144 THE COUSINS.

ington Park was on her way to school, Xr,
Lovett and Lucy, after they began their walks,
‘ould set out with her in the morning, and walk
with ker across the park to its northern gate,
when, with a cheerful good-by to Uncle Lovett,
and a kiss to Lucy, she would trip merrily on.
One morning, just as they were entcring the
park, Mr. Lovett met an acquaintance, who stop-
ped to speak to him. Fearing that Mary was
already late, Mr. Lovett, who was carrying her
bag of books, handed them to her, saying, ‘‘ You
had better go on, my child.”

“Father, may I walk to the gate with Cousin
Mary, and then come back here to you?” asked
Lucy.

Mr. Lovett assented, and the little girls passed
together through the gate, which he held open
for them. They went quictly and pleasantly
across the park, and parted, as usual, at its far-
ther gate. After watching Mary’s progres: fo
a short time, Lucy turned to rejoin her father.
She hoped to see him coming towards her, but
he was not in sight. It was the first time Lucy
had been alone in her walks, and she looked