. Mark my words, and see if you don't get smashed up in a
railway accident, or fall a victim to that delightfully disfiguring
disease--small-pox. Serve you right too. Every dog has its day: you
are enjoying yours at present, and can say and do as you please;
but--ugh! I'm disgusted at you," and Winnie "tip-tilted" her little
nose with the most charming grace imaginable.

Ada smiled loftily.

"I would not be vulgar, if I were you," she remarked calmly. "I
suppose you learn all those choice proverbs from your aristocratic
brother. Ah, there is Mrs. Elder coming to open the school. Do alter
your expression, my dear; you are regarding me with such loving eyes, I
am sure she will think you are too affectionate," and Ada swept to her
seat with a mocking laugh.

The lessons commenced, and Nellie, thoroughly prepared, almost forgot
the morning's annoyance in the joy at finding herself slowly rising to
the head of the class, where Miss Irvine sat with all the dignity of an
enthroned queen.

Ten minutes' respite; then came the English, conducted by Mr. King, the
most thorough and rigid master in the school. A question was asked--a
question calculated to tax severely the skill and ingenuity of the
active brain. Ada hesitated for one moment, then made a fatal blunder;
and Nellie, answering correctly, slipped quietly into the seat of the
deposed sovereign. Winnie's delight was indescribable. One triumphant
glance after another flashed upwards to the fallen queen's angry face,
and her bright eyes fairly danced with wicked joy when, at the close of
the class, Mr. King said a few words of commendation on Miss Latimer's
abilities.

"Nellie, Nellie! I'm proud of my friend to-day, She's a regular brick,
and deserves any amount of hugging and petting. Oh joy, joy! how did
you manage it, dear? You have taken the wind out of Ada's sails and
gained a feather in your cap, I can assure you. It all seems too good
to be true. The queen dethroned at last!" and Winnie catching Nellie
round the waist, danced her up and down the schoolroom in a regular
madcap whirl.

"You'll be late for dinner if you don't hurry home at once, Win," said
one of the elder girls, crossing over to the fire and seating herself
by its cheery blaze with a tempting book and box of caramels. "There,
run away and don't waste your precious time in speaking uncharitable
words, dear. Recess will soon be over;" and Elsie Drummond looked
kindly down on the