returned the other, with a laugh.

"She isn't! it's false! my"--but Elsie checked herself and shut her
teeth hard to keep down the emotion that was swelling in her breast.

"It's true, you may depend upon it," replied Annie; "everybody in the
house knows it, and they are all talking about what a splendid match
Miss Stevens is going to make; and mamma was wondering if you knew
it, and how you would like her; and papa said he thought Mr. Dinsmore
wouldn't think much of her if he knew how she flirted and danced until
he came, and now pretends not to approve of balls, just because he
doesn't."

Elsie made no reply, but dropping scissors, paper, and everything,
sprang up and ran swiftly along the veranda, through the hall,
upstairs, and without pausing to take breath, rushed into her father's
room, where he sat quietly reading.

"Why, Elsie, daughter, what is the matter?" he asked in a tone of
surprise and concern, as he caught sight of her flushed and agitated
face.

"Oh, papa, it's that hateful Miss Stevens; I can't bear her!" she
cried, throwing herself upon his breast, and bursting into a fit of
passionate weeping.

Mr. Dinsmore said nothing for a moment; but thinking tears would prove
the best relief to her overwrought feelings, contented himself with
simply stroking her hair in a soothing way, and once or twice pressing
his lips gently to her forehead.