n't any right to lecture you; but when I remember how
nice you really are, I can't bear to have you act so. If you only would
try to like her, instead of trying not to like her! There, don't cry,
dear; I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."

And Cynthia threw her arms around her sister and kissed her.

"You have hurt them," said Edith, with a sob, "but I deserve it. I don't
know what has gotten into me since the Gordons came. I _can't_ like her
being here. Oh, Cynthia, you don't know how I feel sometimes! I wish I
didn't have such bad, wicked thoughts."

"Do you really try to get over it, Edith?"

"No-o, not very hard," she faltered. "I can't forgive her for coming and
taking my place, and--and--I don't want to forgive her. There, I know
you will think I am bad and horrible and everything else, but I can't
help it."

And, rising abruptly, she left the room.

"Poor old Edith!" sighed Cynthia, compassionately. "She will come round
some time; she can't help it."

* * * * *

On New-Year's eve was to be the Franklins' party.

"Edith, we must have it very original and unique, something quite
different from anything we have ever had in our lives," said Cynthia, a
few days before.

"How can we? There's nothing new."

"Yes, there is, right in my head. I have an idea."

"What in the world is it?"

"Well, I'll tell you," and she proceeded to unfold it.

It proved to be a good one, and with Mrs. Franklin's help it was carried
into effect. The suggestion was to have a "character" party, but to
enact the parts without dressing especially for them. A list was made of
persons well known in history or fiction, and from this list Mrs.
Franklin chose those she considered the best, and wrote against each
name that of some girl or boy in Brenton. This she did without telling
her daughters how she had apportioned the parts, that they might be as
ignorant as their guests about one another's characters.

"It is a truly Bostonese party," said Mrs. Franklin, laughing, when they
talked it over. "There is an intellectual flavor to it that you wouldn't
find far away from 'the Hub,' but it is a capital idea, nevertheless,
Cynthia."

When the list was duly made Mrs. Franklin drove about Brenton to the
various girls and boys who were expected, and invited them for Tuesday
evening, explaining to them at the same time what they were to do.

[Illustration: THE GIRLS CAME TRIPPING DOWN IN THEIR DAINTY EVE