"I've been dying to speak to you, as the girls say." "All girls don't talk so, Phil." "You don't, I know.

Would you like a gallop before breakfast to-morrow morning ?" "Yes, indeed!" she answered, her eyes sparkling, "it's what I'm used to at home.

Papa rides with us almost every morning." "Will I do for an escort ?" "Oh, yes, if mamma consents.

Gert will go too, won't she ?" "No, she prefers her morning nap." Philip was a manly boy, the neighborhood a safe one, and the pony Elsie would ride, well-broken and not too spirited, so mamma's consent was readily given, with the proviso that they should not go before sunrise, or choose a lonely road.
"By the way," she added, "I should like you to do an errand for me at Mrs.
Gibson's." As Sally Gibson was sweeping the doorstep early the next morning, a couple of ponies dashed up to the gate, in whose riders she instantly recognized Elsie Travilla and Philip Ross.
"Hallo!" shouted the latter, "this young lady has something for you." "Good-morning," Elsie said, reaching out a little gloved hand, as the girl drew near, "mamma bade me bring you this note, and ask how your mother is to-day." "A little better, thank you; it has done her a world of good to--to have her mind so relieved, and the doctor's medicine seems to have helped her too.

How very, very kind Mrs.Travilla is," she added, with tears in her eyes, "and Mrs.Ross.