Part 26 (2/2)

”Are you lying down?”

”I was lying down”

”Well, if you're not so very, very sick, Jessie, won't you just co,” went on Dave, after a irl ca a mass of disheveled hair, and cheeks that had traces of tears on theood s, Jessie,” returned Dave, in a low tone ”First of all, I don't want you to be angry with me I simply can't bear it And besides, I don't think you have anything to be angry about”

”Oh, indeed!”

”No, I don't I think youcome between us for the world, and you know it!”

”Do I?” The door opened a little wider

”Yes, you do You know there isn't any one that I care for one-tenth part as o up the lake this afternoon because I particularly wanted to; and those people came here of their own accord”

”Yes, Dave----”

”And I don't want you to act so cold, Jessie Why, it cuts a fellow to the heart! If I thought----”

A wild yell, followed by several screams of terror from outside, interrupted the conversation Dave stopped short to listen, and Jessie threide-open the door to do likewise Another yell rang out, fierce and penetrating, and then came several more screams, and a rush of footsteps

”Oh, Dave! what can it uess I had better find out,” he returned, and ran toward the front doorway

”Be careful, Dave! be careful!” cautioned the girl, pleadingly ”Maybe it's a bear!”

”In that case I'd better get one of the guns,” he returned

The party had brought a number of firear up on the walls, loaded and ready for use Catching up a double-barreled shotgun, Dave ran outside with Jessie at his heels

The commotion had continued, and now the youth found himself confronted by his sister and Belle

”What is it, Laura?”

”I don't know, exactly But it certainly was so awful!”

”I think it must have been a wild man,” broke in Belle ”Anyhow, if it wasn't, I don't knohat else it could have been”

The other boys had left the vicinity of the bungalows, and were running toward the woods, with Mr Wadsworth following them