y afterwards and saw Lieutenant
Pack coming stumping eagerly towards them, the bright smile which
overspread her countenance showed that they were tears of joy. The
lieutenant took her in his arms and kissed her cheek again and again.

"How is sister Sally--all right I hope?"

"She is at home with Uncle Farrance; and here is my papa," she added,
pointing to a gentleman standing near her.

"Your papa, Mary?" exclaimed the lieutenant putting out his hand. "I am
happy to see you, sir, whatever claim you have to that relationship,
although you shall not carry off our Mary if I can help it."

The gentleman smiled faintly. "You certainly, sir, have a superior, if
not a prior claim, from all the loving-kindness which you and your
sister have shown her, and I should indeed be ungrateful were I to act
contrary to your wishes," answered the stranger.

"Well, well, come along, we will settle that by-and-by," said the
lieutenant, as he walked hurriedly on. "I want to see my good sister
Sally and assure her that I am as sound in health and limb as when I
went away." He had let go Mary's hand, and she and Ned now followed,
Charley having got out some time before to take a shorter cut to the
coast-guard station, where he expected to find his father.

Miss Sally did not go into hysterics, as Mary had so nearly done, on
seeing the lieutenant and her nephew, but received them both as her
affectionate nature prompted, though as she looked up into Ned's face
she declared that, had not he come back with his uncle, she would have
had some doubts as to his identity.

Mr Farrance now came forward and more formally introduced his brother,
assuring the lieutenant of the proofs he had obtained to his entire
satisfaction that he was Mary's father, "though," he added, as he took
him aside, "I fear, from the trials and sufferings he has endured, his
days on earth are destined to be few."

This, indeed, when the lieutenant had an opportunity of observing the
elder Mr Farrance, he thought likely to be the case. The lieutenant
and Ned were too much engaged--the one in describing his voyage, and the
other his adventures in Africa--to inquire after any of their
neighbours, though it was very evident that Miss Sally had a matter of
importance which she wished to communicate.

"Come, Sally, what is it?" exclaimed the lieutenant. "Has Mrs Jones
got twins? or is Miss Simpkins married? or is poor old Shank dead and
not left enough to bury him