“I am glad, Etta dear, that you have come to so womanly a decision.” “Do you suppose Mabel, that your father would approve of your marriage with Ahleka if he know of it?” “Yes,” answered Mabel, “I am quite sure he would. It was from his dear lips that I learned to think on the subject of marriage as I do.” After they had had their bath, Etta went directly to her father to tell him of her love for Uala. It was a hard task, but she now saw her duty and was determined to do it. After throwing her arms about his neck, and kissing him, she dropped in a graceful little heap upon the mat at his feet, and began: “Papa, do you love me very much?” “What a question, why child, you are all in the world I have left to love. Of course I love you.” “But, papa, do you love me lots and lots, as I used to say when I was a little thing?” “I love you more and more every day of your life, my dear child.” “Then you want me to be very happy, don’t you papa dear?” An odd expression passed over the face of Captain Gray, as he replied: “Want you to be happy? of course I do, you little kitten. If I were in America now, after all this coaxing, I should expect a request to buy you a seal skin jacket, but as this climate won’t do for seal skins, and they are not to be had any way, I don’t know what I am expected to give this little tease to make her so wonderfully happy.” His tone and words were light and playful, but his face was stern, for he more than half guessed what she meant to ask. “Oh, papa,” she cried, “I know I am going to make you angry but I cannot help it. I love Uala. Will you give your consent to our union?” “Never! How can you ask for my consent to marry a black beggar?” “Oh, papa! he is so manly and I love him with my whole heart.” “Then the sooner you stop loving him the better, is all I’ve got to say, for you shan’t marry that black-skinned hound.” “Papa,” said Etta, rising to her feet, her whole manner changed in a moment, from girlish playfulness to womanly dignity. She had been stung by her father’s scornful words. “Papa, you have always been a kind and affectionate father to me and my love and respect for you could not be greater; but from to-day my love and respect is also given to another. His, I am in heart and his I shall remain forever.” “How dare you defy me!” he cried, “you shall never marry him, even if I have to——” What he would have said farther will never be known, for the sentence was never finished. CHAPTER XVII.