wish to know?" she asked.

"Certainly."

"Well, then, I see great trouble ahead of you."

"Whew!" Dick whistled. "This is getting serious. You'd better be
careful, Spuds."

"Yes," Margaret continued, "I see a big black cloud, and it entirely
surrounds you."

"Does it pass away?" Lois questioned, now much interested.

"I can not altogether tell."

"He's going to have a nightmare," Dick bantered, at which they all
laughed.

"I hope there's nothing in your prophecy," Jasper remarked. "If I were
at all superstitious I might worry a great deal over what you say."

"Look here, Lois," and Dick turned to his sister, "is there a hole in
that tea-strainer? For pity sakes get a new one, and don't let so many
grounds get through in the future. We don't want any more clouds."

When dinner was over they all went out on the verandah. It was a
beautiful evening, for the wind had subsided, and the river stretched
out before them like a huge mirror.

"How I should like to be out there now," Lois remarked, as she gazed
pensively upon the water. "Suppose we go for a row?"

"I should think you'd be sick and tired of the river after your
experience to-day," Dick replied. "I prefer the car to a boat any
time."

"With all the enjoyment of dust, noise, and smell of gasoline thrown
in," his sister sarcastically retorted.

"I guess you were most thankful to smell gasoline to-day, though, when
Spuds picked you up in that old tub of his. Now, weren't you?"

Before Lois could reply Betty suddenly appeared before them. Her face
was flushed, and she was panting as if she had been running fast.

"I have only a minute to spare," she explained, "for Mr. David doesn't
know I have left him. He wants to see you, Mr. Jasper, and so I have
come before it gets too late. I am afraid to come out after dark now."

CHAPTER XXIV

GATHERING CLOUDS

Jasper did not like the idea of leaving such agreeable company and
going with Betty. It was so pleasant to be near Lois, and he was
hoping that they might have a quiet little conversation together. Why
could not David wait? There was surely nothing of great importance
that he wished to see him about. No doubt he wanted to ask him some
questions concerning the progress of the work at the falls. He could
call in on his way home and have a chat with him.

These thoughts ran quickly through his mind as he sat there watching
Betty. But something in the girl's face told him that