for that when he returns."

Beverly submitted without another word, for he felt that his father had
already given way to him a good deal. The young people did not cable
to Mr. Stanton for his consent, for all agreed that there would be time
enough to acquaint him with the fact when he returned. Whatever Mr.
Cruger's mental attitude toward the engagement might have been his
manner toward Helene was most cordial. As for Beverly's mother, she
was delighted beyond all words.

"The dear, dear girl, how I shall love her!" she said to Beverly, on
hearing the news. And after she had showered mother kisses,
plentifully mixed with mother tears, on them both, her happiness was
well-nigh complete.

That afternoon the Crugers were to make a formal call on Helene.
Andrew Cruger had finally yielded to his son's entreaties and consented
to call on her, notwithstanding the fact that Mr. Stanton was still in
Europe and his formal consent had not been obtained.

"I have been looking forward to the day when I should see my son's
wife," said the elder Cruger, somewhat pompously to Helene, as he
greeted her with outstretched hand. He could never get over the idea
that formalism was the soul of function.

"I have always felt that I would demand a great deal of her," went on
Mr. Cruger, in his best after-dinner manner. "I thank you for giving
me everything I could desire! You are the daughter of a man whose
charity and beneficence we all respect and admire, and--" Here he
paused to take breath.

"Thank you," said Helene simply. She was surprised that he did not
kiss her instead of making a formal speech.

"I know that father means what he says," remarked Beverly to his
mother; "but I do wish he would say it in a less stereotyped manner."

"Hush!" replied his mother, "your father is speaking again."

"I want your married life to begin auspiciously," continued the elder
Cruger, as if he had not been interrupted. "So I have made what I
consider to be a sacrifice for you. I had hoped to retire from public
life, but I have altered my decision. I shall again represent my
country in a foreign land."

Helene gratefully acknowledged the sacrifice, although she did not
quite see where it came in. She had heard that most American
representatives at foreign courts managed rather to enjoy life than
otherwise.

"When I go abroad as hostess in the Embassy that Mr. Cruger
represents," Mrs. Cruger said, taking up the thread of the
c