Dorothy Dale's Great Secret Part 7

"Swimming!" Dorothy almost screamed.

"Exactly that," insisted Cologne. "Mrs. Pangborn has given the permission and we are to go to Squinty Lake to-morrow afternoon."

"Squinty Lake?" echoed Dorothy in surprise.

"Well, they call it Sunset, you know, but Ned declares it is 'Squinty' as no one can look out of the front of her eyes on the sh.o.r.es of it. But isn't it too giddy-to go swimming so early. And to think that Higley is the best swimmer of the respected faculty. Now if our dear little Camille Crane were here-Feathers, you know. But I don't suppose she will be back to the bench this season. Wasn't it too bad she should break down?"

rattled on Cologne. "But for the swimming! Aren't you perfectly delighted? You haven't said a single word."

"Why I haven't had a chance," replied Dorothy laughing. "Of course it is lovely to think you can go."

"I can go! Aren't you going?"

"I don't believe so. Tavia is so fond of swimming, and I am sure she would not dare go in the water so soon after her fever. So I guess I'll stay home to keep her company."

"Oh, you silly!" exclaimed Cologne. "Why should you stay out on her account?" and, possibly there was a note of jealousy in the girl's tone, and a hint of it in her manner. "I'm very sure she wouldn't do as much for you."

"Indeed she would, Cologne," Dorothy hurried to say. "You have no idea how kind Tavia can be and has been to me. Why, when I was sick home in Dalton, she stayed with me night and day."

"Well, I can't see why you shouldn't go in bathing when you get a chance.

Precious seldom the chance comes at Glenwood."

"I suppose Mrs. Pangborn has hired the beach," ventured Dorothy.

"Yes, worse luck. Afraid any one would see our orphan asylum bathing suits."

"Indeed, I think those brown suits very pretty," objected Dorothy. "I thought so when I saw them taken out this spring. Of course I have never worn one."

"Of course you haven't," agreed Cologne. "That's why you like 'em, but you should try to swim dog fashion in one of those knickerbockers. The skirts are built for hoops, but they seemed to run short of goods on the bloomers."

"But it is awfully good of Mrs. Pangborn to provide for bathing when we will soon be at our own summer quarters for it."

"Yes, I admitted that much at the start, if you will remember. But, really, Doro, you had better make up your mind to go in. It's all nonsense to stay out to keep Tavia company. I'm sure she would rather see you in the swim."

"I'll see," answered Dorothy, as they turned back into the path that led to the Hall.

CHAPTER VII AT SUNSET LAKE

The day following proved to be one of those exceptionally warm days that occasionally come at the end of June, with the express purpose, it would seem, of making life unbearable for those engaged in finishing up a term at school. All the morning the Glenwood pupils lived on the thoughts of the promised swim, to come that afternoon. When dismissal hour did finally drag around little attention was paid to luncheon, all minds and hearts being set on the jaunt to Sunset Lake. This was a summer resort not far from the school, and there was a good sandy stretch for bathing.

The season had hardly opened yet, and Mrs. Pangborn was thus able to hire for that afternoon the exclusive right of the sandy sh.o.r.e for her pupils.

Dorothy and Tavia were to go, although neither expected to take the lake bath, for Dorothy was firm in her resolve to stay with Tavia, and so forego one of her favorite pastimes, for Dorothy Dale was counted an excellent swimmer.

In high glee the party started off, under the chaperonage of Miss Higley, and even those pupils who insisted that she was "a bear" were forced to admit that, on this occasion, she was "as meek as a lamb." The fact was that Miss Higley loved swimming, and knew she was expert at the exercise.

So the promised sport was especially welcome to her.

Along the shady road to the lake Dorothy laughed and chatted as merrily as did the others, but Tavia was inclined to pout. She had begged to be allowed to go into the water, declaring that she was entirely recovered and that the swim would do her good. But Mrs. Pangborn would not consent, so Tavia was to take what enjoyment she could derive from watching the others.

