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"Yes, my heart bleeds for them; the poor mother especially," sighed Violet. "Foully

robbed of her husband's love, what charm has life in this world left for her?"

"If I were in her place I'd just make up my mind not to care for him or his love, and be happy in loving my children and being loved by them!" exclaimed Lulu in indignant tones. "I'd never break my heart for such a wretch!"

"He is certainly not worth it," was Violet's response. "Ah, there is your father!" as a carriage turned in at the great gates opening upon the high-road.

It came swiftly up the drive, halted at the front entrance, and the captain, quickly alighting, handed out a girlish figure clad in a plain, dark dress and hat.

"Miss McAlpine, my dear; Lulu, it is your old friend Marian."

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Welcome, my poor dear girl," said Violet, taking Marian's hand in a kindly pressure and giving her a kiss.

“O Marian, Marian, what a delightful surprise!" was Lulu's greeting as she threw her arms about her friend and kissed her again and again.

"Just as I meant it should be," the captain remarked with a pleased smile.

But Marian seemed speechless with emotion,

:....

clinging to Lulu and sobbing as if her heart would break.

"O you poor dear!" Lulu said, gently patting and stroking her, "don't cry so bitterly; we will do all we can to make you happy. You must be very tired with your long journey, but you can rest now in this sweet home of ours."

"Yes, take her up to the spare room nearest your own, Lulu," said the captain, "and see that she has everything she needs."

"And we will have her tea sent up to her," added Violet.

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She took that in the village, my dear," said the captain, "and as she is very weary had better get to bed as soon as she can. I see that her trunk has already been carried up."

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"O sir, how kind, how kind you are to me!" Marian exclaimed sobbingly, putting her hand into his and lifting grateful eyes to his face.

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'Ah, my poor child, it would be a great delight to me could I but relieve all your sorrows,' he returned in moved tones. "That is beyond

my power; but cast all your burdens on the Lord and he will sustain you, fulfilling to you his gracious promise, 'As thy days, so shall thy strength be.' You need rest; do not lie awake grieving, but try to obey the scriptural injunction, 'casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you.'

"O sir, I believe it!" Marian responded in deeply grateful tones; "for otherwise he would never have raised up such a friend as you are proving yourself to be. How shall I ever thank one who shows himself far kinder than my own father?"

"Yes, my dear girl, my good husband feels for you very much as he does for his own children when they are in trouble," Violet said feelingly, as Marian turned to say good-night to her. "Lulu, dear," she added, "try to make sure that your guest has everything that can add to her comfort."

"I will, Mamma Vi," Lulu answered in pleasant tones.

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And stay with Marian only long enough to see to that," added the captain; "for her journey has fatigued her greatly and she needs rest more than anything else."

"Yes, sir; we can wait till to-morrow for our talk," Lulu replied, looking smilingly up into his face; "and I'll come directly to you so that you will know I have obeyed the order."

"That is right; you will find me here," he returned.

"Oh, what a lovely home you have, Lulu!" exclaimed Marian, glancing about her as they went up the stairway.

"Yes, indeed, I think we have; and I love it

dearly; but not a thousandth part as much as

I do the dear father who makes us so happy in it.

made it for us and This is the room he

bade me bring you to, Marian," opening a door and leading the way into a large, airy, and beautifully furnished bedroom.

"Oh, how lovely, how lovely!" exclaimed Marian. "Ah, it is much too grand for me -a poor girl who has not a dollar in the world."

"Not a bit," said Lulu in reply; "those who have nothing need help all the more; besides, papa does not value people for their wealth and has never taught his children to. Ah, there is your trunk! I see the men have unstrapped it. Now if you are too tired to get out the things you want for to-night, and will give me the key, I will do so for you while you sit here in this easy-chair and direct me.”

"Oh, thank you! but I feel able to wait on myself."

"Well, you shall do exactly as you please," returned Lulu with a smile. "I see the servants have filled your pitchers, and if you should want anything that is not here, you have only to touch this knob which rings an electric bell in the kitchen-giving it one push for cold, or two for hot water, or three for the chambermaid to come to you."

"How very nice and convenient!" exclaimed Marian.

Lulu then explained about the light, saying she was welcome to put it out or leave it burning just as she preferred, and bidding her a kind good-night left the room. Hurrying down to the veranda, she found her father and Violet still there sitting side by side, conversing together in rather subdued tones.

"Here I am, papa," Lulu said, approaching them.

"That is right," he responded and drew her to a seat upon his knee. "You saw that your guest had every want supplied?" he asked, caressing her hair and cheek with his hand as he spoke.

"Yes, sir. O papa, tell me all about it, please.'

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"All about what?" he asked with a smile, holding her close and pressing a kiss upon her lips.

"About Marian, sir. Did you know she was coming? and was it just to get her you drove into the village?"

"One question at a time, my child," he returned with an amused look. "Yes, I knew she was coming. I had found a letter from her on my library table telling me so, and reminding me of the invitation you heard me

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