Hildegarde's Neighbors

Colonel Ferrers made known his kind wish. This was a piazza party. The broad, out-door room was hung with roses,-some of the very garlands which had graced the dark walls of Roseholm

e, saw two or three little figures hanging about the gate, gazing wistfully in. At sight of her, their heads went down and the

you, child? and Minnie and Katie, too. Wh

she said. "Shall we take off the hats? Perhaps we will leave them on for a little," she added, quickly, seeing a sha

alike, dreadful mysteries of magenta roses and apple-green ribbon. Their pride was pleasant to see, and Hildegarde

rtha Skeat, Philena Tabb and Susan Aurora Bulger,-twelve chil

make the wreaths; but they would rather play than have wreaths, and I should not have left it till th

ly Waters, sitt

ing, for you

e, wipe your wee

degarde. Down went Hildegarde on the floor, and wept and wrung her hands so dramatic

en, reassured by a twinkling smile, shrieked with delight. "What shall I do?" sobbed the girl. "I-haven't-got-any young man! Now, childre

tion, the children be

Sally

ur weep

to th

to th

ne that you l

turned to the west, holding out her arms with a gesture of intense longing; turned to th

ismay that he could hardly keep his countenance. Hastily advancing, he lifted his hat. "Miss Grahame," he said, "I beg your pardon for breaking in in this way. My sister-I am

my child! Have I not sisters of my own, and don't I know all about Sally Waters?" It almost seemed as if the words were spoken, and Hild

ell Bell that the children are all here, and the sooner she comes the better. But-will you not come in, Mr

of an early call; and so, with another kind, sensible look, and a smile and a friendly word to the children, he with

dismay, but it quavered, and

e a spectacle of one's self,-and apparently it is to be my fate th

ldren, standing at gaze, and evi

all we play next? I fear it is too hot still for 'I Spy;' we must keep that till after tea. What are you saying, Martha? Speak out, dear, and don

rs of sharp elbows, finally spoke aloud with a sudden yelp. "Oh, PLEASE!-Susan Aurora Bul

mazement. "Say it again, Marth

l the children took up the chorus. "'The

she said. "You will have to show me how to play, for I never heard of the game. Hig

the others, who at once joined hands in a circle. Then she began to pace

and round

and round

and round

and Gates

r wove her mystic paces in and out amon

nd out t

d out th

d out th

and Gates

ed her into the circle, and knelt solemnly

n and face

and face

and face

and Gates

yweather, who had come in quietly, and w

is tragedy, indeed!" For Euleta had thrown herself backward, not without a certain d

because sh

because she

because she

and Gates

Euleta plumed herself like a little peacock, taking to hers

g!" cried Bell; "Hildegarde, ha

if we could only find out!" They questioned the children eagerly, but could learn nothing. It was merely, "The H

up the drive; the Widow Lankton had been making frantic efforts to catc

ly, "there is Mrs. Lankton, a

children, in every va

SHE'LL know all

piazza. Here she sat, turning her head from side to side, lik

it's ketched me in my right side, and I like t' ha' died on your thrishold. Yes, my dear," she

Hildegarde, soothingly, while she quie

et a cup of tea presently, won't you? An

blessed mother's darter, not if she told me to get a hull supper, let alone a cup o' tea, as is warming to the innards, let him de

losely, Hildegarde said a few more soothing wor

ing, the game of 'The Highland Gates?' We are very much interested in it, Miss M

house, too. 'T is dretful onhealthy, they say, the Shannon house; but havin' a rugged start, you see, you may weather it a consid'able time, dearie, and be a comfort to them as has you WHILE they has you. My Philena, her

r a scant measure of sympathy; "Miss Merryweather shall hear all about it, surely

as you may say. Why, my grandmother taught me to play 'The Highland Gates' when I was no bigger than you,

on," said Hildega

yes! She had dyspepsy right along, suffered everything with it, yet 'twas croup that g

e must scream, or stamp her foot,

ill be the better for your tea, so will you not tell us as quickly as you can, pl

, I says, while they can, I says; for its soon enough they get the play

retreated hastily behind a post of the veranda, and even Sus

everely at the widow, apparently with some success, for

the porch to our house, smokin' her pipe, if you'll excuse me ladies, bein' an anncient woman, and I HAVE heard great ladies took their pipes in them times, but so it is. And she says to me, 'Drusilly,' she says, 'Why don't you play with Salome?' and I says, ''Cause I ain't got nothin' to play.' And she says, 'Come here,' she says, 'and I'll learn ye a game,' she says. So I called Salome, and we two stood there, and Gram'ther she taught us 'The Highland Gates to Die.' Salome, she had been feedin' the hens, and when she come back she left the gate open,