told me over and over again, and
must not think about beaux and lovers for at least five or six years to
come; and I'm sure I don't want to think of them at all so long as I have
my own dear father to love and care for me."

"That is right," he said, holding her close; "I think I can say with truth
that I love my dear daughter much too well ever to intentionally stand in
the way of her happiness, but I feel sure that the best place for her, for
the next six or eight years at least, will be in her father's house,
trusting in his love and care."

"I haven't a doubt of it, father," she said, lifting loving, laughing eyes
to his, "and really I don't believe Chester or anybody else cares half so
much about me as you do, or wants to get me away from you. I like right
well to laugh and talk with him and the others just as I do with the
girls, but I'm, oh, so glad I belong to you, and will for years to come,
if not always. Yes, I do hope it will be always, while we both live. And
Gracie feels just the same. We had a little talk about it not very long
ago, and agreed that we could not bear to think the time would ever come
when we would have to leave our dear father, and the sweet home he has
made for us, to live with anybody else in the loveliest that could be
imagined."

"That pleases me well," he said, his eyes shining; "Gracie is no less dear
to me than you are, and so frail that I should be far from willing to
resign the care of her to another. But now, dear child, it is high time
you were resting in your bed; so give me another good-night kiss and go at
once."

"I will, papa, and are not you going too? for I am sure you must be
needing rest as well as I."

"Presently," he replied, glancing toward the pier. "I have been waiting to
see the last of our party on board, and here they come."

Lucilla went to her bed a very happy girl, her heart full of love to her
father and singing for joy in the thought of his love for her. She had a
long dreamless sleep, but woke at her usual early hour and, when morning
duties had been attended to, went noiselessly up to the deck where, as she
had expected, the captain had preceded her by a moment or more. She ran to
him to claim the usual morning caress.

"You look bright and well, dear child," he said, holding her close for a
moment, then a little further off to gaze searchingly into the smiling,
happy face.

"As I feel, father," she said, laying her head against his breast. "I w