"Yes; they were bosom friends before I was born," her mother said with a
far-away look in her eyes.

"Then you must have been very much younger than he, Grandma Elsie,"
remarked Grace, half inquiringly.

"Sixteen years younger. I was in my ninth year when I saw him first, and
more than twice that age before I thought of him as anything but a dear,
kind friend--my father's friend and mine."

"And after that he seemed to you to grow younger, did he not, mamma?"
asked Rosie.

"Yes; when he joined us in Europe I had not seen him for two years, and
as regarded age he seemed to have been standing still while I grew up
to him; and in the daily and intimate intercourse of those months I
learned that his worth was far greater than that of any other man of my
acquaintance--excepting my father. Ah, there was never a better man, a
truer friend, a kinder, more devoted husband and father than he."

The sweet voice trembled with emotion; she paused for a moment, then
went on:

"He does not seem dead to me--he is not dead, but only gone before into
the immediate presence of the dear Master, where I hope one day to join
him for an eternity of bliss.

"''Tis there we'll meet
At Jesus' feet,
When we meet to part no more.'"

Again there was a brief silence, presently broken by the coming of the
captain and his two younger children. All three seemed pleased to find
Rosie there, greeted her affectionately, and then the captain remarked,
glancing from one to another:

"It strikes me that you are all looking about as grave as if assembled
to discuss the affairs of the nation. Can I have a voice in the
subject, whatever it is?"

"Yes, Brother Levis," replied Rosie, "I am trying to make arrangements
for--doing what you have done twice. And perhaps, since you have had so
much practice, you may be more capable than these other friends and
relatives of giving me advice."

"Something that I have done twice? What can that be?"

"Will Croly wants to help me," returned Rosie with a laugh and a blush.

"Ah! now I understand. Is the vexing question as to the colour and
material of the wedding gown?"

"Mamma thinks the first thing is to settle when the ceremony is to be
performed. She does not seem to sympathise in Will's haste to have it
over."

"Which is not at all surprising," returned the captain, glancing at his
two older daughters. "I can quite understand the feeling. But what is
the time