e questioned, and seeing Anna, lifted his hands
in amazement.

Anna stumbled toward him.

"I am to blame about Melvina!" she exclaimed, and, speaking as quickly
as she could, she told the whole story. She told it exactly as it had
happened, excepting Luretta's part of the mischief, and Melvina's
willingness to wade in the creeping tide.

Mr. Lyon had taken her by the hand and led her into the candle-lit room.
A little fire blazed on the brick hearth, and as Anna came near it a
little mist of steam rose from her wet clothes.

The minister listened, keeping Anna's cold little hand fast in his
friendly clasp. His face was very grave, and when she finished with: "Is
Melvina safe? London said she was. But, oh, Mr. Lyon, all her fine
clothes are swept away, and it is my fault," he smiled down at her
troubled face.

"Be in no further alarm, my child. But come with me, for your feet are
cut and bruised, and Mrs. Lyon will give you dry clothing. Melvina does
not blame you in her story of this mischievous prank. But I doubt not
you are both blameworthy. But 'twill be your parents' duty to see to thy
punishment." As the minister spoke he drew her toward a door at the far
end of the room and opened it, calling for Mrs. Lyon, who rose from her
seat near a low table in front of the big kitchen fireplace.

All Anna's courage had vanished. She hung her head, not daring to look
at Mrs. Lyon, saying:

"I must go home. I must not stay."

"London is at your father's house ere this, and will tell him that you
are to spend the night here. They will not be anxious about you," said
Mrs. Lyon; "and now slip out of those wet garments. I have warm water to
bathe your feet," and almost before Anna realized what was happening she
found herself in a warm flannel wrapper, her bruised feet bathed and
wrapped in comforting bandages, and a bowl of hot milk and corn bread on
the little table beside her. When this was finished Mrs. Lyon led the
little girl to a tiny chamber at the head of the stairs. A big bedstead
seemed nearly to fill the room.

"Say your prayers, Anna," said Mrs. Lyon, and without another word she
left the little girl alone. Anna was so thoroughly tired out that even
the strange dark room did not prevent her from going to sleep, and when
she awoke the tiny room was full of sunshine; she could hear robins
singing in the maples near the house, and people moving about
down-stairs. Then she sat up in bed with a little shiver of