ows.

And then she thought of George Wild, her early playfellow. He was away
now, in a distant part of the country, whither he had been sent by his
father to learn the carpenter's trade. He had come to bid her good-by
with tears in his eyes, not so much at parting from _her_, she fancied,
as from dread of the active life before him. It would be hard to tell
whether Annie felt most pity or contempt for his weakness. He was the
only friend of her early childhood, and, _as_ such, she had still a
warm, tender feeling at her heart for him; and, had he possessed a
becoming energy and manliness of character, this childish feeling might
have deepened into strong, enduring affection as years advanced. But
Annie Evalyn could never love George Wild as he _was_; and thus she
thought as she brushed away a tear that had unconsciously started during
her meditations, and found herself at the door of her aunt's cottage.
She bounded over the threshold and into the old lady's arms, bestowing a
shower of kisses ere poor Aunt Patty could sufficiently collect herself
and recover from the surprise to return her darling's lavish caresses.

"Ah, yes, you naughty little witch! here you are at last, pretending to
be mighty glad to see your old aunty, though for two long months you've
never come near her. But, bless it, how pretty it grows! and how red its
cheeks are, and how bright its eyes!" she exclaimed, brushing away the
curling locks and gazing into her darling's face.

"But you'll forgive me, aunty, won't you?" said Annie, coaxingly.
"Indeed, I meant to have come long before; but if you only knew how much
I have had to occupy my time,--so many things to learn, and such hard,
hard lessons."

"O, yes! always at your books, studying life away."

"Why, aunty! you just exclaimed how fresh and blooming I was grown, and
I've something so nice to tell you. There are some wealthy people from
the west visiting at Parson Grey's, and they were in search of a
governess for their little children. Would you think it, aunty, their
choice has fallen upon me? and I am to accompany them on their return
home. They have a daughter about my own age, sweet Kate Prague. She will
be a fine companion--I love her so dearly now."

Aunt Patty dropped her arms by her side, and remained silent after Annie
had ceased speaking.

"What is the matter, aunty?" asked she, eagerly.

"And so you, young, silly thing, are going to leave your friends and go
off with these