ed over a ledge to where a little thicket
of alder bushes crept down close to the rocks.

"And those splendid tall trees are pines," went on Anna, pointing to the
group of tall trees on the bluff.

Melvina laughed delightedly. "Why, you know all about everything," she
exclaimed, "even if your hair is short like a boy's."

"I know all the trees in the forest," declared Anna, "and I know where
squirrels hide their nuts for winter, and where beavers make their
houses in the river."

The two girls were now beyond the ledge and out of sight of Luretta, and
Anna was so eager to tell Melvina of the wonderful creatures of the
forest, and Melvina, feeling as if she had discovered a new world,
listened with such pleasure, that for the moment they both forgot all
about Luretta.

At first Luretta had been well pleased to see that Melvina was no longer
vexed and unhappy; but when both her companions disappeared, and she
found herself alone with Melvina's soiled and discarded skirts and the
wet stockings, she began to feel that she was not fairly treated, and
resolved to go home.

"Dan can play with Melvina Lyon if she likes her so much," thought
Luretta resentfully, and started off up the slope. Luretta was nearly as
tidy as when she left home, so she would have no explanations to make on
her return. As she went up the slope she turned now and then and looked
back, but there was no sign of Anna or Melvina. "I don't care," thought
the little girl unhappily. "Perhaps they will think I am drowned when
they come back and don't find me." She had just reached the top of the
slope and turned toward home when she saw London Atus hurrying along the
path that led to the church.

"Perhaps he has been sent after Melvina, and can't find her," thought
Luretta; and she was right; the colored man had been to Captain Horton's
house to walk home with his little mistress, and had been told that
Melvina had not been there that afternoon; and he was now hurrying home
with this alarming news.

Anna and Melvina were now comfortably seated on a grassy knoll near the
alder bushes, Melvina asking questions about woodland birds, and the
wild creatures of the forest, which Anna answered with delight.

"Perhaps you can go with Father and me to the forest to-morrow," said
Anna. "We are going to find a liberty pole, and 'twill be a fine walk."

"I know about liberty poles," declared Melvina eagerly, "and my father
is well pleased that the town is to s