Mary Lee the Red Cross Girl Read online

  MARY LEE THE RED CROSS GIRL

  by

  HELEN HART

  Illustrated by Alice Carsey

  Whitman Publishing Co.Racine .. Chicago

  Copyright 1917 byWhitman Publishing Co.Racine .. Chicago

  Dedicated to Jane R. who makes an ideal Red Cross Girl in the opinion of the Author

  CONTENTS

  Chapter Page

  I. SPRING AT THE FARM 15

  II. WELCOME GUESTS 21

  III. A MERRY PARTY 29

  IV. FIRST AID 37

  V. MARY LEE WRITES A LETTER 43

  VI. A PICNIC 52

  VII. VISITING THE SANITARIUM 63

  VIII. PREPARATIONS FOR THE WEDDING 69

  IX. DR. PAYSON EMPLOYS MARY LEE 76

  X. AUNT MADGE IS MARRIED 83

  XI. BUSY DAYS 89

  XII. INDIAN JIM'S LUCKY STRIKE 100

  XIII. A HAPPY RED CROSS GROUP 112

  XIV. MARY LEE MEETS AN OLD FRIEND 118

  XV. MARY LEE'S LEGACY 125

  XVI. A MASTER STORY TELLER 132

  XVII. AUNT MADGE RETURNS TO THE CITY 147

  XVIII. MARY LEE MAKES A DECISION 155

  XIX. LETTY AND MARY LEE SELL LIBERTY BONDS 162

  XX. PREPARING FOR RED CROSS WORK 169

  XXI. "WHAT SHALL WE WEAR?" 175

  XXII. WORKING FOR "LIBERTY" 182

  XXIII. BACK ON THE FARM 190

  XXIV. BOUND FOR THE CAMP 196

  XXV. LOST IN THE WOODS 204

  XXVI. RETURNING HOME 211

  XXVII. ANOTHER ADVENTURE 215

  XXVIII. "HELP! HELP!" 219

  XXIX. LETTY'S SURPRISE 228

  ILLUSTRATIONS

  Page

  MARY LEE LEARNED QUICKLY AND THOROUGHLY (Color frontispiece)

  "THE GIRLS MISS YOU SO MUCH" 25

  MARY LEE CAME TRIPPING DOWN THE ROAD 39

  THE SICK MAN DICTATES A LETTER 49

  BOB MAKES HIMSELF USEFUL AT THE PICNIC 55

  SAVAGE WAS THE FACE OF BLACK EAGLE 137

  HE MADE IT A POINT TO CALL ON MARY LEE 151

  MARY LEE WRITES TO BOB 185

  "HAVE YOU COME TO STAY?" 188

  MARY LEE, THE RED CROSS GIRL

  MARY LEE

  The Red Cross Girl

  CHAPTER I

  SPRING AT THE FARM

  "From whom is the letter, Mary Lee?" asked Mrs. Quinn as she glancedup from her sewing.

  "From Bobbie, and he says that they will land about the 15th. He wantsto come right out here to the country to see our cozy new home. Oh,dear, I can hardly wait to see him!" exclaimed Mary Lee, her eyessparkling.

  "Does he say that the French doctors have helped him any?" furtherquestioned Mrs. Quinn.

  "Helped him any?" repeated Mary Lee, "why, he's cured. He isn't acripple any more at all. Just think, he can walk again, as well as Ican. Isn't it a lovely world?" and the impetuous child threw her armsabout Mrs. Quinn's neck and gave her a good hug.

  Just then a voice from the outside called: "Oh, Mary Lee, come quick.We've found something to show you."

  It was Eddie Quinn, the youngest boy, and Mary Lee upon hearing hisexcited voice, lost no time in rushing out to see what new delight wasin store for her.

  Mrs. Quinn leaned back in her comfortable chair in the sunny south baywindow, and as her eyes wandered about the cheerful room and out overthe peaceful woodland view, her thoughts flashed back to the past.

