hter from the two ladies and the
Colonel, put an end to her interrogations. She did not understand why
they all laughed, and like many of her elders under similar
circumstances she felt sensitive on that account; but with her usual
quickness of thought, she said, "I know why you are so merry, papa; it
is because you are so glad to be with us all in this parlor, that mama
has made so pretty with these bouquets and wreaths of flowers. Mama
makes all our rooms pretty; you ought to see them when the days are dark
and foggy, so that we cannot see anything outside; then mama gets so
many branches of the fragrant fir and green moss and red berries, and
makes the most beautiful things."

"Why does mama select the foggy days to adorn the rooms most, my
darling?" said the Colonel.

"Why, don't you know? she does it to make Anna and me happy. Sunshine
within, mama calls it, and Anna made a song about that; shall I sing it
to you?"

Without waiting for a reply, the child sung the song all through,
keeping time on her father's arm, which encircled her as she sat on his
knee.

When the refrain "our sunshine is within" ended, Colonel Carleton bent
down and pressed his lips upon the golden head of his little daughter.

There was a mist before his eyes as he said, "Yes, my darling, our
sunshine is within our own hearts, and it is in mine to-day for which I
thank God."

Cora continued talking, telling her father all about the beautiful
flowers on the island, and the picnics on the sea beach and in the
woods.

"And one day, papa," said she, "we went for a long walk to the north end
of this island, mama said it was, and we saw such a pretty little island
all covered with trees, and the eagles were up on the tall pines. It was
so close to our island that we could almost jump on to it, and mama said
I could think of a name for it, so I named it "Fairy island." I think
our island that we live on is very pretty, too, but I am glad we are
going to Virginia to live near grandpa and grandma and Aunt Julia and my
uncles, and I want to see grandpa's dog Franco. Do you know, papa, I
never saw a dog. And Anna must come, too, and live with us."

"Of course she will," said Colonel and Mrs. Carleton, both speaking at
the same time; "and perhaps," added Cora, "when it is summer, we will
go to England and visit Anna in her old home at the manor house."

"That is right, Cora," said Miss Vyvyan; "the way in which you have
arranged for the happin