Anne of Avonlea

First P

, white bluster and blow. It was one of the nights when the storm-wind hurtles over the frozen meadows and black

Anne to Jane Andrews, who had come up to spend the afternoon and stay all night. But when they were cuddl

olemnly, "I want to tel

ten to Jane's confidences, which she was sure would bore her. She had no prophetic inkling of what was coming. Probably Jane was engaged

en of our old quartet," thought Anne,

ore solemnly, "what do you

what DID she think of Billy Andrews? She had never thought ANYTHING about him-round-faced, stu

ane," she stammered. "Wh

Billy?" asked

y she did not DISlike Billy. But could the indifferent tolerance with which she regarded him, when he happen

m for a husband?"

h the problem of her exact opinion of Billy Andrews. Now she fell flatl

n his own name and there's nothing to prevent him from getting married. But he's so shy he couldn't ask you himself if you'd have him, so he

ightest idea how it ever came about? No, she, Anne Shirley, was lying there, wide awake, in her own bed, and Jane Andrews was beside her, calmly prop

ane," she managed to gasp. "Why, such

e has no bad habits and he's a great worker, and you can depend on him. 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.' He told me to tell you he'd be quite willing to wait till you got through c

ven feeling a little angry. It was all so ridiculous. "There is no use thinking o

had done her best. "I told Billy I didn't believe it was a bit of use to ask you, but

im. Nevertheless, she felt a little resentment that Anne Shirley, who was, after all, merely an adopted orphan, without kith o

darkness over the idea that she might

feel very badly over

s if she were tossing

oo, and mother would rather he married her than any one. She's such a good manager and saver. I think, when B

abroad the fact that Billy Andrews wanted to marry her, preferring

e'd better go to sle

ut her meditations were far from being romantic. It was not, however, until the next morning that she had an opportunity to indulge in a good laugh over the whole affair. When Jane had gone home-still with a hint o

rn secrecy to Jane, I can't tell Diana things now. She tells everything to Fred-I know she does. Well, I've had my first proposal. I suppose

e one" was to be very handsome and dark-eyed and distinguished-looking and eloquent, whether he were Prince Charming to be enraptured with "yes," or one to whom a regretful, beautifully worded, but hopeless refusal must be given. If the latter, the refusal was t

ad given him the upper farm; and if Anne wouldn't "have him" Nettie Blewett would. There was romance for you, with a vengeance! Anne laughed-and t