little school-marm, when Ella came along, and I gin it up, for I see
that he was took, and she did look handsome with her curls a flyin'.
Wall, as I wasn't of no more use, I whipped up old Charlotte and come
on."

"When did Ella return?" asked Mary, who had not before heard of her
sister's arrival.

"I don't know," said Mr. Knight. "The first I see of her she was
cuttin' through the streets on the dead run; but I mustn't stay here,
gabbin', so good night, Miss Mason,--good night, Mary, hope you've got
good news in that are letter."

The moment he was gone, Mary ran up to her room, to read her letter,
from which we give the following extract.

"You must have forgotten George Moreland, or you would have mentioned
him to me. I like him very much indeed, and yet I could not help
feeling a little jealous, when he manifested so much interest in you.
Sometimes, Mary, I think that for a brother I am getting too selfish,
and do not wish any one to like you except myself, but I surely need
not feel so towards George, the best friend I have in Boston. He is
very kind, lending me books, and has even offered to use his influence
in getting me a situation in one of the best law offices in the city."

After reading this letter, Mary sat for a long time, thinking of
George Moreland,--of the time when she first knew him,--of all that
William Bender had been to her since,--and wondering, as girls
sometimes will, which she liked the best. Billy, unquestionably, had
the strongest claim to her love, but could he have known how much