another. Hih, hih, you forget?"

"No, Richard, never forgotten."

"Mean it yet?"

"Yes, in my heart I do."

"Hih, that's good--adieu!"

Turning up his one eye at Guly to give a parting glance the dwarf swung
himself away, and the clatter of his crutches on the pavement came back
with a mournful echo to the boy's ear.

Guly proceeded to read the note which had been handed him. It was simply
an invitation for him to come to a certain number in an up-town street,
and though neatly written, bore neither date nor signature.

Concluding it was merely a notice asking his attendance on some person
sick, he having frequently performed such offices during the summer, at
the hour designated Guly turned his steps toward the stated spot. It was
a large house he found, standing somewhat back from the street, and
presuming that it might be one of those wealthy homes which the
devastating scourge had rendered desolate, leaving perhaps, one lonely
sufferer, he advanced up the steps and gave the bell a gentle ring; a
servant opened the door and ushered him into the drawing-room. Two
ladies rose to greet him. One he recognized as the donor of his New
Year's gift, and the other, could it be--his own brown-eyed Blanche?
Guly felt a wild thrill of joy sweep through his heart, as Blanche,
grown, it was true, more womanly than when he saw her last, came forward
with her white hand extended to greet him. Oh, how annihilated did all
the past, in that one wild moment, become! and as he bent his lips to
that loved hand, and his brown hair swept forward over his pale temples,
shutting out the bright scene around him, he seemed, for the instant,
once more sitting at the little table in the humble cottage of the
brodeuse, listening to the trembling voice of the blind grandfather,
and threading needles for Blanche.

"This," said the young girl, in her sweet musical voice, as Guly raised
his head, "is our mutual friend, Mrs. Belmont; your acquaintanceship, I
believe, however, dates from long ago."

Guly expressed his pleasure at the opportunity afforded of at last
acknowledging his New Year's gift; and in a few moments they were seated
together a happy trio, with the ease and cheerfulness of old friends
talking over the events of the past. Mrs. Belmont explained, that she
had met Blanche one day in the cemetery, kneeling by her grandfather's
grave, just as she was on the eve of starting away on a long journey.
That, struck by her resemblanc