ranged that John began to
wish he could board there instead of in town during the remainder of his
visit; so when they had adjourned to the sitting-room, he informed Mr.
Long of his wish, and asked if it were possible.

"But before you answer me," he added, "I should like to make myself
better known to you."

Then he told them of his father and mother, of his own youth, and of his
college life. A natural question on the part of Mr. Long as to what
brought him so far West led to an explanation from John, who presently
found himself telling his new-found friends his future plans and
ambitions.

"My boy," said Mr. Long, reaching out his hand, "I honor you for your
choice. You are welcome to share our home as long as you care to stay."

Mrs. Long wiped her eyes as she pressed John to stay with them, for she
thought of her own son whom God had called home.

Lily must have been thinking of him too, for she said: "I am glad you
are going to stay, for then I can play you are my brother."

"I certainly shall be proud to be your brother," John answered
gallantly.

That evening when the family gathered for prayers, Lily took her seat at
the old piano. Then John realized why they called her "Queen," for never
had he heard such a magnificent voice, so sweet, so soft, and so full of
feeling. It seemed as though she carried them nearer Heaven with her
song.

Before John retired he wrote to his mother, telling her of the home he
had found, and of "The Queen of the Prairie." This rather amused Mrs.
Davis, for hitherto, John had had little to say in praise of young
ladies, although he was a favorite among them.

The summer passed merrily on, and John's vacation was drawing near its
close, when one morning he received a telegram telling him that his
mother was dangerously sick. The message filled him with anxious
foreboding, and he quickly prepared to return home at once.

Tears were on Mrs. Long's cheeks as she helped him pack, for she had not
realized before to what an extent John had taken her own boy's place in
her heart. His own eyes were moist as he bade her farewell, promising to
return as soon as possible.

Mr. Long was ready with a team to drive him to town, and Lily was
standing beside her father. She raised a tear-stained face to him, and
said: "Goodbye, dear brother, we shall miss you."

John was not ashamed of his own tears, for this little girl who called
him "Brother," had grown dearer to him than all the wor