BESSIE’S ISLAND. 91

George reached the place just as Tom was
tying the boat to the stake. Bessie was stand-
ing just by the edge of the water, waiting for
her brother. George now ran down the sandy
bank swiftly, and splashed into the water up
to his knees before he could stop himself.

“That is good for you,” said Howard, as he
came in sight; “I hope it has cooled your
anger.”

“Not a bit of it,” cried George, stooping
down and dashing the water with his hands
upon Bessie.

“JT thought you were a young gentleman,”
said Bessie, without moving from. the spot
where she waited for her brother. “I have
heard talk of such a thing as good manners.
Is this the way to show them ?”

As she said this, she took off the pink sun-
bonnet, out of which the water had taken the
stiffening, and stood with her head uncovered,
and her light flaxen curls falling about her
face and shoulders, a rose-glow upon her
cheeks, and her blue eyes sparkling with mer-
riment.

Bessie was not like Ada—a timid child;