any mischief, I’ll report them.”</p> - -<p>Even though it meant driving a considerable distance out of his -way, the carpenter insisted upon taking all of the girls to their -<a name="separate" id="separate"></a><ins title="Original has seperate">separate</ins> homes.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon, Veve and Connie were the last ones to be dropped off.</p> - -<p>“We appreciate this so much,” said the Brownie leader, thanking him for -all of the girls.</p> - -<p>“I should say so!” added Veve. “I hope we see you again some time, Mr. -Vincent.”</p> - -<p>“You probably will,” he replied, his eyes twinkling.</p> - -<p>“You must come to see our tree house,” Veve invited him earnestly. And -then without thinking that the other Brownies might object, she added: -“Come next Saturday—for lunch.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">77</a></span> -“It’s a date,” agreed Mr. Vincent, pleased by the invitation. “Shall we -say twelve o’clock sharp?”</p> - -<p>Veve glanced at Miss Gordon and Connie, who made no move to help her -out of the predicament.</p> - -<p>The carpenter accepted their silence for assent.</p> - -<p>“Saturday noon,” he repeated, shifting gears. “I’ll be there, and with -a huge appetite!”</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">78</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="chapter_8" id="chapter_8"></a>CHAPTER 8<br /> -<span>Mrs. Myles’ Advice</span></h2> - - -<p class="noi">THE moment the car had driven away, Connie turned accusingly upon Veve.</p> - -<p>“Now you’ve done it!” she exclaimed. “You’ve invited a man we scarcely -know to lunch! And what’s worse he’s expecting a big meal.”</p> - -<p>“How’d I know he’d accept?” Veve mumbled.</p> - -<p>“The other Brownies may not like it one bit,” Connie went on severely. -“And who is going to prepare the lunch?”</p> - -<p>“Maybe he won’t come.”</p> - -<p>“You hope—” said Connie.</p> - -<p>“Why, I think it was nice to invite Mr. Vincent,” interposed Miss -Gordon. “Especially after he brought us all into Rosedale. The lunch -will be no problem.”</p> - -<p>Veve felt much better then. Saying good-bye to Miss Gordon she ran into -her home. Connie lived<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">79</a></span> next door, while the teacher resided only a -half block farther on.</p> - -<p>School examinations occupied the Brownies for the next three days. -After that came rain and more rain.</p> - -<p>By Friday the weather had turned chilly and no one could be certain -whether or not it would be possible to visit the tree house on the -following day.</p> - -<p>“What will we do about having Mr. Vincent to luncheon?” Veve fretted. -“I forgot to ask where he lives so I can’t very well get in touch -with him. If he should go to the tree house, and we aren’t there—how -embarrassing!”</p> - -<p>“You should have thought of that when you invited him,” Connie said -severely.</p> - -<p>Except for Veve, the Brownies did not worry much about Mr. Vincent. -During the week they had become engrossed in making periodic searches -for old and decorative buttons.</p> - -<p>Rosemary excitedly reported that in her mother’s attic she had come -upon an old wedding dress with five embroidered taffeta buttons made in -a star pattern.</p> - -<p>Her “find” had started the other Brownies on an intensive search.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">80</a></span> -Jane obtained an opaque glass button, very old looking, and another of -clear glass on black pigment foil with gold stripes.</p> - -<p>But the button Eileen found on an aged coat cuff was the most -interesting of all—the head of a horse on a black background.</p> - -<p>“If anyone finds two buttons just alike, I’ll trade,” offered Rosemary.</p> - -<p>Connie and Veve felt rather discouraged because they could obtain only -modern, uninteresting buttons.</p> - -<p>“Don’t give up,” Miss Gordon encouraged them. “Our search has only -started, you know.”</p> - -<p>Veve and Connie asked their friends for buttons and then tried the -homes of strangers. On Friday night after school, they stopped at -several places near the outskirts of Rosedale. In each instance the -lady of the house regretfully told them that she had only modern -buttons.</p> - -<p>“It’s no use,” declared Veve, ready to give up.</p> - -<p>“Let’s try one more house,” urged Connie.</p> - -<p>Now it so happened that a Mrs. Listerstrom lived there and by chance -she had kept a very pretty cameo button which had belonged to her -grandmother.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">81</a></span> -“You may have it, my dear,” she said to Connie. “I’m sorry I haven’t -two of them. But I know where you might find a great many old buttons.”</p> - -<p>“Where?” demanded Veve eagerly.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Listerstrom directed the girls to a house farther out into the -country, not far from the natural park.</p> - -<p>“I don’t think we should go out there today,” said Connie. Now that she -had her cameo button she was ready to go home.</p> - -<p>“Oh, it isn’t far,” insisted Veve. “We can walk fast. And just think! -We might find dozens of buttons!”</p> - -<p>Connie allowed herself to be coaxed into making the long hike.</p> - -<p>After a while the girls came to the house which had been described to -them by Mrs. Listerstrom. The dwelling stood some distance back from -the highway and looked very old.</p> - -<p>Withered vines covered a sagging porch. The house had not been painted -in several years. To add to the untidy appearance, chickens and geese -ran within the enclosure.</p> - -<p>“I don’t like the look of this place,” murmured Connie, holding back.</p> - -<p>“It may be a little old, but that’s so much the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">82</a></span> better,” argued Veve. -“We’ll be more likely to find a lot of old clothes. And old clothes -mean old buttons.”</p> - -<p>Thus encouraged, Connie walked on with her friend to the side door -of the dwelling. Someone was at home, they knew, for they could hear -movement within the kitchen.</p> - -<p>Veve rapped on the door. Soon it was opened by a thin woman in a dark -plaid gingham dress.</p> - -<p>The two girls were so astonished that for a long moment they could not -speak.</p> - -<p>Standing before them was the same woman who so abruptly had driven away -from them in the park! Her name, Mr. Karwhite had told them, was Minnie -Myles.</p> - -<p>“Good afternoon,” the woman greeted them as the girls remained silent. -“Haven’t I seen you somewhere?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes,” murmured Veve in confusion.</p> - -<p>“At the park,” supplied Connie, wondering if Mrs. Myles would order -them away.</p> - -<p>“To be sure! To be sure!” The woman spoke most pleasantly. “Do come in, -girls.”</p> - -<p>Now Veve and Connie were sorry they had chosen this particular house at -which to inquire for buttons.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">83</a></span> However, it was too late to retreat, so -they entered the warm kitchen.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Myles had been baking bread. Three fragrant, crusty brown loaves -cooled on the table. Heat continued to pour from the oven of the -old-fashioned cook stove.</p> - -<p>“H-m, that smells good!” exclaimed Veve, sniffing the air.</p> - -<p>“Wouldn’t you like a piece, with wild grape jelly?” invited Mrs. Myles.</p> - -<p>Now the change in the woman’s manner amazed both Veve and Connie.</p> - -<p>At the park, Mrs. Myles had seemed unfriendly to all of the Brownie -Scouts. The two girls could not understand why she previously had been -so cross unless their questions about the sack had annoyed her.</p> - -<p>“W-ell,” hesitated Veve. She very much wanted a piece of the warm -bread, but did not wish to appear too eager. From the barren appearance -of the kitchen she was afraid the woman might not have very much food -for herself.</p> - -<p>“Of course you want a slice of bread,” declared Mrs. Myles. “I never -met a child who wasn’t hungry. I’ll give you each a large slice. -I’m sorry I have no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">84</a></span> butter. Now tell me what brought you here this -afternoon.”</p> - -<p>Feeling far more at ease, the girls explained that the Brownie Scouts -were collecting old and historical buttons.</p> - -<p>“Well, that sounds like an interesting hobby,” declared Mrs. Myles.</p> - -<p>“The other girls are getting ahead of us,” Veve disclosed. “So we -thought we would come here and ask if you have any old ones.”</p> - -<p>“Not good buttons,” Connie said, stooping to pet a black and white cat -that rubbed against her legs. “Just buttons you no longer use.”</p> - -<p>“Let me see,” murmured Mrs. Myles, thinking hard. “Why, yes! I must -have dozens and dozens of them.”</p> - -<p>“Old ones?” gasped Veve hopefully.</p> - -<p>“Goodness, yes! The chest in the storeroom is stacked with old clothes.”</p> - -<p>Veve asked if they might see the garments. She was trying hard not to -reveal her excitement.</p> - -<p>“I’ll see what I can find for you, while you’re eating your bread and -jam,” Mrs. Myles offered.</p> - -<p>She sliced a generous piece of bread for each girl.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">85</a></span> Then, leaving -them by the fire to play with Tops, the cat, she disappeared into the -adjoining room.</p> - -<p>During the woman’s absence, Veve and Connie gazed curiously about the -kitchen.</p> - -<p>The room was scantily furnished. A well-scrubbed kitchen table, a -corner cabinet, three chairs and the stove constituted the only visible -items. Lacking an ice box, Mrs. Myles had set a milk bottle outside the -window.</p> - -<p>Connie could see that the dining room was equally bare. The floor had -no rug and the curtains were nearly worn out.</p> - -<p>“Mrs. Myles must be very poor,” she whispered to Veve. “Maybe we should -offer to pay for the buttons.”</p> - -<p>Veve did not know what to say. Neither she nor Connie had brought any -money with them. Nor did they know how much old buttons might be worth.</p> - -<p>By the time the girls had finished their bread and jam, Mrs. Myles -returned. Her arms were laden with old garments which smelled faintly -of moth balls.</p> - -<p>Shaking out a dress for the girls to see, she explained that it had -belonged to her grandmother.</p> - -<p>“The velvet buttons are very nice,” she remarked.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">86</a></span> “One doesn’t find -their like in the stores these days.”</p> - -<p>The front of the dress was decorated with four of the buttons. Of -silhouette design, they were made in two pieces with velvet showing -through the cut-out metal of the face.</p> - -<p>“Oh, I’m sure none of the other Brownies have buttons such as these!” -exclaimed Connie. “They’re even nicer than the taffeta ones Rosemary -found!”</p> - -<p>The girls were hopeful Mrs. Myles would offer them the four buttons. In -that event they would have a grand time trading with Rosemary!</p> - -<p>However, Mrs. Myles said quite frankly that she did not want to ruin -the dress by removing the buttons.</p> - -<p>“I know!” she declared. “You may have the button on the belt. It will -never be missed.”</p> - -<p>Taking her scissors from the sewing basket, she snipped the thread and -gave the button to Connie.</p> - -<p>“Please, Mrs. Myles,” the little girl offered, “can’t I pay for it?”</p> - -<p>“No, my dear. You are welcome to the button. Now let’s see what we can -find for this other little girl. You’re—?”</p> - -<p>“Veve McGuire.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">87</a></span> -“To be sure. Well, we must find a nice button for you also.”</p> - -<p>Mrs. Myles examined several of the garments she had brought from the -chest. Veve noticed nice buttons on several dresses and would have -taken them. Mrs. Myles, however, told her that they were not very old -or valuable.</p> - -<p>“I know!” she exclaimed suddenly, putting away the pile of clothing.</p> - -<p>Again Mrs. Myles disappeared, returning a moment later with a tiny box. -From it she removed several small articles, and then came upon the -button for which she had searched.</p> - -<p>“Recognize this face?” she asked Veve.</p> - -<p>Veve looked carefully at the button. “Why, it’s a picture of one of our -presidents!” she exclaimed. “President Grant!”</p> - -<p>“I see you know your history, my dear. Yes, this is a tintype button -popular in Victorian time. It will make a nice addition for your -collection.”</p> - -<p>“Is it really for me?” Veve asked in awe.</p> - -<p>“I have no further use for it, my dear.”</p> - -<p>The girls wondered if Mrs. Myles might not have many other interesting -buttons in her home.</p> - -<p>Not wishing to appear greedy, they did not hint<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">88</a></span> that they would like -to see them. Instead, they thanked her for the two she had given them -and said it was time to leave.</p> - -<p>“Wait!” Mrs. Myles said impulsively. “I have something else to show -you. Come with me.”</p> - -<p>She led the girls into the living room. The sofa was frayed and the -chairs appeared to be falling apart. Lace curtains, once of good -quality, had been mended many times.</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, the room did have one attractive object. On the sofa was -a beautiful pillow decorated in neat cross-stitching.</p> - -<p>Veve noticed it at once and remarked on its beauty.</p> - -<p>“My mother made that pillow,” said Mrs. Myles proudly. “I’ve had it in -the house more years than I can remember. But this is what I want you -to see.”</p> - -<p>She pointed to a star-shaped match holder on the wall.</p> - -<p>Veve and Connie drew in their breath, for the decorative object was -made entirely of buttons! Many appeared quite old.</p> - -<p>“Oh, wouldn’t the other Brownies be excited if they could see this!” -explained Veve.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">89</a></span> -Mrs. Myles was very pleased by her interest in the match holder. -However, she explained it had been made by her mother, and for that -reason she could not give it away.</p> - -<p>“Anyway, we’re glad to have these other two buttons,” Connie thanked -her.</p> - -<p>The hour was growing late, so the girls said they must be hurrying home.</p> - -<p>“Do come again,” Mrs. Myles invited them cordially. “Tomorrow perhaps? -I may be able to find a few more buttons.”</p> - -<p>“We’d love to,” accepted Connie.</p> - -<p>“But tomorrow’s Saturday,” Veve reminded her friend.</p> - -<p>“That’s so,” Connie agreed. “If the weather is nice, all the Brownies -will be at our tree house in the park.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll be pretty busy too,” added Veve in a worried tone. “You see, we -invited Sam Vincent to luncheon.”</p> - -<p>The name seemed to startle Mrs. Myles. “Sam Vincent?” she repeated in -an odd tone.</p> - -<p>“He’s very nice,” declared Connie. “The other day during the storm, he -picked us up in his car and drove us to our homes.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">90</a></span> -“Sam has plenty of time to go galavanting around in a car it seems!” -Mrs. Myles said tartly.</p> - -<p>“You know him?” asked Connie in surprise.</p> - -<p>“Know him! Well, rather! If I were to give any advice to the Brownies, -I’d say to have nothing to do with him! But then, it’s none of my -affair! Good afternoon.”</p> - -<p>The woman firmly closed the door upon Veve and Connie.</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">91</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="chapter_9" id="chapter_9"></a>CHAPTER 9<br /> -<span>Unwelcome Visitors</span></h2> - - -<p class="noi">“WHY, what did we say that offended Mrs. Myles?” Connie demanded as she -and Veve started toward the road.</p> - -<p>“Nothing that I know of,” replied the other little girl. “We were -talking about going to the tree house tomorrow.”</p> - -<p>“And having Mr. Vincent there for lunch,” reflected Connie. “Do you -suppose she was offended because we didn’t invite her?”</p> - -<p>“I think it was mention of Sam Vincent’s name that made her so angry, -Connie. Her eyes snapped like firebrands. And don’t you remember, she -started to say she could give the Brownie Scouts some advice about -having nothing to do with him—”</p> - -<p>“Only she broke off and closed the door on us.”</p> - -<p>“It was mention of Mr. Vincent’s name that annoyed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">92</a></span> her,” Veve said -with conviction. “For some reason she must dislike him. I wonder why?”</p> - -<p>“He seemed very nice,” Connie answered thoughtfully. “Of course, we -don’t know him well. Maybe we should have become better acquainted -before inviting him to lunch.”</p> - -<p>“Well, he may not come,” Veve returned, almost hopefully.</p> - -<p>The following day dawned bright, although not particularly warm. -Directly after breakfast Miss Gordon telephoned each member of the -Brownie Scout troop to say that the hike would be held. Each girl was -given a list of items to bring.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Vincent may not take Veve’s luncheon seriously,” the teacher -declared. “Our motto though is to be prepared. So, if he does come, -we’ll have a little food for him.”</p> - -<p>By ten o’clock the Brownies had arrived at the park. Carrying their -well-filled knapsacks, they paused for a moment at the gate house. Mr. -Karwhite, however, was not there.</p> - -<p>In fact, the entire park area appeared deserted.</p> - -<p>“We’re the only ones here so early in the day,” declared Sunny, -covering a yawn. “I’ll bet a frosted cookie Mr. Vincent never shows -up.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">93</a></span> -“He has plenty of time to get here before noon,” Connie assured her. -“What are we having to eat?”</p> - -<p>She had brought sandwiches, but did not know what the other girls had -been asked to contribute.</p> - -<p>“Were having a hot drink from the thermos jug,” replied Miss Gordon. -“We have cake too and a salad. I planned the menu when the weather was -warmer.”</p> - -<p>“A hot meal would taste better today,” declared Jane. “I wish we had -decided to cook it in one of the park fireplaces. In that case though, -we couldn’t serve Mr. Vincent lunch in our tree house.”</p> - -<p>On their way to the giant oak, the girls walked a short distance on -Trail No. 3. Immediately they noticed that during their absence from -the park, workmen had placed correct identification tags on each tree.</p> - -<p>“It’s a relief to know that we weren’t as confused as we thought that -other day,” laughed Miss Gordon. “After reading those mixed-up tags I -began to wonder if ever again I could tell one tree from another!”