FOR THE CHILDREN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15769, 18 November 1914, Page 11

FOR THE CHILDREN

BREAKING BOUNDS

" Waverton* Station, - ' called out a porter at a small country station. Out of a carriage stepped a tall girl of fifteen, wi.'h long auburn hair that hunt; past her -waist, and big grey eyes. A ladv fallowed her, and one could tell at a glance that they ■were mother and daughter. They glanced up and down he small platform, and the girl suddenly espied. a tall, stately lady, with a kind look on her face, coming towards them. " I think this is Miss Wright," said the girl. " How do you do?" said the lady in a pleasant voice, at the same time shaking hands with Mrs. Blakonev and Kathleen. "I hope you have had a pleasant jour- 0, nev." They left the station, and after half an hour's drive reached a large red bri-.k building. This was Miss Wright's "Boarding School for Young Ladies." They entered the headmistress's room, where they had tea, and. as Miss Wright wanted to have a talk with Mrs. Blakeney, she sent for Kathleen's cousin, llene Harris. There was a knock at the door, and Ilene entered. She was rather a plain girl, with straight bronji hair, which would not curl, and brown eyes. The only thing that could be called beautiful about her was her teeth. "llene, I want you to show your cousin her bedroom; it is number fifteen, next to Enid Matthews', and at the end of the corridor." The girls left the room, and went upstairs. I'm so glad you've come." said Tlene. " I'm rather glad myself," said Kathleen. "It has been most awfully stale with old Gigley these last few- months." " Gigley," otherwise Miss Gigleton, wag Kathleen's governess. "Here's your room," said Bene, opening the door of a small, rather emptylooking room. "it's not so bad." said Kathleen, after looking around and out of the windows* from which the playing fields could be seen.

The girls then went to Hene's room, which was very comfortable, since Ilene had added a, little table and a small wicker chair and cushions. " I must get some cushions and a comfortable chair for my room, too," said Kathleen.

"Hullo, Ilene. is this your cousin?" cried a merry voice, and, turning round, Kathleen saw a girl somewhat taller than herself, with two long, fair pigtails tied with big black bow?, and two laughing bine eyes, and a nose inclined, to turn up at the end.

"Yes," said Dene, "this is Kathleen Blakeney; " this is Gwenyth Ethelston, Kathleen.

The 'two shook hands, and then all three went downstairs into the playground, where Kathleen was introduced to several more girls. After a while she had to go and fay good-bye to her mother.

At six o'clock there was preparation for an hour, then supper and prayers. A month had passed, and Kathleen by this time knew nearly all the girlsthere were only about forty in the school. One half holiday Kathleen ran up to Bene and Gwenyth, who were walking in the playground. a "I say, von two, let's go <..i an excursion," she cried. "Oh, that would be absolutely ripping" said Gwen, her face full of mischief. We'll go to the Broxton Hills —yc-i haven't beenand we'd better cy > , for they're six miles away." [ :he Br ox ton Hills re out of bounds," said I : ene. "and we cannot net a special ex at., because Miss Wright 'has gone to spend the day somewhtre." "Never mind,'we can easily go." said Kathleen. "I am sure Miss Wright would have given us permission if she had been here."

Bene was not so sure, and demurred, but at length she was persuaded to go. Just then a girl with very dark hair and black eyes came running up. She was a French girl; her name was Marguerite D'Arcy, and she was a great friend of Kathleen.

In ten minutes the four had started, and after half an hour's cycling they reached the bottom of the hills. They left their bicycles at. a little cottage there and started climbing. Soon they came upon the ruin of an ancient chapel, which they explored, and then went on climbing. At iasf they reached the top, where they sat down to rest. Kathleen produced some biscuits, and Gwen brought out some chocolate. After a space of five minutes, Ilene said : " I say, look at the sky over there."

They all looked at the threatening clouds, and Kathleen replied, " I vote we move on."

" Not yet," said Marguerite, -who still felt tired. So they sat on. Five minutes later there was a great crash of thunder, and forked lightning shot through the sky. Almost immediately it begaji to rain. The girls jumped up with frightened faces, and started going down the hill. After ten minutes Kathleen, who was in front of the others, noticed two large rocks, almost at right angles, and a largo gorse bush growing in front, leaving only a small opening. She shouted to th« others, who came towards her panting. " Crawl in there," she ordered. The girls crept ip, glad to find a little shelter from the f.torm. They had no coats, and their thin dresses were already soaked.

Meanwhile the .rain fell heavily, and the lightning illuminated the sky. But after an hour the rain and thunder ceased, so the girls crept out. very wet aud numb, and made their way to the cottage as quickly as possible. There they had tea, and dried their dresses.

They soon got home, but next day, when Marguerite, who was very delicate, had to stay in bed with a very bad cold, the other three had to tell Miss Wright all about it. " You did very wrong to break bounds and rules, but I think It has been a lesson to you all, so I will not punish you any more, considering nothing serious lias resulted from your terrifying experience." Marguerite was quite well again in a - few days, but all four of them declared they would never break bounds again, and y they never did. ' t: