April 17, 2025 • 9 mins
When the Outdoor Girls arrive for their lakeside camping trip, they find their shack destroyed and mysteries abound. Who is sneaking around their campsite? And what secrets does the mountain woman hold?
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Please visit LibriVox dot org. The Outdoor Girls Around the
Campfire by Laura Lee Hope the Storm. So interested were
the girls in the little Old Lady, and so fond
had they grown of her, that they found it hard
to keep away from the little cabin where she lived.
They kept her supplied with canned goods of all sorts,
(00:23):
to say nothing of milk and fresh eggs, until the
old Lady lost her frail and wasted look and even
seemed less feeble. She insisted on paying for what they
gave her, and the girls humored her to the extent
of letting her pay a mere fraction of what the
supplies were actually worth. With this, she was well content,
for it gave her the feeling of independence that it
(00:46):
was necessary for her to have. Then, one day, coming
up the hill to the little cabin, the girls found
the old Maid of the Mountains sitting in front of
her door, bending closely over some needlework she held in
her hand. She looked up as the girls accosted her,
and then passed her hand wonderingly before her eyes. There
was a puzzled expression on her face. I I can't see,
(01:10):
she said plaintively. The sun must be too strong. You
have strained your eyes sewing, scolded Betty as she took
the work from the old lady's unresisting hands. Feeling better now,
she asked anxiously. The old lady nodded. There were black
dots dancing before my eyes, she explained, but now they
are gone, I feel better. She reached up a hand
(01:32):
for the embroidery on which she had been working, but
Betty never even noticed the gesture. She was gazing at
the piece of work. Wide eyed, girls, she cried, look
at this, isn't it? Her voice was agitated as she
held out the embroidered centerpiece to Grace. Isn't it the
companion piece to the one you bought for your mother? Grace?
(01:56):
Grace nodded dumbly, while in Molly's black eyes began to
smolder a great excitement, and the next moment, Amy too
had grasped the significance of Betty's question. The little old
lady sat staring from one to the other of them
in puzzled bewilderment. You do not like my work, she
asked gently, Like it, repeated Betty vaguely, and then turned
(02:18):
excitedly to the little woman. Tell me, she demanded, Did
you ever sell embroidery at the Woman's Exchange in Cayford.
The old lady seemed still more puzzled. Yes, she answered,
I used to do a great deal of work for
the exchange before, before my eyes became so bad. It
is taxing, you know, She finished gently and uncomplainingly, that
(02:42):
sort of work. The girls exchanged wondering glances, and then
Betty explained to the little old lady how they had
come to hear of her that day at the Woman's Exchange.
We've been wondering about you a great deal, put in
Amy gently. I'm very glad we have found that is
good of you, my dear, said the old lady, with
(03:04):
her grave smile. You have been very very good to
an old woman. On the way back to camp that night,
the girls discussed their discovery excitedly. Who would ever have
expected to find our poor old lady in the Old
Maid of the Mountains marveled Amy, It's just like a story.
It's a pretty sad story, just the same, said Betty gravely.
(03:27):
Think of that poor lonesome little soul, deprived of her
one small means of support because her eyes have failed.
