rossing the bridge, soon. I did so want to have gone with him,"
answered she, looking wistfully toward the town.

Frank felt sorry for her, left alone to gaze after her brother, whom,
strange as it was, she evidently regretted. After a minute's silence, he
said:

"You liked riding the other day. Would you like a ride now? Rhoda is very
gentle, if you can sit on my saddle. Look! I'll shorten the stirrup. There
now; there's a brave little girl! I'll lead her very carefully. Why,
Erminia durst not ride without a side-saddle! I'll tell you what; I'll
bring the newspaper every Wednesday till I go to school, and you shall have
a ride. Only I wish we had a side-saddle for Rhoda. Or, if Erminia will let
me, I'll bring Abdel-Kadr, the little Shetland you rode the other day."

"But will Mr. Buxton let you?" asked Maggie, half delighted--half afraid.

"Oh, my father! to be sure he will. I have him in very good order."

Maggie was rather puzzled by this way of speaking.

"When do you go to school?" asked she.

"Toward the end of August; I don't know the day."

"Does Erminia go to school?"

"No. I believe she will soon though, if mamma does not get better." Maggie
liked the change of voice, as he spoke of his mother.

"There, little lady! now jump down. Famous! you've a deal of spirit, you
little brown mouse."

Nancy came out, with a wondering look, to receive Maggie.

"It is Mr. Frank Buxton," said she, by way of an introduction. "He has
brought mamma the newspaper."

"Will you walk in, sir, and rest? I can tie up your horse."

"No, thank you," said he, "I must be off. Don't forget, little mousey, that
you are to ready for another ride next Wednesday." And away he went.

It needed a good deal of Nancy's diplomacy to procure Maggie this pleasure;
although I don't know why Mrs. Browne should have denied it, for the circle
they went was always within sight of the knoll in front of the house, if
any one cared enough about the matter to mount it, and look after them.
Frank and Maggie got great friends in these rides. Her fearlessness
delighted and surprised him, she had seemed so cowed and timid at first.
But she was only so with people, as he found out before holidays ended.
He saw her shrink from particular looks and inflexions of voice of her
mother's; and learnt to read them, and dislike Mrs. Browne accordingly,
notwithstanding all her sugary manner toward himself. The result of his
observations he communicated to hi