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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Elsie at Home, by Martha Finley
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: Elsie at Home
+
+
+Author: Martha Finley
+
+
+
+Release Date: January 12, 2006  [eBook #17496]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELSIE AT HOME***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Suzanne Lybarger, Brian Janes, Emmy, and the Project
+Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net/)
+
+
+
+ELSIE AT HOME
+
+by
+
+MARTHA FINLEY
+
+Author of "Elsie Dinsmore," "Elsie's Vacation," etc.
+
+Special Authorized Edition
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+M. A. Donohue & Co
+Chicago New York
+Copyright, 1887.
+by
+Dodd, Mead and Company
+All rights reserved.
+Made in U.S.A.
+
+
+
+
+
+ELSIE AT HOME.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+
+The shades of evening were closing in upon a stormy March day; rain and
+sleet falling fast while a blustering northeast wind sent them sweeping
+across the desolate-looking fields and gardens, and over the wet road
+where a hack was lumbering along, drawn by two weary-looking steeds; its
+solitary passenger sighing and groaning with impatience over its slow
+progress and her own fatigue.
+
+"Driver," she called, "are we ever going to arrive at Fairview?"
+
+"One o' these days, I reckon, ma'am," drawled the man in reply. "It's
+been a dreadful tedious ride for you, but a trifle worse for me, seein' I
+get a lot more o' the wet out here than you do in thar."
+
+"Yes," she returned in a tone of exasperation, "but I am a weak, ailing
+woman and you a big, strong man, used to exertion and exposure." The
+sentence ended in a distressing fit of coughing that seemed to shake her
+whole frame.
+
+"I'm right sorry fur ye, ma'am," he said, turning a pitying glance upon
+her, "but just hold on a bit longer and we'll be there. We're e'n a'most
+in sight o' the place now. Kin o' yourn and expecting ye, I s'pose?"
+
+"It is the home of my daughter--my only child," she returned, bridling,
+"and it will be strange indeed if she is not glad to see the mother whom
+she has not seen for years."
+
+"Surely, ma'am; and yonder's the house. We'll be there in five
+minutes--more or less."
+
+His passenger looked eagerly in the direction indicated.
+
+"A large house, isn't it?" she queried. "One can't see much out of this
+little pane of glass and through the rain and mist."
+
+"It's a fine place, ma'am, and a good, big house," he returned. "I
+wouldn't mind ownin' such a place myself. It's grand in the summer time,
+and not so bad to look at even now through all this storm o' mist, hail,
+and rain."
+
+"Yes; I dare say," she said, shivering; "and if it was little better
+than a hovel I'd be glad to reach it and get out of this chilling wind.
+It penetrates to one's very bones."
+
+She drew her cloak closer about her as she spoke, and as the hack turned
+in at the avenue gates took up her satchel and umbrella in evident haste
+to alight.
+
+In the home-like parlour of the mansion they were approaching sat a
+lovely-looking lady of mature years, a little group of children gathered
+about her listening intently and with great interest to a story she was
+telling them, while a sweet-faced young girl, sitting near with a bit of
+tatting in her hands, seemed an equally interested hearer, ready to join
+in the outburst of merriment that now and again greeted something in the
+narrative.
+
+"There is a hack coming up the avenue, Eva. Can we be going to have a
+visitor this stormy day?" suddenly exclaimed the eldest boy, glancing
+out of the window near where he stood. "Yes, it has come to a standstill
+at the foot of the veranda steps, and the driver seems to be getting
+ready to help someone out."
+
+"A lady! Why, who can she be?" cried Eric, the next in age, as the hack
+door was thrown open and the driver assisted his passenger to alight,
+while Evelyn laid down her work and hastened into the hall to greet and
+welcome the guest, whoever she might be; for the Fairview family, like
+nearly every other in that region of country, was exceedingly
+hospitable.
+
+A servant had already opened the outer door and now another stepped
+forward to take the lady's satchel and umbrella.
+
+"Who can she be?" Evelyn asked herself as she hastily crossed the
+veranda and held out a welcoming hand with a word or two of pleasant
+greeting.
+
+"Is it you, Evelyn?" asked the stranger in tones that trembled with
+emotion. "And do you not know me--your own mother!"
+
+"Mother; oh, mother, can it be you?" cried Evelyn, catching the stranger
+in her arms and holding her fast with sobs and tears and kisses. "I had
+not heard from you for so long, and have been feeling as if I should
+never see you again. And oh, how thin and weak you look! You are sick,
+mother!" she added in tones of grief and anxiety, as she drew her into
+the hall, where by this time the rest of the family--Grandma Elsie, and
+Mr. and Mrs. Leland and their children--were gathered.
+
+"Sister Laura! is it possible! Welcome to Fairview," was Mrs. Leland's
+greeting, accompanied by a warm embrace.
+
+"Laura! we did not even know you were in America!" Mr. Leland said,
+grasping her hand in brotherly fashion. "And how weary and ill you are
+looking! Let me help you off with your bonnet and cloak and to a couch
+here in the parlour."
+
+"Thank you; yes, I'll be very glad to lie down, for I'm worn out with my
+journey and this troublesome cough," she said, struggling with a renewed
+paroxysm and gasping for breath. "But my luggage and----"
+
+"We'll attend to all that," he said, half carrying her to the couch
+where his wife and her mother were arranging the pillows for her
+comfort, and laying her gently down upon it.
+
+"Oh, mother; my poor dear mother!" sighed Evelyn, as she leaned over
+her, smoothing her hair with caressing hand, "it breaks my heart to see
+you looking so weary and ill. But we will soon nurse you back to health
+and strength--uncle and aunt and I."
+
+"I hope so, indeed," Mrs. Leland said in her sweet, gentle tones. "You
+have had most unpleasant weather for your journey, Laura, so that it is
+not to be wondered at that you are exhausted. You must have some
+refreshment at once," and with the last word she hastened away in search
+of it.
+
+"And here is something to relieve that dreadful cough," said Mrs.
+Travilla, presenting herself with a delicate china cup in her hand.
+
+Evelyn introduced the two ladies, and her mother, being assured that the
+cup contained nothing unpleasant to the taste, quickly swallowed its
+contents, then lay back quietly upon her pillows, still keeping fast
+hold of her daughter's hand, while Grandma Elsie, giving the cup to a
+servant to carry away, resumed her easy chair on the farther side of the
+room--near enough to be ready to render assistance should it be needed,
+yet not so near as to interfere with any private talk between the long
+separated mother and daughter--and her grandchildren again gathered
+about her. But they seemed awed into silence by the presence of the
+stranger invalid, whom they gazed upon with pitying curiosity, while her
+attention seemed equally occupied with them.
+
+"Your uncle's children?" she asked of Evelyn in a tone scarcely louder
+than a whisper.
+
+"Yes, mamma. Edward, the eldest, you saw when he was a mere baby boy.
+Eric, the next, is papa's namesake. The eldest of the little girls--she
+is in her fifth year--is Elsie Alicia, named for her two grandmothers;
+we call her Alie. And the youngest--that two-year-old darling--we call
+Vi. She is named for her aunt, Mrs. Raymond."
+
+"And Mrs. Travilla lives here with her daughter?"
+
+"No; she is paying a visit of a few days, as she often does since her
+daughter-in-law, Aunt Zoe, has undertaken the most of the housekeeping
+at Ion."
+
+"She certainly looks very young to be mother and grandmother to so
+many," sighed the invalid, catching sight of her own sallow, prematurely
+wrinkled face reflected in a large mirror on the opposite side of the
+room. "But she has had an easy life, surrounded by kind, affectionate,
+sympathising friends, while I--miserable woman that I am--have been
+worried, brow-beaten, robbed, till nothing is left me but ill-health and
+grinding poverty."
+
+"Mother, mother dear, don't talk so while I am left you and have enough
+to keep us both, with care and economy," entreated Evelyn in a voice
+half choked with sobs. "It will be joy to me to share with you and do
+all I can to make your last days comfortable and happy."
+
+"Then you haven't lost all your love for your mother in our years of
+separation?"
+
+"No, no indeed!" answered Evelyn earnestly. But there the conversation
+ended for the time, Mrs. Leland returning with the promised refreshment.
+It seemed to give some strength to the invalid, and after taking it she
+was, by her own request, assisted to her room, an apartment opening into
+that of her daughter, with whose good help she was soon made ready for
+her bed, the most comfortable she had lain upon for weeks or months, she
+remarked, as she stretched her tired limbs upon it.
+
+"I am very glad you find it so, mother dear," said Evelyn. "And now, if
+you like, I will unpack your trunks and arrange their contents in
+wardrobe, bureau drawers, and closet."
+
+"There is no hurry about that, and isn't that your supper bell I hear?"
+
+"Yes'm, suppah's on de table, an' I's come to set yere and 'tend to you
+uns while Miss Eva gwine eat wif de res' of de folks," said a neatly
+dressed, pleasant-faced, elderly coloured woman, who had entered the
+room just in time to hear the query in regard to the bell. "But, missus,
+Miss Elsie she tole me for to ax you could you take somethin' mo'?"
+
+"She says Aunt Elsie wants to know could you eat something more, mother
+dear?" explained Eva, seeing a puzzled look on her mother's face.
+
+"Oh, no! that excellent broth fully satisfied my appetite," replied
+Laura. "Go and get your supper, Eva, child, but come back when you have
+finished; for we have been so long separated that now I can hardly bear
+to have you out of my sight."
+
+"Oh, mother, how sweet to hear you say that!" exclaimed Evelyn, bending
+down to bestow another ardent caress upon her newly restored parent.
+"Indeed, I shall not stay away a moment longer than necessary."
+
+The new arrival and her sad condition were the principal topics of
+conversation at the table.
+
+"I am so glad we have such a good doctor in Cousin Arthur," said Evelyn.
+"I hope he can cure mamma's cough. I wish the weather was such that we
+could reasonably ask him to come and see her to-night," she added with a
+sigh.
+
+"Yes," said her uncle, "but as it is so bad I think we will just give
+him a full account of her symptoms and ask his advice through the
+telephone. Then he will tell us what would better be done to-night, and
+call in to see her to-morrow morning."
+
+The ladies all agreed that that would be the better plan and it was
+presently carried out. The doctor would have come at once, in spite of
+the storm, had it seemed necessary, but from the account given he deemed
+it not so.
+
+"I will come directly after breakfast to-morrow morning," he concluded,
+after giving his advice in regard to what should be done immediately.
+
+"That is satisfactory; and now I will go at once to mamma and carry out
+his directions for to-night," said Evelyn.
+
+"Remembering that we are all ready to assist in any and every possible
+way," added her uncle, smiling kindly upon her.
+
+"Yes, indeed!" said Grandma Elsie; "and you must not hesitate to call
+upon me if you need help."
+
+"No, no, mother dear. I put my veto upon that!" exclaimed Mrs. Leland.
+"You are not a really old-looking woman yet, but are not as vigorous as
+you were some years ago, and I cannot afford to let you run any risk of
+diminishing your stock of health and strength by loss of sleep or
+over-exertion. Call upon me, Eva, should you need any assistance."
+
+"Very well, daughter, I shall not insist upon the privilege of losing
+sleep," returned Grandma Elsie with a smile, "but may perhaps be
+permitted to make myself slightly useful during the day."
+
+"Yes, slightly, mother dear, and at such time as you would not be
+otherwise improving by taking needed rest or recreation," Mrs. Leland
+replied as she hastened away with Eva, with the purpose to make sure
+that her newly arrived guest lacked for nothing which she could provide.
+
+"At last, Evelyn, child! I suppose you have not been long gone, but it
+seemed so to my impatience," was Laura's salutation as Eva reentered her
+room.
+
+"It is sweet to hear you say that, mother dear; sweet to know that you
+love me so," Evelyn said in moved tones, bending down to press a kiss on
+the wan cheek, "and I mean to fairly surfeit you with my company in the
+days and weeks that lie before us."
+
+"And she only waited with the rest of us to consult our good doctor for
+you, Laura," added Mrs. Leland. "He has prescribed a sleeping potion for
+to-night, and will call to see you and prescribe further in the
+morning."
+
+"I think I should have been consulted," returned the invalid in a tone
+of irritation; "my money is all gone and he may never get his pay."
+
+"Oh, don't trouble about that!" exclaimed Mrs. Leland and Evelyn in a
+breath, the former adding, "His charges are not heavy and it will be
+strange indeed if we cannot find a way to meet and defray them."
+
+"Of course we can and will, and you are not to concern yourself any more
+about it, mamma," added Evelyn in a tone of playful authority. "What
+would be the use when you have a tolerably rich, grown-up daughter,
+whose principal business and pleasure it will be to take care of and
+provide for her long-lost, but now happily recovered mother. And here
+comes uncle with your sleeping potion," she added, as Mr. Leland at that
+moment appeared in the doorway, cup in hand.
+
+"Here is something which I hope will quiet your cough, Laura," he said,
+coming to the bedside. "It is not bad to take, either, and will be
+likely to secure you a good night's rest."
+
+"I don't know," she returned doubtfully, eyeing the cup with evident
+disfavour, "I was never good at dosing."
+
+"You prefer lying awake, racked with that distressing cough?"
+
+"No," she sighed, taking the cup from his hand, "even quite a bad dose
+would be better than that. And it was not so bad after all," she
+concluded as she returned the cup, after swallowing its contents.
+
+"Glad to hear you say so," he said in reply. "And now take my further
+advice--lie still and go to sleep, leaving all the talk with Eva till
+to-morrow. Good-night to you both." And he left the room, followed
+presently by his wife, who lingered only until she had made sure that
+all the wants of the invalid were fully supplied.
+
+Laura had already fallen into a sweet sleep, under the soothing
+influence of the draught, and Eva presently stretched herself beside
+her, and with a heart filled with contending emotions--love for this her
+only remaining parent, joy in their reunion, sorrow and care in view of
+her evident exhaustion and ill-health, and plans for making her
+remaining days happy--lay awake for a time silently asking for guidance
+and help from on high, then fell into dreamless, refreshing sleep.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+
+Morning found the invalid somewhat refreshed by her night's rest, yet
+too languid and feeble to leave her room, and her day was spent
+reclining upon a couch, with her daughter by her side. Dr. Conly made an
+early call, prescribed, talked to her and Eva in a cheerful strain,
+saying he hoped that rest and a change of weather would soon bring her
+at least a measure of relief and strength; but in reply to the anxious
+questioning of Mr. and Mrs. Leland, he acknowledged that he found her
+far gone in consumption, and did not think she could last many weeks.
+
+"Poor dear Eva! how very sad it will be for her to lose her mother so
+soon after recovering her!" sighed Mrs. Leland. "I think we must let her
+remain in ignorance of the danger for a time at least."
+
+"Yes," assented her husband; "though we must not neglect any effort in
+our power to prepare Laura for the great change which awaits her," he
+added with a look of anxiety and care.
+
+"Nor fail to offer up earnest petitions for her at the Throne of Grace,"
+said Grandma Elsie, in her low, sweet tones. "Oh, what a blessing, what
+a comfort it is that we may take there all our fears, cares, and
+anxieties for ourselves and others! And how precious the Saviour's
+promise, 'If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that
+you shall ask, it shall be done for you of my Father which is in
+heaven'!"
+
+"Yes, mother dear," assented Mrs. Leland, "and we will claim and plead
+it for our poor dear Laura, and for Eva, that she may be sustained under
+the bereavement which awaits her."
+
+"Yes," said Dr. Conly, "and there are many of our friends who will be
+ready to join us in the petition. I am going now to Woodburn--the
+captain having telephoned me that one of the servants is ill--and we all
+know that he and his will be full of sympathy for Eva and her sick
+mother."
+
+"No doubt they will," said Grandma Elsie, "both as Christians and as
+warm friends of Evelyn. And it will be quite the same with our other
+friends."
+
+With that the doctor bade good-morning and took his departure in the
+direction of Woodburn. The family there were surprised and interested by
+the news he had to tell of the arrival at Fairview, and of Laura's
+feeble and ailing condition. They were evidently full of sympathy for
+both mother and daughter, and had any help been needed would have given
+it gladly. But the doctor assured them that rest and quiet were at
+present the sick one's most pressing need.
+
+"Poor dear Eva! I am so sorry for her!" sighed Lucilla when the doctor
+had gone. "Papa, don't you think I might make myself of use helping her
+with the nursing?"
+
+"Not at present, daughter; though I can testify to your ability in that
+line, and your services may possibly be needed at some future time," he
+answered with an affectionate look and smile.
+
+"Yes, Lu is a capital nurse, I think," said Violet, "but whatever she
+does is sure to be well done."
+
+"Thank you, Mamma Vi," returned the young girl, blushing with pleasure;
+"it is most kind in you to say that; but if I am thorough in anything,
+most of the credit belongs to my father, who has never allowed me to
+content myself with a slovenly performance of my duties."
+
+"No," he said, "what is worth doing at all is worth doing well; that is
+a lesson I have endeavoured to impress upon each one of my children, and
+one which I think they have all learned pretty thoroughly."
+
+"And they have always had the teaching of example as well as precept,
+from their father," remarked Violet with a look of loving appreciation
+up into his face; "so that it would be strange indeed if they had not
+learned it."
+
+"Indeed that is true, mamma," said Grace. "It does seem to me that papa
+does everything he undertakes as thoroughly well as anyone possibly
+could."
+
+"A very good idea for one's children to cultivate," laughed the captain.
+Then consulting his watch, "But it is high time we were in the
+schoolroom, daughters. Elsie and Ned have been there this half hour, and
+probably have a lesson or two ready to recite."
+
+"And Eva will not be with us to-day; probably not for many more days,"
+remarked Lucilla with a slight sigh of disappointment and regret, as she
+and Grace rose and gave prompt obedience to her father's implied order.
+
+"Yes," he said, "I fear so; but her first duty is to her mother."
+
+So Evelyn herself felt, and nobly she discharged it; neglecting nothing
+in her power for the relief and enjoyment of the invalid who, though
+often fretful, exacting, and unreasonable, was yet nearest and dearest
+to her of all earthly creatures. The young girl's loving patience seemed
+never to fail, and her heart was continually going up in earnest, silent
+petitions that her beloved parent might be made meet for the inheritance
+of the saints in light; that she might learn to love Him who had died to
+redeem her from death and the power of the grave, and to give her an
+abundant entrance into his kingdom and glory.
+
+The doubt of Laura's preparation for death and eternity, amounting to
+almost certainty that it was lacking, made this nursing an even sadder
+one than had been that of Eric, Evelyn's father, years ago. To him talk
+of things heavenly and divine had ever seemed easy and natural, and with
+the certainty that he was passing away from earth came the full
+assurance that he was ready to depart and be with Christ in glory.
+
+But Laura hastily repelled the slightest allusion to eternity and a
+preparation for it. Evelyn's only consolation was in the knowledge that
+others were uniting their earnest petitions with hers, and that God is
+the hearer and answerer of prayer.
+
+It was Grandma Elsie who at length succeeded in speaking a word in
+season to the dying woman.
+
+"Oh, this racking cough! Shall I never be done with it?" gasped Laura,
+as she lay panting upon her pillow after an unusually severe and
+exhausting paroxysm.
+
+"Yes; when you reach the other side of Jordan; for there in that blessed
+land the inhabitant shall not say 'I am sick,'" returned Grandma Elsie
+in low, sympathising tones. "The Bible tells us that 'God shall wipe
+away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death,
+neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.'"
+
+"Oh, but I am not fit for that place yet!" exclaimed Laura with a look
+of alarm, "and I don't want to die for years to come, though it is hard
+to suffer as I do. You don't think I'm a dying woman, Mrs. Travilla?"
+
+"You know, dear friend, that no one of us is certain of life for a day
+or an hour," returned Grandma Elsie gently, taking the wasted hand in
+hers and gazing tenderly into the anxious, troubled face, "and surely it
+is the part of wisdom to make careful preparation for that which we must
+inevitably meet, sooner or later. And if our peace is made with God--if
+Jesus is our Friend and Saviour--it will only be joy unspeakable to be
+called into his immediate presence, there to dwell forevermore."
+
+"Yes, yes, if one is fitted for it, as Eric, Eva's father, was. Death
+seemed only joy to him, except for leaving us. But oh, I am afraid of
+death! Hard as life is in my weak, ailing condition, I don't want to
+die, I can't bear to think of it."
+
+"My poor friend, my heart bleeds for you," said Grandma Elsie in low,
+tender tones. "'The sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the
+law.' But 'Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone
+that believeth.' He fulfilled its conditions, he bore the penalty God's
+justice required against those who had broken it; and now salvation is
+offered as his free gift to all who will accept it: 'Even the
+righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon
+all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned,
+and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace
+through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth
+to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his
+righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the
+forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness:
+that he might be just and the justifier of him which believeth in
+Jesus.'"
+
+"Is that all? only to believe in Jesus?" Laura asked with a look of
+mingled anxiety, hope, and fear. "But one must repent deeply, sincerely,
+and oh, I'm afraid I cannot!"
+
+"He will help you," returned Grandma Elsie in moved tones. "'Him hath
+God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to
+give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.' Ask him,
+remembering his own gracious promise, 'Ask and it shall be given you;
+seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you. For
+everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him
+that knocketh it shall be opened.'"
+
+"Ah, I see the way as I never did before," said Laura, after a moment's
+silence in which she seemed in deep thought. "What wonderful love and
+condescension it was for him, the God-man, to die that painful and
+shameful death that we--sinful worms of the dust--might live! Oh, I do
+begin to love him and to hate and abhor my sins that helped nail him to
+the tree." With the last words tears coursed down her cheeks. "I want to
+be his, whether I live or die," she added; and from that hour a great
+change came over her; her sufferings were borne with patience and
+resignation; and when the end came she passed peacefully and quietly
+away, leaving her bereaved daughter mourning the separation, but not as
+those without hope of a blessed reunion at some future day, in that land
+where sin and sorrow, sickness and pain are unknown.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+
+Through all the six long weeks of her mother's illness at Fairview
+Evelyn had been a most devoted, tender nurse, scarcely leaving the sick
+room for an hour by day or by night. She bore up wonderfully until all
+was over and the worn-out body laid to rest in the quiet grave; but then
+came the reaction; strength and energy seemed suddenly to forsake her,
+and thin, pale, sad, and heavy-eyed, she was but the shadow of her
+former self.
+
+Change of air and scene was the doctor's prescription. She was very
+reluctant to leave home and friends for a sojourn in new scenes and
+among strangers, but receiving an urgent invitation from Captain and
+Mrs. Raymond to spend some weeks at Woodburn with her loved friend
+Lucilla, and finding that her uncle and aunt--Dr. Conly also--highly
+approved, she gladly accepted; all the more so because she had learned
+that Grandma Elsie too, whom she loved even better than ever for her
+kindness to the dear departed, was about to spend some days or weeks
+with her daughter Violet. That was an added attraction to what Evelyn
+esteemed one of the most delightful places, and inhabited by the
+dearest, kindest, most lovable people anywhere to be found.
+
+She was most heartily welcomed by the entire family, Lucilla and Grace
+being particularly joyful over her arrival.
+
+It was delightful spring weather, and family and guests, older and
+younger, spent much of the time in the beautiful grounds or in driving
+and riding about the country.
+
+The captain pronounced Eva hardly in a fit condition for study, and for
+her sake required his daughters Lucilla and Grace to pass only an hour
+or two daily in the schoolroom; so that they were able to give to Eva as
+much of their society as he considered desirable for her under the
+circumstances--seeing that she needed a good deal of quiet rest and
+sleep in order to regain the youthful vigour she had lost during the
+exhausting nursing of her invalid mother.
+
+His kindness was highly appreciated by all three, and under its benign
+influence Eva made rapid improvement in health and spirits, enjoying
+every day of her sojourn at Woodburn, the Sabbath even more than any
+other, especially the afternoon study of the Bible in which all took
+part, from Grandma Elsie and Captain Raymond down to little Ned.
+
+The subject chosen for the first lesson after Eva's coming was the
+resurrection, probably selected especially for Eva's comfort in her
+sorrow over her mother's recent departure, to be with her no more in
+this life.
+
+"Mother," the captain said, addressing Grandma Elsie, when they were all
+seated, each with a Bible in hand, "as you are somewhat older and
+certainly much wiser than I--especially as regards spiritual
+things--will you not take the lead to-day?"
+
+"Older I certainly am," returned Mrs. Travilla, with her own sweet
+smile, "but I think not wiser than yourself, captain; and certainly I
+have not made the preparation for this occasion which doubtless you
+have. So please lead the exercises just as you would if I were not
+present."
+
+"You would prefer my doing so?" he asked.
+
+"Very much," she replied. "The resurrection is the subject?"
+
+"Yes; and what a glorious one! how full of comfort for all who believe
+in Christ! 'For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand
+at the latter day upon the earth; and though after my death my body is
+destroyed, yet in my flesh shall I see God; whom I shall see for myself
+and mine eyes shall behold, and not another,' said the patriarch Job;
+comforting himself in his affliction with that blessed prospect. The
+doctrine of a general resurrection is expressly taught in both the Old
+Testament and the New, and I think we cannot spend our lesson hour more
+profitably than in looking up the texts on the subject. Can you give us
+one, mother?"
+
+At that Grandma Elsie opened her Bible.
+
+"Beginning with the Old Testament," she said, "here in Psalms xlix. 15
+we read: 'But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for
+he shall receive me. Selah.' Then here in Isaiah; 'Thy dead men shall
+live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye
+that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth
+shall cast out the dead.'"
+
+Then Violet, sitting next, read from her open Bible: "'The same day came
+to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked
+him, saying, Master, Moses said, if a man die, having no children, his
+brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now
+there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a
+wife, deceased, and having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:
+likewise the second also, and the third unto the seventh. And last of
+all the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection, whose wife shall
+she be? for they all had her. Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do
+err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the
+resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are as
+the angels of God in heaven. But as touching the resurrection of the
+dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I
+am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God
+is not the God of the dead, but of the living.'"
+
+Eva's turn came next and she read: "'And the graves were opened; and
+many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves
+after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto
+many.'"
+
+Then Lucilla: "'Women received their dead raised to life again: and
+others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain
+a better resurrection.'"
+
+"Will the resurrection be of all the dead, Grace? the wicked as well as
+the righteous?" asked her father.
+
+"Yes, papa," she answered; then read aloud: "'Marvel not at this: for
+the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear
+his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the
+resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the
+resurrection of damnation.'"
+
+It was little Elsie's turn and she read a verse in Acts pointed out by
+her mother: "'And have hope toward God, which they themselves also
+allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just
+and unjust.'"
+
+It was Ned's turn now and he read a passage selected for him by his
+mother: "'For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also
+received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures;
+and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according
+to the Scriptures.'"
+
+It was the captain's turn again and he went on with the reading: "'Now
+if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you
+that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no
+resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: and if Christ be not
+risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and
+we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God
+that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead
+rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised, and if
+Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then
+they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this
+life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But
+now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them
+that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the
+resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ
+shall all be made alive.'"
+
+"Yes," said Grandma Elsie, "we needed a divine Saviour, and Christ's
+resurrection proved his divinity; as Paul tells us here in the first
+chapter of Romans, 'And declared to be the Son of God with power,
+according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.'
+Peter too teaches us that the resurrection of Christ was necessary to
+our salvation. It seems plainly taught in this verse of the fifth
+chapter of his first Epistle. 'Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord
+Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us
+again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the
+dead.'"
+
+"Yes," said Violet, "Jesus said to his disciples, 'Because I live, ye
+shall live also.' His resurrection is surely the pledge and assurance of
+that of his people."
