attempt.

"Oh, you needn't look so indignant over it; and I am pretty sure one of
my sisters is engaged. Perhaps I won't need to stay at school more than
next year."

"I should be glad to stay five years," cried Helen enthusiastically.

Daisy Bell was on the other side of Helen, and she looked rather askance
at the newcomer, making the least cool little bow.

"I've really wanted to get back to you," she began when they had gone to
their room. "They laughed at me at home, and my brother said there must
always be someone for a schoolgirl to adore, and that he thought I would
pass the dangerous period safely, but that it had broken out with
virulence," and she laughed with light-hearted amusement.

"Did you care as much about me as all that?" and Helen glanced out of
tender eyes.

"Amend your tense, or tack present and future to it. I didn't know how
much until I left you behind. And you've had a horrid dull time, I
know," with charming solicitude in her voice.

"No, it has been rather gay, and the days flew by so rapidly."

"Oh, they always do in vacation. Next week will be as long as any two. I
am glad we won't have any change this term, and I do hope we will keep
together next year. Helen, I love you, love you!"

She clasped her arms about Helen's neck and kissed her rapturously, and
the girl was deeply moved. Miss Mays made a patronizing half-love, you
could not tell whether she was in earnest or not. But this clasp was so
endearing, so full of fervor, and these kisses seemed to have the first
rare sweetness in them that had come into her life. People had liked her
she felt. Mrs. Dayton had been really affectionate, but this was
different.

"Oh, Daisy!" she sighed from her full heart.

"You haven't positively loved any girl in school, I know. I think you
are the kind of girl who doesn't love easily, but after I liked you I
was awfully afraid you would go down to Roxy Mays. I ought to confess
that I did last term. She is fascinating, but after a while you don't
feel altogether sure of her. _You_ are so strong and upright. And I
don't want you to love anyone else quite as well; promise me."

"I am not likely to. No one else will want me to, I guess," rather
tremulously, as another thought seemed to pierce through to her heart.

"Oh, they will, they will! You're so young, and you have something--I
can't tell what it is, but you will find as you grow older people will
lean on you and love you, too. I just w