ted Eline, taking hold
of Belle's arm. "Do try!"

Hesitatingly Belle waded out into the water. She gasped and choked as the
chill struck through her, then, resolving to be brave, she plunged herself
under. She gasped more than ever, but did not give up.

"You are doing fine!" cried Eline, as she struck out toward the float.

Suddenly Belle screamed.

"Are you going down?" asked Eline in alarm, yet they were not out beyond
their depth.

"No, she's going up!" asserted Walter, who was swimming near by.

"Don't make fun of her!" commanded Cora.

"I'm not. She's making fun of herself."

Again Belle screamed.

"Oh! Oh!" she cried. "Something has me! I--I'm sure it's a lobster."

"None of us boys missing!" joked Ed, as he splashed up.

"Lobsters are worth forty cents a pound! Save that one! Save it!"
commanded Norton, as he came alongside with strong, even strokes.

"Oh dear!" screamed Belle.

She really seemed in distress, but something nerved her to strike out as
she never had before, and before she knew it she was swimming.

A figure in red guided to her side--a veritable mermaid. It was the girl
from the lighthouse--Rosalie.

"Take it slowly--you are doing lovely!" she commended. "You are swimming!"

"Oh--Oh--I--I'm so glad!" cried Belle. "I've always wanted to, but they
said I--I would be afraid!"

Rosalie was half supporting her, but really Belle was doing well, and
gaining confidence every minute. As the lighthouse maid swam past Cora
she managed to whisper:

"Father wants to see you. Come over when you can. I think he has had some
word from Aunt Margaret."

CHAPTER IX

GATHERING CLOUDS

The word which the lighthouse keeper had received was rather indefinite.
It was a letter from his sister, but it only confirmed that which he
already knew.

"And it doesn't give me any address where I can write to her!" he
complained when Cora had paid him a visit, in response to the invitation
given by Rosalie during the swim. "It's postmarked at--maybe you can see
it, my eye-sight isn't what it used to be," and he held the envelope out
to Cora.

"Edmenton," she read. "That's in this State."

"Yes, but what good would it do to write to her there?" he asked. "She
evidently doesn't want me to know where she is. Just read the letter,
Miss."

It was not long and in effect said that Mrs. Raymond would not come back
to her relatives until she had found Nancy Ford, and cleared her name of
the suspicio