"And I've everything to make me happy," sobbed Lucy--"the best husband in
the world, and the darlingest of babies, to say nothing of mamma and papa,
and the rest, and really almost everything one could desire."

"Oh, the baby, yes!" cried Elsie, turning towards it with eager interest;
"the sweet, pretty darling. May I take him a moment, Lucy?"

"Certainly, if he's not too heavy--bring him here, mammy. I remember your
father would not allow you to lift or carry little Horace."

"Ah, but that was years ago! Ah, how lovely he is!" as the babe accepted
her mute invitation to come to her. "You are rich indeed, with this
treasure added to all your others. And you and your Phil don't quarrel
yet?"

"No indeed! not the first cross word yet. Mamma calls us her turtle-doves:
says we're always billing and cooing. Ah, Elsie, how beautiful you are!
I've always thought you just as lovely as possible, yet there's an added
something--I can't divine what--that increases even your peerless
attractions."

"O Lucy, Lucy, still a flatterer!" laughed her friend.

"Yet you've come back to us single," Lucy went on, ignoring the
interruption, "though we all know you had ever so many good offers. Pray,
do you intend to remain single all your days?"

At that, Elsie's face dimpled all over with blushes and smiles.

Lucy signed to the nurse to take the babe, and as the woman walked away