Year: 1879

and the baby went, and it was surprising
to see what a change came over them all. |
The rich color came into 1aura's cheeks,
and she no longer complained of head
ache or blues.


Cheerful companionship and little |
leisure made Mrs. Blake bright-eyed and
interesting, while Aunt Prue found some
old-f fashioned remedy for colo that made
the baby sleep at nights, and Laura helped
her in many little ways that gave her
time to rest and improve herself.


The quiet parties before Easter, where
Laura frequently met DR.. Thorne, gave
place to those of livelier tendency that
he seldom fequented; for, although a
social man, he had reached that age when
dancing and Irritation had lost their
charm.


"What makes you always quarrel with
DR.. Thorne?" said girl friend. one even
ing. ''All the other girls are crazy over
him, and you sometimes act as if you
hated him. I believe he likes you all
the better for it, though; for he watches
you so much"


"Nonsense, Sue'' said Laura, coloring
deeply as she caught the gaze of these
earnest brown eyes fixed upon her at that
very moment; and then she firted des-
perately with Will Dayton the rest of the
evening.


The owner Of the brown eyes was not
deceived, however; he was thinking of
the last time he had met this young lady at
Mrs. Blake's. He came in without knock.
ing one evening, and as he stood in the
hall he saw before him very pretty pic
| ture.


Laura was rocking Baby Blake to sleep,
singing low, sweet cradle song, and
Tommy stood behind her industrlously
taking out all her hair-pins, so that when
she rose to lay the baby down she dis
covered her hair floating over bel
shoulders Making a dexterous move
ment to catch the rogue who had done
the mischief, she almost ran into the
doctors arms. What change thenl hi
could hardly believe this stately creature
was the same girl who sat a momen
before with the babe in her arms, and he1
hair ruf1ing over her shoulders. He


pride aided her to make naughty exit
but he should have seen her as she raj
home crying with vexation. After tha
the treatise on diphtheria was laid aside


and the doctor took up new study, evi


IDENTIFY more interesting, namely, tn,


character OF beautiful young lady.
| Sometimes he thought she was as mucI


interested in him as he was in her; thel


she would snub him until he was yer,


doubtful. do not know how long thing


would have gone on in this way had no


Fate taken it in hand.


The Lannon'S had their trunks al


packed for summer trip, when Tomm,


was taken i'll. He begged SO piteousl:


for his dear Miss Laura that she resolved


to postpone going away for few days.


Her mother tried to reason her out o


it; but all the arguments of new dresse


and the delightful seashore were power


less 10 move her.


"My new dress can wait," she an


swered; and donning calico wrapp i
} started for Tommy's bedside.
His illness proved to be failure tha


brought him near deaths poor; bu


Laura never finched even when sh
J knew the danger to herself. The mothe
kept the other children away, and Aun
l
the worst came, DR.. Thorne remained alst
and together he and Laura brought th
little fellow back to his place in life
Then Larura went home; and, althoug


she did not take the fever. she was sic
for several days, her mother and Aur
} Prue tending her with devotion charm
ing to behold.


i Of course they must consult the docto
l who prescribed rest and quiet; but left
little note for the young lady's own per-
sal.


"Another prescription, my DEAR" sal
r her mother; and Laura read:


"Dearest:-Be my wife. It shall |
the one aim Of my life to make you ha


py. "ALEx THoRNE."
That was all; just those few lines; bu
strange to say they made her well ir
,, mediately. And Aunt Prue had the sa
: isfaction of saying, II told you So"