make you unhappy, my Mona; for as I have assumed a father's care for you
in the past, so I shall continue to do in the future; you shall never
want for anything that I can give you while I live, and all that I have
will be yours when I am gone. I have made an appointment with my lawyer
for the day after to-morrow," he went on, in a more business-like tone,
"when I purpose making my will, giving you the bulk of my property. I
ought to have done this before; but--such matters are not pleasant to
think about, and I have kept putting it off. Now dry your tears, my dear;
it pains me to see you weep. And here," he added, smiling, and forcing
himself to speak more lightly, "I almost forgot that I had something else
for your birthday. Come, try on these trinkets, for you must wear them to
the opera to-night."

He took a case from his pocket as he spoke, and slipped it into her
hands.

Mona looked up surprised.

"But you have already given me the mirror, Uncle Walter," she said. "I
could not have anything that I should prize more."

"Ah, well, but I could not let a birthday go by without spending a little
money on you," he returned, fondly; "so look at your gifts, and let me
see how they will fit."

Mona obediently opened the case, and found within a pair of narrow gold
bands, studded with diamonds, for her wrists.

"They are lovely," she cried, a smile of pleasure breaking over her
face, "and--I really believe it is the very pair that I was admiring