the winter at the Oaks, Annis sharing both my studies and my sports. We
had a Christmas party, our guests remaining through the rest of the
week."

"Oh mamma, do please go on and tell the whole story of that Christmas,
and all the good times you had that winter," pleaded Rosie. "I have
always enjoyed it so much, and I'm sure Eva and Lulu and Gracie will."

Rosie's request was seconded by several other voices in the little
crowd, and Grandma Elsie, ever willing to give pleasure, kindly
complied.

But as my young readers have already had the story in Mildred's Married
Life, I shall not repeat it here. Suffice it to say it seemed to greatly
interest all her listeners, and Lulu gathered from it a far different
impression of Mr. Dinsmore, as a father, from that she had derived from
tales told her by some of the old servants in the family connection.

They had given her the idea that he was exceedingly stern and
tyrannical, but his daughter painted him as a most loving and indulgent
parent. Mayhap the truth lay somewhere between the two pictures, for as
he himself had often said, Elsie was ever won't to look upon him through
rose colored glasses.

"You did have a very nice time, Grandma Elsie! I could almost wish I'd
been in your place," exclaimed Lulu, when the tale had come to an end.
"But no I don't, either, for then I couldn't be my father's child,"
putting her arm round the captain's neck and laying her cheek to his,
"and to belong to him is better than anything else!"

"My little Lulu being the judge," laughed the captain, tightening the
clasp of his arm about her waist.

"Or any other of your children, papa," added Grace from her seat on his
knee, affectionately stroking his face with her small white hand as she
spoke. "Grandma Elsie, won't you please go on and tell about other
Christmases that you remember?"

"I think, my dear, I have done my full share of story telling for one
evening," replied Mrs. Travilla pleasantly. "It is your father's turn
now, as the next in age. Captain, will you not favor us with some of
your reminiscences of former holiday experiences? or of something else
if you prefer. I know you are a famous story teller."

"Oh yes, captain!" "Oh yes, papa do, please," urged the others.

"Some other time, perhaps," he said. "Do you know how late it is? time
to call the servants in to prayers, and then for the little folks to
seek their nests. Max, my son, ring the bell."

"Then you don't m