reserves the bloom of modesty. If the girls who are
engaged in street flirtations could only be taught the lesson of true
womanhood, I am sure they would become quiet and lady-like in conduct. I
would rather lose my little girl altogether than have her fall into this
error. You have no hesitancy about speaking to her?"

"Not in the least. But I have thought that perhaps she would indicate by
some question that her mind was becoming ready for the disclosure. It
always seems to me that to force information before the mind is ready to
receive it, is to jeopardize its reception."

"Don't wait, Mary. You risk too much by allowing some one else the
opportunity to give her the knowledge with the taint of evil suggestion."

"You are right,--and I could not bear that anyone else should explain to
her all these mysteries. I have always been her teacher and I will not
relinquish that privilege. I will seize the very first that will allow
us uninterrupted time.

"But do you not think that you as a father should have some part in this
blessed work of guiding our daughter? I believe that it will be most
helpful to her to get the man's view on the problems of her life. You
know, one never gets a true perspective of material objects with only
one eye; and I believe this is equally true of life. I can give her the
woman's view, but she needs to know also how men look upon life. She
will be better able to judge of the right or wrong of conduct if she
knows that my view is supported by your own."

"You are right, as usual," replied Mr. Wayne smiling, "and you may rest
assured that I will always be glad to supplement your counsel by my
own."

Almost a Woman

CHAPTER I.

"Mother." The clear girlish voice rang through the house with persistent
intensity but awakened no responsive call. Mr. Wayne, coming up the
steps, heard the repeated summons for "Mother" and sent out his
answering cry, "Father's here." Quick, light steps answered his call and
an urgent young voice demanded, "Where's mother?"

"Mother has been called away for tonight, so you'll have to put up with
father."

"O, dear!" sighed the girl despondently.

"Is father such a poor substitute, then?" inquired Mr. Wayne in an
aggrieved tone.

"O, no," responded Helen, quickly. "You're usually as good as mother;
but there were some special things I wanted to ask her about this
evening. I suppose I can wait," she added, dolorously.

"Try me and see if I won't ans