nd her parasol, which was jointed
in the middle and could fold up, tucked under her arm, she trod on a
treacherous board which creaked loudly.

This was enough. Mrs. Butler popped her head out of the drawing-room
door and confronted the little spinster.

"Where now, Maria?" she asked. "Dear, dear, and I've been wondering what
was keeping you all this time. Where are you off to? Why, I declare you
have on your visiting things?"

"I thought I'd just go round and see one or two friends, as the
afternoon is fine," answered Miss Maria, in a meek voice.

"The afternoon fine!" retorted Mrs. Butler. Have we any but fine
afternoons in the month of August? I don't feel disposed to visit
to-day. The lobster salad I ate last night disagreed with me. I shall
stay at home."

"Well, that's all right, Martha. I can take your compliments to any one,
of course, and just mention that you are a little indisposed."

"_You_ take _my_ compliments? No, thank you. You'll just have the
goodness to take off your bonnet and come and sit in the drawing-room
with me. I have had enough of my own company today, and I want you to
pick up some stitches in my knitting. Come, you needn't ogle me any
more. Go back and take off your bonnet and be quick about it."

Very slowly Miss Peters turned and went up the stairs. She took off her
neat little chip bonnet, adorned with the sprigs of wallflower, folded
up her lavender gloves, and put back her heavily-fringed old-fashioned
parasol in its case. Then she went down to the drawing-room; she sighed
heavily as she did so. Poor thing; she had no money of her own, and was
absolutely dependent on Mrs. Butler, who tyrannized over her as is the
usual fashion in such cases.

The day was a glorious one, and from where Miss Peters sat she could get
a splendid view of the bright and sparkling harbor. Little boats skimmed
about on its surface, and Miss Peters longed to be in one of
them--anywhere away from the tyrannical sister who would not allow her
to go out and disburden herself of her news.

That news, bottled up within her breast, almost drove the little woman
crazy. Suppose the baker told some one else? He had promised not; but
who can depend on bakers? Suppose she was not the first to startle and
electrify her fellow town's people after all? She felt so fretted and
miserable that her sighs at last became audible.

"Well, Maria, you certainly are a lively companion!" exclaimed Mrs.
Butler. "Fidget, fidg