ntirely develop
the physical and moral natures of its pupils. They conformed to
the excellent dietary rules in public, and in private drew upon the
luxurious rations of their village caterer. They attended church with
exemplary formality, and flirted informally during service with the
village beaux. They received the best and most judicious instruction
during school-hours, and devoured the trashiest novels during recess.
The result of which was an aggregation of quite healthy, quite human,
and very charming young creatures, that reflected infinite credit on
the Institute. Even Mistress Phillips, to whom they owed vast sums,
exhilarated by the exuberant spirits and youthful freshness of her
guests, declared that the sight of "them young things" did her good; and
had even been known to shield them by shameless equivocation.

"Four o'clock, girls! and, if we're not back to prayers by five, we'll
be missed," said the tallest of these foolish virgins, with an aquiline
nose, and certain quiet elan that bespoke the leader, as she rose
from her seat. "Have you got the books, Addy?" Addy displayed three
dissipated-looking novels under her waterproof. "And the provisions,
Carry?" Carry showed a suspicious parcel filling the pocket of her sack.
"All right, then. Come girls, trudge.--Charge it," she added, nodding to
her host as they passed toward the door. "I'll pay you when my quarter's
allowance comes."

"No, Kate," interposed Carry, producing her purse, "let me pay: it's my
turn."

"Never!" said Kate, arching her black brows loftily, "even if you
do have rich relatives, and regular remittances from California.
Never!--Come, girls, forward, march!"

As they opened the door, a gust of wind nearly took them off their feet.
Kind-hearted Mrs. Phillips was alarmed. "Sakes alive, galls! ye mussn't
go out in sich weather. Better let me send word to the Institoot, and
make ye up a nice bed to-night in my parlor." But the last sentence was
lost in a chorus of half-suppressed shrieks, as the girls, hand in hand,
ran down the steps into the storm, and were at once whirled away.

The short December day, unlit by any sunset glow, was failing fast. It
was quite dark already; and the air was thick with driving snow. For
some distance their high spirits, youth, and even inexperience, kept
them bravely up; but, in ambitiously attempting a short-cut from the
high-road across an open field, their strength gave out, the laugh grew
less freque