"MY dear niece," and a stout, middle-aged woman, with a red, lively face, threw both her arms around Miss Laura.

"How glad I am to see you, and this is the dog.

Good Joe, I have a bone waiting for you.

Here is Uncle John." A tall, good-looking man stepped up and put out a big hand, in which my mistress' little fingers were quite swallowed up.

"I am glad to see you, Laura.