u had again been guilty of the dreadful sin
of profanity, and had learned to gamble also; yet I was greatly comforted
by the assurance that you were truly penitent, and hoped you had given
your heart to God.

"My boy, and my little girl, there is nothing else I so earnestly desire
for you as that you may be His true and faithful servants all your days,
His in time and eternity."

A solemn silence fell on the little group, and for several minutes no one
spoke.

Lulu was crying softly, and there were tears in Max's eyes, while the
father held both in a close embrace.

At length Lulu murmured, "I am sorry for all my naughtiness, papa, and do
mean to try very hard to be good."

"I, too," said Max, struggling with his emotion, "and if you think I
deserve (oh, I know I do), and, papa, if you think you ought to----"

"You have had your punishment, my son," the captain said in a moved tone.
"I consider it all sufficient. And now we will go down to Mamma Vi and
Gracie. I want you all together, that I may enjoy you all at once and as
much as possible for the short time that I can be with you.

"But before we go, I have a word more to say: there is one thing about you
both that greatly comforts and encourages me, my darlings; that is your
truthfulness, your perfect openness with me and willingness to
acknowledge your faults."

Those concluding words brought a flush of joy and love to each young face
as they were lifted to his. He gave a hearty kiss to Lulu, then to Max,
and led them from the room, a very happy pair.

CHAPTER XXV.

"One sacred oath has tied
Our loves; one destiny our life shall guide,
Nor wild, nor deep, our common way divide."
--Prior.

Edward sat at the open window of his wife's boudoir enjoying the beauties
of the landscape--the verdant lawn and shrubberies, the smiling fields and
wooded hills beyond--the sweet morning breeze and the matin songs of the
birds, while Zoe in the adjoining room put the finishing touches to her
toilet.

She came to him presently, very simply dressed in white, looking sweet and
fresh as a rose just washed with dew, and seated herself upon his knee.

"Darling!" he said, low and tenderly, putting his arm about her slender
waist and imprinting a kiss upon the rosy cheek.

"My dear, dear husband! what could I ever do without you; how desolate I
should be this day, if I hadn't you to love and care for me!" sh