Cracker Joe

of the house. A delicious perfume greeted her senses. Near the door stood three magnificent oleander-trees, filled with crimson beauties of blossom. The rude lattice-work showed through vines of the Madeira rose covered with bloom. Near what seemed to be a well, grew a cape jasmine, said to be even more fragrant than the tuberose. All the ground was dotted with nodding wild-flowers. With a cry of delight Stella stepped down into the path and looked about her. Great clumps of bananas of immense size greeted her vision to the right. A tall magnolia, past bloom, almost hid the eaves of the house on that side, with its profuse and glossy leafage. The shining green-crowned trees, here, there, and everywhere, must be the old orange-trees her uncle had spoken of. Looking a little closer, she saw that they were loaded with their green fruit. Farther on, the land was full of tall, flower- crowned weeds, and everywhere the choicest colors appeared. " Mamma! " she said, as she met Mrs. Ainsley that morning, " I have made a discovery." "You look so; have you found a gold mine?" " Oh, better than that," said the girl; " come and see." Mrs. Ainsley was as much delighted as her daughter could wish. " It must be that papa will regain his health here," said Stella. "I have just thought ? we will breakfast out here on this broad veranda. Is it not a treat, this delicious air? " " I hope there is a well on the place," said Mr. Ainsley, as Tom car...