r Miss Webster, she seemed like another girl. In fact, Carl
Andrews declared that he had never known what a "good sort" she was and
said he was mighty glad they had prevailed upon her to stay.

He never knew why the mere mention of his friend, Chester Newcomb's
name should cause such a convulsion in the household, and when that
gentleman finally arrived, and the family met him for the first time,
it certainly seemed strange that they should all redden and stammer as
if they had been "awkward nursery children appearing at dinner."

Nan especially could not be induced to have anything to say when he was
near, and when Carl discovered this he took a mischievous delight in
forcing her into his company and watching her try to "squirm" out of it
again. Miss Webster took pity on her and in the simplest, most natural
way came to her rescue whenever she was being victimized, and by and by
it became apparent even to Carl himself that "Ches and Miss Webster hit
it off first-rate."

But at last Nan's visit really drew to a close, and, in spite of her
reluctance at leaving these good friends, she felt satisfied to go
home--she did not stop to ask herself why.

Town seemed very stuffy and tame after the freedom of the country and
the sea, but when Miss Blake asked her if she would like to go away
again she replied: "Not alone," and then blushed shamefacedly and tried
to change the subject.

While she was gone the governess had committed an extravagance. She
had bought a new bicycle.

"What under the sun did you do that for?" demanded Nan. "Your other
was a beauty and as good as new."

"But it wasn't new," suggested Miss Blake, lamely.

"Pooh!" sniffed Nan.

"I wanted this year's model."

"Oh, very well! If you can be as particular as all that! How much did
they allow you on the other machine? I hope you made a good bargain,"
said Nan.

"I didn't let them have the other machine," hesitated Miss Blake. "It
didn't seem worth while. Besides I may want to use it myself
sometimes. Won't you come down and see the new one?"

Of course Nan did not delay, and she went into raptures over the
beautiful wheel, praising it generously as she examined every point
with the eye of a connoisseur.

"But it seems to me a pretty high frame!" she speculated, standing off
and taking it in from a distance.

"I wanted a high frame," responded Miss Blake.

"Seems to me pretty well up in the air for you, even with the saddle
down,"