HALCYON DAYS.

gave them some scarlet geraniums and calceolarias in
full bloom out of the greenhouse, so that in a short
time, with careful watering, the beds presented a very
pretty appearance, and they were delighted to think
of William's surprise when he came home for the
holidays, and found the spot he used to call the
" Shrubbery Desert" so changed.
 At length the morning on which this long-wished-
for event was to happen arrived, and Minnie and
Louisa were granted a holiday that they might have
all their little preparations for doing honour to their
brother in perfect order. To complete the dressing-
up" of the school-room, which they had made look
quite bowery, Louisa gathered the choicest of her
flowers to arrange in the pretty vase which William
had given her on her last birth-day.
 "" See, Minnie," cried she, when she had grouped
her white and red roses and fuchsias to her satisfac-
tion, isn't it beautiful ? Won't William be pleased
to see that I have kept his present so carefully !"
 "Yes, it does look very pretty," replied her sister;
 but don't place it on that out-of-the-way slab, put it
 on the little table under the window."
 No, I like it better here. You always make some
objection to everything T do, Minnie."
 Minnie made no reply, and after a short silence,
Louisa quietly placed the jar where her sister wished,
saying pleasantly as she did so, It does look better
there after all."
 It happened, unfortunately, that a large Angora
cat, a favourite with the children, was passing outside
the window at this moment, and seeing it invitingly
open, and one of her young mistresses near, she
made a spring, and jumped full upon the beautiful
vase of flowers, sending it to the floor with a terrible