e, Maurice, here I am."

A boy, somewhat taller than our hero, who no doubt considered himself a
young man, came forward, and was about to kiss Bessie, but the latter
drew back slightly and frustrated his design by giving him her hand
instead.

Maurice colored a little, and looked vexed.

"Where is papa? Didn't he come?" she asked, quickly.

"He was busy, and sent me. Won't I do as well?"

"Of course I am glad to see you, but I hoped papa would be here."

"The carriage is outside; let us hurry," said Maurice, taking her arm.

"Wait a minute," said Bessie, releasing her arm. She walked up to Tom,
and, taking his hand cordially, said: "Good-by, Gilbert. I'm ever so
much obliged to you for taking care of me. We live at 116 B---- street.
I hope you will call in a day or two. Papa will be glad to see you, and
he will thank you, too."

Tom's face flushed with pleasure.

"Thank you, Miss Bessie," he said. "I'd like to do it all over again."

"You'll be sure to come?"

"Yes, I'll come."

Maurice listened to this conversation with impatient annoyance. He
liked his pretty cousin enough to be jealous of any one to whom she
seemed attentive, and he thought her altogether too cordial with this
strange boy.

"Who's that fellow?" he asked, as they were passing out of the depot.

"I don't know whom you mean."

"The boy you spoke to."

"The _young gentleman_ I spoke to," remarked Bessie, with emphasis,
"was Gilbert Grey."

"And who is Gilbert Grey, and how did you become acquainted with him?"

"Uncle Henry put me in his charge," said Bessie. "I've traveled with
him all the way from Buffalo."

"A great protector he is!" sneered Maurice. "He isn't old enough to
take charge of a kitten."

"A kitten would be more trouble than I was," said Bessie. "She might
scratch. I never do that, you know, Cousin Maurice."

"I should think Uncle Henry might have found some older person to put
you in charge of."

"I am glad he didn't. Gilbert was real nice."

"You shouldn't call him by his first name; it isn't proper."

"Pray don't talk about what's proper. I heard enough of that from Miss
Wiggins. Besides, he's only a boy, you know, though, to be sure, he
looks almost as old as you."

"Don't be so provoking, Bessie. I am much larger than he."

"Are you? I didn't see it."

"I am sorry you invited him to the house, Bessie. He only traveled with
you a few hours. There is no need of becoming intimate with him on that
accou