rguerite. I was waiting at the
head of the stairs. I suppose for awhile there will be some gossip and
wondering, but there never can be any doubt of the truth. I think she is
going to make a fine and admirable woman, and I hope you two will love
each other as Vin and I always have."

"You can't love anyone offhand. Such a love would not be worth having,
and if she wins you away from me--"

"Oh, Zay, silly child! No one can take your place in the heart of one of
us."

"I'm not sure." Zay was crying then.

"You will be sure in the years to come. For mother's sake let us be a
united family. You can never be crowded out. And I think the more love
one gives, the more one gets in return."

The Major was waiting for them and gave them a tender good-night.

They were all busy the next day in consultations. A package of clothing
came over from Barrington house that Miss Arran had put in order for
Marguerite, much of it being gifts from Mrs. Barrington, accompanied
with the kindliest and most delicate note. Aunt Kate had fussed a little
about the child not having anything fit to wear.

"Mrs. Barrington is right, it is best not to make too great a change,
though I think Marguerite's tastes are very simple. Zay, I fancy, has
had rather too much, but she is not as vain of her clothes as of her
beauty, and she is a dear, sweet child. Aunt Kate, we all owe you so
much, and we will see how Marguerite develops."

Miss Crawford was somewhat mollified, but she returned--"Zay must not be
crowded out of her mother's heart."

"Oh, there is no fear of that. If we had the six we planned for I think
none of them would complain. Mother love is elastic."

Willard and Zay were much engrossed making farewell calls. He was very
bright and hopeful, picturing the points of interest he should see and
the experience he should gain. And there would be letters. Three years
would pass rapidly. He stipulated that the girls should not be married
until his return.

"We have had such a nice long vacation with you," said his mother, "and
we must comfort ourselves with that; and I may come over to some port
with the girls if you are to stay long enough. I feel as if I was just
beginning to live a new life. Think, there have been times when I hardly
expected to see one of you again. Now I am full of hope."

"My blessed mother!"

He would write when he reached Washington and tell them what the plans
were. If they were not quite ready Zay and his fa