another world--at the dainty figure behind them in a walking suit,
a short skirt that showed two little feet in laced tan boots and a
cap with a plume, under which was a pair of wide blue eyes with
long lashes, and a mouth that suggested active mischief and gentle
mockery.

"Oh, good-morning," said Hale, and he added gently, "Get down,
June!"

The little girl slipped to the ground and began pulling her bonnet
on with both hands--but the newcomer had caught sight of the
Psyche knot that made June look like a little old woman strangely
young, and the mockery at her lips was gently accentuated by a
smile. Hale swung from his saddle.

"This is the little girl I told you about, Miss Anne," he said.
"She's come over to go to school." Instantly, almost, Miss Anne
had been melted by the forlorn looking little creature who stood
before her, shy for the moment and dumb, and she came forward with
her gloved hand outstretched. But June had seen that smile. She
gave her hand, and Miss Anne straightway was no little surprised;
there was no more shyness in the dark eyes that blazed from the
recesses of the sun-bonnet, and Miss Anne was so startled when she
looked into them that all she could say was: "Dear me!" A portly
woman with a kind face appeared at the door of the red brick house
and came to the gate.

"Here she is, Mrs. Crane," called Hale.

"Howdye, June!" said the Widow Crane kindly. "Come right in!" In