A few minutes later they were racing like slim young ghosts through the
woods, laughing and calling to each other and entirely abandoned to the
joy of the moment.

"Race you to the old swimming hole," Mollie called out, as they neared the
river; and away they all raced in response to the challenge.

Betty won, in spite of the fact that Mollie had had a short head start,
and the girls, wild in their exuberance, would have lifted her to their
shoulders had not Betty herself laughingly fought them off.

"I have another challenge," she cried. "My fresh box of candy to whoever
swims to the other side of the swimming hole first. Are you on?"

"We're on!" yelled Grace enthusiastically, adding: "I'd swim from here to
Jericho for that box of candy, Betty."

As a matter of fact, whether it was really the thought of the candy or
whether it was because the other girls were tired from the last spurt,
Grace really did get to the other side of the swimming pool first, and,
pulling herself up on the other bank, dripping and triumphant, demanded
the prize.

"You surely did win it, and you shall have that box of candy--much as I
hoped to keep it in the family," laughed Betty, shaking the water from her
eyes and drawing herself up beside her chum. "Goodness, isn't that water
delicious to-night?" she added, wriggling her toes luxuriously in the
rippling wavelets. "Just cool enough to be refreshing and not cold enough
to chill you----" She broke off suddenly and sat staring, her eyes