line gave a score of tantalizing runs and jerks, and then, at last,
just as I was about to draw out, thinking that the pesky minnows
had eaten all of the bait, a heavy rock, coming from the rear,
hurtled over my head and dropped, with a resounding splash,
into the pool at my feet. I turned angrily at this interruption.
Imagine my surprise at seeing four girls drawn up in menacing
attitudes just behind me. Indeed, so amazed was I that my anger
was forgotten for the nonce. Then, as no one spoke, the fore
most of the girls, quickly stooping, lifted another stone from the
ground and hurled it after its mate.
" Don't do that," I said, quickly.
" Why not?" inquired the girl.
" Because you'll scare the fish and spoil my sport."
"We don't care," said the first. " Serves him right " echoed
the others.
I was nonplussed. Por the life of me I could not imagine how
I had come to gain the of these maids of the lake. '
Why, what have I done," I asked, in an injured tone, " that
you should treat me in this way ?"
" Everything that you shouldn't have," said the foremost. I
looked at her from under the wide brim of my hat, and as I
looked, I came to the conclusion that she was decidedly pretty, and
that I should like to follow up our acquaintance, sudden and in
formal as had been our introduction.
" How have I offended you ?" I asked.
" By scaring poor little Jim nearly out of his wits, and then
spoiling our dinner by losing our provender."
I began to see things in a clearer light now
were " the leddies " of Jim's acquaintance.
" I am very sorry," I said, humbly, " that I have caused you
any discomfort. If there is anything I can do to repair the dam
age I shall do so at once." Just at this moment my eyes lighted
upon my dinner basket. " Here," I said, springing quickly to
my feet, and picking up the lunch, " take this, and let it partly
make up for what I have caused you to lose." I forgot for the
moment, what a sorry figue I must make in my battered hat, my
blue overalls, and my uncle's shirt, several sizes too large for me.
I was recalled to this by the amused and curious glances which
were cast at me. Thanks to my old hat, however, they couldn't
HER BROTHER'S SISTER
Vxidently these