+
+"Papa, does everybody have to die?" asked little Ned.
+
+"Everybody except those who are alive when Jesus comes again, as he will
+some day in the clouds of heaven. This is what the Apostle Paul tells us
+about it in the letter he wrote to the Thessalonians. 'Them also which
+sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the
+word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of
+the Lord, shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself
+shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel,
+and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then
+we which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in
+the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with
+the Lord.'"
+
+"'Wherefore comfort one another with these words,'" added Evelyn softly,
+finishing the quotation; "and oh, what a comfort it is!"
+
+"There could be none greater," said Grandma Elsie. "Think of being
+reunited with all the dear ones gone before, and in the immediate
+presence of Jesus; never again to be parted from them or him or to know
+sin or sorrow or pain. Oh, what joy to be permitted to look upon the
+face of our Redeemer, to kneel at his feet, to hear his voice speaking
+to each one of us. 'Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall
+behold and not another.'"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+"Oh, Rosie, you here? I'm delighted! I hope you have come to spend the
+day?" exclaimed Lucilla, as on Monday she and Grace, on leaving the
+schoolroom where they had been reciting to their father, passed out upon
+the veranda in search of Evelyn and the older ladies and found Rose
+Travilla seated with the others.
+
+"Thank you; but suppose I have come intending to stay longer than that?
+as long as mamma does, for instance?" laughed Rose, giving and receiving
+an affectionate caress; for they had seen nothing of each other for
+several days.
+
+"The longer the better," was Lucilla's hearty rejoinder. "Do you not say
+so too, Mamma Vi?" turning to her.
+
+"Indeed I do," said Violet. "She will certainly make a most pleasant
+addition to our party."
+
+"I think you may as well accept the invitation, Rosie," her mother said
+with a pleased smile; "and as I know you do not care to keep your errand
+a secret from any of your friends here, we can call a family council and
+talk the matter over."
+
+"Yes, mamma; that sounds as though you accept Solomon's teaching that
+'In the multitude of counsellors there is safety.' And since he was the
+wisest of men we may surely consider ourselves safe in so doing. So, if
+you like, you may tell Lu and Gracie on what errand I came."
+
+"Tell it yourself, child," returned her mother with an amused look.
+
+At that Rosie held up a letter to the view of Lucilla and Grace, saying,
+with a smile and blush, "It is from Will Croly. He has grown tired of
+waiting and begs to have matters hurried up somewhat: proposes that I
+change my name next month, though the prescribed year of waiting would
+thereby be shortened by two months or more."
+
+"Oh, do let him have his way, then!" exclaimed Grace--"at least if he
+will promise not to carry you off at once after the wedding--for there
+could not be a lovelier month for it than beautiful June, the month of
+roses."
+
+"So I should say," chimed in Lucilla, then added hastily, "though I
+think I'd make him wait till June of next year, rather than leave such a
+mother as Grandma Elsie so soon."
+
+At that Rosie glanced at her mother and her eyes filled with unbidden
+tears.
+
+"I can't bear to think of that," she said with a tremble in her voice,
+"but perhaps I can coax Will to settle down somewhere in this
+neighbourhood--bringing his father and mother along so that they won't
+be lonely."
+
+"A very nice plan, Rosie dear, if you can manage to carry it out,"
+remarked Violet.
+
+"And I have hope that Will, at least, will favour the plan; for he
+seemed much pleased with this neighbourhood when he was here," said
+Rosie, adding with a laugh and blush, "and I know my wishes carry great
+weight with him."
+
+"And we will hope that those of his parents may coincide with yours,"
+added her mother gently; "for I am sure my Rosie would not wish to be
+the cause of unhappiness to them."
+
+"No, indeed, mamma; I can assure you it is my earnest desire to add to
+their happiness; not to take from it. I am strongly in hopes, however,
+that when they come to know you and all the rest of my dear relatives
+here, they will esteem it a delight to live in your midst."
+
+"And I don't believe they can help it," said Grace. "I am sure everybody
+who knows Grandma Elsie, mamma, and papa--not to mention all the other
+dear people--loves them and their pleasant society."
+
+"In all of which I am sure you are quite right, Gracie," said Evelyn.
+
+"I, too," said Lulu. "But now let us hear the plans for the wedding."
+
+"They are yet to be made," laughed Rosie.
+
+"You will want a grand one?" Lulu said in a tone of mingled assertion
+and inquiry.
+
+"Not so very," Rosie answered with a slight shake of her pretty head. "I
+think only the relatives and most intimate friends. They alone will make
+quite a party, you know. I'll want some bridesmaids. You'll be one, Lu,
+won't you? Unless you fear the truth of the old saying, 'Twice a
+bridesmaid never a bride.'"
+
+"Pooh! what difference need that make?" returned Lulu; "since I don't
+intend ever to marry."
+
+"You don't?" exclaimed Rosie.
+
+"No; for there is not another man in the world whom I could love half so
+dearly as I love my father."
+
+"Oh, well! that is only because you and the right one haven't happened
+to meet yet."
+
+"Yes, Lulu," said Grandma Elsie, "at your age I thought and felt just as
+you do now, but some years later I found that another had gained the
+first place in my heart."
+
+"But my father is so much kinder and more lovable than ever yours was,"
+was the answering thought in Lucilla's mind, but unwilling to hurt the
+dear lady's feelings she refrained from expressing it, and only said
+with a little laugh of incredulity, "I suppose I should not be too
+certain, but I am entirely willing to run the risk of again acting as
+bridesmaid."
+
+"So that much is settled," returned Rosie in a tone of satisfaction. "I
+have always counted upon Eva as another," she continued, "but----"
+
+"Thank you, Rosie dear, but of course I cannot serve--under present
+circumstances," returned Evelyn in a tone of gentle sadness.
+
+No one spoke again for a moment; then Violet broke the silence by
+asking, "How many do you think of having, Rosie?"
+
+"Perhaps six," was the reply, in a musing tone, "at least including
+flower girls and maid of honour. Gracie, you will be one of the
+bridesmaids, will you not?"
+
+"If papa does not object, as I hardly think he will."
+
+"Maud and Sydney Dinsmore I think will serve," continued Rosie. "And
+wouldn't it be a pretty idea to have Elsie Raymond and Uncle Horace's
+Elsie, who is about the same size, as either bridesmaids or flower
+girls?"
+
+Everyone approved of that idea.
+
+"Now, it will be in order, I suppose, to settle about the material and
+colour of our dresses," remarked Lucilla.
+
+"Perhaps it might be as well to first decide at what time of year they
+are to be worn," suggested Mrs. Travilla in her gentle tones.
+
+"Yes, mamma, but--you do not want to disappoint Will, do you? And June
+is really the prettiest month in the year for a wedding, I think," said
+Rose.
+
+"None lovelier, daughter," her mother responded with a slight sigh, "but
+October, my own wedding month, seems to me no less suitable."
+
+"Why, yes, to be sure! if only Will could be satisfied to wait till
+then."
+
+"It will be hardly longer than the time he was given to understand he
+must expect to wait," returned her mother pleasantly, "or than he ought
+to think my Rose worth waiting for. But at all events, daughter, we must
+consult with your grandpa before deciding. Have you had any talk with
+him on the subject?"
+
+"No, mamma; I preferred coming to you first, and am almost sure grandpa
+will think it a matter for you to decide."
+
+"Probably; yet I shall want his opinion; and besides he is your guardian
+as well as your grandfather."
+
+"Along with you, mamma; and I love him as both, he is so dear and kind."
+
+"He is indeed," assented her mother. "He has told me more than once or
+twice that my children are scarcely less dear to him than his own."
+
+"Partly because our father was his dear friend as well as his
+son-in-law," added Violet softly.
+
+"Yes; they were bosom friends before I was born," her mother said with a
+far-away look in her eyes.
+
+"Then you must have been very much younger than he, Grandma Elsie,"
+remarked Grace, half inquiringly.
+
+"Sixteen years younger. I was in my ninth year when I saw him first, and
+more than twice that age before I thought of him as anything but a dear,
+kind friend--my father's friend and mine."
+
+"And after that he seemed to you to grow younger, did he not, mamma?"
+asked Rosie.
+
+"Yes; when he joined us in Europe I had not seen him for two years, and
+as regarded age he seemed to have been standing still while I grew up
+to him; and in the daily and intimate intercourse of those months I
+learned that his worth was far greater than that of any other man of my
+acquaintance--excepting my father. Ah, there was never a better man, a
+truer friend, a kinder, more devoted husband and father than he."
+
+The sweet voice trembled with emotion; she paused for a moment, then
+went on:
+
+"He does not seem dead to me--he is not dead, but only gone before into
+the immediate presence of the dear Master, where I hope one day to join
+him for an eternity of bliss.
+
+            "''Tis there we'll meet
+               At Jesus' feet,
+          When we meet to part no more.'"
+
+Again there was a brief silence, presently broken by the coming of the
+captain and his two younger children. All three seemed pleased to find
+Rosie there, greeted her affectionately, and then the captain remarked,
+glancing from one to another:
+
+"It strikes me that you are all looking about as grave as if assembled
+to discuss the affairs of the nation. Can I have a voice in the
+subject, whatever it is?"
+
+"Yes, Brother Levis," replied Rosie, "I am trying to make arrangements
+for--doing what you have done twice. And perhaps, since you have had so
+much practice, you may be more capable than these other friends and
+relatives of giving me advice."
+
+"Something that I have done twice? What can that be?"
+
+"Will Croly wants to help me," returned Rosie with a laugh and a blush.
+
+"Ah! now I understand. Is the vexing question as to the colour and
+material of the wedding gown?"
+
+"Mamma thinks the first thing is to settle when the ceremony is to be
+performed. She does not seem to sympathise in Will's haste to have it
+over."
+
+"Which is not at all surprising," returned the captain, glancing at his
+two older daughters. "I can quite understand the feeling. But what is
+the time proposed by Will?"
+
+"June of this year."
+
+"June seems a very suitable month, but if you were my daughter I should
+say not June of this year--since you are both young enough to wait for
+that of next or the year after."
+
+"Ah, sir! that was not the way you talked when you wanted to rob mamma
+of one of her daughters."
+
+"No; but I was some years older than Mr. Croly is now, and your sister
+Violet very womanly in her ways."
+
+"And I am not? Ah, well! perhaps it is fortunate for me that the
+decision rest with mamma and grandpa."
+
+"So you, too, are in haste?" queried the captain, regarding her with a
+look of amusement.
+
+"Not at all," she returned, drawing herself up with an air of pretended
+indignation. "Who would be in haste to leave such a home and mother as
+mine? If I consulted only my own feelings I should be more than willing
+to wait another year."
+
+"Then why not decide to do so?" he asked with a quizzical look.
+
+"Because I really have some regard for the wishes of my betrothed."
+
+"And it makes it hard for you that the different ones you love cannot
+agree so that you might please them all," remarked Grace, then
+exclaimed, "Ah, here comes grandpa!" as at that moment the Ion carriage
+turned in at the great gates.
+
+Mr. Dinsmore seldom let a day pass without a more or less extended
+interview with his eldest daughter, and had now come for a call at
+Woodburn, bringing his wife with him.
+
+When the usual greetings had been exchanged the subject of Rosie's
+approaching marriage and the letter from Mr. Croly, urging that it take
+place speedily, were introduced, and after some discussion it was
+decided to let him have his own way. The day was not fixed upon any
+farther than that it should be near the end of the month of June, and
+with that Rosie seemed satisfied.
+
+"Now, mamma," she said, "I think we may go on and discuss minor details,
+such as dresses and ornaments for bride and attendants."
+
+"Very well, daughter; you may give us your views on the subject. You
+will want your own dress of some rich white material, I suppose?"
+
+"Yes, mamma; of Bengaline silk, richly trimmed with lace; and I must
+have a veil and orange blossoms; also a bouquet of bride roses and
+smilax. Lu and Grace, you will want white silk dresses, won't you?"
+
+"Yes," they replied. "And bouquets of white flowers," added Lucilla.
+
+"Oh, papa, you will let me act as one of the bridesmaids, will you not?"
+asked Grace, turning to him.
+
+"I have no objection," he replied. "You may both serve, since Rosie
+wishes it and I see you are pleased with the idea. As for the matter of
+dress you may settle that for yourselves."
+
+"Oh, thank you, sir!" both exclaimed joyously, Grace adding, "But won't
+you please tell us, papa, just how much we may spend?"
+
+"Any amount which your mamma and Grandma Elsie do not consider too
+great," he replied in an indulgent tone. "However, I think I should not
+hesitate to leave that matter to the judgment of my daughters
+themselves; for I know that neither of you is inclined to be at all
+extravagant."
+
+"No, indeed," said Violet, "they are always very careful to make sure
+that papa is able to afford them what they want."
+
+"It would be strange if we weren't, Mamma Vi," said Lucilla with a happy
+laugh, "for we know that papa loves us so dearly that he would go
+without things himself any time rather than deny us anything desirable."
+
+"And I expect to put him to the additional expense of dressing Elsie
+handsomely for the occasion," laughed Rosie.
+
+"Ah! is she also to be a bridesmaid?" asked the captain with a smiling
+glance at his little girl, who was turning her bright eyes from one to
+another with a surprised, pleased, yet puzzled look.
+
+"Not just that," replied Rosie; then went on to explain her plan for
+giving the two little Elsies a part in the ceremony.
+
+"Should you like to do that, daughter?" asked the captain, taking the
+hand of the little girl and drawing her to his side.
+
+"I'm 'most afraid I would not know how to do it right, papa," she
+answered with doubtful look and tone.
+
+"You can take lessons beforehand," he said; "but you shall do just as
+you please about it."
+
+"And the question need not be decided at once," remarked Grandma Elsie.
+"We will let the matter rest till we learn what your cousin Elsie
+Dinsmore thinks about joining you in it."
+
+"Yes," said Rosie, "and fortunately we do not need to settle anything
+more to-day. Maud and Sydney must be consulted before we quite decide on
+the colour and material of the bridesmaids' dresses."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+
+A pause in the conversation upon the veranda was broken by an
+exclamation from little Ned. "Cousin Arthur is coming!" he cried as a
+carriage turned in at the great gates and came swiftly up the driveway.
+
+"Yes," said his father, stepping forward to meet and welcome Dr. Conly,
+"always a visitor we are delighted to see, whether we are sick or well.
+Good-morning, sir! We are all glad to see you as friend and guest,
+though fortunately not in need of your professional services at present.
+I hope the demands of other patients are not so pressing that we may not
+keep you here till after dinner."
+
+"Thank you, but I can stay for only a hasty call," replied the doctor,
+alighting and shaking hands with one after another as they crowded about
+him.
+
+"You look like the bringer of good news, cousin," said Grandma Elsie,
+regarding him with a pleased smile.
+
+"Yes," he said, "I feel myself a very fortunate and happy man to-day,
+and have come to tell my news and ask the sympathy and congratulations
+of you my relatives and friends. My Marian and I have a son--a fine
+healthy babe, now some hours old--mother and child are doing as well as
+possible."
+
+The congratulations were poured forth without stint. Then Mr. Dinsmore
+asked, "What do you propose to call the lad?"
+
+"Ronald. It is Marian's choice and I am well content, for it is a good
+name, and I highly esteem the dear old cousin who has showed such
+kindness to the mother."
+
+"Yes, he is worthy of it," said Grandma Elsie. "I have always felt proud
+to own him as my kinsman."
+
+"And Ronald and Conly go well together, making a very pretty name, to my
+thinking," said Rosie.
+
+"Have they heard the news at Beechwood yet?" asked Lucilla.
+
+"I think not," replied the doctor; "but I shall take it in my way home,
+as it will make the drive only a little longer and I need delay there
+but a moment." Then with a hasty adieu he took his departure.
+
+"Art is a very happy man to-day," Mr. Dinsmore remarked with a pleased
+smile, as they watched the doctor's gig on its way down the drive.
+
+"Yes; I know of no one more worthy of happiness, and it does me good to
+see it," said the captain.
+
+"And no doubt dear Marian's heart is overflowing with love and
+gratitude," said Grandma Elsie in low, soft tones. "I quite want to see
+her and her new treasure."
+
+"Both she and Art will be very proud to show it to their friends and
+relatives," remarked Violet with a smile, "though he will be careful not
+to admit even relatives for some days yet. He is very kind and careful
+as both husband and physician."
+
+"Yes," said Rosie; "he will take excellent care of Marian and have her
+well in time to attend the wedding, I hope."
+
+"I think we can manage that, daughter, as we have not fixed upon the
+day," her mother said with playful look and tone.
+
+"Oh, yes, mamma! and I do intend it to be at least six weeks before I
+leave girlhood for married life," returned Rosie, laughing and blushing
+as she spoke.
+
+"It is too serious a step to be taken hastily, my dear young sister,"
+remarked the captain in a tone between jest and earnest; "a step that
+once taken cannot be retraced--a venture involving the happiness or
+misery of perhaps a lifetime; certainly the lifetime of one if not of
+both."
+
+"Oh, you frighten me!" cried Rosie, drawing a long breath and lifting
+her hands with a gesture of alarm and despair; "what shall I do? Would
+you recommend single blessedness--you who have twice tried laying hold
+of the other horn of the dilemma?"
+
+"Only for a time," he said. "Look well before you leap, as I did, and
+then you will be in little danger of wanting to leap back again."
+
+"You don't? you never do?" she queried in mock surprise and doubt.
+
+"Never!" he said with a smiling, admiring glance into Violet's
+beautiful eyes, watching him with not a shade of doubt or distrust in
+their azure depths; "never for a moment have I been conscious of the
+slightest inclination to do so."
+
+"Thank you, my dear," Violet said. "And, Rosie, let me tell you for your
+encouragement that I have known no more regret than has he. I am very
+sure that if it were in our power to reconsider, the question would be
+decided exactly as it was years ago."
+
+"I believe it," responded Rosie heartily, "and that Will and I will be
+able to say the same when we too have lived together for years. He is
+good as gold, I know, and I shall try to be worthy of him."
+
+The call to dinner here put an end to the conversation and the talk at
+the table was upon other themes.
+
+Shortly after the conclusion of the meal Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore returned
+to Ion, while the others, some on horseback, the rest in the family
+carriage, went over to the Oaks to call upon the relatives there and
+consult with them on the arrangements for the wedding, particularly the
+dress of the bride and her attendants--a subject of great interest to
+the ladies, especially such to the young girls, but one which the two
+gentlemen--Captain Raymond and young Mr. Dinsmore--were so entirely
+willing to leave to their decision that they presently excused
+themselves and walked out into the grounds, Mr. Dinsmore wishing to
+consult the captain in regard to some improvements that he had in
+contemplation.
+
+Then Rosie announced her errand and gave her invitation to Maud and
+Sydney. It was accepted promptly and with evident pleasure by both. Then
+Rosie went on to speak of her idea of having the two little Elsies act
+as flower girls.
+
+"My niece and my cousin, and both bearing mamma's name; about the same
+size, too; would it not be pretty?" she asked, and received a chorus of
+approving replies.
+
+"Oh, I'd like to!" cried Elsie Dinsmore, clapping her hands in delight.
+"It's ever so good in you, Cousin Rosie, to choose us! and I suppose we
+will be dressed alike, won't we?"
+
+"That is my idea," said Rosie, "and I presume your mothers will not
+withhold their consent."
+
+"Oh, you will let us, mamma--you and Cousin Vi--won't you?" cried the
+child, turning to them.
+
+"I am entirely willing, if that suits Cousin Vi and her Elsie," replied
+her mother.
+
+"As it will, I am sure," said Violet.
+
+"Yes, mamma," said her Elsie, "I shall like it, for I am sure you and
+the other ladies will choose a pretty dress for us."
+
+"Probably no prettier than some that you already own," Violet returned
+with an amused look. "Try not to think or care too much for dress,
+daughter; there are so many things which are much more important."
+
+"But it isn't wrong to like to be tastefully dressed, is it, mamma?"
+asked the little girl with a slightly troubled look.
+
+"No, I think not, dear," returned her mother with a loving smile into
+the inquiring eyes; "if it were wrong to love pretty things, surely God
+would not have made so many for our eyes to look upon--the beautiful
+flowers and fruits, the sunset clouds, the stars, to mention only a
+few--but he--our kind Heavenly Father--loves to give us enjoyment."
+
+"And I do enjoy all the pretty things very much indeed, mamma,"
+responded the little girl with a look of relief and pleasure, "and I'm
+glad it isn't wrong; I like to see pretty clothes on you and my sisters
+quite as much as on myself. And don't you think papa likes to have us
+all nicely dressed?"
+
+"I am sure he does; and you may feel very certain that papa approves of
+nothing but what is right."
+
+"Those are exactly mine and my husband's sentiments upon the subject in
+question," remarked Mrs. Dinsmore in a lively tone. "But now let us hear
+what those girls are talking about."
+
+"You will be married in church?" Maud was saying inquiringly.
+
+"No," said Rosie in a tone of decision; "I mean to follow the good
+example of my mother and older sisters in having a home wedding."
+
+"And you will want ushers? I was just going to ask who were to serve in
+that capacity."
+
+"I believe Mr. Croly has engaged my brothers Harold and Herbert, who
+are his most intimate friends," replied Rosie; "but of course there will
+be plenty of time for all those arrangements."
+
+"I dare say he will ask Uncle Harold to be best man," said Grace.
+
+"Very likely," said Rosie, "and Herbert, Chester, and Frank for ushers.
+We may as well make it a family affair," she added with a satisfied
+little laugh.
+
+"And if either you or Will conclude that you would prefer a larger
+number it will be an easy matter to think of, and invite them to serve a
+little later," remarked Violet.
+
+"Yes, there is plenty of time," said their mother, smiling lovingly into
+Rosie's bright eyes. "I am in no hurry to give my youngest daughter to
+even so entirely a good, worthy, and amiable young man as William
+Croly."
+
+"Please do not look at it in that way, mother dear. Please remember that
+you are not to lose your daughter, but to gain another good son."
+
+"That is right, Rosie; I do believe it is going to prove a gain all
+round," said Violet.
+
+"Why, of course it is," said Maud; "that is settled; so now let us
+consider and decide the important question what colours we are to wear
+on the grand occasion. Lu, you wore canary colour at Betty Norris'
+wedding; suppose I take that this time and you wear pink; it will become
+you quite as well, I think."
+
+"I suppose so," said Lucilla, "and am perfectly willing to wear it."
+
+"And pink beside my white will look very pretty," said Rosie. "Lu is to
+be maid of honor, you know, girls."
+
+"Yes; and I for one highly approve your choice, Rosie," said Evelyn with
+an affectionate, admiring look at Lucilla.
+
+"Yes; and suppose we dress your little flower girls in pink, also,"
+suggested Mrs. Dinsmore.
+
+That idea seemed to suit everybody.
+
+"I like that colour," remarked Elsie Dinsmore sagely, "but I shall be
+particular about having very handsome material."
+
+"It shall be handsome enough to accord well with the others," said her
+mother with an amused laugh.
+
+"I think straw colour becomes me," remarked Maud; "so that is what I
+shall wear, if the rest of the party approve."
+
+"And blue will be the thing for Gracie and me," said Sydney. "What do
+you say to that, Gracie?"
+
+"I am satisfied if Rosie and the rest approve," was Grace's
+pleasant-toned reply.
+
+"So that is settled," said Sydney. "Wouldn't it be well for us all to go
+into the city to-morrow, see what we can find there to suit us, and
+order other things sent for?"
+
+"What do you say to that, mamma?" asked Rosie.
+
+"I see no objection to it," replied Grandma Elsie. "But we will consult
+the captain in regard to that matter," she added, as at that moment he
+and her brother came in.
+
+"Ah! upon what is my valuable opinion desired, mother?" he asked in
+playful tones; then, in response to the explanation given, said that he
+thought it a very good plan, as it would surely do no harm to begin
+needed preparations promptly.
+
+"Then, papa, won't you excuse Gracie and me from lessons for the next
+few days?" asked Lucilla.
+
+"I will; you may consider the remainder of the week a holiday," he
+replied.
+
+"For Ned and me too, papa?" asked Elsie.
+
+"Yes; if you think you can assist in the shopping."
+
+"I should like to help choose my own things if you and mamma are
+willing," she said with a persuasive look from one to the other.
+
+"I think you will be allowed a voice in the selection," he replied,
+patting her cheek as she leaned upon his knee, looking up affectionately
+and pleadingly into his face.
+
+"Yes," said Violet, "and I am sure we shall be able to find dress goods
+and whatever else is needed, that will suit all three of us."
+
+"And it will be four days' holiday we'll have," remarked Ned with
+satisfaction.
+
+"You are planning to have your wedding a good deal after the pattern of
+Cousin Betty's, Rosie," remarked Mrs. Dinsmore.
+
+"Yes; in some respects, for I thought it a very pretty wedding; but that
+ceremony took place in the church, while I mean to be married at home;
+also there will probably be a difference in the number of attendants and
+their dress," replied Rosie. "And by the way, mamma," she added, turning
+to her mother, "we must send Betty an invitation in good season for her
+to arrange matters so that she can come to my wedding. I was one of her
+bridesmaids, you remember, and should be sorry indeed to neglect her at
+this time."
+
+"She shall not be forgotten, daughter," was Grandma Elsie's ready
+response; "we will shortly make out a list of those you wish to invite,
+that none may be forgotten or overlooked."
+
+"Yes, mamma; if our list contains only relatives and very intimate
+friends we will be quite a large party, should all accept."
+
+"Now about to-morrow's shopping," said Sydney. "We need to settle when
+we will set out on our expedition, where we will meet, or whether we
+will divide our forces and each division decide questions of taste and
+expense independently of the others."
+
+"As there are so many of us I think the latter plan would be the better
+one," said Grandma Elsie.
+
+"And as regards dress goods, we can secure samples and hold a
+consultation over them before making the purchases," said Violet; adding
+with a smiling glance at her Elsie, "that will be only fair where two or
+more are to be dressed alike."
+
+"I like that plan, mamma," said the little girl, "and I do intend to be
+satisfied with whatever you and papa choose for me."
+
+"With some help from my mamma and me," said the other Elsie in a tone
+that seemed to imply some fear that their choice might not be altogether
+to her taste.
+
+"Tut! tut!" said her father. "You need not be in the least afraid that
+such good judges will fail to select as handsome and suitable material
+as could be desired."
+
+"But please, Uncle Horace, let her have a vote on the question," said
+Violet pleasantly. "There may be several pieces of goods of the chosen
+colour, equally desirable; nor is it necessary that the two dresses
+should be off the same piece; only that they match in colour."
+
+"And I feel sure there will be no difficulty in settling upon which will
+be satisfactory to all parties," added Mrs. Dinsmore.
+
+With a little more chat all the arrangements for the morrow's shopping
+expedition were concluded. Then the Woodburn party bade good-bye and
+returned to their home.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+
+The weather the next morning proved all that could be desired, and the
+shopping expedition a grand success--everybody being not only satisfied
+but charmed with the results.
+
+Mrs. Travilla and Rosie returned to Ion that evening, but scarcely a day
+passed while the preparations for the wedding were going on, without
+more or less interchange of visits among the young people of that place,
+Woodburn, Fairview, and the Oaks and Pinegrove.
+
+Naturally the deepest interest was felt and shown by the ladies and
+young girls, but brothers and cousins were by no means indifferent.
