Occasionally the duties of his profession detained the doctor beyond 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 son looked into the mother's face, he plainly saw that she was filled with grief and anxiety; and his heart smote him for he really loved and revered his mother; but he resolved to appear as if he had observed nothing amiss, and, taking his hat to leave, he said quite cheerfully, "well mother what are your commands?" "Edward I have a request to make of you," replied Mrs. Sherman with some feeling in her tone. "Speak, mother dear," said he, falling pleasantly into his seat.