I may be
better off some day than I am now."
"I hope you will, Luke," said Florence, cordially.
"I am very much obliged to you for your good wishes," said
Luke, warmly.
"That reminds me, Luke, next week, Thursday, is my birthday,
and I am to have a little party in the evening. Will you come?"
Luke's face flushed with pleasure. Though he knew Florence
very well from their being schoolfellows, he had never visited
the house. He properly regarded the invitation as a compliment,
and as a mark of friendship from one whose good opinion he
highly valued.
"Thank you, Florence," he said. "You are very kind, and I shall
have great pleasure in being present. Shall you have many?"
"About twenty. Your friend Randolph will be there."
"I think there will be room for both of us," said Luke, with
a smile.
The young lady bade him good morning and went on her way.
Two days later Luke met Randolph at the dry-goods store in
the village.
"What are you buying?" asked Randolph, condescendingly.
"Only a spool of thread for my mother."
"I am buying a new necktie to wear to Florence Grant's birthday
party," said Randolph, pompously.
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