.

"There is _life_ yet, Miss Adelaide," he said, "and we must use all the
means within our reach; but I wish her father was here. Have you heard
nothing yet?"

"No, nothing, nothing!" she answered, in a tone of keen distress; then
hastily left the room to give the necessary orders for carrying out the
doctor's directions.

"No, no, you must not! Papa will not allow it--he will be very angry--he
will punish me if you cut off my curls!" and Elsie's little hand was
raised in a feeble attempt to push away the remorseless scissors that
were severing the bright locks from her head.

"No, darling, he will not be displeased, because it is quite necessary to
make you well." said Mrs. Travilla in her gentle, soothing tones; "and
your papa would bid us do it, if he were here."

"No, no, don't cut it off. I _will_ not, I _cannot_ be a nun! Oh, papa,
save me! save me!" she shrieked.

"Dear child, you are safe at home, with none but friends around you."

It was Mrs. Travilla's gentle voice again, and for a moment the child
seemed calmed; but only for a moment; another wild fancy possessed her
brain, and she cried out wildly, "Don't! don't!--take it away! I will not
bow down to images! No, no, I will not." Then, with a bitter, wailing
cry, that went to the heart of every one who heard it: "Oh, papa, don't
be angry! I will be good! Oh, I am all alone, nobody to love me."

"Elsie, darling, we are all here, and we love you dearly, _dearly_," said
Adelaide in quivering tones, while her scalding tears fell like rain upon
the little hand she had taken in hers.

"My papa--I want my papa; but he said he would never kiss me till I
submit;" the tone was low and plaintive, and the large mournful eyes were
fixed upon Adelaide's face.

Then suddenly her gaze was directed upward, a bright smile overspread
her features, and she exclaimed in joyous accents, "Yes, mamma, yes; I
am coming! I will go with you!"

Adelaide turned away and went weeping from the room, unable to bear any
more.

"Oh, Horace! Horace, what have you done!" she sobbed, as she walked up
and down the hall, wringing her hands.

The doctor came out, but she was too much absorbed in her grief to notice
him. He went to her, however, and took her hand.

"Miss Adelaide," he said kindly, "it is true your little niece is very
ill, but we will not give up all hope yet. It is possible her father's
presence may do something, and surely he will be here ere long. But try
to c