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ed Miss N oyette mqot, wise at all, sir !" e looked at her a. bare n his half closed ’ on his couch Impatience yet, good to look h its SCOW‘x of dissat- n and a tinge of something‘ d very near to melan- tiresome staying «MI for four! 3 f0! faxes s PAIN rs itoverwithusfin. an: ft 1;? "COHfOI‘T mar narkct, be- “VI PIUGSC 1 xuu uu 80°11 Be wéll entertained." And in She 3n . Was gone. was very quiet indeed ; .mqnl'fi:’ in fact, that the big gong hid Clear and loud from the. . up some I Is preparing to ' to the sid .‘ and telling a “ up and she , mortably in t -_ door of his r00 9 Mid be viewed 1 ’9!!! me by bell i1 ,"“"' she some ,Ilsank into the ”' Chair and a " a. warm sha‘ ~11mm. for you i- ! I shall “on me when tir ISthe watch for :13 “811$!!eg displ; '5“! 8 corner for “d W his chair. .‘W are not kind.” responded ‘Arâ€" e, smiling also. yet not W'lth- “ the sadness she had learned to “mend ; that had made her pity ' ‘ weakness, through all Meme fever of his. He had '5 _a mOSt tractable patient while 5,111, but with recovery had come “‘01! at being *‘coddled," as he WMmusly called it. It hurt :53: to be so treated. But nur- A-, 1N" - _ bfall the I103 are not 1 We. mm”. “fl-{$912 is a little change possible {10! are really so anxious to test “strength. How would you like "it in the armchair near the dbbr- ”by the corridor and watch the ital-s pass ‘2” WisitorS? What visitors ? 11 west none.” ‘m Noyette shook her head in Woval of his persistency in fishing to get up. She rearranged spillow andrfelt his pulse ; it was manly satisfactory, for. after a mt’s hesitation, she added, tile looking at him rather thought. nrgotte wholly felt )tten that ndays are You kilo“7 Whv. I W‘ "mud have light- disturijng thou- {es Armitage Was not “'8 Was a. nature crav- tendemess_a strong, but with a woman’s 39"“ and soulful feel- quiet. l‘efino-zment. and .a A? 'ihe recent years one their im lonely Thougm Come to fternoon D0. please! You entertained." And are be,” Said she ne to him at, very bringing that ‘t Which was hard Caused a veritable "mild have light- ted tiresox this Ded. 3 d0119”"8’n think. thil VOII!‘ Sunday .2" vauuea gentle rebuke be- nixeeded, as she d 119, brusquely. iew wide open and _ defiantly. yet ap- mvse 21y 'Lhat day, ghts of the tar I been without 1(“’86, for busi- been put ahead ,re never home 3w that. too. do would trade the all its helpers. homeâ€"now. You ; make no allow- Eellow! I sup- rse, 5““ 11 you [1' recovery by us, ” pointing ‘0 to have brought hers and lit- that longing resome staying mad for four eâ€"and DOthing think, all day elf to the in- my downy ? Is that .WARDER, mygisth. 1902. But, then added She eyed him keenlg. over her eye- glasses, smiling also. "Rash patients are not to _be trusted, even with eating,” declared she. “You promised to be quiet if I allowed you to sit up awhileâ€"said you hadn't a friend a friend in the cityâ€"not one visitor to come to you â€"â€"a.nd yet look at thatâ€"â€"" pointing to the rose that Armitage had en- deavored to screen from her view by placing it belfind a. tea cup. __-_-_~ m-.. r 7,, "Oh, that ” The young man laughed again quietly, while an odd twinkle crept into the usually sad eyefi and a little color was visible in his pale face. “That was purely an accident; it came to me through â€"pity. I do not even know the do- nor’s name, but I value her pity." “ ’Tis a happy token, Mr. Armi- tage." - “ll trust so ; certainly it could not have fallen on more desolate soil. could it, Miss Noyette ‘? Poor little rose ! I've half a. mind to throw it awayâ€"then I cannot see it wither. What has my life 'Co do with roses ?” rather bitterly questioned he. “There! there!” exclaimed the nurse, with quick apprehension. “Do not lapse into one of your blue spells Eat your supper and then. let me fix you' comfortably for the night; you are over tired. And I will put this trail gift in water, shall ‘I not ‘2” "Yes, please !. After all it would. be cruel to deliberately allow it to perishâ€"a lonesome thing, like_ my- self. Is the water cool enough to keep it fresh over night. think you ‘I _He looked at her with quiet amuse- ment in his eyes. “=A mild indulgence for one who is impatient to be up and doing, don’t you think 3? However, I shall adopt the rest cure for a few days,” said he. “You need not fix this chair againâ€"till Visitors?Day. Then 'I'll be stronger : do you not believe so?" “Yes, indeed !” “Good ! Now hand over the sup- per. Only broth and crackers ?" re- proachfully. "And I could eat a. houseâ€"a. hospitalâ€"a real me . 