es, papa?" laughing.

"No; but you might have allowed him a chance to make them himself. However,
all's well that ends well, and I wish someone would ask to be Gussie's
protector before I am gone--someone as trustworthy as Traverse. You are of
an age to find life rather hard without someone's sheltering care, and it
will not be long before you will both need it, for your mother is not able
to see after you as you need."

The rattle of pans and dishes told that the kitchen had an occupant, and
with a parting word to her father "not to tell on her," she left the room.

At this moment Jarvis appeared, looking positively frightened.

"Oh! why did you not wake me, Dexie?" she cried. "I cannot see how I slept
so heavily. But I depended on you to rouse me, Dexie."

"It is all right, Mrs. Jarvis. Papa passed a splendid night; so you were
not needed. But wait a minute, I have something to tell you. I did not want
you up, for I had company of my own, and I have news for you this morning."
Then with a blushing face she raised her hand to show her ring, adding, "I
am engaged to be married."

"My dear, is it possible!" and the motherly creature took the fresh, happy
face between her hands and kissed both cheeks. "Is it Mr. Traverse that is
going to take you away from us?"

"He will not take me away while papa needs me; but it is to be a secret for
the present, Mrs. Jarvis, for under the circumstances we can make no plans
for the future."

"Yes, I understand you, dear. You can trust me; and I am well pleased to
hear of your good fortune. Mr. Traverse is thoughtful and tender beyond his
years, and I have learned to respect him highly. But you will go and lie
down now, won't you? I will see to everything, so go to your room and make
your mind easy about the work this morning."

When Dexie appeared again in her father's room some hours later, he looked
at her with pleasure. Her face seemed to have grown beautiful; love had so
glorified it that her happiness seemed to speak from every feature. He did
not wonder that Guy Traverse had lost his heart to his little nurse.

"Do you feel well enough to-day, papa, to dictate those unfinished
stories?" she asked, as she wheeled his couch over to the sunshine. "You
have left those three fishermen quarrelling about who caught the largest
fish, till by this time the fish must be spoiled, to say nothing of the
temper of the fishermen. And there is that city belle, who wished to become
a se