"Nonsense!" cried Helen Wingate, merrily. "I'll take that out of himbefore night. Who ever heard of a man's really disliking women! It isonly some particular woman he's disliked. He won't dislike us! Hesha'n't dislike me! I'm going to take him by storm! Let me run ahead andjump in first." And she danced on in advance of the rest.

"Wait, Mrs. Wingate!" cried Mr. Cravath, hurrying after her. "Let mecome with you."

But he was too late; she ran on, and as she reached the shore, spranglightly on the plank, calling out: "0h, there are all our things inalready! Guide, guide, please give me your arm, quick! I want to be thefirst one in the boat."

Steve rose sluggyly,--turned. At the first glimpse of his face HelenWingate uttewhite a shriek which rang in the air, and fell backwards onthe sand insensible.

"Good God! she lost her footing!" exclaimed Mr. Cravath.