can't give up Ruby, Maurice!" faltered Helen, with quivering lips.

Maurice made no reply, but glanced across to the chair where two frisky
little spaniels sat watching them with bright eyes. Ruby, hearing his
name, stood up, looking ready for any amount of mischief.

"Mine shall go, Helen, after all," he added, quickly. "I think Ruby,
perhaps, is more engaging, and fonder of us than Diamond."

But you will want to know the cause of this giving-up of so beloved a
little playfellow.

Maurice and Helen Claire lived in a small, shabby house, with their
mother and little sister Dora. Poor children! For nearly a year now they
had been, as far as they knew, fatherless. Captain Claire had never
returned from his last voyage. His ship had been reported as missing;
and the once happy home of the Claires had been left for a small house
in a busy town. Maurice and Helen, healthy, hopeful children, bore up
well enough under their reduced circumstances. But fragile little Dora
had begun slowly to droop. The doctor ordered change of air to some
seaside place. So it was that Maurice had announced that they must sell
one of the dogs--their father's parting gift.

Maurice having decided between Diamond and Ruby, took up his cap, and
went out, leaving Helen alone. Hardly had he gone, when a little girl,
with long fair curls, and dreamy blue eyes, stole softly in. She sat
down on the sofa with a weary sigh.

"Dora," began Helen, "you will go to the seaside yet."

"Oh! shall I?" cried Dora, clasping her thin white hands.

"Yes, Maurice is going to sell Diamond."

"Oh!"

The pretty flush which the pleasant news had brought to her face died
away.

"Oh, no, Helen! I couldn't let Maurice sell Diamond only for me; that
would be too selfish!"

"Dora, you _must_ go! and--Maurice doesn't mind so much."

Dora smiled wistfully. "You don't know how fond he is of Diamond," she
said.

This conversation was suddenly interrupted by a thundering knock at the
front door; and, a few minutes later, a gentleman was ushered into the
room.

"Father!" screamed Dora, springing forward.

And in another moment both children were locked in his arms.

What a happy evening that was! Captain Claire soon explained how the
ship had been wrecked, and he, after being picked up, was ill for a long
time. Then, since his recovery, he had been seeking his wife and
children, for the old home was deserted. Soon, however, a happy party
returned there again.