While little Jane spoke of her father, and wondered at his absence, a man, comfortably clad in coarse garments, stood near the door in a listening attitude.

Once or twice he laid his hand upon the latch, but each time withdrew it and stood musing in seeming doubt.

"Oh, I wish father would come home!" fell upon his ear, in clear, distinct, earnest tones.
He did not hear the low reply, though he listened eagerly.

Only for a moment longer did he pause.

Then swinging the door open, and stepping in quickly, he said in an earnest voice, "And I have come home at last, my child!--at last, my dear Alice! if you will let me speak to you thus tenderly--never, never again to leave you!" Poor Mrs.Lee started and turned pale as her husband entered thus abruptly, and all unexpected.