"Go, Sid, and fetch some paper," his mother commanded; turning sweetly to Mrs. Wilbur, who was evidently weighing the consequences of refusing to act as secretary. However, when Mr. Sanderson brought the writing pad and pencil she accepted them with mollified mien. "Mr. Brooke shall guess first," Mrs. Sanderson said, addressing the diminutive Englishman, who was smoking before the fire. "What do you say my package contains, Mr. Brooke?" the lady urged; when the young man persisted in a grinning silence. "Weally, my deah lady, I am deucid poor at a fancy;" he at length divulged. "Never mind," cried the aggressive baby girl; "say anything! Time is precious." "As you insist," the man replied, "I fancy the package contains Mr. Sanderson's sweetheart." "That is but one guess," objected Mrs. Wilbur, "there are two more possibilities in store for you." "Three sweethearts, as you bother so," the Englishman replied, greatly elated at his wit. "Very well," said Mrs. Sanderson. "Three sweethearts are surely not an impossibility to a young man; are they, Sid?" "Certainly not," her son replied, as he lit, with adorable indifference, a fresh cigar. "Now, my little Butterfly shall guess," Mrs. Sanderson declared, turning to Mariposilla, who was the unconscious center of the admiring throng. All listened eagerly to hear what the beautiful child would say; suffused as she was with charming embarrassment. "I am sure it is a gift of devotion and great affection," she answered modestly, gazing with touching earnestness into the face of her adored friend. "How extremely pretty!" approved Mrs. Sanderson. "Thus far the contents of the package is enchantingly abstract; can not some one, who is matter-of-fact, indulge in a guess which is tangible?" In accordance with the request, there followed in quick succession a volley of reckless ventures, each outdoing the other in substantial reality. When the guessing ceased, Mrs. Wilbur remarked the weight of the package, and announced that she believed the box contained shot. "Nothing but lead could weigh so heavily, but of course, as secretary, I am not guessing," she remarked, indifferently. "Surely, you must guess!" Mrs. Sanderson urged, sweetly; but as Mrs. Wilbur insisted that she preferred to keep out of the game, the lady said no more, but proceeded to undo the mysterious parcel. A shout of admiration burst from the expectant company when she exposed for view an elegant silver picture shrine, containing three superb postures of a beautiful girl. "By Jove, I am right!" lisped the Rivulet, gleefully. "Did I not say three sweethearts?" "Certainly Mr. Brooke has won," several cried at once. "Don't be so sure," retorted Mrs. Wilbur, in an undertone. "Did I not say the box contained shot? If you doubt the fact, look at the Spanish girl," she added, censoriously, to Sidney, who appeared not to hear.