The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-02-04

girl. She went coasting and sliding
with him--and he was better than a
girl, in that kind of sport, because he
always dragged her up hill on her sled,
aud that another girl would not do.
Johpny Starr had even been known to
play dolls, to please Serena Ann,
although he made her promise never to
tell the other boys.
Now, when Serena Ann met his hand
some brown eyes. she felt a comforting
sense of companionship. Johnny Starr.
moreover, gave his head an indignant
jerk toward Miss Little, which did her
good, though she loved Miss Little.
Recess came soon after the girls were
released from their position in the
floor and everybody went out, the
weather was so warm. Johnny Starr
followed Serena Ann into the north
east corner of the school yard, where
there was a little clump Of pine trees.
lie took out his jackknife and began
cutting j. s. in pine trunk, as IL that
was what he had come there for.
"Say, what did you write that about
what did she send you out in the floor
for?" he whispered, as he cut away in
dustriously. Serena Ann explained.
ats meap," declared Johnny Starr.
"Say, Serena Ann"
"What?"
"It's too warm to go sliding after
school; we'd slump through, and there
amt enough snow TO coast on. If you
won't say anything about IL, and your
mothers willing, I'd jest as lief come
over and play dolls"
Serena Ann smiled gratefully at him.
II seemed TO her at that moment that
he was better than girl. Then Johnny
Starr snapped his jacklsnife together
and went off to the other boys, and
Tabitha Green and Miranda Sail, the
doctors daughter. joined Serena Ann.
Miranda was one of the big girls, very
bright-eyed and red-cheeked. She was
quite belle and a power in the school.
She wore finer clothes than any other
girl, too. and looped up her black curls
with a comb. and had spending money.
She put plump protecting arm
around Serena Ann.
Don't you feel bad one Bit" said
she. IL had stood in the floor dozens
of times before l was as old as you.
Didn't you ever have a valentine, Sc
rena Ann?"
Serena Ann shook her head and
looked up gratefully into the girls
handsome. glowing face. No words
could express her admiration for Nj.
randa.
"Wcll. maybe you1l get one this year
stranger things have happened" Mi
randa remarked. meaningly, as she
turned away.
81 don't believe but what she'll send
you one" whispered Tnbitha Green
and Serena Ann was seized with de-
lightful, though tremulous anticipa
tion.
She looked across at Miranda after
school began and though, that sh,
must le the most beautiful girl In the
whole world.
Serena AIMS spirits revived as th,
forenoon wore on. She was perfect II
her arithmetic. did an example on th,
blackboard which no one else coulC
do. and she went TO the head in th,
spelling class. A. noon the tcnchc
called her 20 the desk. rave her seed
cake out OF her own dinner basket an,
told her how sorry she had felt 20 b,
obliged 10 punish her. when She hat
always been such coed Girl. and Go
rera Ann. though she wcpt a it'll
iaore. was sweetiy cumfurted.
Moreover, the teacher suggested tha
her Grandfaiher Judd might he willing
since 1t was only the twelfth Of Fcbru
airy. Ia let her start afresh In her effort
10 win the book. and Serena Ann Gel
quite sure that he would. She coul
uot remember that her grandfather ha
c'cr fsfutcd her anything Her mothr
often said that she feared he woul
spoil her
Serene Ann had. during al the rest q
; that day, a vague Impression of "A kint