skets and wreaths tonight, when he receives his diploma."

"Well, well; if it will do any good, I shall not mind the expense. But,
child, he will know it is from you, and men don't care for such things
coming from home folks. Now, if it was from any other young lady, I
expect he'd be mightily pleased."

"Oh, mother, I don't think so. Edward will think as much of it, coming
from his sister-in-law, as from any other girl. And it will please Kate,
too. If _we_ do not think enough of him to send him bouquets, who else
could? Rest easy, mother, dear; I feel quite sure my bouquet will do
much good," answered Annie, putting her bouquet in a glass of water.

She left the room to make her simple toilet for the evening.

Mrs. Grey had been widowed when her two little girls were in their
infancy. It had been a hard struggle for the mother to raise her
children. Constant toil, privation and anxiety had worn heavily on her
naturally delicate constitution, until she had become a confirmed
invalid. But there was no longer a necessity for her toiling. Katy, the
elder daughter, was married; and Annie, a loving, devoted girl, could
now return the mother's long and loving care. By her needle she obtained
a support for herself and mother.

Katy's husband held a position under the government, receiving a small
compensation, only sufficient for the necessities of the present, and of
very uncertain continuance. He was ambitious of doing better than this
for himself, as well as his family. So he employed every spare hour in
studying medicine, and it was the night that he was to receive his
diploma that my little story begins.

The exercises of the evening were concluded. Edward Roberts came down
the aisle to where his wife and Annie were seated, bearing his
flowers--an elegant basket, tastefully arranged, and a beautiful
bouquet. But it needed only a quick glance for Annie to see it was not
_her_ bouquet. Although the flowers were fragrant and rare, they were
not so carefully selected or well chosen. Hers expressed not alone her
affection and appreciation, but _his_ energy, perseverance and success.

"Why, where is my bouquet? I do not see it," asked Annie, a look of
disappointment on her usually bright face.

"Yours? I do not know. Did you send me one?" returned her
brother-in-law.

"Indeed I did. And such a beauty, too! It is too bad! I suppose it is
the result of the stupidity of the young man in whose hands I placed it.
I told hi