</p> - -<p>The teacher called attention to a handsome white ash, whose leaves -mostly had been swept away by the wind.</p> - -<p>“The tree is very regular in shape,” she pointed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">94</a></span> out. “Notice that the -wide-spreading branches stand opposite each other.”</p> - -<p>“What’s that tree next to it?” inquired Rosemary.</p> - -<p>“A horse-chestnut, I believe,” returned Miss Gordon. “In summer, or -rather, early in May, tall white flowers appear upright on all the -branches.”</p> - -<p>“Like a tree with thousands of white candles!” declared Connie, who -frequently had noticed the sight.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon went on to explain that after the flowers of the -horse-chestnut tree fell, prickly burrs formed. Inside were large brown -nuts.</p> - -<p>“Are they good to eat?” Sunny inquired.</p> - -<p>“No, the nuts are quite bitter,” the teacher replied. “I should advise -you not to sample any of them.”</p> - -<p>Eileen made a pencil sketch of the tree for her nature notebook. Then, -aware that time was elapsing, the girls hiked on toward the tree house.</p> - -<p>“What time is it now?” inquired Veve anxiously.</p> - -<p>“Fifteen minutes after eleven,” Miss Gordon said, looking at her watch. -“We’ll have just time enough to set the luncheon table.”</p> - -<p>“I’m sure Mr. Vincent won’t come,” Jane said pessimistically. “He only -said he would to be polite.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">95</a></span> -“Well, if he fails to show, we’ll have more food for ourselves,” -laughed Rosemary. “I wish though, that we were having a hot meal.”</p> - -<p>The cool air and the long hike had given all the girls hearty -appetites. To wait very long for their invited guest might be rather -trying, they thought. But having extended the invitation, politeness -required that they postpone their own meal for at least twenty minutes -past the noon hour.</p> - -<p>The girls had reached the base of the oak tree. Veve stared at a -cluster of footprints plainly visible in the soft earth.</p> - -<p>“Say, someone has been here while we were away!” she exclaimed -indignantly.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon reminded the girls that the park was for the use of -everyone.</p> - -<p>“We can’t prevent people from visiting our tree house,” she said. -“Naturally, it will attract attention.”</p> - -<p>“We could keep people out if we had a lock on the door,” Veve replied.</p> - -<p>“Let’s wish for a lock!” proposed Connie, half in jest. “We’ve had luck -with our other wishes. Maybe we can get one!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">96</a></span> -The girls were disturbed to observe that the trail of footprints led -up the steps to the tree house balcony. Thick, half dry mud had caked -heavily on the unpainted boards.</p> - -<p>“Someone’s been here, all right, since the rain,” Veve announced with -disapproval.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Karwhite, probably,” Eileen returned carelessly.</p> - -<p>With Veve and Connie, she started up the steps. Miss Gordon and the -other girls waited below. Although the stairway was sturdily built, the -teacher never allowed more than three persons to ascend or descend at -one time.</p> - -<p>Reaching the balcony, Connie put down her package of dishes to open the -door.</p> - -<p>The recent rain had warped it a trifle. She had to shove hard to force -it backward.</p> - -<p>“This old door’s stuck!” she complained.</p> - -<p>As she spoke, it suddenly swung open. Caught off balance, Connie -stumbled forward into the room.</p> - -<p>Behind her, Veve and Eileen uttered shrieks of dismay and anger.</p> - -<p>Not only was the floor covered with mud, but dishes had been removed -from the shelves. Furniture<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">97</a></span> had been overturned. Everything was a -shambles!</p> - -<p>“Our tree house!” wailed Veve in a voice which carried to those waiting -below. “It’s ruined!”</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">98</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="chapter_10" id="chapter_10"></a>CHAPTER 10<br /> -<span>A Guest for Lunch</span></h2> - - -<p class="noi">STARTLED by Veve’s cry, Miss Gordon, Jane, Rosemary and Sunny came -hurrying up to the balcony.</p> - -<p>“Oh, what a mess!” exclaimed Jane as she too viewed the upheaval.</p> - -<p>“Who did such a mean, hateful thing!” exclaimed Sunny wrathfully. “Our -lovely little house!”</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon righted the chairs and picked up the broken pieces of a cup.</p> - -<p>“Those horrid boys must have done it!” Veve declared. “Oh, I wish we -could catch them!”</p> - -<p>From the shoe tracks on the floor, the girls were convinced that at -least three persons had been in the invading group. Miss Gordon shared -the opinion of the Brownies that the same boys who had mixed up the -trail signs were responsible for the disorder.</p> - -<p>“Fortunately, the house itself hasn’t been damaged,”<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">99</a></span> she said to -encourage the girls. “We can clean up this litter.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, but unless we catch those boys, they’ll come again and do the -same thing!” Connie declared.</p> - -<p>“They might,” the Brownie Scout leader admitted.</p> - -<p>“If only we’d had a good lock on the door, this never could have -happened,” remarked Veve. “Oh, let’s all wish again very hard for one!”</p> - -<p>Connie had been glancing carefully about the room to see if anything -were missing.</p> - -<p>“The cushion for the window seat is gone!” she exclaimed.</p> - -<p>The girls could find it nowhere in the little house. Nothing else -appeared to be missing. However, before the room could be used, every -dish would have to be washed.</p> - -<p>“What time is it?” Eileen suddenly demanded.</p> - -<p>Her abrupt question reminded the girls that it must be nearly noon.</p> - -<p>And at any moment Sam Vincent might arrive for lunch.</p> - -<p>“Oh, dear!” wailed Veve, deeply regretting the invitation. “What shall -we do now? We can’t possibly get this place cleaned up in time.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">100</a></span> -“He’ll think we’re horrible housekeepers,” added Rosemary in distress.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon told the girls that it was exactly ten minutes until twelve -o’clock.</p> - -<p>“We can’t possibly serve the lunch here,” she decided. “If Mr. Vincent -does come, we’ll have to find another place somewhere in the park.”</p> - -<p>“That won’t be any fun,” Jane said, frowning. “We wanted him to see -this tree house.”</p> - -<p>“I’m sure he’ll understand when he learns what happened,” Miss Gordon -answered.</p> - -<p>“Will we have enough dishes?” Rosemary asked. She had noticed that two -cups were smashed and also a small plate.</p> - -<p>“We’ll be short of cups,” the teacher admitted. “Otherwise, I think we -can manage.”</p> - -<p>“Let’s get to work,” proposed Connie briskly. “We can clean up the -worst of this mess before he arrives.”</p> - -<p>Quickly the girls gathered up the broken dishes and restored other -china to its assigned place. Having no broom they could not clean the -floor.</p> - -<p>Noon came and another ten minutes elapsed. Mr. Vincent had not -appeared.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">101</a></span> -“He isn’t coming,” Veve announced with conviction. She felt quite -relieved.</p> - -<p>“I think he will,” insisted Connie. “It’s barely possible he doesn’t -know how to find the place, or is mixed up on the trails.”</p> - -<p>After another ten minutes had elapsed, she and Veve and Sunny asked if -they might go to the gatehouse to inquire if Mr. Vincent had been seen -in the park.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon told the girls they might go and suggested that while there -they report to Mr. Karwhite the damage done to their playhouse.</p> - -<p>“Don’t be gone long,” she said as the girls started away. “We’re all -very hungry.”</p> - -<p>At the base of the oak tree, the three Brownies paused a moment to -study the cluster of footprints.</p> - -<p>“If we followed those, we might trail the persons who wrecked our -house,” Sunny suggested.</p> - -<p>“Oh, the footprints must be a day old by now,” Connie discouraged her. -“We would only waste time.”</p> - -<p>“Anyway, Miss Gordon told us to hurry,” declared Veve, starting off -down the trail.</p> - -<p>The little girl had taken scarcely a dozen steps<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">102</a></span> when she was brought -up short. At that moment an amazing thing happened.</p> - -<p>Something red flashed in front of her, lodging over her head in the -trunk of a young maple tree.</p> - -<p>The object was an arrow.</p> - -<p>“Indians!” shrieked Veve, backing away.</p> - -<p>“Indians, my eye!” snorted Connie. “They’re all on reservations these -days.”</p> - -<p>“But it is an arrow,” declared Sunny in awe.</p> - -<p>“And something is attached to it!” Recovering from fright, Veve darted -over to the maple to pluck the arrow from the bark.</p> - -<p>Attached to it was a neatly rolled scrap of paper.</p> - -<p>Veve unsnapped the rubber band, and spreading out the message, read:</p> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Come to the Rustic Bridge. A Surprise Awaits You.</span>”</p> - -<p>“A surprise!” murmured Sunny. “We’ve already had one unpleasant one -today. Who wants another?”</p> - -<p>“This may be different,” declared Veve. “I think we should investigate. -Don’t you, Connie?”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” she agreed, “but not without telling Miss Gordon.”</p> - -<p>The three girls remained within view of the tree<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">103</a></span> house. Seeing Jane -shaking out a rag on the balcony, they waved frantically to her.</p> - -<p>“What’s wrong now?” she shouted back.</p> - -<p>Connie held up the arrow with the message attached.</p> - -<p>“Jeepers creepers! I want to see that!” cried Jane. Dropping the rug, -she started down the stairway.</p> - -<p>Made aware that something exciting had occurred, the other Brownies and -Miss Gordon quickly joined the group below.</p> - -<p>Carefully the teacher read the note. “This may be another joke those -boys are playing,” she said slowly. “On the other hand, we’ve had many -pleasant surprises since we came to the park.”</p> - -<p>“Let’s follow instructions,” urged Veve. “It won’t take long to dash to -the rustic bridge and see what’s what.”</p> - -<p>“Veve and I could go,” offered Connie, equally excited.</p> - -<p>This proposal, however, the teacher rejected. “No, we’ll all hike there -together,” she decided. “It may be another trick those mischievous boys -have played. If so, I want to be along.”</p> - -<p>The person or persons who had shot the arrow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">104</a></span> were nowhere visible. -Hastening along the trail without seeing anyone, the six girls and -their leader soon reached the rustic bridge.</p> - -<p>Connie gazed carefully about. No one was within view.</p> - -<p>“It’s a trick,” she announced.</p> - -<p>“Maybe it isn’t,” insisted Veve. “Someone has been here.”</p> - -<p>“That’s so,” agreed Miss Gordon. “I see smoke coming from one of the -fireplaces. Someone built a fire there.”</p> - -<p>The Brownies walked over to the stone fireplace. The wood had burned -down to cherry coals which were exactly right to broil steaks.</p> - -<p>An iron frying pan stood ready for use, filled with uncooked meat. On -the back of the fire a kettle of thick bean soup gently simmered.</p> - -<p>“Uhm, uhm,” murmured Rosemary, “does that ever smell delicious?”</p> - -<p>“Just the sort of food for a fall day,” added Jane enviously.</p> - -<p>Connie had been looking over the rustic table near the fireplace. -Buttered buns were in a paper sack, and there was an ample supply of -paper plates and plastic tableware.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">105</a></span> -“Oh, just the sight of this food is driving me wild!” Rosemary moaned. -“Let’s get away from here quick!”</p> - -<p>“I wonder where the picnickers are who started the fire?” Veve -speculated.</p> - -<p>“And the mysterious person who shot that arrow!” added Jane -indignantly. “We’ve been taken in again.”</p> - -<p>“No, we haven’t!” Connie suddenly exclaimed.</p> - -<p>Turning toward her, the other girls saw that she had picked up a sheet -of paper from the rustic wooden table.</p> - -<p>“Here’s another message!” she announced. “It’s in the same handwriting -as the one attached to the arrow!”</p> - -<p>The girls clustered about her.</p> - -<p>“What does it say?” Sunny demanded impatiently.</p> - -<p>“TO THE BROWNIES,” Connie began, reading aloud.</p> - -<p>“Why, that’s us!” laughed Jane. “What about the food?”</p> - -<p>“The message says: ‘EVERYTHING HERE IS FOR SIX LITTLE GIRLS WHO LIVE IN -A TREE HOUSE.’”</p> - -<p>“That IS us!” shouted Jane. “Hurrah!”</p> - -<p>“What a glorious surprise!” yelled Veve, capering<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">106</a></span> about. “Especially -after our tree house was left in such a mess.”</p> - -<p>“Let’s start those steaks to broiling,” urged Jane. “I can eat a dozen -of ’em myself.”</p> - -<p>“With the lunch we brought from home, we’ll really have a feast,” -laughed Miss Gordon. “My, that soup smells delicious!”</p> - -<p>“How will we serve it?” asked Connie in perplexity.</p> - -<p>Rosemary, who had been peering into another sack, produced a nest of -paper cups.</p> - -<p>“We can use these for the soup,” she announced. “Whoever gave us this -wonderful meal thought of everything.”</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon directed Jane and Eileen to hike back to the tree house for -the cold food which had been left there.</p> - -<p>“Make certain that Mr. Vincent hasn’t arrived for lunch belatedly,” she -advised. “If he should be there, invite him to join us. I’m sure he’ll -like a hot meal much better than the one we prepared.”</p> - -<p>The two girls were gone nearly fifteen minutes. When they returned -carrying the picnic baskets, the steaks were nearly done.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">107</a></span> -Jane assured Miss Gordon that Sam Vincent had not put in an appearance -at the tree house.</p> - -<p>“Too bad,” declared Veve, hovering near the fire. “If only he had come, -we could have offered him a real meal.”</p> - -<p>All the Brownies and Miss Gordon as well were convinced that Mr. -Vincent had forgotten about the luncheon invitation.</p> - -<p>“He isn’t coming or he’d have arrived a half hour ago,” Connie said. -“Let’s eat!”</p> - -<p>Soon the steaks were ready. The girls filed past Miss Gordon, each -receiving a cup of steaming soup and a hot sandwich.</p> - -<p>Gathered on either side of the wooden table, they excitedly discussed -who might have prepared the feast for them. Their mysterious benefactor -was nowhere to be seen. Nor had he left any clue as to his identity.</p> - -<p>“The brownies must have done it,” chuckled Veve. “The imaginary ones I -mean.”</p> - -<p>“I wish we knew who built the tree house,” Connie said, taking a large -bite of sandwich. “The person who did that must have planned this -surprise for us too.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">108</a></span> -Eileen asked Miss Gordon if she had any idea who might have provided -the meal.</p> - -<p>“Not the slightest,” the teacher said, placing another pan of steak -on the coals. “I did have a thought about the tree house, but this -completely baffles me.”</p> - -<p>Before the girls could question Miss Gordon as to the person she had in -mind, Connie unexpectedly held up her hand in a signal for silence.</p> - -<p>“Listen!” she commanded.</p> - -<p>Startled, the other girls became quiet.</p> - -<p>Distinctly, they could hear someone approaching on the trail. As yet -they could see only a slight movement of the bushes.</p> - -<p>“Keep quiet, everyone!” whispered Connie. “Someone is coming this way. -Who knows? It may be the person who planned this nice surprise for -us—the one who shot the arrow.”</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">109</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="chapter_11" id="chapter_11"></a>CHAPTER 11<br /> -<span>Mischievous Boys</span></h2> - - -<p class="noi">AS the Brownie Scouts waited by the picnic table, an old lady came into -view on the trail. In her hand she carried an empty sack.</p> - -<p>“It’s Mrs. Myles, the button lady!” exclaimed Veve.</p> - -<p>“And she’s carrying that sack again!” murmured Eileen. “I wonder what -she does with it?”</p> - -<p>By this time, Mrs. Myles had seen the Brownies. She slackened her -pace. Then, as if aware that she could not retreat without being very -obvious, she reluctantly came on toward them.</p> - -<p>“Let’s ask her to share our lunch,” suggested Connie impulsively. -“Perhaps she’ll tell us more about the old buttons she has at her home.”</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon said she thought it would be very nice indeed to extend the -invitation.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">110</a></span> -Veve and Connie ran to greet the woman. Mrs. Myles seemed a trifle -embarrassed at meeting them again. They noticed too that she tried to -keep them from seeing the empty sack.</p> - -<p>“Mrs. Myles, do have luncheon with us,” Connie invited cordially. -“Doesn’t the steak smell delicious?”</p> - -<p>“My goodness, it does!” exclaimed the old lady.</p> - -<p>“Do come,” urged Veve, tugging at her hand. “The Brownies want you to -tell them about old buttons.”</p> - -<p>Mrs. Myles allowed the girls to pull her over to the table.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know very much about buttons,” she apologized. “In fact, I -never thought on the subject until you young’uns came to my house to -ask if I had any.”</p> - -<p>As Connie introduced the other girls, Mrs. Myles’ bird-like gaze darted -from one person to another. The array of food on the table seemed to -fascinate her.</p> - -<p>“Steak,” she murmured. “Why, I haven’t tasted any since—well, never -mind.”</p> - -<p>Quickly the girls set a place for Mrs. Myles and filled her plate. -Remarking that she had not eaten much breakfast that day, the woman ate -greedily.</p> - -<p>Finally, when her plate had been refilled and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">111</a></span> emptied the second time, -she laughed self-consciously.</p> - -<p>“There! I’ve made a pig of myself! This crisp outdoor air gives one a -tremendous appetite.”