his usual time, and then came Louise's turn to feel the least bit in
the world uneasy and anxious. But one day there was a delay of the
kind which passed apparently unheeded by her. She had as usual
brought out her little fur cap with its red ribbon ties and deposited
it with her gloves upon the table, and having arranged her mantle near
the fire, and put her overshoes in a warm place upon the hearth, she
seated herself by the window, just opposite her mother who has taking
her afternoon nap in an easy chair. Here she sat for some time
anxiously watching the sleeper, and evidently waiting for her to
awaken. At length Mrs. Sherman opened her eyes, and, as she caught
Louise's eager glance gave a little start. "Hasn't the doctor come
yet?" she asked.

"No mother, but I'm all ready, and I'm glad you are awake, for I
wanted to tell you before I left, that Edward had ordered wine for New
Year's, and he said if it came while he was out, he wished it put in
his private room."

"Wine for New Year's! exclaimed Mrs. Sherman in unfeigned
astonishment.

"Why yes, mother, Edward says our friends will expect it of us."

"I cannot consent to it," said Mrs. Sherman decidedly, "we shall have
a plentiful supply of refreshments, and, Louise, I'm surprised that
you should, in the remotest manner, give your sanction to your
brother's foolish proposal."

"But, mother, said Louise, eagerly, "Edward says that it is pure
domestic wine, and I don't see what harm that can do."

"It was pure domestic wine that made Noah drunk, my dear."

"O dear," said Louise rather impatiently, "I wish old Noah had never
got drunk, if"--

Just then she happened to glance out of the window, and saw the doctor
drive up, and consequently her frowns and Noah's sins were burried in
oblivion, and a smile and a blush bloomed upon their tomb.

Louise had just done tying on her cap when the doctor appeared at the
door, and, while he was exchanging civilities with her mother, she
slipped out and ran to her brother whom she saw coming in the
passage.

"We can't have it Ned," she whispered, "mother has set her foot down."

"Yes?"

"Yes Ned, she has."

Edward frowned slightly, but said nothing, for by that time, the
doctor was hastening his sister away and his mother was gently calling
him.

"Edward."

"Yes mother," and, entering her room, he threw himself carelessly into
the seat which Louise had vacated.

For a few moments both were silent, and as the