+Harold and Herbert, though well pleased with the idea of taking their
+friend Croly into the family, were loath to part with Rosie, their
+youngest and only single sister, the only one now left in the Ion
+family. She had always been somewhat of a pet with them, and during
+these last weeks of her life with them they treated her as one for whom
+they could not do enough; while her manner toward them showed full
+appreciation of their kindness and affection. Much of her time and
+thoughts was necessarily taken up with the preparations for her
+approaching marriage; but in leisure moments she had many sad thoughts
+in regard to the coming separation from home and all there whom she so
+loved; especially the tender mother who had been, until within a few
+months, her dearest earthly friend.
+
+"Mamma dear, dearest mamma, I can hardly endure the thought of leaving
+you," she sighed one day with starting tears, as they sat together over
+their needlework in Mrs. Travilla's dressing room.
+
+They were quite alone at the moment, Zoe, who had been with them, having
+just gone out with her little ones.
+
+"No one can ever take your place in my heart or home," continued Rosie
+with almost a sob, "and oh, how I shall miss you--your love, your sweet
+motherly counsels, your tender sympathy in all my joys and sorrows--oh,
+mamma, mamma! at times the very thought of it all is almost unendurable,
+and I am tempted to say to Will that he may come to me if he likes, but
+that I can never tear myself away from my dear home and the precious
+mother who has been everything to me since I first drew the breath of
+life!" and dropping her work she knelt at her mother's feet, lifting to
+hers eyes full of tears.
+
+"Dear child," her mother responded in tones tremulous with emotion, and
+bending down to press a kiss on the quivering lips, "it gives me a sad
+and sore heart to think of it. And yet, daughter dear, we may hope to
+see each other very often--to spend weeks and months of every year in
+each other's society, and when we are apart to exchange letters daily;
+and best of all, to be in a few brief years together in the better land,
+never to part again."
+
+"Ah, mamma dear, that last seems a long look ahead. At least--oh, mamma,
+I cannot bear the thought of--of death coming between us; and yet we can
+hardly hope to go together."
+
+"No, daughter dear, but time is short, as you will realize when you have
+seen as many years in this world as I have; and after it will come the
+never-ending ages of eternity--eternity, which we are hoping to spend
+with our dear ones in the immediate presence of our Redeemer--united,
+never to part again."
+
+"Yes, mamma; oh, that is indeed a sweet thought. But," she added with a
+heavy sigh, "sometimes I fear I may miss heaven; I seem so far, so very
+far from fit for its employments and its joys--so often indulging in
+wrong thoughts and feelings--so taken up with earthly cares and
+interests."
+
+"Dear daughter, look to God for help to fight against your sinful
+nature," replied her mother in moved tones. "He says 'In me is thine
+help'; 'He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he
+increaseth strength.' 'They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their
+strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and
+not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.' 'Fear thou not; for I am
+with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee;
+yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my
+righteousness.' These are some of his gracious promises."
+
+"Ah, mamma, but the question with me is, is he really my God? am I
+his?--truly one of his redeemed ones, his adopted children? How shall I
+make sure of that?"
+
+"By accepting his conditions and believing his word, 'Come unto me all
+ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.' 'Him that
+cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out.' Come now and accept his
+offered salvation, whether you have done so before or not; come,
+believing his word; 'I will in no wise cast out,' 'I have blotted out,
+as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and as a cloud, thy sins: return
+unto me; for I have redeemed thee.' 'Surely shall one say, In the Lord
+have I righteousness and strength; even to him shall all men come.' 'In
+the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.'
+'The just shall live by faith,' and faith is the gift of God, as we are
+told again and again in his Holy Word; a gift that he will grant to all
+who ask it of him."
+
+There was a sound of approaching footsteps and Rosie resumed her seat,
+taking up the work she had dropped. They recognised the step as
+Harold's, and the next moment he stood in the open doorway.
+
+"Mamma," he said, "I am going over to Roselands and should like to take
+you along. You have not seen that youngest Conly yet, and Arthur
+considers Marian now quite well enough for a call from you. I know, too,
+that she is wanting to see you."
+
+"And I to see her, the dear girl," responded his mother, laying aside
+her work. "Come in and sit down while I don my bonnet and mantle."
+
+"Let me get them out for you, mamma," said Rosie, dropping her
+embroidery and hastening to do so.
+
+"I should include you in the invitation, Rosie," said Harold, "but we
+think it safer not to let Marian have the excitement of many callers
+until she gains more strength."
+
+"I thought she was doing finely," returned Rosie, bringing her mother's
+mantle and putting it about her with loving care.
+
+"So she is," replied Harold with a light laugh; "but we cannot be too
+careful of her to satisfy her doting husband, and though eager to
+exhibit her new treasure to all her friends and relatives, she is
+entirely submissive to his will in the matter."
+
+"Oh, well, I can wait," laughed Rosie. "Give her my love, mamma, and
+tell her I am not staying away from any indifference to her or the
+little newcomer."
+
+"No fear that she would ever suspect you of that, Rosie dear," her
+mother said, with a slight smile; "but I will assure her of your
+interest in both herself and baby boy. Now good-bye till my return,
+which I presume will be in the course of an hour or two."
+
+"Don't hurry home on my account, mamma dear," returned Rosie. "I shall
+not be lonely. I have letters to write, and that will make the time pass
+quickly."
+
+"It is a lovely day and the short drive with my son will be very
+enjoyable," Mrs. Travilla remarked, as Harold handed her into the
+vehicle.
+
+"To us both, I hope, mother," he returned, giving her an affectionate
+look and smile. "Yours is to me the best company in the world. The roads
+are in fine condition," he added as he took up the reins and they
+started down the avenue, "the fields and gardens along the way also, and
+the air full of the fragrance of flower and shrub. Oh, on such a morning
+as this it seems a joy just to be alive and well!"
+
+"Yes," she responded, "oh, what cause for gratitude to the Giver of all
+good that you and I, and all our nearest and dearest in this world, are
+alive and well."
+
+"Yes, mother; attendance upon the sick and suffering has given me a
+higher appreciation of the greatness of the blessing of sound health
+than I had in earlier days. It is saddening to witness suffering from
+accident and disease, but a great privilege to be able in many cases to
+relieve it. That last makes me thankful that I was led to choose the
+medical profession."
+
+"And you have often an opportunity to minister to souls as well as
+bodies; one which I hope you do not neglect."
+
+"I am afraid I have sometimes neglected it, mother," he acknowledged
+with a sigh, "and at others performed it in a very halting and imperfect
+way. But as you know--for I could not keep from you such gladness as
+the knowledge of that fact brought me--I have been privileged to win
+some souls to Christ--smooth some dying pillows--and to lead some
+recovering ones to devote their spared lives and restored health to the
+service of the Master--the Physician of souls--in whose footsteps I
+ardently desire to tread."
+
+"I know it, my dear son, and it has filled me with joy and gratitude for
+you, for them, and for myself--that I am the mother of one whom God has
+so honoured and blessed."
+
+Then she inquired about the condition and needs of some of his poorer
+patients; for she made it her business to provide for their necessities
+and to furnish many a little luxury that helped on convalescence or
+smoothed the passage to the grave.
+
+As they drove up the avenue at Roselands Dr. Conly came out upon the
+veranda, his face beaming with smiles.
+
+"Ah, Cousin Elsie," he said as he assisted her to alight, "this is kind.
+Marian has been looking forward to your visit with longing, both to see
+you and to exhibit to your appreciative eyes the little one who seems
+to her the greatest and loveliest darling the world ever saw."
+
+"Ah, I can understand that," she returned with a low, pleased laugh. "I
+have not forgotten how lovely and what an inestimable treasure my first
+baby seemed to me; though I am by no means sure that each one who
+followed was not an equal joy and delight."
+
+"Your second son among the rest, I hope, mother," laughed Harold.
+
+She gave him a loving smile in response.
+
+"Will you go up with us, Harold?" asked Arthur.
+
+"No, thank you," he said. "I will busy myself here with the morning
+paper while mother makes her little call."
+
+It was a most inviting looking apartment into which the doctor conducted
+his cousin, tastefully furnished and redolent of the breath of flowers;
+in pretty vases set here and there on bureau, mantel, and table, and
+blooming in the garden beneath the open windows whence the soft, warm
+air came stealing in through the lace curtains. But the chief ornaments
+of the room were its living occupants--the young mother lying amid her
+snowy pillows and the little one sleeping in its dainty crib close at
+her side.
+
+"Dear Cousin Elsie, you have come at last, and I am, oh, so glad to see
+you!" Marian exclaimed with a look of eager delight, and holding out her
+hand in joyous welcome. "I have hardly known how to wait to show you our
+treasure and receive your congratulations."
+
+"Dear girl, I can quite understand that," Mrs. Travilla said with a
+smile and a tender caress, "and I wanted to come sooner; should have
+done so had your good husband deemed it entirely safe for you."
+
+"Ah, he is very careful of me," returned Marian, giving him a glance of
+ardent affection. "But, oh, look at our darling! His father and mother
+think him the sweetest creature that ever was made," she added with a
+happy laugh, laying a hand on the edge of the crib and gazing with eyes
+full of mother love at the tiny pink face nestling among the pillows
+there.
+
+Elsie bent over it too in tender motherly fashion.
+
+"He is a dear little fellow," she said softly. "I congratulate you both
+on this good gift from our Heavenly Father, and wish for you that he may
+grow up into a God-fearing man, a blessing to his parents, to the Church
+and the world."
+
+"I hope he may indeed, cousin, and I want you to join your prayers to
+ours that we may have grace and wisdom to train him up aright, should it
+please the Lord to spare him to us," said the doctor with emotion.
+
+"I think his mother needs those prayers the most," said Marian low and
+softly. "I am but a foolish young thing; scarcely fit for so great a
+responsibility; but I am more glad and thankful than words can tell that
+the darling has a good, wise, Christian father to both train him and set
+him a good example."
+
+"It is a cause for great thankfulness," Elsie said, "but never forget,
+dear girl, how very great and important is a mother's influence;
+especially in the early years when the strongest and most lasting
+impressions are apt to be made. No doubt you feel--as I often have,
+often do--like crying out in the midst of it all, 'Alas, who is
+sufficient for these things!' but what a blessing, what a comfort is
+the promise, 'If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God that giveth
+to all men liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.'"
+
+"Oh, those are comforting texts!" Marian said with a look of relief. "I
+wish I were as well acquainted with the Bible as you are, cousin."
+
+"I know more of it now than I did at your age," Elsie returned in a
+reassuring tone, "and you, as well as I, have it at hand to turn to in
+every perplexity; and if you do so you will find the truth of the words
+of the Psalmist, 'Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light unto my
+path.'"
+
+"Ah, yes! an open Bible is an inestimable blessing," said Arthur, "and
+my Marian and I will endeavour to make it the rule of our life, the man
+of our counsel."
+
+At that moment the babe stirred and opened its eyes.
+
+"Ah, he is awake, the darling!" said Marian. "Don't you want to take him
+up, papa, and let Cousin Elsie have a better look at him?"
+
+"Yes, mamma; as you know, I am very proud to exhibit my son and heir,"
+laughed the doctor, bending over the crib, gently lifting the babe and
+placing it in Elsie's arms, smilingly outstretched to receive it.
+
+"He is indeed a lovely little darling," she said, gazing on it with
+admiring eyes, then softly pressing her lips to the velvet cheek. "There
+is nothing sweeter to me than a little helpless babe. I hope he may live
+to grow up if the will of God be so, and I think he is going to resemble
+his father," she added with a most affectionate look up into the
+doctor's face.
+
+"If he equals his father in all respects, his mother will be fully
+satisfied," Marian said with a happy little laugh.
+
+"Ah, love is blind, dearest," was Arthur's smiling response.
+
+"And well for me that it is in your case, as I have often thought," she
+said in sportive tone, "for it seems to hide all my imperfections and
+show you virtues that are wholly imaginary."
+
+"Then it is a very good and desirable kind of blindness, I think,"
+remarked Grandma Elsie with her pleasant smile.
+
+"Now, Cousin Elsie, please tell me about Rosie," Marian requested with a
+look of keen interest. "I suppose she is both very busy and very happy."
+
+"Quite busy and happy too, I think, except when her thoughts turn upon
+the approaching separation--partial at least--from home and its loved
+ones."
+
+"And doubtless that thought makes you sad too, cousin," sighed Marian.
+"Ah, what a world of partings it is! and how sudden and unexpected many
+of them are."
+
+"Yes; but there are none in that happy land to which we are journeying.
+Ah, what a blessed land it must be! no sin, no sorrow, pain or care, no
+death, but eternal life at the foot of the dear Master whose love for
+his redeemed ones is greater, tenderer than that of a mother for her own
+little helpless child."
+
+"How intense it must be!" said Marian musingly. "I can realise that now
+as I never could before my little darling came. But now, about Rosie and
+her betrothed. Do they not expect to settle somewhere in this region,
+cousin?"
+
+"I think that question remains yet to be fully discussed; it is
+certainly still undecided. Probably they will not for some time settle
+permanently in any one spot. Mrs. Croly is an invalid, almost constantly
+being taken from place to place in search of health, and never satisfied
+to be long separated from either husband or son--her only child."
+
+"Ah, I'm afraid that will make it hard for Rosie," said Marian. "By the
+way, I think they would better bring her here and put her in our
+doctor's care," she added with a smiling and arch look up into her
+husband's face.
+
+"Ah, my dear!" he said with a slight smile and a warning shake of the
+head, "don't allow yourself to take to the business of hunting up cases
+for me; especially chronic and incurable ones."
+
+"But is she so bad as that?" asked Marian, turning to her cousin Elsie
+again.
+
+"I suppose so," Elsie replied. "I have never been told that her case was
+considered incurable, but I know that she has been an invalid for many
+years."
+
+"And with no daughter to nurse and care for her! She may well deem
+herself fortunate in getting one so sweet and bright as Rosie."
+
+"Rosie has had no experience as a nurse," said her mother, "but she is
+kind-hearted and I hope will prove a pleasant and helpful daughter to
+her husband's mother; as she has been to her own."
+
+"I haven't a doubt of it. And is the wedding to come off soon, cousin?"
+
+"The day has not yet been set," replied Mrs. Travilla, with a slight
+sigh at thought of the parting that must follow, "but we expect to fix
+upon one in the latter part of June; which I hope will give you time to
+grow strong enough to make one of our party. But I fear I am keeping you
+talking too long," she added, rising and laying the babe, who had fallen
+asleep again, gently back among its pillows.
+
+"I am sure your call has done me good, and I hope you will come again
+soon, dear cousin," Marian said, receiving and returning a farewell
+caress.
+
+"Sometime when your doctor gives permission," was Elsie's smiling reply.
+"Never mind coming down with me, Arthur," she added, "I know the way
+and have a son waiting there on the veranda to hand me into the
+carriage. So good-bye, and don't consider it necessary to wait for
+sickness among us to call you to Ion."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+
+Left alone upon the veranda, Harold sat scanning the columns of the
+morning paper, when a light step drew near, a pleasant voice said,
+"Good-morning," and looking up he found Mrs. Calhoun Conly, with a babe
+in her arms, close by his side.
+
+"Oh! good-morning to you, Cousin Mary," he returned, hastily rising and
+gallantly handing her to a seat. "I am glad to see you and the little
+one looking so well."
+
+"Thank you," she returned merrily, "it would be a pity if we failed to
+keep well with so many doctors about. Were you waiting to see Arthur? I
+believe he is in the house--probably up in his wife's room--though I
+have not seen him since breakfast."
+
+"Yes, he is there, sharing with Marian a call from my mother."
+
+"Ah! that is nice for Marian; she has been wanting to see Cousin Elsie
+badly. I want a call from her too, and hope she will not forget me when
+through with my sister-in-law."
+
+"Hardly, I think; it is not mother's way to forget anyone; especially so
+near and dear a relative as yourself, Cousin Mary. But don't set your
+heart on a long call this morning, for some other folks want the doctor
+if you don't."
+
+"Ah! and your mother has taken up the practice of medicine, has she?"
+
+"Well, I don't say that exactly, but certainly her advice and
+suggestions are sometimes more beneficial to the patient than those of
+her doctor son; then think of the enviable condition of the patient who
+can have both," returned Harold laughingly. "Ah, here comes Cousin Cal!"
+as a horseman came galloping up the avenue.
+
+"Good-morning, Harold!" Calhoun said, as he alighted, giving his steed
+in charge to a servant, and came up the veranda steps. "I have been out
+in the field for some hours, overseeing the work of my men, saw you
+passing a few moments since with your mother, and could not resist the
+temptation to leave them and come in for a bit of chat with her and
+yourself."
+
+"Especially with me, of course," laughed Harold as the two shook hands
+and Calhoun, seating himself near his wife, took the babe, which was
+stretching out its arms to him with a cooing invitation not to be
+resisted by the doting father.
+
+"Mother's particular errand this morning was a call upon Marian; she is
+paying it now, and I presume will be down in the course of ten or
+fifteen minutes," added Harold.
+
+"You will both stay to dinner, won't you?" queried Calhoun hospitably.
+"We'd be delighted to have you do so."
+
+"That we would," added his wife heartily.
+
+"Thank you," returned Harold, "but I have some rather urgent calls to
+make and hope to get mother to accompany me. I know of no one else who
+can say such comforting things to the sick and depressed."
+
+"Nor do I," responded Mrs. Conly. "If I am in the least depressed, a
+call from her, or a chat with her, always raises my spirits; she can
+always show you a silver lining to the cloud, however dark it may be."
+
+"Yes," said Harold, "her faith in the goodness and love of God is so
+strong and unwavering, and she realizes so perfectly that life in this
+world is short and fleeting, that which follows unending and full of
+bliss to all who believe in the Lord Jesus, that she is ever content
+with whatever Providence sends her. I never knew a happier Christian."
+
+"Nor I," said Mary. "I only wish we were all more like her in that
+respect."
+
+"Yes," said Calhoun, "and I believe we are every one of us the happier
+and better for knowing her. I have been thinking that it will be hard
+for Rosie to leave such a mother."
+
+"That it will," sighed Harold; "and hard for mother, and all of us
+indeed, to part with Rosie. But of course the members of so large a
+family as ours cannot expect to remain together all through life."
+
+"Yes; weddings are apt to bring both joy and sorrow," remarked Mrs.
+Conly reflectively; "the forming of new ties and the breaking of old
+ones. One cannot altogether forget the old loves, however sweet the new
+may be; but when we get to the better land we may hope to have them
+all," she added with an appreciative glance at her husband. "Ah, how
+delightful that will be!"
+
+There was a moment's silence; then Harold said, "The wedding day having
+not been fixed yet the invitations have not been sent out, but I know
+mother is hoping to see your parents here at that time, Cousin Mary."
+
+"That is kind," she returned with a pleased smile; "I supposed they
+would be invited, and that so I should have the better prospect of
+getting a long promised visit from them myself. But if you invite all
+the relatives you will have a great many guests to entertain--that is
+should all, or nearly all, accept. However, it is more than likely that
+by far the larger number will feel constrained to content themselves
+with sending regrets, congratulations, and gifts."
+
+"I hope," said Harold quickly and earnestly, "I am sure we all do--that
+no one will feel called upon for that last. I trust that will be fully
+understood. The parents of both bride and groom being abundantly able to
+provide everything necessary or desirable, why should distant relatives
+and friends assist in it, perhaps at the cost of embarrassment or
+self-denial?"
+
+"But you should not deny the privilege to those who are abundantly able
+and would feel it a pleasure," returned Mary with playful look and tone;
+"which I am sure is the case with some of the relatives," she added.
+
+"No," said Harold, "I should not deny it, but would have a distinct
+understanding that it was not expected or desired, at the cost of
+hardship or self-denial to the giver, or his or her nearer and dearer
+ones."
+
+At that moment his mother stepped from the doorway into the veranda.
+Very warmly affectionate greetings were exchanged, she was quickly
+installed in an easy-chair, and some moments were spent in lively chat.
+
+"Do take off your bonnet, Cousin Elsie, and stay and dine with us,"
+urged Calhoun hospitably. "Our young doctor here insists that he cannot;
+but let him go on and visit the patients he thinks need his services,
+and call here again for you; unless you will allow me the pleasure of
+seeing you safely home later in the day."
+
+"Thank you, Cal," she said in reply, "but Rosie will be looking out for
+her mother--as I promised her I would not be gone very long--and I want
+to see some of my boy's patients myself, and to make a little call at
+Beechwood. You know they are all relatives there, and Annis and I very
+old and dear friends."
+
+"Yes; and it is growing late," said Harold, consulting his watch; "so,
+whenever you are ready, mother, we will start."
+
+"I am that now," she answered, rising with the words. "Good-bye, Cousin
+Mary. Come over to Ion whenever you can make it convenient. And when you
+write home be as urgent as possible in your entreaties that your parents
+will come to the wedding and be prepared to remain in the neighbourhood
+for a long visit after it is over."
+
+"You may rest assured that I will do my very best to bring them here and
+for as long a stay as possible," was Mary's smiling and earnest reply.
+
+"And never doubt, cousin, that I will do my best to second her efforts,"
+said Calhoun, handing her into the carriage as he spoke.
+
+"Will there be time for a call at Beechwood, Harold?" she asked as they
+drove down the avenue.
+
+"Oh, yes, mother! I think so," he replied. "I have but two calls to make
+on the way, and it is not likely either need be very long."
+
+"I would not have anyone neglected for my convenience," she remarked in
+a cheery tone, "but should be glad to spend a half hour with Annis if I
+can do so without loss or inconvenience to anyone else."
+
+"Always thoughtful for others, mother dear," Harold said, giving her a
+most affectionate look and smile. "I think you may trust me not to
+neglect my patients."
+
+"I hope so, indeed," she responded; "and that you will never be less
+careful and considerate of the poor than of the rich."
+
+Fortunately they found all doing so well that no lengthened call was
+necessary, and they reached Beechwood in season to allow quite a long
+chat between the lady cousins before it would be time for Mrs. Travilla
+and her son to set out on their return to Ion.
+
+They found Mr. Lilburn and Annis seated upon the front veranda, she
+with a bit of needlework in her hands, he reading aloud to her. He
+closed his book as the carriage drove up, and laying it aside, hastened
+to assist his Cousin Elsie to alight, greeting her with warmth of
+affection as he did so. Annis dropped her work and hastened to meet and
+embrace her, saying:
+
+"Oh, but I am glad to see you, Elsie! I had letters this morning from
+Mildred and Zilla, both bringing a great deal of love to you and a
+cordial invitation to you and yours--as well as my husband and
+myself--to pay them a visit this summer. They have not yet heard of
+Rosie's approaching marriage, I find."
+
+"But must hear of it very soon," Elsie said with a smile. "As soon as
+the important day is fixed upon I must send out my invitations; and you
+may rest assured that none of our relatives will be forgotten or
+neglected; certainly not one of your sisters or brothers."
+
+"No, my dear cousin, it would not be at all like you to neglect any of
+them," returned Annis with a smile of loving appreciation. "Ah, Harold!"
+turning to him as, having secured his horse, he came up the veranda
+steps and joined their little group, "I am glad to see you; especially
+as, like a dear, good boy, you have brought your mother along."
+
+"Yes," he said, grasping cordially the hand she held out, "I find I am
+sure of a welcome anywhere when I am fortunate enough to induce mother
+to accompany me. Sick or well, everybody is glad to see her."
+
+"You also, I presume; especially if they are sick."
+
+"And can't get Cousin Arthur," he added. "A young doctor is better than
+none; though an old and tried physician is deemed the best--by sensible
+people."
+
+"Ah, ha; ah, ha; um, hm! so it would seem, laddie, yet sometimes the
+young fellows hae a new trick the auld hardly ken aboot," remarked
+Cousin Ronald with a good-humoured smile. "And for my ain sel' I should
+care little--were I ill--whether it were Doctor Arthur or Doctor Harold
+that prescribed the remedies to be used."
+
+"Or Doctor Herbert; Herbert might do just as well as either of the two,
+I presume," added Annis.
+
+"We have just come from a call at Roselands to see Marian and your
+little namesake, Cousin Ronald," said Mrs. Travilla. "He is a dear
+little fellow, and I hope will grow up in a way to do honour to the
+name."
+
+"I hope he may, and to be a great comfort and blessing to the parents
+who have done me the honour to call their firstborn for me," returned
+the old gentleman, a gleam of pleasure lighting up his face. "I want to
+see the bit bairn myself when the mother is well enough to enjoy a call
+from her auld kinsman. And how soon do you think that may be, doctor?"
+he asked, turning to Harold.
+
+"In a few days, sir, should she continue to gain strength as she seems
+to be doing now. I have no doubt she will be very glad to see both you
+and Cousin Annis."
+
+"Yes; I must go along, for I want to see both the boy and his mother.
+Marian will make a sweet mother, I think; and Arthur an excellent
+father," said Annis.
+
+"I quite agree with you in that idea," Elsie said, "and their joy in the
+possession of the little fellow is a pleasant thing to see. By the way,
+where are Cousin Ella and her little ones?"
+
+"Hugh has taken them out driving," replied Mr. Lilburn. "There is
+nothing the bit bairnies like better than that."
+
+"I am sorry to miss seeing them, but it is time we were on our homeward
+route," Elsie said, consulting her watch.
+
+They were kindly urged to remain longer, but declined, bade adieu, and
+were presently driving on toward Ion.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+
+At Ion Rosie was pacing the veranda as her mother and Harold drove up.
+She hailed them eagerly as they alighted.
+
+"At last! I began to think you must have yielded to a most urgent
+invitation to stay to dinner at Roselands, Beechwood, or Woodburn."
+
+"No," said her mother; "invitations were not lacking, but were steadily
+declined for the sake of my daughter Rosie, who I knew would be sadly
+disappointed if her mother failed to keep her promise not to remain long
+away from her to-day. So here we are; and I see you have news to
+impart," she added with a smiling glance at a letter in Rosie's hand.
+
+"Yes, mamma," returned the young girl, smiling and blushing as she
+spoke. "It is from Will, and incloses a little note from his
+mother--such a nice, kind, affectionate one--saying she is glad she is
+to have a daughter at last, and she wants to make my acquaintance as
+soon as possible."
+
+They had seated themselves, and Harold, having given his horse into the
+care of a stable boy, now followed them, asking in a gay, bantering
+tone:
+
+"Am I intruding upon a private conference, Rosie? I know mother may be
+intrusted with secrets which you might prefer not to give into my
+keeping."
+
+"Certainly that is so, but this is not one of that kind, and you may
+listen if you care to," returned Rosie with a light laugh; then she
+repeated the item of news just given her mother.
+
+"Ah! I wonder if she does not want an invitation to pay us a visit,"
+said Harold.
+
+"Wait," laughed Rosie; "I have not told you all yet. She goes on to
+speak of Cousin Arthur as a physician in whom she has great confidence,
+and to say that she would like to be in his care for at least a time; so
+if we can recommend a good boarding place somewhere in this
+neighbourhood she, her husband, and son will come and take possession
+for weeks or months; at least until after the wedding."
+
+"By the way," said Harold, "I thought I had heard that Mrs. Croly had
+nearly or quite recovered her health while in Europe a few years ago.
+You know at the time Will was so nearly drowned they had just returned
+from a visit there."
+
+"Yes," replied Rosie; "she had been greatly benefited, but her health
+has failed again within the last year or two--so Will has told me. I do
+hope she may come here--into this neighbourhood--and that Cousin Arthur
+may succeed in helping her very much."
+
+"Yes, I hope so," said Harold. "He will be glad indeed of an opportunity
+to make some return for their very liberal treatment of him in
+acknowledgment of his service to their son. They feel that they owe that
+son's life to Arthur's persistent efforts to resuscitate him when he was
+taken from the sea apparently dead."
+
+"Will himself is very grateful to him," said Rosie. "He has told me that
+he feels he owes his life to Doctor Arthur and that nothing can ever
+fully repay the obligation."
