THE
��WIDOW'S MISTAKE.
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��surroundings," said her aunt with a smile. " But did not your father en- lighten you in regard to my being old and gray? " she inquired.
" No, he only laughed when I told him that I knew you were old and cross, and said I must come and see for myself," re- turned Ida.
Then followed questions and answers concerning family affairs, and it was quite late when they at length retired for the night. As days passed on, the young girl's delight by no means diminished. The brisk walks which her aunt urged her to take every day, together with her happy spirits, soon brought roses to take the place of lilies in the sweet face. How to bring about a meeting between Lester Pierce and Ida now became a matter of concern to Mrs. Montgomery, for, as she was but little acquainted with that gen- tleman and seldom met him, there were not so many opportunities for so doing as one would suppose ; but fate at length took the matter in hand. It happened on this wise.
One day Ida entered the sitting-room, where her aunt sat at work, and hastily throwing her hat and sacque upon the nearest chair, she waltzed around the room once or twice, finally stopping and throwing her arms around Mrs. Mont- gomery's neck, and giving her a kiss on either cheek.
What has happened to you, Ida?" said the widow, disengaging herself from the girl's grasp, and turning around in surprise.
" Oh, Aunt Hattie, I am so surprised and delighted ! I was returning from 'the post office, and was just at the street crossing this side of Johnson & Hall's, when I heard my name called. I turned around and saw a gentleman and lady coming rapidly towards me. At first I did not recognize the lady, but as they drew nearer I saw to my delight that it was my old schoolmate and dearest friend, Susie Pierce. I have not met her before for two years. She was with her uncle, Lester Pierce, and talks of stop- ping with him through the winter. I in- vited them to call, and Mr. Pierce said, turning to Susie, ' My dear, I am under
��great obligations to you if by your com- ing I can form the acquaintance of Mrs. Montgomery and her niece,' and then, not waiting for her to reply, he thanked me very politely and said they would call this evening, if agreeable. Of course you don't care if they do come," con- cluded the girl, as she raised her hat and sacque from the floor, where they had fallen during her pirouette around the room.
" Certainly not, Ida; I would be very glad to know your friend, and to become better acquainted with her uncle," re- plied Mrs. Montgomery with a smile.
Never in her own girlish days had she taken half the pride in herself that she did that evening in her niece. Certainly the girl had never looked more lovely, and when the expected guests arrived it was no wonder that Lester Pierce's eyes rested in admiration upon her.
" You will lay aside your wrappings, Susie, and pass the evening with us," in- sisted Ida, after introducing the young lady to her aunt. " This must not be a formal call, for I have so much to say to you."
" I promised uncle that I would attend the lecture with him," replied Susie, turning toward her uncle with a smile.
" I will excuse you, if such be your wish, my dear, and will call for you as I return home," replied Mr. Pierce.
" Thank you, uncle, I will stop, I think, as I really have no desire to attend the lecture," said Susie, as she threw aside her hat and shawl and seated her- self in the easy chair Ida had placed at her disposal.
Susie Pierce was as plain as Ida Hart- well was beautiful, yet one seemed to for- get the lack of beauty in the dark face when they came to know her intimately. She was a brunette, and the only beauty her face afforded was her large, lustrous black eyes. There was so much soul in them (if I may use the expression) that instinctively one felt the beauty of the soul which looked out from their inmost depths. She was dressed in a black cashmere, relieved only by snowy lace at the neck and wrists.
Mr. Pierce attended the lecture. The
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