the bridge
before you come to it, 'specially when you mayn't come at all."

"That's quite true, but it's a great deal easier to preach than to
practise," she said. "Maxie, would you be sorry to have me sent away?"
she asked, her voice taking on a beseeching tone.

"Why, of course I should," he said. "We've gone through a good deal
together, and you know we've always been rather fond of each other,
considering that we're brother and sister," he added laughingly. "Ah,
here comes Eva!" and he lifted his hat with a profound bow as a turn in
the walk brought them face to face with her.

"O Eva! I'm so glad you've come early!" exclaimed Lulu.

"I too," said Max; "but, if you have any secrets for each other's
private ear, I'll be off."

"Your company is always agreeable, Max," Evelyn said with a faint smile,
"and I should be sorry to drive you away."

"Thanks," he said; "but I'll have to go, for I hear grandpa Dinsmore
calling me."

He hastened to obey the call; and the two girls, each putting an arm
about the other's waist, paced to and fro along the gravel-walk.

"How is Fairview looking?" asked Lulu.

"Lovely: it couldn't be in better order, and there are a great many
flowers in bloom. One might say just the same of Ion."

"Yes: it is even prettier than Fairview, I have always thought. But
that's a sweet place too and aunt Elsie and uncle Lester are delightful
to live with. I only wish I was as sure as you are of such a sweet
home."

"Don't worry, Lu. I hope your father will let you stay on here," Evelyn
said in an affectionate tone; "but, indeed, I don't think you have any
reason to envy me."

She ended with so profound a sigh, that Lulu turned a surprised,
inquiring look upon her, asking, "Have you had any bad news, Eva? I know
you have been looking anxiously for a letter from your mother."

"Yes, it has come: I found it waiting for me at Fairview, and"--She
paused for a moment, her heart too full for speech.

"And it was bad news? Oh, I am so sorry!" said Lulu. "I hope it wasn't
that she wants you to go away from here--unless I have to go too, and we
can be together somewhere."

"No, it was not that--not now. Mamma knows that, because of the way papa
made his will, I must stay with uncle Lester till I come of age. She
talks of my going to her then; but I cannot,--oh, I never can!
for,--Lulu, she's married again, to an Italian count; and it is not a
year since my dear, dear father was taken from us."