+
+"Yes; he has talked to me in the same strain more than once or twice,"
+said Harold. "Now I think of it, I should not be at all surprised if
+they would be willing to take the Crolys in at Roselands for a time.
+There is a good deal of unoccupied room in the house, and having her
+there would enable Arthur to watch the case closely and do everything
+possible for her restoration to health."
+
+"Oh, that would be a grand plan!" exclaimed Rosie. "Though perhaps it
+would make too much care for our lady cousins--Mary and Marian."
+
+"Well, we won't suggest it," returned Harold, "but just tell Arthur her
+wishes--Mrs. Croly's, I mean--and let him give his opinion in regard to
+possible boarding places. Would not that be the better plan, mother?"
+
+"I think so," she said, taking out her watch, as she spoke. "Ah! it
+wants but five minutes of the dinner hour. I must go at once to my rooms
+and make ready for the summons to the table."
+
+It was not thought worth while to make Mrs. Croly's request a secret
+from any member of the family, so the matter was talked over among them
+as they sat together on the veranda that evening, and the different
+boarding places in the vicinity were considered. It was feared none of
+them could furnish quite such accommodations as might be desired without
+placing the invalid farther from her physician than would be convenient
+for the constant oversight of the case which they supposed he would want
+to exercise.
+
+"Well, evidently," remarked Herbert at length, "we will have to refer
+the question to Cousin Arthur himself. And here he comes, most
+opportunely," as a horseman turned in at the avenue gates.
+
+He was greeted with warmth of cordiality and speedily installed in a
+luxuriously easy chair.
+
+"I was passing," he said, "and though I don't like to be long away from
+my wife and boy, I felt an irresistible inclination to give my Ion
+relatives and friends a brief call."
+
+"And omitting that ugly word brief, it is just exactly what we are all
+delighted to receive," laughed Zoe.
+
+"Yes," said Mr. Dinsmore, "we were talking of you and wanting your
+opinion on a certain matter under discussion."
+
+"Ah, what was that?" Arthur asked in return, and Mr. Dinsmore went on to
+explain, telling of the desire of Mrs. Croly to put herself under his
+care for at least a time, and asking his opinion of the various boarding
+places in the vicinity.
+
+"Boarding places!" he exclaimed. "We would be only too glad to receive
+her as a guest at Roselands; for as you all know I feel under great
+obligation to Mr. Croly, her husband; besides, it would make it much
+easier for me to take charge of her case. Poor dear woman! I hope she
+may be at least partially, if not entirely, restored to health."
+
+"That proposal is just what one might expect of you, Cousin Arthur,"
+said Grandma Elsie, giving him a look of affectionate appreciation; "but
+are you quite sure it would suit Cal's convenience, and that of your
+wife and his?"
+
+"Knowing all three as I do, I can scarcely doubt it," replied Arthur;
+"but perhaps I would better consult them before sending the invitation
+to the Crolys. I will do so, and you shall hear from me early to-morrow
+or possibly to-night," he added. "Marian, I am sure, will feel very
+much as I do about it," he went on presently, "but just now the burden
+would fall more upon Sister Mary; so that I think I must not give the
+invitation unless she is entirely willing."
+
+"Which I feel almost certain she will be," said Rosie. "But I will wait
+to hear from you, Cousin Arthur, before answering my letters."
+
+"You shall hear at an early hour," he returned.
+
+"Mary is hoping to have her parents here for the wedding and for a long
+visit afterward," remarked Grandma Elsie, "but you have room enough to
+accommodate both them and the Crolys, I think."
+
+"Oh, yes!" replied Arthur, "there need be no difficulty about that. Our
+house is large and the regular dwellers in it are far less numerous than
+they were in my young days. Ah, how widely scattered they are," he
+continued half musingly--"my sisters Isadore and Virginia in
+Louisiana--Molly and Dick Percival there too, with Betty and Bob
+Johnson; my brothers Walter and Ralph--the one in the army, the other
+in California. Sister Ella, the only one near at hand, living at
+Beechwood; Cal and I the only ones left in the old home."
+
+"Where you are very happy; are you not?" asked his cousin Elsie in a
+cheery tone and with an affectionate smile into his eyes.
+
+"Yes," he answered, returning the smile; "Cal with his charming wife and
+two dear little children, I with my sweet Marian and a baby boy of whom
+any father might well be proud and fond. And I must be going back to
+them," he added, rising, and with a hasty good-night to all, he took his
+departure.
+
+He was scarcely out of sight when the Beechwood and Woodburn carriages
+turned in at the gates, the one bringing Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Lilburn,
+the other Captain Raymond, his wife, and his daughters Lucilla and
+Grace.
+
+All were received with warm and joyous greetings. They had started out
+for a drive, met and exchanged salutations, had then decided to call
+together upon their Ion relatives; a not very unusual proceeding.
+
+And scarcely were they seated when Mr. and Mrs. Leland and Evelyn were
+seen coming up the drive, having walked over from Fairview, tempted to
+do so by the beauty of the evening and the prospect of the pleasure of a
+chat with the very near and dear dwellers in the old home at Ion, who
+never seemed weary of their companionship, though scarcely a day passed
+in which they had not more or less of it.
+
+Nor was the communication with Woodburn much less frequent, though it
+was farther away by a mile or more; for with their abundance of steeds
+and conveyances of various sorts, it could be traversed with such ease,
+expedition, and comfort that it seemed little or no inconvenience; the
+short ride or drive was really a pleasure; though not infrequently it
+was made a walk when roads were in good condition and the weather was
+propitious.
+
+The welcome of the Fairview party was not less cordial than had been
+that of the others, and presently all were seated and a buzz of
+conversation ensued.
+
+The young girls made a little group by themselves and of course the
+approaching wedding, with the preparations for it, was the principal
+theme of their talk. Rosie, not caring to have secrets from these very
+near and dear young friends, told of the letters received that morning
+and the talk just held with Dr. Conly.
+
+"Oh, that was noble in Cousin Arthur!" exclaimed Lucilla. "The Crolys
+were very generous to him, to be sure, but not at all more so than he
+deserved."
+
+"No," said Rosie; "they were quite able to pay him what they did; but it
+isn't everyone who would have done so, and I have always thought well of
+them for it; and I am glad Cousin Arthur can make them some small
+return."
+
+"But should he succeed in restoring Mrs. Croly to health, that will not
+be a very small return, I think," said Evelyn with a smile.
+
+"No; for good health is the greatest of earthly blessings," said Grace.
+"One can hardly fully enjoy anything without it."
+
+"As you know by experience, you poor thing!" said Rosie.
+
+"Oh, no! not now."
+
+"Have you fixed upon the wedding day yet, Rosie?" asked Lucilla.
+
+"No, not definitely; we have only decided that it shall be somewhere
+about the middle of June; or perhaps a little later. I want to make sure
+of having Walter here; for it would be too bad to have him miss his
+youngest sister's wedding."
+
+"And you want Marian to have time to get well, too, don't you?" said
+Grace.
+
+"Oh, yes, indeed! and she will be by that time; at least she seems
+altogether likely to be. Mamma was there to-day and found her doing
+nicely."
+
+"Hark! What is that Cousin Ronald is saying?" exclaimed Lucilla, and
+they paused in their talk to listen.
+
+"I want you all, old and young," he said in his blithe, cordial tones,
+"to come and have as good and merry a time as possible, to celebrate the
+third birthday of my little namesake grandson. We talked the thing over
+at the dinner table and all agreed that there could be no better way of
+celebrating that most important event."
+
+"It certainly is a delightful time of year for an outdoor party in this
+region of country," remarked Mrs. Dinsmore, "and I, for one, accept the
+invitation with pleasure."
+
+"As I do," said her husband.
+
+"And I!" "And I!" "And I!" added the others in turn.
+
+The young girls were highly pleased: it was by no means their first
+invitation to Beechwood, and they felt sure of being hospitably and well
+entertained. Ella, Hugh's wife, had been mistress of the mansion before
+the marriage of the old gentleman and Annis, and so continued to be,
+with Annis' full consent, but there was no jarring between them; they
+were congenial spirits, and enjoyed each other's society. Ella was fond
+of the old gentleman, too,--the only father she had ever known,--and her
+little ones, Ronald and his baby sister, were to all a strong bond of
+union.
+
+"It is to be an afternoon party, I suppose?" remarked Mrs. Dinsmore in a
+tone of inquiry.
+
+"Yes," said Mr. Lilburn. "Come as early as you please, bringing all the
+little folks as the guests of our bit laddie. We will have an early
+supper for their sakes, and after that the parents can carry them home
+and see them in their nests as early as they like."
+
+"And both parents and little folks may stay as late as they like," added
+Annis with a smile.
+
+"Yes," said her husband, "each and every guest may feel free to do
+that."
+
+"I hope you are not too busy to come, Rosie?" said Annis, turning to
+her.
+
+"Thank you, no; I should not like to miss the fun of attending little
+Ronald's birthday party," returned Rosie in a sprightly tone, "and you
+must be sure to bring him to the party I am to have some weeks later."
+
+"That, of course, will have to be as his father and mother say," laughed
+Annis.
+
+"Well, he shall not lack an invitation," said Rosie. "I do not intend
+that any of my relatives shall. By the way, I hope your nephew, Cousin
+Donald Keith, will be able to get a furlough, so that he can come. He
+has visited us several times, here and at the seashore, and I like him
+very much indeed."
+
+"Yes, so do I," said Annis, "and I hope he may be able to come. I should
+enjoy showing him my new home and entertaining him there."
+
+"He will be in demand if he comes," said Captain Raymond. "I shall want
+him as my guest; for he and I are old attached friends."
+
+"Ah, yes, I remember," said Annis. "No doubt he will want to be with you
+a part of his time."
+
+"Yes," said Grandma Elsie; "and as we will all want him we will have to
+divide the pleasure of his visit among us--if he will allow it."
+
+"I have always liked and admired Cousin Donald," said Violet, "and often
+wondered that he has remained single all these years."
+
+"He has not happened to meet the right one yet, I suppose, my dear," the
+captain said with a smile. "Or, if he has met her, has failed to secure
+her."
+
+"And in doing so has caused her to miss securing an excellent husband,
+I think," said Violet.
+
+"In which I certainly agree with you," Annis said. "All my married
+nephews seem to me to be admirable husbands. I hope, Elsie, that Cyril
+Keith and his Isadore may be able to come to the wedding."
+
+"So do I," responded Mrs. Travilla heartily; "and if they fail to come
+you may be assured it was not for lack of a warm invitation."
+
+"I hope they and all the other cousins from that region will come,"
+remarked Mrs. Leland.
+
+Just then the telephone bell rang.
+
+"There! that is Cousin Arthur, I presume," said Edward Travilla,
+hastening to the instrument.
+
+His answering ring and "Hello!" were quickly replied to, and the next
+moment he announced to the company, "It was Arthur. He says all is
+right, and Rosie may send as warm an invitation as possible. They will
+be only too glad to receive the three Crolys as their guests."
+
+"Oh, that is good!" cried Rosie. "Now I shall be able to send my reply
+by to-morrow's early mail."
+
+"Yes, Cousin Arthur was very kindly prompt; as indeed he always is,"
+said her mother.
+
+"Quite true, mother," said Harold; "and Herbert and I try to copy him in
+that, feeling that it is very necessary in a physician to be ready,
+able, and willing to answer a call for his services with expedition."
+
+"That it is, laddie," responded Cousin Ronald, "for a life sometimes
+depends on getting quick help frae the doctor. The life of a faithfu'
+medical mon is one of toil and self-denial; a fact that has made me
+wonder that you and your Cousin Herbert, here, chose it rather than a
+vocation that wad be somewhat easier."
+
+"It is a hard life in some respects," Harold answered; "but there is
+something very delightful in having and using the ability to relieve
+suffering, and surely one who professes to be a follower of Christ
+should be seeking to do good to others rather than courting his own ease
+and enjoyment."
+
+"Yes; copying the dear Master's own example," returned the old gentleman
+with a smile. "The dear Master who should be our pattern in all things."
+
+"Yes," said Herbert, low and feelingly, "that is what we both sincerely
+desire to do."
+
+It was still early when the callers bade good-night and took their
+departure; the Lilburns going first, then the Raymonds, and lastly the
+Lelands.
+
+All met again the next day at Beechwood, where they were joined by the
+other members of the family connexion and had a very pleasant afternoon,
+mostly taken up with sports suited to the entertainment of the little
+ones--three-year-old Ronald and his baby cousins.
+
+The invitations had been sent out too late to allow time for the
+purchase of many gifts, but there were fruits and flowers, and some few
+toys; among these last, animals which ventriloquism caused apparently to
+say very amusing things, to the surprise and merriment of the little
+folks.
+
+Then, when they began to tire of fun and frolic, they were seated about
+a table under the trees on the lawn, and regaled with toothsome viands,
+not too rich for their powers of digestion. After that they were allowed
+to sport upon the verandas and the grass, while the elder people
+gathered about the table and satisfied their appetites with somewhat
+richer and more elaborate viands.
+
+They had finished their meal and were gathered in groups under the trees
+or on the verandas, when the sound of a banjo caused a sudden hush of
+expectancy. Glances were sent here and there in search of the musician,
+yet no one was greatly surprised that he was not visible. Several tunes
+were played; then followed a song in the negro dialect, which made
+everybody laugh.
+
+That was the winding up of the entertainment, and, as it was nearing the
+bedtime of the little ones, all presently bade good-bye, with truthful
+assurances of having greatly enjoyed themselves, and returned to their
+homes.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+
+The Woodburn carriage was quite full with the captain and his entire
+family, excepting, of course, his eldest son, Max, who was far away on
+board a man-of-war.
+
+"Well," said Violet, as they drove out of Beechwood Avenue into the
+highway, "I have enjoyed little Ronald's birthday party very much, and
+hope you can all say the same."
+
+"Oh, yes, mamma! I think we had good fun," exclaimed Neddie. "To be sure
+Ronald is only a baby boy--just about half as old as I am--but he's a
+very dear little fellow; and then his grandpa made a great deal of fun
+for us."
+
+"Sometimes it was his papa who did it, I think," said Elsie.
+
+"Oh, yes!" said Ned. "Papa, why don't you do such things for us
+sometimes?"
+
+"Really, my son, I do not seem to have any talent in that line,"
+returned the captain with a smile. "Your brother Max has, however, and
+I hope that, some of these days, he will come home and make the fun for
+you that you are so eager for."
+
+"Oh, I'll be so glad! And will he teach me how to do it, too?"
+
+"I hardly think he can," his father answered, with an amused look; "at
+least, not till you are a good deal older than you are now."
+
+"Well, I'm getting older every day; mamma tells me so when she wants me
+to behave like a little gentleman."
+
+"Which is always, Neddie boy," Violet said, with an amused look.
+
+"Yes, my son, both mamma and papa want their little boy to be always a
+little gentleman--kind, courteous, and thoughtful for others," the
+captain said, softly patting the little hand laid confidingly on his
+knee.
+
+"Lu, do you know if Rosie sent off those important letters this
+morning?" asked Violet.
+
+"Yes, she told me she did; also that she had learned from Cousin Mary
+that Cousin Arthur had written a warm invitation from himself and his
+wife, and from her and Cousin Cal, and sent it by the early morning
+mail. I presume they will be received by the Crolys to-morrow and that
+two or three days later the reply will come."
+
+"I think it can hardly fail to be an acceptance," said Violet. "I shall
+be glad of the opportunity to make the acquaintance of Rosie's future
+mother-in-law,--the father-in-law too,--and I dare say Will is anxious
+to have them know mamma, and perhaps the rest of us."
+
+"And, having done so they will be all the more pleased with the match,"
+added the captain. "By the way, my dear, we must keep open house for the
+entertainment of family connections when they are here to attend the
+wedding."
+
+"I am entirely willing," Violet answered with a smile; "as well I may be
+when my husband bears all the expense and does the planning, with the
+housekeeper's assistance, and she directs the servants, who do all the
+work. Really I do not know where a more fortunate woman than I can be
+found."
+
+"Nor I where a more appreciative wife could be discovered," returned the
+captain, regarding her with a smile of profound affection.
+
+"I hope Captain Keith will be one of our guests," said Grace. "I liked
+him very much when he visited us that time at the seashore. Didn't you,
+Lu?"
+
+As the question was asked the captain turned a quick, inquiring look
+upon his eldest daughter, which, however, she did not seem to notice.
+
+"Yes," she said rather indifferently, "I liked him well enough; and I
+remember he was pleasant and kind at West Point--showing us about and
+explaining things. But even if he hadn't been so kind and obliging I
+should be glad to entertain him as papa's friend," she added. "Were you
+boys together, father?"
+
+"No," laughed the captain; "if I am not mistaken I am fully ten years
+older than Captain Keith."
+
+"Why, papa, I don't think you look like it. And you are such great
+friends," exclaimed Lucilla.
+
+"Well, my child, people may be great friends without being very near of
+an age," laughed her father. "For instance, are not you and I great
+friends?"
+
+"Oh, we are lovers," she answered with a bright smile up into his eyes.
+"But then we are not of the same sex."
+
+"And that, you think, makes a difference, eh?" he laughed. "But Max and
+Ned seem to love me nearly as well as my daughters do."
+
+"Every bit as much, papa!" exclaimed Ned earnestly. "I do, I'm sure."
+
+"That is pleasant to hear, my boy," his father said, smiling fondly upon
+the little fellow. "And I presume brother Max would say the same if he
+were here. Ah, we have reached home"; for at that moment the carriage
+turned in at the great gates.
+
+"Our own sweet, lovely home!" said Grace, looking out upon the beautiful
+grounds with shining eyes. "I am always glad to get back to it, no
+matter where I have been."
+
+"I too," said Lucilla; "unless my father is somewhere else," she added,
+giving him a most loving look.
+
+"Ah, I wasn't thinking of being in it without papa," said Grace. "I'd
+rather live in a hovel with him than in a palace without him."
+
+"I don't doubt it, my darling," he returned. "I am entirely sure of the
+love of both of you, and of all my children."
+
+"And of your wife, I hope," added Violet in a sprightly tone.
+
+"Yes, indeed, my love, or I should not be the happy man I am," he
+responded; then, as the carriage drew up before the entrance to the
+mansion, he threw open the door, alighted, and handed them out in turn.
+
+"The children seem to be tired," remarked Violet; "do you not think they
+might as well go at once to their beds, my dear?"
+
+"Yes," he said. "Grace also; for she looks as weary as they."
+
+"Thank you, papa," she said. "I am tired enough to be glad to do so. But
+don't be anxious," she added with a smile, as he gave her a troubled
+look; "I am not at all sick; it is only weariness." And she held up her
+face for a kiss, which he gave heartily and with a look of tenderest
+fatherly affection.
+
+The two little ones claimed their turn; then Violet and the three went
+upstairs, leaving the captain and Lucilla alone together.
+
+"Didn't you say you had some letters to write when you came home,
+papa?" she asked; "and can't I help you?"
+
+"I say yes to both questions," he answered pleasantly. "Take off your
+hat and come with me into the library. But perhaps you are too tired,"
+he added hastily, as if just struck by the thought. "If so, daughter, I
+would not have you exert yourself to do the work now. It can wait till
+to-morrow morning. Or, if I find anything needing an immediate reply, I
+can attend to it myself, without my little girl's assistance."
+
+"But I am not tired, papa, and I dearly love to help you in any and
+every way that I can," she answered, smiling up into his eyes.
+
+"I do not doubt it in the least, my child," he said, laying his hand on
+her head in tender, fatherly fashion; "and you are a very great help and
+comfort to me; so much so that I shall be extremely loath ever to let
+anybody rob me of my dear eldest daughter."
+
+"I hardly think anybody wants to yet, papa," she laughed; "nobody seems
+to set anything like the value upon me that you do. So you needn't be in
+the least afraid of ever being robbed of this one of your treasures.
+Ah, papa, it is so nice--such a happiness to have you esteem me a
+treasure, and to know that I belong to you."
+
+"A happiness to me as well as to you, dear child," he said. "Well, we
+will look at the letters and decide whether it is necessary to answer
+any of them to-night."
+
+They had entered the library and drawn near the table while they talked.
+A pile of letters lay upon it. He took them up and glanced at the
+superscription upon each.
+
+"Ah! here is one directed to you, daughter," he said, "and from someone
+in this neighborhood; for it is without a stamp."
+
+"Probably from Maud or Sydney," she remarked.
+
+"No," said her father, "the handwriting is evidently that of a man.
+Well, you may open it and see who the writer is," handing it to her as
+he spoke.
+
+"If you would rather I did not, papa, I do not want to," she said, not
+offering to take it. "Please read it first."
+
+"I can trust you, daughter, and you have my full permission to read
+it," he said in a kindly indulgent tone.
+
+"Thank you, papa; but I really prefer to have you read it first," she
+replied.
+
+He smiled approval, broke the seal, and glanced over the missive.
+
+"It is from Chester Dinsmore," he said; "merely an invitation to you to
+go with him to a boating party on the river, if your father gives
+consent."
+
+"Which I don't believe my father will," laughed Lucilla.
+
+"And you are not anxious that he should?" he queried with a smile.
+
+"Not unless he is entirely willing to have me go; and hardly even then,
+as he is not to be one of the party."
+
+"That is my own good little girl," he said, putting an arm about her,
+drawing her close to his side, and kissing her several times. "I am not
+willing to have you a young lady yet,--as I think you know,--but I want
+to keep you my own little girl for some time longer."
+
+"I am very glad that you do, papa," she returned, laying her head
+against his breast and putting her arms about his neck, "and I hope you
+won't ever, ever grow tired of keeping me for your own, altogether
+yours, with no partner in the concern," she added with a low, gleeful
+laugh.
+
+"You need have no fear that I will grow tired of it until you do," he
+said with a smile, and repeating his caresses. "But when that time comes
+do not hesitate to tell me: for, rest assured, your happiness is very
+dear to your father's heart. And if you would like to accept this
+invitation, you may do so with my full consent."
+
+"Thank you, father dear, but I really do not care to go; I should much
+prefer to keep the engagement already made for that day."
+
+"Ah! what is that?"
+
+"Now, papa, have you forgotten that you are to take Mamma Vi, Gracie,
+and me into the city to do some shopping?"
+
+"Ah, yes; I had forgotten it for the moment. But I dare say both your
+mamma and Grace would be willing to defer that for a day or two."
+
+"But I wouldn't, because my father has taught me not to break
+engagements without very strong reasons; which I don't think I have in
+this case."
+
+He laughed a little at that. "Well, daughter," he said, "you shall do as
+you please about it, and I am glad to see that you are so good at
+remembering your father's instructions and so ready to obey them."
+
+"Thank you, sir. And now must I answer Chester's note--or will you do it
+for me?"
+
+"That shall be just as you please, daughter. Perhaps it would be as well
+for you to write the answer; but, if you greatly prefer to have me do
+so, I shall not refuse."
+
+"May I do it on the typewriter?"
+
+"If you prefer it, I see no objection."
+
+"I do prefer it; it is so much easier and quicker than working with a
+pen," she said.
+
+"Perhaps you would better wait until to-morrow morning, however," he
+suggested; "for, on thinking the matter over, you may find that you
+prefer to accept the invitation after all."
+
+He was examining the rest of his mail, and she considered his
+proposition for a moment before replying to it.
+
+"Yes, papa," she said at length, "I will wait a little--perhaps till
+to-morrow morning--before writing my answer. And now I will get ready to
+write replies to those letters at your dictation."
+
+"Yes, daughter; fortunately there are but few that call for a reply, and
+it need not be long in any case." He laid down the letters and took the
+cover from the machine as he spoke, then supplied her with paper and
+envelopes, put a sheet into the machine, and began dictating. They made
+quick work of it, and had finished in about half an hour.
+
+Violet joined them just as Lulu took the last sheet from the machine.
+
+"Oh," she said, "I see you are busy; but I will not interrupt."
+
+"We are just done, my dear, and very glad to have you with us," said her
+husband.
+
+"Yes, Mamma Vi, this is the last letter papa wants written for him, and
+you are just in time to help me decide on a reply to one of my own."
+
+"Willingly, if you wish it; but I should say your father's advice would
+be worth far more than mine," returned Violet in a sprightly tone.
+"Levis, my dear, do you refuse to tell her what to do or say?"
+
+"I only advise her to follow her own inclination--if she can find out
+what that is," he answered, regarding Lucilla with a smile that seemed a
+mixture of fatherly affection and amusement.
+
+"Yes, papa is so dear and kind he won't give me any order at all, and I
+am so used to being directed and controlled by him that it really seems
+hard work to decide for myself," laughed Lucilla.
+
+"But what about? My curiosity is keenly aroused," said Violet, glancing
+from one to the other.
+
+"An invitation for me to go boating and picnicking day after to-morrow,"
+returned Lucilla. "You may read it," handing Chester's note to Violet.
+"I have no very strong inclination to accept,--especially as we are
+expecting to take that day for our shopping expedition to the city,--but
+papa seems to think I should hardly decline on that account. Still he
+leaves me free to decline or accept as I please, and though I have often
+wished he would, when he wouldn't, this time I wish he wouldn't when he
+will"; she ended with a hearty laugh.
+
+"And I suppose your conclusion is that fathers are sometimes very
+doubtful blessings," the captain said, assuming a grave and troubled
+air.
+
+She gave him a startled look. "Oh, papa! surely you are not in earnest?
+surely you know that I was not?" she exclaimed beseechingly.
+
+He smiled and held out his hand. She sprang to his side and he drew her
+to a seat upon his knee.
+
+"Yes, daughter, dear, I do," he said, caressing her hair and cheek with
+his hand, "and I, too, was but jesting; I am troubled with no doubts of
+the sincere, ardent affection of my eldest daughter."
+
+"Yes," said Violet with a smile, "I think she very nearly makes an idol
+of her father--which is not surprising considering what a dear, good
+father he is. Well, I have read the note, Lu, and I think, if I were
+you, I would accept the invitation. Don't you think, my dear, that we
+might do the shopping to-morrow?"
+
+"Certainly, if it suits you, my love," he replied. "I do not know why
+to-morrow would not suit for that business as well as the next day."
+
+"And that leaves you free to accept Chester's invitation, Lu."
+
+"Yes, and I begin to feel as if I might enjoy it right well if----"
+
+"If what, daughter?" her father asked, as she paused, leaving her
+sentence unfinished.
+
+"If I were perfectly sure you would not rather I did not go, papa."
+
+"I think I can trust you to behave well, even out of my sight," he
+returned with a smile, and in a jesting tone; "and though I still call
+you my little girl, that is more as a term of endearment than anything
+else; and I really think you are large enough, old enough, and good
+enough to be trusted, occasionally, out of my sight--away from my side."
+
+"Thank you, papa dear," she said, her eyes shining; "it is a great
+pleasure to hear you say that, and I certainly do intend to conduct
+myself exactly as I think you would wish; so now I will answer
+Chester's note with an acceptance of his invitation," she added, leaving
+her father's knee and seating herself before the typewriter. "I'll make
+it short and submit it to you, papa, for approval."
+
+"About that, too, you may do exactly as you please," he responded,
+stepping to her side and putting the paper in for her, as when she was
+about to write for him.
+
+She made quick work, saying only what seemed necessary, submitted it to
+her father's and Violet's verdict, which was altogether favourable, then
+directed an envelope, placed the note in it, and sealed it, saying,
+"There! it is all ready to go early to-morrow morning, and will be no
+hindrance to me in getting ready for the shopping expedition."
