The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Girl Scouts at Bellaire, by Lilian C. McNamara Garis

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere 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

Title: The Girl Scouts at Bellaire Or Maid Mary's Awakening

Author: Lilian C. McNamara Garis

Release Date: May 27, 2008 [eBook #25626]

Language: English

***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GIRL SCOUTS AT BELLAIRE***

E-text prepared by Al Haines

THE GIRL SCOUTS AT BELLAIRE

or

Maid Mary's Awakening

by

LILIAN GARIS

Author of

  "The Girl Scout Pioneers,"
  "The Girl Scouts at Sea Crest," Etc.

Illustrated

New York
Cupples & Leon Company

THE GIRL SCOUT SERIES

By LILIAN GARIS

  THE GIRL SCOUT PIONEERS,
  Or, Winning the First B. C.

  THE GIRL SCOUTS AT BELLAIRE
  Or, Maid Mary's Awakening

  THE GIRL SCOUTS AT SEA CREST
  Or, The Wig Wag Rescue

CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, NEW YORK

Copyright, 1920, by
Cupples & Leon Company

THE GIRL SCOUTS AT BELLAIRE

CONTENTS

I. JOYS AND JOY RIDING II. BEAUTIFUL BELLAIRE III. THE BROKEN MARATHON IV. THE EAGLE'S FEATHER V. ON THE TRAIL VI. A LITTLE MAID IN CLOVER VII. WITHIN A MOUNTAIN CAVE VIII. SUNSET'S INSPIRATION IX. THE SECRET SPRING X. NEW FRIENDS XI. A CRY IN THE NIGHT XII. A STARTLING EXPERIENCE XIII. MARY'S MYSTERIOUS PET XIV. AT THE STUDIO XV. ORCHIDIA XVI. PROFESSOR BENSON XVII. A SECRET SESSION XVIII. IN THE SHADOWS XIX. HIDDEN TREASURES XX. THE MASCOT'S RESCUE XXI. REDA'S RETURN XXII. THE ORPHAN OF THE ORCHIDS XXIII. MAID MARY AWAKE

THE GIRL SCOUTS AT BELLAIRE

CHAPTER I

JOYS AND JOY RIDING

"Next to a honeymoon I think a vacation out in Bellaire is about the best," decided Grace.

"And, pray, what is your idea of a honeymoon?" inquired Cleo.

"Well, it's something like a trip to Europe in one way, because it's hard to arrange; that is, a real honeymoon is, and it's almost as thrilling because it's so entirely different. Sister Mabel is trunking what she can't get in her hope chest, and she says a wedding is the one unlimited wonder of life."

"But why the trip to Europe?" persisted the logical Cleo.

"Oh, you don't have to be so exact," retorted Grace, unwilling to show defeat. "I was only thinking that when some one goes away—far away, all sorts of nice things are said about them; and when a girl gets married her maw" (and Grace drawled the ma) "says she has been a perfect daughter."

"Oh, I see," Cleo replied, somewhat satisfied at the diagraming, "and our vacation out at Bellaire is to be a cross between a wedding and a trip to Europe. I'll take the wedding wing, please," and she hummed the march that always echoes orange blossoms.

"Wedding ring, you mean. Well, I'll take the port that puts me beyond criticism, not too far away, of course," qualified Grace. "But do you know, Cleo, your aunt is a perfect fairy godmother to come to the rescue now. Think of early summer in the New Jersey mountains! No end of bunnies and wood nymphs out there!"

"Well, you see, mother and father have to travel this summer, and Aunt Audrey is going to stay home. Here's Madaline. Let's see what she thinks about it all. Maybe she'll add the christening to our wedding and honeymoon," suggested Cleo.

"Oh, girls, you should see the dearest little piccaninny I just saw——"

A gale of laughter interrupted Madaline.

"There!" exclaimed Cleo. "Didn't I tell you she would bring the christening!"

"What's the joke? One black baby is cute and funny, but not bad enough to give you two girls a fit," Madaline remarked rather peevishly.

"Oh, come on, Madie," coaxed Cleo, linking her arm into that of the dimply girl, "we were just waiting for you to decide all the details. Your dad, and my dad, and Grace's dad may be traveling about all summer, and our mothers are lovely to let us all go off together. We have just been saying this vacation promises to be the biggest event in our lives, next to going on a honeymoon, or having the unlimited joy of the—those who get all sorts of unsolicited compliments," she patched up the "far-away" possibilities. "And when you said 'kinky' kid we thought that supplied the missing link, the christening. But isn't it glorious to go away out to Jersey in a touring car, with trunks strapped on——"

"And our feet on a mountain of boxes," put in Madaline with a rather discounting tone of voice. "Of course, I adore motoring, but I think we should decide on the exact size and number of hat boxes."

"Practical Packie!" declared Cleo, "and that's a good joke, isn't it? Speaking of packing, I never knew they called Patsies Packies, until Mother told me the other day that's the most common of the little Irish nicknames. Isn't it cute? Packie Mower! I believe we will christen you Madie," suggested Cleo.

"No, please don't. You know I am a little bit truly Irish, and that might sound like a parody."

"I can just see how we will get ready for that vacation if we keep on wandering," Cleo reminded her companions. "Makes me think of the song about the butcher who rambled, and rambled until the butcher cut him down. Oh, no, it was some one else who rambled, because the butcher, of course, did the cutting. They always do. But we do the rambling, and we always do that. Now, let us plan for that tour, and the vacation to follow."

"First, Cleo," said Madaline quite seriously, "let me say, I think your aunt is a dear to take us in for our vacation. Mother may go to the beach later, but I think the country first is just wonderful."

"And we are sure to have a great and glorious adventure," said Grace.
"Three of us couldn't miss finding that."

"Like a wedding!" Cleo teased Grace.

"Oh, you're horrid!" Grace pouted. "I'll withdraw that illustration if it will make peace in the family. But about the hat boxes. I must take my leghorn hat in the car, and in a box."

"And I have my brown poke. I couldn't possibly travel in that," added
Cleo, "yet I must take it."

"There's my frilly georgette. It would look like a rag if it were not packed in special tissue paper for traveling," affixed Grace, "but one small trunk certainly won't take in big hats."

"Oh, I'll tell you!" Cleo discovered. "We try our best hats in one box all fitted in together. If they won't go we'll pack them in a big strong wooden box, and express them. I do hate boxes to spoil