enience of the outlying
settlements. There really were some very nice stores. There was a fine
music hall used for lectures and now and then a play found its way
thither. Some seven miles distant was a thriving city.

The carriage paused at a fine residence with just a nameplate on the
door. They were ushered into a handsome parlor and in a few moments
Madam came sweeping down the broad stairway, her silken gown making a
soft swish on the polished floor. She was surprised and delighted to see
Mrs. Crawford, who introduced her daughter and soon stated her errand.
The green was to be a walking suit for Miss Marguerite and trimmed with
whatever fur would be considered most appropriate. The lavender would be
a sort of dinner and general-utility dress and ornamented with some
beautiful Persian embroidery that had been brought from abroad; one of
Aunt Kate's bargains.

When it was all settled the forewoman was called, who ushered Marguerite
upstairs into the fitting room where two tall mirrors gave the place
twice the size. There were measurements and discussions but the fitter
was horrified to learn that the young girl had never worn corsets.

"Still she has a fine figure. You will make a larger woman than your
sister, indeed, you _do_ favor your mother. It is like a miracle to see
Mrs. Crawford going about without any aid. She had such a splendid
physique until that horrible accident. How overjoyed they must feel that
you escaped."

Marguerite quietly admitted that and presently she was returned to her
mother.

"We might have sent for them, but I thought you wouldn't mind, and I
should have had to explain it all to Aunt Kate. Why, I feel as if I had
run away on some secret expedition. Do I look guilty?" and she laughed
softly. "You are to be my girl you know. Oh, I hope you wont think me
exigent? I can't endure fussiness, and I do believe that I have given in
to Zay's desires when I did not think them wise or necessary, rather
than have any discussion. But Aunt Kate loves her so and she has been so
good to me."

Mrs. Barrington was delighted to see them. While the two ladies
discussed studies and future plans, Marguerite ran through to the study
where the left-over scholars were arranging a little play they were to
amuse themselves with that afternoon. But Miss Nevins uttered a shriek
of delight and nearly toppled her over in an exuberant embrace.

"Oh, my dear Miss Boyd--Crawford, I mean, will we get used to the ne