glad when finally Beth jumped up and said:

"There, mamma, it's finished. Buttonholes and all. I guess it's all
right, isn't it?"

The dress was very creditably made for so young a girl. Mrs. Davenport
was justly proud of it and of Beth.

"Mrs. Davenport," began Julia, "can't Beth stay all night with me?"

"Yes, I'll be glad to have her out of doors. Run along, Beth."

Beth, however, held back. "I'd rather stay with you, mamma."

"Why, child, what is the matter?"

"Oh, she's just tired from this everlasting sewing, Mrs. Davenport;"
and then Julia whispered to Beth, "You're not going to be wicked and
break your word, are you? I'll never speak to you again if you don't
come."

Thus pressed, Beth reluctantly kissed her mother and departed.

"We'll go over to my house, and get enough food for supper and
breakfast."

Away they hurried to the Gordons. Julia robbed the larder to quite an
extent.

"Mamma, I'm going back to Beth's. You don't mind, do you?"

"No."

Thereupon, avoiding observation, they ran back to Beth's. They
selected a grand water oak with immense spreading branches that would
effectually screen them from view. Besides, it was quite a ways from
the house, which suited Julia's purpose.

Julia, carrying the provisions, scrambled up into the tree as nimbly as
a squirrel, crying:

"Isn't this the grandest fortress you ever did see?"

Beth was too busy climbing to answer. She was a natural born climber,
but she lacked practice. Besides, her plumpness would prevent her from
ever being quite as agile as Julia.

"This will be my bedroom. See, I do not have to build any bed. These
branches and leaves make a perfect resting-place," declared Julia.

"Yes, but suppose you fell asleep and rolled out. You'd break your
neck."

"I don't roll out of bed at home, and I'm not going to here."

"But I do, and I don't want to break my neck. I guess I'll stay awake
all night, but I'll lie down."

As Beth spoke, she lay back on some inviting looking branches. Their
appearance, however, proved deceitful. They were not as strong as they
looked, and she came very near having the tumble that she dreaded.
Luckily, however, she caught on to a strong branch, and with Julia's
assistance was soon in comparative safety.

"I guess I'd better sit up all the time."

"I reckon you'll do nothing of the sort. I'll tell you what: You may
have my bedroom, and I'll find another higher up."

Although Be