kingdom; of renewed and higher consecration on
the part of many who were already numbered among the Master's followers,
and the conversion of others who had hitherto cared for none of these
things.

The reading of the letters was followed by an earnest talk between the
mother and her daughters, in which Violet told of her husband's plans
for giving through his children, in addition to what he would give in
other ways.

"What excellent ideas?" Grandma Elsie exclaimed, her eyes shining with
pleasure. "I shall adopt both with my younger two children, one with all
of you."

"Which is that last, mamma?" asked Violet sportively.

"The letting each of you select an object for a certain sum which I
shall give."

"Mamma, that is very nice and kind," remarked her daughter Elsie, "but
we should give of our own means. Do you not think so?"

"You may do that in addition," her mother said. "I have seven children
on earth--eight counting Zoe, and one in heaven. I shall give a thousand
dollars in the name of each."

"Mamma, I for one fully appreciate your kindness, but think you would
make a wiser choice of objects than we," said Violet, looking lovingly
into her mother's eyes.

"I want you to have the pleasure," her mother answered, "and I am
reserving much the larger part of what I have to give, for objects of my
own selection; for it has pleased the Lord to trust me with the
stewardship of a good deal of the gold and silver which are his."

At that moment the little girls entered the room, and Rosie, hurrying up
to her mother, asked, "Mamma, have you heard, has Vi told you what the
captain intends doing? how he is going to reward his children for good
behavior?"

"Yes; and I shall do the same by you and Walter."

"That's a dear, good mamma!" exclaimed Rosie with satisfaction. "I
thought you would."

"And I intend to follow the captain's lead in another matter," Grandma
Elsie went on, smiling pleasantly upon her young daughter; "That is in
allowing each of my sons and daughters to select some good object for me
to give to."

"That's nice too," commented Rosie: "I like to be trusted in such
things--as well as others," she added laughing, "and I hope you'll trust
me with quite a sum of money to give or spend just as I please!"

"Ah, my darling, you must not forget that your mother is only a
steward," was the sweet toned response, given between a smile and a
sigh; for Grandma Elsie was not free from anxiety about thi