at she may in due time
become a noble, useful woman, capable of doing with her might whatever
work her heavenly Father may be pleased to give her."

A wofully ill-used, discontented look had come over Lulu's expressive
countenance as her father began what he had to say, but before he had
finished it was replaced by a much sweeter one of contentment with his
decision, and confiding filial love.

"Papa, dear, I did at first very much want you to say yes to my
petition, but now I see that you know best and am quite content to do as
you have said you want me to," she returned, putting her arm about his
neck and laying her cheek to his in her accustomed fashion when her
heart was swelling with daughterly affection.

"My dear child, your ready acquiescence in your father's decision makes
you dearer than ever to him, if that be possible," he said, holding her
close with many a fond caress.

Meanwhile Rosie and Evelyn, occupying adjoining rooms, were chatting
gaily of what they should make for one and another of those they loved.

Suddenly Evelyn paused, a very thoughtful look overspreading her
expressive face.

"Well, what is it?" asked Rosie in a bantering tone; and Evelyn
answered, "I was just thinking that all this, should we undertake it,
will be apt to take our minds from our lessons, which are certainly of
far greater importance."

"And that Captain Raymond may veto it on that account?" asked Rosie,
with a twinkle of fun in her eye.

"Possibly he may; and if he does, I, for one, shall certainly obey him,"
replied Evelyn, speaking in a sober, earnest way that said plainly she
was far from being in jest.

"Well, I make no rash promises," laughed Rosie; "and I'm not very much
afraid of that brother-in-law of mine, stern as he can look when it
suits him."

"But you will want to please your dear mother?" returned Evelyn, in a
tone between assertion and inquiry.

"Yes," replied Rosie, sobering down at once; "I could refuse nothing to
dear mamma. I would do anything and everything in my power to add to her
happiness. Oh, how glad and thankful I am that she has been spared to
us!"

"I, too," said Evelyn. "I think I could hardly love her better if she
were really my very near relative."

A moment of silence followed, presently broken by Rosie. "Well, I
suppose," she said with a return to her jesting tone, "it may be our
wisest plan to consult his lordship--Captain Raymond--in regard to the
matter just now under