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"Why, can it—no, it—yes, it—why, I declare its Gus!" exclaimed Nell, as she darted forward, and without ceremony flung her arms around his neck.

"Dear me! Ellen, that's shockingly improper conduct!" said the highly-scandalized Mrs. Percival.

"Oh, isn't it nice!" exclaimed Nell, as she came dancing back, with cheeks and eyes all aglow. "We'll have such good times, now you and 'Dith have come back!"

"Where is Nugent, mamma?" inquired Edith.

"He went away with Ralph De Lisle, about a week ago, my dear," replied her mother. "We expect them both home again in a few days."

The name seemed to act like a galvanic shock on Edith, who gave a sudden start, and flushed to the temples.

"And oh, Edith!" exclaimed her voluble sister—"you ought to see Ralph since you left him to wear the willow. Poor fellow! he was such a victim to 'green and yellow melancholy' for a week after that, I couldn't bear to look at him. My! won't he be glad to hear you've come back—and so will I, too, for I do long for a wedding dreadfully."