Oh girls, I wish we could find a million dollars
for her somewhere. But however fascinating the subject might be,
the girls had something to think of besides their old
maid of the mountains, for this was Friday, and the
(03:48):
boys were expected the following afternoon. It seems an age
since we've seen them, said Amy plaintively. I hope they'll
come early. It was not until they were building a
campfire later on that the girls noticed any decided change
in the weather, and even when they did, they at
first attached to special importance to it. But when the wind,
(04:11):
which had begun as a soft sighing in the trees,
waxed so vicious that the flames from the fire began
to reach out hungrily for the surrounding trees, the girls
began seriously to worry. Looks like a big gale, said
the little captain, soberly. Better check the flames. Girls don't
want to start a forest fire, And so for the
(04:32):
first night since they had made their camp they were
forced to go without their camp fire. They stood somberly
watching the last stubborn flames flicker, licking up in sudden
yellow darts, then dying down morosely It's a shame, said Grace,
talk about Hamlet with Hamlet left out. That's what a
camp is without a camp fire. Humph, said Molly, putting
(04:56):
back a strand of hair that the wind had whipped
about her face. Shouldn't wonder if we'd be lucky to
even have our tent left to us by morning. Just
listen to that wind, if it only doesn't rain too,
said Amy, sharing the general disquiet. Wouldn't mind the rain
half as much as the wind, remarked the little Captain,
(05:16):
as she started on an inspection of the tent to
make sure it was as securely fastened as it was
possible for it to be. At last, satisfied that it
was as strong as human hands could make it, she
returned to the girls, who were still watching the dying
flames of their campfire. The wind was rising higher and
higher every moment, while the branches of the trees swayed
(05:40):
and moaned beneath its fury. Leaves and small twigs fell
upon the girls where they stood, mute, evidence of the
wrath of the elements. There comes the rain, said Amy.
Suddenly listen. They listened, and far out on the lake
they could hear a tearing rending sound, and a muffled
splashing that they knew was rain beating on the water
(06:03):
a cloudburst, muttered Molly, adding, suddenly, did you cover the gem? Betty?
The little captain nodded and made a swift movement toward
the tent. Get inside, everybody, she commanded, this is going
to be a beautiful storm once it reaches us. Might
as well stay dry as long as we can. They
had barely crowded into the tent when the rain overtook them,
(06:25):
tearing down in a solid sheeting torrent. Betty pulled the
flap taut, fastening it securely. At the same moment, Molly
rushed over to the window in the back of the tent,
pulling down its covering of canvas. All secure so far,
she said, trying to make her voice sound cheerful. Now,
let's hope the tent will hold up. Let's light the torches,
(06:48):
somebody cried, Betty. And when we found the matches, we
can light some candles too. In about two minutes we'll
be as cozy as bugs in our rug. It was
impossible to withstand Betty's optimism, and in a short time,
with the aid of plentiful candlelight. They were not only
feeling more resigned about the storm, but were even beginning
to enjoy the novelty of it. Rain Cease, tent be
(07:13):
water tight, chanted Grace, raising her eyes aloft, be water
tight tent. You needn't be so prayerful about it, chuckled Betty.
Do you suppose the boys would have lent it to
us if it hadn't been water tight? I'm just putting
in my plea for good measure, explained Grace. Phw I
never did hear such a storm. It's awful, agreed Molly,
(07:36):
rising restlessly and walking over to the flap of the tent.
She stood there a moment, then, shaking her head as
though satisfied, returned to her seat. A few minutes later, however,
she repeated the action, standing so long by the tent flap,
this time that Betty was moved to comment. What's the matter, honey,
she asked, adding flippantly, if you're waiting for the boys,
(07:59):
you're wasting your time. They're not due till tomorrow, you know.
Instead of answering, Molly made an imperative little gesture with
her hand. Startled, Betty joined her silently and was still
further alarmed to find that Molly was trembling. There's somebody
out there, Betty, she said, in a stage whisper, Are
you game to lift the flap? For answer, Betty stooped
(08:23):
and began untying the cord that held the flap, while
Grace and Amy came over to see what was wrong.
Before they could speak, Molly motioned them to silence, and
they stood frozen into immobility. Fearing they knew not what
swiftest thought. Betty flung back the flap of the tent,
shading her eyes to see out into the dark. A
(08:46):
wild gust of wind rushed viciously into the tent. At
the same moment, out into the night, two black figures
flung into the woodland, crouched almost double, running over Betty's shoulder.
