The Mystery at Mead's Mountain

the days when he had been a scared, hostile problem himself.
    “Oh, Dan, it won’t be nearly as much fun without you,” complained Di.
    “And you skate so well—you’d probably have a ball on skis,” Jim said.
    “I’m sure those little kids will be happy to have you, though,” added Honey.
    “I’m sorry you can’t make it, Dan,” said Mr. Wheeler. “We’ll have to make sure you get up there sometime next year. Will the rest of you let me know as soon as possible, please?”
    It wasn’t long before Trixie was able to phone Honey with the news that the Beldens had permission to go.
    “Do you know that your sneaky father called Moms this morning and told her his whole plan?” Trixie asked. “She and my dad knew all along and didn’t say anything!”
    “You’re kidding!” Honey exclaimed. “Who would have guessed our parents could keep secrets so well?”
    “It’s a good thing your dad didn’t let Bobby in on the secret,” Trixie commented, “or it would have been let out of the bag ages ago.”
    “Oh, Trixie, I’m so excited I can hardly sit still,” Honey rushed on. “Di just called to say she can come. Imagine—a whole week in the mountains!”
    “Gleeps, Honey, I’m so excited I don’t know how I’m going to get through the next week! Are we going to need any special clothes or equipment?”
    “Daddy says we will probably spend most of the time cross-country skiing,” Honey replied. “He’s going to go over all the details with Jim and me tonight so we can fill the rest of you in tomorrow.”
    “Cross-country skiing? I’ve never done that before. Neither have Brian and Mart,” said Trixie in a dubious tone.
    “Jim and I haven’t either, but Daddy says we’ll catch on in no time,” Honey assured her. “We’ll be able to rent skis there, but we’ll have to bring our own ski clothes. Long underwear, ski pants, sweaters, and a windbreaker—you know, lightweight stuff. Oh, and Daddy says to bring a swimsuit, too, because there’s a pool at the lodge.”
    “Wow! Say, Honey, do you think we’ll need a dress?” Trixie asked hesitantly. She really hated to get dressed up.
    “Gee, I don’t think so,” Honey replied, glad to set her friend at ease. “You could throw in some extra jeans to wear around the lodge.”
    “Whew!” said Trixie. “I’ve got to go now. Bobby’s ready for bed, and I have to read him to sleep. Lucky for me, he’s really tired from helping Moms with the bazaar this afternoon.”
    “He is such a doll,” Honey said. “You’re lucky to have a little brother, Trixie.”
    “I know he can be awfully cute at times, but other times he can be a real pest! I’ll see you on the bus tomorrow.”
    As Trixie hung up the phone, a slow smile crossed her lips. She hadn’t mentioned it to anyone yet, but she had a hunch that the so-called ghost of Mead’s Mountain held the promise of a new mystery waiting for her.

Swirls in the Snow • 2

    THE DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS flew by. Almost before Trixie knew it, she and the rest of her family were cleaning up after the Belden open house the day after Christmas. The party had been fun, but Trixie had been afraid that clean-up time, and thus departure time, would never arrive. Besides, she couldn’t wait to change out of the party dress she found so uncomfortable and into jeans and a sweater.
    Finally, she was free to go finish her packing. She was just asking Brian to help her get her suitcase shut, when they heard the doorbell ring. It was Tom Delanoy, the Wheelers’ chauffeur, who had the rest of the Bob-Whites and Miss Trask outside in the car and was taking them all to the airport.
    Trixie, Brian, and Mart bounded downstairs to the front door, where they exchanged farewell hugs with their parents and Bobby. The youngest Belden was unhappy with his siblings for “deserting” him during Christmas vacation.
    “But think how much fun you’ll have with your presents,” Trixie said, giving Bobby an extra squeeze. “Especially your books. Maybe by the time we get back, you’ll be able to read yourself to sleep!”
    Bobby brightened a bit, and Mrs. Belden laughed. “Dan said he’d stop over to visit Bobby,” she said. “But that’s no excuse for you three not to hurry back soon. Have a safe trip!”
    Waving and laughing, the Belden trio went outside and squeezed into the already crowded car. “Would anyone like to see my imitation of a sardine?” Mart asked rhetorically.
    When Tom pulled the car