holding
up a bright new silver half-dollar. "So mine's the most this time, isn't
it?"

"No, because one of my bills counts two: that makes mine fifty cents the
most. Papa has given us each ten dollars besides our regular allowance."

CHAPTER XXIII.

"At Christmas play, and make good cheer,
For Christmas comes but once a year."
--TUSSER.

The morning of the twenty-fourth found Grace almost too ill, with a
heavy cold, to be out of bed; and it was quite evident that she would
not be able to go to the Christmas-eve party at Ion, or the dinner on
Christmas Day.

The captain was just finishing his morning toilet when Lulu knocked at
his dressing-room door. She had come with the news of Grace's illness,
and he followed her at once to the bedside of the sick child.

"My poor darling," he said, bending over her in tender concern, "you
seem quite feverish. I think you must stay in bed, and we will send for
your doctor."

"And can't I go to-night, papa?" she asked, the tears starting to her
eyes.

"I'm afraid not, darling; but don't fret; papa will try to find some way
to make it up to you."

"I'll stay with her, papa, and read her stories, and do every thing I
can to help her enjoy herself," cried Lulu eagerly. "I may, mayn't I?"

"You may, if you choose," he said; "but I thought you were very anxious
to go."

"I was, but I'm not now," she said. "I'd rather stay with Gracie. I
shouldn't be one bit happy there without her."

"O Lu! I'd love to have you! but I don't want you to lose all that fun
just for me," Grace said, with a wistful, loving look into her sister's
eyes.

"It wouldn't be fun without you, my Gracie," was the quick rejoinder.

"I am glad indeed that my little daughters love each other so dearly,"
the captain said, kissing first one and then the other. "Well, we will
see what can be done. If it were not for the disappointment to your
mamma, I should stay at home with you, my darlings; as it is, I shall
spend at least a part of the evening with you."

He left them, and sought Violet in her dressing-room.

"My dear, what has happened? I am sure you look anxious and troubled!"
she exclaimed, the instant she caught sight of his face.

"I confess that I am a little troubled about Gracie," he replied: "she
seems to have taken a very heavy cold. I shall send at once for the
doctor. And, of course, she has to be disappointed in her expectations
for this evening."

"Then, let us all stay at