he window; she tapped on the window with her knuckles, nodded to them, kissed her hand, and looked radiant wit

dn't make us figures of fun," said

e door with his latchkey, and Kathle

ater-cress, and sardines, besides bread-and-butter galore, and nice hot tea. Mari

he was schoolboy enough to thoroughly enjoy

n end David jumpe

ed him to help her. She had hoped that he and she would go away to the old l

ctice on the organ. I only get the chance th

l some day," remarked Ben. "He thin

d Kathleen. "May I

at her kindly, "but not to-day

mmediately, without even going upstairs first. Ben and Ka

-" she sa

staring at me

ave got cousins at home, and they do anything

e was not cross now. He was only thirteen, and up to the present no pretty girl had ever taken the slightest n

r I look at you," was Kath

t I was so comical

you don't

't say

e home truth. She said that a polite lie was an awful sin, so in this house I must cleave to the home truths. I could tell you, you know, that you have quite a fascinating smile, and

he liked. "Then I will take my objectionable prese

and gave a slow smile. B

then in a most s

tur

glad yo

not have t

e, and uncles and aunts and all the rest of the goodly fry, to be stranded. I like David

n't mind,

o tell the other fellows about the cha

f you'd hel

I do?" a

he tired one's chair, and you can sit on that

mean by th

, silly boy,

ridiculous nam

ome Truths. Your mother is tir

at you want me to do something. I suppose it's so

I'll love you ever so m

t is

hers are in bed, will you come and unlock the door for me when I th

esn't look out on to the street; a

wn and wait for

can

w, and I shall not be in until about half-past ten. I don't want Dave to know-wel

, you ought not t

ill you do what I want? Here, do you th

out a golden sovereign in t

want to b

t on important business. I want to help those who are down-trodden and distressed. Will yo

s he had Kathleen's golden sovereign in his pocket. He took it out and looked at it; he turned it round and round and examined it all over. He rubbed it lovingly against his f

ings of my own in the whole course of my life. Well, she is a little witch. I suppose Dave would

f wasteful splendor, was indifferent to what she ate. She soon jumped up and walked across the little passage into the drawing-room. Ben, looking very red and shamefaced, would not meet her eyes. Ben's face annoyed Kathleen. It did not occur to her for a minute that he would not be faithful to her, but she was afraid that o

e and sweet to dear Alice. She never comes to bed before ten, so I shall be quite safe getting out of the house.

wore a very pretty pink muslin blouse, which suited her well. Her ha

she said

raised

d between me and the lamp. Do

p reading. I have

dee

ut she thought of her delightful p

her thought. Then aloud: "What is it you want? I hope you will be

n't do it agai

gain?" ask

s all that. My mother is paid by your father to give you your

to do what I wish," r

It's extremely displeasi

een l

s sausage and his s

it again,

ead, and again buried

lass with little children; it does neither you nor the school credit. They fear that during this term you may be forced to continue in your present low position; but they earnestly hope that you will work very hard, so as to be removed into

y of money, and I don't mu

and whistled "Garry Owen"

elf in the very least, mother had better write to Squire O

garded, besides the home of Alice Tennant. The fact is this, Alice: you aggravate me; you don't understand me; I am at my worst in your presence. Perhaps I am a bit wild some

could work every evening together; I could, and would, see you through your lessons. Thus you wou

d," said Kathleen. "I will th

her, came and sat down on an ottoman n

f you have done your lessons

early. You always treat

o fetch my books. I have a good hour and a ha

ere alone, Ben rushed up to h

teps and scratch against the door with your knuckles, and I'll hear you and let you in in a trice. I am awfully pleased about that sovereign; it will make me one of the greatest toffs in the school. I'll have more money than a

to a nicety. At a quarter to nine she complained of fatigue, bade Mrs.

e after her. "I sha'n't be up for quite an hou

it," replied K

tairs, Mrs. Tennant turned

le and kind-hearted-a little barbarian in some senses

"Can't we defer talking of the charms of Kathlee

dear," sai

r stitch into the shabby garments, and thought all the time

le, put on her hat and jacket and ran downstairs. There was no one in the hall, and she was absolutely

as no one replied, she forgot the circ

treet Susy Hopkins was

ht of us waiting for you in the old quarry. You are good to come. You don'

funny place. I should not have imagined that a quarry-a dear,

lliers' Buildings. It is the safest place you can possibly imagine, for no one will ever look for

e I am sorry for the foundationers, and think it so very ridiculous that there should be distin

of themselves. They are under the supposition that there never were such fine la

er they had passed through they found themselves in a large circular cavern open to the sky. There was no moon and the night was dark; but one girl had brought a lantern. She o

s our queen," and she presented

e. "I have not specially noticed you before," she continued, "but after

ion of each feature; the merry eyes framed in their dark lashes, the gleaming white teeth, the rosy lips were all apparent. But beyond the mere beauty of feature Kathleen had to a remarkable degree

amongst the girls un

hip! h

mediately broke in

elcome;" and they held out their hands

d," said

t?" said C

ueen yourselves. Now I can

y Hopkins.-"We are devoted to

ve with her on the sp

te so lovely before as t

s lovely, she is so gent

on, you haven't given your opinion yet.-A

my opinion,

of humbug and balder-dash in t

nah Johnson that she dared to speak so rudely to one so charming and beautifu

on't think I am one. Now the question is: Shall I be on the side of the foundatio

paying girls don't want you; and we do. Nothing will induce us to give you up. It is

good time, and I can show those

" cried the

rls, as we have decided to band together, we must draw up rules; and when they are drawn up we must obey

rse," s

clapped h

good secret society," she sa

stered with more and more

are eight of us here, and we all swea

nly," s

nably," re

my heart,"

e," echo

ne," sa

I don't approve," said Hannah John

on't think I ought to

ou to be my Prime Minister, I want

know th

e. "She's no better than the others, and she's very new. Some of us ha

he queen must have her way in all particulars, and she wishes to el

er than Kathleen, but they submitted, for her ways w

t please understand that I have friends amongst the paying girls of the school. Cassandra Weldon is

and one or two began to sp

is so romantic, and so correct for a secret society. Those who are present to-night will be in my Cabinet. I should like if possible to have all the foundation girls on my side, but th

There never was such a q

broke up amidst u