white object
clinging to a swinging ladder high up in the air.

Between the second story and the sloping tower roof a scaffold had been
erected by workmen who were repairing the walls. Fearing possible
injury to the children by falling stones, Mr. Dawson had instructed
them not to work on the day of the picnic and they had secured the
scaffold from the reach of mischievous boys, placing it fortunately
just in position to arrest the child's fall.

"If only she doesn't get dizzy!" a voice was saying and Laura for the
first time noticed that a boy was scaling the wall. Favored by the
thick vines and uneven stones up he went with the agility of an
acrobat. He was bareheaded and the sun shone on his face, reddened
with exertion, and on his sandy hair and Laura recognized him as one of
the Stony Road boys, the one she had talked with on the glass-boat.

"It's Bud Waters--the rest of us were too heavy to try it, and he was
off like a squirrel, soon as he saw the child," explained Mat
hurriedly. He was with a crowd of boys, among whom were Mark, Hugh,
and Jed, carrying a coil of rope.

"We're going up to the roof--if she only holds out that long!"

"Mat, Mat, it's our Lois!" wailed Laura. She saw Mat's face blanch,
and the crowd passed, leaving her half crazed. She knew that Alene and
Ivy were standing beside her with tears in their eyes, murmuring half
audible prayers, but she did not see them. Her gaze turned steadily
upon the little hanging figure, and on the boy who went climbing up the
wall.

Ah, he has almost reached the goal--he has grasped the ladder--a thrill
went through the crowd--he is holding the little one safe from harm!
Then, seated beside her on the ladder, he gave a whoop of joy that was
answered by the crowd's enthusiastic cries. A moment later the other
boys were seen at the narrow windows above and the rope came gliding
over the roof.

Then everything became a blur to Laura; she heard a shout of many
voices and knew no more until she found herself sitting on a bench with
Mrs. Major fanning her, Miss Marlin demanding fiercely from everybody
why she had forgotten to bring her lavender salts, Kizzie dancing round
with a glass of water, and Ivy and Alene kneeling on the grass chafing
her hands, and then, oh blessed sight, Uncle Fred coming across the
lawn with Lois safe in his arms!

On seeing her big sister, she stuck a tiny finger into her mouth half
abashed.

"Lawa, don't cwy! I didn't m