all of them.

"It seems such a terrible waste--such a pity," she said. "Just a mistake
on the part of the Government to have resulted in this tragedy. Arnold and
James Dempsey coming home, safe and well and hopeful to find their father
--dead!"

The boys stayed on for several days at the lodge, and for all the Outdoor
Girls but Betty their stay was unmitigated joy. But in the heart of the
Little Captain, hard as she tried to fight against it, was a little sense
of injury to think that her chums had got their boys back and she had been
denied hers.

To be sure, all the boys made much of her and petted her--for there was
not one of them who had not competed for her favor in the old days before
Allen had shouldered them all out--but no amount of attention from any one
else could make up for one little word from Allen.

At each sunrise she awoke thrilling with the thought that perhaps Allen
would be with her before the sun went down. And as each evening came
without him she sighed and thought, "Perhaps to-morrow."

Since the tragic death of Professor Dempsey they felt that they need no
longer fear the woods, although they never ventured near the river or the
falls without a heartache and the fervent wish that they might have
reached the poor demented man with the glad news of his sons' safety in
time to avert the tragedy.

However, they did enjoy their liberty, and took long tramps with the boys
through the woods and picnicked with them beside little unexpected brooks