0 you nurses !” laughed he. I should like to marrow ; just as I of my future." VI “A J ______ “ deed, but such gifts are not to be despised by any one. I only won- der, though, that ypu did not give it back : you are uéually so unrespon- sive to anything done for you." And she glanced smilingly at him over her shoulder, meanwhile busily ar- ranging the room for night occupan- " -"- - _-‘_--I-- 1* He leaned back in the chair, look- ing down rather curiously at the flower in his hand. Its fragrance and beauty came to him sweetly, like a message of cheer. She had a ten- der heart, whoeVer she might be. No doubt he had shown his loneliness and grief, which, she, a stranger, noted. He wondered if she visited the hospital every Sunday. Somehow he had. grown tired of watching the people pass. His fingers reached for the bell and the button was pressed that summoned his nurse. “You should have rung for me much sooner, Mr. Armitage,” said Miss Noyette, a few moments later, as she came in bringing his tea on a tray and glancing at the watch. “It is overtime for you. That is not wise for a start. Now eat and then back to bedâ€"until to-morrow. There may be a penalty attached to sitting1 up too long.” She smiled as she noted him, then. with a. quick impulse, loosened one of the roses from her jacket front and tossed it to him lightly. In a. twinkling she was gonehand so was the brightnefis of the afternoon. ~ Armitage glanced at the watch left by Miss Noyette and decided he would wait beyond the single hour prescribed. It was occupation of lmind for him, the. And So He sat +11 'I‘t‘. quiet, pale, almost tired. yet siting for what he hoped Would l me, as it didâ€"that light step on ;i1e marble floor of the corridor, and the swish of the silken skirt. That second time he was alert and wait- ing. his brown eyes eager indeed. Then the vision came. He saw a young. tender face, with blue eyes that smilingly flashed into his own : a finely poised head, with a glory of gold hair visible beneath the velVet hat; daintily gloved hands; a. jaunty figureâ€"in fact, perfection There were all sorts and condi- tions of them and he finally became keenly interested in counting them. and in speculating upon their errands Then came a, sound, different from the rest. What was it ? Again the soundâ€"the swish of a woman's silken skirtâ€"a dainty, girlish figure hasten- ing by, gracefully. lightly. Anni-n tage raised himself expectantly in the chair, feeling instinctively that it.‘ was no ordinary visitor who thus flitted along the corridor. There was just a, hurried glance, but he Fsaw enough to want to see more. The blue eyes of the girl who passed gazed into his brown ones. steadily, smilingly. There even seemed to be a shade of pity for him in that smile but it was all over in such a tiny moment that he scarcely knew if the pity were for himâ€"or that sick one she was evidently hastening to see. Lucky invalid! Perhaps-why, yes to be sureâ€"all visitors must return along the same corridor. draws Visitor-3’ Day, Kiss Noyette had told him! But he would have no visit from any member of his fa- mily”; their lives were apart from his. Ah, well, he would be better soon; would leave the hospital and ter business fields again. Then life would be sweetenâ€"more beneficial to his mind. And with money, would come friends. It is never difficult to find friends when one's purse strings ‘are easy of manipulation, but did he wan'tJ that style ? The mother had small faith in such friends and she was r'ght’, Dear motherâ€"glieving for her boy, yet powerless to help‘ him. He shut his teeth together hard. Pshaw! He would not al- low himself to think longer: he would watch the visitors as they passed his door, which he straight- way did. trim She sat down in front of the fire. the blaze throwing queer shadow; over her, yet making a brilliant back ground for the head and face that rose so delicately from the mesh of lace about her throat. Her large eyes gazed intently into the fire, then travelled back to her father, who looked fondly at the pretty face and