ur query. I do not know how much money and other
property I own, but have an idea it is a million more or less."

"My dear child!--it is fully three times that."

"Papa! is it indeed?"

"Yes, it was about a million at the time of your Grandfather Grayson's
death, and has increased very much during your mamma's minority and yours;
which you know has been a very long one. You own several stores and a
dwelling house in New Orleans, a fine plantation with between two and
three hundred negroes, and I have invested largely for you in stocks of
various kinds both in your own country and in England. I wish you to
examine all the papers, certificates of stock, bonds, deeds, mortgages,
and so forth."

"Oh, papa!" she cried, lifting her hands in dismay, "what a task. Please
excuse me. You know all about it, and is not that sufficient?"

"No, the property is yours; I have been only your steward, and must now
render up an account to you for the way in which I have handled your
property."

"You render an account to _me_, my own dear father," she said low and
tremulously, while her face flushed crimson; "I cannot bear to hear you
speak so. I am fully satisfied, and very, _very_ thankful for all your
kind care of it and of me."

He regarded her with a smile of mingled tenderness and amusement, while
softly patting and stroking the small white hand laid lovingly upon his.

"Could I--could any father--do less for his own beloved child?" he asked.

"Not you, I know, papa. But may I ask you a question?"

"As many as you like."

"How much are you worth? Ah! you needn't look so quizzical. I mean how
much do you own in money, land, etc.?"

"Something less than a million; I cannot tell you the exact number of
dollars and cents."

"Hardly a third as much as I! It doesn't seem right. Papa, take half of
mine."

"That wouldn't balance the scales either," he said laughingly; "and
besides, Mr. Travilla has now some right to be consulted."

"Papa, I could never love him again, if he should object to my giving you
all but a few hundred thousands."

"He would not. He says he will never touch a cent of your property; it
must be settled entirely upon yourself, and subject to your control. And
that is quite right; for he, too, is wealthy."

"Papa, I don't think I deserve so much; I don't want the care of so much.
I do wish you would be so good as to take half for your own, and continue
to manage the other half for me as you think best