That the dinner was perfectly delicious all agreed, and before it was finished Jack had promised that the whole family should come down on the yacht for a month's stay the next summer. Pearl's lips parted in a smile that showed every one of her even little white teeth when Jack slipped a generous tip in her hand as they arose from the table.

"You tell the one who cooked this dinner that she's a star," he said to George as they passed out of the room.

"T'ank yo', Suh, she's de star ob meh fernament-she's meh wif"," was the proud reply.

They sat on the veranda for an hour or more, the men smoking and talking with Mr. Carter, then under his guidance they explored the grounds about the hotel and went through the greenhouse where the choicest plants were grown.

"This pavilion is where we have social gatherings and concerts during the summer months. The floor is very good for dancing, and when we have any entertainment requiring music, the piano is moved here for that purpose. We are to have a concert next week. We have some fine talent." Indeed," said Mr. Garland, and then wondered why under the sun he had made such an asinine remark. Why shouldn't they have talent? Perhaps Mr. Carter had intended to say that Bettina would sing. Just then Hiram came to announce

that the carriage was waiting, and the opportunity to lead back to the subject passed. As they walked around the side of the house Jack stole a furtive glance up at the balcony, but no lady was there, only the birds twittering among the vines.

sang Theo as she went on the round of her morning duties, feeling very light-hearted, even frivolous, as she trilled forth the refrain of an old song. Her thoughts constantly reverted to the incidents of Sunday, and womanlike, she fell to wondering what dress she should wear that afternoon. If the day turned out cool, she could wear her crimson mull, Dick always liked to see her in that gown. But it was not for him that she was adorning herself to-day, and she felt a little guilty, for she knew Dick always noticed, and how could she know that Mr. Garland would? She thought of how his every look seemed for her when they were together on Sunday, and how eagerly he accepted Micah's invitation to visit them. She would wear her green silk muslin which was always becoming, and she wanted to look her best.

The morning wore on; the flowers were arranged with more than ordinary care and attention to their artistic effect in the different rooms.

"I shall put roses in Mr. Garland's room," she remarked to Micah. "You said the girl in the play the yacht was named for gathered pink roses, didn't you, Brother?"

Micah thought that unless he was mistaken in signs, Garland would infinitely prefer looking at the roses in Theo's cheeks, but he only said, as he gathered up the scattered sheets of manuscript from the library table, "It would be a delicate attention, especially as he is fond of roses," and begun to hum "The Song of the Rose."

How dearly he loved his sister! She was the only woman in the world who could hold him through the affections. His dream of love had passed, and the memory of it was as a benediction which blessed his every hour.

During his college life he met a Miss Doris Franklin, a New York girl, who visited Brunswick one commencement. They were mutually attracted to each other, and the friendship ripened into love. It was to be near her that he accepted a position on the New York Herald, and at her home he met Jack Garland.

When Theo was graduated from Wellesley the home was once more thrown open, and preparations were begun for the coming in the spring of a new mistress to Stonyhurst. Never very robust, Miss Franklin succumbed to the after effects of an attack of La Grippe which she had in the

winter, and with her hand in Micah's strong one, she passed away into the Life Beyond.

He never murmured, rarely showing any sign of the grief which burned to ashes all thoughts of love for any other. He grew tenderer and more loving to all who came within his circle of friendship, and every living creature instinctively trusted him. He was popular with both old and young, and was the ever-ready escort of the "odd one" who otherwise might be left at home.

About a quarter after three the telephone bell rang. Theo flew to the library and took down the receiver.

"Who is it?" she asked. "Oh, it's you, Uncle Poly- What? They did? Good! Just left? Why didn't you come with them? Oh, I am disappointed. I wanted them to know you. Yes, I know, but- Come to-morrow, sure! This was so dear of you, I could hug you just as I did when I was a little girl. What? Oh, I don't care a rap, Central may go fish! Thank you, good-by."

They would soon be here! She danced a few turns around the room, from sheer lightness of heart, then seating herself at the piano became so absorbed in her music that she did not hear the carriage as it drove under the porte-cochère. The sound of the doorbell startled her.

"Gee whiz!" she ejaculated, catching sight of the carriage as it drove away. "They are here!"