eyes, and they were riveted upon Little Wolf. He was watching
those busy little hands, and there came over him a strange feeling of
heart sickness, as he saw on one dimpled finger a well remembered
ring, a golden hoop with diamonds uniquely set in pearls. It was a
relic of the past, having been presented to Little Wolf's mother on
her wedding day. He knew well it's history, for the present owner had
told it to him, and blushed when he said to her, "My Little Wolf will
wear another on her wedding day."

Then, in the thought there was bliss, now, naught but anguish.

The longer he gazed, the more he became convinced that it was none
other than Little Wolf whom he saw, and anxious to conceal the fact
from his wife and sister, he made a hasty movement to leave.

"Why, Edward, what possesses you?" exclaimed his wife, "going already,
and your wine untasted. I believe you are crazy. Sit still a moment,
I'm not ready. The stimulant hasn't got into my feet, but I feel it
going down. Come, do drink a little, you look as pale as a ghost."

"Do, brother," chimed in Louise, "I feel a great deal brighter; but
don't tell the doctor I have been taking anything strong."

"Strong," repeated Clara, "I hope you don't call a little light
claret, strong."

"O no, I don't, but the doctor does, and I may as well keep his mind
easy," replied Louise.

Edward had risen to his feet, and waited silently but evidently
impatiently.

"Can't I persuade you to take a little before we go? Do; you look so
pale this morning," persisted Mrs. Sherman, herself lifting the goblet
towards her husband.

Determined not to have any more words, Edward hastily drank the
proffered beverage, and immediately left the place.

When they had fairly disappeared, Little Wolf sank back in her chair,
and breathed hard as if awaking from a terrible night mare.

"O, I was so afraid they would discover me," she gasped. "They were
once good friends of mine," she continued with an effort at composure,
"but you won't care will you, dear good Annie, if I don't tell you how
it came to be otherwise?"

Annie looked a little disappointed, but she magnanimously put Little
Wolf at her ease by saying, "No indeed, for I'm sure it was no fault
of yours."

In absence of evidence, Annie of course, put her own construction on
what had occured, and mentally voted Edward a villain, and his wife
and sister his accomplices. This opinion she expressed to her brother,
when in an hour