Fair play., 1873-05-29

handing 1t, with q peasant smile.
"For.me! think there must be
some mistake. Who would send
me flowers?" said tho gentle girl,
raising her dark eyes with a pleased
vet doubtful look, as if fearful to ae-
cept the sweet offering.
"Oh, no; there is no mistake. |
heard the boy when he said, 'For
Miss Avis And I'm just as glad as
if they we're for me. Here, put your
little head down into the flowers, lit
tie girl, bird like, and enjoy their per-
fnme," said tho bright girl.
Avie bent her head to hide the
blush that camo with the thought,
"Who else could?"
She thought of him all day-of his
gentle, earnest manner, as be drew
her hand within his arm; his voice;
so full Of sympathy; his eyes, so clear
and truthful when looking into
hers, 80 flashing and Indignant when
the cruel words of his companion
reached his car. She thought OF
nothing but him. That evening, as
she stepped from the building, suppor-
ted by two of her young friends, she
saw approaching the object of her
thoughts. For an instant she raised
her eyes to his. She knew then that
her heart had directed her truly, and
a glad, grateful look thanked and ss-
sursd him of the knowledge.
Albert had not intended she should
SEQ him /; he only thought Of getting
somewhere near, to see if tho flowers
had reached her.
Raising his hat, be passed on.
His thoughts, however, follow tho
"poor little bird" as he called her.
Many girls with brighter eyes and
faircr faces passed him unnoticed
that evening.
ayes, he pities me. I know tits
nothing clse," Avis said, as she laid
nor weary little head on the pillow
tha. night, not to sleep much, but to
think Of one whose name che knew
not. Every word and look of his
was recalled; and with sob an an
guish, the poor girl moaned:
"Oh that wear like others. Sur
rounded with beautiful girls, how
could any but thoughts of pity fill his
mind for me? must think of him
no more. Love is not for NO."
Frequently they met in passing.
And again came a gift of flowers,
sweet offering, bringing hope to the
weary little heart.
"Perhaps-oh, dare l think it,
perhaps he may grow to love me-"
she said. A glad, hopeful light came
in her eyes, but to lingsr only few
brief moments.
"No, no." she moaned. "No l
will not strive to win his noble heart.
His wife must not 10 q burden upon
his hert. as we'll as hands-a helpless
cripple
The warm blood rushed to her pale
brow, as she remembered tho cruel
words and sneering expression of
Louis Hayden.
"No, no, l would never subject him
to such modification. l must fly
from the temptation"
Albert met her no more after that.
From the flower boy he learnd that
she had loft Harris.
Yes, tho poor girl, fragile though
she vas, had strong, noble heart !;
and putting aside tho joy, she took
tho bitter part, believing it for his
good.
Albert Foster made several efforts,
without effect, to find Avis. That
pale, patient face, with tho great
mourn!ul eyes, had made a moro last
ing impression on his heart than any
beautiful one ever had before.
Years passed, and though acknowl-
edgins the lovelincss of many, he
gave to none the place in bis heart
where the image of the little lame
girl ha1 boon enshrined 90 long.
"Come, Foster, declare it is full
time you had yielded your heart to
eoroa fair Indy E.verv Ono of our