et of fine Dunstable straw, flaring in
front, and trimmed under the brim with a delicate lace ruche and a
wreath of feathery white flowers. Bows of white gauze ribbon stood up
from it stiffly. Long ribbon strings floated back over her arm as she
held it up.

"Try it on," said Rose.

Charlotte stepped before the glass and adjusted the bonnet to her
head. She tied the strings carefully under her chin in a great square
bow; then she turned towards Rose. The fine white wreath under the
brim encircled her face like a nimbus; she looked as she might have
done sitting a bride in the meeting-house.

"It's beautiful," Rose said, smiling, with grave eyes. "You look real
handsome in it, Charlotte." Charlotte stood motionless a moment, with
Rose surveying her.

"Oh, Charlotte," Rose cried out, suddenly, "I don't believe but what
you'll have him, after all!" Rose's eyes were sharp upon Charlotte's
face. It was as if the bridal robes, which were so evident, became
suddenly proofs of something tangible and real, like a garment left
by a ghost. Rose felt a sudden conviction that the quarrel was but a
temporary thing; that Charlotte would marry Barney, and that she knew
it.

A change came over Charlotte's face. She began untying the bonnet
strings.

"Sha'n't you?" repeated Rose, breathlessly.

"No, I sha'n't."

Charlotte took the bonnet off and smoothed the creases carefully out
of the strings.

"If I were you," Rose cried out, "I'd feel like tearing that bonnet
to pieces!"

Charlotte replaced it in the bandbox, and began unfastening her
dress.

"I don't see how you can bear the sight of them. I don't believe I
could bear them in the house!" Rose cried out again. "I would put
that dress in the rag-bag if it was mine!" Her cheeks burned and her
eyes were quite fierce upon the dress as Charlotte slipped it off and
it fell to the floor in a rustling heap around her.

"I don't see any sense in losing everything you have ever had because
you haven't got anything now," Charlotte returned, in a stern voice.
She laid the shining silk gown carefully on the bed, and put on her
cotton one again. Her face was quite steady.

Rose watched her with the same sharp question in her eyes. "You know
you and Barney will make it up," she said, at length.

"No, I don't," returned Charlotte. "Suppose we go down-stairs now.
I've got some work I ought to do."

Charlotte pulled down the green paper shades of the windows, and went
out of the