"Ah!--uncle!"

"Ah!--dear papa!"

And Rose and I threw ourselves into his arms.

"Very good! very good!" he cried, wiping his eyes. "Be happy, that's all
I ask."

And, in turn, he whispered in my ear:--

"I should have given her to you all the same, you big goose; but--keep
the story of the helmet between us two!"

I give you my word that I have never told it but to Rose, my dear little
wife. And, if ever you pass along the Rue des Claquettes, No. 53, at the
place of honour in the old shop, I'll show you my uncle's helmet, which
we would never sell.

* * * * *



_The Music of Nature._

BY A. T. CAMDEN PRATT.


II.