</p> - -<p>Secretly, the Brownies wondered if Mrs. Myles had enough to eat at her -home. Of course, they were too polite to hint at such a thing.</p> - -<p>After lunch, the girls questioned their guest about buttons. Despite -the fact that she owned a match holder made of them, she did not know -the history of any of the odd types.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon, though, described milk glass buttons, hair buttons, -lithographs, those of carved bone, horn buttons, gold coin, brass, -pewter and kinds the girls never had heard of before.</p> - -<p>“Why, I’m sure I have samples of some of those!” Mrs. Myles declared -in astonishment. “When I return home, I’ll see. If I have them, the -Brownies may have every single one. But not the match holder!”</p> - -<p>Thanking the girls for the delicious lunch, Mrs. Myles picked up her -sack and went on her way. She did not say where she was going or why -she came to the park so regularly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">112</a></span> -“What do you suppose she does with that sack?” Sunny speculated.</p> - -<p>“Perhaps she gathers wood or sticks,” suggested Jane.</p> - -<p>This explanation did not satisfy the other Brownies. They pointed out -that if Mrs. Myles needed wood, she could obtain it much nearer her -home.</p> - -<p>“This forest is filled with mysteries!” laughed Connie.</p> - -<p>“Our tree house is the greatest one of all,” agreed Veve, helping to -gather up the paper plates. “I’d give a lot to know who built it. Or -for that matter, who gave us this luncheon today.”</p> - -<p>“The brownies,” chuckled Jane. “Wasn’t that what you said, Veve?”</p> - -<p>“I was only joking. I don’t really believe in them. You have to admit -though, that it’s queer so many nice things keep happening to us.”</p> - -<p>“It wasn’t nice the way those mean boys broke into our playhouse,” -Sunny declared. “I do wish we had a lock on the door.”</p> - -<p>Of the opinion that Sam Vincent never would arrive for luncheon, the -girls cleared away the remains<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">113</a></span> of the meal. Paper napkins and plates -were burned and refuse dropped in a can provided for the purpose.</p> - -<p>Finally, when everything was spic and span, the girls started back to -the tree house.</p> - -<p>The six were trotting along the trail ahead of Miss Gordon when from -somewhere to the left, they heard a strange cry.</p> - -<p>For a moment the girls thought that the sound had been made by an -animal. Then they were certain that it was a human cry.</p> - -<p>“What was that?” Rosemary asked uneasily, pausing to listen.</p> - -<p>“I thought it sounded as if someone were shouting,” declared Jane.</p> - -<p>“It was a woman’s voice,” insisted Veve.</p> - -<p>“I heard several boys,” asserted Connie. “They were laughing!”</p> - -<p>Drawn by a confused babble, the girls turned down an off-shoot path to -try to discover what was wrong. Before they had gone many yards the -voices became plainer.</p> - -<p>“I can hear Mrs. Myles!” declared Veve. “She’s in trouble!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">114</a></span> -“It does sound that way,” agreed Miss Gordon, moving ahead of the -Brownies. “Hurry, girls! We must find out what is wrong.”</p> - -<p>At a dog trot, they all hastened on, soon coming to a small clearing. -As the trees opened up ahead, the girls plainly saw what was causing -the commotion.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Myles stood beneath the branches of a black walnut tree, hemmed in -by four boys. On the ground beside her lay a sack half filled with nuts.</p> - -<p>“Stealing walnuts—stealing walnuts!” the boys chanted.</p> - -<p>One of the naughty lads picked up a nut from the ground and threw it at -Mrs. Myles.</p> - -<p>As she angrily started toward him, another darted in and quickly upset -her sack of walnuts.</p> - -<p>“Why, those mean boys!” exclaimed Connie. “Stop it!”</p> - -<p>Her cry caused the four to turn quickly around. Seeing Miss Gordon and -so many Brownie Scouts, they knew that it would be wise to retreat.</p> - -<p>One of the boys hurled a walnut at Jane, but missed his aim.</p> - -<p>As the other girls started to gather up nuts to return the barrage, the -four doers of mischief ran away.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">115</a></span> -“Are you hurt?” Miss Gordon asked, hastening to the old woman’s side.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Myles murmured that she was quite all right. “But those dreadful -boys—see what they did,” she mumbled, her gaze on the spilled sack of -walnuts.</p> - -<p>“Never mind,” the Brownie leader comforted her. “That can be quickly -remedied.”</p> - -<p>Taking their cue from Miss Gordon, the girls began to gather up the -scattered nuts. For the first time they realized that Mrs. Myles had -tried to keep them from learning why she came to the park area.</p> - -<p>“She’s been gathering nuts in that sack we’ve seen her carry,” Veve -whispered to Connie. “Do you suppose she is taking them without -permission?”</p> - -<p>Now Mrs. Myles was deeply embarrassed to find herself in such a -situation. Although she did not hear what Veve said to Connie, she knew -that the Brownies must be wondering about her.</p> - -<p>“It isn’t true that I am stealing nuts,” she said quietly. “Mr. -Karwhite gave me permission to take as many as I like.”</p> - -<p>“I’m sure he did,” agreed Miss Gordon. “Don’t be disturbed by anything -those boys said or did. They are very badly behaved and have caused -considerable trouble in the park.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">116</a></span> -After the Brownies had picked up all of the scattered nuts, they -offered to escort Mrs. Myles to her horse and buggy.</p> - -<p>“This sack really is too heavy for you to carry,” Miss Gordon said -somewhat anxiously.</p> - -<p>By this time, although Mrs. Myles had not said so, the Brownies guessed -that she gathered nuts because she needed them for food.</p> - -<p>Connie and Veve, who had visited her rundown home, were certain of it.</p> - -<p>Walking with Mrs. Myles to the road, the girls took turns carrying the -heavy sack of walnuts. The horse and buggy were within view, when from -a slope above the trail a small stone clattered down.</p> - -<p>“Someone threw that!” declared Miss Gordon, halting.</p> - -<p>Another pebble came skipping down the steep bank, striking Sunny on the -leg. Although it did not hurt much, she let out a sharp cry.</p> - -<p>“It’s those boys again!” shouted Jane furiously. “Come on, let’s teach -them a lesson!”</p> - -<p>She and Sunny were carrying the bag of walnuts at the moment. Dropping -it on the trail, they started up the slope. The other Brownies were -almost at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">117</a></span> their heels. Miss Gordon and Mrs. Myles, fearful that the -girls might be injured if it came to a fight, started after them.</p> - -<p>The boys, however, easily eluded their pursuers. Shouting taunts, they -darted down and seized the abandoned sack of walnuts.</p> - -<p>“Oh, they’re going off with them!” cried Veve in dismay.</p> - -<p>Four boys were in the group. One was tall and large enough to be -fifteen years of age. The others, who seemed to follow his orders, were -younger.</p> - -<p>“Ya! Ya! Ya!” they mocked the Brownies. “Stealing walnuts! Stealing -walnuts!”</p> - -<p>“That’s not so!” shouted Jane. “You’re the ones who mixed up the park -signs!”</p> - -<p>“Put that sack of nuts down!” ordered Veve. “Don’t you dare—”</p> - -<p>The older boy, who had slung the sack over his shoulder, deliberately -untied the cord as if to empty the contents upon the ground.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon tried to reason with him, but he paid no attention to -anything she said.</p> - -<p>“Take one step down the slope, and I’ll dump ’em all!” he challenged.</p> - -<p>“What possible fun can you see in making work<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">118</a></span> for a nice lady?” Miss -Gordon asked, edging a little closer. “Did she ever make any trouble -for you?”</p> - -<p>“She’s been stealing walnuts,” the boy repeated.</p> - -<p>His companions took up the hateful chant: “Stealing walnuts—stealing -walnuts.”</p> - -<p>“You’re just saying that to be mean!” Jane accused. “We know very well -that you’re the ones who mixed up the tree signs and broke into our -playhouse.”</p> - -<p>“You ought to be reported to the police!” Eileen added.</p> - -<p>“Please be reasonable and put down Mrs. Myles’ sack,” requested Miss -Gordon.</p> - -<p>“Like fun!” retorted the eldest boy in the group. “I just guess I’ll -take these nuts home!”</p> - -<p>Slinging the sack over his shoulder again, he started away.</p> - -<p>Now the Brownies could not know whether he was merely trying to goad -them or whether he meant to take the walnuts.</p> - -<p>At any rate, with one accord they started down the slope in pursuit. -But the other three boys blocked off the trail.</p> - -<p>“If they want a fight, let’s give it to ’em!” shouted Jane.</p> - -<p>Trouble certainly would have developed save for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">119</a></span> the timely arrival of -Mr. Karwhite. The park superintendent, who had been working nearby, had -been drawn by the loud cries.</p> - -<p>Wondering what might be amiss, he came hurrying up the trail.</p> - -<p>“What’s going on here?” he demanded.</p> - -<p>His appearance was enough to frighten the four boys.</p> - -<p>“Beat it fellows!”</p> - -<p>With this warning to his three companions, the eldest culprit dropped -the sack of nuts, and fled through the trees.</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">120</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="chapter_12" id="chapter_12"></a>CHAPTER 12<br /> -<span>Help for Mrs. Myles</span></h2> - - -<p class="noi">MR. Karwhite did not attempt to pursue the fleeing boys.</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, he had recognized one of the gang.</p> - -<p>“The taller boy was Al Bramowitz, unless I’m mistaken,” he told Miss -Gordon. “He’s frequently been in trouble with the police and Juvenile -Court authorities.”</p> - -<p>“Those boys never should be permitted in the park again,” declared Mrs. -Myles. “Why, they are hoodlums!”</p> - -<p>The park superintendent assured both Miss Gordon and Mrs. Myles that -the boys would be ordered away.</p> - -<p>“First, though, I have to catch them,” Mr. Karwhite said grimly. “That -won’t be easy. They slip over the fence and then run off whenever they -see me approaching.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">121</a></span> -“Perhaps the Brownies can help you,” suggested Eileen.</p> - -<p>“You certainly might,” agreed the park superintendent. “If ever you see -those scamps changing trail signs or causing anyone annoyance, report -to me at once.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Karwhite picked up Mrs. Myles’ sack of nuts, offering to carry it -to the roadside for her.</p> - -<p>“Thank you,” she murmured gratefully. “I’ll go directly home. Meeting -those boys has upset me dreadfully.”</p> - -<p>Saying good-bye to the old lady, Miss Gordon and the Brownie Scouts -went on to the tree house where they had left a few belongings.</p> - -<p>“It’s downright queer who fixed that meal for us,” Connie remarked as -they walked along. “Could it have been Mr. Karwhite?”</p> - -<p>“The possibility occurred to me,” Miss Gordon admitted. “He seems very -busy though. I doubt he would have time for such doings.”</p> - -<p>“He didn’t act as if he knew anything about it either,” chimed in Veve.</p> - -<p>The Brownies were equally certain that Mrs. Myles had played no part in -the pleasant surprise.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">122</a></span> By now they were firmly convinced that she had -none too much food herself.</p> - -<p>“That’s why she tried to keep us from learning what she did with the -sack,” Jane declared. “She was ashamed to have anyone know she gathered -nuts for food.”</p> - -<p>Presently, the Brownie Scouts came within view of the big oak tree.</p> - -<p>Rosemary, who led the line of girls, was the first to see that someone -stood on the balcony of the tree house.</p> - -<p>“We have a visitor!” she informed the others.</p> - -<p>“Oh, great toads!” exclaimed Veve, recognizing the man. “It’s Mr. -Vincent!”</p> - -<p>The Brownie Scouts were dumbfounded. With one accord, they halted on -the trail to discuss the embarrassing situation.</p> - -<p>“He’s here for lunch!” Connie said. “And all the food is eaten!”</p> - -<p>“What can we do?” Jane demanded. “If this isn’t a pickle!”</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon consulted her watch. “It’s well past one o’clock,” she -said. “I can’t think Mr. Vincent would have expected us to wait so -long. At any rate, all we can do now is to explain what happened.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">123</a></span> -Rather reluctantly, the Brownies went on to meet their visitor.</p> - -<p>Seeing the girls, Mr. Vincent came quickly down the stairway.</p> - -<p>“Am I late for luncheon?” he asked with a broad smile.</p> - -<p>Then as the Brownies looked very unhappy indeed, he said quickly:</p> - -<p>“To tell you the truth, I’ve had my meal. I didn’t think you would -expect me.”</p> - -<p>“But we did!” declared Connie in relief. “Only we thought you would -come much earlier.”</p> - -<p>“So we ate up all the food ourselves,” added Veve truthfully.</p> - -<p>Mr. Vincent assured the girls that it did not matter in the least.</p> - -<p>“My real purpose in coming was to see this wonderful tree house,” he -announced. “I’ve already looked in, but I’d like a personally conducted -tour.”</p> - -<p>The Brownies were proud to show the carpenter their playhouse. He -inspected every nook and corner, declaring that it was sturdily built -and safe even in event of a severe wind storm.</p> - -<p>“We know that!” laughed Connie ruefully. “The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">124</a></span> house is very snug. We -need a lock on the door though, to keep mischievous boys away.”</p> - -<p>“And a little stove to keep us warm,” added Veve, shivering in the -chill wind.</p> - -<p>“Both could be easily acquired,” the carpenter assured the girls. “Tell -you what! I’ll see that a lock is put on the door.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, fine!” shouted Jane. “I guess that will keep those boys out of our -place!”</p> - -<p>“And it will be another wish come true,” declared Veve. “First, we -received this adorable tree house, and its furnishings. Then our dinner -mysteriously appeared!”</p> - -<p>“Mr. Vincent, you didn’t see anyone building a fire in the stone -chimney near the rustic bridge, did you?” Rosemary inquired.</p> - -<p>“Why, no,” the carpenter replied. He replied rather absently for he was -carefully looking over the interior of the playhouse. “I think a little -stove could be put in here very easily,” he told the girls. “It would -be no trick to run the pipe up through the roof.”</p> - -<p>“Then we’d be warm and cozy on the coldest days!” cried Connie. “We -could use this house almost until the snow flies.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">125</a></span> -“Let’s all wish hard for the little stove,” laughed Veve.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon asked the carpenter if he really thought it would be safe -to have a stove in the little house.</p> - -<p>“As safe as in any home on the ground,” he reassured her.</p> - -<p>“The stove would be used only when I am here,” the Brownie Scout leader -said, thinking aloud. “And it would make the room much cozier.”</p> - -<p>“Then the stove is the same as ours right now!” chuckled Sunny. “Let’s -all wish for it, girls.”</p> - -<p>The Brownies noticed that Mr. Vincent was estimating distances with his -eye. They couldn’t be sure, of course, but they thought he might be -thinking of installing the stove for them.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon seemed to think so too, for she gratefully told the -carpenter that it was nice of him to take an interest in the tree house -and the activities of the troop.</p> - -<p>“I enjoy doing it,” he replied. “Someday I may ask a favor in return.”</p> - -<p>“You must come for luncheon—really come I mean,” urged Connie.</p> - -<p>“Maybe we can get the park brownies to cook<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">126</a></span> it for us,” laughed Veve -in high humor. “They did a good job today!”</p> - -<p>Mr. Vincent apparently did not understand the remark, so the girls told -him of the mysterious manner in which their luncheon had appeared.</p> - -<p>Veve elaborated too upon their meeting with the group of boys who had -pelted Mrs. Myles with walnuts.</p> - -<p>“Mrs. Myles?” the carpenter repeated in surprise. “Does she come here -to the park?”</p> - -<p>“We’ve seen her twice,” revealed Rosemary. “Each time she brought her -sack with her.”</p> - -<p>“She gathers nuts,” contributed Eileen, aware that the conversation -interested the carpenter. “We think she has to have them for food.”</p> - -<p>“Her house is run down and she’s very poor,” added Veve. “We didn’t see -much to eat in the house when we went there looking for buttons.”</p> - -<p>“Of course we don’t know how much she had in the cupboards,” Connie -said truthfully. “She did have some nice warm bread.”</p> - -<p>“The Brownies are judging from superficial evidence,” remarked Miss -Gordon. She did not want Mr. Vincent to think that the girls were -gossiping about the old lady behind her back.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">127</a></span> -“Nevertheless, I’m afraid what they say may be true,” declared the -carpenter, looking troubled. “Years ago—well, I knew Mrs. Myles -very well indeed. She never had much money. I’m alarmed lest she may -actually be in need and not let anyone know because of her pride.”</p> - -<p>“Doesn’t she have any children to look after her?” inquired Rosemary -earnestly.</p> - -<p>“No, the only child she ever had died in infancy. Her husband too has -been dead many years. He left her almost nothing except the farm which -eats itself up in taxes.”</p> - -<p>“Hasn’t she any sisters or brothers?” This question was posed by Eileen.</p> - -<p>“She did have a brother,” Mr. Vincent replied. “He tried repeatedly to -help her, but Mrs. Myles is proud. She refused to accept any assistance -from him.”</p> - -<p>“You know Mrs. Myles real well, don’t you?” remarked Veve.