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The Meadow-Brook Girls Under Canvas by Janet Aldridge
page 83 of 232 (35%)

"Water," answered a muffled chorus of voices.

"Then, my sister, thou, having been tried by the fire, the fire that
burned at our feet this evening it is meet that thou shouldst now submit
to the final test. Below thee is a pool, a pool deep and dark wherein lurk
the water sprite and the wood nymph, waiting there to welcome thee."

Harriet now heard the ripple of water somewhere near at hand. She smiled.
Water, no matter how deep, held no terrors for her. She was an expert
swimmer. However, the night was cool and she knew that the water of a
forest stream would be a great deal colder.

"Hast thou yet earned the swimming honor?" asked the voice at her side.

"I can swim, if that is what you mean."

"It is well. The water sprites and the wood nymphs will lend wings to thee
in thy efforts to please them. But beware. The way is far and dark. A
bottomless pool lies far below thee. Art thou prepared?"

"Oh, yes, I think so. At least I shall be no better prepared in----"

Harriet Burrell did not complete the sentence. Her bathrobe was suddenly
snatched from her shoulders. Some one gave her a violent push from
behind. She leaped to save herself from falling, just what they had looked
for her to do. It seemed to Harriet that she must have fallen many, many
feet before she reached the water, which in reality was not more than
three feet below the spot from which she leaped. She struck the water with
a little gasp, then stood still for a second in bewilderment, as the water
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