t laugh.

"O papa, do you really think we may?" she cried in delight. "Oh you are
just the kindest father!" giving him a hug.

He laughed at that, returning the hug with interest.

"I suppose you and Eva and the rest were laying out plans for Christmas
doings this afternoon?" he said inquiringly.

"Yes, papa, we were talking a good deal about games and tableaux, and
about the things we could buy or make for gifts to our friends, and what
we would like to have given us."

She paused, half hoping he would ask what she wanted from him, but he
did not. He sat silently caressing her hair and cheek with his hand, and
seemingly lost in thought.

At length, "Papa," she asked half hesitatingly, "are you very rich?"

"Rich?" he repeated, coming suddenly out of his reverie and looking
smilingly down into her eyes, "yes; I have a sound constitution,
excellent health, a delightful home, a wife and five children, each one
of whom I esteem worth at least a million to me; I live in a Christian
land," he went on in a graver tone, "I have the Bible with all its great
and precious promises, the hope of a blessed eternity at God's right
hand, and that all my dear ones are traveling heavenward with me; yes, I
am a very rich man!"

"Yes, sir; but--I meant have you a great deal of money."

"Enough to provide all that is necessary for the comfort of my family,
and to gratify any reasonable desire on the part of my little girl. What
is it you want, my darling?"

"Papa, I'm almost ashamed to tell you," she said, blushing and hanging
her head; "but if I do, and you can't afford it, won't you please say so
and not feel sorry about it? because I wouldn't ever want you to spend
money on me that you need for yourself or some of the others."

"I am glad you are thoughtful for others as well as yourself, daughter,"
he said kindly; "but don't hesitate to tell me all that is in your
heart. Nothing pleases me better than to have you, and all my dear
children do so."

"Thank you, my dear, dear papa. I don't mean ever to hide anything from
you," she returned, giving him another hug and kiss, while her eyes
sparkled and her cheek flushed with pleasure. "It's a diamond ring I'd
like to have."

"A diamond ring?" he repeated in surprise. "What would my little girl do
with such a thing as that?"

"Wear it, papa. Maud Dinsmore has such beautiful one, that a rich aunt
sent her the other day," she went on eagerly; "there's a large diamond
in the m