Augusta Huiell Seaman

“ Let's go outside and eat our lunch, and then, if we have any courage left, we can come back and begin on another corner. Personally, I feel as if I should scream if I had to put my hand to that old saw again."
But a hearty luncheon and, after it, a half-hour of idling in the sunlight above ground, served to restore their courage and determination. ”

“ It—it might be dangerous. Something might give way and bury us alive."
"Well, I 'll tell you what I 'll do," announced Sally courageously. "I 'll take a candle and go in a way by myself and see what it's like. You stay here with Genevieve, and I 'll keep calling back to you, so you need n't worry about me." Before Doris could argue the question with her, she lighted another candle and stepped bravely into the gloom.
Doris, at the opening, watched her progress nervously, till a turn in the tunnel hid her from sight. ”

“ But, all the same, we sort of felt that this cave was a secret of yours and that we really had n't any right to be interfering with it. But won't you please forgive us, this time, Miss Camilla? And we 'll really try to forget that it ever existed."
And then Miss Camilla suddenly found words. "My dear children," she stuttered, "I—I really don't know what you 're talking about. I have n't the faintest idea what this all means. I never knew till this minute that there was anything like a cave or a tunnel connected with this house!" ”

“ Suddenly Sally uttered a satisfied cry.
"I know! I know, now! We never could think where all the rest of the wood from the Anne Arundel went. It's right here." It was evidently true. The tunnel had been lined, top and bottom and often at the sides, with the same planking that had lined the cave, and at intervals there were stout posts supporting the roof of it. Well and solidly had it been constructed in that long-ago period, else it would never have remained intact so many years.
"Doris," said Sally presently, "where do you suppose this leads to?" ”

“ Sally shouted back. "After that turn it goes on straight for the longest way. I can't see the end. But it's perfectly safe. the planks are as strong as iron yet. There is n't a sign of a cave-in. I'm coming back in a moment." She presently reappeared.
"Look here," she demanded, facing her companion. "Are you game to come with me? We can bring Genevieve along. It's perfectly safe. If you 're not, you can stay here with her and I 'll go by myself. I'm determined to see the end of this."
Her resolution fired Doris. ”

“ Used to go with her aunt pretty nigh every year to Europe, and we did n't set eyes on her once in a blue moon. Her father and brother had a fine farm and were making money, but she did n't care for this here life. ”