ings. She knew that she should not
take part in the game,--it was not for such as her,--but she was
confused, desperate, and "didn't care." She modestly knew her own
attractions. Every young man in the circle was a friend of Tom's, and
had at some time manifested a desire to be a friend to Tom's sister. Tom
was fairly popular for his own sake, but his exceeding radiance was
borrowed. The game could not be very wicked, thought Rita, since it was
encouraged by the church; but even if it were wicked, she determined to
take possession of her own in the person of Dic. Out of these several
impulses and against her will came the words, "I'll take your place,
Miss Tompkinson," and almost before she was aware of what she had done
she was standing with fiercely throbbing pulse, a member of the
forbidden circle.

[Illustration: "SHE FLUNG AT THE WORTHY SHEPHERD THE OPPROBRIOUS WORDS,
'YOU FOOL.'"]

As Rita had expected, the handkerchief soon fell behind her, and without
the least trouble she caught the young fellow who had dropped it, for
the man did not live who could run from her. The pledge, a pocket-knife,
was deposited, and Rita became a trembling, terrified "It." What to do
with the handkerchief she did not know, but she started desperately
around the circle. After the fourth or fifth trip the players began to
laugh. Dic's heart was doing a tremendous business, and he felt that
life would be worthless if the handkerchief should fall from Rita's hand
behind any one but him. Meanwhile the frightened girl walked round and
round the circle, growing more confused with every trip.

"Drop it, Rita," cried Doug Hill, "or you'll drop."

"She's getting tired," said another.

"See how warm she is," remarked gentle Tom.

"Somebody fan her," whispered Sukey.

"I don't believe I want to play," said Rita, whose cheeks were burning.
A chorus of protests came from all save Dic; so she took up her burden
again and of course must drop it. After another long weary walk an
inspiration came to her; she would drop the handkerchief behind Tom. She
did so. Tom laughed, and all agreed with one accord that it was against
the rules of the game to drop the handkerchief behind a brother or
sister. Then Rita again took up her burden, which by that time was a
heavy one indeed. She had always taken her burdens to Dic, so she took
this one to him and dropped it.

"I knew she would," screamed every one, and Rita started in dreadful
earnest on her la