ssing her. "How are you? how did you
sleep?"

"I am able to answer, Very well indeed, to both questions, papa," she
returned brightly.

"You didn't let worrying thoughts keep you awake?"

"Oh, no, sir!"

"And is your answer to Capt. Raymond still the same?"

"Yes, papa," she said, with an involuntary sigh.

"I don't believe you wish him success," he remarked, with a slight smile
and a keen, searching look into her face.

"No," she said, the tears starting to her eyes; "I had thought to keep my
sweet child for years to come."

"But you have no objection to him, more than you would have to any one
else?"

"No, papa, I have learned to think very highly of him, and believe my
darling's happiness will be safe in his hands--if she loves him. Yet I
trust far more to your judgment than to my own. You approve of him, do you
not?"

"Entirely; yet, like yourself, am so loath to part with Violet that I
shall heartily rejoice if she declares herself indifferent to him."

"I long to end my suspense in regard to that," Elsie said, "but have
decided to endure it until the captain has spoken; because it seems better
and kinder not to embarrass her by any hint of the state of his feelings."

Her father expressed approval of her resolve, then as her children came
trooping in for their loved morning half hour with "mamma," with their
bright faces and cheery greetings to her and grandpa, he left her and
went down to the parlor, where he found Capt. Raymond, and rejoiced his
heart with the favorable response to his request.

There was something so peculiar in the mother's gaze into Violet's face as
they exchanged their morning greetings, it was so unwontedly keen and
searching, half sad and anxious too, that the young girl asked in
surprise, "What is it, mamma?"

"My darling, you are very sweet, very precious to your mother's heart!"
Elsie said with an earnest, tender kiss; then turned quickly away to hide
the tell-tale moisture in her eyes.

Capt. Raymond was not long in finding or making his opportunity.

It was the day before Christmas, and Rosie and Walter made frequent
allusion to the exchange of gifts in which they expected to share that
evening. They were chatting with the captain about it, in the parlor, soon
after breakfast; talking of his children also; asking if he thought they
had received his presents by this time, and that they would have a tree.

Violet was sitting near, helping Rosie to dress some dolls f