The Story Book Girls

ss Gr

and gold drawing-room and Elma played

aid Elma with crimson chee

turb our afternoons, and your pla

interrogatively," said Elma in the greatest alarm. The fea

, dear," corre

y think she would

r." Miss Grace could not bear that Elma should m

ss Dudgeon's voice came to them from the door. "And what is more, I said to

e the music stoppe

ide Maud in a ve

ce, if neither of you are offended

nding people," said Miss Grace. "I

s her, Elma was struck with

f only I weren't afraid," she thought to hersel

s Grace," had said Adelaide Maud. "

ne. Elma thought they did it to let her feel at

Adelaide Maud to Miss Grace. "He says

errywe

e turned

was most concerned about you. He said that wha

ie," said Miss Grace, who saw o

d bent her h

d she. "It isn't right. It isn't fair to her either, su

piano. Instead, in the earnestness of the

ce shook

stay by my bed-ridden sister. Who would look after her if I

mpletely away. Elma sat with t

id brokenly, "are you il

e, as Miss Grace in a trouble of her own--and such a tr

looked great

m getting worse that I'm talking to her. We didn't intend you to listen. Miss Annie will wonder why

see that Miss Grace w

work, and I shall bark away all nasty intruders like a good sheep dog. I shall keep the servants in a good temper--including Saunders who is a love, and I p

s be Adela

f the music stool, an

ne makes you. You will just try to get back to Miss Annie." Thus Elma sounded the first note of that great quali

race's calm deter

, that would be very pleasant." She pa

Maud look

Leighton as an abject request? Because I believe this idea of Elma's is about as valuable as any of mine. You must have some one

t such a thing," said Miss G

d me off to Buxton, to a nasty crowded hotel

the hotel, and the hotels are ve

s Grace. It was astonishing how obstinate Miss Grace c

and unclasp

ss Grace, how pe

where her advantage came in, "you see what a delightful time yo

y would simply come to Miss Grace and, noticing how distinguished she looked, they would say, "May I do this or that for you," and the thing was done. She herself would be able to behave to them as she always behaved in her daydreams, very correctly and properly. She would never do the silly blundering thing which one always did when other people were well aware of the reputation one was supposed to bear. Didn't ever

very costly piece of creamy lace was introduced into the bodice of her grey gown, and on it the locket which contained Miss Annie's portrait and hair rose and fell in little agitated jerks. M

eing here--where my friends say to me how nice it is to have windows opening on to the high road, where so many peopl

mutely on that

n the Leighton girls talked about the Story Books so much, but on

rew round wit

aide Maud so

. Merryweather,"

invaded Miss G

yweather. Years ago, I am af

ly eye on you, Miss Grace, and h

who persuaded Dr. Smith to put it this way to Miss Annie that it would be dangerous for her to have the anxiety of Miss Grace's being ill at home, and most upsetting to the household. It was

ter all, she might not have released herself years ago. Would Annie have minded? The progress of this malady which now asserted itself, she had quietly ignored for so l

ecome really ill, helpless occasionally, if you do not take this in hand now." Just after he had gone, Adelaide Maud called. She came to ask fo

or the first time since Miss Annie had gone to bed, Miss Grace h

how rapidly things could happen

tial trio, the moving inspirator that s

ven although graciously polite throughout, to be of so entirely different a set to the Leightons. None of the girls except Adelaide Maud had called. And after what Cuthbert had done! Elma

ation for Elma to

greatly touched. Mr. Leighton

st friends, that is almost as great a thing as playi

d on Miss Grace to explain. The fact that they had left Elma in

with an easy mind. She has visited so seldom, and then invariably lain awake at nights with the

Maud wa

tly. "But Elma knows Miss Grace so well, wouldn't

hton int

ot require to be anxious. Elma is a dreamy little being, and might turn home-sick in an

, and Miss Grace will take her maid," said Adelaide Maud. "Oh, Mr. Leigh

d looked qui

aid Mrs. Leighton. "Jean is quite

ways lay a superb respect for the domi

lying awake at night, or turning h

impressed with t

come," she propos

awakened that radiant look in Elma's eyes, to we

eyes wandered

ps a change would do her g

ch more confident

was ar

ntly in her room, and accepted comf

mother went out. I knew it was all up then. Jean will always get what she wants, all her life, and I sha

ty's shoulder

He was not altogether happy at having to act the dragon to E

s of hers too soon, Mr. Leighton. Unselfishness is all very w

nted at sight

inted as Elma, you see

thing had hurt her, a stage where the feelings of other people might be reckoned not to count at all. It was an unusual condition for her to b

own father as your worst e

bs stoppe

she said

ture that she immediately recognized w

he time that it would be such a treat to either of you, you see. And

have gone,"

laims of Mabel been mentioned. Mr

might be giving away Mabel to an unseeing parent. Ma

d to go," she said hurrie

Mr. Leighton consolingly. "I know it's very d

ughed a

-in a hotel--with a maid, you know--of your own! Su

on stroked

you. I shall never

s really nothing on earth like being complimented by one's father. She sidled on

It's always easy to get on for a day or two with new, or outside friends. But it's your own people who count. Don't make it disagreeable for Jean to go with Miss Grace." His voice came in

little line settled at her quivering li

. Leighton. And it pleased him more than a battle-field of v

Moonlight Sonata now?" he aske

st keep at least one girl a

lot of mistak

ter that night tha