u don't mean to say that that is it?" queried Max breathlessly.

"I do: I have resigned from the navy, and hope soon to have a home ready
for my wife and children, and to live in it with them as long as it
shall please God to spare our lives."

Tears of joy actually came into the boy's eyes; while Gracie threw her
arms round their father's neck, and half smothered him with kisses.

"O papa, papa!" she cried, "I'm so glad, I don't know what to do! I'm
the happiest girl in the world!--or should be, if only the dear baby was
well," she added, with springing tears.

"Yes," he sighed: "we cannot feel other than sad, while she is suffering
and in danger. But she is a trifle better this morning, and we will hope
the improvement may continue till she is entirely restored."

"She's such a darling!" said Max; "just the brightest, cutest baby that
ever was seen! Mamma Vi has taught her to know your photograph; and,
whenever she sees it, she says, 'Papa,' as plainly as I can. She calls
me too, and Lu. Oh! I don't know how Lulu could"--He broke off, without
finishing his sentence.

"Lu didn't do it on purpose," sobbed Gracie, pulling out her
handkerchief to wipe her eyes.

"No," sighed the captain: "I am quite sure she had no intention of
harming her little sister, yet she is responsible for it as the
consequence of indulging in a fit of rage; she feels that: and I hope
the distress of mind she is now suffering because of the dreadful deed
she has done in her passion, will be such a lesson to her, that she will
learn to rule her own spirit in future."

"Oh, I do hope so!" said Grace. "Papa, does Lulu know your good news?"

"No. I have not told her yet; and I intend to keep her in ignorance of
it for some days, as part of her deserved punishment. I do not want her
to have any thing to divert her mind from the consideration of the
great sin and danger of such indulgence of temper."

"You haven't quit loving her, papa? you won't?" Grace said, half
entreatingly, half inquiringly.

"No, daughter, oh, no!" he replied with emotion. "I don't know what
would ever make me quit loving any one of my dear children."

He drew her closer, and kissed her fondly as he spoke.

"I am very glad of that, papa," said Max feelingly; "for though I do
mean to be always a good son to you, if I ever should do any thing very,
very bad, I'd not be afraid to confess it to you. I could stand
punishment, you know; but I don't think I could bear to ha