COUSIN HILDA’S LETTER.

Lourz and Baby had come in from their walk, and they
were longing for a game. with Cousin Hilda. © ‘‘ Where
is Cousin Hilda?” was the first question they asked Nurse
as soon as their hats. and jackets were taken off. ‘‘ Miss
Hilda is busy in the library writing letters,” said Nurse;
“TI don’t think she wants you.” But Louie and Baby both
felt sure that, whatever Cousin Hilda was doing, she would
want them, and they trotted down to the library. “Weill
surprise her,” said Louie, pushing open the door quietly.
But Cousin Hilda surprised them, for she was not writing
or reading letters; she was sitting in, one of the big chairs,
with a letter in her lap, her face almost hidden by one
of her hands. “She's crying,” whispered Louie; ‘‘it must
be the letter.” ‘Then it’s a bad letter,’ said Baby. Both
children crept across the room. ‘ Don’t cry, Cousin Hilda,”
said Louie. ‘ Don't cry,” said Baby. Cousin Hilda looked

up. ‘I wasn’t crying,” she said, “I was only thinking

a”

 

about my letter, and I believe I was Louie began

»”.

 

she said.
“What?” asked Baby. ‘Guess,’ said Cousin Hilda.

to laugh. “Yes, I believe you were