ping spirits.

When dinner was over, he did not ask if he should take her out, but
quietly bade her go to Chloe and get her bonnet put on. She obeyed, as
she knew she must, without a word, but as he took her hand on her return,
to lead her out, she asked, "Is there no danger that Miss Rose will come
while we are gone, papa?"

"If she does, my dear, she will leave her card, and then we can go to
see her; or very possibly she may wait until we return," he answered
in a kind, cheerful tone. "But at any rate, you must have a walk this
afternoon."

Elsie sighed a little, but said no more, and her father led her along,
talking so kindly, and finding so many pretty things to show her, that
after a little she almost forgot her anxiety and disappointment.

They were passing a confectioner's, where the display of sweetmeats in
the window was unusually tempting. Elsie called his attention to it.

"See, papa, how _very_ nice those candies look!"

He smiled a little, asking, "Which do you think looks the most inviting?"

"I don't know, papa, there is such a variety."

"I will indulge you for once--it isn't often I do," he said, leading her
into the store; "so now choose what you want and I will pay for it."

"Thank you, papa!" and the smile that accompanied the words was a very
bright one.

When they returned to their hotel Elsie eagerly inquired of Chloe if Miss
Rose had been there, and was again sadly disappointed to learn that she
had not.

"Oh, papa!" she said, bursting into tears, "what _can_ be the reason she
doesn't come?"

"I don't know, darling," he answered soothingly; "but never mind; she is
probably away from home, and perhaps will return in a day or two."

The next morning Mr. Dinsmore would not hear of staying in to wait for
a call that was so uncertain, but ordered a carriage immediately after
breakfast, and had Elsie out sight-seeing and shopping all day. One of
their visits--one which particularly pleased and interested the little
girl--was to Independence Hall, where they were shown the bell which in
Revolutionary days had, in accordance with its motto, "Proclaimed liberty
throughout all the land, to all the inhabitants thereof."

"I am so glad to have seen it, papa," Elsie said. "I have always felt so
interested in its story, and shall never forget it so long as I live."

"Yes," he said, with a pleased smile, "I was sure you would enjoy seeing
it; for I know my little girl is very patriotic."

O