nd
hoped I would come and see him in his study. I suppose I must go, but I
don't want to. I don't seem to like him exactly.

I hope you love me as well as ever you did. I can't help feeling
sometimes as if you was growing away from me,--you know what I
mean,--getting to be too great a person for such a small person as I am.

I know I can't always understand you when you talk about art, and that
you know a great deal too much for such a simple girl as I am. Oh, if I
thought I could never make you happy!... There, now! I am almost ashamed
to send this paper so spotted. Gifted Hopkins wrote some beautiful
verses one day on "A Maiden Weeping." He compared the tears falling from
her eyes to the drops of dew which one often sees upon the flowers in
the morning. Is n't it a pretty thought?

I wish I loved art as well as I do poetry; but I am afraid I have not so
much taste as some girls have. You remember how I liked that picture in
the illustrated magazine, and you said it was horrid. I have been afraid
since to like almost anything, for fear you should tell me some time or
other it was horrid. Don't you think I shall ever learn to know what is
nice from what is n't?

Oh, dear Clement, I wish you would do one thing to please me. Don't say
no, for you can do everything you try to,--I am sure you can. I want you
to write me some poetry,--just three or four little verses TO SUZIE. Oh,
I should feel so proud to have some lines written all on purpose for me.
Mr. Hopkins wrote some the other day, and printed them in the paper, "To
M----e." I believe he meant them for Myrtle,--the first and last letter
of her name, you see, "M" and "e."

Your letter was a dear one, only so short! I wish you would tell me
all about what you are doing at Alderbank. Have you made that model of
Innocence that is to have my forehead, and hair parted like mine! Make
it pretty, do, that is a darling.

Now don't make a face at my letter. It is n't a very good one, I know;
but your poor little Susie does the best she can, and she loves you so
much!

Now do be nice and write me one little bit of a mite of a poem,--it will
make me just as happy!

I am very well, and as happy as I can be when you are away.

Your affectionate SUSIE.

(Directed to Mr. Clement Lindsay, Alderbank.)

The envelope of this letter was unbroken, as was before said, when
the young man took it from his desk. He did not tear it with the hot
impatience of some lovers, but cut