ODOUR OF CHRYSANTHEMUMS

came again like a shadow on the hearth, the lad
repeated, complaining sulkily :

" I canna see."

" Good gracious ! " cried the mother irritably,
" you're as bad as your father if it's a bit dusk ! "

Nevertheless she took a paper spill* from a sheaf
on the mantelpiece and proceeded to light the lamp
that hung from the ceiling in the middle of the
room. As she reached up, her figure displayed
itself just rounding with maternity.

" Oh, mother ---- ! " exclaimed the girl.

" What ? " said the woman, suspended in the
act of putting the lamp glass over the flame. The
copper reflector shone handsomely on her, as she
stood with uplifted arm, turning to face her daughter.

" You've got a flower in your apron ! " said the
child, in a little rapture at this unusual event.

" Goodness me!" exclaimed the woman, relieved.
" One would think the house was afire." She re-
placed the glass and waited a moment before turning
up the wick. A pale shadow was seen floating
vaguely on the floor.

" Let me smell! " said the child, still rapturously,
coming forward and putting her face to her mother's
waist.

" Go along, silly ! " said the mother, turning up
the lamp. The light revealed their suspense so
that the woman felt it almost unbearable. Annie
was still bending at her waist. Irritably, the mother
took the flowers out from her apron-band.

" Oh, mother -- don't take them out! " Annie
cried, catching her hand and trying to replace the
sprig.