watch for it (they had been
exchanging meaning, happy glances all the morning), and ready with the
warmest of greetings for the tall, handsome, noble looking man who hastily
alighted from it and ran up the veranda steps.

"Dear mother!" he said, grasping Mrs. Travilla's hand, then giving her a
filial kiss.

"We are very glad to see you, captain," she said. "Your telegram this
morning was a delightful surprise."

"Yes, it was, indeed, to all of us who knew of its coming," said Mr.
Dinsmore, shaking hands in his turn.

"My wife! how is she? and the children? are they all well?" asked the
gentleman half breathlessly.

"All well," was the answer. "We told Violet you had reported yourself in
Washington, and she will not be overcome at sight of you. You will find
her in her own rooms."

He hurried thither, met Gracie at the head of the stairs, and caught her
in his arms with an exclamation of astonishment and delight.

"Can this be my baby girl? this plump, rosy little darling?"

"Papa!" she cried, throwing her arms about his neck and hugging him
tightly, while he kissed her again and again with ardent affection, "oh,
have you come? No, I'm your own little Gracie, but not the baby girl now,
for there's a little one on mamma's lap. Come, and I'll show you."

"Ah!" he exclaimed, letting her lead him on. "I had not heard, have not
had a letter for three or four weeks."

They were at the door. Gracie threw it open. Rose was holding the babe.
Violet looked up, started to her feet with a cry of joy, and in an instant
was in her husband's arms, weeping for very gladness.

For several moments they were conscious of nothing but the joy of the
reunion; then with a sudden recollection she withdrew herself from his
arms, took her babe, and laid it in them.

"Another darling," he said gazing tenderly upon it, "another dear little
daughter! My love, how rich we are!"

He kissed it, gave it to the waiting nurse, and turned to his wife again.

"Let me help you to the sofa, love," he said.

"Lie down for a little. I fear this excitement will exhaust and injure
you."

She let him have his way. He sat down by her side, held her hand, and bent
over her in loving anxiety.

"Are you quite well?" he asked.

"Very well indeed," she said, looking up fondly into his face, "and, oh,
_so_ happy now that you are here, my dear, dear husband!"

Gracie crept to his side and leaned lovingly against him.

"My little darling," he said