.

AT THE SIGN OF THE PINK.
After a week of beautiful autumn weather, Thursday dawned raw and cold.
By noon an east wind had made the temperature still more uncomfortable.
At two o'clock Aunt Hannah tapped at Billy's chamber door.

She showed a troubled face to the girl who answered her knock.
"Billy, _would_ you mind very much if I asked you to go alone to the Carletons' and to meet Mary Jane ?" she inquired anxiously.
"Why, no--that is, of course I should _mind_, dear, because I always like to have you go to places with me.

But it isn't necessary.

You aren't sick; are you ?" "N-no, not exactly; but I have been sneezing all the morning, and taking camphor and sugar to break it up--if it is a cold.