</p> - -<p>“I’ve not seen her in several years,” the carpenter replied. “That is, -not to speak to her. I do see her driving along the road sometimes in -her buggy. Each time she looks thinner and more tired—”</p> - -<p>Mr. Vincent broke off to gaze speculatively at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">128</a></span> the Brownies. The girls -could tell that he had thought of some plan which involved them.</p> - -<p>In this they were right too, for an instant later he said:</p> - -<p>“How would you girls like to help Mrs. Myles?”</p> - -<p>“HOP is our motto!” chuckled Veve.</p> - -<p>Mr. Vincent did not understand what she meant, so Miss Gordon explained -that HOP was a code used by the Brownies. The letters stood for “Help -Other People.”</p> - -<p>“‘DYB’ means ‘Do Your Best,’” supplied Rosemary eagerly. “We make up -lots of code words.”</p> - -<p>“We’d like to help Mrs. Myles,” declared Connie, thinking how nice the -old lady had been about giving away buttons. “How do we go about it?”</p> - -<p>“I’m not certain what she needs,” replied the carpenter thoughtfully. -“Undoubtedly she is short of money, but that may be a delicate matter. -Suppose we start by making certain she has ample food.”</p> - -<p>“Do you think she would like to accept charity?” Connie asked.</p> - -<p>“She would refuse,” Mr. Vincent answered. “If I offered her anything, -she would turn it down. There’s only one way.”</p> - -<p>“What’s that?” questioned Veve.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">129</a></span> -“We must make it into a game. Furthermore, she must think that -everything given to her comes from the Brownie Scouts.”</p> - -<p>“While you’ll actually be the one doing it?” asked Veve.</p> - -<p>“I’ll supply the money to buy anything needed. For a long while I’ve -wanted to help Mrs. Myles. This is my chance.”</p> - -<p>The Brownie Scouts very much wanted to co-operate in the plan, but they -had no idea how to begin.</p> - -<p>“I live not far from here,” explained Mr. Vincent. “At the first white -house on the main highway after one passes the park entrance gate.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I know that place!” cried Connie, recalling the well-kept lawn.</p> - -<p>“Suppose the Brownies come to my house tomorrow after school,” the -carpenter suggested. “My wife will have two baskets of food ready to -take to Mrs. Myles.”</p> - -<p>“What if she refuses to accept them?” murmured Connie anxiously.</p> - -<p>“That’s where the Brownies must use psychology. Ever hear of the word?”</p> - -<p>“I guess it means getting folks to do something<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">130</a></span> you want ’em to -without letting ’em know they’re being twisted around your little -finger!” chuckled Veve.</p> - -<p>“I have an idea,” proposed Miss Gordon, who had listened attentively -to the carpenter’s proposal. “The Brownies might act out the story of -Little Red Riding Hood going through the woods to Grandmother’s house.”</p> - -<p>“I want to be Red Riding Hood!” shouted Veve. “May I wear a red cape?”</p> - -<p>“You don’t own a red cape,” cut in Jane. “But I do! I have a bright red -rain cape, but it’s much too large for you!”</p> - -<p>“We’ll decide later who is to be Red Riding Hood,” said Miss Gordon, -settling the argument before it was well started.</p> - -<p>“Then I may count on the Brownies to help me?” asked Mr. Vincent, -pleased that the girls had taken so enthusiastically to the proposal.</p> - -<p>“We’ll be at your home Monday right after school,” Veve promised.</p> - -<p>Mr. Vincent soon departed, but before he left he promised the Brownies -again he would see that a lock was put on the door of the tree house.</p> - -<p>“He’s real nice,” declared Rosemary, watching<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">131</a></span> until the carpenter was -out of sight on the trail. “Imagine offering to help Mrs. Myles—almost -a stranger!”</p> - -<p>“She may be a stranger to us, but he knows her well,” Connie declared -thoughtfully. “Didn’t you notice how he listened to every word we said -about her?”</p> - -<p>“He’s well acquainted with her—or was,” agreed Veve. “I think he has a -special reason for wanting us to help her—one he isn’t telling about.”</p> - -<p>“Mr. Vincent did act mysteriously,” Connie admitted. “And don’t you -remember, Veve? Mrs. Myles bristled up the other day when we mentioned -Mr. Vincent’s name!”</p> - -<p>“That’s so!” Veve replied. “Oh, playing Red Riding Hood will be a lot -of fun! Not only can we help Mrs. Myles, but we may run into some very -interesting information!”</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">132</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="chapter_13" id="chapter_13"></a>CHAPTER 13<br /> -<span>Grievous Trouble</span></h2> - - -<p class="noi">“MY, what a big mouth you have!” teased Veve, pretending to gaze in -horror at Rosemary’s tiny set of even teeth.</p> - -<p>“The better to eat you with, my dear,” responded Rosemary, making a -playful lunge at her friend.</p> - -<p>In high spirits the two were playing “wolf,” acting out the lines from -Little Red Riding Hood.</p> - -<p>The entire Brownie Scout troop was en route after school to the home of -Sam Vincent. By common consent it had been decided that Jane, who owned -the only red cape, was to be Little Red Riding Hood.</p> - -<p>The carpenter’s house of white clapboards was not large, but had been -well built. A tidy workman, he had surrounded the yard with a neat -picket fence, freshly painted.</p> - -<p>As they entered through the ornamental gate, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">133</a></span> girls saw Mr. Vincent -trimming dead wood from a bush in the yard.</p> - -<p>“We’re right on time!” sang out Jane. “I’m Red Riding Hood. Are the -baskets ready to take to Mrs. Myles?”</p> - -<p>“They certainly are,” the carpenter assured her. “My wife has packed -them so full of good things to eat that I’m afraid they may be too -heavy for even husky Brownie Scouts to carry.”</p> - -<p>When the girls saw the two well-filled baskets, they were inclined to -share the carpenter’s opinion.</p> - -<p>One of the baskets contained a pie and a cake and several pounds of -smoked meat, besides numerous other small items.</p> - -<p>The larger basket was loaded with staple items such as coffee, tea, -sugar and flour.</p> - -<p>“I’ll take you most of the way in my car,” Mr. Vincent offered. “Then -when we come within view of Mrs. Myles’ house, you may go on alone. -Remember—you must never hint to anyone that my wife and I furnished -this food.”</p> - -<p>The Brownies promised to keep the secret.</p> - -<p>Everyone crowded into Mr. Vincent’s automobile, although it was a very -tight squeeze. Miss Gordon sat in front, holding the two baskets.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">134</a></span> -“This is as far as I dare go,” Mr. Vincent announced when the car -rolled over a hill and the tumble-down Myles home was seen ahead. -“Think you can manage those heavy baskets without me?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, we’ll take turns carrying them, even if I am Red Riding -Hood,” declared Jane quickly.</p> - -<p>Mr. Vincent handed the baskets down from the car after the girls had -scrambled out.</p> - -<p>“Now don’t forget!” he said in final warning. “Even if Mrs. Myles -questions you, don’t let her know I sent the food.”</p> - -<p>“We won’t,” promised Connie.</p> - -<p>“If you can, without seeming to ask too many questions, learn if she -needs money,” the carpenter urged. “We may be able to find a way to -help her.”</p> - -<p>Carrying the heavy baskets, the Brownie Scouts trudged on to the Myles -home.</p> - -<p>Jane had been coached in her lines. When Mrs. Myles presently opened -the door, she made a very pretty speech about being Little Red Riding -Hood.</p> - -<p>“And I’m the big bad wolf!” added Veve, not to be cut out of the act.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Myles gazed at the two baskets filled to overflowing with -attractively wrapped foods.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">135</a></span> -“Dear me!” she exclaimed. “Red Riding Hood and the Wolf, eh? And what -is this?”</p> - -<p>“Baskets of food we’ve brought through the woods,” said Jane quickly. -“You’re supposed to be Grandma and take the gifts.”</p> - -<p>“Come in, come in,” Mrs. Myles invited, belatedly thinking of her -manners.</p> - -<p>She seemed very flustered as she examined the many packages. The girls -could not tell at first whether or not she was offended.</p> - -<p>“Now I’m sure you have all of these things,” Miss Gordon said. “The -Brownie Scouts like to be helpful, and they especially appreciated the -way you gave them buttons the other day. I hope you don’t mind humoring -them in this little game.”</p> - -<p>“Mind?” Mrs. Myles laughed rather excitedly. “I’ve needed some of these -things for a long while.” Aware that she was revealing too much about -herself, the woman added hastily: “The grocery store is so far from -here, I don’t buy as regularly as I should.”</p> - -<p>“Then you’ll keep the things?” Jane demanded.</p> - -<p>“I’ll be glad to, my dear.” To Jane’s embarrassment, she stooped and -imprinted a prim little kiss on the end of her freckled nose.</p> - -<p>“Since it’s so hard for you to get to the grocery<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">136</a></span> store, perhaps we -could do some of your shopping for you,” offered Veve. “What else would -you like to have?”</p> - -<p>“Dear me, I need potatoes and dried beans,” Mrs. Myles revealed. “I -would like material for a new dress and—”</p> - -<p>She stopped at that point and laughed self-consciously.</p> - -<p>“Thank you, my dears, for offering to do my buying for me. I appreciate -your thoughtfulness. A check I’ve been expecting for several weeks -hasn’t come, so I will have to wait a few more days.”</p> - -<p>The Brownies knew then that Mrs. Myles did not have enough money to -purchase the things she needed. This information they would relay to -Mr. Vincent.</p> - -<p>As the girls talked, they heard a loud rap on the front door.</p> - -<p>“Now who can that be?” murmured Mrs. Myles.</p> - -<p>While the Brownie Scouts waited, she went to open the door.</p> - -<p>The girls heard a low murmur of voices. Although they made no -attempt to listen, they could not fail to catch a few phrases of the -conversation.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">137</a></span> -Mrs. Myles was talking with a man whom she seemed unwilling to admit to -the house.</p> - -<p>“I’ll do the best I can, Mr. Jennings,” they heard her tell the caller. -“Don’t press me too hard. I work and slave but I can’t make ends meet.”</p> - -<p>“I know, Mrs. Myles,” the man replied with sympathy. “I hated to come -here today. But you know how it is. I’m merely an employee of the bank.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll pay on the loan as soon as I can. You have my promise.”</p> - -<p>“We know you mean well, Mrs. Myles. But the bank already has given you -an extension of time. You owe three hundred and fifty dollars, not -counting the main note of nine hundred and eighty dollars.”</p> - -<p>“I can’t pay it this month,” Mrs. Myles said nervously. “Please go away -now—I have guests.”</p> - -<p>“Very well,” the bank employee said politely. “In due time you will -receive written notice of our action. We deeply regret it but to -protect our own interests we must collect.”</p> - -<p>“Action?” the old lady asked in a quavering voice. “What action do you -mean?”</p> - -<p>“We must foreclose this property. In fact, steps already are being -taken.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">138</a></span> -“Oh, no!”</p> - -<p>The voices dropped to a murmur again and the Brownies heard no more of -the conversation. A moment later, however, Mrs. Myles closed the door -and returned to the girls.</p> - -<p>Her face was flushed but she spoke brightly to cover her embarrassment -and heart-break.</p> - -<p>“We were speaking of—buttons?” she inquired.</p> - -<p>“Groceries,” corrected Connie.</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, to be sure,” nodded Mrs. Myles. “Well, as I said, a check -I’ve been expecting has failed to arrive. So, although I very much -appreciate your offer, I can’t allow you to put yourselves to the -trouble of assisting me with my shopping.”</p> - -<p>As the Brownies started to protest that they would be glad to bring -other baskets of food, Mrs. Myles firmly shook her head.</p> - -<p>“No, my dears. I understand you are trying to help me, but no one can.” -Her eyes filled with tears. “Please go now. I do not wish to be rude, -but I have grievous troubles. I must be alone to try to think of a -solution.”</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">139</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="chapter_14" id="chapter_14"></a>CHAPTER 14<br /> -<span>Mr. Vincent’s Disclosure</span></h2> - - -<p class="noi">THUS dismissed, the Brownies did not linger at Mrs. Myles’ home.</p> - -<p>However, once they were on the road again, en route to report to Mr. -Vincent, they discussed the snatch of overheard conversation.</p> - -<p>“Mrs. Myles is upset because she is afraid she will lose her home,” -Connie commented. “Miss Gordon, do you think the bank will take it away -from her?”</p> - -<p>“I’m very much afraid of it,” the teacher replied. “From what Mrs. -Myles said, I doubt she ever will be able to pay off the loan on her -property.”</p> - -<p>“What’s a loan?” demanded Rosemary, who knew little of business matters.</p> - -<p>“When Mrs. Myles found herself in financial need, she undoubtedly went -to the bank and asked if the officials there would advance her a little -money. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">140</a></span> assume that they agreed to do so, but to protect themselves, -took a mortgage or lien on her property.”</p> - -<p>“And now that she can’t repay the money, they’re entitled to claim the -house,” supplied Eileen.</p> - -<p>“The house and possibly its contents will be sold at sheriff’s sale,” -Miss Gordon explained. “Of course if more money should be obtained -than the amount Mrs. Myles owes the bank, then she would receive the -difference.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t think that place will bring much,” said Sunny dubiously.</p> - -<p>“Nor do I,” agreed Miss Gordon. “I’m afraid Mrs. Myles is in a serious -predicament. I only wish we could help her.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe Mr. Vincent will think of a way,” suggested Connie. “He’s very -much interested.”</p> - -<p>The carpenter was waiting in the yard when the Brownies straggled in, -carrying their empty baskets. Eagerly he went to meet them at the gate.</p> - -<p>“She kept the food?” he asked. “How did she take it?”</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon related the entire conversation with Mrs. Myles. As she -added that the woman did not seem to have enough food, his face became -deeply troubled.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">141</a></span> -“I was afraid of it,” he nodded. “Well, we’ll see to it that she gets -baskets regularly.”</p> - -<p>“Mrs. Myles said not to bring any more food,” Veve interposed. -“Besides, she has a worse problem.”</p> - -<p>“How is that?”</p> - -<p>The girls told him of the conversation they had overheard.</p> - -<p>As Mr. Vincent listened, he kept moving the gate back and forth. In his -nervousness he did not notice that it was making an unpleasant creaking -sound.</p> - -<p>“Oh, this is serious!” he exclaimed. “I didn’t know she had mortgaged -her place. In that case, she hasn’t anything left!”</p> - -<p>The Brownies thought it odd that the carpenter seemed so distressed by -Mrs. Myles’ misfortune. They very much wanted to help the old lady too, -but the matter did not excite them as it did Mr. Vincent.</p> - -<p>“Exactly what did the bank man say?” he questioned the girls.</p> - -<p>They related the conversation as best they could, telling of the sums -the bank employee had mentioned.</p> - -<p>“She must owe at least $1,330,” Mr. Vincent calculated. “That’s a tidy -sum. Mrs. Myles couldn’t<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">142</a></span> raise it in a year. Unless someone helps her, -she’s certain to lose her home.”</p> - -<p>“Quite soon too,” added Miss Gordon. “We heard the man from the bank -say action already had been started.”</p> - -<p>“Do you know of any way to help Mrs. Myles?” Veve asked the carpenter.</p> - -<p>“Yes, I do,” he replied. “I could pay off the loan myself if she would -permit me to do it.”</p> - -<p>Even Miss Gordon was amazed by this generous offer.</p> - -<p>“The loan amounts to considerable,” she commented.</p> - -<p>“Yes, but I have a comfortable home of my own and a savings account. I -would like to help Mrs. Myles. The question is, will she permit it?”</p> - -<p>“She might, now that she is in such desperate circumstance,” said Miss -Gordon thoughtfully. “Why not go to her and—”</p> - -<p>“No, that would never do. She would refuse to see me.”</p> - -<p>“How stupid!” exclaimed Sunny.</p> - -<p>“If Mrs. Myles is that proud, I don’t think she deserves any help,” -declared Jane, tossing her pigtails.</p> - -<p>Mr. Vincent smiled. “You don’t understand,” he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">143</a></span> said quietly. “My -acquaintance with Mrs. Myles goes back a long, long time. The story is -one I hesitate to tell.”</p> - -<p>“We don’t wish to pry into personal affairs,” Miss Gordon said quickly. -“Please don’t feel that you need to explain anything, Mr. Vincent.”</p> - -<p>“Nevertheless, you must wonder why I take such an interest in Mrs. -Myles.”</p> - -<p>“I’m sure she needs help. It’s very generous of you to concern -yourself.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I’m not such a charitable person by and large,” Mr. Vincent -belittled himself. “The truth is, I have a special reason for thinking -of Mrs. Myles’ welfare.”</p> - -<p>The Brownies listened attentively, certain that the carpenter was about -to make an interesting revelation.</p> - -<p>Nor were they disappointed. Taking a deep breath, Mr. Vincent went on:</p> - -<p>“You may not know this. Mrs. Myles dislikes me intensely. I might even -say she hates me.”</p> - -<p>“But why?” cut in Veve. “You’re awfully nice.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you,” he said, smiling down upon her. “To go on, Mrs. Myles -hasn’t spoken a word to me in years. My sister detests the ground I -walk on.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">144</a></span> -The Brownies wondered if they had heard correctly.</p> - -<p>“Your <em>sister</em>?” echoed Connie.</p> - -<p>Mr. Vincent nodded.