he was listening attentively to the
conversation going on behind him.

"I shall not lose sight of this pretty little girl," said Lester
Stanwick to himself, for it was he. "No power on earth shall save her
from me. I shall win her from him--by fair means or foul. It will be a
glorious revenge!"

"Madame Whitney's seminary is a very high-toned institution,"
continued John, reflectively; "and the young girls I saw there wore no
end of furbelows and ribbons; but I'll warrant for fresh, sweet beauty
you'll come out ahead of all of 'em, Pet."

"You think so much of me, dear good old uncle," cried Daisy,
gratefully. "I--I wonder if any one in the world could ever--could
ever care for me as--as you do?" whispered Daisy, laying her soft,
warm cheek against his rough hand.

"No one but a husband," he responded, promptly. "But you are too young
to have such notions in your head yet awhile. Attend to your books,
and don't think of beaus. Now that we are on the subject, I might as
well speak out what I've had on my mind some time back. I don't want
my little Daisy to fall in love with any of these strangers she
happens to meet. You are too young to know anything about love
affairs. You'll never rightly understand it until it comes to you. I
must know all about the man who wants my little Daisy. Whatever you
do, little one, do upright and honestly. And, above all, never deceive
me. I have often heard of these romantic young school-girls falling in
love with handsome strangers, and clandestine meetings following,
ending in elopements; but, mark my words, no good comes of these
deceptions--forewarned is forearmed. Daisy, you'll always remember my
words, and say to yourself: 'He knows what is best.' You will remember
what I say, won't you, Pet?"

He wondered why the fair, sweet face grew as pale as a snow-drop, and
the cold little fingers trembled in his clasp, and the velvety eyes
drooped beneath his earnest gaze.

"Yes," whispered Daisy; "I shall remember what you have said."

In spite of her efforts to speak naturally and calmly the sweet voice
would tremble.

"Bal--ti--more!" shouted the brakeman, lustily. "Twenty minutes for
breakfast. Change cars for the north and west!"

"Ah, here we are!" cried John, hastily gathering up their satchels and
innumerable bundles. "We must make haste to reach the uptown omnibus
to get a seat, or we shall have to stand and cling to the strap all
the way up. I'm an old traveler, you see.