by
any of the family; but remembering her father's repeated warning, that,
if she proved troublesome to these kind friends, he would feel compelled
to take her away from Ion, and send her to a boarding-school, she
awaited his decision with much secret apprehension.

It was quite too soon to look for a response to her confession, written
from Magnolia Hall, or a letter from him to her mamma, grandma Elsie, or
grandpa Dinsmore, giving his verdict in regard to her; and, at times,
she found the suspense very hard to bear.

Thus far, Evelyn Leland had been the sole confidant of her doubts,
fears, and anxieties on the subject; not even Max having been made
acquainted with the contents of either her father's letter to her, or
her reply to it.

She had managed to conceal her uneasiness from him, and also from
grandma Elsie and Violet; the time and attention of both ladies being
much occupied with the care of the little invalids.

But, on the evening of this day, Grace and baby Elsie were fast asleep,
the one in bed, the other in her dainty crib, at an early hour; and
Violet bethought her of Lulu in connection with the expected assembling
of a large family party.

"I must see that the child is suitably attired," she said to herself,
and, deferring her own toilet, went at once to the little girl's room.

She found her already dressed,--suitably and tastefully too,--and
sitting by a window in an attitude of dejection, her elbow on the sill,
her head on her hand; but she was not looking out; her eyes were
downcast, and her countenance was sad.

"What is the matter, Lulu, dear?" Violet asked in gentle tones, as she
drew near, and laid her soft white hand caressingly on the bowed head:
"are you sorry to be at home again?"

"Ok, no, no, mamma Vi! it's not that. I should be very glad to get back,
if I were only sure of being allowed to stay," Lulu answered, lifting
her head, and hastily wiping a tear out of the corner of her eye. "But
I--I'm dreadfully afraid papa will say I can't; that I must be sent away
somewhere, because of having been so disobedient and obstinate."

"I hope not, dear," Violet said: "you have been so good ever since you
gave up, and consented to do as grandpa wished."

"Thank you for saying that, mamma Vi. I have been trying with all my
might,--asking God to help me too," she added low and reverentially;
"but papa doesn't know that, and he has been very near banishing me two
or three times before. Oh,