</p> - -<p>“Now you know why I take a personal interest in Mrs. Myles,” he said. -“I want to help her and feel it is my duty to do so. But she will have -nothing to do with me.”</p> - -<p>“How strange!” exclaimed Sunny, unable to understand the odd situation. -“Why doesn’t Mrs. Myles like you?”</p> - -<p>The instant the question had been asked, the Brownies were sorry. Mr. -Vincent, they could see, did not want to answer.</p> - -<p>“It’s a long story and a painful one,” he said. “I’d prefer not to say -any more about it just now.”</p> - -<p>“Of course not,” agreed Miss Gordon promptly. “We’ll do anything we can -to help.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll appreciate it,” Mr. Vincent said soberly. “You might approach my -sister to see if she will accept the money. It will be difficult to -convince her though, and I’m very much afraid she’ll reject any offer -of help.”</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">145</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="chapter_15" id="chapter_15"></a>CHAPTER 15<br /> -<span>Watchful Waiting</span></h2> - - -<p class="noi">TWO days elapsed before the Brownie Scouts again found time to visit -their tree house in the metropolitan park.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, Mr. Vincent had made inquiry at the bank, learning the exact -amount of money owed by his sister.</p> - -<p>“Unless the sum is promptly paid, everything she owns will be sold at -auction,” he informed Miss Gordon. “I am told she not only mortgaged -her house, but all her furniture, too.”</p> - -<p>The Brownies were eager to see Mrs. Myles at once to ask her if she -would accept money from the carpenter.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon, however, held off making the call.</p> - -<p>“We will not speak to her of the matter until Mr. Vincent definitely -instructs us to present his offer,”<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">146</a></span> she decided. “This is a case in -which too much haste might ruin everything.”</p> - -<p>Dismissing Mrs. Myles temporarily from their thoughts, the girls hiked -once more to their tree house deep in the woods.</p> - -<p>“I wonder if Mr. Vincent put a lock on the door for us?” Connie -speculated as they reached the big oak tree.</p> - -<p>“He’s doing that tomorrow,” Miss Gordon answered. “When I talked with -him yesterday, he told me he had been too busy with other work to get -around to it.”</p> - -<p>“Then I guess we have no surprises in store for today,” Connie said, as -she started up the stairway.</p> - -<p>Veve had gone on ahead. “Yes, we have too!” she shouted.</p> - -<p>In a moment the other Brownies saw what the little girl meant.</p> - -<p>A tiny stove had been set up in the playhouse. The pipe was in and -everything appeared in readiness for a fire. Beside the stove was a -neat pile of wood and kindling.</p> - -<p>“Oh, do you suppose Mr. Vincent did this?” Veve cried.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">147</a></span> -“It’s possible,” admitted Miss Gordon. “He didn’t say a word about it -yesterday though when I talked to him about Mrs. Myles.”</p> - -<p>“Then maybe he didn’t do it,” said Eileen doubtfully.</p> - -<p>“Anyway it’s another wish come true!” laughed Sunny. “Oh, it will be -cozy here with a fire.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll be able to use our little house much later in the season too,” -added Eileen.</p> - -<p>The girls were all for building a fire immediately. However, Miss -Gordon said it would be necessary first to obtain permission from Mr. -Karwhite.</p> - -<p>“The park has strict rules about starting fires,” she reminded the -girls. “I feel certain it will be all right, but to avoid any possible -difficulty, we must ask permission.”</p> - -<p>“Let’s do it right away!” urged Veve.</p> - -<p>Leaving a few belongings in the tree house, the girls and their leader -tramped to the gate house. Mr. Karwhite was not there, but they found -him a short distance away, repairing a fence.</p> - -<p>“Hello, strangers,” he greeted them, putting aside his tools. “Haven’t -seen you for a long while.”</p> - -<p>“Two days,” laughed Connie. “While we were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">148</a></span> away, another splendid -surprise arrived at our tree house.”</p> - -<p>“No!”</p> - -<p>“A little stove,” explained Sunny. “Now we want permission to use it.”</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon assured the park superintendent that the stove had been -properly installed and appeared very safe.</p> - -<p>“The Brownies never will use it except when I am with them,” she added.</p> - -<p>“In that case you may use the stove whenever you like,” the park -superintendent consented.</p> - -<p>“We’d like to know who installed it for us,” Connie said. “Have you -seen Mr. Vincent here lately?”</p> - -<p>“Not that I recall. He comes and goes occasionally. As I said before, I -don’t pay too much attention.”</p> - -<p>“It’s certainly queer how that house of ours was built and no one knew -about it,” Jane murmured. “I’d like to find out who is responsible for -all our nice surprises.”</p> - -<p>“Finding out might detract from some of the fun,” suggested Miss -Gordon. “Why not enjoy the tree house and not worry too much about our -kind benefactor?”</p> - -<p>“The work must be done late in the afternoon or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">149</a></span> maybe at night,” Jane -went on thoughtfully. “You know what! I’d like to hide out and watch -sometime!”</p> - -<p>“Let’s!” proposed Sunny taking up the idea.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon did not encourage the girls in the matter, so the proposal -quickly was dropped.</p> - -<p>“We’re wasting valuable time,” Veve complained. Always impatient, she -was eager to return to the tree house. “Let’s get back and try out our -new stove!”</p> - -<p>“Race you!” challenged Jane.</p> - -<p>Off they ran with the other Brownies in pursuit.</p> - -<p>Veve and Jane, having a start of the others, were the first to reach -the tree house.</p> - -<p>“Say! Someone’s been here while we were away!” exclaimed Veve, pointing -to fresh footprints at the base of the oak tree.</p> - -<p>“I’ll bet a cent they went up into our tree house too,” Jane said -indignantly. “Oh, I’ll be glad when Mr. Vincent gets that lock put on -the door. Then we won’t have to worry about anyone breaking in.”</p> - -<p>Uneasy lest damage might have been done, the two girls swiftly ascended -the stairway. Veve pushed open the door.</p> - -<p>A squirrel sat on the table, nibbling at a nut.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">150</a></span> -“Why, the little scamp!” laughed Veve. “How did he get in here?”</p> - -<p>“Through the window.”</p> - -<p>“But we didn’t have the window open,” Veve recalled. “It’s chilly in -here and we kept it closed all the time.”</p> - -<p>“That’s so, we did,” recalled Jane, looking around. “Oh, see what’s -happened!”</p> - -<p>She pointed to the wood which had been scattered.</p> - -<p>“The squirrel didn’t do that!” cried Veve.</p> - -<p>“It must have been those mean boys again! They’re somewhere in the -park.”</p> - -<p>“I wish Mr. Karwhite could catch them at their tricks.”</p> - -<p>“So do I,” Jane muttered, starting to pick up the wood.</p> - -<p>The other Brownies came trooping up the stairs and were informed what -had occurred. By this time the squirrel had scampered away. Running -along the balcony rail, he leaped into a tree branch. From there he -chattered excitedly.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Squirrel is annoyed too!” Rosemary declared. “Oh, I wish we could -find those boys.”</p> - -<p>“They can’t be far from here,” Veve said.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">151</a></span> -“Let’s track them down,” proposed Jane. “We’ll arm ourselves with -sticks and—”</p> - -<p>“No, girls!” Miss Gordon reproved firmly. “That would never do.”</p> - -<p>“If we don’t stop them somehow, they’ll keep on wrecking our tree -house,” Eileen protested. “How are we going to catch them?”</p> - -<p>“I know!” proposed Veve suddenly. “Why don’t we hide out in the bushes -and keep watch? They may come sneaking back here.”</p> - -<p>“Probably they ran away because they saw us returning,” Jane added, -instantly falling in with the idea. “We could pretend to leave the -park, but not actually do it.”</p> - -<p>The girls now beseeched their leader to consent to the plan.</p> - -<p>“We might wait hours to no purpose,” she tried to discourage them.</p> - -<p>“I wouldn’t care if I had to stay all night!” Jane announced. “It would -be worth it to catch those bad boys.”</p> - -<p>The other Brownies said they felt the same way about it.</p> - -<p>“Very well,” Miss Gordon finally gave in. “We’ll<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">152</a></span> hide out for awhile. -Even if we aren’t successful, it may teach us how to be patient.”</p> - -<p>Putting the little house to rights, the Brownies gathered up all of -their personal possessions.</p> - -<p>When they were ready to leave, they closed the door of the tree house -and tacked a sign on the door which read:</p> - -<p>“Brownie Scout property. Please do not enter.”</p> - -<p>“There!” Veve said in satisfaction as they went down the stairway. “If -they deliberately disobey now, they’ll deserve to be arrested!”</p> - -<p>The Brownies walked a short distance down the trail. As they came to a -dividing path, they saw a group of four boys playing in a nearby pond. -The youngsters were tossing stones into the water.</p> - -<p>“There they are now!” exclaimed Jane. “I’m sure they’re the ones!”</p> - -<p>“We can’t be certain,” Miss Gordon said quietly. “Before we can turn -anyone in, they must be caught actually damaging our property. Keep -walking girls, and don’t look toward the pond.”</p> - -<p>Well aware that they would be watched by the group of boys, the Brownie -Scouts continued on the path until they no longer could see the pool.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">153</a></span> -“We’ll come to another trail a little farther on,” Miss Gordon said. -“By taking it we can double back to the tree house without being seen.”</p> - -<p>Convinced that the boys would take advantage of their absence to invade -the playhouse again, the Brownies hurried as fast as they could.</p> - -<p>However, when they reached the oak tree there was no indication anyone -had been there.</p> - -<p>“We haven’t given them very long,” said Miss Gordon. “Suppose we seek -hiding places.”</p> - -<p>Each girl found herself a hide-out amid the bushes. Jane and Veve were -the closest to the oak tree, sheltered by a heavy screen of branches -and leaves.</p> - -<p>For a time, it was very exciting to lie in wait. Each time a stick -crackled or any unusual sound was heard, the girls waited tensely, -certain that the boys were coming. But they never did.</p> - -<p>“Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all,” Jane said presently, -shifting her cramped legs. “How long have we been here now?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, fifteen or twenty minutes,” Veve replied.</p> - -<p>“It seems a couple of hours. I don’t think I want to wait much longer.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">154</a></span> -“You were the one who said you wouldn’t mind waiting all night!” Veve -reminded her.</p> - -<p>“Well, I’m getting tired. Besides, I don’t think they’re coming back. -Those boys probably are playing at the pond.”</p> - -<p>“You’re too impatient,” Veve chided her. “I’m not going to be the first -Brownie to quit. No, sir!”</p> - -<p>“Who is quitting?” Jane demanded crossly. “I just said I was -tired—that’s all.”</p> - -<p>To make the waiting period pass more quickly, the girls watched the -birds. They played a game of identifying trees, flowers and plants -within their range of vision.</p> - -<p>Finally Veve became deeply interested in watching what went on in an -ant hill.</p> - -<p>“Look at ’em go!” she exclaimed, scraping sand from the top of the -mound.</p> - -<p>“Quiet, you dope!” warned Jane, punching her hard in the ribs.</p> - -<p>Veve listened intently. She could hear light steps on the trail.</p> - -<p>“Someone’s coming!”</p> - -<p>“Sure,” whispered Jane. “Be quiet. Or do you want to give everything -away?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">155</a></span> -On the opposite side of the path, Miss Gordon and the Brownies also -had heard the sound of shuffling feet through dry leaves. Flattening -themselves on the ground, the girls quietly waited.</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">156</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="chapter_16" id="chapter_16"></a>CHAPTER 16<br /> -<span>Captured Culprits</span></h2> - - -<p class="noi">PRESENTLY four boys swung into view on the trail.</p> - -<p>Batting at the bushes with their sticks and whistling gay tunes, they -seemed in high good humor.</p> - -<p>“It’s those same boys who pelted Mrs. Myles with walnuts!” Jane -whispered.</p> - -<p>Veve pinched her as a warning to remain silent.</p> - -<p>The boys now were so close that she was afraid they would hear even a -whisper.</p> - -<p>“Let’s go up to the tree house, fellows,” proposed the eldest boy.</p> - -<p>“Aw, we’ve been up there once today,” a companion rejoined. “We had to -beat it when we saw that Brownie Scout leader coming.”</p> - -<p>“Sure, but she’s gone now. Didn’t we see ’em all leaving the park? They -won’t be back today.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">157</a></span> -“Now that they’ve gone, we can have a lot of fun,” urged another boy. -“We’ll really make that tree house into a mess!”</p> - -<p>“Afterwards, let’s mix up some more park signs,” his companion -proposed. “And then tear off tags from the trees.”</p> - -<p>“Okay, only it will be too bad if old Karwhite catches us!”</p> - -<p>“He won’t,” the older boy said confidently. “Not that fat old duck! He -can’t run worth a cent.”</p> - -<p>The four passed very close to the clump of bushes where the Brownie -Scouts lay hidden. Veve was tempted to reach out and grasp one of the -boys by the leg, but instead she kept very quiet.</p> - -<p>Never dreaming that they were being watched, the four boys climbed the -stairway to the tree house.</p> - -<p>On the balcony they halted to stare in astonishment at the sign which -the Brownies had tacked on the door.</p> - -<p>“Hey, what’s this!” exclaimed one of the boys.</p> - -<p>He read the message aloud, and his companions all hooted.</p> - -<p>They considered it a great joke that the Brownie Scouts would tack up a -sign requesting them not to trespass.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">158</a></span> -“Let’s do a good job tearing up the place!” proposed the leader of the -gang. Boldly he ripped the sign from the door. “How about it, fellows?”</p> - -<p>“Sure!” the others agreed, following him into the tree house.</p> - -<p>By this time Miss Gordon and the Brownies had emerged from their hiding -places. Several of the girls would have started up the steps after the -boys, but the teacher told them to wait.</p> - -<p>“They would only dart away and elude us again,” she advised the girls. -“Veve, you and Jane run as fast as you can to the gate house. Bring Mr. -Karwhite here.”</p> - -<p>“We certainly will,” Jane promised.</p> - -<p>“Fast too,” added Veve. “Just don’t let those boys get away until we -return.”</p> - -<p>Making no sound, the two girls slipped away. Once they were a few yards -away and knew they could not be heard, they broke into a run.</p> - -<p>“What if Mr. Karwhite isn’t at the entrance gate?” Veve gasped, short -of breath. “That would be just our luck.”</p> - -<p>“He <em>has</em> to be there,” Jane replied. “This is our one chance to have -those boys arrested.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">159</a></span> -The girls reached the gate house, and flung open the door.</p> - -<p>Mr. Karwhite had been working at his accounts. Seeing the girls, he -regarded them in astonishment.</p> - -<p>“Come quickly, Mr. Karwhite!” Veve urged, tugging at his hand.</p> - -<p>“Why, what is wrong? Is anyone hurt?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, no!” Jane assured him. “It’s those horrid boys. They’re wrecking -our tree house.”</p> - -<p>“They are, eh?” demanded the park superintendent. Before leaving the -gate house, he equipped himself with a stout stick which he kept handy -behind the door.</p> - -<p>“Hurry, Mr. Karwhite,” Veve urged, as she and Jane led the way.</p> - -<p>The boys had been right in saying that the park superintendent could -not run very fast. The two girls had to slow their pace so as not to -outdistance him.</p> - -<p>Upon reaching the oak tree, Veve and Jane found that Miss Gordon was -having difficulty in restraining the other Brownies. It had been very -hard for them to remain on the ground, knowing that the four boys were -inside the tree house.</p> - -<p>“They tore down the curtains!” Rosemary informed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">160</a></span> the park -superintendent. “We saw them do it.”</p> - -<p>“And they threw some of the wood over the balcony railing!” added -Eileen. “Get them quick, Mr. Karwhite.”</p> - -<p>“I will,” he said grimly.</p> - -<p>The park superintendent told Miss Gordon to stand at the foot of the -stairway. In that way she would block off any possible escape, should -the boys elude Mr. Karwhite.</p> - -<p>All the Brownies gathered beside the teacher, ready to assist her if -their help was needed.</p> - -<p>Armed with the stick, Mr. Karwhite started up the stairway.</p> - -<p>He made no attempt to muffle his footsteps. As he reached the balcony, -the door suddenly flew open.</p> - -<p>“Jeepers!” cried one of the boys, belatedly warning his companions. -“It’s Old Karwhite!”</p> - -<p>The other boys poured out of the house like ants from a disturbed hill. -Their escape, however, was cut off.</p> - -<p>“I’ve finally caught up with you,” the park superintendent said. -“You’re coming with me!”</p> - -<p>“Aw, have a heart,” pleaded one of the boys. “We aren’t doing any -harm.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">161</a></span> -“You’ve mixed up park signs, pulled valuable shrubs, not to mention the -damage you’ve done here.”</p> - -<p>“We won’t do it again.”</p> - -<p>“Let us off this time,” wheedled the eldest boy. “We’ll stay away from -the park after today.”</p> - -<p>“You’ll stay away all right,” the superintendent agreed.</p> - -<p>First he took the names and addresses of the four boys. Then he ordered -them to march ahead of him down the stairway to the base of the oak -tree where the Brownies waited.</p> - -<p>“Now if you try to run away, it will be the worse for you,” he warned. -“I’m turning you over to the police.”