One day, before she left the city, Marion accepted an urgent invitation to pass a day at the country home of her friends. She also was requested to bring Esther and Neddy Carter with her. During the day, the young lady, wholly unsuspicious of the object of the visit, frankly narrated her own and Mr. Angus's plans for the good of the town. Among other things, she said that there was no library for free circulation, adding, "One of my most-cherished plans is to build a neat and attractive house, with two large rooms, one for a library of well-selected books, the other a reading-room for both secular and religious papers, and also some of the best magazines. But we can't do everything in one year." Mrs. Lambert had suggested to her impulsive husband that it would be more delicate not to allude to the subject of a wedding gift, but here, he thought, is just the way to please her. He rushed from the room, motioning his wife to follow, and after sundry antics, such as would have better befitted Geenie's years, he drew a blank check, and with his fingers on his lips, held it up before his astonished companion. "It's for the library," he said, putting his lips close to her ear. She nodded approval with a cordial smile, but pointed to the blank space. "Let her fill it up. Will ten thousand do? It must be nothing mean." "Suppose we wait a little and try to ascertain the probable cost." "No, I can't wait! I want it off my mind. If you don't want to see old Mr. Regy," with a comical grin, "you'll help me now." She put her hand lovingly on his shoulder, which never failed to calm his impatience, and asked softly, "Why not, then, let her fill it up, as you suggested?" "So I will!" He held the check toward her and motioned her to give it. "No, my dear, generous husband, that pleasure belongs to you; I can see just how her eyes will sparkle and those pretty dimples begin to play." He flatly refused. "No," he said, laughing, "if I were to attempt it I should be old Regy again in a minute." She sat down at his desk and wrote,— Dear Friend,— We have tried in vain to think of a gift for your approaching marriage which will in any measure suitably express to you our appreciation of your invaluable friendship. Your remark just now in regard to a library and reading-room has suggested the idea of giving to you funds sufficient for that worthy object and letting you use them as you think proper. JULIETTE D. LAMBERT. M. R. LAMBERT. She gave it to her husband to read and sign, enclosed the blank check, and carried it into the next room and gave it to Miss Howard. With what astonishment and delight the young lady read it, the embraces and thanks which followed, I must leave my reader to imagine. In the midst of the excitement which followed, Mr. Lambert, who had chosen to remain behind, raced from one end of the room to the other, where he was found by Eugene holding on to his sides and making the most strenuous endeavors to restrain his laughter.