A Close Call

By means of the overhead mirror Nancy had observed the approach of the heavy truck, and saw that the driver did indeed intend to pass her. There was only one thing to do if an accident was to be averted and that was to pull over as close to the railing as possible and bring the roadster to a halt.

Nancy gave the driver every inch that she could, praying that the bridge would be strong enough to hold up both vehicles. The truck grazed the rear fender as it went thundering by at an outrageous speed. The old bridge creaked and groaned but held up miraculously.

" Such recklessness! " Nancy exclaimed.

The words ended in a cry of fright, for the truck, nearing the end of the bridge, had brushed against the wooden railing.

To Nancy's horror it cracked off and dropped into the river. For an instant she thought the truck would plunge after it but the driver straightened his wheel just in time. The truck reached the end of the bridge in safety and went clattering on down the road. The driver did not as much as look back to see the extent of the damage.

Nancy lost no time in clearing the bridge. The three girls breathed easier when they were safe on the road once again.

" That man should be arrested for reckless driving! " George stormed. " I wish we had taken his license number so we could report him to the police! "

The girls forgot their indignation as they sped on toward Sandy Creek. Soon they reached the town, and after making inquiry were directed to the poorer section near the river. Bess and George carefully scanned the tumble-down cottages, searching for one with the name " Riverwood."

Bess caught sight of it first.

" I can see Honey out in front! " she cried eagerly. " Look! Isn't she sweet? "

As Nancy halted the car before the dilapidated cottage, she saw that the child had fallen asleep under a tree. A dog lay at her feet as though on guard. At sight of the girls he jumped up and growled.

Nancy and her friends scarcely knew whether to advance or retreat, for the dog looked vicious and seemed determined to protect his tiny mistress. As they were hesitating the child awoke. She recognized the girls, and scrambling up from the grass ran toward them.

In spite of the faded little frock and the rundown shoes, Honey was an attractive youngster. Her real name was Helen Ebba Swenson but she had always been called Honey because of her sweet disposition. Her eyes were a bright blue, her fair skin was dotted with brown freckles, and her golden hair curled in a hundred ringlets.

" Hello, Honey, " Nancy greeted her. " Is your mother at home? "

Honey's eyes opened wide as she told them the impressive news.

" Mama's gone to the postoffice to get a letter from Daddy. I wanted to go but she said it was too far for me to walk."

" Isn't your father at home? " Nancy inquired kindly.

" Oh, no, " Honey informed her in her most grown-up manner. " He's been gone most a week. Mama's worried. That's why she went to the postoffice today."

Nancy and her chums exchanged quick glances. They disliked questioning the child, yet there were certain things which they felt they must know.

" Mama should be coming pretty soon, " Honey went on, " 'cause it's supper time. I'm hungry, too."

The child looked undernourished and Nancy suspected that she did not get enough to eat. Before she could question her further Honey went on:

" Mama said if she could sell some of her eggs she'd bring me something good to eat. I'm tired of eggs. We've been eating them ever since Daddy left."

" Haven't you anything else? " George asked bluntly.

" We have a little bread. Mama says we must make our money last until we hear from Daddy. Mama doesn't know where he went and she cries a lot."

Honey then went on to tell the girls about her dog, Hans. She showed them the hens, which the girls surmised were the Swensons' only means of support at this time. She displayed a few mechanical toys—home-made, but extremely clever. Some of them operated by electricity; but unfortunately the Swenson cottage had never been wired.

" My Daddy made them for me, " Honey declared proudly. " He says some day we'll have a fine house and then I'll be able to play with them."

Nancy said very little in reply to the child's cheerful prattling. She was overcome with pity, almost wishing that she had never found the tell-tale diary which threatened to implicate Honey's father.

The cottage was neat as a pin but almost destitute of furniture. Bess peeped into the kitchen cupboard and was shocked at its barren state.

" Something must be done, " she said in an undertone. " Why, they haven't enough to keep them from starving."

" It's up to us to do something, " Nancy announced firmly. " I have an idea! We'll all eat supper here! "

As George and Bess looked aghast, she hastily explained her plan. She would drive to Sandy Creek after Honey's mother and purchase enough food for supper.

" We'll have a regular feast, " she promised. " How much money have you girls with you? "

" Two dollars and ten cents, " Bess said, opening her pocketbook.

" I have only fifty cents with me, " George announced apologetically.

" With what I have that will be enough, " Nancy said briskly. " I'll pay you both when we get home."

" Not much, " George protested. " We're all in on this."

" All right, " Nancy smiled. " You girls stay here with Honey. You might set the table and sort of get things started. I'll hurry back as quickly as I can."

" Honey's mother may not like the highhanded way we do things, " Bess ventured doubtfully.

" I'll be tactful, " Nancy promised. " So long, until I return with the groceries."

Honey followed her to the car, eyeing Nancy with worshipful eyes.

" I like ice cream, " she ventured with a timid smile.

" I’ll bring some, " Nancy promised. " And plenty of other good things. A bone, with meat on it, for Hans, too! "

She drove swiftly away after asking the child which road to take to the postoffice.

At the outskirts of Sandy Creek she caught sight of a woman trudging dejectedly down the road. It was Honey's mother.

Nancy was quick to observe the downcast expression of her face and guessed that she had received no word from her husband. Undoubtedly she had hoped that he would send money so that she might purchase food.

" Poor thing! " Nancy thought. " I don't believe I can ever bring myself to the point of telling her about the diary. If her husband has done wrong it will break her heart."

Pulling over to the side of the road she called a cheery greeting. Mrs. Swenson started in surprise as she recognized Nancy.

" Won't you get in and let me take you home? " Nancy asked her.

" But you're going in the opposite direction, '' Mrs. Swenson protested.

" Never mind, " was the answer, as the poor woman wearily climbed in beside Nancy.

" I'm on my way to town to buy some things, " Nancy explained, " but as soon as I've purchased them I'll take you straight home. You won't mind the ride, will you? "

" Indeed, I won't, " the woman smiled faintly. " I don't feel as though I could walk another step. I must get home soon, though, for my little girl hasn't had her supper."

Mrs. Swenson was proud. Nancy sensed that instantly. She wondered what would be the best way in which to broach the plan. She must be very tactful.

" Well, here's for it, " Nancy thought. " If she refuses, there's nothing we can do except return home."