n like Mrs. Thatcher without finding wrecks
along the shore."

"A very pretty remark from a son-in-law," she retorted. "I shall hold
you strictly to your loyalty!"

"Let me find Billy while you are dressing for dinner," Huntington said.
"I'll overtake you after breaking the news gently to him."

"Don't be late," Merry whispered to him in parting. "When I leave you I
shall think it all a dream."

"So it is, dear heart, but one which is sure to come true!"

Billy joined his uncle in his room, and the older man sat down beside
him on the window-seat.

"Boy," he said, "you and I have been great pals, and I want you to be
the first to know of a wonderful thing which has happened to me."

"You've beaten Mr. Cosden at golf," Billy guessed.

"It is something which will hurt you for a minute but I want you to show
how good a sport you are."

"You're not going to make me live within my allowance?"

"Merry is going to marry me."

"She isn't!" the boy cried, almost bursting into tears. "She
isn't,--she's going to marry me!"

"Steady, Billy, steady! Remember what pals we are! You wouldn't want her
to marry you if she loved some one else, would you?"

Billy quieted down, swallowing hard but saying nothing.

"Think how many years I have waited for this wonderful thing to happen.
Think how many years you have ahead of you in which to have it happen.
For it will happen to you, boy,--it must."

"But you are a woman-hater."

"No, boy,--a Merry lover! Won't you forget your infatuation and wish me
joy?"

"I shall never marry," Billy said disconsolately.

"That is what I said, twenty years ago!"

"You can't depend on girls, anyhow."

"That is what I said, twenty years ago! Won't you wish me joy? It's the
first time I've ever asked you to do anything for me."

"It's asking a whole lot."

"It is,--and the greater the gift if you give it to me."

"So Merry is really going to marry you?"

Huntington nodded his head.

"Oh, well, I suppose I shall get over it."

"Good for you, boy! And you wish me joy?"

"I can't; I'm a woman-hater now myself."

"Wish me as much joy as possible under the circumstances."

"I'll do that; but don't expect me to throw a fit in doing it."

"All right," Huntington patted him affectionately on the shoulder. "Now
run and get ready for dinner, and don't forget that I'm keeping Merry in
the family!"

"Oh! come. Don't rub it in!"

"I won't, but I'm so happy that I'm kiddish!"

"Man