“I heard down in Cedarville that you had a bowling contest with the Pornell Academy team,” said Laura. “I understand that you won.” And she smiled brightly.
“I wasn’t in that,” answered Jack. “But Andy was, and he made a fine score, too.”
“Oh, the other fellows did as well as I did,” said the acrobatic youth, modestly.
“I am so glad you beat the Pornell boys,” exclaimed Flossie. “Do you know, I think some of them too horrid for anything!” And she drew down the corners of her pretty mouth.
“Oh, yes, we remember Roy Bock and his crowd,” answered Pepper. “I trust they haven’t annoyed you lately.”
“Oh, the most of them keep their distance now,” said Flossie.
“Flossie has had trouble with one of the boys,” went on Laura. She turned to her sister. “Shall I tell them about it?”
“Oh—well, I don’t care!” murmured Flossie, and blushed deeply.
“Maybe they can help you to get it back,” continued the sister.
“Flossie’s bracelet. Have you ever met a Pornell student named Will Carey.”
“No,” came from Jack and Pepper simultaneously.
“He has Flossie’s bracelet—one papa gave her last Christmas. He called here once and when they were fooling on this croquet lawn he took the bracelet away from her and carried it off. Ever since that time she has been trying to get it back, but he won’t bring it or send it.”
“The mean fellow!” cried Jack. “Of course he isn’t base enough to steal the bracelet, is he?”
“I hardly think that,” spoke up Flossie. “I guess he is just trying to tease me. Once he said——” She broke off short and blushed deeper than ever.
“He said he’d give it back for a kiss,” finished Laura.
“And I said I’d rather box his ears!” cried Flossie, “and I would, too! Oh, I wish I had that bracelet back! I’d never speak to him again!”
“He certainly is no gentleman to keep the bracelet when you want it back,” was Pepper’s comment. “You ought to send a constable after him, or something like that,—just to scare him.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t dare!” cried the girl who had lost the jewelry. “Papa would be very angry, I am sure, if he found out I had allowed the bracelet to go out of my possession, and mamma wouldn’t like it either. No, I’d like to get it back as quietly as possible, if I can.”
“Wonder if we could get it back for you?” mused Jack. “We might try it, anyway, if you say so.”