uch
satisfaction she felt in thinking that George still remembered and
felt interested in her, he would have had some reason for fearing, as
he occasionally did, that she would never be to him aught save a
sister.

CHAPTER XVII.

JEALOUSY.

The day following Mr. Stuart's visit was Saturday, and as there was no
school, Mary decided to call upon her sister, whom she had not seen
for some months. Mrs. Mason, who had some shopping to do in the
village, offered to accompany her, and about two in the afternoon,
they set forward in Mr. Knight's covered buggy. The roads were smooth
and dry, and in a short time they reached the bridge near the depot. A
train of cars bound for Boston was just going out, and from one of the
windows Mr. Stuart was looking, and waving his hand towards Mary, who
bowed in token of recognition.

The sight and sound of the cars made "old Charlotte," whom Mrs. Mason
was driving, prick up her ears, and feet too, and in a few moments she
carried her load to the village. Leaving Mrs. Mason at the store, Mary
proceeded at once to Mrs. Campbell's. She rang the door-bell a little
timidly, for the last time she saw her sister, she had been treated
with so much coldness, that she now felt some anxiety with regard to
the reception she was likely to meet.

"Is Miss Campbell at home?" she asked of the girl who answered her
ring.

"Yes, she's at home," replied the girl, "but is busy dressing for
company."

"Tell her her sister is here, if you please. I won't detain her
long," said Mary, trying hard to shake off the tremor which always
came upon her, when she found herself in Mrs. Campbell's richly
furnished house.

Conducting Mary into the parlor, the girl departed with her message to
Ella, who, together with the young lady whom Mr. Knight had styled a
"white-eyed pucker," but whose real name was Eliza Porter, was
dressing in the chamber above. The door of the room was open, and from
her position, Mary could hear distinctly every word which was uttered.

"Miss Ella," said the girl, "your sister is in the parlor, and wants
to see you."

"My sister," repeated Ella, "oh, forlorn! What brought her here
to-day? Why didn't you tell her I wasn't at home?"

"I never told a lie in my life," answered the honest servant girl,
while Miss Porter in unfeigned surprise said "Your sister! I didn't
know you had one. Why doesn't she live at home?"

Concealment was no longer possible, and in a half vexed, hal