ove those eastern heights.

"Oh, what a lovely sight!" exclaimed Lucilla. "I am so glad, papa,
that we are out in time to see it."

"Yes," he said, "it is worth the giving up of an extra hour of sleep.
Especially as we can take that during the day if we feel the need of
it. I would never have you do without needed sleep, daughter. There is
nothing gained by it in the end."

"No, papa, but I think I do not need so much as do some
others,--Gracie, for instance,--and I do so enjoy these early walks
and talks with you--the dearest father that ever any girl had, I am
sure," she added, giving him a look of ardent affection.

"Ah, but you must remember there are some fathers you haven't tried,"
he returned with a slight laugh of amusement, but accompanied by a
fond pressure of the pretty white hand she had slipped into his.

"Yet I am just as sure as if I had tried them all, father," she
laughed. "There may perhaps be some few nearly as good, but I know
they can't be any better. Oh, see! yonder is a yacht coming up the
river. I wish it was ours."

"Possibly it may be. Look again," her father said.

"Oh, is it, papa?" she asked eagerly. "Did you order it brought here?"

"I did; and thought it might arrive some time to-day."

"And it is--it is the _Dolphin_! I'm so glad! How nice in you, papa,
to have it come to us so soon; for now we can supplement Eva's
sleeping accommodations and take delightful little trips up and down
the river."

"Yes; that was my idea in having the vessel brought here. There are a
number of historical scenes along the Hudson's banks which I have no
doubt you and the others would like to visit."

"Oh, yes, indeed, papa! and the very pleasantest way to do it will be
in our own yacht--with Captain Raymond to take charge of us and it,"
she added with a bright smile up into his face. "Oh, the yacht seems
to be heading for the little landing down at the foot of the hill!
Can't we run down and get aboard of her just to take a peep, here and
there, and see that all is right for us to move into the staterooms
whenever we will?"

"Yes, come along, daughter. I think we can go and come back again
before the summons to breakfast," he replied, leading the way as he
spoke. They reached the landing just as the _Dolphin_ had anchored and
thrown out a plank to the shore.

"Oh, how bright and fresh she looks!" exclaimed Lulu.

"Yes--outside," laughed her father. "We will go aboard and see whether
the same