out of his difficulty. The other
scouts had plans which would not do for him, as they were farmers'
sons, and could earn money right at home. He thought of this the last
thing before he went to sleep that night, and the moment he awoke it
came into his mind.

"I want you to take something for me over for Miss Arabella this
morning," Mrs. Royal told him after breakfast. "The poor soul has not
been well for some time, and I heard last night that she is worse. I
have made up a few dainties for her as her appetite is almost gone, so
I understand."

Rod did not fancy this errand, for he remembered only too well the last
time he had seen Miss Arabella lying so still upon the sofa after her
affair of the heart. It was, therefore, with lagging steps that he
made his way across the field, carrying in his hand the little basket
filled with the good things Mrs. Royal had sent for the invalid.

Miss Arabella was in bed looking paler than ever, so Rod thought her
nose seemed longer than he had ever seen it. She was propped up with
several pillows, and her hair was done up in papers. She looked to the
boy like pictures he had seen of natives with funny head-dresses out in
the islands of the Pacific Ocean.

"So Mrs. Royal sent those things, did she!" she whined. "She might
have come herself. She has been here only three times this week, while
you haven't been near me for a long time. I might die here, and no one
would care. This is what people call a Christian land, is it?"

"What's the matter with you, Miss Arabella?"' Rod asked in surprise.
"I didn't know you were sick. I have been so busy with the scouts that
I haven't had time for anything else."

"Who are the scouts?" the invalid questioned. There was evidently
something taking place in the parish of which she had heard nothing,
and her curiosity was aroused.

Then Rod told her about the troop which had been formed, the club-room,
and the wonderful girl, to all of which Miss Arabella listened with
much interest.

"And do you mean to tell me that cranky old Captain Josh is looking
after the scouts?" she demanded.

"Sure. He's great," was the reply.

"Well, I declare!" and Miss Arabella leaned back against the pillow as
if exhausted by the idea.

"I wish you could see Whyn," and Rod gave a little sigh. "She'd do you
a whole lot of good."

"Do me good! In what way, I'd like to know? I guess it would take
more than her to make me better."

"But she