Page:Outdoor Girls at Rainbow Lake.djvu/143

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THE REGATTA
131

"but really we don't want to deprive you——"

"It will be no deprivation," said Betty. "We will be glad not to have them wasted——"

"Oh, then by all means let us be—the wastebaskets!' exclaimed Mr. Stone, laughing.

"Oh, I didn't mean just that," and Betty blushed.

"I understand," he replied, and Aunt Kate passed over a plate of chicken sandwiches. Under cover of opening another bottle of olives, Mollie whispered to Grace:

"Ask him some questions—start on motoring—ask if they ever motored near Deepdale."

"I will," whispered Grace, and, as the two young men ate, she led the topic of talk to automobiles.

"Do you motor?" she asked, looking directly at Mr. Stone. She was certain now that at least he had been in the car that caused Prince to run away.

"Oh, yes, often," he answered. "Do you?"

"No, but I am very fond of horseback riding," she said. She was certain that Mr. Stone started.

"Indeed," said he, "that is something I never cared about. Frankly, I am afraid of horses. I saw one run away once, with a young lady, and——"