110 MADGE’S MISTAKE,

We are just saying, “ How late Father is!”
when we hear the wheels of the dog-cart
coming down the drive. Aunt jumps up
instantly, and running to the foot of the
stairs cries out in an agony of mind:

“Girls, girls, are you ready? Your father
is just coming down the drive.”

A tremendous scuffle upstairs is the result
of this information, and as Aunt returns to
_ the boudoir we hear frantic cries through the
open door of: “Oh! Nurse, have you seen my
long black gloves;” then, “Susan, Susan,
what have you done with my clean lace
ruffs ?”

Aunt having shut the door I hear no
more, but we all exchange glances of dismay
as the dog-cart stops at the door, and in a
twinkling Father is amongst us.

Ile strides straight up to the sofa, and
saying, “ Well, how is my Betsy to-day?”
takes Mother’s hand and gives her an affec-
tionate embrace. Although Father is so
severe with us, there is not the least doubt
that he is perfectly devoted to Mother, and .