214 THE STRAWBERRY GARDEN. 



Then the president made the usual horticultural show- 

 speech, which we will riot report, as it was just like a dozen 

 others you have no doubt heard or read. 



Then came the list of prizes to be awarded by the com- 

 mittee on fruit. The honorable officers on the stage, and 

 the band listened with exemplary patience. Curiously 

 enough, the list began at the little end, and the 

 lucky person was requested to step up and receive from the 

 president the prize. The small prizes were announced 

 first, and. as the list went on, our young people listened, in 

 a flutter of excitement. If their baskets of fruit should 

 draw a prize, how very splendid it would be ! 



Nearer and nearer to the end carne the list. As the five 

 and ten dollar prizes were announced, a breeze of excite- 

 ment swept over the assembly. Each one, as his name 

 was announced, was congratulated by his neighbors, and a 

 little buzz of talk spread through the company. The 

 president paused The last and highest prizes were 

 reached. 



" For the best single basket, twenty dollars. To Mas- 

 ter John Wellson, Jr." 



Kate gave a little scream, and then put her hand over 

 her mouth. Instantly she dropped from her perch to the 

 floor. She struck her knee on the seat, and the pain was 

 sharp, but that was nothing. Only let her get down out 

 of sight of all these people. How they did stare, to be 

 sure ! John, Jr., was bolder, and kept his place in spite of 



