Rod of the Lone Patrol

inary capers. His cheeks were flushed, and his eyes shone with excitement. His steps, too, were quick, and his companion found it difficul

n the workshop. There they found the captain busil

e parson's cheery greeting. "Yo

sary to be every dang thing these days, with the world so full of idiots. It's good there's som

up now?" the

ome numb-skulls thought they could sail a boat. I told 'em this mornin' what I thoug

dney told me all about the accident,

ough. She's all clewed down now and ridin' easy. Gu

he's able

is concerned. I want to git this chair fixed up fer her as soon as

of striking appearance. Her face, of considerable strength and refinement, was marked by lines of care. But it was

e. "I was greatly worried about her last night, but she seems none the worse for her experie

s hands. He wanted to see the girl, too, but he had not been invited, and he felt indignant. He had the first right to go, so he told himself, for he had helped to rescue her. He

girl's room, but in reality it was only a few minutes. There

ey," he said. "The princess wants to see yo

st wonderful person he had ever beheld. Could it be possible that this was the same girl he had seen all drenched with water the day before? Her hair was flowing over the white pillow like a shining stream of gold. At this moment i

ew something about princes and princesses, for Mrs. Royal had often read to him stories about such people. So this girl was one of them. He had no doubt about it, for Parson Dan h

counterpane, he pressed it to his lips. A merry ringing laugh followed this action, which caused Rod to start and li

did you do that for?" a

ked, as he sprang to his feet

and the girl lo

s your hand. Th

l w

hey always kiss the hand of a

not a p

d said you are, and

ny?" and the girl's hea

ust plain Whyn Sinclair

ust be nice to have a

l of fun. Sit down, a

the edge of a chair close to the bed. He was feeling more at home now

your gra

grandfather, and I never

t! Oh, you

door of the rectory one night a long time ago when I was a littl

yn clasped her thin

What do y

's so r

t's

d princess, or some other great persons, and you were stolen away from them when you we

pened wide in surprise. "Wh

t such lovely stories. But this is something real, not a bit like the others. I am going to ma

her worry?"

s' bills, and though mamma never says a word to me, I can tell what's troubling her. Now, I have a se

t is

won't

until I hear

ve a sigh of disappointment. "I was hoping that you would promise

mise afterwards

gh the window. "Yes, I guess that will do. You see, I once heard the doctor

Rod questioned. "I ne

k, who knows so much. He might be able to ma

't you g

t shade passed over th

and we are poor. Mamma

ays, and gives music le

o much to pay

ur father?"

died when I was

is girl was an orphan, something like

rking for the Government. He helps us all he can, but he has been there such a short

our brothe

s played together, and he used to read

him your secret

here she lowered her voice, and glanced to

eyes grew

w and bring you into it. There were some parts I could not work out, but now I know. I

oy scout?"

of the scouts?" and Wh

heard of th

at funny, and y

"Grandad and Captain Josh know about most everything, and i

did. They met in the school-room of our church, and had such a great time. They had

t all t

y things. To get the tenderfoot badge, they had to know the

nd Rod gave his head a superior toss

hemselves, or break their arms, or if some one fal

an the scou

scued a little girl. When he had her out of the water he brought

could say, for he was bec

n that," Whyn continued.

r heard of flags talking

ght. "The scouts use flags for talking to one another when

o they

y a flag is waved it means a letter. I did know all the letters myself once, for Douglas taught me. In that way the scouts can talk with o

deep sigh. "I wonder if Captain Josh knows any

couts have to learn," Whyn explain

are

But there is a book whi

a scout must do a g

t's

oor little kitten from some cruel boys who were teasing it. When I write my story with you in it, your good turn will be the rescuing a girl from

ing to call the

aybe I shall call him Rod

know that w

me this morning

ou ask

es

beautiful girl had been thinking of him, and had even

n Dan appeared

been waiting for you, sir, ever so long," and he laid his hand affectionately upon the

. "We have had such a lovely

w it will give hi

g, Rod went close t

scout, and get Ca

smile of encouragement foll