It is now some weeks since his vessel should have been heard from, and it is greatly feared that she has gone down with all on board." "Vi! oh, my poor Vi!" gasped Elsie; "her heart will be overwhelmed: we must keep it from her as long as we can; at least till the children are better." "Certainly," Mr.Dinsmore said, "my dear child," going to Elsie and taking her hand in his in tender, fatherly fashion.

"Remember it is only a report,--or rather a conjecture,--which may be without any foundation in fact.

The captain may be alive and well at this moment." A slight sound caused them all--Mr.and Mrs.Dinsmore and Elsie--to look toward the door opening into the hall.
Max stood there with a face from which every vestige of color had fled, his features quivering with emotion.
"What--what is it about, papa ?" he asked hoarsely.

"Oh, Grandpa Dinsmore, Grandma Elsie, don't hide it from me! I must know!" "Max, my boy, how came you here ?" Mr.Dinsmore asked in a kindly pitying tone, going to the lad and making him sit down, while he took a glass of water from the table and held it to his lips.
Max put it aside.

"My father ?--what about my father ?" His tone was full of agonized inquiry, and Mr.Dinsmore saw the question was not to be evaded.
"My poor fellow," he said, "I am truly sorry you should be distressed by hearing what is as yet only a rumor: fears are reported that your father's vessel is lost; but nothing is known certainly yet, and we must hope for the best." For a moment the boy seemed utterly stunned; then, "I don't believe it! I _won't_ believe it!" he exclaimed.