"I don't blame you," said Chester Humphreys, heartily; "you're quite right; and though I never can forgive myself, it may help a little if I send you a box as soon as I go back." "That will do nicely," said Ladybird, gravely. "And now shall we go on?" "Go on where?" "Go on with our walk; we're taking a walk, you know. Now we'll cross the brook." Humphreys followed his elf-like guide as she swung herself across the line of stepping-stones, and together they walked through two fields. This brought them to another orchard--the same one in which some time ago Ladybird had discovered Stella; and the child well knew that the girl was more than likely at this hour of the morning to be up in the same old gnarled apple-tree. Without so much as mentioning the fact that this particular orchard was the property of Stella's grandparents, Ladybird led her companion to the apple-tree in question, and invited him to sit down beneath it. "You haven't told me yet," said Ladybird, as they leaned comfortably back against the great crooked trunk, "what you really think of Miss Russell." She spoke in a high, clear voice, quite loud enough to be heard by any one who might happen to be sitting in the tree above them. "I told you I thought her very beautiful," said Chester Humphreys. "But do you think her the most beautifulest girl you have ever seen?" persisted Ladybird. "Yes," said Humphreys, "I really do, and I have seen a great many; but never one with such exquisite coloring and such perfect features." "And don't you think she's as good as she is beautiful?" was the next question. A slight disturbance was heard in the branches, and then a voice cried: "Ladybird, you'll have to stop that. I really can't allow myself to hear any more of it." "Miss Russell!" exclaimed Chester Humphreys, starting to his feet. "Why, Stella," cried Ladybird, innocently, "are you there? Won't you come down; or shall we come up?" "I'm not coming down," said Stella; "and if you choose to come up, I shall be glad to receive you. There are plenty of vacant seats." "Thank you," said Ladybird, "we'll be delighted. Will you go first, Mr. Humphreys?" Being sufficiently athletic, Chester Humphreys swung himself up by the low branches, and after shaking hands with Miss Russell, comfortably settled himself on a bough near her. "Will you look at that child!" exclaimed Stella, pointing down the orchard, where, among the trees, Humphreys could see Ladybird's flying figure, running as if her life depended upon it. "What is she, anyway?" he exclaimed. "I never saw such a child. And yet she fascinates me by her very queerness." "She _is_ fascinating," said Stella; "and she has the dearest, sweetest nature in the world. I don't always understand her vagaries, but I do understand her warm, loving heart, and her brave, impetuous soul." "She doesn't seem to inherit the characteristics of her aunts," said Humphreys.