Year: 1879

lie opened his eyes suunehly, anu
saw Queenie's white dress Auttering
around the corner of the house.


DR.. Gersham knew better than to
follow her. He went up to his room
quite happy.


She loves me- he said, with a
quiet smile. And he rememb bered
her words Of few months before


The man whom | kiss of my own
free will, will be my future husband :


DR.. Gersham laughed softly to him
self.


'Ah, my little lady! You and |
will have reckoning this evening ?


But he was mistaken; for Queenie
was missing at tea time. Mrs. Hyde
informed him that she had gone to
visit lady friend in the village, and
would not return for several days.


Not until the evening before the
doctors departure for the South dl
she make her appearance, and it was
a verv solemn little face that he saw
when he confronted her in the June
twilight, and led her into the garden
where the old apple tree was drop
ping its tinted blooms.


Little Queenie seemed suddenly to
have lost her roguishness and self
possession, and looked the very pict-
ure OF shame and discontinue, with
her crimson face and heavy. lidded
eyes.


The doctor evidently had 10 idea
of letting her escape him.


Queenie, | am going to tell you
about a strange dream that | had the
other day.


i guess I think-that is, auntie
will want me now, she stammered
looking wistfully toward the house.


'Auntie cannot have you now, be-
cause | propose to keep You myself,
1t least till | relate nv dream and
get your opinion of it. You must
know that | was asleep on the piazza
and it seemed as though somebody
kissed me with two very sweet little
lips and, furthermore, | dreamed
that it was by the same little girl
who made the remark, some time ago
that the man thus favored would be
her future husband.


lie paused, holding both her hands
in ais, and. looking at her drooping,
crimson face.


0, Queenie, Queeniel how your
face did burn And how the old ap-
pie tree seemed to whirl about And
how your heart did pound and pound
in its prison, trying the best it knew
how to make its voice heard in that
dreadful silence


'Queenie, the doctors laughing
voice was softened and tender as he
drew her to his arms. where she was
glad to hide her hot face on his broad
shoulder-'little Queenie, don't be
ashamed of loving. 1t is Gods sweet
est gift to his children-the capacity
for affection. Think how long you
nave played at cross purpose with me
larhng, | might have gone away to
the South without this satisfaction, if
had not been for that lucky kiss
that reminds mel will take an
other, if you please !!


lie was laughing again now, and
lueenie clung little closer to him
With quick gesture.


oh, no no | cannot. | mover can
again.


you must get used to it, lady bird
md you may as well begin to pract-
ce now.


He slipped ring from his watch
;hain-a diamond, with a quaint gold
citing, and put it on her slender
orefinger.


This was my mothers ring, Queen
e, he he said rsverently,-'she died
ears ago, l will give it to you as
oxen Of my love.


She turned her cheeks to his with


movement that was scarcely ca
ess, it was so swift and timid, but
he did not speak.


Now, dear, l will take that kiss,
nd then will go, for l have an en-
at the village. Next fall l
hall return from Virginia to claim
~ little wife. Come, will give you
lst two minutes in which to kiss me
# your own free will, Just as you