All this was witnessed with intense interest by the spectators at the windows and on the veranda; at the beginning of the chase the band forgot to play and dropping their instruments employed themselves in encouraging pursuers or pursued with clapping of hands and shouts of exultation over their exploits.

The contest was kept up for a long time, the flag taken and retaken again and again till the fort was quite demolished by the repeated assaults, and the snow well trodden down all about the spot where it had stood.

The lads, too, found themselves ready to enjoy rest within doors after their continued violent exertion.

Some quiet games filled up the remainder of the morning and the afternoon.  In the evening they were ready for another romp in which the girls might have a share; so Stage Coach, Blind-man’s Buff, and similar games were in vogue.

They had been very merry and entirely harmonious, but at length a slight dispute arose, and Capt.  Raymond, sitting in an adjoining room conversing with the older guests and members of the family, yet not inattentive to what was going on among the young folks—­heard Lulu’s voice raised to a higher than its ordinary key.

He rose, stepped to the communicating door, and called in a low tone, grave but kindly, “Lulu!”

“Sir,” she answered, turning her face in his direction.

“Come here, daughter,” he said; “I want you.”

She obeyed promptly, though evidently a trifle unwillingly.

He took her hand and led her out into the hall, and on into a small reception room, bright and cheery with light and fire, but quite deserted.

“What do you want me for, papa?” she asked.  “Please don’t keep me long; because we were just going to begin a new game.”

He took possession of an easy chair, and drawing her into his arms, and touching his lips to her cheek, “Can you not spare a few minutes to your father when your mates have had you all day?” he asked.

“Why, yes, indeed, you dear papa!” she exclaimed with a sudden change of tone, putting her arms about his neck and looking up into his face with eyes full of ardent filial affection.  “How nice in you to love me well enough to want to leave the company in the parlors to give a little time to petting me!”

“I love you full well enough for that, my darling,” he said, repeating his caresses, “but my call to you was because a tone in my little girl’s voice told me she needed her father just at that moment.”

She looked up inquiringly, then with sudden comprehension, “Oh! you thought I was in danger of getting into a passion, and I’m afraid I was.  Papa, you are my good guardian angel, always on the watch to help me in my hard fight with my dreadful temper.  Thank you very, very much!”

“You are entirely welcome, daughter,” he said, softly smoothing her hair; “it could hardly be a sadder thing to you than to me, should that enemy of yours succeed in overcoming you again.  Try, dear child, to be constantly on the watch against it.