</p> - -<p>The boys were badly frightened. No longer arrogant and cocky, they -obeyed the superintendent’s order.</p> - -<p>Mr. Karwhite made the boys walk in single file to the gate house. -There, while the Brownies and Miss Gordon listened, he gave them a -severe lecture on their misconduct.</p> - -<p>“We know we did wrong,” one of the boys admitted. “Please don’t arrest -us, Mr. Karwhite. Let us off this time and we’ll never come to the park -again.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">162</a></span> -“We’ll clean up everything in the tree house,” volunteered another of -the group. “Just give us a chance.”</p> - -<p>Now Mr. Karwhite had not intended to call the police even though he had -threatened to do so. He only meant to frighten the boys so they never -again would come to the park.</p> - -<p>“Very well,” he said. “Arm yourselves with brooms and scrub pails. -We’ll see to it that you give the tree house a thorough cleaning. If -you do a good job I may consider letting you off.”</p> - -<p>Relieved that they were to have another chance, the boys accompanied -Mr. Karwhite to the oak tree. While the Brownies sat on the ground -watching from below, they cleaned every inch of the little house.</p> - -<p>The park superintendent made them put up the curtain they had torn -down. He also ordered them to wash and polish the window, even though -they had not dirtied it.</p> - -<p>When the playhouse was in perfect order, Mr. Karwhite told the boys -they were free to go.</p> - -<p>“But never come here again,” he warned them. “Remember, I have your -names and addresses. If ever I set eyes on you in the park, I’ll turn -you over to the police.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">163</a></span> -The boys were very glad to be let off so easily. Promising Mr. Karwhite -that they would stay away, they darted off.</p> - -<p>“They’ll not be back,” the superintendent told Miss Gordon confidently. -“This time I really threw a scare into them they won’t forget.”</p> - -<p>So much time had been consumed, that it was too late for the Brownies -to build a fire in their little stove.</p> - -<p>Regretfully, they gathered together their wraps and notebooks and -prepared to leave the park area.</p> - -<p>“From now on, you should not be annoyed here,” Mr. Karwhite assured -them. “The playhouse will be all yours until the snow flies.”</p> - -<p>“I only wish we knew who built the house for us,” remarked Rosemary -wistfully. “It would be nice to thank the person.”</p> - -<p>“Are you sure, Mr. Karwhite, that you don’t know who built the house?” -Veve asked him.</p> - -<p>“Well, maybe I do, and maybe I don’t,” he said mysteriously.</p> - -<p>“That means you do know!” accused Eileen.</p> - -<p>Mr. Karwhite merely laughed. “Be patient,” he advised. “In good time, -I’m sure you’ll learn the answer for yourselves!”</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">164</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="chapter_17" id="chapter_17"></a>CHAPTER 17<br /> -<span>Bitter Words</span></h2> - - -<p class="noi">THE following week the Brownie Scouts found many demands upon their -time.</p> - -<p>Not only were they busy at school, but the organization gave a tea for -all the mothers. At this meeting the girls displayed the buttons they -had gathered and discussed plans for obtaining others.</p> - -<p>Eileen had acquired a glass swirlback button, unlike any other on -exhibit. Molded on the front, it had a wire loop shank with the back -twisted in a snail-like spiral.</p> - -<p>Sunny’s mother had given her an old Czechoslovakian button and there -were others of foreign make. The most beautiful one of all, however, -was an old Sheffield silver button which Miss Gordon herself had -obtained. She planned to have it made into a pin.</p> - -<p>Although gathering buttons and giving a tea required<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">165</a></span> a great deal of -work, the girls nevertheless found time to have a cook-out at their -tree house.</p> - -<p>Since Mr. Karwhite had ordered the gang of boys away, no one had -bothered the little tree dwelling.</p> - -<p>True to his promise, Mr. Vincent had put a sturdy lock on the door. -However, it was not really necessary. Only the birds and the squirrels -were regular callers.</p> - -<p>To the delight of the Brownies, surprises continued to come at most -unexpected times. On one occasion the girls arrived at the tree house -to discover mysterious boxes piled on the balcony. Inside they found a -complete set of dishes with a handsome cherry design.</p> - -<p>Another time a book was left explaining about the different kinds of -trees and flowers.</p> - -<p>Eileen, who was verging on ten, had become very studious. She spent -many hours reading all types of books, particularly those relating to -the Girl Scout organization.</p> - -<p>Now, though the matter seldom was mentioned, all the girls knew that -Eileen soon would be leaving the Brownie troop.</p> - -<p>Upon her tenth birthday she would move on up<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">166</a></span> into an intermediate Girl -Scout troop—“flying up” as the occasion was called.</p> - -<p>Eileen was looking forward to the day when she would join the older -girls. In preparation for the “fly-up,” she spent hours learning -tenderfoot requirements—the Girl Scout Promise, the laws, slogan and -motto. Nevertheless, the thought of leaving behind her good chums and -Brownie activities filled her with regret.</p> - -<p>“I’ll hate to give up this darling little tree house,” she remarked one -day to Veve. “Were having such grand times.”</p> - -<p>“You can come back to visit the troop next year,” Veve assured her.</p> - -<p>“It won’t be quite the same though,” Eileen said wistfully. “I wish -before I become a Girl Scout that we could solve the mystery of the -identity of the person who gave us this house.”</p> - -<p>“Is that a real wish, Eileen?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, it is. I hope it comes true as some of the others have.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll make the same wish,” declared Veve. “Maybe that will help make it -come true.”</p> - -<p>“I have another wish too,” added Eileen after a moment.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">167</a></span> -“What’s that?”</p> - -<p>“It has nothing to do with this tree house—or not directly. I wish we -could help Mrs. Myles.”</p> - -<p>“All the Brownies feel that way. I don’t know why Miss Gordon never has -taken us to her house again.”</p> - -<p>Now as Veve spoke, it so happened that the Brownie leader and several -of the girls came up the stairway after being on a hike. Miss Gordon -could not fail to hear the remark.</p> - -<p>“Veve, I’m glad you mentioned Mrs. Myles,” she said. “I’ve held off -going to her home because Mr. Vincent thought it might be better to -wait a few days. Now a certain situation has arisen, so we’ll go there -today.”</p> - -<p>“Today?” demanded Eileen in pleased surprise.</p> - -<p>“Yes, the date of the sheriff’s sale has been set. Something must be -done soon if Mrs. Myles’ home is to be saved.”</p> - -<p>“What does Mr. Vincent say we should do?” inquired Connie.</p> - -<p>“He wants us to go to Mrs. Myles and offer her the money she needs. If -she insists upon knowing who is giving it, then we must tell her. But -only if she insists.”</p> - -<p>“Let’s go now,” urged Sunny. “It’s getting late.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">168</a></span> -“Yes, it is,” agreed Miss Gordon, preparing to lock the door of the -tree house. “We have no time to lose.”</p> - -<p>A brisk hike took the girls to the Myles home. In the gathering shadows -of late afternoon, the tumble-down dwelling looked even more desolate -than on the first occasion they had seen it.</p> - -<p>“I don’t think this place is worth saving,” Jane muttered. “A good -strong north wind would blow the house over.”</p> - -<p>“Nevertheless, it’s the only home Mrs. Myles has,” declared Miss -Gordon. “What a pity she dislikes her brother so intensely. He could -fix this place up for her if she would allow it.”</p> - -<p>“Wonder why she will have nothing to do with him?” Connie speculated. -“She must have a very good reason.”</p> - -<p>“Mr. Vincent was careful not to tell us that part of the story,” -remarked Eileen.</p> - -<p>Before knocking on the front door, Miss Gordon advised the girls to let -her do most of the talking.</p> - -<p>“This mission is a most delicate one,” she said with a worried frown. -“I’m not at all certain that we’ll be successful.”</p> - -<p>Mrs. Myles seemed very pleased to see the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">169</a></span> Brownies and their leader -again. Cordially she invited them into the kitchen.</p> - -<p>Glancing around, the girls noticed that several boxes and barrels had -been packed with dishes.</p> - -<p>“Excuse the untidy appearance,” the widow apologized. “I’m packing a -few things the bank has allowed me to keep out of the sale.”</p> - -<p>Mrs. Myles spoke with forced brightness. The Brownies knew though, from -the strained expression on her face, that she had suffered.</p> - -<p>“It’s the sale that I came to discuss,” began Miss Gordon. “There need -be none.”</p> - -<p>Mrs. Myles, who had been wrapping a dish in paper, nearly dropped the -piece of china.</p> - -<p>“No sale?” she inquired. “Oh, I wish you were right, Miss Gordon. -Unfortunately, the bank has refused to extend credit. Posters are -already out, advertising the auction.”</p> - -<p>“If you say the word, it can be called off.”</p> - -<p>“That is quite impossible, Miss Gordon. Oh, it’s useless to pretend. I -have no money. I can’t pay the bank loan or even the interest on it. -I’m down to my last dollar. When I leave here, I don’t know where I’ll -go.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">170</a></span> -Sinking into a chair, Mrs. Myles covered her face.</p> - -<p>“Please don’t cry, Mrs. Myles,” the Brownie leader comforted her. -“Money is available to pay off the bank loan.”</p> - -<p>The widow gazed at Miss Gordon as if unable to believe the wonderful -news.</p> - -<p>“Oh, I prayed that help would come,” she murmured. “It just doesn’t -seem possible that my prayers were answered.”</p> - -<p>“They were, Mrs. Myles. You need worry no longer.”</p> - -<p>“You went to the bank and the president agreed to extend the loan?”</p> - -<p>“No, a friend of yours—someone who has your welfare deeply at -heart—has offered to pay the indebtedness.”</p> - -<p>Mrs. Myles arose and walked nervously across the kitchen.</p> - -<p>“Charity,” she said in a bitter voice.</p> - -<p>“No, one can’t call it by that name, Mrs. Myles. You need the money -badly and it will save your home.”</p> - -<p>“Who is the person that has made this kind offer?”</p> - -<p>“I feel it would be better if the person remained anonymous.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">171</a></span> -Mrs. Myles shook her head. “I can’t accept with out knowing.”</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon glanced at the Brownies and drew a deep breath.</p> - -<p>“You insist upon knowing, Mrs. Myles?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Very well, then, I will tell you. Your brother, Sam Vincent, has made -the offer.”</p> - -<p>Mrs. Myles appeared stunned by the revelation.</p> - -<p>“Sam!” she exclaimed. “That sneak! He didn’t have the nerve to make his -offer face to face. He knew I’d never listen to him!”</p> - -<p>“He honestly wants to help you, Mrs. Myles. Who has a better right than -your own brother?”</p> - -<p>“Don’t call him a brother of mine! I’m ashamed I ever knew him!”</p> - -<p>The Brownies could not understand Mrs. Myles’ strange outburst. So -far as they knew, Sam Vincent was a very kind man who always did nice -things for people.</p> - -<p>“Never as long as I live will I take a penny from Sam!” Mrs. Myles went -on angrily. “He’s a cheap, low-down thief!”</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon and the Brownies were shocked by the accusation against the -carpenter.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">172</a></span> -“Surely you don’t mean that!” gasped the teacher.</p> - -<p>“I do! I never want to see Sam again in my life! I’ll starve before I’d -accept money from him.”</p> - -<p>“He seems to have your interests so deeply at heart,” Miss Cordon -murmured. “If it’s only a misunderstanding—”</p> - -<p>“Sam is a thief!” Mrs. Myles repeated. “He knows it too. That’s why -he’s ashamed to come here himself! He knows I’ll never speak to him as -long as I live. Didn’t he bring disgrace upon the family?”</p> - -<p>“That I wouldn’t know,” the teacher replied quietly. “The important -thing now is that a little money would save your home. If your brother -is willing to help—”</p> - -<p>“Don’t talk him up to me,” Mrs. Myles interrupted again. “He’s given me -nothing, and he never will.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, but he has given you something!” exclaimed Veve.</p> - -<p>Too late, she recalled that Miss Gordon had warned the Brownies to let -her do most of the talking.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Myles was quick to take advantage of Veve’s slip of the tongue.</p> - -<p>“What do you mean?” she demanded. “What did Sam ever give me?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">173</a></span> -“Those baskets of food,” informed Sunny as Veve remained silent.</p> - -<p>“Oh!” exclaimed Mrs. Myles, exactly as if she had received a deep stab -wound. “To think of it! If I had dreamed Sam had sent the food, I -wouldn’t have touched it!”</p> - -<p>“We didn’t mean to deceive you,” Miss Gordon said. “Sam only wanted to -help.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I know now!” the widow exclaimed. “Thank goodness, I learned in -time. Don’t ever bring anything here again! The sale will go on, and if -I land in the Poorhouse, Sam has only himself to blame!”</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">174</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="chapter_18" id="chapter_18"></a>CHAPTER 18<br /> -<span>The Auction Sale</span></h2> - - -<p class="noi">MRS. Myles’ bitter tirade left the Brownies without a single argument.</p> - -<p>From what she had said, they were certain nothing they could tell her -ever would induce her to accept money from her brother.</p> - -<p>Realizing that it was quite hopeless to try to change Mrs. Myles’ mind, -Miss Gordon arose to leave.</p> - -<p>The elderly lady walked with the teacher and the Brownies to the door.</p> - -<p>“I’m sorry I let my temper flare,” she apologized. “I bear you no ill -will. It’s only Sam that has me so riled. He should have known better -than to think I’d take the money.”</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon told the widow that if she should change her mind before -the day of the sheriff’s sale to notify her.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">175</a></span> -“You’ll not hear from me,” Mrs. Myles said firmly.</p> - -<p>On the road en route to their homes, the Brownies discussed the failure -of their mission. All were agreed that Mrs. Myles was too stubborn ever -to change her mind about accepting the money.</p> - -<p>“I can’t understand why she dislikes her brother so intensely,” -remarked Connie. “I think he’s nice.”</p> - -<p>“She called him a thief too!” recalled Veve. “It must have been -something about money that caused their first quarrel.”</p> - -<p>Regretfully the Brownies reported to Mr. Vincent their failure to -induce Mrs. Myles to accept the money.</p> - -<p>Of course they were too tactful to tell him everything his sister had -said. They were hopeful that the carpenter would disclose why he and -Mrs. Myles had quarreled. He did not do so, however.</p> - -<p>“If Minnie refuses to accept the money, then nothing can be done to -help her,” he said. “At least I tried.”</p> - -<p>The coming auction sale had been advertised on posters. Reading that -all household goods were to be sold the next Saturday, the Brownies -asked Miss Gordon if they might attend in a group.</p> - -<p>“Why, yes, if the girls care to,” the Brownie leader<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">176</a></span> consented. “I may -buy a few things just to help out.”</p> - -<p>“I’d like to bid in some buttons,” declared Veve. “I wonder if the -match holder and cross-stitch pillow will be auctioned?”</p> - -<p>On the day appointed for the sheriff’s sale, the six girls went early to -the Myles’ home.</p> - -<p>Cars were parked two deep in the yard and a considerable number of -persons had gathered there. Nearly all of the household goods had been -set out in the yard.</p> - -<p>Veve spied Mr. Vincent in the crowd and ran over to talk to him.</p> - -<p>“I didn’t expect to see you here!” she greeted him.</p> - -<p>“I couldn’t stay away,” he replied. “I’ve tried to talk to Minnie, but -she won’t speak to me.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Vincent told Veve he was afraid the auction would not raise enough -money to pay off the bank loan.</p> - -<p>“Not a cent will be left for Minnie to live on,” he declared anxiously. -“What will she do? Where will she go?”</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon had come up in time to hear the remarks.</p> - -<p>“Don’t worry about your sister,” she assured the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">177</a></span> carpenter. “After the -sale is over, I expect to ask her to come to my home to live for a few -weeks until she can adjust her affairs.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Vincent gratefully thanked Miss Gordon for her generous offer.</p> - -<p>“I only hope she accepts,” he said. “Minnie is proud.”</p> - -<p>Soon it was time for the auction to start.</p> - -<p>First the auctioneer put up a barrel of dishes. Only two persons made a -bid, for the china was old and not very valuable.</p> - -<p>The entire barrel sold for fifty cents!</p> - -<p>Next the man auctioned off a bedstead and a rocker. These brought only -a few dollars. A chest of drawers and a dining room table went for -three and five dollars.</p> - -<p>“This is terrible!” Mr. Vincent whispered to Miss Gordon. “I am going -to bid on the next item.”</p> - -<p>The auctioneer offered an old clock. It was shabby in appearance and -the carpenter knew for a fact it never had kept accurate time.</p> - -<p>All the same, his opening bid was five dollars.</p> - -<p>“Five dollars!” shouted the auctioneer, his hope reviving. “Five -dollars! Who will make it six?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">178</a></span> -Before anyone could raise Mr. Vincent, Mrs. Myles stepped forward. She -whispered a moment with the auctioneer.