Star was a first-rate traveler, Miss Meredith a most pleasant companion, and they all regained much of their accustomed spirits before it was over, and Mr. Rosevelt congratulated himself that he had planned most wisely. “I think it is charming to travel in this way,” Star said, one day while they were at Niagara; “just a few of us who enjoy each other, stopping when we choose, going on when we like, and having everything our own way. I think there is nothing so pleasant as traveling.” “How would you like to go to California and the Yosemite Valley?” Mr. Rosevelt asked. “I _think_ I should like it,” she answered, enthusiastically. “Will you go this fall?” “Oh, Uncle Jacob, aren’t you tired? Do you not need to go home and rest after so much dissipation?” the young girl asked, but her eyes sparkled and her cheeks flushed with anticipation. “Do you call it dissipation to travel?” he asked, smiling at her eagerness. “I enjoy it almost more than anything else.” “‘_Almost_ more,’” Star repeated, quickly. “What _would_ you enjoy more?” “To see _you_ perfectly happy,” he replied, tenderly; “and,” he added, “I believe that traveling does you fully as much good as anything else. We will go home and rest a week, then we will start for the far West. What do you say to my plan?” Miss Meredith’s face lighted. “Say ‘yes’ to it, by all means, Star,” she said, “and—I will go with you, if you will have me.” “_If_ we will have you,” Star returned, with dancing eyes. “Why, I think it would be the very nicest thing in all the world—we three, with Mrs. Blunt to look after us, do have such delightful, cozy times.” “I have been wishing for just such an opportunity for a long time,” Grace said, “and if you will take me along with you, I should esteem it a great favor.” “I think with Star, that it would be the best arrangement in the world; and, Miss Meredith, we shall consider you a member of our party,” Mr. Rosevelt said, with a bow and a smile to that young lady. Star looked up into the old gentleman’s face. “Uncle Jacob, how _good_ you are to me!” she said; and her red lips trembled over the words, for she knew that he had planned all this expressly for her sake, to keep her thoughts pleasantly employed and from brooding over the past. “My dear, do I not owe my life and all that I am at present enjoying to you?” he asked, gravely. “Remember,” he added, “that when you are happy I am happy also, and _vice versa_; whatever cloud darkens your sky is sure to bring sorrow to me also; so let us make the most of our lives while we have them.” Star looked up brightly after Mr. Rosevelt’s last remark, and glancing archly from him to Miss Meredith, said: