ss is increasing to
a fearful extent. We must be going, sister Jerusha. I declare I can
hardly sit still, I feel so for the sinners of this village."

"Mrs. Orville, I am glad the stories reported concerning your daughter
are false, for _your_ sake," said Miss Sharpwell, as the sympathetic
ladies rose to depart; but she added, in her most emphatic tone, "I
tremble for the sakes of those who put those stories in circulation.
Good-day, my friend."

CHAPTER VI.

"I tell you I love him dearly,
And he loves me well I know;
It seems as if I could nearly
Eat him up, I love him so."

"Well, sis, how do you like New Orleans?" asked Wayland Morris of his
sister Winnie, as he entered her quiet little study-chamber one evening
after the toil of the day was over.

"O, I like it well enough, Wayland," she answered; "that is, I like my
boarding-place here with Mrs. Pulsifer, I like my dear, kind teacher,
Aunt Debby, and I like my playmates."

"And is there anything you do not like, my sister?" asked Wayland,
observing she hesitated.

"Yes, two things."

"What are they?"

"First, I don't like to have you work so hard to support me in
idleness."

"In idleness, Winnie?"

"Yes, or what is just the same thing, I mean earning nothing to support
myself. I could learn some trade, and thus obtain money sufficient for
all my wants, and give you some, too, if you would but let me do it."

"My brave little sis," said Wayland, drawing her to his bosom, "have I
not told you that when you have acquired an education, you can become a
teacher, which will surely prove an occupation more congenial to your
taste, and by it you can gain an ample competence for all immediate
necessities?"

"But it will take a great deal of money to procure an education," said
Winnie, looking doubtfully in her brother's face.

"Not a very great deal, my prudent little sis," laughed Wayland, "and I
can easily furnish you with the sum needful."

"And, when I'm a teacher, will you let me repay all you have expended on
me?"

"Yes, yes, if that will put your mind at rest."

"Ah, but I fear it will be beyond my power to repay _all_ you are
expending on your foolish little sis! You are growing thin and pale,
brother, and you have none of the joyous spring and laughter with which
you used to chase my pretty fawns away up there on the gre