They were gathered about a big fire on the hearth in the largest cabin—the outdoor girls, the boys, Mr. Ford and others. The crackling blaze leaped up the broad-throated chimney—it snapped with the energy of Fourth of July pyrotechnics, and threw a ruddy glow on happy faces. Betty sang:
"Merry, merry Christmas, everywhere,Cheerily it ringeth through the air.Christmas bells, Christmas trees,Christmas odors on the breeze.Merry, merry Christmas, everywhere,Cheerily it ringeth through the air!"
The others joined in, and then, clasping hands they circled around the room, their shadows flickering in fantastic and gigantic shapes on the wall as the fire danced with them.
"It's going to be the best Christmas ever—the very best ever!" murmured Amy, shyly, as she sat beside her—brother.
"That's right, little girl," he said, patting her arm, the one torn by the lynx. But he took good care to pat above the scratch, which had been bandaged.
For there was now no doubt that Amy and Mr. Blackford were brother and sister. Following the strange revelation to him of the red mark on her shoulder, the young business man had caused careful inquiries to be made. There was no mistake this time. The baby picked up in the flood had the red mark—Mr. Blackford's missing sister had the red mark, and so had Amy. They were one and the same. This was sufficiently proved.
And if other identification was needed, it was in the scar near Amy's elbow—a scar which at one time she hoped would prove a means of identifying her. And it did in a measure.
For the mark was that made by the hot point of a flatiron. One had fallen on her when she was a baby, making a bad burn that had healed over in the course of time. This fact regarding Amy was learned from the old diary found with her on the raft in the flood. And from another and independent source it was learned that Mr. Blackford's missing sister had a similar scar,caused by a like accident. Though years had almost obliterated it, still it was sufficiently plain.
"They can't get you away from me now, Amy," said Mr. Blackford, proudly.
"I won't let them," added Amy, moving closer to him.
"Pass the chocolates, Sis," ordered Will. "What is Christmas without candy?"
"Oh! to think of all the good luck we've had since we came to the winter camp!" cried Grace, as she complied. "Papa gets his land back——"
"Because you girls were lucky enough to discover the missing witness," interrupted Mr. Ford.
"Then Amy finds her brother," Grace went on, "and——"
"All because a lynx happened to jump down out of a tree to bite her!" cried Will, gaily.
"And then—and then——" mused Grace.
"Oh, here is a package that came by express for you to-day!" broke in Mollie. "It's marked chocolates, but——"
"Please give it to me!" cried Grace. "I was wondering what had become of it."
"That will keep her quiet for a while," said Will.
It was three days after the sensational developments related in the preceding chapter. Mr.Blackford, recognizing the peculiar mark on Amy's arm, tentatively decided she was his long-missing sister, and a reference to the documents, as well as a communication with Mr. and Mrs. Stonington, bore this out. Amy was not the relative of the Deepdale Stoningtons. There had been a mix-up in the babies rescued from the flood, and, as far as could be learned on hasty inquiry, the child of Mrs. Stonington's relative had disappeared.
"But I've got folks at last—real folks, even if it is only one," said Amy, with a loving look at her brother, who regarded her affectionately.
"You are a lucky girl," whispered Mollie, with a look at Mr. Blackford—Henry they all called him now, since he was found to be related to one of the outdoor girls.
"And my name is Blackford—not Stonington," Amy went on. "I will feel strange at first, but I can get used to it."
"And to-morrow we'll go home for Christmas," said Betty, after a pause. "Well, of course it will be nice in Deepdale, but we have had some glorious times here; haven't we, girls?"
"We have!" they all chorused—boys included.
They had indulged in their last skating raceat camp, and taken a final trip in the ice boat, the boys had voted to go home in the odd motor craft, but the girls were to go by train, starting in the morning.
"And now, one last song," suggested Betty. "All has ended well and happily from the finding of Amy's brother to the regaining of Mr. Ford's land. One last song!"
They sang a Christmas carol, and then, in order to be up early, they went to bed soon afterward.
"Well, I wonder what will be next?" asked Mollie, as she bade Betty good-night. "Can you imagine anything else happening to us?"
"I don't know," answered Betty, reflectively. "There are many more things thatmighthappen."
