e everything they
tell us." I looked full into her eyes, to learn the sequel. "Sometimes,"
she continued, "they give us good news which is never fulfilled, and
sometimes they tell us of bad news which has not really occurred. It
occasionally happens that when a ship goes down, all do not perish. A
few manage to escape in boats, and are picked up by chance steamers, and
then they come home again to those who love them. There was a vessel
called the _Ignacia_----"

But here my patience broke down, and I gasped out: "Oh, Mrs. Marshall,
tell me quick! quick! Is he----?" I did not dare to ask the question
outright. My very life seemed to depend upon the reply.

The door of the conservatory suddenly opened, a tall bronzed figure
rushed into the room, and the next moment I was clasped close in my
father's arms. Mrs. Marshall went out very softly, and left us together.

Father told me his story afterwards. How a terrible storm had driven the
_Ignacia_ many hundreds of miles north of her course; how the ship had
sprung a leak, and how he and a few others had escaped in one of the
boats. What a fearful time they had had tossing for days and days on a
rough sea, without food and water; and how, just when they were giving
up hope, they had been rescued by a whaling vessel, bound for the north
of Greenland, which had been obliged to continue its voyage, and had not
touched at any port where he could telegraph until it finally arrived at
Glasgow! Then he had come straight to The Hollies, to bring me the good
news himself.

Oh, what a breaking-up party it was for me! With what a different heart
I put on the white dress (with a pink sash instead of a black one), and
stood by Father's side in the reception-room! He kissed Lucy and Mary
and my dear Cathy, who was nearly crying for joy, and had a hearty
hand-shake for each of my companions.

"I know them all from your letters," he said. "And I should like to
thank them for being so good to my little girl. We're very happy and
grateful to-night, and not the least part of it is to see so many
friends ready to share in our rejoicing."

The visitors soon learned the story, and nearly every one had a kind
word for me, even Miss Percy, who had come as a guest, kissed me warmly
on the cheek, and wished me joy.

"You won't go back to San Carlos, Father?" I cried, when at last I had
him all to myself.

"Never again, my darling. We sha'n't be parted any more. I've resigned
the consulate,