Mr. Stuart did not reply at once.  He seemed to be thinking so deeply that Mrs. Thurston did not like to go on talking.

“Mrs. Thurston,” Mr. Stuart spoke slowly, “why would you not come to my house in Chicago to make us a visit when I asked you, nearly a year ago?”

Mrs. Thurston hesitated.  “I told you my reasons then, Mr. Stuart.  It was quite impossible.  But it has been so long I have almost forgotten why I had to refuse.”

“It was after our trip in the private car with our friends, the fall before, you remember, Mrs. Thurston.  But I know why you would not come to my home,” Mr. Stuart answered, smiling.  “You were willing to accept my hospitality for your daughters, but you would not accept it for yourself.  Am I not right?”

“Yes,” Mrs. Thurston faltered.  “I thought it would not be best.”

“I am sorry,” Mr. Stuart said sadly.  “Because I want to do a great deal more than ask you to come to visit me in Chicago.  I wish you to come to live there as my wife.”

Mrs. Thurston’s reply was so low it could hardly be heard.  But Mr. Stuart evidently understood it and found it satisfactory.

A few moments later Mrs. Thurston murmured, “I don’t believe that Ruth and your sister Sallie will be pleased.”

“Ruth will be the happiest girl in the world!” Mr. Stuart retorted.  “Poor child, she has longed for sisters all her life.  Now she is going to have the two she loves best in the world.  As for Sallie—.”  Here Mr. Stuart hesitated.  He thought Miss Sallie did not dream of his affection for the little widow, and he was not at all sure how she would receive the news.  “As for Sallie,” he continued stoutly, “I am sure Sallie wishes my happiness more than anything else and she will be glad when she hears that I can find it only through you.”

Mrs. Thurston shook her head.  “I can only consent to our marriage,” she returned, “if my girls and yours are really happy in our choice and if your sister is willing to give us her blessing.”

* * * * *

“Oh, Aunt Sallie, dear, please are you awake?” Ruth cried at half-past seven the next morning, tapping gently on Miss Stuart’s door.

Ruth had been awakened by her father at a little after six that morning and carried off to his bedroom in her dressing-gown, to sit curled up on her father’s bed, while he made his confession to her.

Ruth had listened silently at first with her head turned away.  Once her father thought she was crying.  But when she turned toward him her eyes were shining with happy tears.  Ruth never thought of being jealous, or that her adored father would love her any less.  She only thought, first, of his happiness and next of her own.

Mr. Stuart would not let Ruth go until, with her arms about his neck and her cheek pressed to his, she begged him to let her be the messenger to Barbara, Mollie and Aunt Sallie.