urls, leaned over the wheeled chair and kissed the old
gentleman, as she placed some carnations on his lap.

She caught his hand in her own little ones and patted it affectionately.

"You dear daddy. I asked the superintendent of the hospital to let me
in as a special favor to-day, for to-morrow is the regular visiting
day, and I can't come then--neither can Lorna."

"Why, my dear, where are you going?"

The girl hesitated, as she noticed Burke in the wheel-chair so close at
hand. By superhuman effort Bobbie was directing his attention to the
distant roofs, counting the chimneys as he endeavored to keep his mind
off a conversation which did not concern him.

"Oh, my dear, excuse me. Mr. Burke, turn around. I'd like to have you
meet my daughter, Mary."

Bobbie willingly took the little hand, feeling a strange embarrassment
as he looked up into a pair of melting blue eyes.

"It's a great pleasure," he began, and then could think of nothing more
to say. Mary hesitated as well, and her father asked eagerly: "Why
can't you girls come here to-morrow, my dear? By another visiting day
I hope to be back home."

"Father, we have----" she hesitated, and Bobbie understood.

"I'd better be wheeling inside, Mr. Barton, and let you have the visit
out here, where it's so nice. It's only my first trip, you know--so
let me call my steersman."

"No secrets, no secrets," began Barton, but Bobbie had beckoned to the
ward attendant. The man came out, and, at Burke's request, started to
wheel him inside.

"Won't you come and visit me, sir, in my little room? I get lonely,
you know, and have a lot of space. I'm so glad to have seen you, Miss
Barton."

"Mr. Burke is going to be one of my very good friends, Mary. He's
coming around to see us when I get back home. Won't that be pleasant?"

Mary looked at Bobbie's honest, mobile face, and saw the splendid
manliness which radiated from his earnest, friendly eyes. Perhaps she
saw just a trifle more in those eyes; whatever it was, it was not
displeasing.

She dropped her own gaze, and softly said:

"Yes, father. He will be very welcome, if he is your friend."

On her bosom was a red rose which the florist had given her when she
purchased the flowers for her father. Sometimes even florists are
human, you know.

"Good afternoon; I'll see you later," said Bobbie, cheerily.

"You haven't any flowers, Mr. Burke. May I give you this little one?"
asked Mary, as she unp