on "but my poor little Helen."

"Well I'll stay if you like, but you wont be away more than three days
and what Helen wants with me hanging about I dont know." said Cyril.

"Well I'll take your advice and accept you as a companion, and thanks a
thousand times Cyril" replied Mr. Winston.

At that moment the door opened and Helen came running in.

"Well father dear" she said, "I was told you wanted me, so I just came
down while Gladys changes her dress."

"Yes dear" said Mr. Winston I am afraid I have some rather bad news for
you."

"Oh dear father what is it?" exclaimed Helen kneeling down by the chair.

"I must go to Warwick early to-morrow dear on a hanging matter" replied
Mr. Winston "I shall be back in three days."

"Oh father" cried Helen "just when Gladys and Mr. Palsey have come down
Oh I am sorry" and her pretty eyes filled with tears.

"Yes dear I am sorry too" remarked Mr. Winston slowly, "but you'll be
all right wont you?"

"Oh yes father" said Helen "I was not thinking of myself, but it always
knocks you up so, and just when we're all so happy."

"Well Cyril has offered to go with me and keep me company" said Mr.
Winston "you wont miss him much will you?"

"Oh Cyril I am glad" exclaimed Helen. "I feel far easier now, you'll
take such care of father I know."

"Yes Helen I will" said Cyril folding Helen in his arms and kissing her
forehead.

"Thank you Cyril" said Helen returning her lover's kiss.

Soon after Gladys and Mr. Palsey came in, and a merry farewell evening
was spent, Cyril at the head of the fun.

Next morning Helen was up early toasting some bread for her father's
breakfast; she made the table and room as cosy as she could and then
waited her fathers coming down.

He came at last looking worn and pale but he enjoyed his meal and
cheered up a little as he ate it.

"Now dear, is your portmanteau ready?" enquired Helen trying hard to
keep back her tears.

"Yes dear quite" returned the father "and Cyril will meet me at the
station you know."

"Yes he told me so" replied Helen.

"Well goodbye darling, keep a good heart and I'll be back on Thursday at
the latest" said Mr. Winston.

"Goodbye dear father" rejoined the girl "I'll try and be cheerful but it
is hard you know."

"I know it dear" said Mr. Winston and then turning to Marshland he added
"goodbye Marshland, take good care of the young ladies and keep an eye
on Mr. Palsey."

"I will sir" returned Marshland and then s