od
sleighing this morning."

"I'm sorry, for I do want to coast, and to ride in a sleigh, so much--ever
so much," said Jessie, sighing, and looking very sober--for her.

"Can't you _coast_ this morning, with the boys?" inquired Mr. Carlton.

"We don't want her," said Hugh, snappishly. "Girls are always in the way
when coasting is going on."

"Ill-natured as ever, I see, Master Hugh," observed Uncle Morris.

"I want her," said Guy, "and will take her this afternoon, if the snow
don't melt."

Jessie looked at her brother with eyes that seemed to say, "What a dear,
good brother you are!" Mr. Carlton asked:

"But why not take her this _morning_, Guy, before the snow melts?"

"Because she thinks it is not best to go, Sir," replied Guy.

"Ah! ah! Not best to go, eh? What's going on at home this morning,
Jessie?" asked Mr. Carlton, looking at his daughter, whose face was now
red with blushes.

"Because Corporal Try won't let her," replied Guy, laughing and coming to
her help. "He has given her a task which he wishes done before
Thanksgiving, and she means to do it, too, in spite of the little wizard,
who sits perched on my sled, in yonder hall, and saying, 'Come, let's have
a good time together, this morning.'"

"Bravo! If this was the proper place, I would propose three cheers for
Jessie Carlton, and her friend the Corporal," said Uncle Morris. Then
turning to Mrs. Carlton, he added, "By the way, sister, do you know that I
expect to hear of a wedding before long?"

"Indeed! Who are going to be married now?"

"No less a personage than that pesky little dwarf, who has given my little
puss so much trouble. I learn that he has popped the question to Miss
Perseverance, and if nothing happens, they will soon be joined in wedlock,
by Parson Good-Resolution."

Of course this quaint way of praising Jessie for her self-denial and
self-conquest caused a good hearty laugh all round the table. Jessie's
cheeks bloomed like roses, and her heart went pit-a-pat with joy-beats. A
happier breakfast party could scarcely have been found that morning in or
out of Duncanville.

To increase the flow of Jessie's delight, shortly after she had taken her
seat in her own pretty little chair, her uncle entered the parlor with
merriment in his eyes, and said:

"Sew away, my little puss. The north wind is on your side, and in spite of
the bright sun will keep the snow from melting, so that you may coast
after dinner with Guy and your fr