The Governess

lo,

, Rut

are you

o Reid'

ke

uthie,

tremble. "I think you're real me

lp it if you do," she returne

er by the skirt, "I didn't mean that! Truly, I didn't. I think you're

er a moment, in which she stood considering, "I'd take you in

t too l

you to be with me, so there!" cried

anion turning to leave her she again started forward, piping shril

n without tur

tle feet followe

ie! N

ision. "You can't come, and that's all there is about it. Your mother doesn't like

ned to hers grew hardened and

Immediately she heard the tap of hurrying little feet behind, like the echo

demanded sternly, calling to her assistance all the dignity of her fou

at her reproachfull

f all the provoking little witches!" she

urveyed her calmly, bu

oled Nan, changing her tactics and str

he obstinate little lips, but no

te I'll give you five cents. You can buy anything you like with it at Sam's, on the way back." She

situation in silence. Then she flung about with a movement of exasperation, and marched on stolidly, and the smaller feet

follower crowded Nan's brain. She might run and leave the youngster behind. But then Ruth would cry, and Nan could not bear to inflict pain on a little child. She might take her up in her arms and carry her bodily back to her own door. Well, and what then? Why, simply, she would get the credit of abusing the littl

rve to be spanked!" sh

sprang up to the cross-bar of the palings, gathe

u, since you will get

d about in the freedom of the open space as wildly as a young colt. Nan had come

pick up what I shake, only mind you don't get the burr-pric

rown, stubbly ground with dancing feet, her chee

d in the lofty branches, she executed a sort of war-dance underneath, and spread her tiny skirt to

ere you are, Nannie,"

retorted Nan, carelessly m

thing if only I had a boost,

handful of shu

to try," ve

laug

sight among the upper spreading branches. She sat astride one of these, swinging to and fro and luxuriating in her sense of freedom and adventure. Peering down occasionally she saw Ruth standing beneath her and sent repeated showers of nuts spinning through the boughs to keep the child busy. But presently Ruth disappeared.

!" she shouted nau

was heavy, and it took all the strength

ahoy!" rep

tand there tiptoeing the edge uncertainly, her small fingers clasping the tree-trunk convulsively and her arms trying to grapple with it for a surer hold. But suddenly she gave a piercing scream, and Nan, peer

stand still with fear. She flung herself from bough to bough with re

e prostrate figure in an agony. "Ruth, op

me in painful gasps, and she knew that if she tried to keep on as she was it would be at the cost of increasing misery. Still she did not give up, and at last, after what seemed to her hours of agony and suspense, she actually reached the limit of the field. She laid Ruth gently upon the ground and straightened herself up to ease her aching back and regain her lost breath before taking up her burden again. But as she lifted her head her eyes fell on the high pickets before her, which seemed to confront her with as grim defiance as if they had been bayonets. How could she get Ruth over? The gate, which was at another end of the lot, was always kept padlocked, and even if she had remembered this at first and had carried the child there, she could not have undone the bolt. This was the l

els, clattering over some distant cobbles. She raised her voice and shouted; then held her breath to listen. The clatter grew more distinct; it drew nearer and nearer. She clambered up the fence and stood there waving her arms and shouting as madly as if she had been a shipwrecked mariner sighting a sail. She paused a moment to listen. The rattling wheels came nearer. She shouted ag

er the fence and then bade Nan "stand hard" while he lifted Ruth into her arms. Her weight was nothing to the brawny fellow, and he had her safely stowed

een whistle. Her hat was hanging by its elastic on her shoulders; her hair was blown out of all order by the wind; her dress was torn and her h

yer, ain't you?" said he at las

jaws and d

. Only you look sorter wild-like, you know, a

en't got any mother," she r

y from one foot to the other and muttered something a

anging to the rail above the dashboard. "That third one from the corne

e area gate and pressed the bell with all her might. She kept her finger on it, and

Nan with unconcealed disfavor. "Do you thi

ck her head

arply. "Open the gate! Ruth is sick! She g

from the milkman's arms and carrying her into the house, muttering mingled c

ked, but by the time he got to the outer gate Nan had

t to tell you-than

back to the area gate it was shut. Mary the chambermaid stood just inside it. She mad

a pretty piece

am," retorted Nan. "Let me i

and from the knob a

h, I guess," she returned. "By this time

ed, stamping her foot. "Bridget don't know anythi

irl l

e can," and she went inside and closed the door, leaving Nan to stand shudderin

she can guess how it happened, and that if Ruth dies it'll be your fault. There, now, you know

ce more Nan found herself in the area way alone. Burning tears of fury sprung to her eyes. She caugh