The Secret of the Scarecrow by Carolyn Keene Read Free Book Online Page A

suitcases at home.”
    â€œGo on!” George urged.
    â€œI saw a scarecrow on a porch,” Leanne said. “I didn’t know it was Bess’s porch, but I knew it was our scarecrow from the clothes it was wearing.”
    â€œThat’s when you took her?” Bess asked.
    Leanne nodded as she placed the plate of cookies on the table.
    â€œI put Autumn inside the suitcase and wheeled her home,” Leanne explained. “You’dbe surprised what fits inside a Hudson’s Apparel suitcase.”
    Hudson’s Apparel , Nancy thought. H . . . A!
    Nancy pulled the red, round HA out of her jacket pocket. “Did this come from Hudson’s too?” she asked.
    â€œYes!” Leanne said. “Those tags are on all of our suitcases. It must have fallen off when I was trying to put Autumn inside.”
    â€œNo wonder they’re on sale,” George muttered.
    â€œI’m really sorry,” Leanne cried. “You guys are great detectives . . . but I’m a terrible classmate.”
    Tears welled in Leanne’s eyes as she said, “I even lied about being allergic to hay so I wouldn’t have to make a scarecrow for Darcy’s.”
    â€œYou’re not terrible, Leanne,” Nancy said with a smile. “You made a mistake and everybody makes mistakes.”
    â€œEven me,” Bess said. “I left the scarecrow on the porch when I should have kept her inside. So we’re even!”
    Leanne finally smiled. “I was going to bringAutumn back after Trixie’s tea party,” she said. “Honest!”
    â€œWhat’s important is that we found Autumn,” Nancy said. “And just in time for school tomorrow.”
    â€œYippee!” Bess cheered. “This calls for another celebration!”
    â€œTotally!” Leanne agreed. She smiled at the pretty table in the garden and said, “Tea party, anyone?”

    Monday morning Bess brought Autumn to school as promised. Later that week the wholeclass gathered on Main Street for the unveiling of Darcy’s new fall window.
    â€œShe’s perfect!” Bess swooned when they saw Autumn seated on a bale of hay surrounded by pumpkins.
    â€œI hope you got the mouse out,” Deirdre muttered.
    Nancy, Bess, and George ignored Deirdre. The important thing was that Autumn was where she belonged—in the window of Darcy’s Department Store!
    â€œWell done, boys and girls!” Ms. Franklin announced. “Now everyone will want to shop at Darcy’s Department Store.”
    â€œThat’s what I was afraid of,” Leanne whispered.
    Nancy felt bad for Leanne. She looked across the street at Hudson’s Apparel and their boring store window. That’s when she got an idea. . . .
    â€œLeanne—why don’t we design a window just for Hudson’s?” Nancy asked. “Something other than luggage and a stuffed squirrel?”
    â€œYes!” Bess said excitedly. “We can dress up some mannequins in Hudson’s prettiest fall clothes—”
    â€œAnd put them on a hayride!” George suggested.
    Leanne’s eyes shone brightly. “My mom and dad will love the idea!” she said. “But why do you want to do it?”
    Nancy remembered what Mimi Franklin said and smiled.
    â€œBecause every store window should be well dressed,” Nancy declared. “Especially in the fall!”

PAPER PLATE SCARECROW
    What’s the dish on making a great scarecrow? You don’t need hay or straw. Just a paper plate, a few fun crafts—and lots of imagination!

Materials
    â€¢Â 1 Paper plate
    â€¢Â 2 Plastic eyes or round buttons
    â€¢Â Bunches of hair-colored yarn
    â€¢Â Colorful markers or crayons
    â€¢Â Orange, red, or brown construction paper
    â€¢Â Glue
    â€¢Â Red or orange ribbon
    â€¢Â Scissors
Directions
    Glue yarn at the top of the plate to make the hair.
    Cut construction