"I aimed to tell you as soon as I got home to-night, but Wash Gibbs didn't give me no chance." The man held her close "Dad Howitt sure puts the thing just right, Sammy.

It'll be old times come back, when you're a lady in your own house with all your fine friends around; and you'll do it, girl; you sure will.

Don't never be afraid to bank on the old blood.

It'll see you through." Then his voice broke; "You won't never be learned away from your old Daddy, will you, honey?
Will you always stand by Daddy, like you do now?
Will you let me and Young Matt slip 'round once in a while, just to look at, you, all so fine ?" "Daddy Jim, if you don't--hush--I'll--I'll--" she hid her face on his shoulder.
"There, there, honey; I was only funnin'.

You'll always be my Sammy; the only boy I ever had.