The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1902-04-03
The Illustration at the Orthopedic.

this especially ordered one, with her initials
on each candy, the precious tongs and box
from BttaVS with her monogram on its lid y
There was no time to get anything else for
her. In less than an hour he would be at
her birthday dinner. Why had he been
such an idiot as not to have sent it bypostf
o let himself into this Scrape just because
he was beguiled into wanting to give it into
her hands himself and see her radiant face.
And if he let her birthday go BY without a
reminder, she might indeed be hurt. Perhaps
she would say NO." when so careless a
lover asked her to marry him. Then that
fellow, RoWey-no doubt his present was
already received. He had been so cOckSure
of being able to knock RoWley out with the
daintinesS and appropriateness of his own
gift. RoWley would never have thought of
anything so novel. Hang it all, the young
ster should not have these candies. He
would buy her a couple Of boxes tomorrow
and send them to her.
that the lecture had ceased. He looked
down at the child. She had found the box
and was preparing to open it again.
81 must go, little one" he said. " will
bring you two boxes of candies tomorrow.
Let me have this one"
But she chung to the box. "No, baby
keep it" she said, forlornly.
1t was the note in her voice that told how
accustomed she was to having things taken
from her that went to young Leggatt heart.
he tried, miSerablv, TO detach her little
fingers. But she held tight and the tears
began to come in her eyes. With a quick
ejaculation he deSisted from his half-hearted
task. They looked at each other for a sec
ond in silence, the baby girl, the tears run
ming down her cheeks, pititul culver on her
lips, the man with struggle in his face.
She held the box close in both small hands.
Suddenly he becioned to the nurse.
"Will YOU take this little girl, !" he asked,
gently kissing the child goodbye. There
81 hope you will allow her to keep them"
And he hurried out of the door.
He OutStayed the others after the dinner
party. The girl continued a conversation.
at was not kind of Mr.. ROWley," she said,
paSSionateIv, to embarraSS me by giving
me such an expensive gift. A few flowers
one likes. But gold-ned box with my
monogram on it, even if the value of it We're
disguised bytllling itup with candies Why
even the candies had my Initials on them.
1t was eXecrably bad taste"
The young fellow pondered within him
self. Had he any right to sail under false
cOlors? Why not? But as the girl fixed
her clear eyes upon him, he inVOuntarily
told the truth. twas bald narrative and
meant simply to honestly emphasize the
fact that he had been guilty of the same
had form as had ROWley, and therefore de-
serving of no better treatment.
But somehow when he tlnished-though
why should what was eXecrable taste in
RoWley be thought a touching kindness in
Leggatt-there We're tears in the girls eyes
as She extended her hand.
You viii 90 and see the little thing
again." she said softly, " and l-l-shouId
like to go with YOU"
"AlWayS?" Ventured the young fellow,
his heart beating painfully.
He kissed her hand. Then he kissed her
arm. Then he looked up into her eyes, and
then-he kissed her lips.