n had been made, and
during which ceremony Monty had wisely refrained from speech.

"Come on, then, and I'm awfully glad to see you. I began to think there
wasn't a single young person in this Marsden, for all I've seen so far
have been gray-haired," said Kate, leading the way to the table, where a
shaded lamp shed a pleasant radiance. But, having arrived there, she
coolly pushed the albums aside, and remarked:

"I hate looking at photographs. Don't you? They're commonly so
inartistic. I'd much rather talk."

By this time Monty was staring with wonder at this creature, who was one
of the despised "girls," who had laughed at him from the window, and
whose speech and appearance were so unlike those of all other girls he
knew. She didn't act shy nor silly, nor drop her g's, nor pretend
"politeness," nor wear her hair or clothes as they did. She was just as
frank and unabashed as a boy among boys, and the visitor began to be
glad that he had come. It would be something worth while telling at
school to-morrow, that he had already made acquaintance with Aunt
Eunice's unexpected company, and that she was real nice.

Something of her charm vanished, however, when she ordered,
peremptorily: "You begin."

Now, although the boy outwardly made light of his own affliction, he was
in reality extremely sensitive concerning it, and naturally he was not
inclined to open conversation with this stranger whose own tongue was so
glib. He, therefore, contented himself with turning his great blue eyes,
fringed with such wonderful lashes, full upon her, and smiling
beatifically. So cherubic was his expression, indeed, that at that
instant Madam, chancing to turn her gaze that way, touched Miss
Maitland's arm and directed that lady's attention toward him,
whispering:

"Isn't he lovely? Isn't he clear Sturtevant?"

"Yes, he is Sturtevant, indeed," assented Aunt Eunice, but with a sigh
that did not betoken satisfaction. "He has the Sturtevant vanity,
Elinor, to the full. You should correct him of it at once. He's a fine
lad--in some respects."

It proved that Montgomery was to be corrected, and at once, though not
by his indulgent guardian. It was Katharine's part to do that, as she
opened her own dark eyes to their fullest, and exclaimed:

"Well! You're the first boy I ever saw make goo-goo eyes! The very first
boy. They're quite pretty, but I'd rather hear you talk than look at
_them_. Tell me things. I've come to this village, and I