odland way.

"Don't tempt the fates," cautioned Ned, "we can always get enough
trouble without beckoning it."

"It was good sport, meeting the little country woman and all that,"
said Nat, "but I must admit I did not enjoy the mud bath. I have heard
of mud baths in sanitariums. Do you suppose they are that kind?"

"Oh, no," laughed Ned. "They perfume the mud and mix it with bay rum.
Then they allow it to trickle down your spinal column to the rhythm of
your favorite poem--so many drops to so many feet."

"I'll never forget how you looked when you came up on that rail,"
declared Tavia, merrily. "I have heard of such things, but that is the
first time I ever saw any one really ride a rail--"

"And my initial performance, I assure you. Well, do not be so
painfully faithful as never to forget my appearance. I think you might
sympathize with a fellow."

But Tavia only laughed more heartily. She declared he could not have
been drowned; of course it was wet and cold and muddy--

"And he might have fallen, and not have been able to get to his feet
again," remarked Dorothy, with apprehension. "I am awfully afraid of
mysterious accidents; and who can tell what is at the bottom of a
spring?"

"For expert testimony," replied Nat, "apply to Nathaniel White,
Esquire. He is in every way qualified--Oh, I say, my knee! Ouch!
Can't move it," and he winced in pain.

"Let me get there," insisted Ned, "you may take a kink somewhere and
make us turn turtle. Besides you will not get so much breeze back
here."

Nat was easily persuaded now, for the fact was he did not feel at all
comfortable--the mud bath was getting in its work,--so the machine was
stopped while he got in the tonneau and his brother took the place at
the wheel.

"Put this dust robe around you," ordered Dorothy. "You may miss your
coat in spite of the day, for the wind is sharp when we cut through the
air this way. I do hope you will not be ill--"

"Never! That race Mrs. Hardy gave me, or made me take, saved my life.
But it's pleasant to change seats. Ned will get a lot of laughs from
Tavia, and I will enjoy a chance to talk with you."

So the little party dashed along, until a turn in the road brought a
row of houses into view, and presently, among them, could be seen a
sign that indicated eatables were for sale there. Both girls and boys
went in to do the buying--so keen were their appetites now that each
preferred to do his or her own select