o leave home.
She has been so good to Stuart's brother Phil.
Isn't it strange that we should all be so linked
together? I'd like to have all of you girls that I
met at your never-to-be-forgotten house-party.
That was where I had my first taste of a real
home, and found out that there is something to
live for besides the things that money can buy.

"'I have looked so often lately at my little
Tusitala ring. I have been a better girl because
of that ring, Lloyd, and I intend it shall be the
inspiration of all my married life,--to help me
leave a road of the loving heart in the memory of
every one around me.

"'I wish everybody in the world could be as happy
as I am. I am sending Stuart's picture, so that
you can see for yourself what a fine, splendid
fellow you are to have for a cousin some day. Give
my love to your father and mother and Betty, and
do write soon and tell me that you are glad.
"'Your loving cousin,
"'EUGENIA.'"

Lloyd looked up from the reading of the letter, wondering what sort of
an expression she would find on her mother's face. To her surprise, it
was one of approval, and there were tears in her eyes.

"Poor motherless child!" said Mrs. Sherman, softly. "I shall write to
her to-day. I don't approve of early marriages, but Eugenia has always
been more mature than most girls of her age, and she does need a home
sadly. The care and pleasure of one will develop her character in a way
that nothing else will. Let me see. She will be nearly twenty next June.
Yes, I have no doubt but that, with this next year's training in
housekeeping which she intends to take, she will be far better fitted
for home-making than many an older woman."

"And may Betty and I be bridesmaids?" interrupted Lloyd, eagerly, a
starlike expectancy shining in her eyes.

Mrs. Sherman considered a moment, then answered, slowly: "There is no
reason why you should not be, so long as you are willing to go as little
maids, and not young ladies. I am very jealous for your girlhood, Lloyd
dear. I must guard against anything that would shorten it in the least.
Mother's baby must not grow up too fast."

"I don't want to grow up fast, honestly!" cried Lloyd, scrambling to her