THE STRAWBERRY GARDEN. 217 



She looked up timidly, and saw beside her a certain 

 young gentleman, with but one arm. 



She blushed scarlet. " Oh ! that note. She had not 

 delivered it yet." 



" Thank you, sir," she modestly said, took his proffered 

 arm, and marched up to the platform in the company of the 

 just returned squire's son. 



Tha people made way for them, and the beautiful silver 

 cup was placed in her hands. 



11 How lovely! Isn't it beautiful? Won't Mary be 

 glad to see it?" 



The arm on which she leaned trembled slightly, and her 

 cavalier turned his face away. Full of her wonderful 

 experience, she went on talking gayly. 



" Oh, how perfectly splendid ! The very thing sister 

 was wanting for a spoon-holder." 



The young man looked at her curiously. 



" Is your sister going to begin house-keeping ? " 



" Oh, dear ! no. Ah ! there she is ! " 



" Where ? " said the young man. 



'' Just by the door. Oh, she has gone, the little goosie ! 

 She has run away. Come, wouldn't you like to Jielp me 

 find her?" 



" With pleasure. May I not escort you from the hall?" 



" Oh, yes, all the way home if you like," said. the happy 

 Kate. To be escorted through the company by the squire's 

 son, and to allow all to see the prize cup, was certainly the 



