nd in a few months! We've got a thousand or so to live the
rest of this year on. One thousand--"

"Hush, Daddy! Don't shout and wave your arms. We shall have to use a
part of the principal, I presume."

"Part of the prin--Oh, my soul and body! Use part of it this year, and
some more next year, and some more the next, and--and--Do you know where
we'll be ten year from now? In the poorhouse, that's where."

"Oh, I hope not as bad as that. And, besides, think what a beautiful
time we shall have during those ten years. Just as beautiful as we have
had so far; better, no doubt, for we have really only begun."

"Ger-tie DOTT!"

"Just think of it, Daddy. We have only begun."

"I--I won't think of it! I'll stop it, that's what I'll do!"

Gertrude smilingly shook her head.

"Oh, no, you won't, Daddy," she said. "You never stop anything."

She turned to go. Captain Dan sat, speechless in his chair, staring
at the bills, the figures, the checkbook, and the prospect of the
poorhouse. Then he felt her hand upon his shoulder.

"Never mind, Daddy, dear," she said softly. "I wouldn't worry any more,
if I were you. I think--I am beginning to hope that YOUR worries are
almost over."

She kissed him and hurried out before he could collect his senses
sufficiently to ask what she meant. He did ask her at their next
meeting, but she only smiled and would not tell him.

The next morning Serena's first remark was concerning the election,
which was to take place that evening. All that day she spoke of little
else, and when the evening came she insisted upon Gertrude's leaving for
the hall immediately after dinner. Laban went with her as escort, Mr.
Hungerford's former enviable duty, and one which that gentleman had
appeared to enjoy more than did its present occupant, who grumbled at
missing his "after supper" smoke. Laban returned early. Gertrude did
not.

It was after ten when the young lady appeared. She was very grave when
her father met her in the hall.

"How is Mother?" she asked. "Asleep, I hope."

Daniel nodded. "Yes," he said, "she's asleep, for a wonder. She vowed
and declared she was goin' to stay awake until you came, but I read out
loud to her and she dropped off while I was doin' it."

"Then don't wake her, for the world. Tell her I have returned, that I am
tired and have gone to bed, and will give her the news in the morning."

"That won't do. She'll want to know to-night. What is the news? Can't
you leave so