+
+"Which, perhaps, you will enjoy nearly as much as the boating party,"
+remarked Violet in a jesting tone.
+
+"Probably more," responded Lucilla; "at least if we are successful in
+finding very suitable and handsome wedding gifts for Rosie. Father, how
+much may I spend on one?"
+
+"I think not more than a hundred dollars."
+
+"Oh! may I have so much as that for it? You dear, good papa!" she
+exclaimed.
+
+"I am well able to afford it," he returned pleasantly, "and should be
+sorry to let my daughters give other than valuable wedding gifts to my
+wife's sister."
+
+"Thank you, my dear," said Violet with a gratified look. "I have no
+doubt Rosie will appreciate your and your daughter's kindness, as she
+certainly ought to."
+
+"Grandma Elsie has been very, very kind to us," said Lucilla, and her
+father added:
+
+"She has, indeed! I can never forget how kindly she took my children in
+when I was unable to provide them with a good and happy home."
+
+"Hark! I hear carriage wheels on the drive; we are going to have
+callers," exclaimed Lucilla, and, as she spoke, they all rose and went
+out upon the veranda to receive their guests.
+
+They proved to be Maud, Sydney, and Frank Dinsmore, from the Oaks; and,
+when greetings had been exchanged, they said their errand was to speak
+of the boating party, and ask if Grace could go; also if Lucilla had
+received Chester's invitation and meant to accept it. Chester would have
+come himself but had an unavoidable business engagement for the evening.
+
+"I have given Lucilla permission to go," the captain replied, "but Grace
+is not strong enough for the exertion she would be likely to make
+without her father at hand to caution and care for her."
+
+"Oh, I am sorry!" said Maud. "I hoped Gracie could go and would enjoy
+it. But I am glad we may tell Chester that Lu can."
+
+"I have written my acceptance of his kind invitation," Lulu said, "and
+will send it in the morning."
+
+"Captain," said Frank, "if you will let Miss Grace go I promise to take
+all possible care of her. Won't it seem a trifle hard to her to have to
+stay at home while her sister and the rest of us are having such a good
+time?"
+
+"I think not," the captain answered. "Grace is the best and most dutiful
+of daughters, always satisfied with her father's decisions; thinking he
+knows what is best for her. Also she loves her home and home pleasures;
+indeed thinks there is no other place quite equal to home."
+
+"It is a lovely place, that's a fact," Frank returned with a slight
+laugh, "but variety is the spice of life, and possibly Miss Grace's
+health might be better if she tried more of that spice."
+
+"I think that if you ask her you will learn that a pleasant variety is
+not, and has not been, lacking in her experience of life," was the
+captain's pleasant-toned rejoinder.
+
+"I am sure of it," remarked Maud. "I never knew anybody who seemed to me
+happier or more light-hearted than Gracie. And, oh, but she dotes upon
+her father!"
+
+"As all his children do," said Lucilla, giving him a look of ardent
+affection.
+
+"You will not keep my daughter out very late?" the captain said,
+addressing Frank in a tone of inquiry.
+
+"No, sir; we expect to get home before dark. But if anything should
+happen to detain us you need not be uneasy. We will take good care of
+her and return her to you in safety."
+
+"We are staying out rather late now ourselves, Frank, and I think
+should be starting for home," said Maud, rising and turning to Violet to
+begin her adieus.
+
+"Father," said Lucilla, turning to him when their callers had gone,
+"please don't let me go at all if you expect to be the least bit anxious
+about me. I would far rather stay at home than cause you a moment's
+uneasiness."
+
+"My dear child, I must allow you a little liberty--let you out of my
+sight sometimes," he said with a smile. "But it pleases me that you are
+so ready and willing to do whatever you find most pleasing to your
+father," he added, pressing affectionately the hand she had put into
+his.
+
+"Are you not afraid my father will make me miserably conceited--giving
+me so much more commendation than I deserve?" she asked with a roguish
+look and pleased laugh.
+
+"I hope not; you will fall very much in my estimation if you grow
+conceited and vain. I do not think you that now; but, remember, love is
+blind, and your father's love for you is very great."
+
+"Yes, you dear papa, I know that and it makes me, oh, so happy," she
+said with joyous look and tone.
+
+"As I think you have reason to be, Lu," Violet said, regarding her
+husband and his daughter with a smile of pleased sympathy.
+
+"It is time for our evening service, and then for my daughter to go to
+her bed and take her beauty sleep," remarked the captain looking at his
+watch.
+
+"Yes, papa," laughed Lucilla, "I need all of that kind of sleep that I
+can get."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+
+"Ah! so you are up, Gracie dear," Lucilla said, looking in the next
+morning at the communicating door between their rooms. "I have been down
+in the grounds with papa for the last half hour, and he bade me come and
+tell you to dress for a drive; for we are to go on our shopping
+expedition to-day instead of to-morrow."
+
+"Are we?" exclaimed Grace. "To-day will suit me as well as to-morrow;
+but why have papa and mamma changed their plans?"
+
+"It is all for my benefit," laughed Lucilla. "You must know that Chester
+Dinsmore has been so good as to invite me to attend a boat ride and
+picnic with him to-morrow, and, to my surprise, papa gave me full
+permission to go."
+
+"That was very kind of him," remarked Grace, "and I hope you will have a
+delightful time."
+
+"I don't know," Lulu returned, with doubtful tone and look. "I think I
+shall not half enjoy it without you; and papa says you are too feeble to
+go on such an expedition without him; you would need him to take care of
+you and see that you did not overexert yourself."
+
+"Yes; and, of course, papa is right; he always knows what is best for me
+and all of us."
+
+"So I think, and I did not at all expect him to say I could go. I wasn't
+very anxious that he should, either; though I dare say it will be very
+pleasant as the Dinsmore girls are going, and, perhaps, Rosie Travilla
+too."
+
+"Oh, I think you will enjoy it! I hope so, I am sure," exclaimed Grace,
+looking both pleased and interested. "Now please tell me what dress you
+are going to wear to the city to-day, and advise me about mine."
+
+"I hadn't thought about it, yet," said Lucilla; "but there, I hear papa
+coming into our sitting room. I'll run and ask him what he would advise
+or direct about it. It is a matter of great importance, you know"; and
+with that she laughed merrily, turned about, and ran to meet their
+father.
+
+He decided the knotty question, promptly saying: "The gray dresses made
+for you both a few weeks ago will be very suitable, I think." Then he
+bade her help Grace and also change her own dress, because they would
+make an early start for the city, going very soon after leaving the
+table.
+
+"I am glad to hear that, papa," she returned, "for a drive in the early
+morning air is so pleasant. But I wish I had no occasion to change my
+dress, because I fear that will take up all the time of your morning
+call here on Gracie and me."
+
+"I think not, if you are prompt in your movements," he said. "I shall
+sit here for some little time reading the morning paper."
+
+"Oh, I am glad of that! and perhaps, papa, if you look over the
+advertisements you may find something that will help us in the search
+for the pretty things we want to buy."
+
+"Very possibly," he replied. "I will look them over at once."
+
+"Thank you, sir. I'll do as you bid me and be back again as soon as ever
+I can; for I don't like to lose a minute of my father's morning call,"
+she said, giving him a bright, loving look, then hurrying back to her
+sister.
+
+"We'll have to make haste, Gracie," she said, "if we don't want to miss
+altogether our morning chat with papa. We are to wear our new gray
+dresses, he says."
+
+"That suits me nicely, for I think them becoming, pretty, and suitable.
+Don't you?"
+
+"Yes; I think nobody has better taste or judgment about dress than our
+father."
+
+"Just my opinion; and we may well think so, considering how many lovely
+dresses and ornaments he has bought for us, selecting them without the
+help or advice of anyone. There, sister dear, your dress is on all right
+and I shall make haste to change mine while you put the finishing
+touches to your attire."
+
+They joined their father in a few moments, talked over the
+advertisements he had been examining and the question of the
+desirability of this and that article as a wedding gift to Rosie, but
+had reached no decision when the breakfast bell rang.
+
+"Well, daughters," the captain said, "we will go down now to our
+breakfast and, while we are eating, talk the matter over with your
+mamma. She probably knows better than we what would be likely to please
+Rosie."
+
+"But we do not need to decide until we see the things, do we, papa?"
+asked Lucilla.
+
+"No, certainly not, and we may find something very handsome and suitable
+that we have not thought of. I hope it will be a pleasure to both of you
+to look over the pretty things and make a selection."
+
+"You dear father," Grace said, smiling up into his eyes, "you are always
+thinking of something to give your children pleasure."
+
+"Yes," he said, returning her smile, "perhaps because it reacts upon
+myself, giving me a great deal of pleasure."
+
+They found Violet and the little ones already in the breakfast room;
+morning greetings were exchanged, then they seated themselves at the
+table, the captain asked a blessing, and the meal began.
+
+They chatted pleasantly while eating, the principal subject of discourse
+being their errand to the city. Violet had not heard Rosie express a
+desire for any particular thing, but thought they would probably see
+something in the stores that would strike them as handsome and suitable.
+
+"Is Elsie going with you to-day, papa? and am I?" asked Neddie.
+
+"Yes, my son, if you want to go," the captain replied. "And would you
+like to buy some gifts for Aunt Rosie, too?"
+
+"Oh, yes, yes indeed, papa!" cried, both children, Elsie adding: "But I
+have only a little money. I'm afraid it won't be enough to buy anything
+handsome enough for a wedding present."
+
+"Well," their father said reflectively, "you have been good children,
+and I feel inclined to give you each a present of ten dollars, which you
+may dispose of as you like."
+
+"Oh, thank you, papa!" both cried delightedly, Ned adding: "I s'pose
+it's for us to buy something for Aunt Rosie with; isn't it, papa?"
+
+"If you want to use it for that you may; but you are not compelled to do
+so; you can spend it for someone else, or for yourself if you choose."
+
+"I'm going to spend mine for Aunt Rosie," Elsie announced. "It was very
+nice and kind in her to choose me for a flower girl at her wedding, and
+I'd like to give her something very pretty; something that she would
+like. Mamma, you will help me to choose my present, won't you?"
+
+"With pleasure, daughter; and I am sure your papa and sisters will help
+us in our selection. They all have good taste."
+
+"And y'll all help me, too, won't you?" asked Ned. "I want to buy the
+prettiest thing I can find for Aunt Rosie."
+
+"Yes; you shall have all the advice you want, my son," his father said.
+"And now, as you have all finished eating, we will go to the library and
+have family worship; then make ourselves ready and set off upon our trip
+to the city."
+
+"I think we couldn't have selected a better time for our expedition,"
+Violet said as they entered their carriage; "the air is bracing, the
+weather delightful, and the roads are in excellent order, are they not,
+my dear?"
+
+"Yes," the captain answered, "we could ask no improvement, and I think
+will travel rapidly enough to reach the city in very good season." They
+did so and were successful in finding what they esteemed beautiful gifts
+for the coming bridal. And Rosie's pleasure on receiving them was as
+great as they, the givers, had hoped. She had many handsome and valuable
+presents, but none seemed to gratify her more than these from her
+Woodburn relatives and friends.
+
+"I like those gray dresses of yours, girls; they are both pretty and
+becoming, and very suitable for such a trip as we have taken to-day,"
+remarked Violet as they rode homeward. "You will wear yours to the
+picnic to-morrow, I suppose, Lu?"
+
+"If papa approves," answered Lucilla with a laughing look at him.
+
+"Entirely," he said; "though I shall not insist if you prefer something
+else."
+
+"That reminds me of some of my Nantucket experiences of years ago," she
+remarked. "Do you remember, papa, how I missed going to the 'squantum'
+with the rest of you because I took off the suitable dress Mamma Vi had
+directed me to wear, and donned some very unsuitable finery?"
+
+"Yes," he replied, "that was an unhappy time for both the rebellious
+little girl and her father."
+
+"Yes, papa; oh, I'm afraid I gave you many a heartache in those days. I
+remember I wanted very much to dress in white for the clambake, some
+weeks after that, but you wouldn't allow it. I was a very foolish little
+girl, and now I am very glad I had a wise, kind father to keep me in
+order."
+
+"You were not rebellious about that second disappointment," he said with
+a smile, "and in the years that have passed since then you have learned
+to be very submissive to your father's wishes and directions."
+
+"Yes, sir, because I have found out from experience that he is far wiser
+than I, and always seeks my best interests."
+
+"That is certainly what he wishes to do, daughter; for the welfare of
+all his dear children lies very near his heart."
+
+"Yes, papa; you love us all, I know," little Elsie said with a bright,
+glad look up into his face.
+
+"Of course papa does," said Neddie; "if he didn't he wouldn't give us
+money to spend, and ever so many other nice things; or take us to the
+city for such a good time as we have had to-day."
+
+"Yes, our dear papa is very good to us all," said Grace. "We have had a
+delightful drive, a fine time in the city, and now here we are at our
+own lovely home again," she added as the carriage turned in at the great
+gates.
+
+"It is nearing tea time, daughters, and you had better go at once to
+your rooms and make yourselves neat for the evening," the captain said
+as he helped Lucilla and Grace to alight.
+
+"Yes, sir," they answered and hastened up the broad stairway, following
+Violet and the two little ones.
+
+"Dere's a gemman in de parlour a-waitin' for to see you, cap'in," said a
+servant, coming leisurely in from the back veranda.
+
+"Ah! has he been here long?"
+
+"'Bout ten minutes, I reckon, sah."
+
+The captain hastened into the parlour and found Chester Dinsmore there.
+Cordial greetings were exchanged, and Chester received a warm invitation
+to stay to tea, which, however, he declined, saying that he had a
+little professional work on hand which must be done that evening if he
+was to take to-morrow for a holiday. "I came over, captain," he added,
+"to thank you for allowing me the privilege of taking your daughter,
+Miss Lucilla, to the picnic to-morrow, and to ask if--if you would not
+be so very kind as to remove your prohibition of--of love-making on my
+part, and----"
+
+"No, Chester," the captain said in kindly but grave accents, as the
+young man halted in his speech, "you surely forget that my objection was
+on account of my daughter's youth, and that she is only a few months
+older now than she was then. I do not want her to begin to think of
+lovers for several years yet, and am objecting to your suit for that
+reason only. I show no greater favour in this matter to anyone else. And
+you may feel that I am showing confidence in you in permitting her to go
+to to-morrow's picnic in your care."
+
+"Yes, sir; thank you, sir. I shall not abuse your confidence, and,
+though I find it hard not to be permitted to speak and use my best
+efforts to win the prize I so covet, it is some consolation that you
+treat other suitors in the same way."
+
+"Perhaps, too, that my daughter is equally indifferent to them all," the
+captain remarked with a smile. "And by the way, my young friend, don't
+you suppose it may be a trifle hard for Lucilla's father to resign the
+first place in her heart to someone else?"
+
+"It is according to nature, sir," Chester said, returning the smile.
+"You served Cousin Elsie so when you stole Cousin Violet's heart; and
+Cousin Elsie's husband had taken her from her father. It has been the
+way almost ever since the world began; so I suppose it is all right."
+
+"Yes; but a father has a right to say it shall not begin too soon with
+his own daughter. Wedlock brings cares and responsibilities that should
+not be allowed to fall too soon upon young shoulders, and it is my
+desire and purpose to keep my dear young daughters free from them until
+they reach years of maturity."
+
+"Putting it so, captain, it does seem that you are acting kindly by
+them, though I must insist that it is hard on the lovers," Chester
+returned between a smile and a sigh. "But I think you may trust your
+daughter with me to-morrow without much fear that I will abuse your
+confidence. And I am not at all sure that I could gain anything by
+speaking. We are good friends,--she and I,--but I doubt if she cares a
+cent for me any other way."
+
+"As to that," the captain said in kindly tone and with his pleasant
+smile, "I still have the happiness of believing that, as yet, her father
+holds the first place in her heart. I cannot hope that it will be so
+always--perhaps I ought not to wish it; but I do rejoice in the firm
+conviction that such is the fact at present."
+
+"No one can blame you for that, sir," Chester said, rising to take
+leave, "but, ungenerous as it sounds, I cannot help hoping that, one of
+these days, I may be able to shift your position to the second place,
+taking the first myself. It sounds dreadful selfish, but fathers have to
+give way to lovers and husbands if the human race is to continue. I hope
+to be here in the morning, captain, a little after nine o'clock, with a
+carriage, to take Miss Lu to the wharf where the boat will be lying. I
+promise to take the best of care of her, to do and say nothing of which
+her father would disapprove, and to bring her home safely, Providence
+permitting, before dark."
+
+"I have no doubt you will, Chester, and I trust her--one of my choice
+treasures--to you with confidence in your purpose to be the faithful
+guardian of her safety, and perfectly trustworthy as regards the matter
+of which we have been speaking," were the captain's parting words to his
+young visitor as he saw him out to the veranda.
+
+"Thank you, sir; I hope to prove faithful to the trust. Good-evening,"
+Chester returned, then sped away down the drive.
+
+He thought it best, as did the captain also, that Lucilla should be left
+in ignorance of his call.
+
+She came downstairs when the tea bell summoned the family to partake of
+their evening meal, and at its conclusion all gathered upon the front
+veranda, as was their custom. They had not been there very long when the
+Fairview carriage was seen to turn in at the great gates and come
+swiftly up the drive. As it drew up before the entrance they perceived
+with pleasure that it contained Mr. and Mrs. Leland and Evelyn, Grandma
+Elsie, and Rosie. A warm welcome was given them, all were comfortably
+seated--the young girls in a group together a little to one side of the
+older people--and soon an animated chat was being carried on by each
+party.
+
+"Well, Lu," the captain presently overheard Rosie saying, "I suppose you
+are invited to to-morrow's picnic; I heard you were to be--you and
+Gracie both. Are you going?"
+
+"I believe I am," replied Lucilla. "I have had an invitation, and papa
+has given me permission to accept it; but he thinks Gracie is not strong
+enough to go on such an excursion without him along to take care of
+her."
+
+"Yes, I suppose that is so," said Rosie. "I am sorry, for I am going and
+I should like to have Gracie's company. Rather than do without it I
+would even take Brother Levis' too," she added with a laugh and in a
+little louder tone, turning a playful look upon him as she spoke.
+
+His quick ear had caught the words.
+
+"Can that be so, Sister Rosie," he said with assumed gravity. "Well,
+unfortunately, I cannot go, as I have had no invitation. Also as I have
+already declined the invitation for Grace, she cannot go. But I trust
+she is not greatly afflicted by this state of affairs."
+
+"No, indeed, papa," responded Grace with a contented little laugh. "It
+is very far from being a trial to have to stay in this sweet home with
+you and mamma, Elsie and Ned."
+
+"I hardly supposed you would have time and inclination to go, Rosie,"
+said Lucilla.
+
+"Oh, yes, indeed!" laughed Rosie. "I think it advisable to seize all the
+pleasures of single blessedness while I can."
+
+"But married folks can go to picnics."
+
+"Yes, so they can--to some of them; but this is only for the unmarried,
+who have gotten it up."
+
+"Did you have a hand in that?" asked Lucilla.
+
+"No; it was the work of our young gentlemen friends--my brothers,
+cousins, and some others."
+
+"Of course you have not yet heard from your friends, the Crolys?" Lulu
+said inquiringly.
+
+"No; there has not been time; unless they had telegraphed; as, perhaps,
+they may, to Cousin Arthur. Speak of angels! here he comes!" she
+exclaimed, as, at that moment, a gig turned in at the great gates and
+came on rapidly toward the house.
+
+Dr. Arthur Conly was in it, and, presently, having reached the veranda
+steps, drew rein, bade good-evening, and announced to his cousins Elsie
+and Rosie that he had received a telegram from the Crolys thanking him
+for his invitation and saying that it was accepted and they might be
+expected in a few days.
+
+"Ah! that is good news, if it suits you all at Roselands," said Grandma
+Elsie.
+
+"As I think it does, cousin," returned the doctor. "At all events they
+all seemed pleased; which I think is particularly kind in Sister Mary
+and Cal."
+
+"Yes," said Rosie, "and I hope and believe the Crolys will prove so
+agreeable as guests, or boarders, that they will never regret it."
+
+"So do I," Arthur said; "also I think that the Crolys will find us all
+so agreeable that they will never regret it."
+
+"Won't you alight and take a seat among us, doctor?" asked the captain
+hospitably.
+
+"Thank you; I should enjoy doing so, but duty calls in another
+direction, a sick patient needing prompt attention. Good-evening to you
+all"; and, turning with the last words, he drove away.
+
+"So, Rosie, you are likely soon to be able to make the acquaintance of
+your future mother-in-law," said Violet. "But you don't seem alarmed at
+the prospect."
+
+"No; because I am not. From all Will has told me I think she must be a
+lovely and lovable woman; as he thinks his future mother-in-law is."
+
+"And as all to whom she bears that relation can testify," remarked the
+captain with an affectionate, appreciative glance at the sweet face of
+Grandma Elsie.
+
+"I, for one," said Mr. Leland heartily; "and I feel entirely sure of
+Zoe, the only other one to whom she bears that relationship."
+
+"You are all very kind, very ready to pass my imperfections by,"
+responded Mrs. Travilla's sweet voice. "And if I am a good mother, I can
+assure you that it is at least partly as a a consequence of having good
+sons and daughters."
+
+"May you always be able to say that, mother," responded the captain
+heartily. "It would be a sorry sort of man or woman who could be any
+other than a good son or daughter to you."
+
+"Oh, Lu!" said Evelyn presently, "didn't you tell me you were going into
+the city to-morrow to do some shopping?"
+
+"Yes; but we did it to-day, in order that I might have to-morrow free
+for the picnic. We all went to the city and had a very pleasant and
+successful time."
+
+"Shopping is apt to be very fatiguing work," said Grandma Elsie. "I see
+Grace looks weary. Dear child, if you feel like retiring, do not let our
+presence hinder you for a moment."
+
+"Thank you, Grandma Elsie; but I don't like to miss a minute of your
+call," returned Grace, exerting herself to speak in a lively tone.
+
+"I'd like to tell about what we bought," said Ned, "but I suppose I must
+not."
+
+"Better wait till you have the articles here to show, my son," said his
+father.
+
+"Yes; we had to leave them to be marked; but Aunt Rosie will see them
+some of these days," said the little fellow.
+
+"And she is very willing to wait till the right time comes," Rosie said,
+putting an arm about him and giving him a kiss; for he had gone to her
+side.
+
+"I'm afraid it will be a good while to wait," he returned. "Papa was so
+kind, he gave us--Elsie and me--each ten dollars to do what we pleased
+with. Lu and Gracie had a good deal more, 'cause they are older, you
+know, and----"
+
+"There, that will do, Ned," laughed his mother. "It is your bed time.
+Say good-night to grandma and the rest, and Elsie and you and I will run
+away for the present."
+
+The callers did not stay very long after Violet's return to the veranda,
+and soon after their departure the captain held his evening service and
+then advised Lucilla and Grace to retire at once, that the coming day
+might find them fully rested and refreshed.
+
+They obeyed with cheerful alacrity, and arose the next morning feeling
+none the worse for the exertion of the previous day.
+
+Chester came promptly at the appointed hour, found Lucilla ready for the
+excursion, and they drove away in fine spirits. Chester spared no pains
+to make himself agreeable to his companion, but was careful not to do or
+say anything of which her father could disapprove. He brought her home
+again before dark, slightly fatigued, but gay and lively, with much to
+tell of the pleasant experiences of the day.
+
+"Did Rosie go?" asked Grace.
+
+"Yes, and was very merry; indeed, so we all were. We were rowing about
+and fishing most of the time."
+
+"Both at once?" queried her father with an amused look.
+
+"No, sir; we kept still enough while trying to catch the fish, and we
+caught as many as we could eat, then landed, made a fire,--the young men
+did, I mean,--cooked the fish, made coffee, and we had our dinner. We
+girls spread a tablecloth on the grass and got out the good things in
+the baskets. They were in great plenty, quite a variety, and all very
+good and palatable. I think the air and rowing had given us all fine
+appetites so that everybody ate heartily and seemed to enjoy it."
+
+"And you were not sorry you went?"
+
+"No, indeed! I am much obliged to you, father, for letting me go," she
+added, turning to him with a look of love and gratitude.
+
+"You are very welcome, daughter," he said, "and I am glad you enjoyed
+it. There is an old saying that 'all work and no play makes Jack a dull
+boy,' and I think girl nature does not differ in that respect."
+
+"Oh, you dear papa! none of your children are ever allowed to have all
+work and no play," she exclaimed, giving him a look of ardent affection.
+"You take a great deal of trouble to give us pleasure; you always have."
+
+"Yes, indeed," said Grace; "it seems to be papa's greatest delight to
+give pleasure to his wife and children. Don't you think so, mamma?"
+
+"Indeed I do," returned Violet heartily. "I have never known a more
+generous or unselfish person than my husband and your father."
+
+"And what shall I say?" queried the captain. "That when I am the person
+under discussion no greater flatterers can be found than my wife and
+older daughters?"
+
+"Oh! we will excuse you from saying anything on the subject, sir,"
+laughed Violet.
+
+"Now, what kind of a time did you all have staying at home without me?"
+asked Lucilla. "I hope you have missed me a little."
+
+"Of course we did," replied Grace.
+
+"Your father missed both his daughter and his amanuensis," said the
+captain.
+
+"Oh! there were letters to be answered?" she exclaimed. "Please let me
+do it now, papa?"
+
+"No, dear child, I answered them myself; and if I had not I should not
+let you work to-night, after all the fatigue of the day."
+
+"You are so kindly careful of me and all of us, papa," she said with a
+grateful, loving look into his eyes. "I am somewhat tired, but not too
+much so to use the typewriter, if you wanted any work done on it. It is
+such a pleasure to be of even a little service to my dear father."
+
+"And such a pleasure to your father to be served by so dear and loving a
+daughter," he returned; "one so valuable to me that I cannot consent to
+have her broken down with too much of either work or pleasure. You must
+go to bed presently and try to take a good night's rest after the
+exertions of the day."
+
+"I am ready to go whenever my father bids me," she said in a cheerful
+tone; "and I want to begin my night's sleep early enough to be ready for
+my usual stroll with him about the grounds before breakfast."
+
+"Yes; I should be sorry to have to take that without the pleasant
+company of my early bird of a daughter," he said. "I should miss her
+sadly."
+
+Lucilla's eyes shone. "Thank you, papa! it is very nice in you to say
+that," she said, "and I dearly love those early walks with you."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+
+In less than a week after the Crolys had signified their intention of
+accepting the invitation to Roselands the news of their safe arrival was
+communicated to the family at Ion, and as soon as the doctor thought
+Mrs. Croly sufficiently rested to see visitors, Grandma Elsie and Rosie
+called upon them there.
+
+They were mutually pleased--Mrs. Croly delighted with the prospect of
+having so charming a daughter as Rosie.
+
+And now preparations for the wedding went on rapidly, the bride-elect,
+and those who were to be her attendants, being particularly interested
+in regard to their attire for the great occasion, and keeping the
+dressmakers very busy in fashioning their finery.
+
+Then, as the time drew near, relatives and friends from a distance began
+to arrive.
+
+To the great joy of Mrs. Calhoun Conly her parents were among the
+first, and their and her near relatives from Indiana and Louisiana soon
+followed; their coming giving great pleasure to both her aunt Annis and
+herself, as well as to the Ion family. Mrs. Betty Norris and her brother
+Dr. Robert Johnson, their half brother Dr. Dick Percival, and his sister
+Mrs. Molly Embury of Magnolia Hall, with her husband, were among the
+later arrivals, and about the same time came Captain Donald Keith,
+having succeeded in obtaining a furlough for several weeks.
