The Merryweathers

VILLE WAS A TALL

e unexpected visitor. Mr. and Mrs. Merryweather and the girls welcomed him cordially, but Margaret could not help contr

one of which an eyeglass was neatly fitted, and a languid air. He spoke with a pronounced English ac

e preparing a hasty meal; the guest meanwhile stood in the centre of th

nd a cup of tea! Really, now, I cannot allow it. Thanks, Jerry! awfully good of you, don't

it's my worst!" s

imitive, don't you know! oh, very, very, very! I told my people that before I went back to Paris I must positively look you up. It is such an age since I

I only received her note, and Gerald yours, to-day. She spoke of your coming next week; i

going on at their place, don't you know; midsummer fêtes, that sort of thing-changed my plans. Mamma said, 'You will have to give up the Camp, Chéri!' 'No!' I said. 'They expect me; I have passed my

essing her, and lowering his voice to a sentiment

It is only three years since you were with us at hom

ut what momentous years! The change from the petite fille, the

nd so near the fire!" said Gerald, in a growl

im. "Right! I am a little near the cheerful blaze. I

go to bed!" said Mr. Merryweather, speaking for

wins, rising with alacrity.

said Mr. Belleville. "Always the

d its tone caused his wife to begin hastily a

he rain. No one spoke till they reached the float; then Ger

sked his brother

y understood. Indoors he is safe: hospitality-salt-Arabs-that kind of thing. But if in the immediate proximity of the

Phil. "Jack, I'm afraid we shall have to put this curled d

ghted!" said Jack, s

e of making believe, with any one we know so well as

burgeoning Ass, and he doesn't know it. They seldom do. We mean, I say, to be civil to him, barring patronage of the parents. He has been our thorn, and we ha

that's los

the lov

flood both f

d duck my c

ly as c

* *

ady?" asked

t yet. My rudder has go

ety-pin, please! my mai

ny ballast to spar

e distance from the shore. Gerald and Jack in one canoe, Gertrude and Peggy in another, were stationed at either side of the course; while Margaret and Claud Belleville, in a Rangeley boat, were so placed as to take the time of the various boats as they came in. This arrangement was not satisfactory to all the campers, but when protests were made in the family council t

asked Mrs. Merryweather, when she and

" was the reply. "He is going t

hat Margaret had ever seen,

ed the Ark. "Oh! anchor by the red flag? yes, I remember, you told m

rming to row about a bit, don't you think? oh! well, if you

erboard, and the young

hemselves. I confess I never can attain their perennial youthfulness, try how

We are here to take the time, as the boats pass th

sailing of toy boats is the smallest possible factor in this afternoon's pleasure.

, vaguely, her eyes

ean?" Claud's voice dropped to its favorite smooth half-tone, what

t does not always put itself into words. The per

they are giving the signal. Gerald repeats it. Oh, they

e they had prows) dancing over the dancing ripples. One or two proved unruly, turning round and round, and in one case finally turning bott

t was e

obbling off all by itself. I wonder-I am afraid it is Peggy's. Yes, I am sure it is. Poor Peggy! Oh! the first three ar

companion. But Margaret, wholly unconscious of his languishing gaze, was watching t

ls spread full to the breeze. Shouts came ringing over the water, from the other boat

lycu

-at-a

, Jolly! K

aining. Hit her

p has it! J

the Come-at-a-Body is very, very close. W

sh to win?" aske

One is Gertrude's,

said Claud Belleville, with a peculiar smile. "As a

oar did not absolutely touch the tiny vessel, but the shock of the disturbed water was enough to check her gallant progress. She paused,-wav

raceful composure. "We can hardly regret an accident which contributes even sli

him, her fair face flushed with an

opped that oar on purpo

Mr. Belleville, laughing. "But, quand même! would

fact, I cannot imagine such a thing being

ys mean a bond of sympathy. These dear people bore me, and I bore them. Believe me, it is reciprocal. But do you yourself never t

will take in the anchor, Mr. Belleville, I thi

indeed. But you cannot be seriously angry. Give me a chance to redeem myself, I implore you, Miss Montfort. See what a charming little

have no desire to do so, Mr. Belleville. I be

dience for a few moments? If I felt con

the victorious Jollycumpop passed them with a

id Gertrude. "A

ousin," said Claud, "I c

half mocking, he bent to his oars, with the fir