could not be more than a mile or so of that kind of road.

"Are there any undertakers along this road?" asked Guy, seriously.

"Undertakers! what do you mean, Guy?" said Agnes, quite shocked at his
levity. The whole party set up a laugh in which the driver heartily
joined, knowing what had called forth the remark.

"I merely thought we would require the services of one, if not more, at
the rate we are going, especially as there is a mile more of such road."

In the midst of another laugh which followed this speech, the coach
turned off into a shady lane where the trees on either side almost met,
forming a delightful shelter from the sun, which was now pouring down
its rays most lavishly.

Through sun and shade the horses kept up their trot, the driver being
called to repeatedly to be kind to them, until the joyful announcement,
"The woods, the grand old woods!" was made. Just at the entrance to the
woods stood a hotel. And the arrival of the coaches made quite a stir at
the "Cross Keys," as it was called. The proprietor was aroused from his
slumbers under the old chestnut tree at the end of the house, where he
had been vainly endeavoring to fix in his mind some of the previous
week's news; judging from the paper which lay on the grass, and the
spectacles which, just resting on the tip of his nose, seemed ready to
follow the news,--by the barking of the dogs and the scampering of
servants.

"Bless me," he gasped, "if there ain't a load. Pretty plucky whoever
they are to travel this sort of weather." And gathering up himself and
his glasses, he made as great speed towards the front of the house as
his roly-poly figure and the heat would admit.

By the time he reached it, black Pete, whose business was to attend to
the stables and do a little of anything needed about the house, stood
cap in hand, grinning and bowing to the party who were alighting.

"Nice kind of a day this, friend," said one of the young men, as Pete
took his station near the horses heads. "No heat to speak of up this
way, I suppose."

"Just a little, sah!" and Pete's grin was broader than ever, while he
rolled his eyes in the direction of the girls. "It feels a good sight
breezin' since you come sah, de young ladies, I mean." Here there was
another bow, and the whole thing, the bow and the compliment was so
overwhelming, that the girls ran laughing up the steps, almost
upsetting the worthy landlord.

Presently they were followed by the young