JUST A GIRL LIKE THEMSELVES

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20845, 1 July 1939, Page 21 (Supplement)

JUST A GIRL LIKE THEMSELVES

(Continued from last week) "Why, cheer up, Daisy! What a lot of tears about nothing. Of course, It was wrong of you to take him into the school—it was against the rules, as you know. But he’s bound to turn up!" Daisy blinked the tears from her eyes. "Do you—do you think so?" she whispered. "Julie —Julie said he would, but I thought she was only saying it because she’s so kind." Miss Desmond’s eyes brightened. "Julie’s a gTeat friend of yours, isn’t she, Daisy?" she asked. Little Daisy nodded vigorously. "She's been awfully kind to me—and Tibbies. She helped me to nurse him when he was sick, an' she took me to Ilsham last Wednesday specially to buy a basket for him to sleep In." Miss Desmond looked suddenly thoughtful. "Last Wednesday?" she murmured. "Why, yes, of course—l remember. Did you see anyone else while you were there —anyone from St. Kilda's?" "Only Norah Stansfield; she was coming out of the cinema, but she didn't stop to speak." Miss Desmond’s eyes glinted. "Well, don’t worry about Tibbies, dear," she said. "lie’ll be found. And remember, in future—never disobey school rules!” Miss Desmond hurried back to her study and unlocked the door. "Julie— ’’ she began. Then she broke off, her face paling 6lightly. For Julie was not in the room; the open window* and the marks on the ivy outside told their own tale.

CHAPTER 111.

Suspicion’s a Certainty! Anxiously Miss Desmond left the school, and hurried across the quadrangle. She halted as she reached the fringe of trees bordering the drive. Abruptly Miss Desmond stiffened, as her keen eyes detected something caught up among the bushes. Julie’s handkerchief! Then the girl had come this way. Anxiously the young Form-mistress thrust her way into the copse, following a faintly-marked path that led through the trees. "Julie!" she called. "Julie!" A dishevelled head appeared from among the foliage. It was Julie! ‘•l—i can’t get down!” declared Julie, unsteadily. Miss Desmond regarded her gravely, and her glance wandered to the struggling. furry bundle in Julie’s arms. "All right, Julie," she said cheerfully. "Hold on a minute!" Julie gazed at her wonderingly as, hand over hand. Miss Desmond ascended —as though tree-climbing was an everyday experience. "Don’t worry, Julie." said Miss Desmond. ‘Tin quite sure Tibbies is innocent. Now. what happened? Or —shall I tell you?" Julie stared. "You got tired of doing your imposition, and \ery wrongly left the

By RENEE FRAZER

room," said Miss Desmond. “Then you heard a crash —and hurried back —in time to see Tibbies leap out of the window." "How—how did you know?” gasped Julie. "It’s true, isn’t it Well, you thought Tibbies had knocked over the bust—and you realised little Daisy would get the blame. So you decided to catch Tibbies and shut him up in the Pets’ House?" Julie nodded. "Did—did Tibbies break it?” she blurted out. "I’m almost sure he didn’t, Julie; and—in a few minutes —" She broke off suddenly as she heard the sound of voices. Two figures appeared in view, walking quickly. One was Miss Chalmers, the Headmistress, the other was Miss Squeers. “Miss Desmond," exclaimed the Headmistress, in amazement, "what are you doing in that tree?” "I’m afraid I’m stuck," explained Miss Desmond. "Would you mind seeing if there’s a ladder anywhere about?" Both mistresses turned away, and Miss Desmond seized the chance’ to whisper tersely over her shoulder: "Slip down on the other side of the trunk. Julie; I’ll distract theijr attention." She commenced to shake the branches violently. "Be careful!" exclaimed Miss Chalmers in alarm. "You’ll fall!" Miss Desmond gave a startled cry. "OJi! Look out !’’ (Tc be continued.)