Half a Dozen Girls

y of looking at things from w

have lived so differently,

ozing on the sofa in the next room, so Mrs. Hapgood and Katharine had the parlor to themselves, and were snugly settled in two willow chairs drawn up in fron

t it was going to be slow here. At home, there's never any time for quiet talks like this; it's just nothing but a hurry and a scrabble, and when we get through, we've nothing to show for it. I've only

sted her hand on the girl's, as

or this year, I am to stand in place of a mother to yo

in it all. When I came away, mamma said I was to be here a year, and then, go home to come out, so I could be ready to be married at eighteen, as she did. A year is such a little while to wait that I thought I was almost there. But when I came here, I fou

ust the same

t it won't make so very mu

a few good times outside of the parties and the young men. And even if you go back into it when you go home, as you probably will, Katharine,

t down and talk for an hour at a time. Mamma hasn't ever done it with us, only to joke with us, or ask about our less

ments, then she broke off, to a

ighteen; but what in the world should

suppose," returned

ne's fa

d, like Polly's Aunt

rs. Hapgood laughed at the horror in Katharine's tone. Then she went on, seriously,

atharine drew her chair a

, my dear, and it is years before such ideas ought to come to you. But now they are here, I am going to tell you just what I think about it all. Not all women are fitted to marry; some would be happier and better without it. The day is long past when a woman must either marry or be laughed at as an old maid. What I want my girls to do is to grow into strong,

er pause. Mrs.

worries after marriage as there were before. If a woman is strong enough to be a true, devoted wife, she can have no happier, better life than in her own home. But she has no right to promise without thinking it all over, whether s

said Katharine thoughtfully. "She never talked to

your head for years, until the great question comes to you,-better still, if it had never been put into your head in the first place. However, that mischief is done. Still, try as hard as you can, for this year at least, to forget all about it. Then, if you must remember it at all, remember it as we have spoken of it, a serious question which must be settled between you and your conscience. In the meantime, do the very best you can

nding over, she kissed her aunt

there, and Katharine might so easily make a woman to be proud of, with her warm, loving nature, if only she could be kept out of the 'scrabble' for a fe

ading, and came in for my sha

as he sat there, a real bonnie boy who might gladden any mother's heart. Mother-like, she passed a caressing hand over his ye

other, has it struck you that she is leaving off a little of her air

other replied; "it is only a little way s

d objection to that phrase he well knew. "She wants to be the very middle of things when we're tog

other. "You aren't quite fair to her, Alan. If Polly or Florence

r the other; but Polly is a splendid girl, and about the best friend I have. She always fights for me, and it would be mea

, and wouldn't Alan and the girls come over to celebrate, as a surprise to Polly? Jean and Florence

Polly up-stairs to try on a new gown which she had just finished, and Polly was still re

her mother. "I am all cov

the door, and started back in astonishment as her six guests came solemnly

r inhospitably, when her mother unexpectedly came to he

xclaimed Jessie. "How stu

orence; "and we've been ask

Polly. "It's a surprise party, is

onverse with them, Polly?" asked Aunt Jane's prim voice. "Don

mother's warning glance, so she resolutely turned her back on the blue satin

yed the part to perfection, sitting back against the wall, and only smiling indulgently, now and then, as the room rang with the shouts of the young people. It all started with a tub and a plate of apples which mysteriously appeared in the dining-room, and soon they were all in a kneeling circle around the tub, bobbing for

t of this apple without touching it, except with your teeth, yo

the success is not so sure. Alan first chased the apple up and down, gnashed his teeth and retired. Next Florence took

ng. "I'm going at this on sci

until, pendulum-like, it swung back and, at the instant of its reaching her, before it had

umphantly, as she mar

dy to do bett

boats, with their burning candles fixed in each. As the girls took their pairs of shells, one with a pink, the other with a blue candle placed in the middle like a mast, it was curious to see the difference in their ways of launching them on this mimic ocean of life. Jean and Jessie dropped theirs in thoughtlessly, only intent on the fun of the moment. Florence put hers in daintily and with care no

oung people gathered more closely about the tub to see the fate of their lights, now exclai

first of all," said

it?" asked

pink

look at the poor little end of candle, with only

aid Florence consolingly. "Whi

interpreted. "When they sink, they are dead; but th

up side by side, and are blazing away in a corner, all by themselves." "Look at Polly's and

ement house," sugg

and I'll board with her. I hope my man will be proprieto

e came a wail

ls! Just lo

they?" as

ndle lay at the bottom of the sea, and the pink one, though still floating abov

ses when the l

ses, what wa

lan te

ave from Jean's side overturned his own small

knew I should come to some untimely end. As

Jean; and still there was time for a little more of the fun. Some one suggested a game of forfeits, and a pile of them was soon collected, to be held over the head of Jessie

said Jean encouragingly.

or sup

in

'tis," meditated Jessie. "Oh, I

o the w

o the p

e one he lo

fine. She turned to glance at Alan who stood for a moment, blushing as his eye moved over the group. Then he walked up to Polly and bowed low, passed on to Katharine's chair where he dropped o

as a pretty compliment, and we old peop

he settled himself beside her with

dark draperies and with a veil over her face came slowly into the room. The girls gazed doubtfully at

is the time to know the secret of your c

stranger, stepped forward and laid her hand on th

oing good to those around you and forgetting yourself for others. Then, wherever

she stepped back an

ontented mind. I see in the future a little house presided

came. Her fate w

d your children will number nineteen,

she yielded her

illed with servants. Within is a devoted husb

Now it's my turn." And she h

oice went on. "You will love deeply and be loved in r

Polly withdrew, to ponde

. Adams; "see what fat

raid," she s

at she heard. "A tiny cottage simply fu

was a

, Al

s, as she spoke. "Some pain, much joy; a slow, even growth into a glorious manhood th

ed Polly, her face flushing, as she

rine adde

d us very wel

med Molly and A

y shed her wrappings. "I thought I would have a finger in

just a part of our talk the other day," she replied,

rouped about her in the hall. "This has been a lovel

ar," added Alan suggestively, as he