ne," Esther replied "let's say our
prayers and retire;" and so they did.

CHAPTER II.

THE FATAL RIDE.

Esther and Jane arose on the morning of August 28th, 1878, as was their
usual custom, at half-past six, and ate breakfast with the rest of the
family.

After breakfast Jane went to Mrs. Dunlap's, Dan to his shoe factory with
his brother-in-law, William Cox, John Teed also went to _his_ work, and
none of the family remained in the house but Olive and Esther, who
commenced to wash up the breakfast dishes and put the dining room in
order, so that part of their work at least should be finished before the
two little boys came down stairs to have their childish wants attended
to. What with making the beds and sweeping the rooms, and washing out
some clothing for the boys, both Esther and Olive found plenty to occupy
their time until the hour for preparing dinner arrived. When Olive
commenced that rather monotonous operation, assisted by Esther, who, as
she sat on the door-step between the dining room and kitchen paring
potatoes, and placing them in a can of cold water beside her, attracted
her sister's attention by her continued silence and the troubled
expression of her countenance.

"What in the name of the sun ails you to-day, Esther?" inquired Olive,
really worried by her little sister's sad appearance.

"Oh, nothing, Olive! only I was thinking that if--that if--that if--"

"Well! well, go on, go on, it is not necessary to say that if--five or
six times in succession, is it, before telling me what's the matter with
you, you nonsensical, giddy, hard-headed girl. I believe you have fallen
in love so with Bob McNeal, that you are worrying yourself to death
because you know he is too poor to marry you and you are afraid some
rich girl will fall in love with him, and that he will marry her and
give you the cold shoulder. There, that's just what I think _is_ the
matter with you, and I can tell you one thing my young lady, and that
is, that the sooner you get over your infatuation for that young man,
the better for you, and the better for us all. There now, I'm done. No
I'm not either, listen to me, girl, and don't make me angry by turning
up your nose while I am giving you good advice."

"I'm not turning up my nose at you, Olive. I only felt like sneezing,
and wanted to stop it before it had fully commenced, and how could I try
to stop it except by working my nose in that way, when I have a big wet
potato in