</p> - -<p>“I am sorry,” the man then announced to the crowd. “Mrs. Myles requests -that the bid not be accepted. Let’s have another. How much am I offered -for this handsome old clock?”</p> - -<p>A gasp of astonishment went over the crowd. People looked at Mr. -Vincent and whispered.</p> - -<p>“Minnie won’t even allow me to bid on any of the furniture!” he said -bitterly. “Oh, it’s useless to try to help her.”</p> - -<p>No one seemed willing to bid on the clock. Connie had brought a dollar -with her. Timidly she called out: “I’ll bid fifty cents.”</p> - -<p>“A little girl offers fifty cents,” called the auctioneer. “Who will -make it a dollar?”</p> - -<p>A woman some distance away raised her hand. Then the auctioneer tried -to get the bid up to a dollar and a half. But no one would offer that -much.</p> - -<p>“Sold to Mrs. Flikinger for one dollar!” called the auctioneer.</p> - -<p>After that several other items were sold. Only one of the articles, the -cookstove, brought more than four dollars.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">179</a></span> -“This sale won’t total a hundred and fifty dollars,” Miss Gordon -murmured. “Of course the house will bring something—perhaps a thousand -dollars.”</p> - -<p>Only a few items now remained to be sold. Although the Brownies had -watched closely, they had not seen many things on which they cared to -enter a bid.</p> - -<p>But now the cross-stitched pillow was held up by the auctioneer.</p> - -<p>“How much am I offered for this bit of fluff?” he asked the crowd.</p> - -<p>Without stopping to think, Veve shouted: “A dollar!”</p> - -<p>The money was every cent she had brought with her.</p> - -<p>Connie tugged at her sleeve. “Dope!” she chided. “The pillow isn’t -worth it. Why you could buy a chair with a dollar!”</p> - -<p>“I don’t want a chair,” retorted Veve in a voice so loud that persons -nearby heard her. “I want that pillow.”</p> - -<p>No one else bid. The auctioneer now was hastening to be done with the -sale.</p> - -<p>“Sold to the little girl in the blue dress!” he called. “Catch!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">180</a></span> -The auctioneer tossed the pillow directly into her arms.</p> - -<p>“I know what I’ll do with this,” Veve declared, well pleased with her -purchase. “I’ll keep it in our tree house.”</p> - -<p>“I’d like to buy the match holder made of buttons if it is offered for -sale,” Connie announced.</p> - -<p>The Brownies paid close attention but the article in which they were so -interested was not put up. Finally, the last item had been sold and the -crowd began to leave.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Myles came over to speak to Miss Gordon and the Brownies. Her -face, they noticed, was streaked from tears. However, she tried to act -as if she had not minded seeing her possessions sold.</p> - -<p>“There! Everything is gone! What a relief it will be not having to keep -house and dust!” she chattered.</p> - -<p>As the Brownies could think of nothing to say in return, Mrs. Myles -offered Connie a package.</p> - -<p>“This is for all of the Brownies,” she said. “Hang it in your tree -house, or wherever you like.”</p> - -<p>Connie unwrapped the parcel. Out tumbled the match holder made of -buttons.</p> - -<p>“Just what we wanted!” Connie cried in delight.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">181</a></span> -“I always intended you should have it,” Mrs. Myles said. “Well, -good-bye my dears. I probably won’t be seeing you again soon—”</p> - -<p>The widow’s voice broke then and she could not finish.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon took her gently by the arm.</p> - -<p>“Mrs. Myles, you must come home with me,” she urged. “I have a room -waiting for you.”</p> - -<p>“It isn’t right to burden you with my troubles,” the old lady protested.</p> - -<p>“We’ll work out everything,” the teacher assured her. “Eileen, you and -Jane take Mrs. Myles to my car. I’ll be along in a minute. I must speak -to someone.”</p> - -<p>Mrs. Myles gave up protesting. She allowed the two Brownies to lead her -to the parked automobile.</p> - -<p>Once the widow was out of sight, Miss Gordon sought Mr. Vincent who had -remained in the crowd.</p> - -<p>“Your sister has agreed to go to my home,” she assured him. “She’ll be -well taken care of for the time being. Later we can work out something.”</p> - -<p>The carpenter gripped the teacher’s hand gratefully.</p> - -<p>“This old house wasn’t worth saving,” he said. “If<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">182</a></span> only I could induce -my sister to move in with me, all would be for the best. I’m afraid -though, she’ll never have anything to do with me.”</p> - -<p>“Why not?” demanded Veve, who had joined the group. “Is it because she -thinks you are a thief?”</p> - -<p>“Veve, hush!” commanded Connie in a shocked voice.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon and the other Brownies were sorry Veve had spoken so -carelessly. No one had intended to mention to Mr. Vincent what his -sister had said about him.</p> - -<p>The carpenter remained silent a moment. Then he replied:</p> - -<p>“You have a right to know the true story of what occurred so many years -ago. I’ll tell you my version, and then you may decide for yourselves -whether or not I am a thief or an honest man.”</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">183</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="chapter_19" id="chapter_19"></a>CHAPTER 19<br /> -<span>“Flying Up”</span></h2> - - -<p class="noi">LOWERING his voice so that others would not hear, Mr. Vincent related -to the Brownies what had happened many years before.</p> - -<p>“As a boy I lived in the city with my father and sister,” he began the -story. “That was before either of us married. We did not have very much -money in those days.</p> - -<p>“For some reason my father did not entirely trust the banks. So he kept -some of his savings in the house. To make the story short, five hundred -dollars disappeared.”</p> - -<p>“And you were accused?” interposed Connie.</p> - -<p>All of the Brownies and Miss Gordon were listening attentively to the -story.</p> - -<p>“Yes, I never could understand why my father had so little faith in me -that he would make such an accusation. Perhaps it was because I was a -heavy spender<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">184</a></span> of my earnings in those days. Easy come—easy go, was my -motto then. I’ve since reformed.”</p> - -<p>“You say five hundred dollars vanished?” Miss Cordon asked -thoughtfully. “Was it never recovered.”</p> - -<p>“Never. My father was sure I had taken it because no one except my -sister and myself had been in the house.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe someone broke in,” suggested Rosemary.</p> - -<p>Mr. Vincent smiled and shook his head. “My father almost never left the -house in those days. He was old and ailing. In fact, the feeling that I -had taken his money was an obsession with him.”</p> - -<p>“He died without learning that you were honest?” asked Veve, deeply -troubled.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” the carpenter replied. “I should have told you that my father -ordered me out of the house. Instead of trying to reason with him, I -packed up and left.”</p> - -<p>“Your sister didn’t take your part?” Miss Gordon questioned.</p> - -<p>“Far from it. Minnie sided with my father. After he died, she married -and moved to this house. Her husband never was well-to-do, and he also -passed on a few years ago. About all Minnie had was this house<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">185</a></span> and the -furniture—most of that came from the old homestead.”</p> - -<p>“How long ago was it that your father died?” the Brownie leader -inquired.</p> - -<p>“Twenty-nine years ago.” The carpenter drew a deep sigh. “How fast time -passes! It hardly seems possible.</p> - -<p>“In those twenty-nine years I’ve tried repeatedly to make Minnie come -to her senses. She’s as stubborn as a mule! She took the attitude that -disappointment over me hastened my father’s death. Minnie just hasn’t -been rational on the subject.”</p> - -<p>“It seems funny that five hundred dollars could just disappear,” Connie -offered her opinion. “Maybe it was spent.”</p> - -<p>“I rather doubt that.”</p> - -<p>“What do you think did become of it?” Veve asked.</p> - -<p>“I wish I knew, little girl. Your guess is as good as mine. I’ve -thought, though, that my father might have hidden the money somewhere -and forgotten about it.”</p> - -<p>“From what you say, he could have done exactly that!” declared Miss -Gordon.</p> - -<p>“Unfortunately, the money never came to light. And it never will.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">186</a></span> -“I don’t suppose so,” Miss Gordon regretfully admitted. “Thirty years, -or twenty-nine, to be exact, is a very long time.”</p> - -<p>“A great deal of water has gone over the dam,” the carpenter murmured. -“Our old family homestead has been sold, and now the last of the -furniture is gone. Poor Minnie! If only I could help her!”</p> - -<p>“Don’t worry, Mr. Vincent,” Miss Gordon said to cheer him. “Right now -she is very much upset to see her home sold. However, after she has -had a few days to reflect upon matters, she may view everything in a -different light.”</p> - -<p>“You don’t know my sister Minnie if you think she will ever change her -mind about me! She never will accept a penny from me—she’d go to the -Poorhouse first.”</p> - -<p>“Those were her very words!” Connie recalled.</p> - -<p>“Minnie is convinced I stole the money and nothing ever will make her -change her mind.”</p> - -<p>“Not even if the money were found?” asked Veve.</p> - -<p>“That is an impossibility now,” Mr. Vincent answered. “I’m sorry to -have bored you with my story. I only told you what happened so you -would understand.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">187</a></span> -“We’re sure you never took the money!” cried Veve.</p> - -<p>“I should say not!” added Connie.</p> - -<p>“Thank you, for having confidence in me,” Mr. Vincent said, smiling. -“Well, I’ll move along, or my sister will think it odd that I am -talking with you.”</p> - -<p>He turned and gripped Miss Gordon’s hand. “Thank you mightily for -looking after Minnie,” he said. “I can’t give you money now for her -keep, or she would refuse to go with you. Later, I’ll see that you’re -repaid.”</p> - -<p>The teacher assured him that pay for an act of kindness had not entered -her mind. Promising to let him know how matters went with Mrs. Myles, -she escorted her Brownie charges to the parked car.</p> - -<p>“What was Sam saying to you?” the widow demanded as they squeezed into -the sedan beside her.</p> - -<p>Before anyone could answer, she announced flatly: “If he’s given you -money for my keep, I won’t go an inch—not an inch!”</p> - -<p>“Mr. Vincent didn’t give me any money,” Miss Gordon said in a soothing -voice. “He is concerned about your future though.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">188</a></span> -“I can imagine!” Mrs. Myles retorted. “I’ll have nothing to do with him -and that’s final.”</p> - -<p>Although the Brownies longed to question the widow about the lost five -hundred dollars, they knew better than to do so.</p> - -<p>She herself abruptly changed the subject by talking about the -cross-stitched pillow which Veve had bought.</p> - -<p>“My mother made that pillow and set great store by it,” she remarked -sadly. “It’s gone now—everything is gone.”</p> - -<p>“You keep it,” Veve said quickly. “Please take it back.”</p> - -<p>Mrs. Myles smiled through her tears. “Thank you, child,” she said, -patting Veve’s hand. “No, I can’t take the pillow. It would mean -nothing to me now in any case. My life is ended.”</p> - -<p>Lapsing into a moody silence, she said no more during the ride to Miss -Gordon’s home.</p> - -<p>During the next week and a half, the Brownies saw Mrs. Myles -infrequently. Nevertheless, she managed to dominate their lives.</p> - -<p>Whenever they called at Miss Gordon’s home, they found her occupying -a rocker in the sun room. She<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">189</a></span> complained constantly about her “hard -lot,” yet made no attempt to plan a future.</p> - -<p>The Brownies knew Miss Gordon was worried because the old lady took so -much of her time. She was forced to cancel a Brownie meeting. Unable to -take the girls to the tree house, she asked Mrs. Davidson to drive them -there in her car.</p> - -<p>“Were losing Miss Gordon,” Veve declared one day when the girls were -all at the tree house. “It’s Mrs. Myles’ fault too! I don’t think it’s -fair of her to take up so much of anyone’s time.”</p> - -<p>“Mrs. Myles doesn’t mean to be selfish,” Connie defended her. “She just -doesn’t think, that’s all.”</p> - -<p>Mrs. Davidson told the girls she did not believe very much could be -done to change the unfortunate situation.</p> - -<p>“Miss Gordon can’t very well send Mrs. Myles to the county home,” she -said. “She has no other place to go.”</p> - -<p>“She could live with her brother,” Veve insisted.</p> - -<p>“If she would,” agreed Mrs. Davidson. “But why discuss something we -know is utterly out of the picture? I doubt if Mrs. Myles ever will -change her mind.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">190</a></span> -As the fall days grew a bit sharper, the Brownies visited their tree -house every few days. They wished to make the most of their time, -knowing that very soon the snow would fly.</p> - -<p>“We’ve had such wonderfully good times here,” Eileen said wistfully. -“It seems a pity we never learned who built the house for us.”</p> - -<p>“Mr. Karwhite could tell if he would,” declared Rosemary. “Whenever -I ask him about it, he only smiles and says the secret isn’t his to -reveal.”</p> - -<p>“After the fifteenth of the month, we likely won’t be coming here -again,” Sunny remarked. “Oh, dear!”</p> - -<p>Now the Brownies had set aside the fifteenth as the day upon which they -would have their last ceremonial meeting of the fall season. On this -occasion, Eileen would “fly up” into the Girl Scout organization.</p> - -<p>“I almost wish I could be a Brownie forever,” she remarked regretfully. -“Being a Girl Scout will be fun too though!”</p> - -<p>For nearly two weeks Miss Gordon had taken little active part in the -Brownie meetings. Instead, she had turned the programs over to Mrs. -Davidson and Connie’s mother.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">191</a></span> -However, the girls knew she would be on hand for the final ceremony of -the year. To insure that their leader could come, they had extended an -invitation to Mrs. Myles as well as their own parents.</p> - -<p>“I hope the weather is right,” Connie said anxiously. “What a pity if -it should turn cold before Saturday.”</p> - -<p>“Rain or shine we’ll have to hold the ceremonial,” Mrs. Davidson -assured the girls.</p> - -<p>All that week the girls worked very hard preparing for the affair. The -tree house was given a thorough cleaning and everything put to right.</p> - -<p>By Saturday, cookies and cakes had been baked ready to serve to the -mothers. Brownie uniforms and ties also had been pressed and cleaned.</p> - -<p>Several Girl Scouts and their leader planned to attend the ceremonial.</p> - -<p>“Everyone will be here,” Eileen declared, her teeth chattering. “Oh, -I’m so scared. I know I’ll forget my lines.”</p> - -<p>“You will not,” comforted Connie, squeezing her hand. “Almost before -you know it now, you’ll be a Girl Scout.”</p> - -<p>“But being a Brownie was such fun, Connie. I almost think I don’t want -to fly up.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">192</a></span> -“Nonsense!” Connie laughed. “We’ll all join the Scouts before long. And -you always may come back and visit our tree house.”</p> - -<p>This assurance made Eileen feel much better.</p> - -<p>Soon Miss Gordon, Mrs. Myles and many of the parents began to arrrive -at the tree house.</p> - -<p>Because it would have been impossible to get even a portion of the -crowd into the house at one time, it was planned to hold the ceremonial -at the foot of the oak tree.</p> - -<p>The day had started out warm and sunny. This pleasant beginning, -however, was only a “teaser.”</p> - -<p>Not long after the parents had gathered, clouds began darkening the sky.</p> - -<p>“We’re due for rain,” announced Mrs. Myles, drawing her shawl about -her. “Soon too.”</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon and the mothers shared the old lady’s opinion. So it was -decided that the ceremony should be hastened.</p> - -<p>Those who were not to take part, seated themselves on cushions near the -base of the big oak.</p> - -<p>The Brownies formed a horseshoe, and upon signal, the Scout Troop made -a similar one opposite the younger girls.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon then opened the service by saying<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">193</a></span> that the time had come -for Eileen to take wings and fly up to the Rosedale Girl Scout Troop.</p> - -<p>“Tell us, Eileen,” she invited, “what did you like best about being a -Brownie?”</p> - -<p>Now that question was very easy to answer.</p> - -<p>“I liked everything,” she answered promptly. “The hikes, the parties -and the cook-outs. I loved our wonderful week-end at Snow Valley and -the time we spent with the circus. It was fun picking cherries too. But -best of all, I liked this tree house!”</p> - -<p>All of the Brownies cheered, for of course, they felt the same way.</p> - -<p>Now came an important moment.</p> - -<p>Miss Gordon moved forward and pinned the Brownie Wings on Eileen’s Girl -Scout uniform. Of gold, embroidered on green felt, they signified her -past membership in the Brownie organization.</p> - -<p>Eileen then was asked to repeat the Girl Scout Promise:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"><div class="verse"> -<div class="outdent">“On my honor, I will try:</div> -<div class="line">To do my duty to God and my country,</div> -<div class="line">To help other people at all times,</div> -<div class="line">To obey the Girl Scout Laws.”</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>The Girl Scouts then greeted Eileen as a new member after reciting in -unison their laws:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">194</a></span> -A Girl Scout’s honor is to be trusted.</p> - -<p>A Girl Scout is loyal.</p> - -<p>A Girl Scout’s duty is to be useful and to help others.</p> - -<p>A Girl Scout is a friend to all and a sister to every other Girl Scout.</p> - -<p>A Girl Scout is courteous.</p> - -<p>A Girl Scout is a friend to animals.