ory of Canada. After this they were to be given the freedom of
the woods until such time as the performance should commence.

The idea had been Mr. Egerton's and had been planned by him with great
care. He felt that the sight would be inspiring enough to please even
Splinterin' Andra. For the ruling elder looked with dark disfavour
upon any prominent performance by children and his young minister was
rather anxious as to the effect the programme would have upon him.

John Egerton assisted his colleague at the school house and then
repaired to the grove ahead of the procession, on purpose to be able to
report afterwards upon its appearance. When he arrived, the picnic
grounds presented a lively and pleasing appearance. Away back among
the trees, in the flecking light and shade, the long, white tables were
already being laid. White-aproned girls, among whom he recognised
Jessie's trim figure, were flitting about them, setting cups and
saucers with a musical clatter. Away in the background, a blue column
of smoke rose straight into the treetops from the old stove where Mrs.
Fraser and Miss Cotton were superintending the boiling of the tea and
at a table near by, piled with baskets, the matrons of the North and
South laughed and chatted over their rival productions. Over in an
open space of sunlight the boys and young men of the village were
engaged in athletic sports, jumping, racing and throwing the shoulder
stone. As he looked, he saw the slim, lithe figure of Donald Neil go
up over a bar with easy grace, amid the applause of the surrounding
spectators. Between the trees to the right flashed a line of blue and
silver, where the shouting and splashing of the swimmers had already
commenced. Everywhere to right and left there were swings--little
swings and big swings. The latter were patronised by young ladies and
their attendant swains and manned by two stalwart young men who sent
their burden of sober dun-coloured masculinity and fluttering muslin
and ribbon swaying far into the treetops, to the accompaniment of many
personal and highly mirth-provoking remarks from the crowd waiting to
be in the same position.

There was a mingling of shouts, laughter, neighing of horses, scraping
of turning buggies and clattering of dishes, harmonised by that
wonderful power which the forest possesses of turning all discordant
sounds within her bosom to perfect music.

The young minister moved about from group to group wit