mor
in voice and hand, and his heart went out to him.

"You are a comfort and a strength to Lucy--and to me," continued Mr.
Strong. "We miss you very much when you are away. Can't you stay with us
right along. Perhaps that's not fair to ask--your home and friends--"

"I have no home, my dear sir; and my friends, are few. I told you, did I
not, my history?"

"Yes, you told me, I remember."

"And remembering, you think no less of me."

"Not a bit--rather more."

"Let me serve you then, you and Lucy. If you need me, I equally need
you. Let me give what little there is in me to somebody that wants me.
My life, so far, has been full of change and somewhat purposeless. I
have drifted about the world. Let me now anchor with you. I feel as
though I ought to do that--"

The man clung closer to Chester, who, feeling a thrill of dear
companionship, continued:

"Let me be a son to you always, and a sister to Lucy, until it can be
something more."

"Yes, yes, my boy!"

Others were out basking in the warm sun that afternoon. Those that
walked leisurely and took notice of events about them, were impressed by
the affectionate behavior of the two men. Lucy Strong was herself out.
She was curious to know what had become of Chester and her father,
besides, the sun was inviting. She soon found them, herself
undiscovered. She paused, examined the flower beds, and became
interested in the swans in the lake. Her face beamed with happiness when
she saw them, for their shoulders were close together and Chester had
her father's hands clasped firmly in his own. She tiptoed up behind them
on the grass, then slipped her hands over each of their eyes.

"Guess," she laughed.

"A fairy princess," said Chester.

"Mother Goose," responded the father.

They moved apart and let her sit between them.

"The rose between," suggested Chester.

"The tie that binds," corrected the girl, placing an arm about each of
them.

Then they all laughed so merrily, that the infection reached a ragged
urchin playing on the gravel-path near by.

"My dear," said the father. "Chester has promised to stay with us, and
be--"

"Your man--about--the--house," finished Chester.

"Which we certainly need," agreed Lucy. "Two people, Strong by name, but
mighty weak by nature, as my old nurse used to say, require some such a
man. I'm glad father picked you."

"He chose us, rather, Lucy," said the father.

"Well, either way."

"Both," affirmed Chester,