s discovered lying there,
Where she had died beside the bear."

"Bravo! Winifred, that's fine!" shouted Jack Randall, and then followed
a shout of laughter, in which everybody joined, Winifred herself as
heartily as any of the others.

"I told you it was awful," she said between gasps, "but Lulu said no one
could be a member who didn't write a poem, so I had to do my best."

"I should die of mortification if I were laughed at like that,"
whispered Elsie to Carol, who sat next to her. To which her friend
replied sympathetically:

"Of course you would, but then everybody isn't a genius like you."

"The next poem," announced Lulu, when order had been restored, "is by
Miss Marjorie Graham of Arizona. Get up, Marjorie."

Marjorie's heart was beating rather fast as she rose, but there was a
merry twinkle in her eye, and if her voice shook a little when she began
to read, it was more from suppressed laughter than from fear.

"THE BORING LIFE OF NEW YORK.

"Some think it delightful to live in New York,
But with them I do not agree;
'Tis nothing but hustle and bustle and talk,
All very distasteful to me.

"I love all the pleasures the country can give,
The beautiful flowers and the birds;
The city produces not one of these things,
Only traffic and crowds by the herds.

"The city is good as a workshop for men,
Who in parks idle moments may pass,
But the pleasure for children e'en there is quite spoiled,
When a sign bids them 'Keep off the Grass.'"

A burst of genuine applause followed this production, and Marjorie sat
down again quite covered with confusion.

"It's splendid; I couldn't have written anything half so good,"
whispered Betty encouragingly. "I am rather glad I am not to be a member
of the Club, for I know I could never have written two lines that
rhymed."

"The next poem," continued Lulu, in her business-like tone, "is by Miss
Gertrude Rossiter," and Gertie, looking very much embarrassed, rose, and
began:

"THE STORM AT SEA.

"The waves did beat on a rocky shore;
The noise resounded more and more;
A little craft was tossed on the sea,
And all knew that saved she might not be.

"The crew were gathered on the deck,
Awaiting the crash of the awful wreck;