gent for a speedy marriage.
He expected to be ordered home in June and allowed a rest of some weeks or
months. Then he might be sent to some distant quarter of the globe, and
not see his native land again for a long while, perhaps years. Under such
circumstances, how could he wait for his little wife? Would not she and
her mother and grandfather consent to let him claim her in June?

The tender hearts of Elsie and Violet could not stand out against his
appeals. Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore felt for him too, and at length consent was
given, and preparations for the marriage were set on foot.

Then the talk about the captain's children was renewed, and Vi said, with
tears in her sweet azure eyes, "Mamma, I do feel like being a mother to
them--especially for his sake--it only I were old enough and wise enough
to command their respect and obedience. Ah, mamma, if only you could have
the training of them! Yet I could not bear to have you so burdened."

"I have been thinking of it, Vi, dear," Elsie said; "that perhaps we could
give them a happy home here, and help them to grow up to good and noble
man and womanhood, if their father would like to delegate his authority to
your grandpa and you and me. I think we would not abuse it, but without it
'twould be quite useless to undertake the charge."

"Dear mamma!" cried Vi, her eyes shining, "how good, how kind, and
unselfish you always are!"

Mr. Dinsmore, entering the room at the moment, asked playfully, "What is
the particular evidence of that patent at this time, Vi?"

She answered his question by repeating what her mother had just said.

"I have a voice in that," he remarked, with, a grave shake of the head. "I
do not think, daughter, that I can allow you to be so burdened."

She rose, went to him where he stood, and putting her arms about his neck,
her eyes gazing fondly into his, "Dear papa," she said, "you know I will
do nothing against your wishes, but I am sure you will not hinder me from
doing any work the Master sends me?"

"No, dear child, you are more His than mine, and I dare not, would not
interfere if He has sent you work; but the question is, has He done so?"

"If you please, papa, we will take a little time to consider that
question; shall we not?"

"Yes," he said, "it need not be decided to-day. The right training and
educating of those children would certainly be a good work, and could it
be so managed that I could do all the hard and unpleasant part of it-