The leader., 1905-07-15

4Aey dT6 parDafl&u&j OF course
said |. 'but suppose we were, too
She considered. Il don't think /
was-Tm sure was not.
Didn't you collect eggs and tear
your clothes and scratch your legs
and
Il think l was too sensible she
said. Il don't believe girls are like
that, as rule. They're not savages,
like Aline."
Aline's voice, smothered in the leaf
age came to us just then.
1--WE got it-there are four, IL
seemed to say, triumphantly.
Now, at last, we shall get baclx,s'
said Miss Deighton, with sigh Of re-
lief.
The next moment there was crash.
something snapped above, and Aline
descended in lump. She fell on Miss
Deighton, who toppfed OF her seat
upon me. / suppose the force of two
bodies thus heavily discharged on me
had IT'S due effect, for was not aware
of anything for moment or two. save
of the difficulty of getting breath. Then
became aware that Aline was sitting
on Miss Deighton and that Miss Deigh-
ton was sitting on me-
"Sopry," heard Aline say, and then
she got of us ana sputtered. II had
the eggs in my mouth, " she told us.
We wouldn't have cared If she had
had the eggs in her hair. Miss Deigh-
ton was painting hard. Her hat had been
crushed in and her looks were in dis
order, but she still sat on--on me.
Would you mind?" began
breathlessly, but, hope, politely.
ooh, didn't see-I- didn't know :
She rose, and /, too, got up. Il hope
you're quite satisfied now" she re-
marked, Indignantly, to me.
But it wasn't me" / pleaded. 1T
was"
at was mel" cried Aline, honestly.
Miss Deighton was occupied in
Strengthening herself "Will you be
good enough to guide me out of here? 2"
she cried. coldly and freezingly, to
Aline. She ignored me. Awed by her
lofty manner, the tomboy obeyed, and
| followed meekly in their train.
Free of the abominable wood, we
descended across fields to the village.
The silence hung oppressiyely, and
opened conversation with the prime
found of all our woes.
81 hope you didn't get hurt, Aline, .
l said, hypocritically.
ooh, mol" said she, throwing back
her ambrosial locks and now fast re-
covering from the shock of that wound
ed dignity. 81 only got bruise on my
leg. Did your leg get hurt, Miss Deigh.
toni"
NOT snapped Miss Deighton, hel
lissom form moving swiftly.
''Aline, were those eggs fresh?"
asked
Alfne made face. well, one OF
them was. / think" she said, dubious
ly. But l should rather like drink
of water"
Better run on ahead We can find
our way said l. encouragingly.
'I'm sorry if you were hurt by fall
ing on me" said, alphabetically. She
made no answer, but seemed to be anx-
ious to oYertake Aline. Especially 81
| went on, "as liked it"
How absurd" said Miss leighton.
''Why, you could hardly get your
breath.
That is true,' i observed. But,
! thinking it over, have come to the
conclusion that there are times when
one does not want to get ones breath. =
Indeed said she, indifferently
"And when one likes to be sat on, .
added
Miss Deighton said nothing, but
seemed interested in getting to the vii
lage.
Il liked it both times said.
Both times?" she echoed, in sur
prise,
eyes; when you fell off the gate you
kicked me.
"oh, I'm so sorry!" said she, in con-
fusion. "Where?"
Here, said l, coming to pause and
putting finger to my chin. Miss Deigh-
ton examined it, blushing
I'm so sorry" said she again. Il
didn't know 1t was all that little
wretch, Aline."
81 don't know that she's quite a
wretch" said l. There's thorn or
something in your hair. May ~"
Thanks, very much" said she.
t.It's-it's rather silly said she.
turned. There's no particular rea-
son why we should get to the village, is
there?" | asked. Eve haven't swal-
lowed birds eggs. =
Miss leighton laughed 1T is beau
tiful day" she murmured, as she turned
with me-