dear?" Mrs. Watson was
remarking to Elsie. "I remember he used to come in very often to call on
your sister, and it was easy enough to see,--people in boarding-houses
will notice such things of course, and we all used to think-- But
there--of course she knew all the time, and it is easy to make mistakes,
and I dare say it's all for the best as it is. You look very young
indeed to be married. I wonder that your father could make up his mind
to let you."

"I am not young at all, I'm nearly twenty-six," replied Elsie, who
always resented remarks about her youth. "There are three younger than I
am in the family, and they are all grown up."

"Oh, my dear, but you don't look it! You don't seem a day over twenty.
Ellen was nearly as old as you are before she ever met Henry, and they
were engaged nearly two-- But she never did look as young as most of the
girls she used to go with, and I suppose that's the reason that now they
are all got on a little, she seems younger than-- Well, well! we never
thought while I was with your sister at St. Helen's, helping to take
care of your poor brother, you know, how it would all turn out. There
was a young man who used to bring roses,--I forget his name,--and one
day Mrs. Gibson said-- Her husband had weak lungs and they came out to
Colorado on that account, but I believe he-- They were talking of
building a house, and I meant to ask-- But there, I forgot; one does
grow so forgetful if one travels much and sees a good many people; but
as I was saying--he got well, I think."

"Who, Mr. Gibson?" asked Elsie, quite bewildered.

"Oh, no! not Mr. Gibson, of course. He died, and Mrs. Gibson married
again. Some man she met out at St. Helen's, I believe it was, and I
heard that her children didn't like it; but he was rich, I believe and
of course-- Riches have wings,--you know that proverb of course,--but it
makes a good deal of difference whether they fly toward you or away from
you."

"Indeed it does," said Elsie, much amused. "But you asked me if somebody
got well. Who was it?"

"Why, your brother of course. He didn't die, did he?"

"Oh dear, no! He is living at St. Helen's now, and perfectly well and
strong."

"Well, that must be a great comfort to you all. I never did think that
he was as ill as your sister fancied he was. Girls will get anxious, and
when people haven't had a great deal of experience they-- He used to
laugh a great deal too, and when people do that it seems to me t