dy did, so I jes' began
to commence to holler, 'th all my might, and the lady camed right off; I
think 'twas drefful good for her to."

"Kat lost her breastpin, and I was helping look for it," said Kittie,
with a modest blush, being quite overcome with the gratitude visible in
both faces before her. "She wasn't very far away."

"I was far away," corrected Pansy with decision. "I was more'n
'leventeen miles, and I expected to see a big bear mos' every minute, I
did, and I know one would have camed if the lady hadn't; and I jes' love
her very much, I do."

"Oh, yes; excuse me," said Mrs. Raymond, hastily. "Paul, this is Miss
Dering; my brother, Mr. Murray; and we're so thankful to you, Kittie."

Kittie bowed and blushed still more, as Mr. Murray repeated his
gratitude, but as she turned to leave, Pansy cried vehemently:

"You stay with me, 'cause I want you, and you go home with me and my
papa in the little buggy; tell her so quick, right off, papa."

Of course what could Mr. Murray do but say politely:

"I should be most pleased, Miss Dering, if you would allow me to be
cruel enough to take you from the gay party."

Kittie did not know the invitation came from a society lion, who
refused to be caught, and the depths of her innocent heart never dreamed
how pleased he was, at thus being forced into giving it; she only knew
that she had much rather go home in the carriage, with the girls, and
was quite unconscious that the thought shone in her eyes, but Mr. Murray
saw it and hastily added:

"It would be too unkind, after all. Do not consider it another moment;
only tell me if you will allow Pansy and me to come and take you to ride
some evening soon."

"Yes, thank you," answered Kittie. "I should be very much pleased."

Some one shouted her name through the woods just then, and with a little
bow and smile, she went away, leaving Mr. Murray to comfort Pansy, as he
said slowly:

"A delightfully natural, and charming little girl! We will go and take
her to ride soon; so don't cry, Pansy."

Well the blissful day came to an end, as all days will, though they
prolonged it to the last minute and did not reach home until after dark;
and then everybody forgot how tired they were, and said with a sigh of
pleasing memory, "How delightful it was, to be sure!"

"I had a lovely time," said Bea, smiling to herself in the dark, after
they had gone to bed.

"Well, I'm sure I did," added Kittie, hugging her pillow with a ti