The Brass Bound Box

, where supper awaited. For once he was on time, and received a word of commendation from his grandmother, which so elated him that he mentally reviewed the day's events for a bit

icken, remnant of Eunice'

Eunice's g

r thin hand, protesting: "My son, you shoul

Sturtevant exclaimed, with as much excitement of manner as she ever showed: "Company?

gir-rl. How I learned, I s-s-saw. With m

hanged wealth for poverty, nor reared a-a grandson," concluded the dame, fixing a too thoughtful gaze upon Montgomery's freckled face, whose only aristocratic feature was a pair of exceptionally fine eyes. Her mind was already w

raised s-s-s-six sev-en other f

ink me most remiss if I delayed to pay my respects to any guest of hers. I am dressed sufficiently well for an informal visit, but-" here the old lady put on her glasses and critically regarded her grandson's attire, then

er had preserved for him, and though he was still hungry, unlucky Monty sank back in his chair, a

-gramma! I'm goi

able, and measuring out the supper portion of Alfaretta, the

"Alfy" stared, and, glancing toward his

n't. I'm

t

m. She's a g-g-girl. I've got to go

t even" for some of his former toplofty remarks: "Oh! I thought you was goin' fishin' with Uncle Mose. I saw Bob Turner go past, quite a spel

ts of Monty's plate to the less appetizing portion set out for herself, but now determined to put aside for a future luncheon whatever he h

fish in the pool," comforted the little maid with real sympathy, for,

there was anything which this "last of the Sturtevants" hated worse than paying a visit it was taking a cold bath in a tub

om an hour later. In outward matters, also, a vastly improved one, since his rough denim blouse and overalls had been exchanged for a fairly modern sui

You and he should be good friends, as all the Sturtevants and Maitlands have been for generations before you," said

arsden, for all I've seen so far have been gray-haired," said Kate, leading the way to the table, where a shad

Don't you? They're commonly so i

girls he knew. She didn't act shy nor silly, nor drop her g's, nor pretend "politeness," nor wear her hair or clothes as they did. She was just as frank and unabashed as a boy among boys, and the visito

hed, however, when she order

tranger whose own tongue was so glib. He, therefore, contented himself with turning his great blue eyes, fringed with such wonderful lashes, full upon her, and smiling beatifically. So

y? Isn't he cle

did not betoken satisfaction. "He has the Sturtevant vanity, Elinor, to the

not by his indulgent guardian. It was Katharine's part to do that

m an orphan. I hope she will like, because I love her already, only she's so correct I know I shall shock her a dozen times a day. I'm fourteen years old. My home was in Baltimore. I came on to New York yesterday with a friend of the second Mrs. John's-I mean, of Mrs. Maitland's-and stayed there last night. To-day I came on the train as far as it went, then

forth in self-defence, and to s

-no! I

At that moment, also, there was a lull in the animated conversation which the two old ladies opposi

st. Katharine recovered from her s

ng me? because if you are, I consider th

d Miss Maitland, hastily crossing the room and laying a reproving hand upon the girl's shoulder. Then she continued, smiling affectionately upon the

tland had never set foot in Marsden village. Longing, too, with a longing unspeakable, to retort upon her with a volubility and sharpness exceeding ev

'n't say it. I have got nice eyes, folks all say so, and it's easier to talk with them than with my c

are

reature pain, yet was forever doing it, Kate-down upon her knees clasping Monty's neck with her arms, kissing and beseeching him "not to mind," exactl

sp

ain: that he must get away from everything feminine and go where there were "men." The fishing-pool. Uncle Moses and the boys. The thought of them was refreshment, and put all other thoughts, of disobedience and its like, far from him. Striking out boldly, yet half-blind