second desire," Billy carefully explained; "my first is that
Merry become a member of our family."

"To that," his uncle replied, "I have already given my unqualified
approval."

The boys left them and they continued to the house. Mr. and Mrs.
Thatcher met them at the steps.

"I had begun to fear that you and Merry were lost," Marian said, after
Huntington greeted his host.

"We have been lost a long time," Huntington replied, with a meaning they
did not comprehend; "now we have indeed found ourselves."

He took Merry's hand in his and stood for a moment looking at them both.

"Would this time be inopportune," he continued, "to ask if you can spare
this little girl to some one who loves her very dearly?"

"So Billy has persuaded you to become his champion?" Mrs. Thatcher said
with some annoyance. "I didn't think Merry cared for him. He is so
irresponsible, Mr. Huntington. It is difficult to refuse anything you
ask, but couldn't the matter wait?"

"The boy isn't grown up enough to think of such things yet," Thatcher
added.

Huntington smiled quietly at the natural mistake. "It is for one who is
perhaps too far grown up I stand as champion, but I am hoping you will
not look upon that as an obstacle. I did for many months, but Merry has
a way of making one forget his years."

"You!" Marian cried.

"You don't mean it, my dear fellow!" Thatcher held out his hand
cordially.

"We children ask the parental blessing."

Merry slipped by, into her mother's arms.

"Oh! Momsie! I am happy at last!"

"You have certainly kept us in the dark!" Marian exclaimed, recovering
from her surprise.

Then the pleasure in her face changed to one of concern. "You have
loved Merry, yet stood aside these weeks?"

"I could not believe that she could care for me."

"Almost a triple tragedy!" Marian said soberly, so low that only
Huntington heard her. "Can any one ever forgive me!"

"Come, we must tell Edith and Cosden," Thatcher urged. "They are
consumed with impatience to see you."

"Let us wait until dinner," Huntington suggested. "Billy must be
considered, for the dear boy believes himself madly in love with
Merry,--even as I did once with her mother."

"Nonsense!" laughed Marian.

"It didn't seem like nonsense then, but I forgive you since you give me
this sweet child, which I know you consider a greater gift than the one
I would have asked."

"I never heard of this," Thatcher exclaimed.

"No man can marry a woma