ome, my darling! welcome to your father's house."

Then she looked up and saw that she was indeed in the dear home he had
prepared for her months before.

She was too glad to speak a word, or do anything but gaze about her
with eyes brimming over with delight; while her father took off her
bonnet and shawl, and setting her on her feet, led her across the room to
an easy-chair, where he seated her in state.

He then threw open a door, and there was another pleasant surprise; for
who but her old friend, Mrs. Murray, should rush in and take her in her
arms, kissing her and crying over her.

"Dear, _dear_ bairn," she exclaimed, "you are looking pale and ill, but
it does my auld heart gude to see your winsome wee face once more. I hope
it will soon grow as round and rosy as ever, now that you've won to your
ain home at last. But where, darling, are all your bonny curls?" she
asked suddenly.

"In the drawer, in my room at grandpa's," replied the little girl with a
faint smile. "They had to be cut off when I was so sick. You were not
vexed, papa?" she asked, raising her eyes timidly to his face.

"No, darling, not _vexed_ certainly, though very sorry indeed that it was
necessary," he said in a kind, gentle tone, passing his hand caressingly
over her head.

"Ah, well," remarked Mrs. Murray cheerfully, "we winna fret about it;
it will soon grow again, and these little, soft rings of hair are very
pretty, too."

"I thought you were in Scotland, Mrs. Murray; when did you come back?"
asked the little girl.

"I came to this place only yesterday, darling; but it is about a week
since I landed in America."

"I am so glad to see you, dear Mrs. Murray," Elsie said, holding fast to
her hand, and looking lovingly into her face. "I haven't forgotten any
of the good things you taught me." Then turning to her father, she said,
very earnestly, "Papa, you won't need now to have me grow up for a long
while, because Mrs. Murray is such an excellent housekeeper."

He smiled and patted her cheek, saying pleasantly, "No, dear, I shall
keep you a little girl as long as ever I can; and give Mrs. Murray plenty
of time to make a good housekeeper of you."

"At what hour will you have dinner, sir?" asked the old lady, turning to
leave the room.

"At one, if you please," he said, looking at his watch. "I want Elsie to
eat with me, and it must be early, on her account."

Elsie's little face was quite bright with pleasure. "I am so glad, pa