er father is not, but considers her a
very ordinary specimen of childhood. Is not that so, my dear?"

"Ah, my love, don't question me too closely," he returned with a smile
in his eyes that said more plainly than words that he was a proud, fond
father to the child whose conduct was under discussion.

But at that moment the carriage was announced. Lulu came running down
ready for her trip, her father handed her in, then seated himself and
put his arm round her looking down into her face with a tenderly
affectionate smile.

"You will not find it a very severe ordeal, daughter," he said.

"You're not afraid, Lu, are you?" asked Max.

"No; not with papa close by to take care of me and tell me what to do,"
she answered, nestling closer to her father.

"No," said Max; "and the burglars wouldn't be allowed to hurt you
anyhow. The magistrate and the sheriff, and the rest would take care of
that you know."

"I suppose so," returned Lulu, "but for all that it would be dreadful
to have to go there without papa. You wouldn't want to yourself, Max."

"I'd a great deal rather have papa along, of course; anybody would want
his intimate friend with him on such an occasion, and papa is my most
intimate friend," replied the lad with a laughing, but most affectionate
look into his father's face.

"That's right, my boy; I trust you will always let me be that to you,"
the captain said, grasping his son's hand and holding it for a moment in
a warm affectionate clasp.

"You are mine, too, papa; my best and dearest earthly friend," Lulu
said, lifting to his, eyes shining with filial love. "Papa, aren't you
afraid those bad men will try to harm you some day, if they ever get out
of prison?"

"We are always safe in the path of duty," he replied, "and it is a duty
we owe the community to bring such lawless men to justice, for the
protection of those they would prey upon. No, I do not fear them,
because I am under the protection of Him 'in whose hand is the soul of
every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.'

"'The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is
the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?'

"No, daughter, one who fears God need fear nothing else; neither men
nor devils, for our God is stronger than Satan and all his hosts."

"And wicked men are Satan's servants, aren't they, papa?"

"Yes; for they do his will; obey his behests."

"It seems to me Christians ought to be very happy