and her swift little feet to take her around the circle before
the dropee could catch her.

Wetmore had been an active member, though a passive participant, in the
game, since its beginning. When a young lady "It" walked back of him, he
would eagerly watch her approach, and when she passed him, as all did,
he would turn his face after her and hope for better things from the
next. Repeated disappointments had lulled his vigil, and when Sukey, the
girl of all others for whom he had not hoped, dropped the sacred linen
behind his reverend form, he was so startled that he did not seize the
precious moment. He was standing beside Doug Hill, and the handkerchief
fell almost between the two. It was clearly intended for his reverence;
but when he failed instantly to meet the requirements of the situation,
the Douglas, most alert of men, resolved to appropriate the opportunity
to himself. At the same moment Brother W. also determined to embrace it,
and, if possible, "It." Each stooped at the same instant, and their
heads collided.

"Let it alone, parson, it's for me," cried the Douglas.

Parson did not answer, but reached out his hand for the coveted prize.
Thereupon Douglas pushed him backward, causing him to be seated with
great violence upon the floor. At that unfortunate moment Sukey, who had
taken speed from eagerness, completed her trip around the circle, and
being unable to stop, fell headlong over the figure of the self-made
parson. She had not seen Doug's part in the transaction, and being much
disturbed in mind and dress, turned upon poor Wetmore and flung at the
worthy shepherd the opprobrious words, "You fool."

When we consider the buttons in the offering, together with Sukey's
unjust and biting words, we cannot help believing that Wetmore had been
born under an unlucky star.

One's partner in this game was supposed to favor one now and then, when
opportunity presented; but Wetmore's partner, Miss Tompkinson, having
waited in vain for favors from that gentleman, quitted the game when
Sukey called him, "You fool." Wetmore thought, of course, he also would
be compelled to drop out; but, wonder of wonders, Rita, the most
beautiful girl in the room, rose to her feet and said:--

"I'll take your place, Miss Tompkinson." She knew that if she were in
the game, Sukey's reign would end, and she had reached the point of
perturbation where she was willing to do anything to prevent the
recurrence of certain painful happen