Molly had seen also, and now she clasped the Little
Captain's arm convulsively. Come inside, Betty, Come inside, she cried
(09:06):
wildly and dazedly. Betty obeyed, letting fall the flap of
the tent. It flung crazily back and forth, whipped by
the savage wind, but the Little Captain never noticed. She
was regarding the girls with dilated eyes that time she whispered,
I saw for myself. End of Chapter nineteen
Please visit LibriVox dot org. The Outdoor Girls Around the
Campfire by Laura Lee Hope the Storm. So interested were
the girls in the little Old Lady, and so fond
had they grown of her, that they found it hard
to keep away from the little cabin where she lived.
They kept her supplied with canned goods of all sorts,
(00:23):
to say nothing of milk and fresh eggs, until the
old Lady lost her frail and wasted look and even
seemed less feeble. She insisted on paying for what they
gave her, and the girls humored her to the extent
of letting her pay a mere fraction of what the
supplies were actually worth. With this, she was well content,
for it gave her the feeling of independence that it
(00:46):
was necessary for her to have. Then, one day, coming
up the hill to the little cabin, the girls found
the old Maid of the Mountains sitting in front of
her door, bending closely over some needlework she held in
her hand. She looked up as the girls accosted her,
and then passed her hand wonderingly before her eyes. There
was a puzzled expression on her face. I I can't see,
(01:10):
she said plaintively. The sun must be too strong. You
have strained your eyes sewing, scolded Betty as she took
the work from the old lady's unresisting hands. Feeling better now,
she asked anxiously. The old lady nodded. There were black
dots dancing before my eyes, she explained, but now they
are gone, I feel better. She reached up a hand
(01:32):
for the embroidery on which she had been working, but
Betty never even noticed the gesture. She was gazing at
the piece of work. Wide eyed, girls, she cried, look
at this, isn't it? Her voice was agitated as she
held out the embroidered centerpiece to Grace. Isn't it the
companion piece to the one you bought for your mother? Grace?
(01:56):
Grace nodded dumbly, while in Molly's black eyes began to
smolder a great excitement, and the next moment, Amy too
had grasped the significance of Betty's question. The little old
lady sat staring from one to the other of them
in puzzled bewilderment. You do not like my work, she
asked gently, Like it, repeated Betty vaguely, and then turned
(02:18):
excitedly to the little woman. Tell me, she demanded, Did
you ever sell embroidery at the Woman's Exchange in Cayford.
The old lady seemed still more puzzled. Yes, she answered,
I used to do a great deal of work for
the exchange before, before my eyes became so bad. It
is taxing, you know, She finished gently and uncomplainingly, that
(02:42):
sort of work. The girls exchanged wondering glances, and then
Betty explained to the little old lady how they had
come to hear of her that day at the Woman's Exchange.
We've been wondering about you a great deal, put in
Amy gently. I'm very glad we have found that is
good of you, my dear, said the old lady, with
(03:04):
her grave smile. You have been very very good to
an old woman. On the way back to camp that night,
the girls discussed their discovery excitedly. Who would ever have
expected to find our poor old lady in the Old
Maid of the Mountains marveled Amy, It's just like a story.
It's a pretty sad story, just the same, said Betty gravely.
(03:27):
Think of that poor lonesome little soul, deprived of her
one small means of support because her eyes have failed.
Oh girls, I wish we could find a million dollars
for her somewhere. But however fascinating the subject might be,
the girls had something to think of besides their old
maid of the mountains, for this was Friday, and the
(03:48):
boys were expected the following afternoon. It seems an age
since we've seen them, said Amy plaintively. I hope they'll
come early. It was not until they were building a
campfire later on that the girls noticed any decided change
in the weather, and even when they did, they at
first attached to special importance to it. But when the wind,
(04:11):
which had begun as a soft sighing in the trees,
waxed so vicious that the flames from the fire began
to reach out hungrily for the surrounding trees, the girls
began seriously to worry. Looks like a big gale, said
the little captain, soberly. Better check the flames. Girls don't
want to start a forest fire, And so for the
(04:32):
first night since they had made their camp they were
forced to go without their camp fire. They stood somberly
watching the last stubborn flames flicker, licking up in sudden
yellow darts, then dying down morosely It's a shame, said Grace,
talk about Hamlet with Hamlet left out. That's what a
camp is without a camp fire. Humph, said Molly, putting
(04:56):
back a strand of hair that the wind had whipped
about her face. Shouldn't wonder if we'd be lucky to
even have our tent left to us by morning. Just
listen to that wind, if it only doesn't rain too,
said Amy, sharing the general disquiet. Wouldn't mind the rain
half as much as the wind, remarked the little Captain,
(05:16):
as she started on an inspection of the tent to
make sure it was as securely fastened as it was
possible for it to be. At last, satisfied that it
was as strong as human hands could make it, she
returned to the girls, who were still watching the dying
flames of their campfire. The wind was rising higher and
higher every moment, while the branches of the trees swayed
(05:40):
and moaned beneath its fury. Leaves and small twigs fell
upon the girls where they stood, mute, evidence of the
wrath of the elements. There comes the rain, said Amy.
