f her father's
desperate struggle to make both ends meet, but before she could answer,
Lulu, as mistress of ceremonies--rapped sharply on the table, and the
Club was called to order.

CHAPTER XV

ELSIE TRIUMPHS

"LADIES and gentlemen," began Lulu, speaking in the tone she had heard
her mother use when conducting a meeting of a charitable board of which
she was president, "I think every one is now here, and I must request
you all please to keep quiet during the reading of the poems. After the
reading, votes will be taken as to the best poem, and the girl who gets
the most votes will be elected president of this Club. The boys are
particularly requested not to laugh at any of the poems. The first to be
read is by Miss Winifred Hamilton, and is called 'Ria and the Bear.'
Miss Hamilton wishes me to explain that she has never heard the name
Ria, but chose it because it was the only word she could think of that
rhymed with fear."

There was a general titter from the audience, followed by a burst of
applause, as Winifred, very red, and looking as if she were being led to
execution, rose and announced:

"It's perfectly awful, but it's the first poem I ever wrote in my life,
and I want to say that I sha'n't be in the least offended if everybody
laughs." Then, unfolding a small sheet of paper, she began to read very
fast.

"RIA AND THE BEAR.

"The sky was of the darkest hue,
The grass beneath was wet with dew,
And through the trees the wind did howl,
Causing the hungry bears to growl.

"All were protected from the storm,
All but one wee, shivering form,
She stood beneath an old elm tree,
The boughs of which from leaves were free.

"A big bear darted through the wood,
His instinct told him where she stood.
Soon the monster came close to Ria,
But the child showed no sign of fear.

"As the big bear drew very close,
She gave a pat to his cold nose,
At this touch the bear did cease to growl,
And for response a joyful howl.

"Then these two friends lay down together,
Quite heedless of the raging weather,
Upon the hard and frozen ground,
The two friends slept, both very sound.

"But one of the two never awoke;
Long, long after the wind storm broke,
She wa