ek, public interest became much excited; and presently it was ascertained that Betsey Lane was neither making a visit to her fri

oad at seven, and been seen and known of all women. There was not a kitchen in that part of Byfleet that did not have windows toward the road. Conversation rarely left the level of the neighborhood gossip: to see Betsey Lane, in her best clothes, at that hour in the morning, would have been the signal for much exercise of imagination; but as day after day went by without news, t

dow. "She might have thought 'twas good as takin' 'em with her, thou

re her best clothes to the Centennial, would she?" mildly inquired Peggy, bobbing her head toward the ceiling. "'Twould

old men. "She was dreadful precise; an' she so begretched to wear a good alapaca dress

I was a young girl," said Peggy Bond approvingly. "S

e farm to deplore one's situation, and Mrs. Dow and Peggy only frowned. "Where do you suppose Betsey can be?" said Mrs. Dow, for the twent

one day give her some," the k

told me," said Mrs. Do