The Girls at Mount Morris

had the youthful longing for girlish friendships, for little confidences about books they liked, about aims and the future. Some of the pupils were so attractive; and

. She knew she had won Mrs. Barrington's favor. That lady made it a point of her jo

s Alice Nevins who was sometimes tiresome. The girls were going down in town and one of them had really asked her if she would not like to join them.

not go this afternoon. I hope

as folding up some sewing. "There is so

and walk

it, I will put a shawl abou

ome and re

ffort to listen. I'll

e you satis

anything so comfortable, and for your sake-

ll fit myself for a nice position presently. Then moth

o good," in a

es rested on her at times with that unfathomable lo

se where the Virginia creeper was flau

Miss

ran out. Her face was red

t is the

t know things. I just hate school! Papa would send me here. Mamma begged to take me abroad. I'm sure I could hav

ll it brings to you. Were

't study. She wasn't very well and papa wanted to take her somewhere in Italy, and he sent me

ink of something else. They

h I were! And you have such a lov

What do

d it was, and that so

was ang

" she returned, indignantly. "It is a sh

r mother be the caretaker her

because we are poor, we both have to earn our livi

is your

ed when I

ry. Do you like tha

now much a

ong when you pronounce them. I said something yesterday and the girls g

ing," Lilian's cheek g

just hang together and they think they are everything. But I guess fat

dies instead. Now let us talk them ov

every

won't you try this evening

ll her that I hate school. What's the use of

other not to have taught her daughter a little

ifteen l

quite fourteen when I was promoted to t

she would be sure to send for me next vacation, but that

orant and conceited girls who think their money will cover everything. There are so many young

ust can't stud

"very little knowledge comes natural. It is true some acquire

little watch for school. My nice one cost one hundred dollars. It's a real beauty, and mamma has lots of diamonds. I have two, they were birthday rings. Don't they have parties here when you dress up? I brought my pretty white silk, and I have a pink one with lots of l

o occupy. Unless you are going in society I think there is little need of very fine clothes

ned her attention to the ignorant girl who "just hated study." What a foolish

he detained Lilian with a wave of the hand. When Miss

wrote such urgent, sensible letters. Her mother must be a very foolish body and the girl is extremely backward. It is asking a good deal of you to take

o do my best," Lilian return

quite at the lower end of the room, ranged around the table. Miss Boyd seated herself next to Miss Nevins and patiently explained, but it was very hard to keep the girl's attention to the subject in hand. She th

aused the ne

had such excellent recitations today that I was pleased beyond meas

hed at the

time in each others' rooms or the library. There

to the Mediterranean. The German doctors and the baths did wonders for her and she can walk without crutches. A friend is to take them on his yacht and they'll be home at Christmas, and there will

course. We just need her to round out, I was going to say, the atmosphere. It's too studious. Those Kirkland girls are going to college, dearly loved cousins, quite sufficient for th

er with you, Phil. Have y

ys says drawring and reel, but has lots of money and a fair enough family back of him. The other is handsome and oh, my! gay as a lark, but

good. Why didn'

were the entertain

ame for them. 'Beauty and the Beast.' How devot

ins girl? But do you c

as a fine c

nkled up

nd regular features. Maybe she lacks a certai

earn her living should be above the average, and that Nevins girl's fathe

; I heard it. Fancy that pimply cheek being pressed against yours! and that lap-over tooth that st

the course of this ardent love. Perhaps

than herself, a passed midshipman had gone to Germany in the summer, where her mother had been

issed her rapturously, exclaiming-"You are so sweet! Oh, I wish mother and father would ado

overtures from them. She felt sorry for Alice Nevins but there was no real companionship. Yet was there not a duty? She seemed to occupy a peculiar position, and loved to

y, she felt it herself. It was not only in the added self-reliance, the nameless little ways of refinement and grace the intu

Lilian in verse, never roused her. Yet the girl did feel indignant at times at the manner i

almost broken her mother's heart in her little more than babyhood, when after a rapturous caress she had half pulled from the enclosing arms and said in a willful fashion-"Don't kiss me so hard, I don't liked

had the courage to bridge over. There was a curious dignity a

brought her two b

ssons that I wanted to do someth

in her letters, while papa sends my allowance to Mrs. Barrington. So I feel that is clear gain," laughing. "Mrs. Barrington is

so much cake; the regular school living is good eno

be horrid," and

ant to be

d when I am quite grown up I shall have lovely cloth

of pity that any girl could be so

e me costly gifts nor any kind of gifts. The help I am giving you Mrs. Barrington wishes me to

could not understand. Then sh

ely! I miss mamma every hour. Then I think I could learn to like it here, and I'd try

spite of herself. "There, I cannot stay her

girl and go down town.

failed in some recitations the next day. A

hink I might take mother to that little Chapel in Ches

nday. Then there is the Bible Class here, which she makes very interesting. She and many of t

was used to t

d-"We'll manage it so Beauty and the Beast w

o rise above her station? She glanced at her mother. The tears were coursing silently down her sunken cheeks. Was she missing t

ng while an elderly lady was talking to her friend. Sh

t we are very glad to welcom

ung ladies, I saw you on the po

en added "in a way. And th

my mother." The two ladies shook

en let us walk together. Is

answere

our clergyman an

er will feel

renham

der people. I like Trinity church, I like the service of the whole year round, and the music is fine.

on in the household." She would not sail under

tual bond. I am a teacher

here that is,

your own

and such a beautiful ho

ant with pleasure

Gray street. I am very glad to have met you

" promise

ook her mo

ear? I thought the servic

ter teaches school, and she asked me to visit them-to come to tea some day.

uld be ver

fraid of mistakes. You see when people get along in life it isn't so easy to

day," said Lilian. "And to tea