22 +. HE SILVER LAKE STORIES.

by, and Jane stood in the hall watch-
ing us, and so I steeled my heart against
that gentle being, and received her ad-
vances with the utmost coldness and
indifference, and my brother and sister
followed my example. I saw a look
of pain and disappointment come over
her beautiful face, but I had declared
that I would not like her, and it would
not do for me to give up at once. As
soon as we left the room, Jane was
anxious to know what we thought of
the step-mother, and to counteract any
agreeable impression she might have
made upon us.

“Oh, Jane,’ said my sweet little sis-