the punch ready by midnight."

The old man's face assumed an anxious expression, and he started with
a roll for the sitting-room.

Not to have the punch ready to drink in the New Year at the stroke of
midnight, would indeed be a calamity. He had never failed to welcome
the New Year with a brimming cup. His father had done so before him,
his daughter had done so with him, and he hoped his grandchildren
would do so after him.

"Bring the punch-bowl, Fanny," he said, as he went to a cupboard and
took out a big black bottle.

His daughter brought him an old-fashioned blue china bowl and hot
water, and while he made the punch, Maxwell told him of his plans for
the coming year, about which he had been talking with Fanny.

Arthur Maxwell, who was a civil-engineer, had been followed by
ill-fortune for some time. Indeed, he made Rumble's acquaintance in a
purely business way; but he called it good fortune that had led him to
the pawnbroker's door, for otherwise he would not have known Fanny.
And now fortune seemed really to smile on him. He had secured a
position with a railroad company, and was going to Colorado as an
assistant of its chief engineer, who had charge of the construction of
a railway there.

And then, hesitating, he told the old man that Fanny had promised to
be his wife as soon as he could provide a home for her.

The pleasure which Rumble had expressed, as Maxwell told of his good
fortune, was a little dashed by this last bit of information. Of
course he had expected that his daughter would leave him sometime, and
he had not been blind to the fact that Maxwell had gained a place in
her affections; nevertheless, he was not quite prepared for this news,
and it left a shadow on his kindly face.

"But, father," said Fanny, advancing quickly, and placing her arm
about his neck and her head on his shoulder, "Arthur and I hope that
we shall all be together. He may return to New York; but if we have a
home in the West you might live with us there."

It was a loving, tender look which Rumble gave his daughter as she
uttered these words.

At that moment the clock began to strike, horns were heard in the
street, bells were rung, and in a lull in the storm the musical notes
of a chime fell on their ears.

Rumble filled the cups, and then, raising his, he said:

"Here's to the New Year, and here's to your success, Arthur, and to
Fanny's happiness."

And while the clock was still striking, the three drank in