Oh! I have grown so tired of this continual round of parties, calls, and theatre going; I do wish something would happen to break the monotony of my life." The foregoing remark was made by Mabel Miller, who spoke in a very discontented manner. "Why, Mabel, how can you talk of monotony? There is not a girl in our acquaintance who has more delightful changes of amusement than yourself. What with your winters, a succession of gaieties, your summers at Santa Cruz or Monterey, I don't see how you can be so discontented." It was Mabel's cousin, Lucy Maynard, who spoke. "Oh, I know that is what you always say, but it does not alter the fact that I am sick of it all." "Well, well, what's the trouble? What is this, that my little girl is so sick of?" Mabel turned hastily as these words of her father's caught her ear. "Why, papa, I didn't know you were here or I might not have said what I did; I ought to be contented, I know, after all you do for me."