y next morning to their duties,
and Ericsson lay waiting for his coffee. The rough timbers of the bungalow
were concealed by boards, smooth and neat. Invalids quartered there had
amused themselves by scribbling their names. Some, more ambitious, added
verses, epigrams, and caricatures; others, drawings and even paintings.
From his bed-place Ericsson scrutinised these artless memorials in the
early light. Presently he observed a flower--a Cypripedium; the shape
could not be mistaken. It was coloured, but dimly--the tints had soaked
into the wood. With professional interest his eye lingered on this sketch.
And then the first sun-ray streamed across the verandah and fell upon the
very spot. Its faded colours shone brightly for a moment, green, white
margin, vinous purple--Ericsson sprang out of bed.

No room for doubt! To make assurance doubly sure there was an
inscription--'C. C.'s contribution to the adornment of this room.'

Hurriedly he sought a pencil and wrote--'Contribution accepted.
Cypripedium collected, C. E.'

It was not such a smart _replique_ as the occasion seems to demand. But
Ericsson is perfectly well satisfied with it to this day.

We can imagine how blithely he set to work that morning. Cypripedium
Curtisii was selling in London at the moment for many guineas--a small
plant too. And he had found the goose with golden eggs innumerable,
waiting to be picked up. These orchids 'travel' well. There was no great
distance to carry them before embarkation. The good fellow's fortune was
made, and he had the pleasure of knowing it well earned.

With such cheerful thoughts, Ericsson sallied out day after day for a
while, searching the mountain. He had a following of miscellaneous
'natives' by this time, experienced in their work. The neighbourhood was
rich. Every evening they brought in a load of orchids more or less
valuable, but never Cypripedium Curtisii. He engaged men of the district
and showed them the picture. Some recognised it, and undertook to bring
specimens; but they were always mistaken. The invalids withdrew, one after
another. Ericsson found himself alone. His accumulated spoil of plants,
well worth shipping, began to be as much as he could transport. As time
went by, despair possessed him. After all, it did not follow that Mr.
Curtis had found the prize just here because he painted it on the wall. To
discover a new and fine orchid is a great achievement, and the lucky man
might very well commemo