Voice from the Cave

PING A

Over the coffee cups Mr. Parker apologized to Mrs. Delin

ous night. Without saying much, she conveyed the impression that Penny had bee

eemed so absorbed in animated conversation, that they scarcely spoke or noticed Pen

s. Deline when we reach Sunse

enny caught her first glimpse of the seashore. Big waves

ightening. "I wish we were camping right on

," Mr. Parker laughed. "By the way, Penny, i

. "Yes, it is, Dad," she sa

ot more comfortable at one of the big

like to camp on the beach," Penny cut in

ighing. "But you know I never was cut out for a rough and tu

practically deserted, and the Parkers had chosen it because it was within easy driving distance of Riverview. Nearly all of the fine hote

endant did not come immediately so Mr. Parker himself unloaded the widow

corrected. "Penny and I will camp only a short

I have no friends here and

Penny moved up to the front seat. She tuned in a radio program, listening

ou up," Penny re

nd started the car. When they were driving

're not in the least like the little girl who was my pal a

Penny said flatly. "Fur

d very stupi

lied glaring at her own reflection in the car

a wealthy woman who could buy herself a dozen cars in

ou know about M

he served as a special War correspondent in China, I believe. She

Penny said with a sniff. "Nor did I ever see any of

replied, losing patience. "When you're older, I ho

few occasions when her father had spoken so sternly to her. Close to tears

were purchased at one of the stores, and by that time it was noon. At Mr. Parker's suggestion they stopped at a roadside inn for

to Bradley Knoll," Mr. Parker said, consultin

peering ahead at the narrow, twisting hig

ker drove off the pavement onto the slippery road. Th

rk we'll have gravel roads,

ere," Mr. Par

rned crosswise in the road, and then the rear wheels slipped into a deep ditch

the ditch. Alighting, he inspected the rear whee

out help," he said crossly. "I'll hav

n help, but her father insisted upon doing it himself. He presently returned with a farme

we you?" Mr. Par

dol

it without comment. His shoes were caked with mud, and so were the trouser le

the Rhett Forest?" the

ht. Is it m

the next corner. You can make it if you're careful. I don'

t?" ask

e mosquitoes are bitin' something f

id optimistically. "I think camping wil

. "Then don't let me discourag

hy not call this whole thing off?" he su

You prom

the way you feel, but I know

At the entrance to the Rhett Park area they were stopped by a pleasant,

s of timber were destroyed at Alton. We're not certain whether it was started

," promised

the ranger added. "I'll be around lat

oad curled lazily between dense masses of timber fringed by artistic old-fas

e here!" she cried. "We'l

c tables. There was a picturesque spot beside a ro

!" pleaded Penny. "You set

of the umbrella tent. Penny busied herself sorting pots and pans and trying to get t

ree of the tent stakes were missing. Twice he put up the umbrella

p me!" he called. "I've h

and shoulders. By working together they finally got the tent set

Parker sighed, collapsing on o

apologized, "but I can't start th

the stove. Three-quarters of an hour slipped awa

g appetite for supper," he annou

eak

nds

Penny confessed, slapping

a can of beans, the steaks began to scorch. Mr. Parker tried to rescue t

sympathized. "I guess the ste

the publisher asked, nur

ea

ted with bitter emphasis.

when a car drove up and stopped. A ranger

ng here?" he demanded.

ee any sign,

in plain sight tacked on t

rea. No Campi

the ranger added. "Yo

despair. After all the work they had done, i

ing?" Mr. Parker requested. "We've had a p

ked sympatheti

y finish your supper if you like, then you must move on. The