its by us
While thus we all wait.
He'll be here very soon--
It's so seldom he's late.

See, Baby knows too
Who is coming to-night;
She is crowing, and clapping
Her hands with delight!
There's his footstep at last!
Oh, hurrah! he's in sight.

[Illustration: 'FATHER'S COMING.' (_See p. 348._)]

THEIR ROAD TO FORTUNE.

THE STORY OF TWO BROTHERS.

_By the Author of "The Heir of Elmdale," &c. &c._

CHAPTER XVI.--"THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY."

"Tell me everything, Aunt Amy," Bertie said, as soon as he could find a
voice. "When did it happen? Was it an accident? Oh! why didn't you send
for me sooner?"

"It was very sudden, darling," Mrs. Clair replied. "I telegraphed for
you at once, for your uncle wished it, and asked for you as long as he
was conscious. But the doctor said from the first that there was no
hope, and even wondered how he had lived so long. I fancy your uncle
knew from the first that the attack would be fatal whenever it came. Do
you know why he asked for you so often, Bertie?"

"No, aunt, except that he always loved me, and was very, very good to
me."

"Yes, dear, and he trusted you too; almost his last words were, 'Tell
Bertie he must take care of you and Agnes: he must be the "head of the
family" now!' Uncle Harry's death will make a great difference to us,
dear."

"I'm so glad he said that, Aunt Amy; and _I will_ take care of you all,"
his glance including even Eddie, who sat silent in a corner. "It was
good of him to trust me!" and then the remembrance of his other uncle's
want of confidence and harshness rushed back on Bertie, and he sobbed
bitterly. Aunt Amy made him sit beside her, and comforted him tenderly
till his sobs ceased, and then listened with patient, loving sympathy
to all his troubles, which Eddie now confided in her.

"Do you think I did very wrong, Aunt Amy? do you think Uncle Gregory
should have been so unkind?" he asked, looking at her wistfully.

"I think, dear, that you behaved very well indeed, under the
circumstances. Of course, if you could have asked permission it might
have been better, but then you would have missed the owner of the bag.
What troubles me most is your having slept on the damp grass. I fear you
have caught cold."

"Not much, auntie; my throat is a little sore, but it'll be all right
again presently. When I wanted to see you so badly yesterday, I did not
dream I should be here to-day, and find you all so sad. I