thleen in a
breathless sort of way, scarcely uttering a word, spread out her
treasures on the bed. Was there ever such a box? Skirts, bodices,
blouses, shirts; an evening dress, an afternoon dress, a morning
dress--they seemed simply endless. Then there were frills and ribbons
and veils; there were two great, big, very stylish-looking hats, with
long plumes; and there was a little toque made of crimson velvet, which
Kathleen declared was quite too sweet for anything. There were also
dozens of handkerchiefs, dozens of pairs of stockings, and some sweet
little slippers all embroidered and fit for the most bewitching feet in
the world. Kathleen's cheeks got redder and redder.

"Here's a cargo for you," she said. "Here's something to delight the
heart. Now, my dear Mrs. Tennant, let us come and examine everything. Do
you think I am utterly selfish, Mrs. Tennant? Do you think I want all
these things for myself?"

"I am sure you don't, dear."

"It quite makes me ache with longing to give some of them away. I don't
want so many frocks: there are a good dozen here all told. Aunt Katie
O'Flynn's the one for extravagance, bless her! and for having a thing
done in style, bless her! I should like you to see her. It's
splendacious she is entirely when she's dressed up in her best--velvet
and feathers and laces and jewels. Why, nothing holds her in bounds;
there's nothing she stops at. I have seen her give hundreds of pounds
for one little glittering gem. Ah! and here's a ring. Look, Mrs.
Tennant."

Kathleen had now opened a small box which was lying at the bottom of the
great trunk. There were several treasures in it: a necklet of glittering
white stones, another of blue, another of red, and this little ring--a
little ring which contained a solitary diamond of the purest water.

"Now I shall look stylish," said Kathleen, and she slipped the ring on
the third finger of her left hand.

"My wedding finger too, bedad!" she said.

When the contents of the trunk had been finally explored, Kathleen
began to sort her finery. Mrs. Tennant gave advice.

"Some of these things are a little too fine for everyday use," she said.
"But some of these blouses are very suitable, and so are these white and
gray and pink shirts. And this blue bodice is quite nice for the
evening, and so is the skirt belonging to it; but this and this and
this--I wouldn't wear these until I went home if I were you, my love."

Kathleen glanced at her. A slight