r tenderly several times.

"My dear, dear little daughter," he said. "How often, when far away on
the sea, I have longed to do this--to hold my dear Lulu in my arms and
feel hers about my neck and her sweet kisses on my lips."

Her arms were instantly thrown round his neck, while she returned his
kisses with interest.

"Papa," she said, "I do love you so, _so_ dearly; but I 'most wonder you
don't quit loving such a hateful girl as I am."

"Perhaps I might not love an ill-tempered, jealous child belonging to
somebody else," he said, as if half in jest, half in earnest; "but you
are my own," drawing her closer and repeating his caresses, "my very
own; and so I have to love you in spite of everything. But, my little
girl," and his tone grew very grave and sad, "if you do not fight
determinately against these wrong feelings you will never know rest or
happiness in this world or the next.

"But we won't talk any more about it now; I have no time, as I ought to
be writing my letter. Run away and make yourself happy, collecting
together such toys and books as you would like to carry with you to
Nantucket. Grandma Elsie and Mamma Vi will decide what you and the rest
will need in the way of clothing."

"I will, papa; and oh, but I think you are good to me!" she said, giving
him a final hug and kiss; "a great deal better than I deserve; but I
will try to be good."

"Do, my child," he said; "and not in your own strength; God will help
you if you ask Him."

For the moment thoroughly ashamed of her jealousy of the baby, she ran
back to the veranda, where the others still were, and bending over it as
it lay its mother's arms, kissed it several times.

Violet's face flushed with pleasure. "My dear Lulu, I hope you and
little Else are going to be very fond of each other," she said.

"I hope so, Mamma Vi," Lulu answered, pleasantly; then, in a sudden fit
of penitence, added, "but I'm afraid she'll never learn any good from
the example of her oldest sister."

"My dear child, resolve that she shall," said Grandma Elsie, standing
by; "you cannot avoid having a good deal of influence over her as she
grows older, and do not forget that you will have to give an account
for the use you make of it."

"I suppose that's so," Lulu answered, with a little impatient shrug of
her shoulders; "but I wish it wasn't." Then, turning abruptly away, "Max
and Gracie," she called to her brother and sister, "papa says we may go
and gather up any