Part 19 (1/2)

”Oh! oh! oh!” they cried, ”how much! and all so bright and new!” Lulu adding, ”Papa, are you quite, quite sure you can really spare all this without being--embarra.s.sed?”

”Yes, quite sure,” he returned, regarding her with a twinkle of fun in his eyes; ”I really think I should not be greatly embarra.s.sed if called upon for twice as much.”

At that Lulu drew a long breath of relief, while Grace threw her arms about his neck, saying, ”You dear, dear papa! I don't believe any other children ever had such a good, kind father as ours.”

”Well, now, I really hope there are a great many other fathers quite as good and kind as yours,” he said, with a smile, pinching the round, rosy cheek, kissing the ruby lips, and fondly stroking the soft, s.h.i.+ning curls of her pretty head.

”I hope so,” said Lulu, ”but I'm just sure there's not another one I could love so, so dearly as ours. I do think G.o.d was very good to me in making me yours, papa. Your very own little daughter.”

”And me too,” said Grace.

”Yes; good to me as well as to you,” responded the captain, ”for my darlings seem to me the dearest, most lovable children in the world.

Well, Lulu daughter, you may help me with your machine for a half hour, if you wish.”

”Oh, yes, papa; yes, indeed! I'll be glad to!” she exclaimed, hastening to uncover it, put in the paper, and seat herself before it, while her father took up a letter, glanced over the contents, then began his dictation.

It was a business note and had no interest for Grace, who presently wandered out upon the veranda with her well filled purse in her hand.

Grandma Elsie sat there alone, reading. ”What a bright, happy face, my little Gracie,” she said, glancing up from her book as the child drew near. ”Has some special good come to you, dear?”

”Yes, ma'am; see!” exclaimed the little girl, displaying her well filled purse; ”it was empty, and my dear papa has just filled it. You see, Grandma Elsie,” drawing near and lowering her voice, ”I was wanting to buy a few things for good-by presents to some of the poor old colored folks, but I'd spent every cent of my money and thought I'd have to give it up; and I'm oh, so glad that I won't have to now. And--Oh, Grandma Elsie, you and mamma will help me to think what will be best to get for them, won't you?”

”I will be very glad to do anything I can to help you, dear child,”

replied Grandma Elsie in her low, sweet tones, and softly stroking the golden curls as the little girl stood close at her side. ”Suppose you get a pencil and paper from the school-room and make out a list of those to whom you wish to give, and opposite to each name the gift that seems most suitable.”

Grace's reply was a joyful a.s.sent, and she hurried away in search of the required articles.

She was not gone more than a very few minutes, but on her return found that her Mamma Vi, Rosie, and Evelyn had joined Grandma Elsie on the veranda, had been told by her what was the business in hand, and were desirous to have a share in it.

They had a pleasant time over their lists, each making out one for herself, while Lulu finished the work she had undertaken for her father.

They decided to write to the city for what was wanted, and that anyone else who wished could send at the same time; so that matter was satisfactorily disposed of.

”Oh!” exclaimed Grace, struck by a sudden thought, ”suppose I run to the library and tell papa and Lu about it, and get him to tell her what to say, and let her write on the typewriter for the things?”

Everyone thought it an excellent idea, and Grace immediately carried it out.

”I quite approve,” her father said, when she had told her story and made her request.

”I too,” said Lulu, ”and I'll join you if papa will help me to decide what to buy. I'll write the letter too, if he will tell me what to say.”

”I am entirely willing to do both, daughter,” he said. ”Let us set to work at once, as it will soon be dinner-time, and I want to take my little girls out for a drive this afternoon.”

”Oh, thank you, papa, thank you very much!” they cried in joyous tones.

”Is anybody else going, papa?” asked Lulu.

”Your Grandma Elsie, Mamma Vi, and our little ones, in our carriage; as many more as may wish to go either in other carriages or on horseback.