ou, came puffing along past the orange orchard,
and rounded to at the landing.

In another moment the travelers were on shore: Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore,
Grandma Elsie, Rosie, Walter, and--could Lulu believe her eyes--yes,
there was Evelyn! It could be no one else; and with a cry of joy the two
little girls ran into each other's arms.

"Oh, Eva, Eva, I'm so glad! I hadn't the least idea that you were coming
too!" cried Lulu, fairly wild with delight.

"Ah, papa, you must have known and kept it a secret from me to give me
such a glad surprise," she exclaimed, as she caught sight of his face
and noted the pleased smile with which he was regarding her.

"Yes, daughter, I knew and planned, with Mamma Vi and the others, to
give you this pleasant surprise," he said, bending down to bestow a
paternal kiss upon the gentle, fatherless girl who had won so large a
place in the heart of his own dear child.

"And we were all very glad to have Eva along," Rosie said. "And, O Lu,
I'm looking for very good times this coming winter here in our lovely
Viamede, and with your father here I know it will be pleasanter than
ever for you--pleasanter for all of us; for, Brother Levis, I hear that
I am to be your pupil instead of Professor Manton's; a change which I
haven't a doubt I shall enjoy extremely."

"Ah, don't be too sure of that, little sister," he returned laughingly,
giving a welcoming embrace to her also. "I am a very strict
disciplinarian, as Lulu here can testify," laying a hand affectionately
on his daughter's shoulder.

"Yes, Rosie, papa is strict, but if one does exactly as he orders, he's
kind as kind can be; and maybe he wouldn't be quite so stern and strict
with other folks' children as he is with me--his very own, you know."

But a reply from Rosie was prevented by Violet catching her in her arms,
saying, "You dear child, how glad I am to have you here at last! We have
all been looking forward to your coming as well as to that of dear,
darling mamma, grandpa, and the others."

At the same time Grandma Elsie was embracing Lulu most affectionately,
saying how well she looked, and hoping that she and Grace, as well as
the older people, had been enjoying Viamede.

"Indeed we have, dear Grandma Elsie," replied Lulu. "Oh, it was so good
and kind in you to invite us all to spend the winter in this loveliest
of lovely places!"

"Good to myself, dear child, quite as much as to you; for I love to have
you all about me."

"