ord, for the
sun shone in the bluest of skies, and the morning was fresh and breezy,
when Nell and I stepped into an open car, followed by Harry, Jack, and
the family lunch basket.

Every one looked happy, and even the car horses trotted briskly along
the broad avenue to the Plaza as if they knew we were anxious to be
there.

Arrived at the Park, the two boys put their wise heads together, and
gallantly agreed that I should be captain of the party, a decision they
shortly after announced in an important manner.

"Follow your leader, then," said I, helping Nell into one of the large
phaetons standing near the entrance.

"All right," responded Harry, as the whip cracked, and away dashed the
horses in fine style.

Now we swept past velvety fields and wood-crowned hills; now we rolled
softly under arches of tremulous green; then through miniature valleys
between blossoming heights; now through shadowy forests, and away again
beside open meadows.

"How lovely!" cried Nell, rapturously, as one moment we caught the
glitter of a distant lake, the next the twinkle of a reedy pool overhung
with hazel and alder bushes.

Even the boys were stirred to delight, when, crossing a rustic bridge,
they could look down and see a dashing cascade tumble and foam over
mossy precipices, till it reached a stony basin below, where it lay
golden and clear as a topaz.

On and on we sped, past new wonders of blossoming groves and ferny
hollows, to the end of our ride.

Which way to turn, after we left our basket at the Lodge, we knew not.
Labyrinthine walks met us in every direction, leading to bowers and
dells and wildernesses innumerable.

"Let us take the nearest," said I; and away we went, tripping it gayly,
till the path ended unexpectedly at the loveliest bower imaginable, all
hidden with clambering vines and shrubbery, from which peeped out a
thatched roof, with two odd little peaks, surrounded by bird-houses.

Past its pretty arches, as we sat on the rustic seats, we could look
upon acres of velvety meadow, dotted with wild flowers, and gay with
groups of pleasure-seekers.

Near by, Madam Nurse trundled Miss Baby; yonder, a company of girls
played at "bean bags"; further on, the croquet-players were busy with
mallets and balls; while passing to and fro were troops of
school-children making the most of their weekly holiday.

"Listen!" cried Nell, suddenly, as sounds of music were borne to us on
the breeze.

"It's 'Nancy L