Year: 1872

down the steps OF MIS-. AillSOn resi-
dence up town, one would have supposed. /
him to have suddenly fallen heir to
rich legacy, he lookod' 50 proud and
joyous and good cause he had to exult.'
Sweet Edith Allison had within the hour
given smiling approval to his long |
and earnest wooing, and consented that
the happy day should not be a distant
one and Edith Allison was prize whom
any man might be proud of winning. :
Wealthy and winsome, beautiful and
gentle, no wonder that sDg. sA>shton should ]
sfeef tnat the word N gshefsf rad as
sumed a gayer mood to celebrate his
good fortune.


But as he went smiling down the
street little remembrance went fitting
through his mind that sent thrill of
disappointment and pain to his heart.
His precious Edith, his new found treas
ure, intended going that night to the
opera in company with some friends, and
owing to an engagement previously made
with some of his medical friends, an en-
gagement which his duty prompted him
to keep, he could not accompany her.


The though that another would have
the sweet privilege of lingering near
his hearts idol all the evening, while
he was banished, caused sensation of
peculiar bitterness, and he cast about in
his mind as to what he should do. FL
nally bright idea struck him.


He would send her the loveliest bou-
quet that could be procured, and the
sweet flowers should repeat to her over
and over again the story that he had
been whispering into her ear that MORN
ing, and with their bright faces plead
ing for him, she could not for a mo-
nent lose sight of his great and passion
ate love.


His round of visits over, he had just
time to step into car and be trotted off
to where bouquet of rare and costly
flowers was procured. While the bou-
quet was being made he managed to
write on slip of paper few words -


"1My Darling:-I cannot be with you
this evening, but let these lovely flowers
speak for me- Yours forever, III. A."


Carefully twisting this little missive
into the center of the bouquet, where it
would attract her eye, he was soon ON
his way back to the city.


As he rode along, he remembered with
some compunctions that new patient of
his, and warm personal friend, had re-
quested him to call that day, as she
thought she needed medical advice
This lady also rejoiced in the possession
of a beautiful daughter, who might have
captivated the doctors fancy had he
never met with the gentle Edith.


His watch told him that he could
spare half an hour for this visit, and at
the end of that time he would carry his
flowers to Edith, and be favored with a
few minutes of her company before start
ing.


Acting on this suggestion, he rang
the bell, and was ushered into large,
well-lighted parlor, where a bright coal
fire was burning, rendering the air as
soft and balmy as that of summer. II
would never do to take his flowers into
that warm room, so he carefully deposit
ed them in the hall, and sat down tc
await the coming of his patient. Pres
entity the rustling of silken garment:
told him of her approach, and before ht
) had time to rise and greet her, she sprane
forward and caught his hands in both O
hers.


20, you dear, kind, thoughtful fellow
How good of you to think of this being
my birthday! What lovely bouquet =
DIR. Ashton's face expressed the vexa
tion that his tongue could not speak, and
indeed, the voluble lady gave him nj
opportunity to open his lips.
"How pleased my dear husband viii
t be with such a delicate compliment t.
| his wife, she continued. still holdin.
his hands in both her own.


The doctor found his tongue at last
!, ''If you mean the bouquet in the hal
madam, | must say to you that it is in
2 tended for a young lady, and l an
ashamed to acknowledge that | was no
t aware that this aoas your birthday
go we'll. it don't matter, my dea
DOCTOR she replied, smiling sweet,


upon him. II knew who should hav
them, and sent them right up to her.


Good heavens madam, what d
: you mean? What have you done wit
my flowers % cried the young man,


dim perception of an impending terribl
calamity beginning to dawn on hi
o mind


y The lady put out both hands and lov
ingly stroked his hot cheeks


"How excited you are" she SAID


'.but it is all right. Dear Hattie blush
? ed like rose when gave 1t to her, an
;. if you could have seen her sweet conf
} sion, you would no longer be in dout
u u as to her real feelings for yourself"


The doctor was wild.


''My dear madam, it is all mistake