  How different things were now from what they had been when MaryLee--the little waif from the orphanage--had first come into theirhome as a mother's helper! They were then living in the crowdedtenement district of New York City. How much sickness they had had!How often her husband had been thrown out of work! If it hadn't beenfor hopeful little Mary Lee they all would have lost courage. She puther little shoulder to the wheel with such determination that itseemed as if her efforts had pulled them out of the dreadful rut intowhich they were gradually sinking.

  Yes, Mary Lee was always doing something for somebody. How brave shewas the day she had saved Bob Cameron from drowning in Central Park!He was a little crippled boy who lived in one of the stately mansionson Fifth Avenue. A strong friendship, encouraged by Bob's gratefulparents, had sprung up between the two children. It had meant muchto Mary Lee. Her narrow little life began to broaden out--andconsequently so did that of the Quinns. Bob's Aunt Madge had taken agreat fancy to Mary Lee and had made it possible for her to become aCampfire Girl.

  Then there was dear Doctor Anderson. He had operated on Mrs. Quinnwhen she had been so ill. Seeing earnest little Mary Lee doing herbest to help this worthy but unfortunate family along, he too hadbecome interested. It was he who had made it possible for them to moveout in the country where they could live on his farm. Mr. Quinn hadshown his gratitude by proving himself a most capable manager thepast year.

  Was it any wonder as Mrs. Quinn sat thinking over all these thingsthat a tear or two trickled down her cheeks? But it was not fromsadness--for her heart was filled with the joy of living, andoverflowing with love for Mary Lee, the little girl who had broughtgood fortune and sunshine into her home.

  In the meantime, Tom and Eddie had led Mary Lee over to a low-branchedtree to behold their "surprise."

  "It's a nest," whispered Eddie. "A real nest. See, it's just new!"

  "So it is," said Mary Lee. "What a cozy little home! But where do yousuppose Father Bird and Mother Bird are? Did we frighten them away?"

  "No," said Eddie, "it was empty when we first saw it. But let's hideand maybe they will come back."

  "Oh no," said Mary Lee, "let's go away before they return. If theysuspected anyone was around they might move their nest. Won't it befun when we can see the little bird's eggs, and afterwards the littlebirdies themselves? But you must not tell anyone about this nest, willyou? Now promise," commanded Mary Lee.

  Both boys promised. They also agreed not to look at their nest morethan once a day.

  "Now, see who wins the race to your father over there in the field,"challenged Mary Lee. "One, two, three, go!"

  The children were off. Tom won the race.

  "Huh," said he, "I wouldn't let any girl beat me."

  "Well, you wait until next time and maybe you will change your mind,"answered Mary Lee.

  "Have you come to help, children?" Mr. Quinn greeted them.

  While the boys assisted their father, Mary Lee returned to the house.As she came to the kitchen door, she thought she heard voices. Then asshe opened the door and went through the kitchen, she heard Mrs. Quinnsay:

  "She will be here any moment. Won't she be glad to see you both!"

  Mary Lee just jumped into the room, for she guessed who the visitorswere.

  "Aunt Madge and Dr. Anderson--I'm so happy!" And the girl ran intoMiss Cameron's arms.

  CHAPTER II

  WELCOME GUESTS

  "My," said Aunt Madge, "how you are growing, Mar
y Lee. I never knewyou to look so well and so pretty. Who said country life would notagree with our Mary Lee?"

  "Not I, for one," replied Dr. Anderson, as if the question weredirected at him. "My own candid opinion is that, no matter what theplace might be, if it had any idea of not agreeing with the young ladyit would very soon change its mind. Things simply cannot help butagree with Mary Lee!"

  "Surely, it isn't because she's idle," added Mrs. Quinn. "You neversaw anyone so busy and so anxious to do so many things. If I were tolet her have her way, Miss Cameron, I would be sitting in my rockerall day with my arms folded." Then Mrs. Quinn bethought herself ofher duties as hostess. "Surely, you are counting on staying forsupper, such as it is, I hope?"

  Both visitors laughed.

  "We certainly are, Mrs. Quinn. We half suspected you would ask us,"answered Dr. Anderson, with a twinkle in his eye. "Although I willconfess that Miss Cameron had some scruples about coming at thishour."

