The Monitor-register., 1897-08-20

was rioing recklessly down the hill. The
group watched with wide open eyes.
"Please come, Mr.. Peyton," repeated
Molly steadily. 81 want those flowers
so much ~
MAY cut them ?' he asked eagerly,
and he hand led the knife in his left hand
restlessly.
"You must cut them, and do come
quickly, for my time is Short" she
urged.
Reluctantly yielding. he took a few
steps in the direction she indicated, then
paused, muttering, 1.-THE enemy may
escape"
Then you will have routed themr'
she rejoined enthusiastically. 1t would
be great victory if you could rout them,
foot and horse" Molly said this in a
louder voice, and for the first time looked
toward her friends, with a slight gesture
toward their bicycles.
'Peyton followed her without further
remonstranoe, and as soon as they were
out OF sight, Ralph said briefly:
NOW is your chance, girls. Make a
break for your wheels and clear out.
We fellows will stay by Molly, and if
anybody calls her fraud cat after
this-V His voice broke, bat the
sentence needed no completion.
His orders were more easily given than
obeyed, however, for the girls were so
thoroughly shaken by their fright that
it was no light matter to get them all
safely over the bridge and on their
bicycles; but it was accomplished at last,
and then the three boys made their way
cautiously towards the laurel bank.
Don't show yourselves while he is
quiet, whispered Captain Ralph. "But
if he turns ugly, make a rush." 1t was
long ten minutes that they watched
and waited until the hurried step of the
keeper was heard in the path behind
them.
The boys signed him to be silent, and
Harry pointed through the trees. Peyton
was kneeling by huge bunch of laurel
which he was tying up under Molly's
direct ions.
''Put the string under them and
through the loop, so," she ordered. The
knife was on the ground beside him.
Molly lesned forward, pointing. 81
would put that other end through here,
and wind it about thut crooked stem, or
l am afraid it will slip"
The mans attention was fully absorbed
in securing the refractory branch, and
when it was done the knife was in Molly's
pocket.
Peyton stood up, and turning saw the
keeper. His face clouded, and he said
softly: "You need not feel alarmed, but
this man is not-quite right" he touched
his forehead meaningly. "A charge of
mine. l must take him back to the
house.
Permit me to thank you, Miss Elliot,
for the pleasantest half.hour l have
passed since" he paused abruptly, sigh.
ing.
Molly took his proffered hand, and her
eyes were misty as she said good bye
Taking the keepers arm, Peyton disap-
peared down the lesfy path, ignoring
the boys, who stood aside to let them
pass.
Then Molly suddenly sat down beside
her laurels aud covered her face with her
hands.
"Please don'tp' she sobbed, as the
boys gathered about with broken phrases
of contrtion and admiration. What
you said was all true. am afraid to do
things that are just fun to Kitty and the
others. And is-wasn't--anything
After he was so good and quiet-and-oh,
dear l don't know why am crying,
on1y-I'm such goose p
Ralph swallowed nard.
Il wish there were more such geese as
you and Gertrude" he said huskily.
"Come fellows! Let's go and pack up
the things, .and-say-I've learned one
lessons to-day for keeps. and that's the
difference between true grit and brag."
$50 say we all of u.s." chimed in Harry,
and quiet Ted stopped, and breaking off
twig of the laurel, stuck it gently
among the fair braids of Molly's bent
head. saying with an odd little smile,
''Well won ~ And from that day to this
Molly is known in school as "The Laur-
cate of the Chester Cycle b."-ELLEN
K. STEVENS, in the Household.