All in a garden fair; the simple story of three boys ... - University Library

ALL LV A GARDEN FAIR. 171
avoid observing the diflereuce between his
careless, natural ease, his confident bearing, his
brave eyes, which looked as if he was ready to
meet any reverses which Fate might send, and
fight them all, and the anxious, nervous face of
Allen, with his sharj^, thin face, slight figure,
and stooping shoulders. Will managed his iron
liorse with dexterity, sometimes careering round
them, sometimes reining in the eager steed to
a walk, sometimes darting swiftly ahead, and as
swiftly returning. In these brief absences the
pair conversed in guilty whispers.
'I sat up all Saturday night,' said Allen,
*and looked over my verses. It seemed as
if I was reading them for the last time. Do
you tliink you would like to see them, Claire
—really P
' Oh !
Allen, of course I would, if you
think you can trust me with them.'
They were both blushing, as if the secret
were the recollection of a crime.
'I want,' he went on hurriedly, because
Will might return at any moment, ' I want