We went in, and there we found the interloper to be a scarecrow from a
neighboring field, ingeniously arranged so as to appear very human.
At that moment, a loud laugh above our heads betrayed the presence of
the boys in the trees, who clambered down with hilarious expedition,
and fairly rolled themselves upon the ground with delight. They had
seen all our perturbation; had heard my cowardly cries and
expressions; Lib's looking in the window, and her fearful hesitation
and scamper behind the fairy bower! The best thing to do was to laugh,
and that we did right heartily; we girls, were internally thankful
that the intruder was only a scarecrow after all.
We ordered the boys take their silly joke out, and to come in like
gentlemen, and make a formal call, and probably they would be invited
to take some refreshments.
This news caused them to work with great alacrity. They were dressed
up too; Fred having chosen to wear his school uniform, with a gorgeous
crimson sash and his sword.
We were never so delighted with any thing as with that afternoon's
adventure. For hours we chatted and laughed, and ate our refreshments,
until the western light began to take on a ruddy hue, and we closed
our little bower and proceeded homeward.
What was our surprise, when we reached there, to find that three young
friends from the city with their servant had come to visit us.
Merryvale was not dull after that, I can assure you.
[Illustration: THE NEW SERVANT AT MERRYVALE.]