When the Glenwood girls reached Sunset Beach the entrance gate to the bathing grounds was locked against all outsiders. A row of bathing houses was placed at the disposal of the young ladies, and there was a matron in attendance. In fact, the pleasure grounds were turned over entirely to Mrs. Pangborn's pupils and the presence of the white-ap.r.o.ned attendant gave the place a look of the utmost propriety. On this occasion, likewise, the life guard was banished, and, as d.i.c.k expressed it, "there never was a man in sight when the girls in brown took their annual."

While the others were "making themselves frog-like" in the aforementioned suits, Dorothy and Tavia established themselves in an old boat on the sh.o.r.e of the lake.

It was their first visit to the resort as it was their first summer term at Glenwood, and the two girls were charmed with the pretty, picturesque surroundings.

"Not much like our pond in Dalton," Tavia observed, viewing the placid lake with its great open expanse of sunlit waters.

"No, but that was a splendid little pond for swimming," Dorothy reminded her companion, never relishing any aspersions thrown in the direction of "dear old Dalton."

Soon some of the girls appeared on the little boardwalk bordering the lake, and, in unheard of politeness, waited for Miss Higley to come out and take the first plunge. That formality being over there was a wild rush for the water, each one of the girls expecting to have a better time than any of the others.

Nita Brandt and Adele Thomas had not yet learned to swim, so these two were provided with a pair of water-wings to support them, and they "floundered around like a couple of ferry boats," Tavia declared, as they made all sorts of vain attempts to strike out like the others.

d.i.c.k and Cologne were soon engaged in a race, from one float to the other, doing the overhand stroke, and making a fine showing for the first of the season efforts.

"You're exceeding the speed limit!" shouted Tavia from the boat, as she stood up in the stern and viewed the race with unconcealed interest.

"Get out of the way!" called a dozen voices as the twain with their water-wings anch.o.r.ed directly in d.i.c.k's course.

But the girls floating on the wings could not get upon their feet for they were in water about up to their heads. Every effort they made to touch bottom seemed to send their faces down, while simultaneously two pair of stockings would shoot up above the surface of the lake.

Miss Higley instantly realized that Nita and Adele were out too far-that they were beyond their depth and therefore in danger should the wings (which were muslin bags blown up) burst or slip from under their arms.

She did not wait to see the result of the race, but struck out for the now thoroughly frightened girls, who were calling in vain for some one to help them to sh.o.r.e.

As Miss Higley reached them, d.i.c.k and Cologne, who had not grasped the situation, came gliding up to the same spot, almost side by side, working earnestly, each to outdistance the other in reaching the float which was the goal.

"Here!" shouted Miss Higley to them. "Stop! Never mind the race! Help get these two girls in. They're exhausted!"

The two swimmers veered around to Nita and Adele. Yes, Nita was gasping!

She had evidently swallowed considerable water. And Adele could not attempt another stroke-her limbs seemed paralyzed.

Without speaking, thinking to save her breath for the struggle, Cologne took a position between the badly frightened girls, while Miss Higley and d.i.c.k swung around so that each could grasp an arm, one of Nita and the other of Adele. In this manner the three swimmers towed to sh.o.r.e those who had ventured too far on the water-wings.

For a few minutes there was plenty of excitement at Sunset Beach, everyone gathering around the rescued ones, suggesting both restoratives and punishments to close the incident.

Miss Higley quietly waited for the girls to recover their breaths and other faculties that had been temporarily suspended during the mishap, and then asked why they had ventured out so far.

"We didn't," gulped Nita. "We just stayed perfectly still and we kept going along."

"Well," finished Miss Higley, "you must not again get on those wings without some one at hand to help you, or until you can manage them better. I'm thankful nothing worse happened."

So Nita and Adele, much chagrined and more disappointed, were obliged to spend the remainder of their swimming time with Dorothy and Tavia on the beach, as wading did not suit them after their attempt at swimming, unsuccessful as it had proven.

As the afternoon waned the interest in the water exercise grew keener, and those who could trust themselves were indulging in all sorts of "stunts," sliding down an inclined wooden chute, and diving from a spring board. Miss Higley posted herself near the danger line, realizing that she must act as guard and look out for the safety of the swimmers.

Presently some one suggested an endurance trial, and this attracted almost all the girls away from the chute over toward the stretch of deep water.