1 62 THE BUTTERFLY HUNTERS. 



mount the throne. The four maids of honor seated them- 

 selves on the moss-covered steps at her feet. Then Annie 

 looked all round on the company and smiled her thanks 

 for its hearty welcome. 



" Now, boys," said Mr. Benedict, " while our pretty 

 Queen is resting with her maids, let us all spend the 

 time in games, after which we will see which boy will 

 have the good fortune to win the privilege of escorting 

 the Queen to lunch." 



The boys had arranged a croquet ground on the green, 

 and it was now taken possession of by a party of the 

 young folks, others went to enjoy the swings which had 

 been put up in the grove, and some strayed away in 

 search of Autumn flowers and grasses. Maggie Stewart 

 stayed with Annie and her maids of honor. The meeting 

 between the two girls was very joyous. It was hard to 

 say which felt the most pleasure, Maggie to know that 

 her friend was well, or Annie to think that she was so 

 partly through Maggie's instrumentality. 



"So you are to be caught and carried off as a prize, 

 Annie," said Maggie. 



"O no," replied Annie, "I shall not be caught at all. 

 The boys are to win me if they can, but they can't." 



"And if they don't catch you, then they have no right 

 to try for the maids of honor, have they } " asked modest 

 little Mary. 



