Slender and graceful of form, attractive of feature and dainty in manner, Louise must be credited with many advantages; but against these might be weighed her evident insincerity--the volubility and gush that are so often affected to hide one's real nature, and which so shrewd and suspicious a woman as Aunt Jane could not fail to readily detect.

Altogether, Beth was not greatly disturbed by her cousin's appearance, and suddenly realizing that they had been staring at one another rather rudely, she said, pleasantly enough: "Won't you sit down ?" "Of course; we must get acquainted," replied Louise, gaily, and perched herself cross-legged upon the window-seat, surrounded by a mass of cushions.
"I didn't know you were here, until an hour ago," she continued.

"But as soon as Aunt Jane told me I ran to my room, unpacked and settled the few traps I brought with me, and here I am--prepared for a good long chat and to love you just as dearly as you will let me." "I knew you were coming, but not until this morning," answered Beth, slowly.

"Perhaps had I known, I would not have accepted our Aunt's invitation." "Ah! Why not ?" enquired the other, as if in wonder.
Beth hesitated.
"Have you known Aunt Jane before today ?" she asked.
"No." "Nor I.The letter asking me to visit her was the first I have ever received from her.

Even my mother, her own sister, does not correspond with her.