</p> - -<p>A Girl Scout obeys orders.</p> - -<p>A Girl Scout is cheerful.</p> - -<p>A Girl Scout is thrifty.</p> - -<p>A Girl Scout is clean in thought, word and deed.</p> - -<p>The Scout pin was bestowed upon Eileen, who then was welcomed into the -troop by the girl Scouts of the Rosedale Troop.</p> - -<p>“I guess I’m a full-fledged Scout now,” she said with a laugh. “Dear -me, it seems a Girl Scout must be just about everything!”</p> - -<p>The ceremony now was over, and everyone congratulated Eileen. She was -glad to have joined the older girls’ organization, but of course she -was sorry to bid farewell to the Brownie troop.</p> - -<p>“I really should fly down instead of ‘fly up,’” she remarked, gazing -ruefully at the tree house. “After having a meeting house up in the -branches, it will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">195</a></span> seem strange to have a regular down-to-earth meeting -place.”</p> - -<p>“A regular room has some advantages though,” declared Connie as a drop -of rain splashed on her upturned face. “One thing, you aren’t always in -danger of being caught by a storm.”</p> - -<p>The rain began to come down faster and faster.</p> - -<p>“Let’s all run to the shelter house,” urged Miss Gordon. “I don’t -believe this will last very long.”</p> - -<p>The mothers and friends of the Brownies hastened through the woods to -the gate house.</p> - -<p>For five minutes the rain came down very fast and hard. Then it ceased -as abruptly as it had started.</p> - -<p>“I believe it’s safe to return for our cookies and cake,” encouraged -Miss Gordon as the sun straggled out again. “The trail isn’t very -muddy.”</p> - -<p>Some of the Girl Scouts and the mothers did not care to return to the -tree house since the investiture had been completed.</p> - -<p>However, all of the Brownies, Eileen, Miss Gordon, Mrs. Myles and a few -of the mothers braved the slippery path to have their refreshments.</p> - -<p>Before leaving the tree house, Miss Gordon had taken care that all of -the food was under cover. Some of the cushions had been overlooked.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">196</a></span> -As the group reached the base of the oak tree, Mrs. Myles noticed that -the cross-stitch one which once had belonged to her, was thoroughly -rain soaked.</p> - -<p>“Oh, what a shame!” she exclaimed, picking it up from the ground. “The -feathers must be aired or they will mat down.”</p> - -<p>With a hairpin, Mrs. Myles ripped the covering of the pillow. Reaching -in, she began to fluff the damp feathers.</p> - -<p>“If these don’t dry out before I leave, I’ll take the pillow home—” -she began.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Myles did not complete what she had started to say.</p> - -<p>Instead a most peculiar expression came over her face.</p> - -<p>“Why, what is wrong, Mrs. Myles?” inquired Connie, who had been -gathering up the other water-soaked pillows. She thought that perhaps -the elderly woman suddenly had been taken ill.</p> - -<p>“I—I think I’ve found something inside this pillow,” Mrs. Myles said -in a strange voice.</p> - -<p>The Brownies and their mothers quickly closed in about her.</p> - -<p>“What have you found?” demanded Veve, for Mrs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">197</a></span> Myles had not withdrawn -her hand from the interior of the pillow.</p> - -<p>“It’s something round—tied with a piece of string,” Mrs. Myles -murmured. “I’m—I’m almost afraid to look.”</p> - -<p>Now the Brownies thought this a most peculiar attitude to take.</p> - -<p>“What have you found?” Veve repeated impatiently. “Show us!”</p> - -<p>Very slowly, Mrs. Myles withdrew her hand. Clutched in her gnarled fist -was a roll of greenbacks. The bills were neatly fastened in a roll with -a piece of string.</p> - -<p>“Money!” shrieked Veve in such an excited voice that a squirrel -overhead dropped a nut. “Where’d it come from?”</p> - -<p>Mrs. Myles held the bills almost as if they would burn a hole in her -hand. She leaned back against the oak tree for support.</p> - -<p>“I think I know how this came to be inside the pillow,” she said in a -shaky voice. “If this roll should contain exactly five hundred dollars, -then I’ve done a grave injustice to my brother Sam!”</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">198</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="chapter_20" id="chapter_20"></a>CHAPTER 20<br /> -<span>A Wish Fulfilled</span></h2> - - -<p class="noi">“LET’S count the money,” urged Connie as Mrs. Myles made no attempt to -do so.</p> - -<p>The widow seemed quite stunned by the unexpected discovery of the roll -of bills inside the pillow. Without saying a word she handed it over to -Miss Gordon.</p> - -<p>Rapidly the teacher computed the amount of money. Nearly all of the -bills were tens, most of them old in appearance.</p> - -<p>“Exactly five hundred dollars,” Miss Gordon announced when she had -completed her count.</p> - -<p>“Then this must be the money my father lost so long ago,” Mrs. Myles -said in a weak voice. “He was very forgetful. I suppose he hid the roll -of bills in the pillow and then in his infirmity, forgot all about it.”</p> - -<p>“But Sam Vincent was accused,” Veve reminded her. “All these years he -has been blamed.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">199</a></span> -“I’m so ashamed—I don’t know what to say. Father was so sure the money -had been stolen. Oh, dear, what shall I do?”</p> - -<p>“This is a fine windfall for you,” declared Miss Gordon, delighted -over the widow’s good fortune. “I’m sure you have use for five hundred -dollars.”</p> - -<p>“But the pillow no longer is mine. One of the Brownies bought it at the -sale.”</p> - -<p>“That doesn’t matter,” declared Veve quickly.</p> - -<p>“I should say not,” added Connie. “It was only the pillow that was -bought—not the money inside of it.”</p> - -<p>“How will I ever make amends to Sam?”</p> - -<p>“That part should be easy,” Miss Gordon assured her. “He always has -wanted to help you.”</p> - -<p>Mrs. Myles nearly broke down then. “That makes it all the harder,” she -declared. “He always insisted he was innocent, but I never would listen -to any explanation. I was as unjust as I could be.”</p> - -<p>“You couldn’t have known the money was hidden in the pillow,” Rosemary -said kindly.</p> - -<p>“I should have trusted my own brother,” Mrs. Myles berated herself. -“Oh, I’ll never be able to face him.”</p> - -<p>“Nonsense,” declared Miss Gordon. “Now that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">200</a></span> the money has been found, -everything can be adjusted very easily. Just leave that part to me.”</p> - -<p>Drawing apart from Mrs. Myles, the Brownie leader whispered to Veve and -Connie. She requested them to hasten to Sam Vincent’s house and if he -were at home to ask him to come to the park at once.</p> - -<p>The two girls ran most of the way, so eager were they to impart the -news.</p> - -<p>Reaching the Vincent home, they found Sam’s wife there, but the -carpenter had not yet arrived from his work.</p> - -<p>“He should be driving in any minute,” Mrs. Vincent assured the girls. -“Sam was working on an outside job and probably started home when it -began to rain.”</p> - -<p>“I see a car coming now that looks like his!” cried Veve.</p> - -<p>The automobile turned in at the driveway. Seeing that it was indeed the -carpenter, the girls ran to meet him.</p> - -<p>“Well, well, this is a surprise!” he greeted them with a warm smile. -“How does it happen you aren’t at the tree house today? Rained out?”</p> - -<p>“Not exactly,” Connie answered. “We were having an important -ceremony—”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">201</a></span> -“Eileen flew up into the Girl Scout troop,” Veve broke in. “But that’s -not the important part. It began to rain and the pillow got wet.”</p> - -<p>“So Mrs. Myles ripped it open,” Connie resumed the story.</p> - -<p>“Minnie was there?” The carpenter was surprised at this information.</p> - -<p>“Yes, of course,” Connie said impatiently. “She ripped open the -pillow—and what do you think was inside?”</p> - -<p>“Money!” shouted Veve. “Five hundred dollars!”</p> - -<p>“Five hundred dollars,” Mr. Vincent repeated. “I don’t get it.”</p> - -<p>“The pillow was the one with cross-stitching on it,” Connie explained. -“The one that belonged to your family.”</p> - -<p>At last Mr. Vincent understood.</p> - -<p>“Then the money Minnie thought I took has been found,” he said quietly.</p> - -<p>“That’s right,” laughed Veve.</p> - -<p>“Miss Gordon wants you to come as fast as you can to the tree house,” -Connie urged. “Your sister is waiting for you there.”</p> - -<p>“You bet!” the carpenter replied. “We’ll drive to the park. Hop in!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">202</a></span> -During the swift ride to the gate house, Veve and Connie told Mr. -Vincent exactly how the money had been found. He laughed when they -repeated that Mrs. Myles had said she would be ashamed to face him.</p> - -<p>“I never held it against Minnie that she thought so poorly of me,” he -told the girls. “For a long while I’ve only felt sorry for her. Now -that this misunderstanding is cleared up, I hope she’ll let me help -her.”</p> - -<p>At the tree house, the Brownies remained very excited over discovery -of the money. Between bites of cookies and cake, they reviewed every -detail of the wonderful day.</p> - -<p>“I’m so glad we found the money today, while I’m still almost a -Brownie,” Eileen declared. “I couldn’t have stood it if the roll of -bills had turned up later on.”</p> - -<p>“To think that the money was hidden in the pillow all these years!” -Mrs. Myles murmured. “If it hadn’t been for the Brownies, I never would -have learned the truth.”</p> - -<p>At this moment Veve, Connie and Sam Vincent arrived at the tree house.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">203</a></span> -Seeing her brother so unexpectedly made Mrs. Myles feel ill at ease.</p> - -<p>However, he walked over to her and flung his arm around her thin -shoulders.</p> - -<p>“Oh, Sam, you know about the money?” she murmured. “Can you forgive me?”</p> - -<p>“There’s nothing to forgive,” he assured her. “Minnie, the only thing -that matters is the money has been found. You know now that I never -took it.”</p> - -<p>“Sam, I’m so ashamed of myself for ever doubting you—” Mrs. Myles -covered her face and began to sob.</p> - -<p>“There! There!” her brother comforted her awkwardly. “Let’s forget -about it now. I want to help you, Minnie.”</p> - -<p>“I’ve lost everything.”</p> - -<p>“You have five hundred dollars,” Veve reminded her.</p> - -<p>“That’s right,” Mrs. Myles agreed through her tears.</p> - -<p>“And you have a home for the remainder of your life,” her brother -convinced her. “My wife and I want you with us.”</p> - -<p>“I can’t impose on you.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">204</a></span> -“We really want you,” Mr. Vincent said firmly. “Later on, if you find -you would like to have a place of your own, I’ll build you a modern -cottage close to our property.”</p> - -<p>By this time the Brownie Scouts were certain that Sam Vincent was a -most wonderful person. They were pleased that Mrs. Myles would have a -good home and that she no longer would be dependent upon charity or -Miss Gordon’s kindness.</p> - -<p>“Oh, hasn’t everything ended just like a story book!” Rosemary said, -her eyes shining.</p> - -<p>“Miss Gordon will have lots of time for our Brownie troop from now on,” -Jane declared in satisfaction.</p> - -<p>Of all the girls, only Eileen seemed a trifle sad.</p> - -<p>She fingered the Brownie wings on her uniform and stood silently gazing -up at the tree house.</p> - -<p>“Don’t think about it,” Connie said, taking her hand.</p> - -<p>“But I want to,” Eileen replied earnestly. “Never as long as I live do -I want to forget about the grand times we’ve had here.”</p> - -<p>“You’ll come back next summer, Eileen.”</p> - -<p>“I know, but only as a visitor. I wouldn’t so much<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">205</a></span> mind not being a -Brownie any more, if only one thing had been settled.”</p> - -<p>“What’s that?” asked Connie. She thought she knew, though, the answer -Eileen would give.</p> - -<p>And she was right.</p> - -<p>“More than anything else, I’d like to know who built this tree house -for us,” Eileen said slowly. “I don’t suppose we ever shall though.”</p> - -<p>Veve had overheard the remark.</p> - -<p>“I have an idea,” she proposed. “Almost all of the wishes we’ve made -here have come true, haven’t they?”</p> - -<p>“That’s so,” nodded Sunny.</p> - -<p>“Let’s all close our eyes and wish hard that we knew who built the tree -house for us,” Veve went on. “Maybe we’ll have our answer.”</p> - -<p>The suggestion appealed to the other Brownies. All of the girls, -including Eileen, closed their eyes, and for a moment concentrated very -hard on the wish.</p> - -<p>When they opened their eyes again everything was exactly the same. -However, Mr. Vincent, who had been leaning against the oak tree, had an -odd expression on his face.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">206</a></span> -“Do you youngsters really want to know who built your house?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Of course!” cried Connie.</p> - -<p>“I should say so!” added Jane. “Eileen never will have any piece of -mind as a Girl Scout unless she learns the answer today.”</p> - -<p>“Was it Mr. Karwhite?” demanded Sunny, who began to suspect that the -carpenter might be hiding something.</p> - -<p>“It wasn’t Mr. Karwhite,” replied the carpenter.</p> - -<p>“But you do know!” cried Jane. “You could tell us if you would!”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I could,” Mr. Vincent replied slowly. “I’m wondering, though, if -the fun might not be spoiled.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, no!” cried all the Brownies together.</p> - -<p>“We’re not children,” added Veve. “It was fun to say that the brownies -built our tree house, but we always knew better.”</p> - -<p>Sam Vincent stood gazing down at the girls, his eyes twinkling.</p> - -<p>“It was a very large brownie who built this house,” he said. “One about -my size.”</p> - -<p>“You did it!” shouted Veve. “Oh, that doesn’t surprise me one bit!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">207</a></span> -“Or me either!” cried Connie. “I think I suspected it all the time. -Only I couldn’t quite be sure.”</p> - -<p>The Brownies gazed at Miss Gordon and saw that she did not look -surprised either.</p> - -<p>“I’ve known for quite a while,” she admitted with a smile. “I didn’t -tell you because it wasn’t my secret to relate.”</p> - -<p>The Brownies urged Mr. Vincent to tell them exactly how he had chanced -to build the house.</p> - -<p>“I frequently come to the park just to walk around,” he explained. -“Mr. Karwhite is a good friend of mine. Well, one day I overheard the -Brownies wish for a tree house. I knew one could be built quite easily.”</p> - -<p>“Then it was you who threw that first stone with the note attached,” -Sunny recalled.</p> - -<p>“Yes, I managed to hide while you were searching for me.”</p> - -<p>“But how did you get the house built so quickly?” Connie asked.</p> - -<p>“For a carpenter, the job wasn’t such a big one. I had plenty of boards -at home. I did take one chance though.”</p> - -<p>“What was that?” questioned Veve.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">208</a></span> -“Well, I didn’t tell Mr. Karwhite about the tree house until after it -was built. I figured if I asked him first, he’d turn me down.”</p> - -<p>“That’s why he didn’t know anything about it that first time we talked -to him,” remarked Connie.</p> - -<p>“I brought the boards and materials I needed in at night and built the -house in one day—it happened that Mr. Karwhite was away from the park. -I did a good job on the house if I do say so myself!”</p> - -<p>“Magnificent!” declared Miss Gordon.</p> - -<p>“At any rate, Mr. Karwhite decided to let it stay in the park when he -saw that it was a good sturdy job. One thing that influenced him was -the fine time you youngsters were having here.”</p> - -<p>“Tell us how you were able to make so many of our other wishes come -true,” urged Sunny. “Every time we asked for something—presto chango! -There it was!”</p> - -<p>“Not quite presto chango!” laughed the carpenter. “I was curious to -see how you liked the tree house, so I frequently hid in the bushes to -overhear your comments. It pleased me to make a few of the wishes come -true.”</p> - -<p>Connie asked Mr. Vincent if he were the one who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">209</a></span> had prepared a hot -meal for the Brownies on the day they had invited him to lunch.</p> - -<p>“Guilty,” he chuckled.</p> - -<p>The Brownie Scouts told the carpenter again how well they liked the -tree house and the many surprises.</p> - -<p>“It wasn’t much,” he said, belittling his work. “The Brownies did far -more for me by finding the lost money.”</p> - -<p>The day had turned rather chilly following the brief rain. Mr. Vincent -built a fire in one of the stone fireplaces of the park and everyone -gathered about to warm themselves.</p> - -<p>Some distance away, plainly visible in the old oak, could be seen the -little tree house.</p> - -<p>“Now that the leaves are falling, it stands out just like a light -house!” declared Connie proudly.</p> - -<p>“Yes, it does resemble one,” cried Veve, her imagination deeply -stirred. “That little window is the searchlight!”</p> - -<p>“A bright beacon blazing a trail to the future,” supplied Miss Gordon.</p> - -<p>“May we come back here next spring?” Connie asked.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">210</a></span> -Even before the teacher replied, the girls knew what her answer would -be.</p> - -<p>“Of course,” she said heartily. “We’ll fly back with the birds—not -only for good times, but to carry out many wonderful new Brownie -plans!”</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -</div> -<div class="tn"> -<p class="center p120">Transcriber’s Note</p> - -<p>Punctuation has been standardised. Changes to the original publication -have been made as follows:</p> - -<ul class="nobullet"> -<li><ul><li>Page 65<br /> -best would be very treachous <i>changed to</i><br /> -best would be very <a href="#treacherous">treacherous</a></li></ul></li> - -<li><ul><li>Page 76<br /> -the girls to their seperate homes <i>changed to</i><br /> -the girls to their <a href="#separate">separate</a> homes</li></ul></li> -</ul> -</div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Brownie Scouts and Their Tree House, by -Mildred A. 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