shore of a lake. In many ways this lake was very attractive, especially
to the two little girls, who were then at the ages of two and four
years. Mrs. Worthington carefully warned the children of the danger of
playing near the lake shore; but, not realizing the greatness of their
temptation, she trusted them too far. Time after time they made their
way down to the water's edge. Something must be done; but what?

One morning Mr. Worthington noticed his little daughters standing in
front of the house. Although he could not hear their words, he clearly
perceived that they were talking about a trip to the forbidden lake.
They hesitated some time, but at last walked slowly down the hillside to
the lake. Again they hesitated. Finally descending the steps of the
boat-house, they stepped into the sparkling water. How dainty the
ripples about their feet, and how clear the water!

"Surely there can be no harm or danger," thought Bessie; but she
remembered the oft-repeated warnings of her parents and aunt. The
shells lost their beauty when she remembered hearing her father say that
bears sometimes travel up and down the shores. What if a bear should
some that morning? She gave a quick, searching glance among the trees,
but, seeing nothing, she tried to forget about bears. She might have
been able to forget about them, but she could not forget that she was
disobedient. Her conscience would not let her; the more she tried to
forget, the louder it talked. She was just about to take her little
sister back to the house, when she heard a rustling among the branches
of a tall tree directly above the path over which she must pass. The
next moment she thought she heard a low growl. "O Louise," she cried, "I
do believe that is the bear papa told us about." The tree then began to
sway from side to side and they heard another growl, louder than the
first. Seizing her little sister's hand, Bessie hastened to help her out