Page 36 (2/2)

"I hope you will stay, for it is very dull," said Rose, who had taken asudden fancy to this girl, who sung like a bird and worked like a woman

"Hope I shall; for I' You have co up at her guest and wondering how life could be dull to a girlore a silk frock, a daintily frilled apron, a pretty locket, andhad her hair tied up with a velvet snood

"Yes, I shall stay till uardian now, and Idon't knohat he will do with uardian?"

"My sakes, no! I was left on the poor-house steps a littleto me, so I've been there eversince But she is dead now, and I take care of myself"

"How interesti

ng! It is like Arabella Montgomery in the 'Gypsy's Child'Did you ever read that sweet story?" asked Rose, as fond of talesof found-lings, and had read many

"I don't have any books to read, and all the spare tiet I run offinto the woods; that rests me better than stories," answered Phebe, asshe finished one job and began on another

Rose watched her as she got out a great pan of beans to look over, andwondered hoould seem to have life all work and no play PresentlyPhebe seemed to think it was her turn to ask questions, and said,wistfully,

"You've had lots of schooling, I suppose?"

"Oh, dearschool nearly a year, and I'ot, the ave me,and I was so aveht me so pleasantly I loved tostudy Oh, ere so happy and so fond of one another! But now he isgone, and I am left all alone"

The tear that would not co for it came now ofits own accord two of thethe tale of love and sorrow better than any words could do it

For a hter'ssobbing and the syher beans from one pan to another, and her eyes were full of pity asthey rested on the curly head bent down on Rose's knee, for she saw thatthe heart under the pretty locket ached with its loss, and the daintyapron was used to dry sadder tears than any she had ever shed

Soown andblue-checked pinafore; envy changed to coed her afflicted guest

Fearing that ht not be considered proper, she said, in her cheeryvoice,

"I' toyou, and all so rich and clever You'll be petted to pieces, Debby says,because you are the only girl in the family"

Phebe's last words made Rose smile in spite of her tears, and she lookedout fro in a tone of comicdistress,

"That's one of ot six aunts, and they all wantme, and I don't know any of them very well Papa named this place theAunt-hill, and now I see why"

Phebe laughed with her as she said encouragingly,

"Everyone calls it so, and it's a real good na up to see the old ladies"

"I could stand the aunts, but there are dozens of cousins, dreadfulboys all of them, and I detest boys! So down, and when auntie came to call me I wentunder the quilt and pretended to be asleep I shall have to see theave a shudder, for, havinglived alone with her invalid father, she knew nothing of boys, andconsidered them a species of wild animal

"Oh! I guess you'll like 'e round when theycome over from the Point, sometimes in their boats and sometimeson horseback If you like boats and horses, you'll enjoy yourselffirst-rate"

"But I don't! I'm afraid of horses, and boatsher hands at the awful prospect before herOne of these horrors alone she could have borne, but all together weretoo an to think of a speedy return to thedetested school

Phebe laughed at her woe till the beans danced in the pan, but tried toco a means of relief

"Perhaps your uncle will take you ahere there ain't any boys Debbysays he is a real kind s whenhe comes"

"Yes, but you see that is another trouble, for I don't know Uncle Alecat all He hardly ever casvery often Now I belong to hihteen I may not like him a bit, and I fret about it all the time"

"Well, I wouldn't borrow trouble, but have a real good time I'm sure Ishould think I was in clover if I had folks and ot no further, for a sudden rushand tumble outside made them both jump

"It's thunder," said Phebe

"It's a circus!" cried Rose, who froay cart of so manesand tails

The sound died away, and the girls were about to continue theirconfidences when old Debby appeared, looking rather cross and sleepyafter her nap

"You are wanted in the parlor, Miss Rose"

"Has anybody come?"

"Little girls shouldn't ask questions, but do as they are bid," was allDebby would answer

"I do hope it isn't Aunt Myra; she always scaresoverto retire the way she ca Christh for a slender girl

"Guess you'll wish it was Aunt Myra when you see who has co intob'iler," growled Debby, who thought it her dutyto snub children on all occasions