married happiness.

"It is because I love you so that I can't--I won't let you ride that
black devil, Betty dear," said the Colonel.

"How ridiculous!" replied Mrs. Fortescue. "You know I can ride as well
as you can--can't I, After-Clap?"

"Goo-goo-goo-goo!" replied the baby, positively.

"And I never could understand why you should take the trouble to get
angry with me," Mrs. Fortescue kept on, "when you can't stay angry with
me to save your life."

Colonel Fortescue made a last stand.

"But if I didn't get angry with you sometimes, Betty----"

"'Betty' sounds cheerful," interrupted Mrs. Fortescue, and then there
was peace between them.

Mrs. Fortescue and the Colonel went up-stairs to dress for dinner, and
Kettle, on watch in the hall, took charge of the After-Clap, who
commanded to be taken back into the office. Kettle, as always,
promptly obeyed, and putting the baby on Sergeant McGillicuddy's desk,
allowed the After-Clap to wreck everything in sight.

It had not been originally designed that Kettle should be the
After-Clap's nurse. The colored mammy who had nursed Beverley and
Anita with tender devotions having gone to her well-earned rest, Mrs.