"Absolutely faultless! She has an angelic face! If I were a young fellow like you, Keith, I'd certainly not look elsewhere while I could see a ray of hope in that direction. But there's the relationship in the way." "It's too distant to stand in the way," returned Donald a trifle shortly, "I look upon her prospective wealth as a far greater obstacle, having no fancy for playing the role of fortune-hunter, or laying myself open to the suspicion of being such." "Then you've no intention of trying for her?" "I haven't said so, have I? Well, good-night, it's getting late." "What do you think of Captain Raymond?" Rose was asking her husband. "You have had by far the best opportunity to cultivate his acquaintance." "He impresses me very favorably as both a man and a Christian," was the emphatic reply. "Ah! I am glad Donald has so nice a friend," was her pleased comment. "Yes, there seems a warm friendship existing between them, though the captain must be the older by several years. Married too, for he mentioned his children incidentally." On coming down to the parlor the next morning the guests found Mr. Dinsmore there fondling his little grandchildren--Rosie on one knee, Walter on the other. Cousin Donald's entrance was hailed with delight, Walter presently transferred to his knee. Then the captain coaxed Rosie to his, saying, "Your dark eyes and hair remind me of my little Lulu's." "Have you a little girl of your own, sir?" Rosie asked with a look of interest. "Yes, my dear, two of them. Lulu is a year or two younger than I take you to be, and Gracie is only seven." "Have you any boys?" inquired Walter. "Yes, my little man; I have one. We call him Max. He is two years older than Lulu." "About as old as I am?" said Rosie half inquiringly. "Yes; if you are eleven, as I suppose." "Yes, sir, I'm eleven and Walter's five." "If they're good children we'd like 'em to come here and play with us," remarked Walter. "I am afraid they are not always good," the captain said with a smile and a half sigh. "I am not with them enough to give them the teaching and training that doubtless you enjoy." "But why doesn't their mamma do it? Our mamma teaches us;" and the child's eyes turned lovingly upon her as at that moment she entered the room. The usual morning greetings were exchanged, and Walter's question remained unanswered. The gentlemen were out nearly all day, riding or driving; the ladies with them a part of the time. The evening was enlivened with music and conversation, and all retired to rest at a seasonable hour; the two guests expecting to take leave of their hospitable entertainers the next morning. Darkness and silence reigned for some hours, then the shining of a bright light into Donald's eyes awoke him.