earest Friend.

"You say you love to be alone with me, your earthly father; I trust the
time will come when you will love far better to be alone with your
heavenly Father. I must often be far away from you, but He is ever near;
I may be powerless to help you, though close at your side, but He is
almighty to save, to provide for, and to defend; and He never turns a
deaf ear to the cry of His children."

"Yes, papa; but oh I wish that you were always near me too," she said,
leaning her cheek affectionately against his arm. "I am very, very
sorry that ever I have been a trouble to you and spoiled your enjoyment
of your visits home."

"I know you are, daughter; but you have been very good of late. I have
rejoiced to see that you were really trying to rule your own spirit. So
far as I know, you have been entirely and cheerfully obedient to me, and
have not indulged in a single fit of passion or sullenness."

"Yes, papa; but I have been nearly in a passion two or three times; but
you gave me a look just in time to help me to resist it. But when you
are gone I shall not have that help."

"Then, my child, you must remember that your heavenly Father is looking
at you; that He bids you fight against the evil of your nature, and if
you seek it of Him, will give you strength to overcome. Here is a text
for you; I want you to remember it constantly; and to that end repeat it
often to yourself, 'Thou, God, seest me.'

"And do not forget that He sees not only the outward conduct but the
inmost thoughts and feelings of the heart."

A boy's glad shout and merry whistle mingled pleasantly with the sound
of the dashing of the waves, and Max came bounding over the sands toward
their sheltered nook.

"Good-morning, papa," he cried. "You too, Lulu. Ahead of me as usual, I
see!"

"Yes," the captain said, reaching out a hand to grasp the lad's and
gazing with fatherly affection and pride into the handsome young face
glowing with health and happiness, "she is the earliest young bird in
the family nest. However, she seeks her roost earlier than her brother
does his."

"Yes; and I am not so very late, am I, sir?"

"No, my boy, I do not suppose you have taken any more sleep than you
need for your health and growth; and I certainly would not have you do
with less."

"I know you wouldn't, papa; such a good, kind father as you are,"
responded Max. "I wouldn't swap fathers with any other boy," he added,
with a look of mingled fun and a