riends. Such a crowd of people surrounded them upon their arrival, that Ruth, who merely knew a few of t

vessel. Her aunt was entertaining the ladies, and her uncle walking up and down the deck in earnest conversation with two gentlemen; Rupert was trying to get on the paddle-box, and there was no one near her but Gerald, the facetious leader of a knot of young men. Ruth felt very lonely and rather sorrowful; she had been eagerly anticipating this picnic, and now she seemed

Gerald, who was standing near and heard t

erald," she a

ed her, and talked to her as if she were a little c

you sigh?"

else to do," s

aid as he led her towards a very fair young girl, dressed in blue and white, and ha

to say, and began by making remarks upon the people on bo

is wife, and see how shabbily she dresses. Don't you see her over there with the daisies in her bonnet? And that is her niece, Miss Game, flirting with Mr. Trim. Ah! he is wal

ed, "he would not be so rude as to talk to a

he other, laughing, "every

them care for each other sufficiently to r

rs until the steamer arrived at its destination, a beautiful little bay where the water was so clear that one could see the sea-weeds growing underneath. Tall trees grew not far from the shore, an

t of the party strolled about the grounds in twos and threes until a tempting repast

ed with cold meat, tartlets, and milk or lemonade, was sent on in the milk cart or one of the farm wagons, a white cloth was spread under the shade of a tree, an

accessories of glass and flowers, silver forks and spoons, and long seats, with waiters hurrying about, made a picnic quite a different affair, and-Ruth was unfashionable enough to think-to

ntity of champagne was drunk before the guests left the tables and dispersed, some to the te

flutter of light dresses through the low doorways and up the dingy stairs, and merry sounds of laughter echoed through the empty chambers. It was the first castle that romantic little Ruth had ever seen; and although she could not gather much of its hist

oss the ground. On the very edge of a broken tottering wall projecting from the side of the keep sat Rupert-ever an adventurous little fellow-his face white and his legs dangling. He had crept up into the keep alone, and climbed as high as he could, just to give them all a fright. And he had succeeded, but not w

er side, quite regardless of the notice she was attracting. It was the best thing she could have done, for the boy, hearing her cheery tones and seeing that the faces below were no longer upturned in terror, began to regain his courage, and imitated his cousin's movements, thus getting farther and fart

erald caught the little fellow in his arms and

ad been taking a country ramble, had seen the boy's danger from a considerable distance, and arr

if the boy had not been a very light weight, I am afraid it would have given way;" and as if to verify his words

und her and praised "her wonderful presence of mind," and "her remarkable courage." "So fearless, too," said one young dandy

prised if she had done so,"

ling out so loudly and drawing every one's attention to herself, for her

g. I only wanted to cheer little Ru, and I