r Peggy Stewart, God bless
her! you'd a been lyin' 'long side o' yo' ma out yonder this minute, for
all I'd ever a-done to keep you here, I reckon, much less give you the
education you're a-gettin' now. No, honey, I won't go up to the great
house. If I'd a-done right when I was a boy I'd be sittin' right up
there with the rest o' that bunch o' people this minute. But I was bound
to have my fling, and sow my wild oats and now I can have the pleasure
of harvestin' my crop. It ought to be thistles, for if ever there was a
jackass that same was Jim Bolivar."

Nelly had listened to the pitiful tale without comment, but when it
ended she placed her arms about her father's neck and sobbed softly. She
had never mentioned this little talk to anyone, but it was seldom far
from her thoughts, and now her father was coming to Washington.

Peggy slipped her arm about her and asked:

"What makes you look so sober, Nellibus?"

"Because I'm a silly, over-sensitive goose, I dare say."

Peggy looked puzzled.

Nelly handed her her father's letter. Peggy read it, then turned to look
straight into Nelly's eyes, her own growing dark as she raised her head
in the proud little poise which made her so like her mother's portrait.

"When he comes I think matters will adjust themselves," was all she
said.

The following Friday afternoon Jim Bolivar was ushered into the pretty
little reception room by Horatio Hannibal, who went in quest of Nelly.
As she had no idea of the hour her father would arrive, she was
preparing to go for a ride with a number of the girls, for the day was a
heavenly one; a late March spring day in Washington.

"Miss Bol'var, yo' pa in de 'ception room waitin' fo' to see yo', Miss,"
announced Horatio.

"I'll go right down. Sorry I can't go with you, girls."

"May we come and see him just a minute before we start!" asked Peggy
quickly, while Polly came eagerly to her side.

"Of course you may. Dad will love to see you," was Nelly's warm
response.

"We won't keep you waiting long, girls," said Peggy, "we'll join you at
the porte cochere."

Arrayed in their habits, Peggy, Polly and Nelly hurried away.

"Wonder what he looks like," said Juno idly as she drew on her
gauntlets.

"Bet he's nice if he's anything like Nelly," said Rosalie.

"Isn't it funny you girls never saw him while you were at Severndale?"
said Lily Pearl.

"Perhaps he's not the kind Nelly Bolivar cares to have seen," was
Helen's amiable rem