might have attributed to the excitement of the occasion,
but the doctor and those who knew him well, interpreted it
differently. He had several times during the evening left the room
with one or two of his friends, who were in the habit of indulging in
a social glass, and Edward's principles were not such, as to shield
him from their influence.

Little Wolf's quick eye followed him when he went and when he came;
not indeed with a suspicion of the truth, for it did not occur to her
that he was being led into temptation, but the fact was about to burst
upon her.

"Excuse me for a few moments, love," whispered Edward as he seated
her, "I will be back in time to dance the old year out and the new
year in with you; the next is to be our wedding year, is it not?"

Little Wolf smiled and fluttered her fan to conceal her confusion.

Two gentlemen were engaged in conversation near Little Wolf, and, as
Edward left her one of them remarked, "What a pity so many of our
promising young men are falling into the habit of drinking. There is
young Sherman, if I am not mistaken, under the influence of
stimulant."

Although not intended for her ear, Little Wolf caught the words, and
her bright smile faded, and her busy little fan dropped in her lap.
The wound so lately healed was reopened, and in it had fallen a
corrosive poison. She felt the aching pain, and the eating smart, she
begged Dr. Goodrich to take her from the room. She had arisen and was
leaning on his arm when Edward returned.

"I see my bird is on the wing," said he claiming Little Wolf's hand
for the forming cotillion.

Little Wolf caught his breath as he leaned towards her, and grew
paler, "I cannot dance," said she drawing back.

Edward looked surprised, but the doctor knew what all meant and he
turned with her towards the door, when who should they see, but daddy,
making his way towards them.

He had evidently come in haste, for his great rough over-coat was only
partly buttoned, his leggins were put on awry, his over shoes were
untied and the strings dangled under his feet somewhat retarding his
shuffling locomotion. With fur cap drawn low so as to protect his
face as much as possible from the biting winds, beard white with
frost, and clusters of snow flakes resting upon his broad shoulders,
Daddy pushed forward into the throng.

Little Wolf no sooner saw than she ran up to him, "What's the matter
Daddy?" said she.

"Twixt you and me, Honey," said he clut