Little Queenie went into a dry goods store, and invested the price of her fan in a nice quality of white tarleton. She told the obliging clerk where to send the package, and dropping her veil over her sweet face, hurried homeward. "Queenie, oh, Queenie, come in," called Georgina, as she was passing the open door of the dressing-room. "Only think--something so perfectly splendid has happened. Guess what it is." "You have been buying some more finery, I suppose," answered the young girl, seeing a large box in the center of the floor. "Uncle Rob has sent us another box from Paris," announced Sydney, triumphantly. "Dresses and jewelry both," added Mrs. Lyle, joyfully. "You can go to the ball as fine as a queen now," laughed Georgina, diving down into the box and bringing out a parcel which she placed in Queenie's hands. "It is for you," she said. Queenie unrolled the tissue paper from the bundle and shook out the folds of a magnificent cream-colored brocade silk. "Oh, how exquisite!" she exclaimed. "What has he sent you, girls?" Sydney, who was a brilliant brunette, exhibited a rose-colored brocade as handsome as Queenie's dress. Georgina, a plump blonde, rejoiced in the possession of a costly azure satin. "Uncle Rob is a dear darling," exclaimed little Queenie, delightedly. "And only look here," said Mrs. Lyle, who held three jewel-cases in her lap, "he has sent you each a lovely set of jewels--diamonds for Sydney, opals for Georgina, pearls for you." Little Queenie looked and admired until she was almost wild with delight. She clasped the pearls on her neck and arms, and held the rich brocade up before her, admiring the sheeny richness of the creamy folds. "If you had only waited a little while you need not have sold your painted fan," said Georgie. "You can have this lovely dress to wear to Mrs. Kirk's ball." "No, I cannot," answered Queenie, with a sigh. "Madame Dufarge would charge thirty dollars to make such a dress as this, and where could I get thirty dollars? No, I'll wear my five-dollar tarleton and the pearls to the ball, but I will put this lovely brocade away, and keep it for my wedding-dress." "Only hear the child," exclaimed Sydney, who was twenty-five and unmarried yet. "She talks of marrying as confidently as if husbands grew on trees." "They do for pretty girls like me," answered Queenie, with a saucy nod at her sister. "But, mamma, did Uncle Robbie write? Is he getting well? Is he coming home soon?" "Ah, the best of the news is yet to come," exclaimed Georgina, who was in brilliant spirits. "We are to go out to Uncle Robbie, you and I, and Syd, and mamma, and have a continental tour with him. Isn't that glorious news?" Little Queenie's bright eyes danced with joy. "Mamma, is it true?" she panted, breathlessly.