The Outdoor Girls At Rainbow Lake

or

The Stirring Cruise of the Motor Boat Gem

by Laura Lee Hope, 1913
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CHAPTER I

A GRAND SURPRISE

"Girls, I've got the grandest surprise for you!"

Betty Nelson crossed the velvety green lawn, and crowded into the
hammock, slung between two apple trees, which were laden with green
fruit. First she had motioned for Grace Ford to make room for her, and
then sank beside her chum with a sigh of relief.

"Oh, it was so warm walking over!" she breathed. "And I did come too
fast, I guess." She fanned herself with a filmy handkerchief.

"But the surprise?" Mollie Billette reminded Betty.

"I'm coming to it, my dear, but just let me get my breath. I didn't
know I hurried so. Swing, Grace."

With a daintily shod foot-- a foot slender and in keeping with her
figure-- Grace gave rather a languid push, and set the hammock to