he wood. Miss Vyvyan put the child
out of her arms and led her. The gentleman in uniform advanced to meet
them, and raising his hat said,

"Pray pardon me if I caused you any alarm. I did not know that this
island was inhabited, and I saw so much wild fowl that the temptation to
shoot was very strong."

"I can quite understand that," replied Miss Vyvyan. "We need no
apology," she added, "as we were aware that most gentlemen enjoy sport,
and your bearing and the uniform that you wear assure us that there is
no cause for alarm."

The officer bowed low, but made no reply.

Cora, who was still holding Miss Vyvyan's hand, looked up at her and
said again, "What a pretty papa, and more papas coming from the ship;
but I like this one best."

The child's excitement was so great that her whisper was very audible to
the officer.

"What does she mean?" he asked.

"That is her own way of expressing herself," Miss Vyvyan answered. "She
calls all pictures of men papas. We think she has some recollection of
her father, although she was little else than a babe when he was drowned
here, which is seven years ago to-day. She appears in some mysterious
way to realize that there was such a relationship, for she delights in
looking at pictures of papas as she calls them, more especially such as
are represented as wearing military uniform. And when she was very young
I have often seen her press her cheek against that of a small statuette
which we have of a soldier and kiss it and call it papa."

While Miss Vyvyan and the officer were still speaking Cora was examining
the handsome uniform, and the gentleman was looking intently at the gold
chain that the child wore round her throat. After a little conversation
the officer addressing Miss Vyvyan said,

"I hope you will not think me too inquisitive if I ask whether this fair
sea flower has a mother living."

"Oh yes," cried the child before Miss Vyvyan had time to reply, "I have
the dearest mama in the world and we do love her so, don't we Anna?"

Cora in her enthusiasm let go Miss Vyvyan's hand, and taking hold of the
officer's,

"Come," she said, "come with us and see her, and then you will love her,
too."

Miss Vyvyan was about to suggest that probably the strange gentleman
would prefer not to accept Cora's invitation until he had received one
from her mother, when he interposed by asking Cora what her mother's
name was.

"Why, it is mama," she replied.

"Yes, fair one; bu