Suddenly listen. They listened, and far out on the lake
they could hear a tearing rending sound, and a muffled
splashing that they knew was rain beating on the water
(06:03):
a cloudburst, muttered Molly, adding, suddenly, did you cover the gem? Betty?
The little captain nodded and made a swift movement toward
the tent. Get inside, everybody, she commanded, this is going
to be a beautiful storm once it reaches us. Might
as well stay dry as long as we can. They
had barely crowded into the tent when the rain overtook them,
(06:25):
tearing down in a solid sheeting torrent. Betty pulled the
flap taut, fastening it securely. At the same moment, Molly
rushed over to the window in the back of the tent,
pulling down its covering of canvas. All secure so far,
she said, trying to make her voice sound cheerful. Now,
let's hope the tent will hold up. Let's light the torches,
(06:48):
somebody cried, Betty. And when we found the matches, we
can light some candles too. In about two minutes we'll
be as cozy as bugs in our rug. It was
impossible to withstand Betty's optimism, and in a short time,
with the aid of plentiful candlelight. They were not only
feeling more resigned about the storm, but were even beginning
to enjoy the novelty of it. Rain Cease, tent be
(07:13):
water tight, chanted Grace, raising her eyes aloft, be water
tight tent. You needn't be so prayerful about it, chuckled Betty.
Do you suppose the boys would have lent it to
us if it hadn't been water tight? I'm just putting
in my plea for good measure, explained Grace. Phw I
never did hear such a storm. It's awful, agreed Molly,
(07:36):
rising restlessly and walking over to the flap of the tent.
She stood there a moment, then, shaking her head as
though satisfied, returned to her seat. A few minutes later, however,
she repeated the action, standing so long by the tent flap,
this time that Betty was moved to comment. What's the matter, honey,
she asked, adding flippantly, if you're waiting for the boys,
(07:59):
you're wasting your time. They're not due till tomorrow, you know.
Instead of answering, Molly made an imperative little gesture with
her hand. Startled, Betty joined her silently and was still
further alarmed to find that Molly was trembling. There's somebody
out there, Betty, she said, in a stage whisper, Are
you game to lift the flap? For answer, Betty stooped
(08:23):
and began untying the cord that held the flap, while
Grace and Amy came over to see what was wrong.
Before they could speak, Molly motioned them to silence, and
they stood frozen into immobility. Fearing they knew not what
swiftest thought. Betty flung back the flap of the tent,
shading her eyes to see out into the dark. A
(08:46):
wild gust of wind rushed viciously into the tent. At
the same moment, out into the night, two black figures
flung into the woodland, crouched almost double, running over Betty's shoulder.
Molly had seen also, and now she clasped the Little
Captain's arm convulsively. Come inside, Betty, Come inside, she cried
(09:06):
wildly and dazedly. Betty obeyed, letting fall the flap of
the tent. It flung crazily back and forth, whipped by
the savage wind, but the Little Captain never noticed. She
was regarding the girls with dilated eyes that time she whispered,
I saw for myself. End of Chapter nineteen
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