"Yes, but I can never forget or forgive it myself. Nor can I forget how glad and thankful he was that I was not the one killed by the bear out at Minersville, or his saving me that time when I was so nearly swept into Lake Erie by the wind; how closely he hugged me to his breast--a tear falling on my head--when he got me safely into the cabin, and the low-breathed words, 'Thank God, my darling, precious child is safe in my arms.' Oh, Gracie, I have seemed to hear the very words and tones many a time since. So I cannot doubt that he does love me very much; even if I am not so dear to him as his wife is." "And you love mamma, too?" "Yes, indeed! she is just like a dear older sister. I may well love her since she is so dear to papa, and was so kind and forbearing with me in those early years of her married life when I certainly was very far from being the good and lovable child I ought to have been. She was very forbearing, and never gave papa the slightest hint of my badness." "She has always been very good and kind to us," said Grace, "and I love her very dearly." "And papa showed his love for me in allowing Chester to offer himself because he had saved my life--for otherwise he would have forbidden it for at least another year or two." "Yes, I know," said Grace. "We certainly have plenty of proofs that father does love us very much." "But we must not delay at this business, as he bade us hasten down again," Lucilla said, quickening her movements as she spoke. "No; I'm afraid he is beginning to wonder what is keeping us so long," said Grace, following her example. They had no idea how their father was engaged at that moment. As he reached the lower hall Frank Dinsmore stepped forward and accosted him. "Can I have a moment's chat with you, captain?" he asked in an undertone, and with a slightly embarrassed air. "Certainly, Frank. It is a very modest request," was the kindly-toned response, "What can I do for you?" "Very nearly the same thing that you have so kindly done for my brother, sir," replied the young man, coloring and hesitating somewhat in his speech. "I--I am deeply, desperately in love with your daughter, Miss Grace, and----" "Go no farther, my young friend," interrupted the captain in a grave though still kindly tone. "I have no objection to you personally, but Grace is entirely too young and too delicate for her father to consider for a moment the idea of allowing her to think of such a thing as marriage. Understand distinctly that I should be not a whit more ready to listen to such a request from any other man--older or younger, richer or poorer." "But she is well worth waiting for, sir, and if you would only let me speak and try to win her affections, I----" "That must be waited for, Frank. I cannot and will not have her approached upon the subject," was the almost stern rejoinder. "Promise me that you will not do or say anything to give her the idea that you want to be more to her than a friend."