ls dropped away one by
one, she felt an answering throb as she thought that her hope would
die. At length, when half of the rose lay a shower of dead petals on
the table around the vase, it seemed as though she could no longer
endure the suspense. She became desperate, and determined to end it
all by destroying the rose which had caused her such sweet hope, and
such bitter disappointment. She grasped the flower and took it from
the vase, but, as she essayed to crush it, her soul was filled with
remorse and she hesitated. She gazed at it for a time, as tears filled
her eyes, and finally with a sob of pain she began to dismember the
bloom, plucking the petals one by one and throwing them idly in her
lap. At last, only a half dozen remained about the heart of the
flower, when in an instant she was amazed and overjoyed to see a face
slowly emerge from amidst the stamens. At the same moment an
overpowering fragrance welled up and enthralled her senses, so that
she almost sunk into unconsciousness. Then, as she knew that her hope
was realized, that the fairy's promise was fulfilled, and that Love
was within her grasp, she leaned forward eagerly, to scan the feature
of the face before her. It was but a miniature, but after a very brief
scrutiny she readily recognized it, and knew that it was Leon's. With
a cry of surprise she awakened, while all the details of the dream
were yet fresh within her mind.

As the morning sun shed a ray across the features of Agnes Dudley, now
freed from the bondage of sleep, it illumined a puzzled countenance.
Agnes could not quite understand the feelings which swayed her heart.
The sense of gladness was new, as was also a dread anxiety which rose
up, and almost suffocated her as she thought, "It is only a dream!"

She had dreamed of love, and she had coupled Leon with that idea in
some way, but why should it disturb her to find that it was but a
dream? Surely she could not be in love with Leon? Of course not! The
very thought was preposterous, even coming to her as it had, while she
was asleep. Springing out of bed she was astonished to find that it
was already nine o'clock, for usually she was an early riser. She
began dressing hurriedly, and rang for her maid. When the girl came
she brought with her a beautiful bunch of red rosebuds, half blown.
Instantly Agnes was reminded of her dream, but when she noted that a
card was attached, and read upon it the words, "With the compliments
of Leon," s