figure pictured in the glow of the firefight. “Now,A!ather! It was not my fault that we met with that acci- dent; I was not. the late one that. night." T‘It was your dress, though â€" the same thing. But tell me what you saw in that. pest hole of a hospital?" "It is no pest hole. fatherâ€"just a beautifully clean, white place. There were great long corridors. with inâ€" numerable doors opening from them. I walked miles before I found Mrs. Cronin and Michael. And it is such an awfully important looking place. that hospitalâ€"gives one an idea of perfect system and of practical haste â€"Andâ€"a.ndâ€"fa.therâ€"-" “We’ll fix him up handsomely, Debbie." declared Mr. Veltner. rea- ching for his cup and accepting an- other chicken sandwich from the plate she oflered him. “It is really a. mercy that. you and I are not in Mrs. Cronin's a'nd Michael's places in that horrible hospital. No more racing to dances for me. I can tell you !" "I saw such a terribly sad young fellow‘ thereâ€"sitting ill and alone by one of the open doors. Don't you think you could do something for him ? He is refinedâ€"not a common patient at all. He looked so very nice. but oh.-â€"so sad !" "fly dealtâ€"girl! 7 Am I a NUS" 'cian? Whereinamlabletobenefit a. sick young man ?"' A- 7.] V'T Mr. Veltner’s amused smile caused his daughter to smile also, though the tender face had been most serious és she spoke. "I mean, of course, alwr he leaves the hospital." continued she. “You see, I talkedâ€"just'b'y danceâ€"with the nurse who has charge of his ward She was in the corridor as I came out. He is I: 1y recovered. She said, and she pi 6 him so; be has no home-'60 gohtow: W"; ‘f- - “How is Michael ? That was a bad accident, my dear, and a sad loss to me. The new coachman is simply not in it. compared with Mi- chaél. 1 shall raise the poor man's pay when he returns to our house. Let us pray that may soon be.” "He is doing beau'fla‘fully, the doc- tors say. and can be out again in a few weeks. Do you know he was tremendously pleased to see me. ‘Sune an' it’s the light of sunshine ye bring. Miss Debbie, an' ye can't be a. bringin' of it~too often,' said he'll Mr. Veltncr nodded and sipped his coflee. ‘ “And you want him here '.' No ; that cannot be! I encourage your charities as a, rule. but. this really asking too m’uclx.' Why, my dear, you would soon make my home a "Yes," replied the girl, after a pause. ‘I‘It did seem so dimcult to accomplish all I had planned to do. You know the visiting hour is very brieIâ€"strictly enforcedâ€"no ex‘Uension -â€"and poor Mrs. Cronin had so much to tell me. There were only a. few moments left to give our other in- validâ€"Michael Flynn. Oh ! and the flowers ! Delia loved her flowers ; I was so glad I took her some." Deborah always did everything so quickly, yet so very thoroughly. He leamed bask in the big chair, satis- fiedâ€"the chicken was plentifully spread on the bread and the 00698 was deliciously fragrant. ‘I‘JYou were late to-day, Debbie," remarked he at length. watching her spread the bread, and eying the quantity of potted chicken she put on the slice intended {or him. Deborah motioned to the servant to 3‘0. and as soon as the door closed took upon herself the loved task of serving her father. “C‘old, eh, Deb ?"' questioned be. rather lazily, and she replied that it was. , . Then she was off. up the stairs and in her own room, where untidy locks of hair were rearranged and a pretty fichu added to the street gown; When she entered the library again. tea. was being brought in. It was 8- cosy fashion of the Veltner's. that Sunday night tea. in the library. and bath father and daughter enjoyed the little repast to its very fullest ex- tent. There was always a. total ab- sence of the table etiquette «but somehow seemed a. part or the hand- some diningâ€"room: a. sort of jolly fell'owship in the informality or eat- ing and drinking from the tiny table] set close to the fireplace, where crac- kled the blazing logs. And occas- ionally a friend dropped in for par- ticipation in these jolly meals. But that Sunday night father and daugh- ter were alone. Dusk was settling over the city when Miss‘Véltner reached home. The servant; was already closing Rho shut» ters and had lighted the gas in the library, where Deborah removed her wrap before going upstairs to her room. ~Very cheeriul