n the bank for one desperate effort. She must
catch him as he ran toward her and try to flick him out of the water.
It was her only chance. She might break the line or the pole and lose
him entirely, but she would try it.

Twinkle-tail came shooting through the water, directly at her. She
suddenly threw her strength on the pole. It bent nearly double but it
held. And the fish, adding his own blind rush to her strength, was
whipped clear out on to the grass. Dropping the pole, she dove
desperately at him where he fought on the very edge of the bank.
Finally she caught the line a few inches above his mouth, and her
prize was secure.

"It's you, Twinkle-tail," she panted, as she held him up for a good
look, "sure enough!"

She carried him back to a large stone and despatched him painlessly
with a blunt stick. Then she sat down to rest, for she was weak and
dizzy from her struggle.

Looking down at Twinkle-tail where he lay, she said aloud:

"I wish Jeffrey was here. He'll never believe it was you unless he
sees you."

"Yes, that's him all right," said a voice behind her. "I'd know him in
a thousand."

She sprang up and faced Jeffrey Whiting.

"Why, where did you come from? Your mother told me you wouldn't be
back till to-morrow."

"Well, I can go back again and stay till to-morrow if you want me to,"
said Jeffrey, smiling.

"Oh, Jeff, you know I'm glad to see you. I was awfully disappointed
when I got home and found that you were away up in the hills. How is
your fight going on? And look at Twinkle-tail," she hurried on a
little nervously, for Jeffrey had her hand and was drawing her
determinedly to him. She reached for the trout and held him up
strategically between them.

"Oh, _Fish_!" said Jeffrey discontentedly as he saw himself beaten by
her ruse.

The girl laughed provokingly up into his sullenly handsome face. Then
she seemed to relent, and with a friendly little tug at his arm led
him over to the edge of the pool and made him sit down.

"Now tell me," she commanded, "all about your battle with the railroad
people. Your mother told me some things, but I want it all, from
yourself."

But Jeffrey was still unappeased. He looked at her dress and shoes and
said with a show of meanness:

"Ruth, you didn't catch Twinkle-tail fair, on your line. You just
walked into the pond and got him in a corner and kicked him to death
brutally. I know you did. You're always cruel."

Ruth laughed, and showed him