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Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by M.W. DODD,in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States forthe Southern District of New York.
Copyright, 1898, by DODD, MEAD & COMPANY.
"Hope not sunshine every hour,
Fear not clouds will always lower."
—Burns.
Elsie's Holidays at Roselands.
"Oh Truth,
Thou art, whilst tenant in a noble breast,
A crown of crystal in an iv'ry chest."
Elsie felt in better spirits in the morning; her sleep had refreshed her,and she arose with a stronger confidence in the love of both her earthlyand her heavenly Father.
She found her papa ready, and waiting for her. He took her in his armsand kissed her tenderly. "My precious little daughter," he said, "papa isvery glad to see you looking so bright and cheerful this morning. I thinksomething was wrong with my little girl last night. Why did she not cometo papa with her trouble?"
"Why did you think I was in trouble, papa?" she asked, hiding her faceon his breast.
"How could I think otherwise, when my little girl did not come to bid megood night, though she had not seen me since dinner; and when I went togive her a good-night kiss I found her pillow wet, and a tear on hercheek?"
"Did you come, papa?" she asked, looking up in glad surprise.
"I did. Now tell me what troubled you, my own one?"
"I am afraid you will be angry with me, papa," she said, almost under herbreath.
"Not half so angry as if you refuse to give me your confidence. I wouldbe glad to know that my little daughter had not a single thought orfeeling concealed from me."
He paused a moment, looking down at the little blushing face, half hiddenon his breast, then went on:
"Elsie, daughter, you are more precious to me than aught else in thewide world, and you need not fear that any other can ever take your placein my heart, or that I will make any connection that would render youunhappy. I want no one to love but my little girl; and you must not letthe gossip of the servants disturb you."
Elsie looked up in unfeigned astonishment.
"Papa! you seem to know everything about me. Can you read my thoughts?"
"Almost, when I can see your face," he answered, smiling at her puzzledlook. "I cannot quite, though; but I can put things together and make apretty good guess, sometimes."
She lay still on his breast for a moment; then, raising her eyes timidlyto his face again, she said in a half-hesitating way, "I am afraid it isvery naughty in me, papa, but I can't help thinking that Miss Stevensis very disagreeable. I felt so that very first day, and I did not wantto take a present from her, because it didn't seem exactly right when Ididn't like her, but I couldn't refuse—she wouldn't let me—and I havetried to like her since, but I can't."
"Well, darling, I don't think I am just the proper person to reprove youfor that," he replied, trying to look grave, "for I am