Kilmeny of the Orchard

we read it together. Then when you look at it you will always remember me, and the white buds opening on that rosebush beside you, and the rush and murmur of the wind in the tops of those old spruces.”

He held out the book to her, but, to his surprise, she shook her head, with a deeper flush on her face.

“ Won’t you take the book, Kilmeny? Why not“! ”

She took her pencil and wrote slowly, unlike her usual quick movement.

“ Do not be offended with me. I shall not need anything to make me remember you because I can never forget you. But I would rather not take the book. I do not want to read it again. It is about love, and there is no use in my learning about love, even if it is all you say. Nobody will ever love me. I am too ugly.”

“ You! Ugly!” exclaimed Eric. He was on the point of going off into a pea] of laughter at the idea when a glimpse of her half averted face sobered him. On

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