wise in this respect. What was the use of discussing matters and worrying oneself when no good could come of it? She could keep her eyes open and look about her, to see in what

oes and a new school-dress. The walk was hard on f

lipped around to the front stoop, and when she set forth again, she had a bundle under her arm. A month passed. Beth had come home from

e not even scuffed and you have worn them five week

son, and she turned her eyes away th

books under Beth's arm. "I hope it is something worth while. We can read

t, Beth?"

pened the bundle and forced it into Eliza's hands. It w

for, and what ever possessed you to carry them w

d that I always had new ones and you had old patched ones. I thought I'd save. I put on these old ones when I get out of sight of the house and just

h your old shoes while you were in school? I do hope

sort of pleasantry. She laughed, "You know I did not. I hid the

ite sure I am. I'm glad that you think of some one else. But don't worry about your shoes, I want you to look well in school. If y

though to save m

you. You may do as you please. It will

es lasted through the school te

rse, and the average age for graduation was sixteen. Beth entered when she was twelve-or, rather wh

wn, so that at least two-thirds of her class-mates were strangers to Beth. She and Helen had been pu

id about books, and her movements slow and ponderous. Her father was an ignorant, uneducated man, yet with a certain skill about molding, so that he was able to make the sand pattern by simply having the blue-print before him, and t

ward and asked, "What are you

, this-" r

ened her. "Literary society, you know. Everybody fixed up for that. I'm going to wear a net gown over a blue lining. It looks just lik

the words in her mouth, for the teacher had moved down the aisle and

the school. She had failed in her examinations, consequently this was her se

ing dresses up for Frid

I don't go home for din

air ribbons are old ones, too. This is the first

y the appearance of two other classmates. Beth knew them only by name. Carrie Laire was slight, with dark hair and eyes.

write poetry? I want you to be on the program for two weeks from to-day. Y

" said Beth. "A fair

ct dear to help me out." She was wr

asked Carrie Laire. Beth

was the next question. Beth

The question had made Beth uneasy. Adee was not her aunt. Why did she live with he

e he must be, and your mother too, or you wouldn't

d knew how prone that young lady was to ask impertinent questions about m

sort. The girls will recite and sing, but essays and stories make them nervous." Slipping her ar

d get along very well. Let us eat together. I haven't any particular friend. M

ver had a real intimate friend, except He

dly overtures, Beth forgo

was palpitating like jelly. She wore a net dress made over a lining of blu

aurens is one of them. I've seen her. They've been all the summer at the Point Breeze Hotel. Her room costs twenty dollars a week. I'm glad I'm dressed up. I'm awful sorry for you, Beth. If I were you I'd sit back so they wouldn't see

I'll not sit back away from your view. If Mrs. Laurens and her friends do not like my looks, they can turn their eyes som

rm to give her a sort of moral support. Harvey Lackard, the

w you had so much spunk. You don't strike often, bu

en though the price mark was attached to everything

as quite as ex

. I have a piano solo, and I just know I'll break down. Do you know any of them? You may thank your stars that you

d her quivering lip and said lightly, "Are you merely curious, Carrie, or do you wish the information?" Her companion turned to look at her. B

You know that I only ask you because I'm interested in

her ruler. She was a rigid disciplinarian, who could not discriminate between the magnitude of offense. She had been in the Farwell schools for five years. Her

had awakened sympathy. She was nervous now and spoke sharply, for from her window she ha