her advice.

It was a clear cold day, in the latter part of February, and the wind blew keenly in their faces as they bowled leisurely up Fifth Avenue.

"Say, Indiana," after three minutes perusal of the promenaders.

"Yes, pa—it's coming," she thought.

"How would you like to go on a sailing trip for three months; the whole kit and crew of us? We'd have everything our own way; I'd see to that. We'd run the whole show. On the water for three months. What do you think of it—eh?"

"Bully!" shouted Indiana, throwing her muff up in the air, and catching it deftly.

"I thought you'd like it," said Stillwater, chuckling.

"What did the doctor say, pa?" said Indiana breathlessly. "What did he say was the matter with you? Tell me—you must tell me."

"Now, Indiana, give me a chance. I'm going to tell you. Didn't I start to give away the whole snap?"

"But you're taking such a long time, pa," she said, tapping the floor of the hansom nervously.

"Well, when it comes down to it, there isn't much the matter with me," answered Stillwater reassuringly. "He said something about a torpid liver."

"Torpid liver!" echoed Indiana, looking as if she were just brought face to face with the great calamity of her life.

"Now, that's what I was afraid of," said Stillwater. "Please don't go on like that before your ma, Indiana. It's not serious."

"No?" echoed Indiana helplessly.

"Why, it's nothing at all," Stillwater laughed hilariously. "Torpid livers—people have them every day."

"Well, what else?" said Indiana.

"Oh, lots," answered Stillwater confidentially.

"Tell me this minute; I must know. Don't you try and keep anything from me, pa."

"Indiana, will you give me a chance? Sit down! You'll be out of this hansom in a minute. Something about digestion. That don't amount to anything."

Indiana sank back with a sigh of relief.

"And something about nerves—says I must throw up business, that's all it amounts to, for a few months."

"Then you'll be cured?"

"Positively."

"Then you shall, pop—you shall; do you hear me?"

"Now, Indiana, what's the use of your taking the reins and whipping up like that? I've told you what I reckon to do. Didn't I broach the subject of a sailing trip?"

"Ma and I are good sailors," remarked Indiana meditatively, "but Grandma Chazy don't like the water."

"Oh, we'll jolly her along her all right," said Stillwater easily. "Say, Indiana," he put his mouth to her ear, "Grandma Chazy wouldn't miss a trick."

Indiana laughed loudly.

"Well, this is what I call a wild and exciting time, Indiana. If you took me on many of these drives I think I'd get rid of that 'slight nervous derangement' the doctor was talking about. Sort of a rest-cure—eh?"

"Oh, if I could only get on that horse's back!" cried Indiana, "I'd make him go."

"Not that horse, Indiana," said Stillwater chuckling. "All the sporting spirit in you wouldn't make that horse go. Suppose we think about getting home?"

"Back to the hotel," he shouted to the driver.

"I can't help thinking of Circus," said Indiana sentimentally. "I wonder if he misses me."

"You think more of that horse than all your beaux, don't you, Indiana?"

Indiana nodded and smiled.

"I'll have my hands full for a few weeks before I go on that sailing trip. I don't know how I'm going to manage it."

"Well, you just must!"

"Suppose we don't say anything to the others till I make sure I can go. I've got some big things on now, Indiana—"

"You won't go after you've worked me all up about it—you'll keep on grinding until you're past curing, until one day you'll just drop down and die. What do you care—and ma and Grandma Chazy and—and I'll be left with no one to look after us." She buried her face in her muff, making piteous little gulps.

"I'm a fool," thought Stillwater, patting her on the back. "The idea of that little thing takin' it so to heart. I didn't think she was old enough to realize things like that. None of us know how much there is in Indiana." His heart swelled with gratitude at this proof of devotion from his only child.

"Now, Indiana, don't lose your grip like this. I'm going, I tell you. I'm going on this trip. There isn't anything on earth that'll stop me. Hi! Driver! Just run through and stop at Thorley's!"

As the hansom dashed up to Thorley's Indiana gave a clear jump to the curb, disdaining the hand her father held out.

"American beauties!" said Stillwater.

The salesman showed them a gorgeous long-stemmed cluster.

"That's the ticket," said Stillwater. "My, they're fresh, Indiana." She selected one and fastened it in her furs. "I'll carry the rest for you. Now what would the others like?"

Indiana flitted about selecting flowers.

"Would you like them sent?" inquired the salesman.

"No," said Indiana, "we'll take them right along."

"Why," exclaimed Stillwater as they were leaving the store, "I was just about forgetting you were all going to the opera to-night. Now, what flowers do you want to wear, Indiana?"

"Well, my dress is white. Hyacinths, white hyacinths. Corsage bouquet, Miss Stillwater."

"And ma, she likes the sweet-smelling ones."

"Well, violets for ma. Violets, Mrs. Stillwater."

"Shall we say violets for Grandma Chazy?"

"I think Grandma Chazy would like something brighter," said Indiana.

"Carnations?" suggested the salesman.

"Yes," said Indiana. "Pink carnations, Mrs. Chazy Bunker. Send to the Waldorf Hotel for this evening. Don't make any mistake, please!"

"Duplicate the order to-morrow, same time," added Stillwater.

Indiana hummed gaily to herself as they drove off with their flowers.

"She's forgotten all about it now," thought Stillwater, with a satisfied glance at her happy face.

Lord Canning noticed them when they entered the hotel.

He was standing in the lobby through which they passed, lighting a cigar preparatory to going out. He recognized Stillwater immediately, and stared curiously at Indiana.

"I suppose that is the daughter," he thought, "Indiana." He smiled as