ain.

Mrs. Davenport refrained from giving them much of a scolding, as she
thought Julia really needed coddling a little. She was soon arrayed in
some of Beth's clothes.

Shortly after, Mrs. Gordon came in to make a call on Mrs. Davenport.
She proved a very lovable woman, and won the hearts of both Beth and
her mother immediately.

The accident was related to her. She drew Julia to her side and said:

"Daughter, you really must be more careful. What would mamma do if
anything happened to her little girl? Never again try walking in the
river on stilts."

Both Julia and Beth immediately experienced a sinking of the heart.
Her words reminded them that their beloved stilts had not been rescued
from the river. Julia ran towards the door.

"Daughter, where are you going?"

"After my stilts. They're in the river."

"Leave them there. You've had enough of stilts." And remain in the
river they did, although the girls pleaded very hard to get them.

Julia was asked to stay all night, and her mother consented, taking her
departure alone.

"Julia," said Beth, "I must tell you about a dream I had the night of
the fire. It was about stilts that reached up to the clouds, and I
walked on them. Then I began to fly. Oh, it was lovely. I wish we
could really fly."

"So do I. I believe we could if we tried. Let's try. We'll go up on
that great high shed and jump off. We can make our arms go for wings,
and it will be just like flying. Come on."

Away they hurried to the shed. After they had climbed up on it, it
seemed dreadfully high to Beth, but she did not say so. Perhaps it
seemed formidable to Julia, also, but her actions would not have led
one to believe it.

"I'll try first, Beth."

Thereupon Julia leaped from the shed, making her arms flap for wings.
Strange to relate, she landed safely and without feeling much jar from
it.

"Oh, it's lovely, Beth. Come on."

Poor Beth did not think it so lovely. She put a bold face on the
matter, though, and jumped as she had seen Julia do, also keeping her
arms going in the same manner as Julia. However, she landed with a
sickening thud that jarred every bone in her body.

"Isn't it fun, Beth? Let's try it again."

Up Julia scampered upon the shed. Beth, not to be outdone, followed
after, but more slowly.

Again Julia Jumped and Beth followed. She felt the jar even more the
second time than she had the first.

Fortunately, Mr. Davenport arrived o