Under the Country Sky

hed his legs under the table upon which he had been writing steadily since half-past one o'clock. He heaved a mighty breath, stretched his arms to match his legs, looked round

les of sheets before him in order, sheathed his pen and put it in his pocket, and rose from

that some event of activity and hilarity was going on below. He realized now that he had been hearing these sounds-quite without hear

battle was raging. But it was no lads who held the places of the combatants. Instead, as he looked, Mr. Jefferson saw rising warily from behind the fort nearest him, a girlish figure in a scarlet blanket suit, its dark

A second snowball, accompanied by a loose flutter of snow, wended its way uncertainly through the air, and fell a foot short of the fort behind w

the street, calling: "For shame, George! I'm going to take

ross the open, narrowly escaping a vigorous shower of missil

ting walls had begun. The girl in the blue scarf-and priceless furs-had sunk laughing upon the floor of her refuge, while her new ally,

snow rampart having been shot away, when a voice behind her cried out a command, and an arm, more sinewy than hers, sent a hard shot whizz

ire!" the voice ordered, and Georgiana,

. He also had pulled on sweater and cap, and as he and James Stuart faced each other across the twent

e upon him. "Stop laughing and work! George is a"-he stooped to make a bal

the business. Jefferson found her hard, round balls splendid missiles, and he used them with all the

-directed shots reduced a part of the enemies' defences to a gratifying slump. "And here comes a bit of

last," panted Georgi

ht to a finish, if we

h excitement, lifted an incautious head and received a spent ball full upon her chin. No harm was done,

Jeannette reaffirmed,

sn't properly protecting yo

na. "Please stay, Jimps; it's the only amends we

but I'm not properly

this evening, if you will. Do you suppose Mr. Jefferson would

on mentioned and their glan

n or a challenge?" He

you choose

cept. The spirit of sport is upon me; I

you know," quoted Stuart, as they went

ran in to say this to Georgiana, but found that that young woman had already put her hair in order without dryi

gling with her own wet braids, and very naturally

y'll be dry soon enough," was the reply; an

doorway, she saw that the speed of her young hostess's labours and the war

housewifely efficiency. Both hands were always full and she seemed never to forget what she meant to do. If she passed the stove on her way somewhe

n't you ever forget and have to run

s, it's a pity if you can't make your head save your heels as a rule. Excuse

e way when I'd like so much to help

raniums Jimps brought over, for the table? That would help very much. Take a

But as she placed the splendid, thrifty blooms, each with its accompanying rich green leaves, in the plain brown bowl which she felt best matched their undistinguished beauty, she discov

for a winter night? Jimps's greenhouses certainly are doing well. Don't you want

this little sprig in these braids, and I'll risk th

m the vigorous exercise in the frosty air, were glowing brilliantly; her eyes were wonderful to look at; her dark cloth dress had upon it no relief of colour; so the scarlet geranium in her hair was the touch of the artist which drew the

and found them all looking at her. James Stuart's fork was suspended above his

"Do I-is something queer about me? Hav

nk it a great joke-her mystification. When she removed the plates for the second course-there were but two in t

flower just there," she thought. "But I won't take it

ade Jeannette hold her breath with mingled fear and joy, made Georgiana cry out, "Oh! is there anything so glorious?" and made Mr. Jefferson, just behind her, watching ov

ne of my earliest joys. I was so proud when I could steer Jimps Stuar

quiet student and writer, the man who discussed with her father and herself the course of the world's events or the problems of soc

ft flight the party went back to the house. There followed another gay hour before the fire, while Stuart roasted chestnuts, and Georgiana, sitting on the floor against her father's k

comely features glowing ruddily in the firelight as he tended his chestnuts, showing splendid white teeth as he roared at Georgiana's clever mimicry or turned to laugh into Jeannette's eyes as he offered her a particularly plump and succulently bursting specimen of his labours; to Mr.

its gleaming strands. Jeannette's eyes were matchless by lamplight; her cheeks and lips were glowing from the outdoor life of the day and evening; her smile was a thing to imprison hearts and hold them fast. If she spoke

looks at it forty times in every five minutes and I can't blame him. Mr. Jefferson keeps his chair facing that way so he can have her all the time in focus, though he doesn't eat her up as Jimps does. I can't blame either of them. And I shall go on being a clown, because that's what I can do and it amuses them. If I should lie b

s so irresistibly absurd that Jeannette, helpless with her mirth, buried her face in her cobweb handkerchief, Stuart rocked upon his knees and made the welkin ring, and Mr. Jefferson laughed in a growling bass that gathered volume

not open her lips again that night. As they found it impossible to break down this resolution, even with entreaties backed by offerings of worldly goods, the party broke up. Georgiana carried off her guest to put her to bed with her own hands, while Mr. J