e foreign
sheets that Lottie loved to see, and the long crossed letters full of
mamma's love to me. And to us four elder ones, Harry and Lottie and
Alick and me, uncle's visit always meant a glorious afternoon in a boat
far out at sea. I hardly know whether Harry or Gus delighted most in the
prospect of these visits. The pleasure simply of holding the
"Capitaine's" horse was enough to make the French boy's eyes glisten and
his teeth shine with the broadest smile. And to Harry the delight of
handling an oar or managing a sail was beyond anything delicious.

But the visit which we had all most cause to remember was the last which
Uncle Hugh paid us. He was going away to London on business--business
which would soon end in another long voyage, the news of which brought a
flush of pleasure to Gus's cheeks, soon changed to intense
disappointment at the news that he must this time be left in England.

That afternoon we were longer than usual on the sea, only returning just
in time for a late tea and bed. Uncle Hugh started about seven o'clock,
and Harry as usual mounted his pony in great haste to go with him part
of the way. I remember that uncle was in a hurry, and did not wait for
him, for as I stood undressing near the window I saw Harry waving his
hat and calling after him, with the two dogs at his side.

[Illustration: THROUGH THICK AND THIN.]

The long summer evening faded away; from my pillow I saw the stars come
out one by one, and then kissing my hand to them, I let my sleepy eyes
go shut, and was soon in the midst of pleasant dreamland. I don't know
how long after this it was, that I was aroused by a sound of whispers at
the door, and then by a little timid question from Lottie, "Susette,
isn't Harry come home?" "But no, Miss Lottie," was the answer in a
troubled voice, and Jane broke in: "Hush, hush! you'll wake Miss Sissy!
Go to sleep, there's a darling. He'll be home directly now--no need to
be frightened!"

"No need to be frightened!" said Susette, in her foreign accent. "But,
yes----"

Jane had pulled her out of the room, and Lottie and I, now wide awake,
were left to wonder, and talk in low, frightened tones. Lottie had heard
the whining of one of the dogs under the window--both dogs had gone off
with Harry--and she had heard Susette call Jane gently, and then they
had whispered outside the door something about Gus and the dog; and
after that she had heard Gus run off under the window, the dog barking
j