"I may wear them this afternoon at my party, mayn't I, mamma?" asked 'Toinette, trying to clasp one upon her little arm. "Oh, we are to have a party, are we!" exclaimed Mr. Legrange raising his eyebrows in dismay. "Just half a dozen children to play with 'Toinette, and to go home after a nursery-tea," explained his wife. "Oh, well! I shall be a little late to dinner, very likely: so it will all be over when I arrive. Shall I bring Tom Burroughs home with me to dine?" "I want Cousin Tommy to come to my party, papa. Tell him to come, please, and Sunshine's love." "Your party, chick? Why! he would be Gulliver among the Liliputians. He would tread on a dozen of the guests at the first step, and never know it." "I don't think he would, papa; and he's my little wife, and I want him," persisted 'Toinette. "No, no, dear," interposed Mrs. Legrange. "Cousin Tom wouldn't want to come, and my little girl mustn't tease." "No, mamma; but he's my little wife," murmured 'Toinette, going back to her bracelets with a shadow of disappointment in the curve of her pretty mouth. "If mamma is willing, I will ask Cousin Tom, and he can do as he likes about accepting," said the fond father, watching his Sunshine's face. Mamma smiled roguishly, murmuring,--"'So long as a woman's possessed of a tear, She'll always have her own way;'" and then, added aloud,-- "Just as you like, of course, papa; but here is Susan, ready to take 'Toinette for her walk." The dining-room door opened softly, and a fresh, pretty-looking nursery-maid stepped in, saying "Is Miss 'Toinette ready to come up stairs, ma'am?" Yes, Susan. You may take the bracelets, pet; but, when you go out, leave them in the drawer of your bureau." "Yes, mamma. Good-by, mamma and papa; and don't forget my little wife, papa." "I won't forget, Sunshine," said Mr. Legrange, laughing, as he followed the child and nurse to the door, and watched them up stairs. CHAPTER II. THE LITTLE WIFE. THREE o'clock came at last, although 'Toinette had become fully persuaded it never would; and the little guests arrived as punctually as juvenile guests are apt to arrive. Later on in life, people either expect less pleasure from meeting each other, or are more willing to defer securing it; or perhaps it is that they are willing to allow their friends the first chance of appropriating the happiness in store for all. If none of these, what is the reason, children, that, at grown parties, the struggle is to see who shall arrive last, while at ours it is to see who shall come first? 'Toinette was dressed, and in the drawing-room ready to receive her little friends, by half-past two; and very nice she looked in her light-blue merino frock, with its pretty embroideries, her long golden hair curled in the feathery ringlets Susan was so proud of making, her sleeves looped up with new bracelets, and a little embroidered handkerchief just peeping out of her pockets