he
pleaded, "can't we get back? I am stiffening, and you may all have to
get together and carry me."

"Are you so tired? Poor dad! I didn't think the walk was too much.
But you do feel it!" and she sat down on a soft clump of grass at his
feet. "Well, as soon as the girls get their ferns and things they want
to take home for specimens, we will start back. If you really are
tired, we could get a carriage at the foot of the hill."

"And have you youngsters laugh at me! Never! I would die walking
first," and Mr. Rand stretched himself to show how near death he really
was. "Now, I tell you, we will all take the bus back. That would be
more like it."

This suggestion was rapidly spread among the woodland party, and when
the girls did finally consent to desert the growing things and leave a
"speck of something for the rabbits to eat," as Jack put it, the start
for the hotel was made.

At the foot of the hill, or the opening of the mountain path, an old
woman, a gypsy, stood with the inevitable basket on her arm.

"Tell your fortune, lady? Tell you the truth," she called, and
actually put her hand out to stop Cora as she was passing. "Tell it
for a quarter."

"Take a basketful," suggested Ed, sotto voce. "I would like to know
what's going to become of Wallie when we get back to Chelton."

As usual, Walter was helping Betty, who, with her light laugh and
equally light step, was making her way over the last stones of the wood
way.

"Tell your fortune----"

"Oh, no," called back Mr. Rand, who had stopped to see what was
delaying the party. "We don't need to be told. Here woman," and he
threw back a coin, "take this and buy a--new shawl."

All this time the woman was standing directly in Cora's way. The path
was very narrow, and on either side was close brushwood. Cora stepped
in the bushes in order to get out to the road, and as she did she
stumbled and fell.

In an instant Ed had caught her up, but not before the old woman had
peered deep into Cora's face, had actually moved her scarf as if
looking for some mark of recognition.

"I'll help her up," the woman exclaimed, when she saw that Ed was angry
enough to thrust her to the edge of the pathway. "I see a fine fortune
in her eyes. They are black, her hair is black, and she has the
appearance of the girl who runs an automobile. Oh, yes, I remember!"
and she now turned away satisfied. "These girls ride much. But
she--she is their leader!"