+
+He, Dr. Percival, and several others of the family relatives were at
+first domiciled at Woodburn, where they were made very welcome and most
+hospitably entertained. Donald's was the first arrival, though only a
+day or so in advance of the others. He and Captain Raymond met with all
+the old cordiality, evidently glad to renew the comradeship of earlier
+days, while Violet's greeting was warm and cousinly, and that of the
+young girls such as they might be reasonably expected to bestow upon a
+valued friend and relative of the family.
+
+Donald, hardly realising how many months and years had rolled by since
+his last sight of them, was surprised at their growth in height and
+beauty, and did not wonder at their father's evident pride and delight
+in claiming them as his own.
+
+But for the few days between his coming among them and the wedding there
+was little opportunity for becoming intimately acquainted, so greatly
+interested and occupied with the preparations for it were they, and,
+indeed, all the family connection. He furtively watched them, however,
+while Captain Raymond, calling to mind a talk he had had with Donald at
+West Point, some years before, in regard to his eldest daughter, did the
+same by him whenever the two were together in his presence. He noted
+with pleasure that Lucilla evidently cared for Captain Keith only as a
+relative and friend of the family, never thinking of him as a lover or
+admirer of herself, or likely to become one.
+
+"She is still satisfied with her father's affection," was his pleasing
+thought. "She evidently cares little or nothing for other men, and I may
+hope to keep her altogether my own for years to come; though there are
+some half dozen or more young fellows who, as I plainly perceive, are
+looking upon her with longing eyes."
+
+That fact was evident to Violet, also, and she jestingly referred to it
+at one time when, for a few moments, they were alone together.
+
+"My dear," she said, "be watchful if you would not be robbed of Lu,
+perhaps of Gracie, also; for the dear girls are entirely too charming
+for you to hope to escape an effort from somebody to take them from
+you."
+
+"I agree with you in that idea, but am not alarmed," he said with a look
+of quiet confidence, "believing that my daughters still love their
+father better than any other man, and are satisfied that he seeks their
+best good in refusing to consider them as yet old enough to leave his
+care and protection for that of anyone else."
+
+"I am sure you are right," returned Violet, "and very glad I am to think
+I shall not lose their sweet companionship for years, if ever. I feel,
+though, that it would be very selfish in me to want them to miss
+entirely the great happiness I have found in wedded life," she added
+with a look of ardent affection into his eyes. "But I fear there are
+not many husbands equal to mine."
+
+"I hope there are," he said with a smile that was very loving and
+tender, "and I am sure it could not fail to be the case if there were
+many wives as worthy of love and entire devotion as is mine."
+
+"Thank you," she said with a pleased smile. "I cannot tell you how often
+I rejoice in the thought of my husband's blindness to my many faults."
+
+"If there is any such blindness, my dear, I am quite sure it is mutual,"
+he returned with a look of amusement, adding, "and we will try to keep
+it up; won't we?"
+
+"Yes, indeed," was her laughing rejoinder, "and I hope Rosie and her
+Will may be led to follow our good example in that respect."
+
+"As I do," he rejoined; "and, knowing them both as I do know them, I
+think there is every prospect of it."
+
+This talk was upon a side veranda where they sat watching their two
+little ones at play together in the grounds.
+
+"Papa!" cried Ned at this moment, running toward them, "didn't you hear
+the telephone bell? I thought I did."
+
+"No, my son," returned the captain; "and if it is ringing, one of your
+sisters will answer it, no doubt. They are both upstairs."
+
+"It did ring, papa, and I answered it," said Lucilla, stepping from the
+open doorway and coming swiftly toward him. "Rosie was calling to me
+that there is to be a rehearsal of to-morrow's wedding ceremony, this
+evening, and asking if we can come over and take our parts. May we? Will
+you take us?"
+
+"I say yes to both queries," was the pleasant-toned reply. "I will order
+out the carriage and we will all drive over directly after tea. I have
+been told that our gentlemen guests are all to spend the evening there
+or at Beechwood or Roselands."
+
+"Oh, I like that!" exclaimed Lucilla. "And now, our wedding dresses
+being entirely finished, Grace and I are going to try them on. Will our
+father, Mamma Vi, Elsie, and Ned come up presently and see what they
+think of our appearance in them?"
+
+"Of course we will," answered Violet. "I can speak for myself and the
+children, and have not a doubt of Captain Raymond's desire to see how
+well the dainty gowns become his young-lady daughters."
+
+"He hardly considers them young ladies yet, Mamma Vi," laughed Lulu.
+"And I am sure I don't want him to, for I dearly love to have him call
+me his own little girl," she concluded, with a look of ardent filial
+love and respect into her father's eyes. "I hope he will let me always
+be that to him."
+
+"Always, while you wish it, daughter mine," he responded in low, tender
+tones, affectionately pressing the hand she had laid in his. "Now go,
+array yourself in your finery, and we will follow in a few moments," he
+added in a little louder key, and she hastened to obey.
+
+"Oh, mamma!" cried Elsie, who had drawn near enough to overhear nearly
+all that had been said, "mayn't I try my wedding dress on, too? You know
+it is almost finished--all but sewing on a few buttons, Alma said a
+while ago."
+
+"I have no objection," said Violet, rising. "Come, and I will help you
+put it on."
+
+"Your wedding dress, Elsie? you are not old enough to get married,"
+laughed Ned. "Is she, papa?"
+
+"No, indeed! very far from it," the captain said. "Even her older
+sisters are much too young for that; but they seem to so have named
+their new gowns because of having had them made expressly to be worn at
+the wedding."
+
+"Yes, sir; I suppose that is what they mean. Aunt Rosie's will be the
+only real wedding dress, and I heard mamma say it was very handsome
+indeed. And I like my new suit you bought me to wear to the wedding; and
+your new one, too."
+
+"I am glad you are satisfied," his father said. "The dress of the ladies
+will be noticed much more than yours or mine, but it is only right that
+men and boys should take pains to be neatly and suitably attired. Now I
+think we may follow your mother and sisters and see what they have to
+show us."
+
+The dresses were pronounced by all beautiful, perfect in regard to fit,
+trimming, and suitability to the occasion on which they were to be worn;
+very becoming, also, the captain remarked in an aside to his wife; a
+remark to which she gave a hearty and unqualified assent.
+
+"We'll wear these dresses to Ion to-night, won't we, mamma?" asked
+Elsie.
+
+"Oh, no, child!" replied Violet; "the rehearsal will be gone through
+with in ordinary attire, and these grand dresses kept perfectly fresh
+for the wedding. Come, now, we must make haste with the change, for the
+tea bell will ring presently. It is well you took a good nap this
+afternoon, for I fear you are likely to be kept up late."
+
+"Probably a little later than usual," said their father, "though, as
+to-morrow is to be so exciting a day, I intend to bring you all home in
+pretty good season; that you may be able to take such a night's rest as
+will give you the needed strength to go through the trying ordeal."
+
+"There, papa," laughed Grace, "you talk as if we were all going to be
+married."
+
+"Dear me, but I am glad we are not!" exclaimed Lucilla, "and that I am
+not the one that is."
+
+"Quite a lucid remark, my child," laughed her father. "But now I will
+leave you to make the necessary changes in your dress that you may be
+ready for a drive on leaving the tea table."
+
+They hastened to obey, helping each other and laughing and chatting
+merrily as they worked. They were ready when the summons to the tea
+table came, and, directly after leaving it, all entered the family
+carriage and drove to Ion, greatly enjoying the balmy air, the easy
+motion over the smooth roads, and all the sweet sights and sounds of
+lovely summer time in the country. They never wearied of those familiar
+things, daily blessings though they were.
+
+The sun was near its setting when they reached Ion, where they found a
+gathering of friends and relatives unusual in its size, though not
+nearly so large as it would be on the coming day, when the great event
+was to take place.
+
+Walter was one of the first to greet them, having reached home that
+morning and been ever since much excited over the situation of
+affairs--the prospect of losing Rosie, his youngest and only single
+sister out of the home nest, as a permanent resident there.
+
+"Glad to see you, Vi!" he exclaimed, seizing his sister, Mrs. Raymond,
+in a warm embrace. "Glad to see you all--Brother Levis, Lu, Gracie, and
+you little folks. Of course you haven't forgotten Uncle Walter in the
+long months since we parted in Paradise Valley?"
+
+"No, indeed!" answered several voices.
+
+"And we are all very glad to see you at home among us again--I must not
+say little brother, according to former custom, I suppose?" added Violet
+in merry accents; "for you have grown into a fine young gentleman."
+
+"Thank you," he returned with a slightly embarrassed laugh. "Well, I
+mean to try to be, as well as to seem."
+
+But others were crowding about, and in the exchange of greetings,
+questions, and answers, there were time and opportunity for no more.
+
+There was a pleasant bustle, a good deal of mirth and laughter, the
+young folks going about from room to room to examine the tasteful
+arrangements for the grand affair of the morrow--then, the last one of
+those selected to take part in the ceremony having arrived, they went
+through their rehearsal; so that even the little flower girls might be
+perfect in their parts, knowing just how and when to enter the room,
+where to stand and what to do.
+
+They were greatly interested and very anxious to do all in the best
+possible manner, that no one might be mortified by their failure and led
+to regret that they had been chosen to perform that particular part.
+They succeeded admirably, and were delighted with the praise freely
+bestowed upon them by one and another of the onlookers, including the
+guests and the members of the different families present.
+
+When all seemed perfect in their parts, which no one found very
+difficult, some simple refreshments were served, and presently after
+Captain Raymond and his family departed for Woodburn, Captain Donald
+Keith and Dr. Dick Percival accompanying them.
+
+It was something of a disappointment to both these gentlemen that, very
+shortly after arriving there, Captain Raymond advised his daughters to
+retire, in order that they might feel entirely rested and refreshed
+before entering upon the exciting pleasures and fatigues of the coming
+day.
+
+"I know it is the best plan for me, papa," returned Grace in cheerful
+tones, and began her good-nights at once.
+
+"For me too, since I want all the beauty sleep I can get in preparation
+for to-morrow," laughed Lucilla, "though of course it is by no means so
+necessary for the bride's attendants as for herself."
+
+"Ah! is that because they are so much handsomer to begin with?"
+
+"Oh, papa! please refrain from asking such hard questions!" was the
+response in tones of mock entreaty; "hard because they seem to imply a
+good deal of vanity in me. I was only meaning that, of course, the
+bride's appearance will attract the most attention."
+
+"Ah! was that it? Well, my child, say good-night and go; get to bed
+quickly, put aside thoughts of to-morrow's gaieties, and indulge in
+sleep so sound and refreshing that you will be ready to give your father
+his usual companionship in his early stroll about the grounds."
+
+"I'll do my best to follow all those directions, sir," she said with a
+bright, pleased look. "Good-night, gentlemen," turning toward the
+guests. "I hope you will both sleep well and find to-morrow's
+festivities very enjoyable." And with that she hastened away, leaving
+the three gentlemen alone upon the veranda, for Violet was seeing her
+little ones to bed.
+
+"What a rich man you are, Raymond!" remarked Keith, half unconsciously
+sighing slightly as he spoke.
+
+"You are right," returned the captain cheerily, "my wife and children
+being by far the most valuable of my possessions. I only wish that you
+and your friend here," glancing at Dr. Percival as he spoke, "were
+equally wealthy. But you are younger men, and may hope to become as rich
+as I am by the time you are my age."
+
+"Hardly; so far as I am concerned, at least," returned Keith drily;
+"seeing I am already some ten or a dozen years older than you were at
+the time of your first marriage, Raymond."
+
+"Yet by no means too old to hope yet to become in the near future a
+happy husband and father. I am at a loss to understand why you have not
+found a mate before this."
+
+"Ah, none so blind as those that won't see!" returned Keith with a
+slight laugh; then changed the subject of conversation by asking a
+question in regard to the plans of the young couple expecting to be
+united on the morrow.
+
+Captain Raymond answered the query. A moment's silence followed; then
+Keith, turning to Dick, said: "I presume you and I are of about the same
+age, doctor?"
+
+"Quite likely; and confirmed bachelors, both of us, it would seem," was
+the nonchalant rejoinder. "I am some years older than Cousin Vi."
+
+"Not too old for reformation, however," remarked Captain Raymond
+pleasantly. "And let me assure you that a wife--such as mine, for
+instance--is a very great blessing; doubling the happiness of life."
+
+"I don't doubt it, sir," said Dick; "but such an one is not to be picked
+up every day."
+
+"No, certainly not. I have always felt myself strangely fortunate in
+securing so great a treasure."
+
+"As you well may," remarked Keith pleasantly; "yet your good fortune has
+been largely owing to your undoubted worthiness of it, Raymond."
+
+"In which opinion I agree with you heartily, Cousin Donald," responded
+Violet's sweet voice close at hand, taking them by surprise, for, in the
+earnestness of their talk they had not perceived the sound of her light
+approaching footsteps. "I think there is nothing good which is beyond my
+husband's deserts," she added as all three rose hastily to hand her to a
+seat, Donald saying:
+
+"So you overheard me, Coz! Well, please remember that it was I who
+brought you two together. An act which seems to have born abundance of
+good fruit in the happiness of all concerned."
+
+"I think it has," she said, her husband adding, "And for which I, at
+least, owe you a deep debt of gratitude."
+
+"And not you alone, my dear," said Violet; "and in return I can wish him
+nothing better than wedded happiness equal to our own."
+
+"A wish in which I heartily unite with you," said Captain Raymond.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+
+Captain Raymond and his eldest daughter were out in the Woodburn grounds
+the next morning at their usual early hour, wandering here and there
+along the shaded paths and among the shrubs and flowers, noting their
+growth in size and beauty, gathering blossoms, and chatting together in
+their usual familiar and affectionate manner; Lucilla expressing her
+thoughts and feelings as freely and openly as though her companion had
+been one of her own age and sex.
+
+"I am glad for Rosie," she said when the talk turned upon the subject of
+what was expected to be the great event of the day, "she seems so happy;
+though how she can be in the prospect of leaving the dear home of her
+childhood and the mother who loves her so fondly, I cannot understand.
+Oh, father! I do think I can never, never bear to go away from you! It
+seems impossible that anyone else can ever be half so dear to me, and I
+am so glad that you want to keep me your own little girl for years
+longer."
+
+"For all our life on earth, daughter, if you are satisfied to have it
+so," he returned, bestowing upon her a look and smile of tenderest
+fatherly affection. "You are still one of my chief treasures, which I
+should be very loath to bestow upon anyone else; dearer to me--as all my
+children are--than tongue can tell."
+
+"Yes, papa," she said, looking up into his eyes with a joyous smile, "so
+you have told me many, many times; but I love to hear it just as if you
+had never said it before."
+
+"As I do your expressions of ardent love for me, daughter," he returned.
+"Very glad I am that I am not the one who must to-day resign to another
+the ownership of a daughter."
+
+"I am sorry for Grandma Elsie," said Lucilla; "but then I suppose she
+must feel rather used to it--having given away two daughters before."
+
+"And having none left to be a care and trouble, eh?" laughed her father.
+
+"No, sir; having both near enough to be seen and enjoyed every day if
+she chooses. Don't you hope that will be the way with you if you have to
+give any of yours up to somebody else?"
+
+"I certainly do," he said. "I should be very loath to consent to having
+any one of them carried off to a distance. But let us not trouble
+ourselves with anxious thought of what may lie in the future. Remember
+the dear Master's word, 'Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.'"
+
+"Yes, papa; and I remember your teaching me that his 'Take no thought,'
+means no anxiety, and that it tends greatly to one's happiness to live
+one day at a time, just leaving all the future in his hands."
+
+"Yes, daughter; just as a little child leaves its future and the supply
+of its daily wants in the care of its parents."
+
+"Such kind teaching, and easy to understand when one has such a father
+as mine," she said, with a look of grateful love.
+
+"I am thankful, indeed, daughter, if anything in my treatment and
+teaching helps you to a clearer understanding of how the Master would
+have you to act and feel," he said in tones that spoke full appreciation
+of her filial affection.
+
+"Ah! there is our mail," he added, as a servant was seen carrying it
+toward the house; "so we will go in now and see if it contains anything
+important for you or me."
+
+"And if there is anything you want answered on the typewriter you will
+let me do it at once, won't you, papa?" she asked, as they quickened
+their footsteps, taking the direction toward the house.
+
+"If you have time, and wish to do so, daughter."
+
+"Yes, sir; I have hardly anything to do till it is time for the drive to
+Ion."
+
+"Unless you should find a letter, or more than one, of your own, calling
+for a reply," he returned, smiling down into her bright, animated face.
+
+"That is not very likely, considering how few correspondents I have,"
+she laughed.
+
+They reached the veranda from one direction as the servant entered it
+from another, and the captain, taking the mail bag from him, walked on
+into the library, Lucilla following. He emptied the contents of the bag
+upon the table, and going rapidly over them, said: "Several letters for
+our guests" (laying them aside as he spoke), "one for your mamma; none
+for any of my children, and only two business letters for me. Well,
+daughter," glancing at the clock on the mantel, "you may sit down to
+your typewriter and answer these at my dictation; as I see there will be
+time to do so before the ringing of the breakfast bell. Ah, good-morning,
+Keith!" as at that moment that gentleman entered the room. "Here are
+letters which I was just about to send up to you."
+
+"Thank you," said Keith, taking them from his host's outstretched hand.
+"I am glad to have saved you the trouble. I hope you and Miss Lucilla
+are both quite well?" giving her a bow and smile as he spoke.
+
+"Entirely, thank you, and have just come in from our usual early stroll
+together about the grounds. I hope you rested well. Take that easy-chair
+and don't let our presence interfere with your enjoyment of your
+letters."
+
+Keith declined that invitation, saying he felt a strong inclination for
+a breath of the sweet morning air before the summons to the breakfast
+table should come; so would read his letters upon the veranda, and, with
+them in his hand, passed out of the room.
+
+"I strongly suspect that was from a polite disinclination to hinder us
+in our work, papa," remarked Lucilla in a sprightly tone, as her father
+uncovered the machine and made all things ready for her work.
+
+"Quite likely," he responded, "for I never met anyone more truly polite
+and thoughtful for others. He is a Christian man and acts from Christian
+principles in all that he does."
+
+"As his friend, my father, does," she said with a look of filial
+reverence up into his face as he stood by her side.
+
+"And as I trust my daughter does and will ever do," he returned with
+grave earnestness, then began his dictation.
+
+They made rapid work and had finished and joined Keith upon the veranda
+before the ringing of the breakfast bell summoned all to their morning
+meal.
+
+"Rosie has an ideal wedding day, I think," remarked Violet as she poured
+the coffee; "that shower in the night having laid the dust in the roads
+and made the air deliciously cool."
+
+"Also refreshed vegetation," added her husband, "so that trees and
+shrubs and flowers are as fresh and fragrant as possible."
+
+"The sun shines brightly, too," added Grace, "reminding one of the old
+saying I have so often heard quoted: 'Happy is the bride on whom the sun
+shines.'"
+
+"It is pleasant to see it shining, yet I do not believe Rosie would
+hesitate a moment, or feel the least anxiety about its effect upon her
+future happiness, if the rain were pouring down," said Lucilla; "because
+she has great confidence in her bridegroom that is to be, and not a
+particle of superstition in her nature."
+
+"That is giving her high praise," said Keith, "for there are few who are
+entirely free from it, though very many are hardly aware of its hold
+upon them."
+
+"You are quite correct, I think, sir," remarked Dr. Percival; "we are
+all apt to be blind to our own feelings, and hardly conscious that our
+prejudices and superstitions are such, blind to our weakness--even more
+to the mental than to the physical."
+
+"Then how well it is that there is no occasion for their exercise, or
+for battling with them to-day," observed Violet in a sprightly tone;
+"and though, of course, mamma and all of us must, when Rosie is gone,
+miss our constant sweet companionship with her, we ought not to mourn,
+but rather rejoice that she is going into a Christian family and gaining
+a devoted Christian for a life companion."
+
+"Yes; that is indeed a cause for joy and gratitude," said Keith.
+
+"Father, will Mr. Croly be any relation to us after he gets married to
+Aunt Rosie?" queried Ned.
+
+"Yes, my son; brother to your mamma and me, and uncle to the rest of
+you."
+
+"Meaning Neddie himself and Elsie, papa?" Grace said half
+interrogatively and with an amused little laugh.
+
+"Ah, yes! he is certainly too young to be, or wish to be, that to my
+older daughters," returned her father with a look of amusement.
+
+"No danger that he will want to claim that relationship, Gracie,"
+laughed Lucilla. "Even Walter does not, though I know you are a
+particular favourite with him; but he, to be sure, is still younger than
+Mr. Croly by some years."
+
+"It is at two o'clock Aunt Rosie is to be married, then there will be
+the wedding feast, and after that the bride and groom will go on a
+journey," said Neddie, as if bestowing a piece of valuable information
+upon his hearers.
+
+"Yes," said Elsie, "but, as everybody knows it, what's the use of
+telling it?"
+
+"I thought perhaps Cousin Donald and Cousin Dick didn't know it--at
+least, not all of it," said Ned.
+
+Then his father told him he had talked quite enough, and must be quiet
+during the rest of the meal.
+
+"We who are to be the bride's attendants should go over early, I think,"
+remarked Lucilla. "At least we, the older ones," she added with a
+smiling glance at Elsie; "the little flower girls will not be needed
+until somewhat later."
+
+"You may set your own time," her father said. "I will send you and Grace
+over in the family carriage, and it can return in full season for the
+use of anyone else who desires it. We have a variety of horses and
+conveyances, gentlemen, any or all of them at your service at whatever
+hour you may appoint," he added, turning to his guests. "There will be
+abundance of time for a ride or drive for mere exercise or enjoyment,
+before donning your attire for the grand occasion, if you wish to take
+it."
+
+Both gentlemen accepted the offer with thanks, and they proceeded to lay
+their plans for a gallop together over some of the roads with which Dick
+had been familiar in his childhood, but which would be new to Captain
+Keith. They set out within an hour after leaving the breakfast table,
+and not very long afterward the young girls were on their way to Ion.
+
+They found the house beautifully decorated with flowers from garden and
+conservatories, especially the room in which the ceremony was to take
+place.
+
+Everybody seemed in a state of subdued excitement, Rosie half gay, half
+sad, her eyes filling whenever she turned them upon her mother--the dear
+mother who had so loved and cherished her all the days of her life with
+such unselfish devotion as no other earthly creature could know; how
+could she endure the thought of the impending separation? She could not;
+she could only strive to forget it, and keep her mind filled with the
+important step now just about to be taken, for she had already gone too
+far to retreat even were she sure that she wished to do so. The mother
+was scarcely less affected, but with her greater experience of life was
+better able to control and conceal her feelings. And so were the others
+who, though pleased with the match, still felt that this was the
+breaking up of some very tender ties; they would not allow their
+thoughts to dwell upon that, but would occupy them with the mirth and
+gaiety of the present.
+
+But to Mrs. Croly, who had so far recovered under Dr. Conly's skilful
+treatment that she was able to be present, it was all joy: she had
+always wanted a daughter, and now was gaining one after her own heart;
+for Rosie seemed to her all that was good, beautiful, and in every way
+attractive. And then, in respect to family, fortune, everything that
+could be thought of, she was all that could be desired. The elder Mr.
+Croly, too, was entirely satisfied with the match, and already felt a
+paternal interest in the young girl just entering his family. In fact
+upon both sides there was perfect satisfaction with the match.
+
+Everything went well; there was no bustle or confusion; minister and
+guests were all there in due season; bride, groom, and attendants,
+including the little flower girls, performed their parts without mistake
+or discomposure. Kisses, congratulations, and good wishes followed; then
+the wedding feast was partaken of leisurely and with mirth and jollity,
+the bridal dress was exchanged for a beautiful travelling suit, the
+farewells were spoken, with cheery reminders that the separation was to
+be but temporary, the bride expecting soon to rejoin the dear home
+circle. That thought was a very comforting one to her, and, though tears
+had fallen at the parting from her loved ones,--especially her
+mother,--they soon ceased their flow under the tenderly affectionate
+caresses and endearments of him who was henceforward to be to her the
+nearest and dearest of all earthly loved ones, and her face grew radiant
+with happiness as he had hoped to see it on their bridal day.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+
+Nearly all the guests--relatives and dear friends--remained for some
+hours after the departure of the bride and groom, some conversing
+together upon the veranda, some wandering in couples or little companies
+about the grounds or sitting in the shade of the beautiful trees on the
+lawn.
+
+Most of the young people, especially those of them who had been
+attendants of the bride and groom, gathered about Grandma Elsie--for
+they all loved her, and everyone felt that she had particular need of
+some pleasant distraction of thought just at that time, to prevent her
+from dwelling upon the partial loss of her youngest daughter.
+
+Walter was, of course, one of the group, and he presently plunged into
+lively accounts of his college-boy experiences, very interesting and
+amusing to him and presumably so to others, as, in fact, they were to
+most if not all of his auditors, his older brothers among the rest; for
+it seemed to carry them back, in at least a measure, to their own
+Freshman days, with all their trials and triumphs, their pleasures and
+annoyances.
+
+"Did anybody do anything very bad to you, Walter?" asked Grace.
+
+"No; not very," he replied; "hazing has been almost abolished, and what
+is still done is by no means unendurable.
+
+"Oh! I must tell you of a bit of fun we had only the other day. On the
+porch of one of our boarding houses a countryman had set down a basket
+of eggs--about twenty dozen I was told--that he had brought in for
+customers; and there they stood, looking as tempting as possible,
+especially to wild young college boys, some of whom, coming there when
+recitations were over and the dinner hour approaching, saw them and were
+immediately smitten with a desire to handle, if not to taste them. One
+fellow snatched up an egg and threw it at another; it struck him, broke,
+and bespattered his clothes. He, naturally, retaliated in kind, and
+other fellows followed their example, the fun growing fast and furious,
+till every egg the basket had contained was gone, and porch, students,
+and their clothing were a sight to behold."
+
+"And what did the farmer say when he came back for his basket and found
+it empty?" asked Lucilla.
+
+"He was very angry, but those who had broken the eggs paid him his full
+price, and he went off tolerably well satisfied, though he growled that
+he was compelled to disappoint his customers.
+
+"The boarding house keeper was angry, too, but stopped scolding when
+told that the mischief should be repaired at the expense of those who
+had caused it."
+
+"The clothes of those engaged in the row must have been in a pretty bad
+condition," remarked Harold.
+
+"Yes, of course; and they had some fine tailors' bills to pay before
+they were again presentable."
+
+"A shameful waste of good food provided by our Heavenly Father, that
+someone's hunger might be satisfied," remarked Grandma Elsie gravely.
+"Surely the young men engaged in it must have forgotten the teaching of
+our Saviour when he said, 'Gather up the fragments that remain, that
+nothing be lost.'"
+
+"Mamma! I had forgotten that," exclaimed Walter, blushing vividly.
+
+"A poor excuse, my son," she replied. "'Remember all the commandments of
+the Lord, and do them.' Those are his own words given to Moses to speak
+unto the Children of Israel. Jesus was and is God; therefore what he
+commanded is the command of God. And since he had just proved his
+ability to create abundance of food, his command to avoid waste must
+have been given for the benefit of his hearers; and can you think he
+would have approved of the waste of good, nourishing food of which you
+have just been telling?"
+
+"No, mother; I am convinced that it was not right; that it was, in fact,
+wicked waste. I must own that I had a share in it; but I promise you I
+will never be guilty of the like again. It does seem very wrong when one
+thinks of the multitudes of people in different parts of the world who
+are actually starving."
