, 1882-07-14
The Wrong Card.
BY MATTE DYER BRITTS.

A bleak, wintry, February day.
when passers by drew their mantles
closer as the winds came sweeping
through the streets, or bowed their
heads to avoid the stinging OF the
fine mist that filled the air
Out of doors all was clouds and
storm, but within the handsome
house of Lawyer Ferris all was
warmth, light and beauty.
Laura Ferris. the only daughter OF
the house, had been away from home
for few weeks and was intending to
celebrate her return by an informal
gathering of her friends:
Miss Laura was invisible just now,
but as the supper bell rang, she came
down in pretty wrapper of crimson
cashmere, for her toilet for the even
ing was only partly made, and as only
papa Ferris would be present, Miss
Laura would take her supper in neg
Hgee. ,
'Has anyone called. Lucy?" asked
Miss Ferris, meeting her maid on the
stairs. II thought / heard ring
just now"
"Yes, ma'am. I was just coming
up to tell you. 1t was boy with 2
basket of flowers for your reception
to night
"Ah! where are they, Lucy"
8 II put them on the little marble
table in the front parlor, Miss Laura"
"Very well, Lucy, that was right
You may go up to my room, and lay
out my maize -colored sash and gloves,
please, and the pearl rl-handled fam"
"Yes, Miss Laura
Laura passed down stairs, went in
to the small back parlor. and saw that
it was neatly arranged for the ex-
pected company, and then to the
large front parlor, which was also
tastefullv arranged, all it's appoint
ments elegant, and even luxurious.
The Ferrises were people Of both
means and taste.
Upon a small marble flower table,
with it's dropping gilt chains, and
fancifully carved standard, stood a
lovely basket of choice, hot-housc
roses, whose crimson, fragrant hearts
infused ray of summer warmth and
beauty into the chill February day
"Oh! how sweet! You dear little
beauties, how love your said Laura,
STOPPING with a bright smile, which
had heart throb in it, for a nearer
breath of their rich perfume Il
wonder who sent them?' was her next
thought Il am almost sure [ know.
Wonder if he sent notes"
She glanced around. and her eyes
fell upon a card, lying close beside
the basket, bearing upon its smooth,
white surface gentleman's name,
Col. Dick M. Whiting"
A look of blank disappointment
chased all the brightness out of
Laura's face. She tossed the card
carelessly into the Swiss receiver
which stood also upon the little table,
beside the basket Then. with sec
ond thought, she caught it up, and
Hung it into the glowing, old-fash-
ioned crate.
"Therew she said, with a tone and
look of intense contempt. I'm in
clined to toss the basket after itr'
But no, I'll let the roses stav to or
nament the room. Nobody will know
where they come from. and they are
so lovely. They will do no harm
She sighed deeply. and hastened
away to the supper table.
No harm, Laura? Perhaps not.
But the innocent basket of roses came
nearly running two lives.
1t was no wonder, then, that their
charm had gone for Laura. She be-
meyed them to be the gift of Dick
Whiting, and she had already refused
the hand of Col. Whiting. He was
rich, but she knew he was dissipated
and it was only as the friend of her
brother that she tolerated him at all.
Il supposed George asked him here
ITo-night. He knew / would not" said
Laura, as she left the parlor.
After supper she went up stairs.