d imagined that you
were also, so I took a sudden notion that I would pay you a little
visit. I--I thought it was about time that we made each other's
acquaintance and compared notes upon our injuries."

Wallace thought that he had never seen any one so pretty as she was at
that moment. Her golden hair had been carelessly knotted at the back of
her head, while a few short locks lay in charming confusion upon her
white forehead. Her delicate blue wrapper, with its filmy lace ruffles
at the neck and waists, was exceedingly becoming, while the laughing,
roguish light in her lovely azure eyes thrilled him with a strange
sensation. Then, too, the thought that she had made all this exertion
just for the purpose of seeing him made his heart leap with delight.

"I had no idea that you were able to make such an effort," he managed to
say in reply, though he could never remember afterward what answer he
did make.

Her strength and color were coming back now that she was seated, and she
laughed out mischievously.

"It was an experiment," she said, "perhaps a hazardous one, and I must
make my visit and get back before nurse returns, or I fear I shall get a
vigorous scolding; but I just had to come to see you--I couldn't wait
any longer. When I think of how much I owe you, it seems perfectly
heartless that I have not told you how thankful I am for the life that
you have saved; but for you I might have shared the fate of the others,"
and tears were in the beautiful eyes uplifted to his face.

"Do not think of it, Miss Huntington," Wallace said, growing pale as his
own thoughts went back to those moments of horror.

"Why not?" she cried, impulsively. "Why should I not think of it and
speak of it, too, when I see this poor arm"--and she touched it almost
reverently with her dainty fingers--"when I realize how thoughtless of
self you were in trying to save me? Ah! and that poor hand, too," she
added, as she caught sight of his right hand, which had been badly cut
by broken glass, and on which she saw a broad strip of court-plaster,
"how much you have suffered!"

And carried away by her feelings, forgetful of all but the gratitude
that filled her warm, young heart, she suddenly bent forward and
impulsively touched her lips to the wounded hand that hung by his side.

Wallace caught his breath. That touch was like electricity to him, and
the rich color surged up to his brow.

"Miss Huntington, don't!" he cried; "you overestimate