Miss McDonald

night," and saying to herself at night, "It will be here to-morrow morning." Suc

r, whom she understood now better than she once had, had gotten the story up for the sake of inducing her through pique to marry Tom; but if so his plan would fail. Guy would write to her, "Come!" and

e, said to her one day, when they sat together in the garden, and

e, as you term it-though, now I think of it, I do feel sick and faint. It's the heat, I guess.

were bright as stars as she went forward to me

voice, as she took the paper in her hand, and, recognizing Guy

ne exclaimed, forgetting her English and adopting her mother tongue

t it would be easier so than to read it herself, for she knew it wa

eign paper, Pauline tore off the wrapper, starting a little at Da

into her seat in the garden chair, while Pauline wondered what harm there was in tearing an old soiled wrapper

edding in Roxbury, and the latest fashions from Paris, into which Pauline plunged with avidity while Daisy listen

see, and she hunted through the columns

ev. Dr. --, assisted by the rector, Guy Thornton, Esq.

ink I will go in," Daisy said, her fingers wo

f Thornton to hear what Daisy said, and

roused herself to answer it, and said quic

hip existing between Guy Thornton and her teacher's husband, whom she sup

d, and on being told she said softly

at last might make him wretched with thinking "what might have been," and with the bitter pain which cut her heart like a knife there was mingled a pity for Guy, who would perhaps suffer more than she did, if that were p

up and down the garden trying to make out the relations

hen he must be her brother-in-law; but why didn't she say so? Maybe, though, that is the English way of pu

in a paper and I read it to her, and she's sick," Pauline said, with

strangely. Through the summer a malarial fever had prevailed to some extent in and about Rouen, and the physician whom Madame L

heard any bad news from home?" he asked, as in reply to his

o late-too late, a

s, read the notice of Guy Thornton's marriage, and that gave her the key at once to Daisy's mental agitation. Daisy had been frank with her an

she said to the physician, who was still holding Daisy's hand and

aggravates all the symptoms of her

tient worse, and the next da

this country? If so,

is lodgings at Berlin, Tom

s dangerously il

ed his valise, and, leaving a note for the McDonalds when they should return, started for Rouen. Daisy did not know him, and in her delirium she said things to him and of him which hurt him cruelly. Guy was

wanted me, too, but I couldn't, you know, even if he were worth his weight in gold. I could not love him. Why, he's

b, while the "big hand with the great freckles on it" smoothed t

t tires you so," he said, as h

t to be stopped,

ard, and I like him ever so much, but I

want it," came huskily from

sn't

smoothed the tumbled pillows and wiped the sweat drops from Daisy's face, while all the time the great ki

in such a turmoil. But for himself he knew there was no hope, and with a feeling of death in his heart he watched by her day a

r to me. I would r

his own skill, and then Tom gave up his post and never went near her unless she asked for him. His

her with every luxury money could buy, and, as soon as she was able, had her removed to a pretty little cottage w

he watched her without rest or sufficient food. There was a faint, followed by a long interval of unconsciousness, and when he came to himself he was in Daisy's

am I?" he asked,

she met his look of wonder, "but glad I can repay in part all you did for me, you dear, noble Tom! And you are not to talk," and she laid her small hand on

oxious to the little lady, and, drawing his hands from her grasp, hid them beneath the clothes. Gladly, too, would he have covered his face and hair

hen Tom's fever ran higher than hers had done, because there was more for it to feed upon, and when Tom in h

coherent mutterings, and when Daisy asked

with such delicacy of sight and touch! She doesn't like red hair; she said so when we thought the man in the corner was waiting for her, and she doesn't like my freckled face and hands-big hands, she said they were, and yet how they have worke

tood there day and night, while Daisy kept her tireless watch and Tom talked on and on-never

t once it would take Daisy, but it left her, and I am glad. When I am fairly over and there's nothing but my big, freckled hulk left,

ow was not so black, his presence so all-pervading, and there was hope for Tom. His reason came back at last, and the fever left him, but weak as a child, with no power to move even his poor wasted ha

spread the sheet over them, and then on her

t repulsive to me. You are the truest, best, and dearest frie

fought, and on her knees, with tears and bitter cries, asked for help to do right. Not for help to know what was right. She felt sure that she did know that, only the flesh was weak, and there were chords of love still clinging to a past she scarcely dared think of now lest her courage

or how sharp the pain in my heart, if I only keep it there

ng of the muscles as if the words were hard to utter when next day she went to Tom, and, sitting down beside him, asked how he was feeling. His eyes brighten

ll, nor do I wish to, though life is not a gift to be thrown away easily, and on some account

ith her tears. "Tom," she began, when she could speak. "I have been bad to you so often, and worried and wounded you so much; but I am sorry, so sorry, and I've thought it all over an

om until his silence startled her. Then she stole a glance at his

. Try me, Tom; I will make you happy, and, though at first I cannot love you as I did Guy when I sent him

and when she said again, "Will you, Tom?" the pale lips parted with an effort to speak, but no sound was audible, only the chin quivered, and the tears stood in his gray eyes as he battled with the great temptation. Should he accept the sacrifice

u and well meant, but it cannot be. I could not make you happy. I am not like Guy; never can be like him, and you would hate me after a whi

arms around her, drew her to him in a quick, passio

ht of it before I was sick, and believe I am a better man, and Jesus is my friend, and I am going to him. I'm glad you

have no vital force or rallying power, and after a few days it was clear even to Daisy that Tom's life was drawing to a close. "The man in the corner" was there again waiting for his prey, and would not leave this time until he bore with him an immortal soul. And Tom was

he retained his consciousness, with the exception of a few hours, when his mind wandered a little

s not comely, I would not run the chance of being hated for my repulsive looks. Poor little Daisy! she meant it all right, and I bless her for it, and am glad she said it, but she m

er view. He knew her at last, and bade her a long farewell, and told her she had been to him the dearest thing in life, and Daisy's arm was round him, supporting him

arling! I am goin

laimed him, and Daisy put gently from her on

ined his papers he found to his surprise that, with the exception of an annuity to himself and several legacies to different charitable institutions,