And what they were will be related in the next volume of this series, which will be entitled: "The Outdoor Girls in Florida; Or, Wintering in the Sunny South." There we shall meet our old friends again in the land of oranges and magnolias, and learn how they saw unusual sights in the wilds of the interior.
"You must wake and call me early, call me early, Mollie dear, for soon it will be Christmas, the best time of all the year." Thus chanted Will next morning under the window of the cabinoccupied by the outdoor girls. But the girls were already up, and packing.
Ted Franklin was to be left in charge of the camp, and the valuable timber strip so fortunately restored to Mr. Ford. Paddy Malone was to be foreman of the new cutting gang, many of Mr. Jallow's employes hiring out to Grace's father. The Jallows had gone back to Deepdale, as I have said, the case against Mr. Jallow being dropped.
"See you later!" called the girls to the boys, as the latter prepared to go home in the auto ice boat. And as good-byes were called, the eyes of Amy rested longest on the face of her newly-found brother. There was to be a new life before her—she felt sure. A new and more happy life.
And now that matters have turned out so well, we will take leave of the Outdoor Girls.
Would you like to know what became of the good friends you have made in this book?Would you like to read other stories continuing their adventures and experiences, or other books quite as entertaining by the same author?On thereverse sideof the wrapper which comes with this book, you will find a wonderful list of stories which you can buy at the same store where you got this book.
Use it as a handy catalog of the books you want some day to have. But in case you do mislay it, write to the Publishers for a complete catalog.
Author of the "Bobbsey Twins," "Bunny Brown" Series, Etc.
Uniform Style of Binding. Individual Colored Wrappers.Every Volume Complete in Itself.
These are the tales of the various adventures participated in by a group of bright, fun-loving, up-to-date girls who have a common bond in their fondness for outdoor life, camping, travel and adventure. They are clean and wholesome and free from sensationalism.
These are the tales of the various adventures participated in by a group of bright, fun-loving, up-to-date girls who have a common bond in their fondness for outdoor life, camping, travel and adventure. They are clean and wholesome and free from sensationalism.
THE OUTDOOR GIRLS OF DEEPDALETHE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKETHE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A MOTOR CARTHE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMPTHE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN FLORIDATHE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT OCEAN VIEWTHE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN ARMY SERVICETHE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON PINE ISLANDTHE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT THE HOSTESS HOUSETHE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT BLUFF POINTTHE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT WILD ROSE LODGETHE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN THE SADDLETHE OUTDOOR GIRLS AROUND THE CAMPFIRETHE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON CAPE CODTHE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT FOAMING FALLSTHE OUTDOOR GIRLS ALONG THE COASTTHE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT SPRING HILL FARMTHE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT NEW MOON RANCHTHE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON A HIKE
GROSSET & DUNLAP,Publishers, NEW YORK
Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations byTHELMA GOOCHEvery Volume Complete in Itself
The Blythe girls, three in number, were left alone in New York City. Helen, who went in for art and music, kept the little flat uptown, while Margy, just out of a business school, obtained a position as a private secretary and Rose, plain-spoken and businesslike, took what she called a "job" in a department store.THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN, MARGY AND ROSEA fascinating tale of real happenings in the great metropolis.THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY'S QUEER INHERITANCEThe Girls had a peculiar old aunt and when she died she left an unusual inheritance.THE BLYTHE GIRLS: ROSE'S GREAT PROBLEMRose, still at work in the big department store, is one day faced with the greatest problem of her life.THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN'S STRANGE BOARDERHelen goes to the assistance of a strange girl, whose real identity is a puzzle. Who the girl really was comes as a tremendous surprise.THE BLYTHE GIRLS: THREE ON A VACATIONThe girls go to the country for two weeks—and fall in with all sorts of curious and exciting happenings.THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY'S SECRET MISSIONOf course we cannot divulge the big secret, but nevertheless the girls as usual have many exciting experiences.THE BLYTHE GIRLS: ROSE'S ODD DISCOVERYA very interesting story, telling how Rose aided an old man in the almost hopeless search for his daughter.THE BLYTHE GIRLS: THE DISAPPEARANCE OF HELENHelen calls on the art dealer on business and finds the old fellow has made a wonderful discovery.THE BLYTHE GIRLS: SNOWBOUND IN CAMPAn absorbing tale of winter happenings, full of excitement.
