on my little girl's face," he said, peering at her over the top of his
newspaper. "Come here, and tell me what it is all about."

She obeyed, hanging her head and blushing. "I think I have some reason
to be cross, papa," she said; "I thought we were going to have such a
delightful time here, and now it is all spoiled. You could never guess
who has the rooms just opposite ours; on the other side of the hall."

"Miss Stevens?"

"Why, papa; did you know she was here?"

"I knew she was in the house, because I saw her name in the hotel book
last night when I went to register ours."

"And it just spoils all our pleasure."

"I hope not, daughter. I think she will hardly annoy you when you are
close at my side; and that is pretty much all the time, isn't it?"

"Yes, papa, and I'll stick closer than ever to you if that will make
her let me alone," she cried, with a merry laugh, putting her arm
round his neck and kissing him two or three times.

"Ah, now I have my own little girl again," he said, drawing her to his
knee and returning her caresses with interest: "But there, I hear Miss
Rose's step in the hall. Run to mammy and have your hat put on."

Miss Stevens' presence proved scarcely less annoying to Elsie than the
child had anticipated. She tried to keep out of the lady's way, but it