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Page 67
She was doomed to disappointment as far as Nora and Jessica were
concerned. Both girls mournfully shook their heads when invited to
specimen-hunting, declaring regretfully they were obliged to study. Anne
was at Mrs. Gray's attending to the old lady's correspondence. This had
been her regular task since the beginning of the freshman year, and she
never failed to perform it.
"Oh, dear, I wish examinations and school were over," Grace sighed
impatiently. "I can't go to the woods alone, and I can't get any one to go
with me. I suppose I'll have to give it up and go home. No, I won't,
either. I'll go as far as the old Omnibus House. There are lots of wild
plants in the orchard surrounding it, and I may get some new specimens."
With her basket on her arm, Grace turned her steps in the direction of the
old house. She had not been there since the day of their reunion. She
smiled to herself as she recalled the absurdities of that occasion.
After traversing the orchard several times and finding nothing startling
in the way of specimens, Grace concluded that she might as well have
stayed at home.
She walked slowly over to the steps and sat down, placing the basket
beside her. "How lonely it seems here to-day," she thought. "I wonder
where old Jean is? I haven't seen him for an age." Then she fell to musing
over the school year so nearly ended. Everything that had happened passed
through her mind like a panorama. It had been a stormy year, full of
quarrels and bickerings, but it was about to end gloriously. Anne and
Miriam had become the best of friends, while she and Julia Crosby were
daily finding out each other's good qualities There was nothing left to be
desired.
Grace started from her dream and looked at her watch. It was after six
o'clock. She had better be getting back.
She rose and reached for her basket.
Suddenly a figure loomed up before her. Grace started in surprise, to find
herself facing a tall, thin man with wild, dark eyes. He stood with folded
arms, regarding her fixedly.
[Illustration: Grace Found Herself Facing a Tall, Thin Man.]
"Why, where----" but she got no further, for the curious new-comer
interrupted her.
"Ah, Josephine," he said, "so I have found you at last."
"My name isn't Josephine at all. It's Grace Harlowe, and you have made a
mistake," said Grace, endeavoring to pass him. But he barred her way,
saying sadly:
"What, do you, too, pretend? Do you think I do not know you? I, your royal
husband, Napoleon Bonaparte."
"Good gracious," gasped Grace. "He's crazy as can be. How ever shall I get
away from him?"
The man heard the word "crazy" and exclaimed angrily: "How dare you call
me crazy! You, of all people, should know I am sane. I have just returned
from Isle of St. Helena to claim my empire. For years I have been an
exile, but now I am free, free." He waved his arms wildly.
"Yes, of course I know you, now," said Grace, thinking to mollify him.
"How strange that I didn't recognize you before."
Then she remembered reading in the paper of the preceding night of the
escape of a dangerous lunatic from the state asylum, that was situated a
few miles from Oakdale. This must be the man. Grace decided that he
answered the description the paper had given. She realized that she would
have to be careful not to anger him. It would require strategy to get
clear of him.
"It's time you remembered me," returned Napoleon Bonaparte, petulantly.
"They told me that you had died years ago, but I knew better. Now that I
have found you, we'd better start for France at once. Have you your court
robes with you? And what have you done with your crown? You are dressed
like a peasant." He was disdainfully eyeing her brown, linen gown.
In spite of her danger, Grace could scarcely repress a laugh. It all
seemed so ludicrous. Then a sudden thought seized her.
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