I will put mine
to the same," said Little Wolf, in the same gay humor.

"Why, darling," said Edward, in surprise, "my promise was all you
asked."

"O yes, your promise to sign a total abstinence pledge was all I did
ask," said Little Wolf cheerily, "and now, all I ask is that you do as
you agreed."

"I did not understand it so," said Edward, "but never mind, darling;
now listen to me. Would you, provided it were in your power, prevent
my taking a harmless glass of beer in a warm summer day?"

"Well, Edward, of course I would not wish to prevent your indulging in
any _harmless_ enjoyment, but don't people sometimes get intoxicated
on beer?"

"Only slightly elevated," said Edward laughingly.

"O, Edward!" broke forth Little Wolf in agony, "I wish you could see
this thing as I do but you cannot."

There was silence for a few moments, which Edward broke by saying,
sympathizingly, "I know why you feel as you do, darling, and I do not
wonder at it, but warned by my own, as well as the experience of
others, I shall keep a strict watch over myself for your dear sake,
and I assure you there is no danger of me."

"Then," said Little Wolf, despairingly, "I cannot persuade you to
pledge yourself to total abstinence?"

"No," said Edward decidedly, his pride deeply wounded by her implied
doubts of his inability to control his appetite, "if you feel that you
cannot trust yourself with me after all I have said, I can say no
more."

Had Edward fallen dead at her feet, Little Wolf could not have looked
at him more hopelessly. But Edward was blind to her mute anguish, and
mortified and impatient at her silence, and little dreaming of what
her answer would be, he at length asked rather coolly, "Do you really
feel that you cannot trust your happiness with me?"

Little Wolf struggled a moment for composure, and then bowed her head
in the affirmative.

Edward's flushed face suddenly paled. "Very well," said he proudly,
and without another word abruptly withdrew. His quick, impetuous
footsteps echoed through the hall; the front door opened and closed,
and soon the distant tinkling of bells announced that he had really
gone.

As the lovely violet closes its leaves when the shadows of night
gather round, so closed the flower, which, in the sunshine of love,
had bloomed in the heart of Little Wolf. She neither wept nor made any
other demonstration of sorrow, but as she sat silent and alone her
lips grew firm, and her eyes brig