Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-06-21

bought at an auction sale for 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 it
with pride as she went down the
stairs.
Il was determined to have it-and
I've got it." said she to herself. 1.-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 this?"
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 on the narrow
stairway.
II need not ask what brings you
here" he said. Doubtless mission
of charity. But your carriage waits;
will not detain you. l will see you
mt Miss Buckingham's tonight"
So they exchanged adieux and
parted.
Lucy Lee looked up with an appre-
hensive air as the doctor entered.
is it about little Benny, sir?" she
cried. rs he worse p"
MY poor child" the doctor an
swered. pityingly you know he could
not get better. would advise you to
go to him Mt once"
He is dying?" she gasped.
Not quite that, let lis 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 birthdayn'
Mechanically she turned to the
japonica-bush in the 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 1t a white japonica?" asked
i,r. Edelin. unconsciously sympathiz-
ing with her agony of distress. 81 met
Miss Esmayne on the stairs just now
carrying one. Did you not give it to
her?"
"She wanted to buy 1t of me-" falter-
ed Lucy, but l told her 1 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
err with tears in her eyes. II must
hasten to Benny. 1t is n long walk
and he may be calling for me-"
MY carriage is ut the door," said
DIR. Edelin,. 81 will take you there
before l go on to my other patients.
Don't sob and cry SO pitifully. Lucy;
1T 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
meg"
Lucy Lees lips quivered as the dim
eyes of the dying child turned toward
her.
NO. Benny, have not brought it,
but"
ut has not opened yet? Never
mind, aunty; l am going where there
are many, many flowers. Only would
have liked to see that one. dreamed
of 1t 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 DIR. Edeln was not there to
mark its effects. He was at the bed
side of Lucy Lee, who had broken
down at last.
ITS very strange soliloquized DIR.
Edelin, to himself 81 didn't think
cared so much about the fragile little
thing. But If Lucy Lee dies 1 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.