+
+"Yes, I hope you will be more thoughtful in future--will use your
+influence against such objectionable sport; surely bright young men and
+boys should be capable of finding or making better or less blameworthy
+fun. You may feel assured, however, that your mother is interested in
+all that interests you. So if you have anything more to tell of your
+college experiences we will be glad to hear it."
+
+"You found the Sophs rather domineering, didn't you?" asked Herbert.
+
+"About as much so as they dared to be, I should say," laughed Walter.
+"For instance, they won't let the Freshes wear white duck trousers till
+some time in May. Nor will they allow them to wear the colours gold and
+black till just at the close of their Freshman year."
+
+"Well, that is tyranny!" exclaimed Lucilla, "and if I were a Freshman I
+wouldn't stand it."
+
+"Ah! but if you didn't you might have something worse to stand," laughed
+Walter. Then he went on, "I must tell you about the cane spree. They
+have it at the time of the first full moon. The players are three men
+from each class--one light-weight, one middle, and one heavy-weight. The
+students of all classes gather in a circle around them to watch the
+sport. First the light-weights try a tussle for the cane; then the
+middles, and lastly the heavys. It is not so much strength as skill that
+wins, and the victors keep their canes as trophies, and are proud to
+show them for the rest of their lives."
+
+"Well, really," laughed Maud Dinsmore, "it does not strike me as
+anything worth taking particular pride in."
+
+"Mayhap that is because you are only a girl, Maud," remarked Chester
+teasingly.
+
+"Yes," she returned sportively, "if I were only a boy I might be as
+silly as the others."
+
+"Does it strike you as very silly, Gracie?" asked Walter.
+
+"Well, no; not for boys," she returned doubtfully, "but rather so for a
+man. There are so many other things in which--at least it seems to
+me--it would be better worth while to excel."
+
+"Yes; so there are," he agreed with a thoughtful look. "And yet an
+occasional bit of sport is a good thing even for a man."
+
+"That is very true," said Harold; "and certainly as true for
+brain-workers as for any who toil with their hands."
+
+"Doesn't it seem pleasant to be at home again, Walter?" asked Grace.
+
+"Yes, indeed!" he exclaimed. "There is no place like home--especially
+home with mother in it."
+
+"Or with father in it," added Grace as, at that moment, Captain Raymond
+joined the circle.
+
+"Such a father as ours," said Lucilla, looking up at him with a smile of
+proud, fond affection. He returned it, accepted an offered seat, and
+asked Walter if he had been entertaining the company with tales of
+college doings and experiences.
+
+"Yes, sir," returned the lad. "I suppose it is the usual thing for a
+Freshman to do on coming home at the end of his year."
+
+"Quite; his head being pretty full of them," was the playful rejoinder.
+"Well, little--no, young brother--I hope the old tutor has not been
+entirely forgotten, in admiration and affection for the new?"
+
+"No, sir; no, indeed! and never will be," returned Walter, speaking with
+an energy and earnestness that brought a smile to the captain's lips and
+eyes. "I shall show myself strangely ungrateful if I ever forgot the
+patience and kindness with which my oldest brother instructed me; and
+all for no reward at all."
+
+"Ah! there you are mistaken," said Captain Raymond pleasantly. "It was
+reward enough to know that I was helping to fit you for future
+usefulness. I hope, my boy, you will live to be an honour to your mother
+and a blessing to the world."
+
+"I hope so, sir; it is my ardent wish," Walter said low and earnestly,
+giving his mother a most loving look as he spoke.
+
+"And if you trust not in your own strength, but look constantly to God
+for help, you will succeed, my son," she responded in low, moved tones.
+
+Just at that moment there were several additions to their group, among
+them Captain Keith and Dr. Percival, and the talk turned upon plans for
+the next few days, and after that for the summer. Most of the relatives
+from a distance would linger in that neighbourhood for a week or more,
+and entertainments of one kind and another would be given by those
+residents there. The Oaks, The Laurels, Fairview, Woodburn, Roselands,
+and Beechwood would have their turns. After that must come the
+inevitable breaking up and scattering of guests to their own homes or
+some summer resort, while most of the dwellers in that region would go
+northward in search of a cooler climate in which to pass the heated
+term. But it was not deemed necessary to settle it all now; only to
+arrange on which day each estate would be the scene of entertainment. It
+took a good deal of consultation, mingled with merry jests and happy
+laughter, to settle all that. Then there was a general leave taking and
+scattering to their homes--temporary or settled.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+
+The wedding had been on Wednesday. On Thursday all gathered, by
+invitation, at the Oaks, where Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore gave them a royal
+entertainment. On Friday the same thing was repeated at The Laurels, on
+Saturday at Fairview, and on the following Monday all were to assemble
+at Woodburn.
+
+Being a Christian, Sabbath keeping connection, no one thought for a
+moment of profaning the Lord's day by frivolity and merry making. Those
+who were able attended church in the morning; in the afternoon the Ion
+and Woodburn people taught their Sunday-school classes as usual, and
+afterward held a Bible class among themselves at Woodburn, that being
+the point nearest to the schoolhouse on the Woodburn place, at which
+they had just concluded the exercises for the day.
+
+Dr. and Mrs. Landreth and her brother, the Rev. Cyril Keith were, just
+at that time, among the guests of Captain and Mrs. Raymond, and, by the
+request of the little company, the minister led the exercises.
+
+Turning over the leaves of his Bible, "The thought strikes me," he said,
+"that perhaps godliness would be as good a subject for to-day's
+consideration as we could find. 'Godliness with contentment is great
+gain,' the apostle tells us. It is a duty and the part of wisdom to be
+contented with what God our heavenly Father has seen fit to give us of
+the good things of this life; for there is no happiness to be found in
+discontent, murmuring, and repining; envying those who seem to us to
+have a larger share than ours of the riches and pleasures of earth. 'We
+brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing
+out. And, having food and raiment, let us be therewith content.'
+Happiness does not depend upon the amount of our earthly possessions.
+'Trust in the Lord and do good, so shalt thou dwell in the land, and
+verily thou shalt be fed.' That promise alone should be enough to make
+one contented and happy, even though possessed of but very little of
+this world's goods. Indeed, why should we care to have much of that
+which may at any moment fall from our grasp? Let us rather seek the true
+riches which endure unto eternal life. Let us follow after righteousness,
+godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. May ours be 'the path of the
+just which is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the
+perfect day.'
+
+"But I consented, not to the preaching of a sermon, but only to the
+leading of the exercises in which all are privileged and desired to take
+a part. Let us have the reading or quoting of texts bearing upon the
+subject of godliness."
+
+Then, from their open Bibles they read in turn, the older people
+selecting for themselves, the younger searching out references given
+them by their leader.
+
+"Papa," asked Neddie, when there was a pause in the reading, "what is
+godliness? Does it mean the same as being a Christian?"
+
+"Yes, my son."
+
+"And to be a Christian is to love Jesus and try to be like him and
+serve him everywhere and all the time?"
+
+"Yes; a real, true Christian is one who follows Christ, striving to be
+like him in every way and to keep all his commands."
+
+"I think I do want to, papa. Please tell me more about it."
+
+"We must study the Bible to learn all about Christ Jesus--how he lived
+in this world, what he did, and what he did not do, what sort of spirit
+he showed--and strive to have the same spirit ourselves; for the Bible
+tells us 'If any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his.'
+Jesus said, 'I must be about my Father's business,' and if God is our
+Father we too will be about his business."
+
+"But how, papa? I don't understand it."
+
+"Jesus came to save souls; and we must try to save them by leading them
+to him; first by serving him ourselves, then by persuading others to do
+the same--telling them of all his great goodness and mercy, his loving
+kindness, and how he suffered and bled and died that sinners might be
+saved--even those who hated and persecuted him. How strange it is that
+we do not love him more and serve him better!"
+
+"And how enduring is that love--the love of Christ," added Grandma
+Elsie. "His own word is, 'Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting
+love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.'"
+
+"And he laid down his life for us," said Mrs. Landreth. "And he himself
+said, 'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life
+for his friends. Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you.'"
+
+"Yes, that is the test," said Mr. Dinsmore; "we have no right to
+consider ourselves his disciples unless we are striving earnestly to
+keep all his commandments. He himself said, 'Either make the tree good
+and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit
+corrupt: for a tree is known by his fruit.'"
+
+"Yes; if we love our Father we will strive earnestly to keep his
+commandments and not feel them to be grievous. A loving child is an
+obedient one," said Mr. Keith. "'For this is the love of God, that we
+keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.'"
+
+"'God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners,
+Christ died for us,'" quoted his son Donald. "In his love and in his
+pity he redeemed us."
+
+Then there was a moment's pause, presently broken by Mr. Dinsmore
+starting the hymn "Love divine, all love excelling," in which the other
+voices promptly joined.
+
+That closed the exercises for that time, and those who had come merely
+to take part in them bade good-bye for that day with the expectation of
+returning on the following one. And those who remained behind scattered
+to their rooms until the summons of the tea bell brought them together
+again about the table, to partake of their evening meal; after which
+they repaired to the veranda and spent in conversation and music, suited
+to its sacredness, the closing hours of that Lord's day.
+
+Captain Raymond and his wife lingered for a little upon the veranda
+after their guests had gone to their rooms. They sat side by side--he
+with his arm about her waist, her hand fast clasped in his, while her
+head rested upon his shoulder and her eyes looked up lovingly into his
+face.
+
+"My dear," she said softly and with a beautiful smile, "I am so happy. I
+love you so, so devotedly, and am so sure that your love for me is
+equally strong."
+
+"I think it is, my darling--light of my eyes and core of my heart," he
+responded low and feelingly. "You are to me the dearest, sweetest,
+loveliest of earthly creatures. I can never cease wondering at my great
+good fortune in securing such a treasure for my own. I am rich, rich in
+love. My children are all very near and dear to me, and I know and feel
+that I am to them, but you--ah, I think you are dearer than all five of
+them put together!"
+
+"Ah," she said with a joyous smile, "those are sweet, sweet words to me!
+And yet they make me feel almost as if I had robbed them--your children.
+They all love you so dearly, as you have said, and set so high a value
+upon your love to them."
+
+"And it is very great: none the less because my love for you is still
+greater. You, my dear wife, are my second self--'bone of my bone and
+flesh of my flesh.' It is right that our mutual love should exceed all
+other earthly loves."
+
+"Yes; and yet I fear it would make Lu--perhaps Gracie also--unhappy to
+know that you have greater love for anyone else than for them."
+
+"I think they do know it, and also that it is right that it should be
+so. And I presume they will both some day love someone else better than
+their father. I cannot blame them if they do."
+
+"Perhaps the love differs more in kind than degree," Violet said
+presently.
+
+"Yes; there is something in that," he returned; "yet it is not
+altogether that which satisfies me. We are all bidden to love one
+another. 'Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the
+Church, and gave himself for it.... So ought men to love their wives as
+their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.... Let every
+one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself.'"
+
+He paused and Violet finished the quotation.
+
+"'And the wife see that she reverence her husband.' Ah, it is easy for
+me to do that with such a husband as mine," she added. "Also, I remember
+that in Paul's epistle to Titus there is a passage, where the aged women
+are bidden to teach the younger ones to be sober, to love their
+husbands, to love their children. And in the next verse to be obedient
+to their husbands. I think I have kept that command as far as I could
+without getting any orders from mine," she concluded, smiling up into
+his eyes.
+
+"Yes, indeed, dearest," he said, returning the smile and drawing her
+closer to his side with a fond gesture, "where one's slightest wish is
+promptly and eagerly complied with a command would be altogether
+superfluous. And though I consider it wise and right--yes, an
+unquestionable duty to exact prompt, cheerful obedience from my
+children, I do not think I should ask it of my wife. The women of the
+apostle's day were not the educated, self-reliant ones of the present
+time; therefore our wives are hardly to be expected to conform
+themselves strictly to the rules he lays down for them. But if husband
+and wife love each other as they ought,--as you and I do, for
+instance,--any friction between them will be a thing of rare
+occurrence."
+
+"And when, if ever, there is any," said Violet, "I think the wife should
+be the one to give way--unless she feels that to yield to the wishes of
+her husband would be a breach of the moral law; but in that case she
+must remember the answer of Peter to the high priest, 'We ought to obey
+God rather than men.'"
+
+"Yes," he said; "and when a parent commands something which is plainly
+contrary to God's command,--lying or stealing for instance,--it is the
+child's duty to refuse to obey. There are parents, alas! who do train
+their children to vice and crime, and when that is the case they, the
+children, must remember and act upon the teaching of the apostle, 'We
+ought to obey God rather than men.'"
+
+"How I pity children who are placed in such circumstances," sighed
+Violet. "Oh, I often think what a cause for gratitude I have in the fact
+that my parents were earnest Christians, and brought me and all their
+children up in the fear of God; also that my children have an earnest,
+devoted Christian for their father."
+
+"And for their mother, my sweet wife," he added with emotion.
+
+Neither spoke again for some moments. It was Violet who broke the
+silence.
+
+"My dear," she said, "I wonder if you have noticed, as I have, that my
+cousin Donald greatly admires our Lu."
+
+"Ah! has he told you so, my love?" queried the captain, a touch of
+regret and anxiety in his tone.
+
+"Oh, no!" laughed Violet; "but he looks at her with evidently admiring
+eyes, listens eagerly to anything and everything she says, and
+especially to her playing and singing; which are certainly worth
+hearing. He greatly admires her drawings and paintings, too, some of
+which I was showing him the other day; also her evident devotion to her
+father, and readiness to assist and make herself useful to him in every
+possible way."
+
+"Yes," sighed the captain, "her father would hardly know what to do
+without her. Yet, of course, I should be far from willing to stand in
+the way of my child's happiness. However, I hope and believe that her
+father is still nearer and dearer to her than any other human creature.
+She has often assured me that such was the fact; not waiting to be
+questioned, but telling the story of her love as something in which we
+could both rejoice, and which she was sure was reciprocal. As it
+certainly is. I love her very dearly; though not more than I do each of
+the others. Indeed, it gives me a heartache to think I shall ever be
+called to part with any one of them."
+
+"Not very soon, I hope," said Violet. "You have frequently told me you
+did not intend to let either of your daughters marry for years to come."
+
+"No, I do not; and as I dread the pain, for both them and myself, which
+would be caused by the necessity for refusing to let them follow their
+inclinations in such a matter, I sincerely hope no one will succeed in
+winning their affections for years to come."
+
+"Then if I am right about Donald and he asks your permission to make an
+offer to Lu, you will forbid him to do so?"
+
+At first the captain's only reply was an amused sort of smile. Then he
+said: "I must tell you of a talk Donald and I had, some years ago, at
+West Point. You perhaps remember that I took Max and Lulu there, and
+found Donald already at the hotel, and we spent a few days together, the
+children with us nearly all the time. One night I sent them early to
+bed, and, afterward, spent an hour or more talking with my friend alone
+on the piazza. In that talk he expressed a great admiration for my
+little girl, and--half in jest, half in earnest--asked leave to try to
+win her when she should reach a proper age. I told him certainly not for
+at least six years. It is five now."
+
+"Then he ought to wait at least another year," remarked Violet, who had
+listened with keen interest to her husband's little story.
+
+"Yes; and I hope he will feel that obligation and refrain, for the
+present at least, from courting her. And, though I should be sorry for
+my friend's disappointment, I cannot help hoping that he has not won,
+and will not win, my daughter's heart. I want to become neither his
+father, nor my daughter's cousin," he added with a slight laugh.
+
+"Why, yes, to be sure! I had not thought about those relationships,"
+exclaimed Violet, joining in his mirth. "But," she added, "Donald is so
+distant a relative of mine that, if that were the only objection, it
+need not, I think, stand in the way."
+
+"No, perhaps not. A greater objection to me, so far as I am concerned,
+would be the fact that, if married to an army officer, my daughter would
+be kept at a distance from me nearly all the time."
+
+"And to me, as well as to you, that would be an almost insurmountable
+objection; for Lu and I are now the closest and dearest of
+friends--bosom companions. I should hardly know what to do without
+her--the dear, sweet girl!"
+
+"Ah! it makes me very happy to hear and know that," he said with a glad
+smile, adding, "it is hardly news; for I have seen for a good while that
+you were very fond of each other."
+
+"Yes; we are like sisters. I should miss Lu almost more than I shall
+Rosie, as we are together so much more constantly. Oh, I don't like to
+think of it! and I sincerely hope it may be years before she learns to
+love any other man well enough to be willing to leave her sweet home
+under her father's roof."
+
+"A hope in which I join with all my heart," said her husband; "and one
+that I trust Donald is not going to ask me to resign."
+
+"If he does, just remind him of the exact terms of the answer you gave
+him at West Point," returned Violet in playful tones. "But now I think
+it is time for us to retire; do not you?" releasing herself from his
+embrace and rising to her feet as she spoke.
+
+"Yes," he said, "I would not have my wife miss her beauty sleep."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+
+Lucilla was in bed but not asleep. She had retired to her room when the
+guests went to theirs, and without a formal good-night to her father,
+trusting to his coming to her there for a few moment's chat, as he
+almost always did. But he had not come, and she felt sorely
+disappointed. It was a beautiful, luxuriously furnished room, this bed
+chamber of hers--the view from its windows, a lovely one of carefully
+kept grounds, cultivated fields, woods, and streams; all looking their
+loveliest just now as seen by the silver light of the moon, which shone
+in upon her through rich lace curtains, gently wafted to and fro by the
+summer breeze as it came in laden with the sweet scent of flowers from
+the garden below.
+
+"What a sweet, lovely home I have! Oh, how much to be thankful for! good
+health, kind friends, and such a dear father!" she said half aloud; "but
+I want a good-night kiss and a word or two of fatherly affection, and
+it does seem as if I can't go to sleep without it. Oh, dear! can it be
+that he is displeased with me about anything? I am not conscious of
+having done anything he would disapprove."
+
+"Nor have you, so far as I know, daughter mine," said a pleasant voice
+close at her side, while a hand was laid tenderly on her head.
+
+"Oh, papa!" she cried joyously, starting up to a sitting posture as she
+spoke. "I did not know you were there--did not hear you come in; but I
+am so glad you have come!"
+
+"Are you?" he asked, seating himself on the side of the bed and drawing
+her into his arms. "Well, daughter, it is only for a moment, to bid you
+good-night, as usual, and see that you are in need of nothing. Tell me,
+are all your wants supplied?"
+
+"Yes, sir; now that I have my father here to give me his good-night kiss
+and blessing. Ah! papa dear, I do not know how I could ever live away
+from you again. I am so glad you no longer have to go sailing away over
+the ocean, leaving your children behind."
+
+"I am glad of it, too," he returned, "but I sometimes fear that the day
+may come when my dear eldest daughter will want to leave me for a home
+with someone else."
+
+"Indeed, father dear, you need not have the slightest fear of that," she
+said, laying her head against his breast with a low, happy laugh. "I am
+sure there isn't in the wide world any other man whom I could love half
+so well as I do you. I am just as glad to belong to you now as ever I
+was."
+
+"And don't want me to give you away?"
+
+"No, no, indeed!" she cried with energy. "Oh, papa! you surely are not
+thinking of such a thing? You have said, over and over again, that you
+would not,--at least not for years yet,--even if I wanted you to."
+
+"And I say the same now; so don't be wanting me to," he returned in
+jesting tone, and laying her down upon her pillow as he spoke. "Now go
+to sleep at once, that you may be ready to rise at your usual early hour
+and join your father in the morning stroll about the grounds. 'The Lord
+bless thee and keep thee; the Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be
+gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and
+give thee peace,'" he added in tender, solemn tones, his hand resting
+upon her head as he spoke.
+
+Then, with a good-night kiss upon her lips, he left her, and contented
+and happy she speedily passed into the land of dreams.
+
+The captain, passing through Grace's room to his own, paused for a
+moment at her bedside, bent over her, and kissed the sweet lips; but she
+slept on, unconscious of the caress.
+
+He found Violet still awake, repeated to her his little talk with
+Lucilla, and added, with evident satisfaction, "I feel convinced that,
+as yet, no one has made any impression upon her heart, that I, her
+father, still hold the fort there."
+
+"Yes; I have hardly a doubt of it," returned Violet; "and it may be many
+a long day before she is deluded into thinking there is any other man
+who begins to compare to him; something that I have known for years was
+not the case," she concluded with a happy laugh.
+
+The sun was hardly above the horizon when Lucilla awoke; but she sprang
+up hastily, with the thought that her father would soon be out in the
+grounds, and she wanted to be with him. There would be a great deal to
+attend to in preparation for their expected guests, and perhaps she
+could be of some assistance; at all events she would like to see all
+that was going on, and give her opinion on any doubtful subject.
+
+So she lost no time about attending to the duties of the hour and place,
+spending a little time upon her knees, asking for the watchful care of
+her Heavenly Father through all the day, that she might be kept from
+folly and sin, and have strength and wisdom to do every duty and meet
+every trial, and beseeching his blessing upon all her dear ones, not
+forgetting the dear brother so far away from home and kindred. Then she
+made a rapid but careful toilet, and hastened, with light, swift
+footsteps, down the broad stairway and out upon the veranda, where she
+found her father in consultation with Christine, the housekeeper.
+
+Blithe good-mornings were exchanged, Christine went back into the house,
+and father and daughter walked out together into the grounds.
+
+Preparations were going on for the entertainment of the expected guests,
+old and young, and Lucilla was not only permitted, but invited to give
+her opinion in regard to them all, and any suggestions that might occur
+to her; which she did frankly and fully, and with the result that more
+than one of them was adopted; for her father wished to please her and
+had great confidence in her opinion of such matters. There were croquet
+and tennis grounds, swings in the shade of the trees in the grove;
+inviting-looking seats there, and in other suitable places; there were
+shaded walks and winding paths through the woods; indeed, every sort of
+arrangement for recreation and pleasure that could be thought of and
+prepared for in the allotted space.
+
+Captain Raymond and his daughter walked about inspecting everything,
+until they had gone over the whole place, giving all needed directions
+to the workmen who were busied here and there with some alterations the
+captain had decided upon the previous day, then returned to the house,
+for it was nearing breakfast time.
+
+They found Violet, Grace, and the two younger children on the veranda.
+Morning greetings were exchanged, then Lucilla hurried to her rooms to
+make some changes in her dress and was coming down again when the
+breakfast bell rang.
+
+It was a cheerful, even merry, party that gathered about the table to
+partake of the meal, an excellent one; for the captain and Violet were
+most hospitable entertainers.
+
+The talk ran principally upon the sports that would enliven and
+entertain the company during the day; suggestions from any and every one
+being in order; and, by the time the meal was concluded, all felt that
+they had every prospect of a most enjoyable holiday.
+
+"The weather could not be more propitious than it is," remarked Captain
+Keith. "You began your enjoyment of it early, Miss Lu," turning to
+Lucilla. "I happened to be at my window and saw you and your father out
+in the grounds."
+
+"Yes," she said, "papa and I usually do take a stroll about them before
+breakfast. He is always an early riser. I inherit the taste for it from
+him and, being in excellent health, can indulge it without injury."
+
+"Which is something to be thankful for," he said with a smile.
+
+"Yes, indeed!" she returned heartily. "Health and strength are the
+greatest of earthly blessings. I would not part with them for any amount
+of money."
+
+"No; money cannot buy health and strength, though they may give one the
+ability to earn money. You, however, have a father able and willing to
+furnish all you may need of it."
+
+"Yes," said the captain in his pleasant way, "but that daughter of mine
+likes to make herself useful to me, and does so to such an extent that I
+really think she earns all she gets."
+
+"Oh, no, papa, not half!" exclaimed Lucilla, blushing with pleasure
+nevertheless. "And that reminds me that I have not asked about your mail
+this morning. Are there some letters to be answered on the typewriter?"
+
+"I have been as forgetful as yourself, daughter," her father answered
+with a slight laugh. "Scip" (to a servant in waiting), "is the mail bag
+on the library table?"
+
+"I think so, sah. Shall I fotch it hyar?"
+
+"Yes; bring it here to me."
+
+It was brought, opened, and found to contain letters for family and
+guests, besides newspapers and magazines.
+
+They were speedily distributed to the owners, read,--some of them
+aloud,--and their contents talked over.
+
+Then all adjourned to the library for the morning service of prayer,
+praise, and reading of the Scriptures, after which they scattered about
+the house and grounds.
+
+Captain Raymond's share of the mail had included some business letters,
+and he called upon Lucilla to use her typewriter in preparing his
+replies, which she did promptly and cheerfully.
+
+"Thank you, daughter," he said when they had finished, "you and your
+typewriter make my correspondence far less burdensome than it would be
+otherwise."
+
+"I am so glad, papa! so glad that I can be of at least a little help to
+you," she said joyously. "It is such a privilege, and such a pleasure!"
+
+"Dear child!" he said in response. Then, as the sound of wheels on the
+drive without came to their ears, "Ah! our guests are beginning to
+arrive, and we must go out and bid them welcome."
+
+Several carriage loads were already there, and others quickly followed
+till, in a very short time, all the expected relatives were present.
+
+Then mirth and jollity ruled the hour, all--old and young--seeming in
+gayest spirits and ready to join in any amusement that might be
+proposed. Mr. and Mrs. Croly were among the guests. She had gained so
+materially in health and strength that she was able--resting in an
+easy-chair upon the veranda--to watch the sports of the younger and
+healthier ones with interest and enjoyment; and to converse with one and
+another as they came in turn to chat with her for a time. At length,
+finding herself alone with Grandma Elsie for a while, she turned to her,
+saying in a sprightly way:
+
+"I am getting so much better under the skilful treatment of Dr. Conly
+that I ventured on quite a drive this morning, and we went to look at a
+little place, some ten or more acres in extent, about which your son
+Doctor Harold was telling us yesterday. It is on the river bank, the
+lawn sloping down to the water, and it is hardly farther from Ion than
+this place. It is for sale. The house is small, but pretty, and could
+easily be added to, and so made as large as one might wish."
+
+"Riverside is the name of the estate?" Mrs. Travilla said inquiringly.
+
+"Yes; a pretty one we both--Mr. Croly and I--think, and we have about
+decided to buy it and enlarge and beautify the dwelling for our
+children,--our son and your daughter,--if you think that would please
+dear Rosie."
+
+"I think it could not fail to do so," Mrs. Travilla replied, her eyes
+sparkling with pleasure. "It will be a great pleasure to me to have our
+children so near, and I was thinking of making the purchase for them
+myself. It was only this morning I learned that the place was for sale."
+
+"Ah!" laughed Mrs. Croly, "don't try to get ahead of us. We want the
+place ourselves, and it won't hurt the young folks to wait for it till
+we are gone; especially as we intend it to be as much a home for them
+immediately as if they were sole proprietors."
+
+"And they will enjoy it all the more for having their kind parents with
+them," was Mrs. Travilla's pleased response.
+
+Then they fell to talking of alterations and additions to the dwelling,
+and plans for furnishing and decorating it and the grounds.
+
+"I am very glad indeed that you and your husband have decided to settle
+in this neighbourhood," said Mrs. Travilla; "glad that we are to have
+the pleasure of your society, and that Rosie's married home will not be
+at a distance from that of her childhood. I have been very fortunate in
+being able thus far to keep all my children near me."
+
+"Yes, I think so; and I do not wonder that they and you wish to keep
+together. I feel just so in regard to my one. Ah! who are those two
+ladies approaching on the driveway?"
+
+"One I call mamma," Mrs. Travilla said with a smile; "she is my father's
+second wife, and has been my dear mother since I was a little girl of
+ten. The other is Aunt Adelaide, a half sister of my father, who
+married a brother of Mamma Rose--Mr. Edward Allison of Philadelphia."
