THE BUTTERFLY HUNTERS. l6l 



The young folks began to gather on the bank of the 

 Mountain Stream about noon. All our old friends of the 

 butterfly class were there, and many other young people 

 who had been invited to share the sports of the day. Tom 

 and Hal, with Maggie Stewart, were the last to arrive. 



" Now," said Jennie Graham, " we are all here ready to 

 do homage to our Queen." 



The young folks were waiting with much impatience for 

 Annie to arrive. With the exception of Tom and Hal, 

 no one had seen her since her recovery. 



It was not long before a shout was heard from the boys 

 who had been sent to the entrance of the picnic ground 

 to herald the coming of the royal party. The children all 

 watched eagerly for its approach, and very soon the pro- 

 cession appeared. Two maids of honor came first, and 

 then Annie with Rose and little Mary. Behind them came 

 Mr. Benedict, Annie's father and mother, and the parents 

 of some of the other young folks. Annie was dressed in 

 green, spangled all over with silver butterflies. On her 

 head she wore a wreath of white flowers. 



As Annie walked slowly across the green to her throne, 

 the young folks made the woods ring with their shouts. 

 It was almost too much to believe that she was with 

 them there happy and well, instead of being the feeble 

 lame girl they had known for so long a time. 



Mr. Benedict took Annie's hand and assisted her to 



II 