indeed looked the might. fine in the open chimney place. and Philip \‘eltner, from his comfortable seat, beside it, looked up as his daughter flung on her cloak. gathering up the tea thing‘s, Owed the requwt and soon left him settled for the hours when sleep would prove the helpful benefactor he most need~ ”It. must have been Deborah Volt- ner." exclaimed mes Noym- “‘5“ was here to-day -- rather anxious about two patients her father 11“! ‘sent. hereâ€"a. private room for sack ‘ “The brokerage firm. Veltnelr ? “Yes." ' ‘fl‘hank you,” murmured Armitase. with that quiet rulerve of manner that. aJWays forbade his nurse W‘ ing more. "Tell your cook, please, the broth was excellent. but. the quantity slim. Oh !; and allow me to put that mm in water. Give it% to me, please. Yes, I will sleep here on the couch, in the darknOfiS- Good-night !" And Miss Noyette, supper than sbme hard hearted nur- ses do.” When Miss Veltner heard how pro- foundly yatclul Mr. Armitage was and how delicately refined his thanks to her father had been, her heart. Was glad indeed. "So it appears. He seems a very estimable young fellow and quite a» bust {or a lever graduate. He'll be strong as a lion in a few weeks and then we'll tax that strength. I like his reserve: it makes me trust him. a rather difficult thing to do with ball the rattlebrain clerks. floating around these days. Now, fasten this most abominable necktie. will you. Debfl Somehow my eyes sun me.orelsethatrasea1inthestom is a cheatâ€"it refuses to stay (as- tened." Mr. Veltner nodded. adding that such a far“ would snvn l‘c rubbed out of sight when he came to be . :.:t of the Veltner firm. Dutton was. therefore. instructed to write to Ar- mitage that upon leaving the hospi- tal a position was open for him in the offices of Veltner and 00., his former employers hat-"x; highly re- commended him as Sati<factory. And so it Came to pass Unit. Deborah's earnest wish to aid bomme an actu- aJity. The desponden: young man at the hospital Was given encourageâ€" ment: from an unexpected source. The letter that Armitage received put new life into him. He rallied immedia- tely, each day making visible pro- gress to perfect health. He vaguely wondered at it all, but never dared question the good fortune that had come so providentially to him. It was just one of those rare, odd ev-‘ cuts that come into one's life. and as such he accepted it, not even as- sociating her with itrâ€"it would have been so absurd a. thing for him to do "You see. father, it. was really a deserving case." exclaimed she. Mr. Veltner pinmed the shell-like ear and amiled indulgently. They were about to start for the opera. and time was flying swiftly. Deborah. laughing merrily, stretched out both hands. and after several magical thrusts and jerks. the white tie by peacefully and properly on the dress shirt bosom. “.There !" said she. at length. “You look very handsome. dad, real- 13’; I am proud of you. But, have a. care. sir! shaking one finger warn- ingly at him and endeavoring to look very stern. "Have a. care, lest I find You not. attentive to your duties as chaperon. I want to enjoy this Opera: do sit. beside me.” Her voice betrayed earnestness. hut a merry smiledurked in the blue eyes as she held out her white cape for him to put over her shoulders. De- borah always looked loveb' In white “There's no ‘st‘?’ 11 Button said: “Belongs t4 hurry Order of Workers." True to his word, Mr. Veltner in- vestégated the case brought to his attention by his daughter. He found it a worthy 'one. Button. his man- ager, reported the young man to be eminently fitted for the brokerage line of work: his former employers had no condemnation to oflerâ€"dn fact were most complimentary. the only thing in his disfavor was the fact that he seemed rather slow. “And receive the condemnation of those eager swells who find me so at» tractive in our box," laughed he. “.You are a. shit): !- Yoé. know they annoy me.” . And on the marrow, when Deborah and her father were in the splendid dining-room, chatting brightly of the day's plans, a. fever weakened young patient at the city hospital was gaz- ing pleasedly at a fully opened rose that lay on the covet-let of his couch. It was his omen of me future. "He does so need aid saidâ€"â€" Oh. you sh his sad face !‘ I 1e him, sitting there all ins so in, that 1â€"' She blushed .nd turned slightly. 