The Press., 1892-02-25
Nor trust your limbs alone in air, Like children In the Woodin

| Nor trust your limbs alone in air, Like children in the wood!"
 An atrocious verse-but we had thought it brilliant then; stupendous joke, as were also the abominable car ricatures which found their way into her desk, one from each member of seou1 set.n
 We did not mean to be cruel-not one of ''us girls" Ithad only come to pass then, in spencertown, as I fear it continues to-day, that the wealthiest, best-minded girls had, drawn off in a clique by themselves, and grown strangely indifferent to the feelings of the "other girls" We were bubbling over with fun which must find "went" somewhere, and Mary Ann had been such convenient ''went." She took everything so meekly-never once com plained to the teacher, until we had really come to believe that she did not care. On this occasion we had quite outdone ourselves; but the valentine frenzy is the widest that can take hold 1 of girl. :, What fiend, I wonder, first invented comic valentines ?
 It was noontime, ,and I had run back from the hill where we were coasting for veil had left in my desk, and thus came quite unexpectedly upon Mary Ann. She was standing in the sunny corner of the old porch, pulling her thin shawl about her shoulders and trying to look absorbed in the geogra- phy which she was holding-upside down. Her red eyes were revelation to me.
 "Why, Mary Ann !" said,in soft CT voice, I am sure, than she had ever heard me use. "Did you mind7 We were only in fun. I am sorry if we (hurt your feelings"
 Her answer was a most unexpected one, She burst into such a wild storm of sobbing as l. had. never imagined. Her tall form quivered like an aspen leaf, and the sobs had a wild pathos which went straight to my heart thro' l all the crust of sefishness and careless ness which covers that organ in girl oi fourteen.
 I stood speeches. and. terrified be- fore the volcanic upheaval, bestowing remorseful little pats upon the shaggy mane which was tumbling abont hel shoulders, as she had sunk upon the door step, her face hidden in her lap. After little the sobs grew less vio. lent, and then I ventured meekly:' :' ''But, Mary Ann,if you cared so much why didn't you let us know it !? Why didn't you get mad-or something ? Then how her black eyes ,blazed upon mel. Several times before I had had g momentary half consciousness that un der more favorable circums tances Ma ry Ann might have been beautiful ] knew 1t then. Her emotion had giver color to her pale cheeks, her eyes were shining like stars, and her hair, whicf she had always worn braided tightly back was falling about her face in : most picturesque confusion.
 "Why didn't let you know ?" she cried. Because have some pride, i I am poor and awkward. I'd rather have died than that you should have seen me crying, Mabel Ross. Why didn't I get mad? I did-madder thar you know how to get j; but I'd be ashamedsto let any one see me so, ol to stay so, either. Mad p with a scorn full little laugh-''if you had seen the valentines I made of you girls. perhap: you'd think I got mady"
 @Valentines!" I cried. "Oh, let me see them !!
 Then, as she shook her head, I seiz ed, with a sudden movement, the ge ography which had fallen to- her feet and opened it to a portrait of Kitty French.
 Yes, 1t was Kitty hersef-there wa: no mistaking the likeness. I shriekec with laughter, for it, was Kitty as we had all seen her many times-with he1 hand before her face in an. affected simper,her eyebrows arched,her should CTS elevated, ogling with tenderes1