Half a Dozen Girls

topmost blossoms peeped curiously in at the chamber windows. Such houses are only found in New England, but there they abound with their broad front "stoops," the l

ny of the more recent houses of the town. A wing had been built out at the side; but even with this modern addition, no one needed to glanc

tic a serious consul

ost half of our vacation has gone, and I thin

red Molly Hapgood, who had felt privileged, in her capacity as hostess, to

wned on s

we should get together regularly every two or three days and do

a chance to be good at home." "Now, Jean, that isn't fair," said Polly laughing. "You know I'd be the very last one to hold up Au

"start a society for the improvement of the jail or open a

eated on a dilapidated hair- covered trunk under the open window, regardless of the strong east wind

apturously bouncing about in her seat on the f

le-well, a little improving, too." "I'd like to know if that wouldn't be improving?" asked Molly. "It

in spite of herself carried away by the prospect,

e it over into a play easily enough, and Florence would be

arked Florence, in some disgust. "If I'm Eva, I'll hav

one who had experience; "just stiffen yourself out and fal

play?" asked Polly. "It wou

d Molly, sitting up

Jean; "that's all killing, and Floren

if struck with a sudden idea, "we'll have

plauded the suggestio

. I never could

s ability. "You go right to work on it, and you ought to get it a

it," said Polly. "I know I can

edulously, while Jean inquired, w

all it b

almost gets killed, and doesn't quite; so that will get t

observed Florence thoughtfull

here's a picture in the history where he shows Pocahontas

e always lots of peopl

eye to the truth

's what they call poetical license," said Polly. "Jean can see about that. There are lots of splendid

she will,"

the girls considered the matter. The

dy to start this, so I'd like to suggest

in her head," said Je

ll

her day, because I hadn't read 'Pilgrim's Progress.' She said it was a living disgrace to me, and that I must do it, ri

mitted that

ge yesterday, and I know. But we don't any of us want to be 'a living disgrace'; so what if we read aloud an hour every

ought to," remarked M

add

like measles. You'd better tak

manded Polly, fired with

re to read, for we can be nice and quiet up here.

l, dark body came flying in at the open window above her h

asked Molly, ro

ed Polly, as she ran after it a

d Molly sternly, "I do wis

his defence; "he's ever so much

ean quickly, bowing low, i

e window, and she was laughing down at a slender, light-ha

re, Alan!"

d Molly from within. "He'll lau

ly valiantly; then, more lou

rls about up the

rew in her head just in time

all your time gabbling." And Alan vanished through the side door. A minut

They did their best to spoil him by their unlimited admiration; but, to be sure, the temptation to do so was a strong one, for Alan was a lovable fellow, always merry and good-natured, generous and accommodating to his friends, and quick to plan and execute the pranks which added the spice of mischief to the doings of the V. In person he was tall for his age, and slight, with

e end of that time they were closer friends than ever. Two girls more unlike it would have been hard to find, for Molly was as quiet and deliberate as Polly was impetuous; but nevertheless, in spite of their continual disagreements, they were inseparable. They were in the same class in school and in Sunday- school, they had the same frie

nds and eyes in well-bred horror. But Jean's unselfish devotion to her mother, her real refinement, her quick understanding, and her sound common sense did much to atone for her hoydenish ways, and gave promise of the fine womanhood which lay before her. At first it had been a matter of some surprise, in the aristocratic old town, that Mrs. Adams and Mrs. Hapgood, representatives of "our first families," as they were universall

f the V might become, Florence never failed to come out of the frolic as gentle and unspotted as she went in, greatly to the disgust and envy of Polly, whose clothes had a tendency to get mysteriously torn, whose shoes appeared to go in search of dust, and whose short, curly hair had a perfect genius for getting into a state of wild disorder. It was no

, and there were few days when they were not to be found together, usually either at the Hapgood house, or at Polly's, where their visit was never quite satisfactory unless Mrs. Adams was in the midst of the group. Alan, too, was often with them, for a tendency to rheumatism, which occasionally developed into a severe attack of the disease, kept him in rather delicate he

?" Alan asked, as soon as his head

ame," retorted Molly, with

nd Alan marched across the floor to seat himself besid

n, for Polly remar

t to have some fun, this horrid d

l I go to work?" inq

breakdown, or w

suggested Jean; "it's so nic

tell you now: Jean is going to write a play for us to act, a

surprise and disgust. "It strikes me I have someth

dful expressions, Ala

n't like to hear you

n nowise abashed by his reproof. "And I don't believe she'd

hontas saved him, you know. All you'll have to do will be to lie down with you

rked the boy, with masculine scorn, "I'd much rat

ust; "and besides, it isn't polite. You ought to be

manded Polly sternly, as she sei

to get peace,"

yes,

es

e want you; you are to do just what we want, an

nd play something, or it wil

tly to the girls as she released him.

ep out of it," said Jean, as

a long row of old andirons, warming-pans, and candlesticks, flanked by an ancient wooden cradle with a projecting cover above the head. Rows of dilapidated chairs there were, of every date and every degree of shabbiness,-those old friends which start in the parlor and slowly descend in rank, first to the sitting-room or library, then up-stairs, and so, by easy stages, to the hospital asylum of the garret. And up through the very midst of it all, midway between the two small windows which lighted the opposite ends of the attic, rose the huge gray stone chimney, like a massive backbone to the body of the house. What stories of the past the old chimney could have told! What

ing down the stairs an hour later; "remember

inquired Al

rom the fourth stair, and landed in an ignominious pile

Mother read it to me when I had scarlet feve

an air of determination. "Come on, Jean; it's ti