e will prefer you to your sister. Fair men usually like their
opposites in complexion."

The following afternoon the two sisters went driving with handsome Jay
in his splendid T-cart, and were the envy of every girl in the village.

He did his best to entertain them. He drove them over to Great
Barrington, and through the spacious grounds that surrounded the Castle.

The eyes of both sisters glowed as they caught sight of the magnificent,
palatial house, and each resolved, in the depths of her heart, that this
should be her home, and that she should reign mistress there.

Jay Gardiner divided his attentions so equally between the two sisters
that neither could feel the least bit slighted.

The fortnight that followed flew by on golden wings.

There was not a day that Jay Gardiner did not take the two sisters on
some sight-seeing expedition.

Every one began to wonder which of the sisters was the favorite.

Mrs. Pendleton watched affairs with the keenest interest.

"If he has a preference for either, it is certainly Louise," she told
herself. "Sally seems content that it should be so."

All night long, after these afternoon excursions, both girls would seek
their pillows, and dream the whole night through of handsome Jay
Gardiner.

Louise would talk of him all the following morning, but Sally uttered no
word; her secret was buried down in the depths of her heart.

Other young men of the village sought a pleasant word or a smile from
gay, capricious Sally Pendleton. But she would have none of them.

"I will have a millionaire or nothing," she said, with a little laugh.

On two or three occasions, much to Sally's chagrin, Mr. Gardiner invited
Louise to drive without her.

"That shows which way the wind is beginning to blow," she thought; and
she looked at her sister critically.

Louise and her mother often had long conferences when she came in from
her rambles with him.

"Has he spoken?" Mrs. Pendleton would ask; and she always received the
same answer in a disappointed tone--"No!"

"Any other girl would have had a declaration from the young man before
this time."

"If I could make the man propose, I would be his betrothed without a
day's delay," Louise would reply, quite discontentedly.

Sally would turn away quickly before they had time to notice the
expression on her face.

One day, in discussing the matter, Mr. Pendleton observed his younger
daughter gazing fixedly at her mother and Louise.