ean to let us stay up to watch the old year out and the
new year in, papa?" queried the lad, as he rose and obeyed the order.

"Hardly," his father answered with a slight smile; "You are all too
young to be allowed to lose so large a portion of your night's rest. To
do so would spoil all the anticipated pleasure of to-morrow."

"Then I am sure we don't want to, captain," said Evelyn, "for we are
looking forward to a great deal of pleasure."

CHAPTER XII.

"My little Grace looks tired," the captain said, bending down and taking
her in his arms as the little folks were bidding good night. "I shall
carry you up stairs, darling, after the old custom."

"Thank you, papa; I'm very willing," replied Grace, clasping his neck
with her small arms.

"Lulu, shall I say good night to you first?" he asked, smiling down at
his eldest daughter, standing by his side; "as you have Eva with you,
you will perhaps not care for the usual bit of good night chat with your
father?"

"Yes, indeed I do care for it, papa!" cried Lulu. "Why, I sha'n't have
another chance this year! I wouldn't miss it for anything!"

"Then you shall not," he said, looking both pleased and amused; "that
sounds as though the next opportunity were far in the distance."

He passed out of the room as he spoke, and on up the wide stairway, Lulu
and Eva following, each with an arm about the other's waist.

"Those talks must be so delightful," remarked the latter in a low tone,
and with a slight sigh, "I'm very glad you don't let me hinder them,
dear Lu."

"I knew you wouldn't want me to," said Lulu; "you are always so kind
and thoughtful for others; and though papa sometimes gives me a quarter
of an hour or more, when we have a great deal to say to each other, I
think he won't stay more than a minute or two to-night! so that it won't
keep me long away from you."

"Oh please don't hurry for my sake," said Eva, adding softly, "You know
I, too, shall be glad of a few minutes alone with my best Friend. So if
you like, I will go into the little tower room while your papa is with
you."

"You can have both that and my bedroom to yourself, dear," returned
Lulu, "for I shall receive papa in the little sitting room that is
Gracie's and mine."

They had reached the upper hall. The captain passed into Gracie's
bedroom, Lulu into her own, Eva with her.

"Such a sweet, pretty room!" Eva said, glancing around it; "I am always
struck with that thought on coming