His Heart's Queen

let's bedside, and Mrs. Mencke, having given certain directions reg

and though for a week her fever ran very high, and the doctor considered her a

ad occurred on that never-to-be-forgotten day, while she tal

ouse with him, the rich color suffused her face, a

!" she murmured; "how did it h

t no harm that she should know all the details, if she did not get excited. "They found you to

to the girl's golden h

ling to him," she s

life, dear child," replied the nurse; "and it seemed as if he had not one thought for him

and he is so badly hurt, too

en bones are mending nicely. He is already up and about, though he looks rather peaked, as if he were still a good deal

ed?" said Violet, with a shi

thoughtful, for some time afte

hen may I

ue to improve as you have done duri

and thank him for what he has done. Just think-he

ur sister, Mrs. Mencke, has given orders that you

much until I go home; but you must let me see Mr.

object; you can ask her when she c

lushing hotly. "The idea of her objecting, when he saved my life, and when dear Mrs. Richardson ha

objectingly, for Violet's sister had giv

s!" Violet cried, spiritedly, and relapsing a trifle into

bject, and nothing more

d to get up for the first time, an

arly dressed in a pretty pale-blue cashmere wrapper, which Mrs. Mencke had sent the previous d

like herself again. She certainly looked very pretty, though somewhat pa

to be done just then, "don't you want to go out and get the air for a little while? You have not bee

sant change," the woman returned, wi

ld need anything, which I am sure I shall not," she concluded, with a furtive glance toward the sitting-room, where, during the last half-ho

taking Violet at her word, yielded, and soon after went forth in

ips; but her attention was presently attracted by the entrance of Mrs. Richardson, who came to see

ht eyes and the faint flush which was just beginning to tinge her cheek, "

f there was only a piano here," Violet answered, as she glance

t perhaps it is just as well, after all, for the effort migh

let answered, with a

hile, but I will leave this bell with you; if

n, with a rising flush and downcast eyes, she

trifle impatient, now and then, because his a

etful sigh. Then with a timid, appealing glance: "May I not see him, Mrs. Richar

ave those who had the care of her, and she well understood what that injunction meant; consequently her pride and sense of what was right woul

nting your request to-day, dear; we must not tax your

ing her to be sure to ring if she needed anything,

er sunny head mischievously, and s

ing to offend my proud sister. You will not 'assume the responsibility,' but I will. Mrs. Belle just isn't going to ha

and seemed to be measuring

llful little lady, as she deliberately slip

ing limbs would not support her, but the determination to outwit her haughty s

his before her as a support, sitting down once or twice to re

pped upon his knees and he had fallen into a fit of musing, his thoughts turning, as they did involuntarily, to that fearful ride down the inclined pla

him, and, glancing up, he beheld the object of hi

zement and consternation, "I am afraid you are very impr

I am not quite so strong as I thought I was, and find myself a little

," said Wallace as he gently helped her, with his

I suppose I am a trifle pale, but I am not going to faint, as I see you fear. I was lonely in there by myself and imagined that you were also, so I took a

arming confusion upon her white forehead. Her delicate blue wrapper, with its filmy lace ruffles at the neck and waists, was exceedingly becoming, while the laughing, roguish light in he

effort," he managed to say in reply, though he cou

g back now that she was seated, a

g; but I just had to come to see you-I couldn't wait any longer. When I think of how much I owe you, it seems perfectly heartless that I have not told you how t

llace said, growing pale as his own thoug

with her dainty fingers-"when I realize how thoughtless of self you were in trying to save me? Ah! and that poor hand, too," she added, as she caugh

that filled her warm, young heart, she suddenly bent forward and im

h was like electricity to him, and t

t!" he cried; "you ove

had done-that he was almost a stranger and she had been guilty of a rash and perhaps unmaidenly act-a burnin

d silence. "I forgot myself-I forgot e

pealing, half defiant look at him, to cover her c

ll upon you, Mr. Richardson, ar

rming that Wallace's face grew luminous with admiration and delight. A smile wreathed

oo happy. What can I do to am

ugged her

periousness. "I have been shut up so long

tle in society, and had met but very few people in fashionable life. His days were occupied by

itor, and so, going to a book-case, he took d

gricultural drawings, Mis

Violet

would interest yo

she answere

rested in anything which

is to be the business of my life, and I can talk m

book and began to s

d to go to work. I chose the carpenter's trade-my father was a contractor and builder-for I reasoned that a practical knowledge of the construction of buildings would help me in the profession which I hope,

esigns, all of which, she could readily see,

seen in ancient structures abroad, and this led them to enlarge upon the architectu

even; then, with a sudden start, the young girl exclaimed that she must get back to h

h look, as she arose from her seat by the window; and Wallace, with another thrill of delight, gave her hi

ably, she gave him a roughish

r people to return calls,

ht her the most bewitching little

, he added, "but I understand that your sister doe

mounting the steps, she continued, "but there is Mrs. Dean. I wil

sitting-room, where he was apparently deeply absorbed in the con