Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-11-12
Cbree GlrlS and
a Bungalow.
By c. B. LEWIS.
Copyrighted. 1908. by Associated
Literary Press.
By c. B. LEWIS.


their plans perfected. II was to be a
unique and romantic summer outing.
Florence's father owned farm on the
bay. frame house had been erected
for the tenant. and nm old log house
stood vacant in ~ romantic spot. II
was, as Florence informed her two
girl chums. dear. lovely. sweet. just
o-nice-for-anything old log house. 1t
would make such n bungalow rs could
not he found for twenty miles up and
down the coast.
On the hill forty rods back of the log
house was the new dwelling. occupied
by Farmer Jones. his good, fat wife
and his lean son Jacob. The girls
would take their meals there and have
no cooking or dlshwashing TO do When
they wanted to roast clans and pota-
toes they could build fire on the
shore.
Just three girls and no crowds. no
dressing for dinner, no keeping the
hair curled: just three girls. boating.
fishing and swinging in their ham
mocks and cantering DER the dewy
grass In the morning; no cards. no
bouquets. no flirtations: the fat Mrs.
Jones for chaperon. the lean Jacob TO
run errands, old Jones to drive into the
village once n week after kerosene and
baking powder and their mail-the
very thought Of II produced thrills.
Well. II all came about. They went
down early in July to remain for two
months. Word had been sent to Jones
that they wished to rough It and that
he must not remove any of the ro-
nance. He obeyed orders. He built
three rude hunks, put in an old table
and three chairs and furnished lamp.
There were few panes of glass in
the windows. and he did not add to the
number; there were a few holes In the
roof. and he did not cover them; there
was half an acre Of pigweeds around
the house. and he did not now them
down. Mr.. Jones was romantic him
self and appreciated the sentiment In
others.
The outing started off with How
charmingr' How idealr and How
very romanticr' Then the three girls
got their heads together and took a
solemn vow. II was that they would
remain until the very last day OF Au-
gust and that In the interval they
would not encourage any young man
to address them-any young man ex-
cept Jacob, from whom they learned
that young men came that way at in
tervals TO fish In the bay
The bungalow was success from
the start. On the first night II rained,
and the water dripped down through
a dozen leaks; on the second night n
COW came and put her head through
one of the windows 10 see what
strange cattle had arrived and taken
possession on the third an owl alight-
ed on the rooftree and uttered three
whoops. and they were followed by
three EXPLANATIONS Of Murder" "Po-
licew and Help
On the fourth day Jacob appeared
with a pitcher of buttermilk and some
startling news. He had discovered
young man had gone into camp a
short quarter Of a mile away He had
with him a tent. boat. plenty Of
provisions and cooking utensils. II
looked as II he intended to stay right
there all summer. Jacob had entered
the young mans camp and asked him
TO please move two miles farther up
or down. The young man had glared
at him and kept on reading volume
OF poetry rhe news created intense
excitement at once. An indignation
meeting was at once called. and IL was
resolved that the young man has
got 10 go and that we wait upon him
In body and tell him So"
Jacob bravely offered his help, but
II was declined The body" marched
straight for the enemy's camp. each
face wearing a look OF determination.
The enemy was sitting down smoking
a pipe. but on their arrival he rose up
and doffed his cap and stood al re-
spectful attention. Miss Florence was
spokesman. and after a slight shiver
she announced:
'Sir, this is my fathers property,
and you are a trespasser | have to
request that you kindly go away"
"But 1t happens to be my property"
replied the stranger with a smile.
"Your fathers farm ends at the creek
there"
"But-but we are three girls, sir"
The young man bowed to the three
In turn.
"And we have bungalow and do not
uyfeh IN no dIcfurhad
II shall take great pleasure in not
disturbing you"
But can't you understand, sir, that
we are on our vacation and don't want
any men aroundT'
Sorry, young ladies-extremely sor-
ry-but am on my vacation and don't
want any females around. I will agree
to keep my distance II you VIII keep
yours. I have camped here for the past
three years on account of this spring"
The delegation walked back TO the
bungalow without word. Then the
meeting was called to order again, and
Miss Florence asked what further steps
were deemed necessary to rid them
selves OF the presence of the impudent
intruder.
"Why, II it's his land he has a right
there. hasn't hep" ENORMOUSLY queried
Molly.
And I didn't expect TO see such a
good looking young man." sighed Edith.
Are you girls going to turn traitory'