Year: 1879


conceited or vain man, he hardly thought
her answer would he no.


But their love seemed destined not to run
smoothly, for the note that would have
made Maud 80 happy never reached her,
and this is how it happened: The aforesaid
small boy, having received the box, pro-
ceeded TO carry il in the way boys invaria-
bly do, swinging il from side IL side, wrong
side up or any other way, il made no diff
ference. OF course this one came To grief
accordingly. Having one finger in the
string tied around the box, he was swing
ing it To the best of his ability, at the same
time gazing in open-mouthed admiration at
a boy about his size who was pommeling
one several degrees smaller on the opposite
side of the street. Being occupied in look
ing at them, he did not see the ice on the
walk, and consequently came down with a
force that brought tears To his eyes.


Having sat there Il moment rubbing his
head with an injured eXm ession of coun-
tenance, he gathered himself up and limped
along To pick up the box. Now the string
had slipped off the box, when Johnnie sat
down with such force, and the poor little
violetS slid off the walk into the gutter,
while the note, lying against the SNOW did
not attract his attention. Taking up the
bouquet of flowers, he deposited them in
them in the box. and tying the string Sc
curely round il, started off at a good round
pace, arriving at Mrs. Evans door without
any further calamity Detailing him.


A young man VINO was talking with some
one had seen Johnnie's fall, and cspied tie
note. Picking it up, he called to Johnnie
bat rs that youths heels were just disap-
pearing around the corner, he did not hear


The Young man, thrusting the note in his
pocket, forgot all about it, being in great
hurry To catch the traiu, with only five min
ntes left in which to reach the depot.


Ten O'clock saw Frauk making his way
through Judge BIS lighted parlors
Looking eagerly, he espied Maud surround
ed as usual 10y crowd, for she had many
admirers beside the young lawyer. He
could catch glimpse of her now and then
So, standing quietly, he waited till the crowd
parted and he was able to see her plainly
Looking, he could see no violets; he rubbed
his eyes ana looked again; but it did not
improve his vision; there were certainly no
violets in the bonny brown halr.


He stood there, feeling himself grow
white and cold, till he was conscious that
his face would tell strange tales if anyone
accoSted him. Turning, he left the room,
going out on the veranda and there sat and
fought the bitter fight out. a less manly
man would have blamed Maud, would have
accused her of leading hlm on for her own
amusement ; but he loved her too we'll
He alone was to blame; he had thought il
was love he read in the brown eyes raised
so slyly To his if she did not love him, that
was enough he would never make her un-
happy by alluding to il, but would try and
be unselfish enough to be happy when he
saw her SO in some other mans love.


After time he went back to the parlors,
knowing he should be questioned as to his
non-appearance if he did not


Now Maud had seen Frank when he en-
tered the rooms first, and missed him when
he disappeared, wondering what had be-
come of him. When he entered the par
lors again, she stood talking with some one
Looking at her as he passed, he said,
''Good-evening, "'and quietly passed on to
where Miss Fenton stUou, and Maud heard
him ask her to dance.


Annie Fenton was a sunny little blonde,
and Frank had paid her more attention
than anyone else except Maud. And now,
when she she saw them together, she thought,
''What if, after all, he does not love me
He has acted strangely this evening Pos
sibly he is in love with Annie Fenton. Ii
would be nothing strange if he were. Men
are ever tickle and changeable, with Bit
ter smile, and the wisdom of her eighteen
years. mot even to give me an oppor-
tunity 10 thank him for his flowers But
he seems completely infatuated with Annie
Fenton," looking at Frank, who was bend
ing in seeming devotion over the little
blondes chair. "But | will show him |
can be as gay as he he shall never know |
love him."


So Maud danced and firted, till You
would have thought she was the happlest
of the happy; but pride will do much, and
pride upheld Maud till the weary party was
at an end.


After that, Frank avoided every place
where he was likely to meet Maud, and be-
came morose and melancholy. AS for
Maud, she went out as usual but went in a
listless fashion that had become habitual to
her now, causing her mother much anxiety


But if Maud was miserable, Frank was
no less so, though he, having more to occu-
py his attention, did not feel it as keenly as
she. Still, he was not feeling in very
cheerful mood, one morning, as he sat in
his office, looking intently at the fire, and
putting at his cigar like a whole volcano,
when suddenly the door was thrown open,
and IN rushed the stranger who had picked
up the lost note.


'tAnd how are you 2" he inquired, seizing
Franks hand and shaking it heartily.


First rate, 3" replied Frank. "When did
you get back


''Oh, this morning; thought | would
drop in and see how you were. Seems to
me you are not looking remarkably jolly
what s the trouble Lost your money, or
has some one left you out of his WILL or"
with laugh, looking at his friends gloomy
face-''has some one refused youl Come,
| guess I've hit it this time, he said, as his
friends face slightly flushed. ''You were
rather sweet on Miss Evans when | left.
You may as well own up; she has refused
you Z"


Frank was naturally of a reticent nature,
but he never could withstand Tom Lorimer.
Why, he and Tom had known each other
since the time they wore roundabout Jack
ets-had helped each other out of innume1-
able boy scrapes--had been room-mates ut
college, and after graduating, had settled in
the same place. What not confde in
Toml 1t would he treason to the cause of
friendship.


So, in answer to TOMS question if Maud
had refused him hp answered that Shn had