80 erable amusement. strong enough for hard NOYette said : she real]: veritable institution, what with your kindergarten protozoa. the, old ladies' asylum inmatesu and now the sick and wounded from the city hos- Pital. He cannot. be brought. here; I'll not have such nonsence.” 0t Devil ”'9 “'st.r about him," 50101128 to the Anti- not. understand the in her fair cheeks as having thrown the !elt. so sorry [or L1! alone and look- But there came one morning when Mr. Veltner hemmed and hawed over his coflee rolls. Deborah wondered what was coming, but refrained from asking any questions. She noted, too, his anxious expression. At length he voiced his thoughts, while the girl gave closest attention. “I'm afraid, Deb," begun he slow- ly, scanning the paper and so avoid- ing a. direct since at her, "that your friend. Hr. Griffiths, must lose his position." "What! s that?” The pretty {we grew distressed Griffiths was an especial favorite with both her (other and herself. “It is true." Hr. Veltner nodded his head. “Trulnter and Dutton both wooâ€"that is. unlem young Arm- itoge is discharged; it must be one of the two. ” “Why?" "Slow business. my deer, that is why. We find it necessary to reduce the force. I! Grimths goes we lose realized that there was a change. and so told himself that he must wait yet awhileâ€"that- the ground was not yet firm to his impatient tread. And so he waited and serv- ed her, saying nothing of his hopes and few. asking no faVOrs, lest he receive fewer : making no claim upou her, while yet never allowing her we forget that he loved her. It was a difficult path to tread, but his ladyâ€" love was despotic in rule and he humbly obeyed her laws. Things went along indefinitely and that was what Deborah wanted. Ce- cil was nice, very. but she was not quite sure that she wanted to accept him as a lover ; sometimes she thought she did ; again she felt she did not; it was best to decide slowly-â€"a.nd Cecil evidently was wil- ling to wait thought she. So she worried not. but enjoyed life, for youth and health were hers, and her father usually kept business matters from her : he disliked intruding upon her happiness. a. (girly good man: it Amicagwe goes. he loses his all. The choice perplex- ea me. Can you suggest any mmedy’! Candidly, I have grown quite fond of Armitage; he is so very dependable. quite the equal of Grimm ln ability. tooâ€"and more Mr to his su- periors. Grimm's temper is against. him." “Mr. Armitnge is very placid. I thought-you remember the day I called st the once to bring you home? He did not one naeâ€"seems not to worry or bury as do the other clerks. 01' as you do.” commuted Do- borah, thoughtfully. ' “Well, he il‘not up to the scratch on a. rush, that is true." admitted Mr. Veltner, “but slowness and se- They started {or the opera, she to shine like a radiant star ; he to watch his star, lest some rude glance do it harm. With Cecil. all was righ'Uâ€"Mr. Veltner did not mind him -â€"but there were others. many others and his Deborah should not go to the wrong man. The late wintry days passed along much as usual, spring having a hard struggle to conquer the frosts of stem winter. There was the cus- tomary round 0! social events; din- ners, teas, receptions. dances. and Miss Veltner seldom neglected any of them. She seemed never to‘ tire oi dancing; music thrilled her always and set her feet going almost magi- cally. When her father tailed as ex- cort. Cousin Walter or even Cecil Harrington would take his place. al- though since the night of that last opera trip. the girl had been more cautious in her intercourse with Mr. Harrington. There was, perhaps, .iustashadelesswarmthinner-man-1 nor to himâ€"that proud manner that so many or! her admirers had felt and inwardly rebelled at. Studio ously polite and Winsome as ever. Mr. Harrington Was at a loss to ac- count for the change in her. but he curity are frequently.better than haste and wasteâ€"I tool always abâ€" solutialy sure of that fellow. mm. to- night you will have an opportunity to study him further, for he will be here to dinner: I’m invited him. a m m or W; an: I: all. "Be quiet. air 1 You are need- lonely donned on that soore.~~ I've no intention of leaving you for “years and you-1‘60 come; mind that, if you please." "I do, but Cecil will not beâ€"" “Pray drop Cod! .