“Does it pass away?” Lois questioned, now much interested.

“I can not altogether tell.”

“He’s going to have a nightmare,” Dick bantered, at which they all laughed.

“I hope there’s nothing in your prophecy,” Jasper remarked.  “If I were at all superstitious I might worry a great deal over what you say.”

“Look here, Lois,” and Dick turned to his sister, “is there a hole in that tea-strainer?  For pity sakes get a new one, and don’t let so many grounds get through in the future.  We don’t want any more clouds.”

When dinner was over they all went out on the verandah.  It was a beautiful evening, for the wind had subsided, and the river stretched out before them like a huge mirror.

“How I should like to be out there now,” Lois remarked, as she gazed pensively upon the water.  “Suppose we go for a row?”

“I should think you’d be sick and tired of the river after your experience to-day,” Dick replied.  “I prefer the car to a boat any time.”

“With all the enjoyment of dust, noise, and smell of gasoline thrown in,” his sister sarcastically retorted.

“I guess you were most thankful to smell gasoline to-day, though, when Spuds picked you up in that old tub of his.  Now, weren’t you?”

Before Lois could reply Betty suddenly appeared before them.  Her face was flushed, and she was panting as if she had been running fast.

“I have only a minute to spare,” she explained, “for Mr. David doesn’t know I have left him.  He wants to see you, Mr. Jasper, and so I have come before it gets too late.  I am afraid to come out after dark now.”

CHAPTER XXIV

GATHERING CLOUDS

Jasper did not like the idea of leaving such agreeable company and going with Betty.  It was so pleasant to be near Lois, and he was hoping that they might have a quiet little conversation together.  Why could not David wait?  There was surely nothing of great importance that he wished to see him about.  No doubt he wanted to ask him some questions concerning the progress of the work at the falls.  He could call in on his way home and have a chat with him.

These thoughts ran quickly through his mind as he sat there watching Betty.  But something in the girl’s face told him that he had better go at once, and so he rose from his chair.

“Won’t you come back again?” Lois asked.  “It is go early that surely Mr. David will not keep you all the evening.”

“I’m afraid not,” was the reluctant reply.  “I shall go over to my cabin and get a good sleep.  I was up late last night looking after that raft of poles which we took down river to-day.”