ng sin; I never could climb a tree, no matter what the
size might be without invariably coming down minus at least six hooks
and eyes; but I seriously thought I should get over it when I got
older and joined the church.

That afternoon seemed of interminable length, but at last I saw
father's carriage coming, and quick as thought I threw my grammar out
of the window; after which I demurely asked "to go out and get a book
which I had dropped." Permission was granted and I was out just in
time to courtesy straight down, as father pointing to me, said:
"There, that's our little crazy Mollie," and then I got a glimpse of a
remarkably sweet face, which made the tears come in my eyes, it was so
pale.

Perhaps I wronged our school-teacher; I think I did, for she has since
died; but really I fancied she kept us longer that night on purpose.
At least, it was nearly five before we were dismissed. Then, with my
bonnet in hand, I ran for home, falling down once and bursting off the
lower hook! I entered the house with a bound, but was quieted by
grandmother, who said Emma was lying down, and I mustn't disturb her.

After waiting some time for her to make her appearance, I stole softly
up the stairs and looked in where she was. She saw me, and instantly
rising, said with a smile that went to my heart:

"And this must be Mary, the little crazy girl; come and kiss your
Cousin Emma."

Twining my arms around her neck, I think I must have cried, for she
repeatedly asked me what was the matter, and as I could think of no
better answer, I at last told her "I didn't like to have folks call me
_crazy_. I couldn't help acting like _Sal Furbush_, the old crazy
woman, who threatened to toss us up in the umbrella."

"Forgive me, darling," said Emma coaxingly; "I will not do it again;"
then stooping down, she looked intently into my eyes, soliloquizing,
"Yes, it is wrong to tell her so."

In a few moments I concluded Emma was the most beautiful creature in
the world; I would not even except Carrie Howard. Emma's features were
perfectly regular, and her complexion white and pure as alabaster. Her
hair, which was a rich auburn, lay around her forehead in thick waves,
but her great beauty consisted in her lustrous blue eyes, which were
very large and dark. When she was pleased they laughed, and when she
was sad they were sad too. Her dress was a white muslin wrapper,
confined at the waist by a light blue ribbon, while one of the same
hue en