The Secret of Steeple Rocks

ure that we oug

st eyed her bro

e thinking 'What's the use?' But Beth, there is a method in my madness, and if we get a livable house up, next summer you can bring some of the girls, charge them a reasonable price for room,

oil our woods with

"and have only nice folks. How would a girls' camp

et enough of tha

ar. If I got some one to play chaperon and run the affairs, would you be hoste

grows up a little further to try all

. All right, Beth; but just the same, we'll go ahead now. There are possibilities here. I

the fun, fishing and all." Beth had a sympathetic voice

r. But you know how I like this sort of thing. I'd like to be a big

re to their lumber had made quite an impression. Dalton had talked it over with Leslie, who thought that it might

Dal, that they cou

we are here on purpose it will reassure them when we build a larger and more permanent home,-un

going to try

ants to be in it, whether her

if she lends herself to our investigating. She was thunderstruck when she found o

at home, if you can help it. As for me, I'm going to be right on the job most of the time, and while we are putting up the log house, I'll

they will know that someone is inside, and there will be en

imb up on the roo

w. There's a sheer drop of I don't know how many feet. And

ith dynamite. But he finally consented to have the girls move over to the Eyrie, which suited Beth; no

fell by his ax at the appointed time. All the girls, Peggy included, were on hand to watch operations, and Jac

came around to look at it. "Doesn't it seem a

than you do, Leslie. But you notice that the trees are all growing too thickly here. I shall cut two

ack inquired. "What is the matte

r. Ives, does not want us to bui

took the ax from Dalton's hand and applied it to the base of the tree with som

capable. Leslie had an idea that he was not from as wealthy a home as Steeple Rocks, though he seemed to have clothes for all occasions. She was glad that he was related to Peggy and not to Mr. Ives.

"It will be such fun to watch a real log house g

was building on land bel

behind them, as they faced the tree and Jack. They turned to see a tal

chfeld!" ex

I rather think there isn't anyt

y handed him, and stepped forward. "And who may you be?" he

ggy," sneeringly

nd, Dalton Secrest, who is building on his own land! Miss Elizabeth, Count Herschfeld,-Miss Leslie and Miss Sarita-" Peggy began to be embar

k had not been friendly. What could it mean? She glanced at the faces around her. Jack, frowning, was leaning against the tree. Sarita and Les

ng, Miss Secrest. I conduct Mr. Iv

o anything for y

e of Mr. Ives' trees, and I am sorry to inform you, as Mr. Ives informed yo

y recorded and we hold deed and abstract of title in the usual way. My father was a lawyer, sir, and it is not very likely that he w

knew all about it all the time. We could have sa

her the worry. It's a jo

e thought. He could not have expecte

is walking stick. "I have no doubt that you think yourselves within your rights," began he,

ither do I propose to be hindered. I have looked up the records purposely before beginning to build. We are not harming any one, Count Herschfe

eer on his face remained. "I will report what you say to

rees. "Probably he'll tell about our being here and Jack's helping! H

ore. It's a good joke on us. We have spent lots of time and trouble findi

't you tell me?" Elizabeth was quite amaze

didn't have the heart to give you anything to worry about.

, as you have been doing, Dal. We have the right of it. I am surprised that a man of Mr. Ive

h excitement. "He wants you to go away, and I don't think that he is very sm

ll amazed Elizabeth. "What harm could we do here? Does he

o many guests' to the place, and he said that he came here to get 'away from ci

," kindly said Beth. "Wha

e has wines for those foreigners, friends of his, and the 'Counts' t

Please consider that question unasked!" Beth

Beth. I'm worried my

ese folks will let their lawyers fix it all up

es a notion to

er tree," said Jack, p

where Beth disappeared into the Eyrie, which she was fitting up to her taste. The other gir

launch. I'm going to say a little something to Mother, so she will avoid the subject wit

t was abhorrent to Leslie and she liked Peggy too much to want her concerned in