The Blythe girls, three in number, were left alone in New York City. Helen, who went in for art and music, kept the little flat uptown, while Margy, just out of a business school, obtained a position as a private secretary and Rose, plain-spoken and businesslike, took what she called a "job" in a department store.
THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN, MARGY AND ROSE
A fascinating tale of real happenings in the great metropolis.
THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY'S QUEER INHERITANCE
The Girls had a peculiar old aunt and when she died she left an unusual inheritance.
THE BLYTHE GIRLS: ROSE'S GREAT PROBLEM
Rose, still at work in the big department store, is one day faced with the greatest problem of her life.
THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN'S STRANGE BOARDER
Helen goes to the assistance of a strange girl, whose real identity is a puzzle. Who the girl really was comes as a tremendous surprise.
THE BLYTHE GIRLS: THREE ON A VACATION
The girls go to the country for two weeks—and fall in with all sorts of curious and exciting happenings.
THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY'S SECRET MISSION
Of course we cannot divulge the big secret, but nevertheless the girls as usual have many exciting experiences.
THE BLYTHE GIRLS: ROSE'S ODD DISCOVERY
A very interesting story, telling how Rose aided an old man in the almost hopeless search for his daughter.
THE BLYTHE GIRLS: THE DISAPPEARANCE OF HELEN
Helen calls on the art dealer on business and finds the old fellow has made a wonderful discovery.
THE BLYTHE GIRLS: SNOWBOUND IN CAMP
An absorbing tale of winter happenings, full of excitement.
GROSSET & DUNLAP,Publishers, NEW YORK
Durably Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers.Every Volume Complete in Itself.
A delightful series for girls in which they will follow Polly and Eleanor through many interesting adventures and enjoyable trips to various places in the United States, Europe and South America.
A delightful series for girls in which they will follow Polly and Eleanor through many interesting adventures and enjoyable trips to various places in the United States, Europe and South America.
POLLY OF PEBBLY PITPOLLY AND ELEANORPOLLY IN NEW YORKPOLLY AND HER FRIENDS ABROADPOLLY'S BUSINESS VENTUREPOLLY'S SOUTHERN CRUISEPOLLY IN SOUTH AMERICAPOLLY IN THE SOUTHWESTPOLLY IN ALASKA
GROSSET & DUNLAP,Publishers, NEW YORK
Author of the "Polly Brewster Books"
Handsomely Bound. Colored Wrappers. IllustratedEach Volume Complete in Itself.
Here is a series that holds the same position for girls that the Tom Slade and Roy Blakeley books hold for boys. They are delightful stories of Girl Scout camp life amid beautiful surroundings and are filled with stirring adventures.GIRL SCOUTS AT DANDELION CAMPThis is a story which centers around the making and the enjoying of a mountain camp, spiced with the fun of a lively troop of Girl Scouts. The charm of living in the woods, of learning woodcraft of all sorts, of adventuring into the unknown, combine to make a busy and an exciting summer for the girls.GIRL SCOUTS IN THE ADIRONDACKSNew scenery, new problems of camping, association with a neighboring camp of Boy Scouts, and a long canoe trip with them through the Fulton Chain, all in the setting of the marvelous Adirondacks, bring to the girls enlargement of horizon, new development, and new joys.GIRL SCOUTS IN THE ROCKIESOn horseback from Denver through Estes Park as far as the Continental Divide, climbing peaks, riding wild trails, canoeing through canyons, shooting rapids, encountering a landslide, a summer blizzard, a sand storm, wild animals, and forest fires, the girls pack the days full withunforgettableexperiences.GIRL SCOUTS IN ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICOThe Girl Scouts visit the mountains and deserts of Arizona and New Mexico. They travel over the oldSantaFe trail, cross the Painted Desert, and visit the Grand Canyon. Their exciting adventures form a most interesting story.
Here is a series that holds the same position for girls that the Tom Slade and Roy Blakeley books hold for boys. They are delightful stories of Girl Scout camp life amid beautiful surroundings and are filled with stirring adventures.