  "Yes," said that young lady, "it does look as if we were just forcingourselves upon you, doesn't it?"

  "Nonsense," replied Mrs. Quinn decidedly. "If you folks are notwelcome here at all times, nobody is. But I had better start supper,if you will excuse me?"

  "Certainly," said the doctor. "In the meantime I shall go down to thefield to talk things over with Mr. Quinn. I suppose you will acceptour invitation to go out in the automobile after supper, Mary Lee? Wethought you and Mrs. Quinn would like a ride."

  "Like it," enthusiastically replied the girl, "I'd love it."

  "It's nice of you to include me and I shall be glad to go," added Mrs.Quinn on her way to the kitchen.

  "I suspect you two have more than a few things to talk about and arewaiting for me to follow Mrs. Quinn's excellent example," said thedoctor, making for the door.

  "Indeed we are," replied Aunt Madge laughingly. "Mary Lee and I aregoing to have a perfectly splendid chat."

  The two friends did visit for many minutes, but Mary Lee did not seemto be quite at ease. She wanted to stay and talk with Aunt Madge, yetshe felt it was her duty to set the table and help Mrs. Quinn.

  Aunt Madge must have guessed what she was thinking about for shesuddenly spoke up.

  "I know what's on your mind, Mary Lee, you dear, conscientious child.Come, we'll both help set the table, shall we?"

  "Do you really want to do that?" asked Mary Lee delightedly.

  "Yes, I would like to very much," answered Aunt Madge.

  It took but a little while to set the table and complete the rest ofthe necessary work. It was done with many laughs and much enjoyment.When the two were through they entered the kitchen and insisted onhelping Mrs. Quinn.

  But that lady shooed them out and would have none of them.

  "Be off with you. You have time for a fifteen minute walk."

  "Shall we?" asked Aunt Madge. And without waiting for an answer, shewas off, Mary Lee at her side.

  They could not have wanted the walk very much, for when they sightedthe big oak which was but a little way down the road, they madethemselves comfortable beneath it. They were really anxious to have aheart to heart talk and this was just the place for it.

  "Well, my dear, you can now ask me all the questions that are storedup in that little mind of yours. I shall try my best to answer them."

  Mary Lee needed no second invitation. She fairly swamped Aunt Madgewith her deluge of questions.

  "THE GIRLS MISS YOU SO MUCH."]

  "How are the Campfire Girls, Aunt Madge? Did they tell you when theywere coming out here? Didn't Ruth and Edith and Letty send anymessages with you? Have you heard the wonderful news that Bobbie andMr. and Mrs. Cameron are coming home at last? And, Aunt Madge--"

  But Aunt Madge laughed and interrupted the girl at this point.

  "Wait, wait, Mary Lee. I guess I had better call a halt to yourquestions else I will not have time to answer them all before supper.Yes, the Campfire Girls asked me to be sure to give you their love andto tell you that they miss you ever so much. Letty and Ruth and Edithare coming out for next Saturday and Sunday so they did not send anymessage. In fact, my dear, they thought at first that they would nottell you at all and just surprise you. But they could not keep thesecret and so they allowed me to tell you. Are you glad?"

  "Glad," replied Mary Lee, with glistening eyes. "That means they willbe here in two days."

  "Yes. And now as to the last question. I do know that the Camerons arecoming home, although I heard the news only yesterday. Isn't itmarvelous that Bobbie is cured and will be just like other boys?"

  "Now, my dear, I am going to tell you a piece of news which maystartle you." Aunt Madge paused a moment as she felt the telltaleblushes mounting to her cheeks.

  "Doctor Anderson and I are to be married next September on theeighteenth."

  Mary Lee beamed. "My--" was all that she could say.

  Then the two, like silly little school girls, spent a few minutes inembraces, tears and kisses.

  "I'm so glad, so glad," said Mary Lee after she had somewhatrecovered. "I just know how happy you both are. And, Aunt Madge, Dr.Anderson is a dear and I love him almost as much as I love you."

  "Well, don't you ever love him more than you do me." Aunt Madgepretended to be very stern as she shook her finger warningly at MaryLee.

