w and then putting
in a word.

"Now, daughter," the captain said at the conclusion of the story, "I
hope you are quite convinced of the wisdom and kindness of your father's
prohibition of solitary rides and walks for you?"

"Yes, papa, I am, and do not intend ever to disobey you again by taking
them. I wasn't much frightened, but I know it would have been very
dangerous for me if I'd been alone."

"No doubt of it," he said, caressing her with grave tenderness, "it
almost makes me shudder to think of what might have happened had you
been without a protector."

"And I doubt if I could have protected her without Prince's help, papa,"
said Max. "I think he's a valuable fellow, and pays for his keep."

"Yes; I am very glad I selected him as a Christmas gift to you," said
his father. "But now I must warn you both to say nothing to, or before
Gracie, about this occurrence; for timid as she is, it would be apt to
cause her much suffering from apprehension."

"We will try to keep it a secret from her, papa," replied both children.

"And in order to succeed in that you will have to be on your guard and
give no hint of the matter in presence of any of the servants."

"We will try to remember, papa," they promised with evident intention to
do so.

"That is right," he said. "I think I can trust you not to forget or
disobey. I know you would be loath to have your little sister tortured
with nervous terrors. Now go and get yourselves ready for tea."

Lulu was full of excitement over her adventure, and through the evening
found it difficult to refrain from speaking of it before Grace; but
equally desirous to obey her father and to save her little sister from
needless suffering, she resolutely put a curb upon her tongue till she
found herself alone with him at bedtime.

Then she must needs go over the whole scene again, and seeing that it
was a relief to her excitement, he let her run on about it to her
heart's content.

"Has it made you feel at all timid to-night, daughter?" he asked
kindly.

"No, papa," she answered promptly; "I don't think the man could get into
the house; do you?"

"I think it most probable he has walked on till he is miles away from
here by this time," the captain answered. "But even did we know him to
be prowling round outside, we might rest and sleep in peace and
security, assured that nothing can harm us without the will of our
heavenly Father who loves us more than any earthly parent loves his