arms about
Mrs. Parlin's neck, wrinkling her collar and tumbling her veil.

"Take care, my child," said Mr. Parlin, laughing; "do not crush
the bride. Everybody has been coming up to salute her, and you
must understand that she does you a great honor to go to you and
_beg_ a kiss."

"It is just like you, though, mamma. You are so good to me, and so is
everybody! No matter how naughty I am, and spoil weddings, they don't
say, 'You hateful thing!'"

"Would it make you a better child, do you think, Dotty, to be scolded
when you do wrong?"

"Why, no, indeed, mamma. It's all that makes me _not_ be the wickedest
girl in this city, is 'cause you are so good to me; I know it is."

Mrs. Parlin kissed the little mouth that said these sweet words.

"And now that I am blind, mamma, you are so kind, I s'pose you'll feed me
with a spoon."

"You will surely be taken care of, dear, as long as your eyes are in
this state."

"But shan't I be always blind?"

"No, indeed, child; you will be quite well in a day or two."

"O, I'm so glad, mamma. I was thinking I shouldn't ever go to school, and
should have to be sent to the 'Sylum."

While Dotty was speaking, Johnny came up to the sofa, and, taking her
hand, said, in a tone of real sorrow,--

"Look here, Dotty; I was a naughty boy; will you forgive me?"

As Johnny was not in the habit of begging pardon, and did it now of his
own free will, Dotty was greatly astonished.

"Yes, Johnny," said she, "I forgive you all up. But then I don't ever
want you to put my eyes out again."

"I won't, now, honest; see 'f I do," replied Master Johnny, in a choked
voice. "And you may have that bouquet-holder, to keep; mother said so."

"O, Johnny!"

"Yes; mother says we can call it a 'peace offering.' Let's not quarrel
any more, Dotty, just to see how 'twill seem."

"What, never!" exclaimed Dotty, starting up on her elbow, and trying to
look through her thick bandage at Johnny. "Never! Why, don't you mean to
come to my house any more, Johnny Eastman?"

"Yes; but I won't quarrel unless you begin it."

"O, _I_ shan't begin it," replied Miss Dimple, confidently; "I never do,
you know."

Johnny had the grace not to retort. He was ashamed of his ungentlemanly
conduct, and knelt before the sofa, gazing sadly at his blindfolded
little cousin. It was a humble place for him, and we will leave him
there, hoping his penitence may do him good for the future.

As for Miss Dimple, we will bid h