"He's a Rough Rider away down in Cuba-just read his nice letter."

Jim took it and read as follows:

"MY DEAR LITTLE BRANDT: Your letter was sent to me a long time ago from New York. It was good to read a letter away down in Cuba from my little cousin in Boston. When I come home I will tell you lots of stories about this place, and how we followed our brave colonel up San Juan Hill, and how our glorious flag waves from its height.

"I am glad that you want to be a soldier like your cousin, but hope that you will be a great deal better one than he.

"Aunt Lee writes me from Newport that she is going to Sunnyside Farm next week, accompanied by a dear friend of mine, Miss Robyn.

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Now, Brandt, you can be a real soldier by taking care of this young lady.

"You can write and tell me what you do

all day.

the back of

Lots of love and a long ride on

"COUSIN DICK."

"Just think of getting a letter from a real soldier who is right in the battle!" said Brandt.

"It's splendid!" exclaimed Jim, returning "Is he very big?"

the letter.

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Yes, he's as tall as my papa, and so handsome! I'll show you his picture," continued Brandt; "I have it right on a table in my room where I can see it."

A few days later Aunt Lee arrived with a pretty golden-haired girl, who had the bluest of eyes and the sweetest of voices. Brandt lost his heart to her at once because she said to him, "How much you look like your cousin, dear."

She entered into all the boys' plans, and although Jim had been very bashful at first, he soon felt at ease in her sweet, unaffected presence. One afternoon they all went on a little picnic in the woods. She tripped along with the boys, singing snatches of song now and then, and revelling in the delicious odor of the pines.

"What a beautiful old place this is!" she exclaimed, sitting under a group of the fragrant trees. The boys, who had been carry

ing a basket of lunch, sat down also, and Brandt said, "This is what Mrs. Cole calls 'the merry greenwood.""

Miss Robyn gave a little laugh, and sang:

"Under the greenwood tree
Who loves to lie with me
And tune his merry note

Unto the sweet bird's throat.'

"That means you, Jim," she said with a twinkle; "let's hear you tune your merry note."

Jim smiled with pleasure, and immediately gave one of his warbling exhibitions, to the delight of his audience.

While they were enjoying the tempting lunch, Brandt exclaimed,

"Wouldn't it be fine if Cousin Dick were

here!"

cousin very

"Do you love your much?" asked the young lady, smiling at Brandt. "Yes'm," answered he; "don't you?" Miss Robyn laughed merrily, gave his cheek a little pinch, but did not answer. In the days that followed he was a very

busy little soldier, but did not forget his promise to write to Cousin Dick.

One lazy morning, many hundred miles away, the following letter was read:

"MY DEAR DICK: We are having splendid times at Sunnyside, and I like Miss Robyn very much. She told me her name was Elsie. She does not seem a bit like a grownup young lady. Sometimes she runs across the field with me and Jim. I asked her the other day, at our picnic, if she didn't love you, and she just pinched my cheek. [Cousin Dick smiled.]

"We have not seen so much of her lately, because Mr. Ware came last Saturday. He said he was only going to stay a couple of days, but he's here yet. They go horseback riding together. [Cousin Dick frowned.]

"Last Monday Pete caught a skunk, but it's such a good long story that I'll keep it until you come to see

"Your own

"BRANDT."

CHAPTER V.

FOURTH OF JULY.

FOURTH of July, the day that boy nature can assert itself and for a few blissful hours revel in noise and excitement, is dear to the heart of every American boy. For days before, our boys had been talking about the "glorious Fourth," and making plans for some fun on that day.

Pete had been to the city and brought home a large box of something. What it was, no one knew except Pete and Mrs. Cole. The secret was to be held until

the great day came. The day before the Fourth, the boys were busy decorating the place and making preparations.

A large flag was placed on each end of the veranda, and smaller ones floated from every window in the house. Over the barn door Pete had arranged a picture of the flagship, the Olympia, surrounded by folds