How little he realized that this was easier said than done. Where one's heart is, there one's thoughts are also.
The neighbors flocked in to see her. Every one was glad to have pretty, saucy Jessie Bain back once more. But there was much mystery and silent speculation as to where she had been.
The girls of the neighborhood seemed to act shy of her. Even her old companions nodded very stiffly when they met her, and walked on the other side of the street when they saw her coming.
The antagonism of the village girls was never so apparent until the usual festivities of the autumn evenings approached.
It was the custom of the village maidens of Alexandria Bay to inaugurate the winter sports by giving a Halloween party, and every one looked forward to this with the wildest anticipation.
Jessie Bain had always been the moving spirit at these affairs, despite the fact that they were generally held in the homes of some of the wealthier girls, their houses being larger and more commodious.
The party, which was to be on a fine scale this year, was now the talk of the little town.
But much to the sorrow and the amazement of Jessie Bain, day by day rolled by without bringing her the usual invitation.
It wanted but two days now to the all-important party. Jessie had gotten her dress ready for the occasion, thinking that at the last moment some of the girls would come in person and invite her. Not that she cared so much for the fun, after all, but her uncle was anxious that she should go more among the young folks, as she used to do. It was simply to please him that she would mingle among the crowd of youths and maidens.
At last the day of the Halloween party rolled round.