fish which she felt were the only ones she
could get now. If she let them go, her opportunity would be lost and
her good offices in Kizzie's behalf fruitless, so she gasped hurriedly,
"Say!"

The boy had noticed the little girl standing like a statue gazing up
the street. He had given her a glance as he approached but her eyes
were intent upon the fish; he was going on his way, half glad to escape
notice when he heard her feeble call.

He came to a standstill.

"Did you speak to me?"

His voice sounded strangely familiar to Alene. Hastily looking from
the fish to their owner, she encountered a pair of frank, gray eyes,
whose rather deep setting and coal black brows gave the whole face an
odd, but singularly attractive expression.

She recognized him at once.

"Why, is it you?" she exclaimed, in a startled voice.

The boy flushed.

"Don't be scared--I won't rob you," he said, with a note of vexation
that recalled Alene to herself.

"I must have appeared ridiculous standing here looking half scared to
death," she thought.

"I never dreamed of such a thing! I guess I did look funny but it was
because of those other boys," she replied with an expressive nod up the
street.

"The rascals! I came near giving them up that day! I hope it didn't
spoil your fun! How the rest did guy that fellow who tried to strike
you! I bet he'll never try to strike a girl again!"

His tone giving assurance that he had effectually disposed of the
delinquent caused his hearer a thrill of satisfaction.

"But I'm jolly glad you weren't afraid of me!" he concluded with an air
of relief.

Then the humor of the situation seemed to strike Alene.

"The idea! No, I wasn't a bit afraid. I knew you didn't mean to rob
me but I intended to rob you!" she said in a mischievous tone.

He gave a ringing laugh and looked very much relieved.

"Well, say, I would never have suspected it! What did you want, the
fishin' rod or bait?"

"No, not those ugly, squirming things. I've seen Hugh digging for
them!" she drew back from the can with a look of disgust.

"Well, I've nothin' else worth takin' 'cept the fish!"

"That's it. Mrs. Major wants them."

"Mrs. Major wants my fish? Why, I never heard tell of the lady!"

"Yes, it's for Uncle Fred's supper! She's the housekeeper, you know,
and the fish-cart didn't come round to-day! So I told Kizzie I'd come
out and get some from the boys, you know!"

"Oh, I see! Well, it won't