as a balance wheel to keep them from going too far. She really had
a good influence over them, though exerted quite unconsciously;
and Midge and Molly inspired Stella with a little more self-
confidence and helped her to conquer her timidity.

"Good-by," returned Stella, "and be sure to have a letter in the
post office by four o'clock, when James goes for the milk."

The post office in the old maple tree had become quite an
institution, and the girls put letters there for each other nearly
every day, and sent for them by any one who might happen to be
going that way.

Quiet little Stella was especially fond of getting letters and
would have liked to receive them three times a day.

The elder members of the three families often sent letters or
gifts to the children, and it was not at all unusual to find
picture postcards or little boxes of candy, which unmistakably
came from the generous hand of Uncle Steve.

One delightful afternoon Marjorie sat in her cosy little porch
with a table full of delightful paraphernalia and a heart full of
expectation.

She was waiting for Uncle Steve, who was going to devote that
afternoon to helping her arrange her Memory Book. Marjorie had
collected a quantity of souvenirs for the purpose, and Uncle Steve
had bought for her an enormous scrapbook. When she had exclaimed
at its great size, he had advised her to wait until it had begun