GIRL SCOUTS AT DANDELION CAMP
This is a story which centers around the making and the enjoying of a mountain camp, spiced with the fun of a lively troop of Girl Scouts. The charm of living in the woods, of learning woodcraft of all sorts, of adventuring into the unknown, combine to make a busy and an exciting summer for the girls.
GIRL SCOUTS IN THE ADIRONDACKS
New scenery, new problems of camping, association with a neighboring camp of Boy Scouts, and a long canoe trip with them through the Fulton Chain, all in the setting of the marvelous Adirondacks, bring to the girls enlargement of horizon, new development, and new joys.
GIRL SCOUTS IN THE ROCKIES
On horseback from Denver through Estes Park as far as the Continental Divide, climbing peaks, riding wild trails, canoeing through canyons, shooting rapids, encountering a landslide, a summer blizzard, a sand storm, wild animals, and forest fires, the girls pack the days full withunforgettableexperiences.
GIRL SCOUTS IN ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO
The Girl Scouts visit the mountains and deserts of Arizona and New Mexico. They travel over the oldSantaFe trail, cross the Painted Desert, and visit the Grand Canyon. Their exciting adventures form a most interesting story.
GROSSET & DUNLAP,Publishers, NEW YORK
Attractively Bound. Illustrated. Individual Coloured Wrappers.Every Volume Complete in Itself.
Lilian Garis is one of the writers who always wrote. She expressed herself in verse from early school days and it was then predicted that Lilian Mack would one day become a writer. Justifying this sentiment, while still at high school, she took charge of the woman's page for a city paper and her work there attracted such favorable attention that she left school to take entire charge of woman's work for the largest daily in an important Eastern city.Mrs. Garis turned to girls' books directly after her marriage, and of these she has written many. She believes in girls, studies them and depicts them with pen both skilled and sympathetic.
Lilian Garis is one of the writers who always wrote. She expressed herself in verse from early school days and it was then predicted that Lilian Mack would one day become a writer. Justifying this sentiment, while still at high school, she took charge of the woman's page for a city paper and her work there attracted such favorable attention that she left school to take entire charge of woman's work for the largest daily in an important Eastern city.
Mrs. Garis turned to girls' books directly after her marriage, and of these she has written many. She believes in girls, studies them and depicts them with pen both skilled and sympathetic.
A GIRL CALLED TEDTED AND TONY, Two Girls of TodayCLEO'S MISTY RAINBOWCLEO'S CONQUESTBARBARA HALEBARBARA HALE'S MYSTERY FRIEND;(Formerly Barbara Hale and Cozette)GLORIA: A GIRL AND HER DADGLORIA AT BOARDING SCHOOLJOAN: JUST GIRLJOAN'S GARDEN OF ADVENTURECONNIE LORING;(Formerly Connie Loring's Ambition)CONNIE LORING'S GYPSY FRIEND;(Formerly Connie Loring's Dilemma)NANCY BRANDONNANCY BRANDON'S MYSTERY
Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York
Charming, Fresh and Original Stories
Illustrated. Wrappers Printed in Colors with individual design for each story
Miss Marlowe's books for girls are somewhat of the type of Miss Alcott and also Mrs. Meade; but all are thoroughly up-to-date and wholly American in scene and action. Good, clean absorbing tales that all girls thoroughly enjoy.THE OLDEST OF FOUR; Or, Natalie's Way Out.A sweet story of the struggles of a live girl to keep a family from want.THE GIRLS AT HILLCREST FARM; Or, The Secret of the Rocks.Relating the trials of two girls who take boarders on an old farm.A LITTLE MISS NOBODY; Or, With the Girls of Pinewood Hall.Tells of a school girl who was literally a nobody until she solved the mystery of her identity.THE GIRL FROM SUNSET RANCH; Or, Alone in a Great City.A ranch girl comes to New York to meet relatives she has never seen. Her adventures make unusually good reading.WYN'S CAMPING DAYS; Or, The Outing of the GO-AHEAD CLUB.A tale of happy days on the water and under canvas, with a touch of mystery and considerable excitement.FRANCES OF THE RANGES; Or, The Old Ranchman's Treasure.A vivid picture of life on the great cattle ranges of the West.THE GIRLS OF RIVERCLIFF SCHOOL; Or, Beth Baldwin's Resolve.This is one of the most entertaining stories centering about a girl's school that has ever been written.WHEN ORIOLE CAME TO HARBOR LIGHT.The story of a young girl, cast up by the sea, and rescued by an old lighthouse keeper.WHEN ORIOLE TRAVELED WESTWARD.Oriole visits the family of a rich ranchman and enjoys herself immensely.WHEN ORIOLE WENT TO BOARDING SCHOOL.How this brave girl bears up under the most trying experiences, makes a very interesting story.
