Jill's Red Bag

ack and Jill out for a drive in a low pon

the doorstep to

rs about the children with you as driver. The grooms can't be trusted. They g

Falkner with heightened colour. "I have not

is young girl, who had so quietly taken the reins in the school-room a

gar. Mona looked at them, then she lai

l me about yourself an

d could give her. She had as yet been untouched by the storms of life, and on her proud young face there were lines of discontent and

ordained for a building above; yet though one was cut and chis

ner's heart. She forgot from that time that Mona Baron was her

asked, as they drove down the sweet-s

ed Jack; "there are such a lot of rabbit

rland. As they crossed it, they caught the salt scent of the sea, and soon came to a cluster of poor-looking cottag

aid Jill. "I like to be on the

inquire

reasons for her l

o," she retu

ctor, Mr. Errington. He has a lot of pe

smiled at the children, who were great

gone very lame

g him here at the blacks

u a lift?" aske

hall be grateful for my wife will b

," said Jack. "Wasn't she silly?

n," said Mr. Erri

rned to Mi

e of them comes to church. They're just like heat

e cottages," said Miss Falkner.

see him at church sometimes. The rest are totally indifferent to their soul's welfare. I am longing to build a little

y father's curate was indefatigable in trying to raise money, and he eventually succeeded. It was a great success, for the people came to the mission church and sent their children to school. But he-" her vo

dded with perfec

zeal to walk eight miles after a week's har

ads, but Jill was a sharp child, and she was already evolving a plan in

that "Miss Jill Baron" wanted to see her, she said to

not to be disturbed. Sha

m dazed with figures. Let us be refreshed by one of the fresh things i

ed and excited. She could

e said. "It's to help to build that church on the common.

flannel bag on the

g in, because we often get presents, and I've spoken to Mr. Stone, and we've counted that his fifteen cabb

n out of the child, and though Jill did not divulge the spot of the

said, "for it will be the means of telling

Jill dear, of starting the co

tted brows, "that you can't get e

any people who do give the

ary Society," Jill went on; "but Jack and Bumps an

little

sum in an account book. She ran away quite happy, waving her scarlet bag in the air, and wishing with all

"I went into the drawing-room to give Miss Webb her pencil that I picke

afternoon lessons; and Jill was washi

she'll let us come to it. When i

. There's a band coming, and a tent for fruit and ices

er quietly, "that is enough.

upon himself, and when lessons were over Jil

I'm going to as

ir sister in her bedroom,

id Jill, who always went straight to th

t down in an easy-chair a

iss Falkner keeps you all in such order.

Polly's head by stepping on it. Sh

to the party?" ask

ay be two other children coming. Li

?" questi

ughed m

o! What a ridicul

oured up

," she said in her stubborn to

ck to the school-room. But perhaps that will be no punishment. I

But Miss Falkner is not like a governes

ary! You do

ain, then put B

garden on Wednesday, you must be in the cleanest frocks and t

to the Golden City," said

wn at her with

moment to confide in her little sister. "I don't believe I get on ver

to wash it," said

I can ask to have it done, but-" and here she relapsed into gloom a

e children sadly tried Miss

nto Mona's portion of the grounds, but the head gardener kept them back. Tents were being erected; servants bustle

lking to Miss Webb under the trees, and Mona, looking radiant in her youth and loveliness, dressed like her little sisters in pure white, with a spray of delicate pink roses in her

s so dull and proper. You and Bumps look like t

"it is very dull.

how Bethel i

the poultry-yard. Bumps would insist on stopping to watch the peregrinations of two frogs in some long grass, and Jill had a talk with Sam

ere's a t

he board. Then instead of turning away, he went up to the pile of stones, and bending down was in th

asser! We shall

rugged features were transformed by a smile, whe

ur property

ke a little

is. You must have seen the board; we ai

prothecuted!" cried

first at the stranger and then at his sister, as if

h me?" asked the strang

ther, and consulted in hurried whi

poke very e

our stones. Jack and I think if you will walk between us and promise not to escape, we will go down to the pol

o look grave, "that you might fine me. M

d this, but she was to

skirting the tennis lawn the little procession passed. Jack

f his coat if he ru

e children's plan that Mo

the lawn, and accompanied by

ek when she saw the prisoner,

d you at first. You must be staying with Lady Crane; though she mentioned

ced the other gentlemen with her to him. "Sir Henry

n the children's company. I remember h

ck importantly, "and we're t

r," put in Bu

to prosecute him,"

. Arnold looked grav

present company that I should be let off

entially, addressing Captain Willoughb

some money if you make hi

most private place. There's a bo

s some money we'll le

held out fi

ce," he said. "I'll

asked Jill, taking the money

ed on with Si

ck "we'll put

ole face

said. "We'll fo

Captain Willoughby. "Is this a new gam

said Jill indignantly. "

her, and gave one of

said. "I should like to k

Before very long on a garden seat Jill was telling h

aking the trespas

big manufacturing town soon, and I think I must try a

boys and girls of y

I consider belong to me. Little crossing-sweepers, and errand-boys, and miners, and school-bo

Mona long ag

nce, "when she was about as big as you, and we used to spend all our holidays together till we gr

do te

ona coming towards them aga

hen passed between

ws. I suppose you have never chang

never

outh were ster

fully, then as she met his

suppose you would say that my body is still ruling my spirit.

caught the lively strains of the band, and his gaze wandered to the beautiful sloping hill

"I would it did not belong to those who lay up tr

mounted to Mon

ecause of your unreasonable severity. Ha

came to

ge less harshly; but my aim is still the sa

lders, then deliberate

after her

e Mona cross,

said humbly. "Shall we co

only too