CHAPTER X.
LULU'S SENTENCE.
Pending Capt.

Raymond's verdict in regard to Lulu, life at Ion fell into the old grooves, for her as well as the other members of the family.
Studies were taken up again by all the children, including Evelyn Leland, where they had been dropped; Mr.Dinsmore and his daughter giving instruction, and hearing recitations, as formerly.
This interval of waiting lasted for over two months, a longer period of silence on the part of the husband and father than usual; but, as they learned afterward, letters had been delayed in both going and coming.
Capt.

Raymond, in his good ship, far out on the ocean, was wearying for news from home, when his pressing want was most opportunely supplied by a passing vessel.
She had a heavy mail for the man-of-war, and a generous share of it fell to her commander.
He was soon seated in the privacy of his own cabin, with Violet's letter open in his hand.

It was sure to receive his attention before that of any other correspondent.
With a swelling heart he read of the sore trial she had been passing through, in the severe illness of Gracie and the babe.

Deeply he regretted not having been there to lighten her burdens with his sympathy and help in the nursing; and though, at the time of writing, she was able to report that the little sufferers were considered out of danger, he could not repress a fear, amid his thankfulness, that there might be a relapse, or the dread disease might leave behind it, as it so often does, some lasting ill effect.
He lingered over the letter, re-reading passages here and there, but at length laid it aside, and gave his attention to others bearing the same post-mark.
There was a short one from Max, which stirred his heart with fatherly love and pride in his boy; that came next after Violet's: then he opened Lulu's bulky packet.
He sighed deeply as he laid it down after a careful perusal, during which his face had grown stern and troubled, and, rising, paced the cabin to and fro, his hands in his pockets, his head bowed on his breast, which again and again heaved with a deep-drawn sigh.
"What I am to do with that child, I do not know," he groaned within himself.