inconceivable, silly and
futile to him, what he had done, and what they were doing. He cast a
furious glance at them as he passed out, but neither noticed it.
Wollaston said something, and Maria laughed an inane little giggle
which was still musical, and trilled through the car. Maria's cheeks
were burning, and she seldom looked at the boy at her side, but
oftener at the young autumn landscape through which they were
passing. The trees had scarcely begun to turn, but here and there one
flamed out like a gold or red torch among the green, and all the
way-sides were blue and gold with asters and golden-rod. It was a
very warm morning for the season. When they stopped at one of the
stations, a yellow butterfly flew in through an open window and
flitted airily about the car. Maria removed her coat, with the
solicitous aid of her companion. She cast a conscious glance at the
orange and blue on her sleeves.

"Say, that dress is a stunner!" whispered Wollaston.

Maria laughed happily. "Glad you like it," said she.

Before they reached Wardway, Wollaston's red carnation was fastened
at one side of her embroidered vest, making a discord of color which,
for Maria, was a harmony of young love and romance.

"That is the academy," said Wollaston, as the train rolled into
Wardway. He pointed to a great brick structure at the right--a main
building flanked by enormous wings. "Are you frightened?" he asked.

"I guess not," replied Maria, but she was.

"You needn't be a bit," said the boy. "I know some of the boys that
go there, and I went to see the principal with father. He's real
pleasant. I know the Latin teacher, Miss Durgin, too. My Uncle Frank
married her cousin, and she has been to my house. You'll be in her
class." Wollaston spoke with a protective warmth for which Maria was
very grateful.

She had a very successful although somewhat confused day. She was
asked this and that and led hither and yon, and so surrounded by
strange faces and sights that she felt fairly dizzy. She felt more
herself at luncheon, when she sat beside Maud Page in the
dining-hall, with Wollaston opposite. There was a restaurant attached
to the academy, for the benefit of the out-of-town pupils.

When Maria went down to the station to take her train for home, Maud
Page was there, and Wollaston. There was a long time to wait. They
went out in a field opposite and picked great bunches of golden-rod,
and the girls pinned them on their coats. Edwin