Four Girls at Chautauqua

e, who, despite the rain and darkness, were evidently on their way to Chautauqua. Marion had gone to the other side of the boat and was looking over into the water, rested and interested in

illage, but this time we are g

oo; but rain makes no d

ssy's side. "That speaks well for the interest, or the fun, doesn'

. Perhaps some of them came just as I did, because the girls were coming

le creature done up in water-p

r remember doing anything without a motive somewhere. It must

r the good time I would have. But then, you know, I woul

laugh fr

empt, covered by the gayety of the tone. "Well, it is much the easier way. If

e sound of music on the steamer mingled charmingly with the peal of the bells from the shore. Marion looked on the scene with quiet interest. Flossy's face took a pink glow; she liked pretty things. As for

is better,

ay is larger," chimed i

ed scale this year," said still

oke a quiet-faced woman, with a decid

laughed

hey think this is the original Garden of Eden, with that wretched Eve left out. If she were here I would cho

ing of terms, made our girls lose sight and sound of the rest of the boat-load, and when they passed within the railing they found themselves suddenly and strangely alone. A few lights g

river, o

illage li

rion, gra

spirits so suddenly have conveyed themselves away, I wonder? The road isn't broad, but it most decidedly isn't str

senchanted but half frightened. "I was never in such a queer place in my life! Those white seats all look like ghosts. What could have po

th is there to be frightened over? Not pine seats and lamplight,

ad not coaxed me away," sighed, or rather whined, poor Flossy, shivering with chilliness or nerv

hand firmly, and sp

ere there ought to be one, since it was advertised, and not a word said about rain. It isn't likely they stay out-doors when it actually pours. Very likely they go in somewhere and have a prayer-meeting. So now compose your nerves and walk fast, for if the spot is within walking distance I am going to find it. I tell you I am t

r doubt of the road would allow. Flossy made no reply to this harangue, for the reason tha

distinct and clear. They made their way rapidly and silently under the tent, down the aisle-half way down-then a gentleman beckoned them, and by dint of some pushing and moving secured them seats. Then both girls looked abo

le. She was barely seated before

se it, I know he does; he has learned to manage it so nicely, and with an eye to the effect. You will hear his

," whispered back Flossy, without much idea what she wa

laughed

re the trees he looked after their growth, I dare say. Why, this meeting is his darling, his idol, his best beloved. 'Hear him speak?'

m?" whispered Flossy, str

em, because you can never tell what he may happen to say or do next. It will never do to jump at his conclusions, and slip in a neat little sentence of your own as coming from him if you

rned and gave them such a look as only a man can under like circumstances, and awed them into five m

minary? Looks as though he might have written it, doesn't he? Let's listen to what

wer to Marion's comments after a little, and the pink flush glowed deeper on her face. She was wonderfully interested-indeed she was more than interested. There was a stra

say that there had never been such meetings before, nor that there have not been many of them. I simply say that it was a new revelation to Flossy, and she had been to the church prayer-meeting at home several times. Whether that church may have been peculiar or not I do not say, but Flossy had certainly failed to get the idea that prayer-meetings were blessed places; that the people who went there from we

ds like something dreadfully solemn. I hope they are not going to

egious words, chilled her. And for almost the first time in her life she uttered an unhesitating remonstrance. Somet

in life had ever done before. She did not understand the cause for her emotion; she was not acquainted with the Spirit of God; she did not know that he was speaking to her softened heart, and calling her gently to himself, so she felt ashamed of the emotion that she could not help. She wiped the tears away secretly, and was glad that the night was dark and the need for haste great, for the steamer's warning whistle could already be beard. Marion talked on as they went down the hill, not alone now but accompanied by hundreds, talked precisely as she had before the si

r to lighten the gloom; a fine mist was falling.

write up splendidly, though it was too long; I will say that in print about it. You m

uld have told herself that the trouble of heart was caused by an unhealthy excitement upon this question, and that this was the great fault with religious meetings; but she was not wise, she did not think of such a reason. If it had been suggested to her it is doubtful if, in her ignorance, she would not have said: "Why, she had been more excited at an eve

service," he said.

en it his voice had not been so quiet and dignified, as if it were the most natural th

said, hurriedly. She could not seem to d

in quiet voice; and added in undertone, as i

ssy, suddenly. "Then I wonde

r a pleasant face a

fter a moment, he added: "It I were not at peace with him, and had reason to think that he was angry with me,

of the fullness o

either, until just to-night; but now I want to f

ickly up from

Flossy mechanically obeyed, she added: "What a foolish, heedless little mouse you are! I wonder that your mother let

but now she said a little drearily, a

dancing-hall, you know, and danced with them, too, when everythin

ave a li

ess over the folly of her own words. "What its proper at a dance

oat, thinking solemnly on the truths I had heard, and that absurd little water-proof morsel was having a flirtat

e second time that evening.

expressible and to her bewildering pain.

ent to their rooms, leaving Flossy with Ruth, who prefered her as a r

y we were to bring her, anyway. The baby hasn't life enough to see the frolic of the thing, and the intellectual is miles beyond her. I suspect she was drea