Produced by Sean Pobuda
Or
The Hermit of Fern Island
"Oh, Cora! Isn't this perfectly splendid!" exclaimed Bess Robinson.
"Delightful!" chimed in her twin sister, Belle.
"I'm glad you like it," said Cora Kimball, the camp hostess. "Ifelt that you would, but one can never be sure—especially of Belle.Jack said she would fall a prey to that clump of white birches overthere, and would want to paint pictures on the bark. But I fanciedshe would take more surely to the pines; they are so strong—and,like the big boys—always to be depended on. But not a word aboutcamp now. Something more important is on. My new motor boat hasjust arrived!"
"Has it really?" This as a duet.
"And truly," finished Cora with a smile. "Yes, it has, and there isnot a boy on the premises to show me how to run it. Jack expectedto be here, but he isn't. So now I'm going to try it alone. Inever could wait until evening to start my new boat. And isn't itlovely that you have arrived in time to take the initial run? Iremember you both took the first spin with me in my auto, theWhirlwind, and now here you are all ready for the trial performanceof the motor boat. Now Belle, don't refuse. There is absolutely nodanger."
"But the water," objected the timid Belle.
"We can all swim," put in her sister, "and you promised, Belle, notto be nervous this trip. Yes, Cora, I'm all ready. I saw the craftas we came up. Wasn't it the boat with the new light oak deck andmahogany gunwale? I am sure it was,"
"Yes, isn't she a beauty? I should have been satisfied with anysort of a good boat, but mother wanted something really reliable,and she and Jack did it all before I had a chance to interfere."
"I wonder what your mother will next bestow upon you?" asked Bellewith a laugh. "She has such absolute confidence in you."
"Let us hope it will not be a man; we can't let Cora get married,whatever else she may do," put in Bess, as she shook the dust fromher motor coat, and prepared to follow Cora, who was already leavingthe camp. Belle, too, started, but one could see that she, thougha motor girl, did not exactly fancy experimenting on the water. Itwas but a short distance to the lake's edge, for the camp had beenchosen especially on account of the water advantage.
"There she is! See how she stands out in the clear sunshiny water!I tell you it is the very prettiest boat on Cedar Lake, and that issaying something," exclaimed Cora, the proud possessor of the newmotor craft.
"Beautiful," reiterated the Robinson twins.
"But what do you know about running it?" queried Belle.
"Why, I have been studying marine motors in general, and have beenshown about this one in particular," replied Cora. "The man who ranit up from the freight depot for me gave me a few 'pointers,' as hecalled them."
She stepped into the trim craft and affectionately patted theshining engine.
"'It is much simpler to run than a car, and besides, there isn't somuch to get in your way on the water," Cora went on.
"My!" exclaimed Bess as she stepped in after her hostess. "This isreally—scrumptious!"
"You take the seat in the stern, Belle, and Bess, you may sit herenear me," said Cora, "as I suppose you will be interested in seeinghow it works. Oh! There is the steamer f