Miss Marlowe's books for girls are somewhat of the type of Miss Alcott and also Mrs. Meade; but all are thoroughly up-to-date and wholly American in scene and action. Good, clean absorbing tales that all girls thoroughly enjoy.
THE OLDEST OF FOUR; Or, Natalie's Way Out.
A sweet story of the struggles of a live girl to keep a family from want.
THE GIRLS AT HILLCREST FARM; Or, The Secret of the Rocks.
Relating the trials of two girls who take boarders on an old farm.
A LITTLE MISS NOBODY; Or, With the Girls of Pinewood Hall.
Tells of a school girl who was literally a nobody until she solved the mystery of her identity.
THE GIRL FROM SUNSET RANCH; Or, Alone in a Great City.
A ranch girl comes to New York to meet relatives she has never seen. Her adventures make unusually good reading.
WYN'S CAMPING DAYS; Or, The Outing of the GO-AHEAD CLUB.
A tale of happy days on the water and under canvas, with a touch of mystery and considerable excitement.
FRANCES OF THE RANGES; Or, The Old Ranchman's Treasure.
A vivid picture of life on the great cattle ranges of the West.
THE GIRLS OF RIVERCLIFF SCHOOL; Or, Beth Baldwin's Resolve.
This is one of the most entertaining stories centering about a girl's school that has ever been written.
WHEN ORIOLE CAME TO HARBOR LIGHT.
The story of a young girl, cast up by the sea, and rescued by an old lighthouse keeper.
WHEN ORIOLE TRAVELED WESTWARD.
Oriole visits the family of a rich ranchman and enjoys herself immensely.
WHEN ORIOLE WENT TO BOARDING SCHOOL.
How this brave girl bears up under the most trying experiences, makes a very interesting story.
GROSSET & DUNLAP,Publishers, NEW YORK
Attractively Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers.
Marjorie is a happy little girl of twelve, up to mischief, but full of goodness and sincerity. In her and her friends every girl reader will see much of her own love of fun, play and adventure.
Marjorie is a happy little girl of twelve, up to mischief, but full of goodness and sincerity. In her and her friends every girl reader will see much of her own love of fun, play and adventure.
MARJORIE'S VACATIONMARJORIE'S BUSY DAYSMARJORIE'S NEW FRIENDMARJORIE IN COMMANDMARJORIE'S MAYTIMEMARJORIE AT SEACOTE
Introducing Dorinda Fayre—a pretty blonde, sweet, serious, timid and a little slow, and Dorothy Rose—a sparkling brunette, quick, elf-like, high tempered, full of mischief and always getting into scrapes.
Introducing Dorinda Fayre—a pretty blonde, sweet, serious, timid and a little slow, and Dorothy Rose—a sparkling brunette, quick, elf-like, high tempered, full of mischief and always getting into scrapes.
TWO LITTLE WOMENTWO LITTLE WOMEN AND TREASURE HOUSETWO LITTLE WOMEN ON A HOLIDAY
Dick and Dolly are brother and sister, and their games, their pranks, their joys and sorrows, are told in a manner which makes the stories "really true" to young readers.
Dick and Dolly are brother and sister, and their games, their pranks, their joys and sorrows, are told in a manner which makes the stories "really true" to young readers.
DICK AND DOLLYDICK AND DOLLY'S ADVENTURES
GROSSET & DUNLAP,Publishers, New York
Transcriber's NotesObvious punctuation errors repaired.One instance each of "airhole", "air-hole," "motorcycle," "motor-cycle," "noncommittally," and "non-committally," was retained.The remaining corrections made are indicated by dotted lines under the corrections. Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text willappear.
Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
One instance each of "airhole", "air-hole," "motorcycle," "motor-cycle," "noncommittally," and "non-committally," was retained.
The remaining corrections made are indicated by dotted lines under the corrections. Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text willappear.