adies to be found in the land before. Oh, we will
take it out of them, sha'n't we?"

Kathleen made no reply. Presently they reached the opening that led into
the quarry. They had to go down a narrow sloping path, and then by a
doorway cut in the solid rock. After they had passed through they found
themselves in a large circular cavern open to the sky. There was no moon
and the night was dark; but one girl had brought a lantern. She opened
it and placed it on the ground; a bright shaft of light now fell on
several young figures all huddled together. Susy gave a sharp whistle;
the girls started to their feet.

"Here we are, girls. See, this is our queen," and she presented Kathleen
to the assembled girls.

"Does the queen mind our looking at her face in turns?" said Kate
Rourke. "I have not specially noticed you before," she continued, "but
after we have each had a good stare we will know what sort of girl you
are."

For reply Kathleen herself lifted the lantern and flung the full light
upon her radiant and lovely face and figure. The intense light made her
golden hair shine, and brought out the delicate perfection of each
feature; the merry eyes framed in their dark lashes, the gleaming white
teeth, the rosy lips were all apparent. But beyond the mere beauty of
feature Kathleen had to a remarkable degree the far more fascinating
beauty of expression: her face was capable of almost every shade of
emotion, being sorrowful and pathetic one moment, and brimful of
irrepressible mirth and roguery the next.

There was a silence amongst the girls until Mary Rand shouted:

"Hip! hip! hurrah!"

The whole eight immediately broke into a ringing cheer.

"Welcome, Queen Kathleen," they said--"welcome;" and they held out their
hands and clasped the hands of the Irish girl.

"I am glad," said Kathleen.

"What about?" said Clara Sawyer.

"Why, you have crowned me queen yourselves. Now I can do what I like
with you all."

"You certainly can," said Susy Hopkins.--"We are devoted to our queen,
aren't we, girls?"

"We have fallen in love with her on the spot," said Rosy Myers.

"I never saw any one quite so lovely before as the queen," said Mary
Rand.

"It isn't only that she's lovely, she is so genteel," said Susy Hopkins.

"Aristocratic!" cried Kate.--"Hannah Johnson, you haven't given your
opinion yet.--And, Ruth Craven, you haven't given yours."

"I reserve my opinion," said Ruth.

"And I say there's a great deal