night, my
darling; and good bye till next year," he added in playful tone, kissing
her fondly over and over again, "unless something unforeseen should make
you want your father before morning. In that case you will not have far
to run to find him."

"Oh no; and it makes me glad always at night to remember that you are so
near, and the doors all open between our rooms, so that you could hear
me if I should call out to you, papa. I know you wouldn't be displeased
at being wakened if I were in trouble and needed you."

"No, indeed, daughter; in that case I should be only too glad to be
roused that I might hasten to your assistance.

"But let your greatest rejoicing be in the thought that you and I and
all of us are under the care of Him who neither slumbers nor sleeps. 'It
is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.'"

Rosie in her mamma's room, which she shared at this time, as on a former
occasion, was preparing for bed, Grandma Elsie quietly reading in an
easy chair beside the fire.

Presently Rosie went to the side of the chair and dropping on her knees
on the carpet, looked up smilingly into the sweet placid face bent over
the book.

"Mamma, dear, I have come for my good night kiss before getting into
bed," she said softly, adding sportively, "the last I shall solicit from
you this year."

"And you are going to be satisfied with one?" her mother asked letting
the book fall into her lap, while she laid one hand gently on her young
daughter's head and gazed tenderly down into the blooming face; with a
somewhat sad expression too, Rosie thought.

"I say, no to that, mamma," she returned, laying her head in her
mother's lap and taking into her own the hand that had been resting on
it, to press it again and again to her lips with ardent affection, "for
I shall not be satisfied with less than half a dozen."

Elsie gave them in quick succession, gathering her child in her arms and
making her rest her fair head on the maternal bosom, and Rosie felt a
warm tear fall on her cheek.

"Mamma!" she exclaimed in concerned surprise, "you are crying! What can
be the matter? have I said or done anything to grieve you, dear heart?"
reaching up an arm to clasp her mother's neck, while she scanned the
loved features with earnest, tender scrutiny.

For a minute or more there was no reply. Then Elsie said, in moved
tones, softly smoothing the hair back from Rosie's temples as she spoke,
and gazing tenderly do