"Is it possible!" exclaimed Max, giving her a look of surprise and interest. "Why, Lu, I thought father was quite determined to keep his daughters single till they were far beyond your present age."
"Yes," she returned with a smile; "but circumstances alter cases. Chester saved my life—at nearly the expense of his own," she added with a tremble in her voice. "So father let him tell me—what he wanted to, and allowed us to become engaged. But that is to be all, for a year or more."
"Saved your life, Lu? Tell me all about it, do, for I haven't heard the story."
"You remember the anger of the burglar whom you and I testified against some years ago, and his threat to be revenged on me?"
"Yes; and that in one of father's letters I was told that he had escaped from prison. And he attacked you?"
"Yes; he fired at me from some bushes by the roadside, but missed, Chester, who was with me, backing our horses just in time; then they fired simultaneously at each other and the convict fell dead, and Chester terribly wounded, while I escaped unhurt. But I thought father had written you all about it."
"If so that letter must have missed me," said Max. "And Chester hasn't recovered entirely?"
"Not quite; his lungs seem weak, but we are hoping that a visit to
Florida will perfect his cure."
"I hope so indeed! I have always liked Chester and shall welcome him as a brother-in-law, since he has saved my sister's life and won her heart."
"And that of her father," added the captain, coming up at that moment and laying a hand on Lucilla's shoulder while he looked down at her with eyes of love and pride. "He has proved himself worthy of the gift of her hand."