sten to the clergyman's stories, rather than go into
the parlor.

Her eyes twinkled with fun; but Chester looked displeased.

"It's nothing but '_Who'll be my judge?' 'Measure off three yards of
tape with so and so, and cut it;' 'Make a sugar-bowl, and put three
lumps of sugar in it, with Julia;' 'Go to Rome and back again;' 'Bow to
the prettiest, kneel to the wittiest, and kiss the one you love best_'
and such nonsense."

"Ches has got above these good old plays, since he has been at the
academy!" and Lizzie laughed again, mischievously. "You used to like
kissing well enough."

"So I do now," said he, giving her a smack, by way of illustration; "but
stolen waters are the sweetest. Some public kissing I have done to-night
has been like taking medicine."

His remarks were cut short by the entrance of a tall young lady, with
thin curls and homely teeth. She affected unusual grace of manner; her
smile showed an attempt to be fascinating, and her language was
peculiarly select, and lispingly pronounced.

"What! are you here?" she cried, pretending to be surprised at seeing
Chester. "I thought I left you in the parlor."

Chester smiled at the innocent little deception her modesty led her to
practise, and, as a means of getting rid of her, introduced her to the
old clergyman.

"I believe I had a glimpthe of you, this forenoon," said Miss Smith,
with an exquisite smile. "You called at our houthe, I believe. Father
was very thorry he wasn't at home. You mutht call again. You mutht come
too, next time, Mrs. Royden. You owe mother two visits. What gloriouth
weather we have now! I never thaw tho magnifithent a thunthet as there
was this evening. Did you obtherve it, Mithter Royden?" addressing
Chester.

"It was very fine."

"It was thurpathingly lovely! What thuperb cloudth! Will you be tho
good,"--Miss Smith somewhat changed her tone,--"will you be tho good as
to help me to a glath of water?"

Chester was returning to the parlor, and she was just in time to catch
him. He could not refuse, and she followed him into the kitchen.

"She has stuck to him like a burr, all the evening," whispered Lizzie.
"He can't stir a step, but she follows him; and he hates her
_dreadfully_."

Mrs. Royden reprimanded the girl for speaking so freely, to which she
replied, "she didn't care; it was true."

Chester was not half so long getting the water as Miss Smith was
drinking it. She sipped and talked, and sipped and talked again,