116 THE COUSINS.

tracted by Lucy’s running; and, crying, ‘“ Catch
her! catch her!” the boy started in pursuit.
The sound of pursuit only increased Lucy’s speed.
Her pursuer wisely kept on the dry ground, and
she turned yet lower down. She was within a
few steps of the fence, when she found herself in
the bog of which Clara had vainly warned her.
She looked hastily around: the trees were thick
around her, for she had penetrated deeper into the
wood; but through them she could see the white
dress of the boy, who was evidently seated on the
fence, intending to intercept her when she should
have crossed it. She must go on; she could not
stand there in the bog. Suddenly she remem-
bered what Clara had said about losing her shoes.
The next moment Lucy had stooped down and
untied hers, and, rushing through the bog, sinking
to her ancle at every step, she reached the fence
without shoes, and with her stockings, and even
her dress, wet and muddy.

“Oh, Lucy! how could you go there!” ex-
claimed Clara, as she saw her condition, and came
forward to help her in getting up to the dry
ground on which she herself stood. The boy