Nobody will want me, and it's a mercy, for there should always
be one old maid in a family."

"You won't give any one a chance," said Laurie, with a
sidelong glance, and a little more color than before in his
sunburnt face. "You won't show the soft side of your
character, and if a fellow gets a peep at it by accident, and
can7apos;t help showing that he likes it, you treat him as Mrs.
Gummidge did her sweetheart, -- throw cold water over him, --
and get so thorny no one dares touch or look at you."

"I don't like that sort of thing; I'm too busy to be worried
with nonsense, and I think it's dreadful to break up families so.
Now don't say any more about it; Meg's wedding has turned
all our heads, and we talk of nothing but lovers and such
absurdities. I don't wish to get cross, so let's change the
subject;" and Jo looked quite ready to fling cold water on the
slightest provocation.

Whatever his feelings might have been, Laurie found a vent
for them in a long low whistle, and the fearful prediction, as
they parted at the gate, "Mark my words, Jo, you'll go next."

THE June roses over the porch were awake bright and early
on that morning, rejoicing with all their hearts in the cloudless
sunshine, like friendly little neighbors, as they were. Quite
flushed with excitement were their ruddy faces, as they swung
in the wind, whispering to one another what they had seen;
for some peeped in at the dining-room windows, where the feast
was spread, some climbed up to nod and smile at the sisters
as they dressed the bride, others waved a welcome to those who
came and went on various errands in garden, porch, and hall,
and all, from the rosiest full-blown flower to the palest baby-

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