- a, topic 0! con- versation." interrupted she, rather impctiently."1nstead,get into1 your ova-cant: we shallbe [abate u; we stop here to argue. " { WOOOO 00W I can recommend these Watches as gooc time-keepers and they will give every satisfaction They are generally sold at mm ‘10 to $14. 24 Seven Jewel Gentleman’s WALTflAM WATCHES Ontafio Bank block, comer of Kent and William Streets, will sell on SATURDAY, APRIL 26th, and following: week: {Jeweller and Issuer of Marriage Licenses, ;. JDebErah, allow me to mutant .3 {» esteemed clerk, llr. Armitam," add 4’ the eider man. simply. “Ir. Armis- ,, age, Miss VeItner." “1 un pleased to have the m klof meeting Miss Veitner.” And ch t. tall guest came forward with any politeness and bowed Iov belore her. 1 She, looking up, met the teen. 1 steadygnaot twobrowneyen; any n seemed to look her through and .t through. If their owner hit an}: anâ€" ; Wait. his manner certainly 'Ihenofa‘suddencameamostdisâ€" tux-hing thought ; a fine house; s be host .and hostess-and a plain dinner. No, that would never do ! Her MI- er's guest should see how they lived and what they were. Then, it he re» membered that hospital Sunday, he would not dare consider her fatha' anything but an employer. far above him. and she, the daughter of tb house. Yes. that was the props at- titude. Strange she had not W of it More! He must no think tint she threw roses to strange young Ins- every day. The dinner order must he changed '; she disliked oddities. a. splendid one, understand? I USE telephone for some oysters and .1- men cutlets; make potato croquem do please. Kate, andtheadadlwin make. There must be m pudding too. neflomandlruitl fins- .0 arrange." E “And Kate. I wish the able vice to be periect. See that J_ ’ doesherbest;1willputouttho est dishesâ€"tell J ulin to handle carefully." “I will, miss." “Thank you. Etta." And then Debonh went had up- min. 3:? the cook. 'Kate, will you please cancel my former orders for dinner. It must b. Evening come at. lust and with it the two men. Debonh. moot daint- ily attired and looking very sweet. was waiting in the drawing room, into which Mr. Veltna' M It. Amitage. lfiss Veltner went straight to ch kitchen and gave detailed Orders re- garding the dinner. There were to be no fancy dishes. Their guest was not a fashionable one, merely a bus- iness man, she told Kate, the cod. Next, the drawing room was inspec- ted, dusted and left in perfect order. Miss Veltner's morning task for each day. Then she sought her own mom. Once there she pondered on the situ- ation. chin in hands, helore her lo. window seat. The more she thought 0! the expected guest. the greater was her cu: iousity aroused. And alter :11 her kindness, he would be the means of usurping poor Griffiths' position in her father' 3 arm. Somehow is sure her father would not dismi- Armitage since be trusted him so. That glimpse of Armitage at the hos- pital, solongago, securedhnw in- deed. Would itbesotohim, fie wondered ? One thing she remembe- ed clearlyâ€"his pleasure at receiving the rose so hurriedly thrown to him. How his pale face had lighted up in. response to her mischievous smile I And she, Deborah Veltner, had given a flower to a strange man. But (I course he would not remember her : that glance was so brief, and a hat. an cloak were an excellent disguise. That office call of hers, too, was II- known to him. Yes, she was [tutu sale from identification. She would wear her prettiest gown for dinneâ€" father liked to have her well dressed.- Hehadrisenashespokeandto- gather they walked to the hall doct. where he kissed her a fond good-by. "As you like," responded she, null- ing also. “And you will have thing. :1! fight?" ‘ “The dinner, you mean? Have I ever lailed you. Dad? “Never.” "Thank you! Now start along to the omce. I must think out tilt sorry businessâ€"and to-night'a din-r party. Something homelike and not too expensive, don't you think.“â€" a?ll Later on. within a few days, we I!“ decide who leaves the firm. You an“ preside tonight, I suppose?” in nth- er a mocking tone of voice and . twinkle of-fun in his eyes. Be well knew how particular Deborah was about, dinner guests. and was not 0- together sure how she would receive this latest, addition to the (films. list. moment later she burst. in upon WM" "mm M “3% Ala ' ear