ksul-uasc-mscc208_014

"All right. I'll hold my tongue, then. "
"I suppose," remarked Ethel, coming in at this moment, that the programme for the winter 'll be breakfast, dinner and tea."
"Yes," replied Nell, diversified with an occasional rainstorm and prayer-meeting."
"What a brilliant prospect; I'm going to some dances, in Keene, this season."
"With whom as escort?"
"Tom Howard. I was over at Fan's, the other, day and she mentioned the dances. Don't look so terrified, Virginia. They're select enough, in all conscience. Tom was in the room. I did'nt mean to the lose the chance, if I could help it, so I staid until nearly dark. Of course Tom has to see me home. Coming across the bridge, I got my invitation. That kills one evening a week. I'll have a little fun it there's any to be had."
'Which night of the week?"
"Wednesday. Don't you wish you were going, too?"
"Not much. I may possible go to New York this winter, if Father's willing. I got a letter from Mr. Barton by the last mail. He wants me to come on and study."
"At the tea-table Ethel handed the Squire the letter. He read it thoughtfully, ans then asked Virginia how it would do to invite him down on a visit.
"Anything that will be to Ethel's advantage, will be a pleasure to me." replied Virginia.
"Very well, then, Ethel, I'll write to him."
In Virginia's room, that night, the girls talked it over girl-fashion: Virginia ever sanguine, where others were concerned, predicting the brightest future for Ethel; Nell, as usual, with an eye to the "main chance", advising her to "set her cap."
"Be good natured,'Thel, dear and sacrifice your own feelings a little. No matter is you couldn't love him. You could counterfeit affection and he'd be as good as pit to you. Then when you were once Mrs. Barton, and safe in New York, you could invite me to come and spend the winter with you, and, before three months were over my head, I's make a match of such unheard-of brilliancy that you'd feel fully recompensed for what little trouble you might have taken in my behalf, in having the honor of being MY SISTER."
" Nell, your imagination is running away with you, " replied Ethel.