216 THE STRAWBERRY GARDEN. 



" Let us go home, Kate. Come." 



Kate, beaming with happiness, and flushed with success, 

 prepared to follow him. For a moment thoughts of the 

 petty gossips and their doings flashed through her mind. 



" Where now are the folks that said such horrid things 

 about us ? They'd like the prize themselves, I suppose. 

 But we'll forgive them. I'd forgive anybody, I feel so 

 happy." 



Congratulations poured in upon them from every side. 

 All thoughts of ill-will, towards even the Widow Scrabbins, 

 fled before her present joy. 



The president called the people to order : 



' ' Will the audience please give attention ? There is one 

 more prize. For the three best baskets of any kind, a 

 silver goblet, to Miss Kate Wellson." 



Every spark of color left her face. She was panic- 

 stricken and wanted to fly, but could not. The crowd 

 pressed closer round her, and a murmur of applause spread 

 through the company. 



" Go get it, miss," said some one beside her. " Go get 

 it." 



She tried to run away, and looked to Johnny for assist- 

 ance. He was gone, lost in the crowd. 



"Walk right up, miss, and take your prize," said sev- 

 eral about her. 



" Take my arm. Miss Wellson. I will escort you." 



