? how must I meet him, my 
father?" 

" As your true  dictates, my child." 

She bowed her head and covered her face with her 
hands. 

" Why do you weep, my Minie ? " her father asked, ten- 
derly caressing her. 

" I do not know. My  is heavy with its burden of 
 ! Oh, my father, lay your hand upon my head 
and pray for me ! pray for me and bless me ! I am 
weak, and I tremble with my  ! I am afraid to 
be so happy ! " 

And she shivered. 

He smiled and laid his hand upon her head ; he prayed 
for her and blessed her, then he stooped and kissed her, 
arose and placed her gently in the chair, and leaving her 
alone, stole silently from the room. 

When Erminie looked up her father was gone, and her 
lover stood in his place. 

Pale, silent, sorrowful, mutilated, General Eastworth 
stood there, looking down upon Erminie. 

Her hands flew out to meet him. 

" Oh, welcome ! welcome ! welcome ! " she exclaimed, 
with all her 's  welling up in the words. 

" You welcome me, Miss Eosenthal ! You welcome 
me ? " he whispered, in tones scarcely above his breath. 

" With