Free The Mystery Girl by Gertrude Chandler Warner Page A

Tony drove into Elmford where he had been staying so he could pack his things. The others walked with Mr. Taylor to open the store.
    â€œWhat a morning this has been,” Nancy said as they all went inside. “So much has happened!”
    â€œI told you we’re always having adventures,” Benny said.
    â€œYes, you did, Benny,” Nancy laughed.
    In just a few minutes, a customer arrived. She walked over to Mr. Taylor. “I just wanted you to know that I’ve tried that new Elmford Shopping Center,” she said to him.
    Mr. Taylor looked worried. “Yes?”
    The customer nodded. “And your store is much better,” she said firmly. “Your fruit and vegetables are fresher. Your fabric is just as good. And your prices are much better.”
    Mr. Taylor looked relieved. “That’s very good to hear,” he said.
    â€œI knew your customers wouldn’t desert you, Jerry,” Aunt Jane said.
    â€œI’m beginning to think you’re right,” Mr. Taylor said.
    Aunt Jane was just about to leave when a man came into the store. “Hello, Dick,” she said. “Look, Jerry, it’s Dick Forest, who used to work here.”
    â€œHi, Mr. Taylor,” Dick said. He looked around and saw Nancy and the Aldens putting out fruit, dusting, and pricing things. “I see you have plenty of people working for you.”
    â€œAs a matter of fact, I don’t,” Mr. Taylor said. He explained that Nancy and the Aldens would be leaving soon.
    Dick looked very happy. “Then would you hire me again?” he asked.
    â€œOf course I would,” Mr. Taylor said. “But what about your job at the Elmford Shopping Center?”
    Dick shook his head. “I quit, Mr. Taylor. I thought it would be a nice place to work. But the people who own it aren’t very friendly. I’m just not happy there.”
    â€œThen you’re welcome to come back here,” Mr. Taylor said. “That way, we’ll both be happy.”
    The Aldens smiled at each other. “Everything is turning out great,” Jessie said.
    â€œNow when we all go home, we won’t have to worry about Mr. Taylor not having anyone to work for him,” Henry said.
    â€œI’m glad,” Violet said. “I can’t wait to see Grandfather and tell him about it.”
    Benny went over to Jerry Taylor. “Aren’t you glad, Mr. Taylor?” he said. “Now you have someone to take our place.”
    â€œI’m glad about Dick, Benny,” Mr. Taylor said with a smile. He looked at all the Aldens. “But no one can ever replace the four of you.”
    â€œThat’s what Grandfather says,” Benny told him.
    â€œHe’s right,” Mr. Taylor said.
    Violet smiled at Mr. Taylor. “I’m glad everything is working out for you,” she said. “Maybe I could make more signs for your store someday.”
    â€œThat would be just fine, Violet,” Mr. Taylor said.
    â€œAnd maybe when we come to visit Aunt Jane again, we could work here, just for a day,” Benny said.
    Mr. Taylor laughed. “You’re all welcome here anytime, and you don’t have to do any work,” he said. “But if I ever do need help again, I’ll know exactly who to turn to.”
    â€œYou can count on us anytime, Mr. Taylor,”Benny said.
    â€œRight,” Jessie said.
    â€œYes,” Violet said. “But now it’s time to go home to Grandfather.”

About the Author
    G ERTRUDE C HANDLER W ARNER discovered when she was teaching that many readers who like an exciting story could find no books that were both easy and fun to read. She decided to try to meet this need, and her first book, The Boxcar Children, quickly proved she had succeeded.
    Miss Warner drew on her own experiences to write each mystery. As a child she spent hours watching trains go by on the tracks opposite her family home. She often dreamed about what it would be