ory she had read and
praised, and wondered over it.

Two days before the time for the term to close, Miss Ashton received
this note:--

OUR DEAR MISS ASHTON,--We, the undersigned, do regret in
sackcloth and ashes our serious misconduct in going away at an
improper time, and in an improper manner, on a sleigh-ride,
without your consent and approval.

We promise, if you will forgive us, and restore us to your trust
and affection, that we will never, NEVER be guilty of such a
misdemeanor again. That we will try our best faithfully to
observe the rules of the school, and endeavor to be good and
faithful scholars.

Pray forgive and test us!

MAMIE SMYTHE, HELEN NORRIS,
JANE SOMERS, JULIA ABBEY,
MYRA PETERS, ETTA SPRING.

Miss Ashton smiled as she read the note. Repentance by the wholesale
she had never found very reliable; and in this instance she would have
had much more confidence if the girls had come to her, and made a full
confession, without waiting to be found out.

It was not until after two sleepless nights that she came to the
conclusion to give them further trial; and when she called them to her
room, one by one, and had a long and faithful talk with them, sending
them from her tenderly penitent, she felt sure her course had been a
right one.

Then she made a short speech to the school, went over briefly what had
happened, not in the least sparing the impropriety of the stolen ride,
but, on account of the repentance and promises from the girls
concerned, she had decided not to expel them now, but to give them a
chance to redeem the character they had lost. The school clapped her
enthusiastically as she closed.

CHAPTER XXI.

ACCEPTING A THANKSGIVING INVITATION.

A week before Thanksgiving, Marion Parke received this note from her
Aunt Betty:--

DEAR NIECE,--If you haven't anywhere else to go, and have money
to come with, you can take the cars from Boston up here and
spend Thanksgiving Day with us at Belden. Your pa used to think
a lot of coming here when he went to college--the great pity he
ever went. He might have been well-to-do if he had stuck to
farming, but he always hankered after an eddication, and he got
it, and nothin' else. Your Cousin Abijah will drive over in his
cutter and bring you here. Don't have nothing to do with Isaac
Bumps; he'll charge you twenty-