CHAPTER XV.
"Great minds, like heaven, are pleased in doing good." -- _Rowe_.
Capt.

Raymond's departure left Violet more lonely than his coming had found her, much as she was at that time missing her elder sister and brother.
They were to correspond, but as he would sail immediately for a foreign port, the exchange of letters between them could not, of course, be very frequent.
Her mother, grandpa, and Grandma Rose all sympathized with her in the grief of separation from the one who had become so dear, and exerted themselves to cheer and comfort her.
She and her mamma were bosom companions, and had many a confidential chat about the captain and his poor children, the desire to rescue the latter from their tormentors and make them very happy growing in the hearts of both.
As the captain had not enjoined secrecy upon them in regard to the letters of Max and Lulu, and it was so much the habit of both to speak freely to Mr.and Mrs.Dinsmore--especially the former--of all that interested themselves, it was not long before they too had heard, with deep commiseration, the story of the unkind treatment to which Max, Lulu, and Gracie were subjected.
"We must find a way to be of service to them," Mr.Dinsmore said.

"Perhaps by instituting inquiries among our friends and acquaintances we may hear of some kind and capable person able and willing to take charge of them, and to whom their father would be willing to commit them." "I wish we could!" Elsie said with a sigh.

"I think I can fully sympathize with the poor things, for I have not forgotten how in my early childhood I used to long and weep for the dear mamma who had gone to heaven, and my dear papa away in Europe." "A very poor sort of father he was then, very culpably neglectful of his little motherless child," Mr.Dinsmore said in a remorseful tone, and regarding her with a tenderly affectionate look.
"But afterward and to this day the very best of fathers," she responded, smiling up at him.

"Dear papa, what a debt of gratitude do I not owe to you for all the love, care, and kindness shown by you to me and my children!" "I feel fully repaid by the love and obedience I receive in return," he said, seating himself on the sofa by Vi's side and softly stroking her hair.
"Children and grandchildren all rise up and call you blessed, dear papa," Elsie said, laying down the embroidery with which she had been busy, and coming to his other side to put her arm about his neck and gaze lovingly into his eyes.
A silent caress as he passed his arm around her waist and drew her closer to him was his only response.
"Grandpa and mamma," said Vi, "don't you think Capt.