n place in her. Her dress was hardly more showy, for she was but
a school-girl, but it fitted her more gracefully. She had gained a
softness of expression, and an ease in conversation, which produced
their effect on all with whom she came in contact. Her aunt's voice
lost something of its plaintiveness in talking with her. Miss Cynthia
listened with involuntary interest to her stories of school and
school-mates. Master Byles Gridley accepted her as the great success of
his life, and determined to make her his chief heiress, if there was any
occasion for so doing. Cyprian told Bathsheba that Myrtle must come to
be a great lady. Gifted Hopkins confessed to Susan Posey that he was
afraid of her, since she had been to the great city school. She knew too
much and looked too much like a queen, for a village boy to talk with.

Mr. William Murray Bradshaw tried all his fascinations upon her, but
she parried compliments so well, and put off all his nearer advances
so dexterously, that he could not advance beyond the region of florid
courtesy, and never got a chance, if so disposed, to risk a question
which he would not ask rashly, believing that, if Myrtle once said No,
there would be little chance of her ever saying Yes.

CHAPTER XXIV. MUSTERING OF FORCES.

Not long after the tableau performance had made Myrtle Hazard's name
famous in the school and among the friends of the scholars, she received
the very flattering attention of a call from Mrs. Clymer Ketchum, of 24
Carat Place. This was in consequence of a suggestion from Mr. Livingston
Jenkins, a particular friend of the family.

"They've got a demonish splendid school-girl over there," he said to
that lady, "made the stunningest looking Pocahontas at the show there
the other day. Demonish plucky looking filly as ever you saw. Had a row
with another girl,--gave the war-whoop, and went at her with a knife.
Festive,--hey? Say she only meant to scare her,--looked as if she meant
to stick her, anyhow. Splendid style. Why can't you go over to the shop
and make 'em trot her out?"

The lady promised Mr. Livingston Jenkins that she certainly would, just
as soon as she could find a moment's leisure,--which, as she had nothing
in the world to do, was not likely to be very soon. Myrtle in the mean
time was busy with her studies, little dreaming what an extraordinary
honor was awaiting her.

That rare accident in the lives of people who have nothing to do, a
leisure morning,