his mind, but he felt a sense of uneasiness about Marjorie, and
something prompted him to go on. In a stout raincoat, and under a
big umbrella, he made his way across the field through the storm
toward "Breezy Inn."

"My land!" he exclaimed, "if that ladder ain't disappeared. What
will them youngsters be up to next?"

But even as he noticed the broken ladder, the door flew open, and
Marjorie and Molly popped their heads out.

"Oh, Carter!" Marjorie screamed; "do get a ladder, and hurry up!
Ours is broken down, and Stella is struck by lightning, and, oh,
Carter, do help us!"

Carter took in the situation at a glance. He said nothing, for it
was no time for words. He saw the broken ladder could not be
repaired in a minute; and, turning, he ran swiftly back to the
barn for another ladder. A long one was necessary, and with Moses
to help him they hurried the ladder across the field and raised
it.

Another fortunate effect of the firecracker explosion had been to
rouse Stella. Partly owing to the noise of the explosion, and
partly because the effect of the shock was wearing away, Stella
had opened her eyes and, realizing what had happened, promptly
made up for lost time by beginning to cry violently. Also, the
reaction at finding Stella herself again, and the relief caused by
the appearance of Carter, made Molly and Marjorie also break down,
and when Carter came bounding up the ladder he found three girls,