Three girl chums at Laurel Hall : or, The mystery of the school by the lake

The story follows three inseparable girls—Nan, the athletic blonde; Jo, the dark‑haired but spry dreamer; and Sadie, the steady middle‑ground—who have spent their school years plotting to attend the prestigious Laurel Hall boarding school together. Their excitement is shattered when Jo learns her father’s business has suffered a sudden loss, leaving her unable to afford the tuition that had seemed certain. Determined not to let one setback ruin their friendship, the trio huddles over the heartbreaking news, each offering her own brand of hope and resolve.

As the girls grapple with the financial blow, they also sense an undercurrent of mystery at the lakeside campus, where rumors of a secret club and unexplained events swirl among the students. Their curiosity pulls them into a series of small adventures—an accidental fire, a daring rescue, and a puzzling discovery that hints that some dangers are not just about money. Together they must decide whether to face the unknown or retreat, testing the strength of their bond before the school year even begins.