Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-06-15

came into the heiress' shallow gray
eyes. Leaning forward, with a scarce
Iy perceptible movement she suddenly
snapped the regal flower from its stem
and slipped II into her mum.
Here Is the lace, Miss Esmayne,"
sale Lucy. II took a great deal OF
pains with 1t and hope you will be
suited"
Miss Esmayne muttered some scarce
ly audible reply and swept out Of the
room. And Lucy, all unconscious OF
her loss. sat down to a ragged piece OF
Mechliu lace which some milliner had
bought at an auction sale for a merely
nominal price and intended to sell for
its weight in bank bills when 1t was
mended, washed In weak coffee and
scientifically Numbered.
Helena Esmayne drew the flower out
from its hiding place and surveyed 1t
with pride as she went down the
stairs.
Il was determined to have it-and
I've got it," said she to herself. "The
airs and graces these poor people take
upon themselves, to be sure! Oh, DR..
Edelin,, Is it you? Who would have
thought of meeting you in such an out
of-the-way place as thisY
Miss Esmayne blushed, half with
embarrassment, half with genuine
pleasure, as the handsome young doc
tor with the Greek features and large,
dark eyes confronted her OH the narrow
stairway.
II need not ask what brings you
here" he said. Doubtless n mission
Of charity. But your carriage waits;
l will not detain you. l will see you
at Miss Buckingham's tonight"
SO they exchanged adieux and
parted.
Lucy Lee looked up with an appre-
hensive air as the doctor entered.
rs it about little Benny, sir?' she
cried us he worse?"
my poor child,'' the doctor an
swered, pityingly. you know he could
not get better. would advise you to
go to him at once"
'He is dyingT she gasped.
Not quite that, let us hope; but, in
any event, he cannot be long with
YOU"
Lucy had risen and was tying on her
bonnet with trembling fingers.
Poor Benny" she murmured. and
tomorrow was his birthday
Mechanically she turned to the
innonioo -b1sh I'm tho window
'Gone." she cried, with gasp.
MY beautiful flower is gone-the
flower raised and tended for Benny!
Gone-and that woman has stolen IT,"
WAS it a white japonicaY" asked
DR.. Edelin,, unconsciously sympathiz-
ing with her agony of distress. Il met
Miss Esmayne on the stairs just now
carrying one. Did you not give 1t to
herr"
'She wanted to buy it of me-" falter-
ed Lucy, but / told her / was keep
ing it for the door, dying child. She
was angry with me, and when my
back was turned she must have mean
ly stolen it. Oh! how could she?-how
could she? She had money enough to
buy roomful of flowers, if she wish.
ed had only this one"
Lucy" said the doctor, gently,
''never mind the flower. 1t has gone
now. Remember Benny"
''True, sir" said the poor lace-mend-
er, with tears in her eyes. Il must
hasten to Benny. 1t Is n long walk
and he may be calling for me-"
MY carriage is ut the door," said
DR.. Edelin,. II will take you there
before l go on to my other patients.
Don't sob and cry so pitifully, Lucy;
it was mean and cruel thing for that
rich girl to do but she will reap her
reward in Heavens good time. Do
not fear"
SIS it Aunt Lucy? Has she brought
the pretty white flowers she promised
me?"
Lucy Lees lips quivered as the dim
eyes of the dying child turned toward
her.
mo, Benny, l have not brought 1t,
but"
ut has not opened yet? Never
inl1u, dunly, am SolHS WHERE there
are many, many flowers. Only would
have liked to see that one. i dreamed
of it last night. Mother, kiss me, and
you, too, Aunt Lucy, for l think I'm
going to Sleep"
And $50 He gave His beloved sleep"
Miss Esmayne wore the white japon-
lea in her hair at Miss Buckingham's
ball, but DR.. Edelin, was not there to
mark it's effects. He was at the bed
side Of Lucy Lee, who had broken
down at last.
Its very strange" soliloquized DR..
Edelin, to himself. 81 didn't think I
cared so much about the fragile little
thing. But If Lucy Lee dies / shall
have lost sunbeam out of my life"
Lucy Lee did not die. She recovered
and DIR. Edelin, married her.
And Helena Esmayne is just as gen.
orally Disguised with the world as
ever.