  "I don't think I could do that," said Mary Lee, very seriously."Where are you going to live when you are married?" she questioned,still filled with the wonder of the news.

  "We are building a dear little home and it promises to lookwonderfully lovely. My dear, you are to come and stay with us, ever somany times. You will, won't you, Mary Lee?"

  "I certainly will," said Mary Lee, decidedly. "It will be like home tome."

  Aunt Madge embraced the girl again. "You are such a comfort, littlegirl. And now, I think it is almost time to turn back," she suggested,after a silence of many minutes. "I hope we shall not be late forsupper."

  They made their way back to the house.

  It was not a moment too soon, for as they approached they could hearthe vigorous summons of the supper bell which was being sturdilywielded by Tom. They ran the last hundred yards and arrived at thehouse out of breath.

  CHAPTER III

  A MERRY PARTY

  Dr. Anderson and Mr. Quinn were already in the dining room, havingarrived a few minutes earlier. They were still busily talking whenAunt Madge and Mary Lee entered.

  Mr. Quinn had completed his report of the work that had been done atthe farm and was enthusiastic about the prospects for the comingsummer and fall. The arrival of the newcomers halted the conversation.The doctor looked toward his fiancee inquiringly, and she nodded gaylyto him, whereupon he grinned boyishly at Mary Lee and she smiled backat him.

  "Well, Mary Lee, now that you know the secret, we can tell the rest ofthe folks," and he immediately proceeded to do so.

  Mr. and Mrs. Quinn were delighted and their good wishes were cordialand sincere. They were very fond of these two friends and they feltthey owed much to them. Mixed with their gratefulness and appreciationwas the glad feeling that this romance had been partly cementedthrough them and through their Mary Lee.

  "Madge, dear," said Dr. Anderson, as they sat at the table partakingof the excellent and well-cooked supper. "Mr. Quinn has done splendidwork here, but I cannot get him to admit that he works too hard."

  "I hope it will be the means of his making lots of money," repliedMiss Cameron. "I'm glad he shares in the profits due to his labor andgood management. Dear, you were extremely fortunate to find so good amanager."

  "That I was," affirmed the doctor.

  But Mrs. Quinn couldn't see it that way. "Fortunate, you fortunate?Why, it's we who have to bless our lucky stars for being here."

  Mr. Quinn nodded his head very decidedly in confirmation.

  "That is the truth, friends," he said. "My wife finds it a realdelight to live out here, and you know, work is never hard or arduouswhen one is in love with it. Moreover, it's just the place for thechildren and for Mary
Lee, too."

  The doctor turned to the latter.

  "I suppose you know, young lady, that you are to come to the city thisfall and enter high school. Both Mr. and Mrs. Quinn know of it andhave agreed that it is the thing for you to do."

  Mary Lee turned her happy, joyful face first toward Dr. Anderson andthen toward Aunt Madge and Mr. and Mrs. Quinn.

  "And if I go," she spoke slowly as if she were realizing what it allmeant, "I shall be with Ruth and Letty and the other girls and I canbe at the Campfire Girls' meetings and see Bobbie and, oh, ever somany other things, can't I?"

  Then her face clouded suddenly.

  "But won't Mrs. Quinn need me here?" she asked. "Oh, I'm sure shewill, and it's wicked for me to think of anything else. And anyway, Ilove it here, so much."

  "I'll not need you, my dear, except for your smiles and cheerfulness,"said Mrs. Quinn from the kitchen. "You can just make up your mind youare going." And Mrs. Quinn spoke very decidedly.

  "You see," added Aunt Madge, "you really need the schooling. You aregetting older and there are things you must learn and which you cannotacquire except in school. You must have an education to get on in theworld."

  "By the way," interrupted the doctor, "has Mary Lee ever thought ofwhat she is going to be when she grows up?"

  Everyone in the room looked at the girl expectantly.

  "When I grow up," said Mary Lee, speaking in a way which showed shehad made up her mind long ago, "I am going to be a nurse--a Red Crossnurse. In the meantime I am going to be a Red Cross Girl."