ne with short hair that was mad for
the stage? And Aunt Milly being rather frail, I should have driven her
to drink, while you're used to an invalid aunt. Isn't it just
wonderful? The more I think of it, the _righter_ it seems. I almost
feel now as if it would be wrong _not_ to do it, don't you?"

Like one in a dream, Elsie Marley assented. She was almost giddy at
the swift flight of the other's imagination. She listened spellbound
while Elsie Moss spun plans, able herself to contribute nothing but
assent and applause. Under skilful questioning, however, she related
all the Pritchard traditions and family history that Cousin Julia might
be expected to be familiar with, and endeavored in a docile manner to
learn enough of Moss and Middleton annals to take her part in the
Middleton household.

Elsie Moss possessed a certain sort of executive ability which enabled
her to make the practical arrangements for carrying through the plan.
Quite self-reliant, she planned to accompany the other to Boston to
make sure that all went well, going thence herself to New York. After
consultation with the conductor in regard to time-tables, she sent a
telegram asking Miss Pritchard to meet a later train. The change in
the destination of their respective luggage was more difficult to
effect, but she accomplished that also, and both girls changed cars for
Boston.

Indeed, presently it seemed as if the only difficult part of the whole
affair would be the parting from each other. They were to write
frequently, of course, and not only for the sake of mutual information;
but it seemed, particularly to the pale Elsie, who had never had a
friend, cruelly hard to have to be separated so soon from this most
charming companion. She gazed at her wistfully, unable to express
herself.

The other Elsie, as quick, nearly, to read as to express feeling, and
naturally the more impulsive, answered from her heart.

"Oh, we'll see each other often, we'll just have to, Elsie-Honey," she
cried. "And anyhow, we'll want to compare notes and brush up on our
parts. We'll visit back and forth. You come to New York and I----"

She stopped short.

"My goodness, that'll never do! I can never come to Enderby. You'll
have to do all the visiting, honey. I'm the very image of my mother,
and I'd give it all away."

"Oh," said the other feebly.

"You've noticed that I have dimples, I suppose?" inquired the other
gloomily.

Elsie could not deny