den-haired, blue-eyed, white-robed angel being the
sister of such a robust, rugged, sunburned boy as himself! The thought
was so absurd, extravagant, impossible, that the poor boy heaved an
unconscious sigh.

"Why, what's the matter, Traverse? What are you thinking of so
intently?"

"Of your great goodness, sir, among other things."

"Tut! let's hear no more of that. I pleased myself," said the doctor;
"and now, Traverse, let's go to work decently and in order. But first
let me settle this point--if your good little mother determines in our
favor, Traverse, then, of course, you will live with us also, so I shall
have my young medical assistant always at hand. That will be very
convenient; and then we shall have no more long, lonesome evenings,
Clara, shall we, dear? And now, Traverse, I will mark out your course of
study and set you to work at once."

"Shall I leave the room, father?" inquired Clara.

"No, no, my dear; certainly not. I have not had you home so long as to
get tired of the sight of you yet! No, Clare, no; you are not in our
way--is she, Traverse?"

"Oh, sir, the idea--" stammered Traverse, blushing deeply to be so
appealed to.

In his way! Why, a pang had shot through his bosom at the very mention
of her going.

"Very well, then. Here, Traverse, here are your books. You are to begin
with this one; keep this medical dictionary at hand for reference. Bless
me, it will bring back my student days to go over the ground with you,
my boy."

Clara took her work-box and sat down to stitch a pair of dainty
wristbands for her father's shirts.

The doctor took up the morning papers.

Traverse opened his book and commenced his readings. It was a quiet but
by no means a dull circle. Occasionally Clara and her father exchanged
words, and once in a while the doctor looked over his pupil's shoulder
or gave him a direction.

Traverse studied _con amore_ and with intelligent appreciation. The
presence of the doctor's lovely daughter, far from disturbing him,
calmed and steadied his soul into a state of infinite content. If the
presence of the beautiful girl was ever to become an agitating element,
the hour had not yet come.

So passed the time until the dinner bell rang.

By the express stipulation of the doctor himself, it was arranged that
Traverse should always dine with his family. After dinner an hour--which
the doctor called a digestive hour--was spent in loitering about and
then the studies were r