+
+"Ah, yes! I recognize Mrs. Dinsmore, now that they have drawn nearer,
+and Mrs. Allison as someone to whom I have been introduced; but I have
+met so many strangers in the last few days that I suppose I may be
+excused for not remembering her name and connection with you and our
+Rosie," she concluded with a smile, adding, "You will excuse me, I know,
+for claiming Rosie as mine as well as yours, because it is so sweet to
+me to have a daughter at long last."
+
+"I am very glad you feel it so," Mrs. Travilla returned with a sweet,
+sympathising look and smile, "and I hope my Rosie will prove to you the
+sweet and lovable daughter that she has always been to me."
+
+Just at that moment the other ladies joined them, and the four entered
+into a lively conversation, talking of Riverside and the improvements
+needed there, what a lovely home it would make for the Crolys, how
+pleasant it would be to have them so near, and how delightful for Rosie
+that thus she would escape the dreaded separation from her mother.
+
+"Yes," said Mrs. Croly, "I cannot tell you how glad I was to learn of
+this beautiful place, so near to Ion, for sale; for I felt badly over
+the thought that we were robbing Mrs. Travilla of the companionship of
+so sweet a daughter. Besides I am anxious to remain in this
+neighbourhood, that I may continue under the care of Dr. Conly; for he
+has helped me more than any other physician I ever tried."
+
+That remark seemed gratifying to all three of her listeners, and Mrs.
+Dinsmore said: "We are glad to hear it; for Dr. Conly is dear to us all,
+as relative, friend, and physician."
+
+"He has a lovely young wife," was Mrs. Croly's next remark; "and a
+darling baby boy of whom they are both very proud and fond."
+
+"Yes," said Mrs. Travilla, "it does one good to see how happy they are
+in the possession of it and of each other. Arthur remained single for
+years; I think to provide, or assist in providing, for his mother,
+sisters, and younger brothers, but he seems to be reaping his reward
+now in having a wife who is a great comfort and blessing to him."
+
+"She is that, indeed!" said Mrs. Allison emphatically. "Ah! speak of
+angels--here they come!" as Dr. Conly and his young wife were seen
+approaching, followed by a nurse carrying the infant.
+
+In another minute they had joined the group on the veranda, where the
+doctor speedily ensconced his wife in an easy-chair, placed himself in
+another by her side, and taking the baby from the nurse, held it up with
+a look of fatherly pride, asking the older ladies, "Isn't this a pretty
+fine specimen of babyhood, considering that he is my son?"
+
+"Yes, indeed!" laughed Mrs. Allison, "it is singular that so poor a
+specimen of manhood as my nephew, Arthur Conly, should have so fine a
+son. But he may have got his good looks from his mother; though I do not
+perceive that she has lost any."
+
+"Now, Aunt Adelaide, after that you will do well to take care not to
+fall ill and get into the doctor's hands," laughed Marian.
+
+"My dear," said the doctor, "can you suppose I object to having my wife
+praised? or my son, even at his father's expense?"
+
+"No, I know you do not," she returned. "I verily believe you would
+sacrifice everything for him except his mother."
+
+"Did he let you take part in any of the games?" asked Adelaide.
+
+"Oh, I didn't ask to!" said Marian. "I have grown so lazy that I thought
+it more fun to watch the others."
+
+"Captain Raymond and Violet seem to be enjoying tennis as much as any of
+the rest," remarked Mrs. Dinsmore, who was watching the game with keen
+interest.
+
+"Yes," said Dr. Conly, "all--old and young--seem very happy and
+interested in their various sports; and I think are gaining health and
+strength from the vigorous exercise in this pure air."
+
+Most of the company were engaged in games of one kind or another, but
+some few were wandering about in the alleys of the garden or wood, or
+sitting on the grass or some rustic bench, chatting sociably, as cousins
+and connections might be expected to do. Dr. Dick Percival and Maud
+Dinsmore were among the latter. They had had a game of tennis and were
+now refreshing themselves with a saunter through the wood.
+
+"I admire this place--Woodburn," said Maud. "Captain Raymond has, I
+think, made a sort of earthly paradise of it; though for that matter one
+might say pretty much the same of The Oaks, Ion, and several of the
+other family estates."
+
+"Yes; including those down in Louisiana," returned Dick--"Viamede,
+Magnolia Hall, and a few others. By the way, you have never been down
+there, have you?"
+
+"No, never; but I am hoping that Cousin Elsie will invite me one of
+these days."
+
+"Suppose you don't wait for that, but accept an invitation from me,"
+suggested Dick, giving her a very lover-like look and smile.
+
+"From you?" she exclaimed, her tone expressing surprise and a little
+bewilderment, "are you staying there?"
+
+"At Viamede? No, not now. I have bought a plantation not very far from
+there, and am trying to make it equal in beauty to Viamede. It will, of
+course, take some time to accomplish that; but, to me, Torriswood seems
+even now a very winsome place. And if I had my cousin Maud installed
+there, as mistress, I should be one of the happiest of men."
+
+"Oh! you want me to become your housekeeper?"
+
+"Yes; housekeeper, homekeeper, heartkeeper--everything! Oh, Maud
+darling! can't you understand that I love you and want you for my wife,
+my best, nearest, and dearest friend, my heart's idol? I love you in a
+way that I never loved anyone else. Can't you love me in the same
+way--as something nearer and dearer than a mere cousin?"
+
+Maud was blushing, trembling--wholly taken by surprise and hardly
+knowing whether to be glad or sorry. "Oh, Dick! how can you?" she
+stammered. "We are cousins, you know, and--and cousins ought not to--to
+marry. I have often heard Cousin Arthur say so."
+
+"Not first cousins, nor second, but we are neither; we are far enough
+removed to be entirely safe so far as that is concerned. So dearest,
+you need not hesitate on that account, if you feel that you can love me
+well enough to be happy as my wife. Can you? If you cannot now, I may be
+able to teach you to by clever courting. But I need a wife--I do indeed;
+and I don't know how to wait. Don't make me wait. Can't you give me your
+love--at least a little of it?"
+
+"Oh, Dick! do you really care so much for me and my love--really love me
+in that way?" she asked low and tremulously, her eyes full of happy
+tears. "I never thought of such a thing before; but--but I do believe I
+can--I do love you better than any other of my cousins; better
+than--than anybody else in the world."
+
+"Ah! dearest, you have made me very, very happy," he said joyously;
+"happier than I ever was in my life before, and I shall go home far
+richer than I came."
+
+As he spoke he drew her to a rustic seat in a nook so concealed by the
+trees and shrubbery and the winding of the path that they were entirely
+hidden from view, and, putting an arm about her he held her close with
+silent caresses that seemed very sweet to her; for she had been an
+orphan for years, and often hungry for love greater than that of brother
+or sister.
+
+"Maud, dear," he said presently, "we have given ourselves to each other,
+and why should we delay the final step? I do not want to go back to my
+home alone; will you not go with me? It would make me the happiest of
+men."
+
+"But--but you are going very soon, I understood--in a few days."
+
+"Yes; it would hardly do for me to wait longer than that; but what is
+the use of waiting? We know each other now as thoroughly as we ever can
+till we live together as man and wife."
+
+"But I should have no time to prepare my wardrobe----"
+
+"It is good enough, and can be easily added to when you are Mrs.
+Percival," he said with a low, gleeful laugh. "I am ready to take you,
+my darling, if you were without a single change of raiment. I do not
+think you know it, dearest, but I am no longer the poor relation I used
+to be. I have had a large practise, worked hard, and made some very
+fortunate investments, so that I can truly say that I am a fairly
+wealthy man. Ah, do give yourself into my keeping at once. I am heartily
+tired of my lonely bachelor life, and it will be great joy to me if I
+can go back, not to it, but to that of a happy married man. How a dear
+little wife--such as my cousin Maud would make--would brighten and make
+cheery that lonely home. Can you find it in your heart to refuse me the
+favour I ask, sweet one?"
+
+"I do not like to refuse you anything, dear Dick," she returned; "but it
+is all so sudden and unexpected; do let me have a little time to think
+it over and--and consult my friends and yours."
+
+"Ah, well! I will try to wait patiently," he sighed; "wait, hoping you
+will grant my request."
+
+"Oh, Dick, dear Dick! I really do feel like doing anything in the world
+that I can to make you happy. I will do whatever you wish, no matter
+what other people may say. Only," she added, as if with sudden
+recollection, "I suppose we must ask Uncle Dinsmore's consent."
+
+"Yes; but I have no fear that it will be withheld. He and I are no
+strangers to each other; he is my uncle, too, you know, and was my
+guardian while I was young enough to need one. I think he will be
+pleased that we are going into partnership,--you and I,--and will agree
+with me that the sooner we begin the better."
+
+"Provided that allows me time to get properly ready," she supplemented
+with an arch look and smile.
+
+"What preparation do you need?" he asked. "I am more than willing to
+take you just as you are. You look perfectly charming in that dress,
+and, for a wedding dress, the one you wore as bridesmaid to Cousin Rosie
+seems to me entirely suitable. Indeed, my darling, you look bewitchingly
+pretty in any and every thing you put on."
+
+"Oh, you flatterer!" she laughed. "I can't expect other people to see
+with your eyes; but, after all, the principal thing is to please you.
+That will be my business for the rest of my life, I suppose," she added,
+giving him a look of ardent affection.
+
+"And mine to please you, dearest. Shall we not follow Rosie's good
+example in making no secret of our engagement; at least so far as our
+own people here assembled are concerned? Will you let me take you back
+to the house now and introduce you there as my promised wife?"
+
+"Do just as you please about it, Cousin Dick," she said. "You are older
+and wiser than I."
+
+"I certainly am older," he said laughingly as they rose, and he gave her
+his arm; "but if I am wiser in some respects, you doubtless are in some
+others. Perhaps we will find out all about that when we get to
+housekeeping together."
+
+Mr. Dinsmore had joined the group on the veranda. Mr. Lilburn and Annis,
+Captain Raymond and Violet were there, too, and some others of the
+married people, among them Mr. Horace Dinsmore, Jr., of The Oaks, and
+his wife, as Dick and Maud came up the steps together. He led her
+directly to his uncle.
+
+"We have come for your blessing, sir, Cousin Maud and I," he said in
+clear, distinct tones. "Will you give her to me? She is willing that you
+should, and I promise to do all in my power to provide for her and make
+her happy."
+
+"Why, children, this is a surprise--but a pleasant one," exclaimed Mr.
+Dinsmore. "Yes, I give you my blessing and wish you many happy years
+together."
+
+Then the others crowded about with exclamations of surprise and
+pleasure, congratulations, good wishes, and questions. "How long had
+they been lovers?" "Did they expect to marry very soon?"
+
+"Yes, almost immediately," Dick answered to that last. "What was there
+to wait for? They were old enough to know their own minds, he was well
+able to support a wife, and had a home ready for her. It needed some
+improvements to be sure, but they could be made all the better with Maud
+there to give her opinion and advice."
+
+"But she must have time to prepare her trousseau," said young Mrs.
+Dinsmore.
+
+"I have just been coaxing her out of that notion," laughed Dick,
+regarding his promised wife with admiring eyes. "I want her, and the
+wedding finery can be attended to somewhat later. I don't think anything
+could be prettier or more becoming than the dress she wore at Cousin
+Rosie's wedding, and why can't she be married in that?"
+
+"Why, it would do, I suppose!" exclaimed Mrs. Dinsmore. "It is very
+pretty and becoming, and, with a bridal veil added, would make a
+suitable and handsome wedding dress."
+
+"A wedding dress? Who is going to be married now?" cried a girlish
+voice, and Sydney and Walter were seen coming up the steps. All turned
+at the sound of her voice, and Dick answered:
+
+"Your sister and I, Cousin Syd. Are you willing to take me for a
+brother?"
+
+"You!" she exclaimed, "you, Cousin Dick? Why, I never dreamed of such a
+thing! But I have no objection; no, not the least in the world--except
+that you'll be taking my sister away from me; I don't like that at all."
+
+"No, Coz, that is altogether a mistake," Dick hastened to say. "I don't
+want to separate you and Maud, and you have only to come along with us
+to escape that. You will find plenty of room and a warm welcome at
+Torriswood."
+
+"Thank you," she said; "but it's so sudden I can't realise it at all
+yet. When did you make up your minds to get married?"
+
+"Half an hour ago, perhaps; I forgot to look at my watch to take exact
+note of the time."
+
+"Oh! is that the way you do when you are taking note of a patient's
+pulse, or the time for administering a dose of medicine?"
+
+But Dick was saved the trouble of replying, as relatives, older and
+younger, came crowding up to learn what was going on.
+
+Chester and Frank were as much surprised as Sydney had been, but by no
+means displeased. They liked Dick as a cousin and had no objection to
+accepting him as a brother-in-law. The newly affianced had no frowns or
+objections to meet; everybody seemed pleased and interested, and the
+only queries were as to when and where the marriage should take place.
+
+"It should be at The Oaks, of course," said young Mr. Dinsmore. "That is
+her home, and has been for years."
+
+"And it was there mamma was married," said Violet, "and Maud might stand
+in the very same place."
+
+"Yes, I should be glad to have her do so," said Mrs. Travilla; "and she
+and Dick need ask nothing more than that their marriage may prove as
+happy a one as mine."
+
+"Yes, Cousin Elsie, I agree with you in that," said Maud. "I will be
+married at The Oaks, if Dick is satisfied to have it so."
+
+"Entirely," he said; "and now it remains only to fix upon the day and
+hour."
+
+That question seemed more difficult to settle than the other; but Dick
+finally had his way, and the morning of the day on which he was to start
+for the far South was fixed upon as the time for the ceremony. The other
+relatives from a distance would delay their departure long enough to be
+present, the older Mr. Cyril Keith was chosen as the officiating
+minister, and everyone seemed satisfied with all the arrangements.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+
+It had been a very enjoyable, but an exciting day; the little ones were
+weary with their sports, and all the guests, except those who were
+making Woodburn their temporary home, departed shortly after an early
+tea, and directly after the evening service of prayer and praise the
+ladies of the family retired to their rooms. At length Captains Raymond
+and Keith found themselves alone together upon the veranda.
+
+"Raymond," said the younger man, breaking a pause in their talk, "I have
+a great favour to ask of you."
+
+"Ah! what is it, Keith? Surely you do not need to be told that it would
+give me pleasure to do you any favour in my power."
+
+"Ah, I fear you hardly realise how much you are promising. Do you
+remember the talk we had some years ago at West Point?"
+
+"Yes; but do you remember that the subject was not to be referred
+to--at least the question you asked not to be repeated--for six years,
+and that it is now only five?"
+
+"Yes; but one year cannot make much difference, and it is highly
+probable that I may not be able to get here next year. Am I asking too
+much in begging you to let me speak now--before I go? Understand I am
+not asking leave to take her--your beautiful, charming daughter--away
+from you now, but only to tell the story of my love; for it has come to
+that, that I am deeply in love with her; only to tell the story and try
+to win a return of my affection and a promise that, at some future day,
+I may claim her for my own."
+
+"I would rather not, Keith; she is only a child," Captain Raymond
+replied in moved tones. "But since you are so urgent, and are so old and
+valued a friend, I don't like to refuse you. You may speak to her; but
+with the clear understanding, remember, that I will on no account allow
+her to marry for some time to come; I do not want to allow it before she
+is twenty-four or five."
+
+"Thank you," said Keith heartily; "that will be a long time to wait,
+but she is well worth waiting for. But do you think I have any reason to
+hope to win her--that she likes me in the very least?"
+
+"I am certain she has no dislike to you; that she feels kindly toward
+you as a relative and friend of the family; but I tell you candidly that
+I am well-nigh convinced that she has never thought of looking upon you
+as a lover; and it is a great happiness to me to be able to believe that
+she still loves her father better than any other man living."
+
+"Still it is possible you may be mistaken," Keith rejoined after a
+moment's discouraged silence, "and since I have your permission, I shall
+try what clever courting will do for me."
+
+A momentary silence followed, broken by Captain Raymond. "I fear I am a
+foolish, fond father, Keith. I have a very strong friendship for you,
+and there is no man to whom I would sooner trust my daughter's
+happiness, but yet I cannot wish you success in winning her; because,
+being in the army, you would necessarily take her to a distance from her
+home and me. But, as I have said, you may try, though with the full
+understanding that not for some years to come will I resign my custody
+of her. She is my own dear child, and, in my esteem, still much too
+young to leave my fostering care and assume the duties and
+responsibilities of wifehood and motherhood."
+
+"I don't blame you, Raymond, and shall not try to persuade her to go
+against her father's wishes in regard to the time of assuming the cares
+and duties you speak of," said Keith, heaving an involuntary sigh at
+thought of the years of bachelorhood still evidently in store for him.
+"I only wish I were sure of her even after serving seven years, as Jacob
+did for Rachel."
+
+"Well, I shall not cheat you as Laban did poor Jacob," returned Captain
+Raymond pleasantly. "By the way, Cousins Dick and Maud made quick work
+of their courting, and the marriage is to follow very speedily. In most
+cases such speedy work would be risky enough, but they know all about
+each other--at least so far as a couple may before the knot is tied
+which makes them one flesh. I think very highly of both, and hope it is
+going to be a most happy marriage."
+
+"I hope it may, indeed," said Keith. "Maud will be hurried with her
+preparations; more so than most ladies would like, I presume."
+
+"Yes; but really it will be just as well, I think, under all the
+circumstances. To-morrow we are all to spend one half the day at
+Roselands, the other at Pine Grove; the next day we go to Beechwood;
+then Thursday we are to have the wedding at The Oaks, and that night, or
+the next morning, most of the friends from a distance contemplate
+starting for their homes."
+
+"Yes, I among the rest," said Keith.
+
+"I need hardly say, for surely you cannot doubt it, that I should be
+glad to have you remain longer with us if Uncle Sam would permit it,"
+said Captain Raymond with cordial hospitality.
+
+"Thank you," returned Keith, "but that is more than I could expect even
+were there time to ask it, which there is not." Then, rising, "It
+strikes me that it is high time to be making ready for bed. Good-night,
+Raymond, my good friend; sweet sleep and pleasant dreams to you," and,
+with the last word, he held out his hand.
+
+Captain Raymond grasped it heartily, saying, "Good-night, Keith; I wish
+you the same. May He who never slumbers nor sleeps have us all in his
+kind care and keeping."
+
+In the principal event of the past day--the engagement of Dick Percival
+and Maud Dinsmore--and the talk of other days and events which ensued,
+Mrs. Elsie Travilla's thoughts had been carried back to the happy time
+of her own betrothal and marriage to the one whom she had so loved as
+friend, lover, and husband. She seemed to see him again as he was then,
+to hear his low breathed words of tenderest affection, and her tears
+fell fast at the thought that never again in this life should their
+sweet music fall upon her ear.
+
+But well she knew that the separation was only temporary; that they
+should meet again in the better land, where sickness, sorrow, and death
+can never enter, meet never more to part.
+
+She was alone in her boudoir, and, wiping away her tears, she knelt
+down in prayer, asking for strength to bear patiently and submissively
+the loss that was at times so grievous, and craving God's blessing upon
+the young relatives so soon to take upon them the marriage vows. Nor did
+she forget her own daughter so recently united to the man of her choice,
+or any other of her dear ones. Her heart swelled with joy and gratitude
+as she thought of them all, healthy, happy, and in comfortable
+circumstances; her dear old father and his lovely wife still spared to
+her, and the dear grandchildren who seemed to renew to her the youthful
+days of her own children, the fathers and mothers of these.
+
+Her thoughts were still full of motherly and grandmotherly cares and
+joys as she laid her head upon her pillow and passed into the land of
+dreams.
+
+When she awoke again it was to find the sun shining and the air full of
+the breath of flowers and the morning songs of the little birds in the
+tree tops just beyond her windows. She rose and knelt beside her bed,
+while her heart sent up its song of gratitude and praise, its petitions
+for grace and strength according to her day, asking the same for her
+dear ones also, and that she and they might be kept from accident,
+folly, and sin.
+
+As she made her toilet her thoughts again referred to Maud and her
+present needs, which could not well be supplied for lack of time.
+
+"Can I not help the dear girl in some way?" she asked herself.
+
+Then a sudden thought came to her and she hastened to a large closet,
+unlocked a trunk standing there, and took from it a package carefully
+wrapped in a large towel. Carrying it to a sofa in her boudoir she
+unpinned it and brought to light a dress of richest white satin, having
+an overskirt of point lace, and, beside it, a veil of the same costly
+material.
+
+"As beautiful as ever," she sighed softly to herself. "And the dress
+would, I think, fit Maud, with little or no alteration. It would be
+something of a trial to part with them permanently, but surely I can
+spare them to Maud for a few hours. It would give her pleasure, for she
+would look lovely in them, and every woman wants to look her very best
+at her bridal."
+
+But the breakfast bell was ringing, and, putting them carefully back in
+the trunk and relocking it, she hastened down to the dining room.
+
+There were a number of guests in the house, among them the Emburys of
+Magnolia Hall, and, naturally, the talk at the table ran principally
+upon the approaching marriage of Molly's brother, Dr. Percival.
+
+"I am much pleased," she said; "Maud will make a dear little sister for
+me, and I hope will find me a good and kind one to her. And if Sydney
+goes along she will be about as good as another. Perhaps Bob and she
+will get up another match, and then she will be my sister. I wish Bob
+could have come along with the rest of us."
+
+"Yes, I wish he could," said Mrs. Travilla. "He must take his turn at
+another time, leaving Dick to look after the patients."
+
+"I think Maud feels a trifle disappointed that she has no time to get up
+a grand wedding dress," Molly ran on, "but the one she wore as Rosie's
+bridesmaid is very pretty and becoming. Still it is not white; and I
+heard her say that she had always been determined to be married in
+white, if she married at all."
+
+"Oh, well," said Mr. Embury, "the getting married is the chief thing,
+and, after it is all over, it won't matter much whether it was done in
+white or some other colour. I presume most folks would think it better
+to be married even in black than not at all."
+
+"I think that depends very much upon what sort of husband one gets,"
+laughed Zoe. "I got married without any bridal finery; but it was a very
+fortunate thing for me after all," giving her husband a proudly
+affectionate glance.
+
+"Yes," he said with a smile, "and I wouldn't exchange the wife I got in
+that way for the most exquisitely attired bride in Christendom."
+
+Mrs. Travilla kept her own counsel in regard to her plans for Maud's
+relief, until breakfast and family worship were over; but then invited
+Molly to her boudoir, brought out the dress and veil she had been
+looking at, and disclosed her plan for Maud.
+
+Molly was delighted.
+
+"Oh, cousin, how good in you!" she cried. "I think Maud will be wild
+with joy to be so nicely brought out of her difficulty. For the dress is
+splendid, and, as you say, hardly out of the present fashion in its
+make-up. And the veil is just too lovely for anything! Fully as handsome
+as Rosie's was, and I thought it the very handsomest I had ever seen."
+
+"Then I shall telephone at once to The Oaks," Mrs. Travilla said, and,
+passing out and down to the hall below, she did so. Calling for Maud,
+she asked her to come over to Ion at once as she wished to consult her
+on an important matter requiring prompt decision; but she would not
+detain her long.
+
+Much wondering, Maud replied that she would be there in a few minutes;
+the carriage being at the door, and Mr. Dinsmore offering to drive her
+over immediately.
+
+Mrs. Travilla gave orders to a servant that on Miss Dinsmore's arrival
+she should be brought directly to her boudoir; Mr. Dinsmore might come
+also, if he wished; and presently both appeared.
+
+They were warmly greeted by Mrs. Travilla and Mrs. Embury, who was still
+with her.
+
+"I have something to show you, Maud, and an offer to make," Elsie said
+with a smile, leading the young girl forward and pointing to the dress
+and veil disposed about an easy-chair in a way to exhibit them in all
+their beauty.
+
+"Oh!" cried Maud, "how lovely! how lovely! I never saw them before.
+Whose were they? Where did they come from, Cousin Elsie?"
+
+"I wore them when--when I was married," Elsie answered in low, sad
+tones; "they have not been used since, but I will lend them to you, dear
+Maud, if you would like to use them for your bridal."
+
+"Oh, Cousin Elsie! wouldn't I? How good, how good in you! I am too
+hurried to buy anything, and that lace is far beyond my purse if I had
+any amount of time."
+
+"Then I am glad I thought of offering you the use of these. But now I
+think it would be well for you to try on the dress and see what--if
+any--alteration it needs. We will go into my dressing room, and I will
+be your tire-woman," she added, gathering up the dress as she spoke,
+while Mrs. Embury took the veil.
+
+The three passed into the dressing room, leaving Mr. Dinsmore sole
+occupant of the boudoir, he taking up a book to amuse himself with while
+they were gone.
+
+Only a few minutes had passed when they returned, Maud looking very
+bridelike in the dainty satin and the veil.
+
+"Bravo, cousin! You look every inch a bride, and a lovely one at that!"
+he exclaimed. "I advise you by all means to accept my sister's offer.
+You could not do better."
+
+"I could hardly want to do better," said Maud. "Yes, Cousin Elsie, I
+accept it with a world of thanks. Oh, I never dreamed of having anything
+so lovely to wear for my bridal dress! And I need not care that the
+finery does not really belong to me, for you know the old saying:
+
+          "'Something borrowed,
+              Something blue,
+            Something old and
+              Something new.'
+
+I'll borrow these, put a bow of blue ribbon on my under waist, and--ah!
+the dress and this lovely lace, veil and all, will be enough of
+something old!" she concluded with a light, gleeful laugh.
+
+"Dear child, don't be superstitious!" Mrs. Travilla said with a rather
+sad sort of smile, putting an arm round her and giving her a tender
+kiss. "I hope and trust you will be very happy with dear Dick, for he is
+a noble fellow; but it will depend more upon yourself--upon your being a
+true, good, and loving wife--than on what you wear when you give
+yourself to him, or at any other time."
+
+"Yes, I know, dear cousin," said Maud, returning the caress; "that was
+only my jest. I wouldn't be afraid to marry Dick in any kind of dress,
+or willing to marry anybody else in any kind of one. I didn't know that
+I was in love with him till he proposed, but now I feel that it would be
+impossible to love anybody else; almost impossible to live without him
+and his love."
+
+"I am glad, very glad to hear it," Elsie said, "and I hope and expect
+that you will make a very happy couple--sharing each other's cares,
+toils, and troubles, as well as the joys and blessings of life."
+
+"Yes, cousin dear; if we don't it shall not be my fault," Maud returned
+with emotion. "I do really want to be everything to Dick and make his
+life as bright and as happy as I can; and I know that is just how he
+feels toward me, dear fellow!"
+
+"That's right, Maud," said Mr. Dinsmore heartily, "and I think you and
+Dick have every prospect of making a happy couple. Well," rising as he
+spoke, "I am going down to have a little chat with father and mother,
+then must hasten home to attend to some matters about work to be done on
+the plantation. I suppose you and your package will be ready to be taken
+along, Maud?"
+
+"Yes; if Cousin Elsie is willing to trust the handsome thing in my care
+now," Maud replied, looking inquiringly at Mrs. Travilla.
+
+"Quite willing; for I know you will be careful of them," Mrs. Travilla
+replied with her own sweet smile. "I will fold them up and get the
+package ready while you resume the dress in which you came," she added
+as her brother left the room.
+
+"Maud," said Mrs. Embury, "if I were you I should keep this thing a
+secret from everybody but your sister and Cousin Sue, until your
+appearance in all the glory of this satin and lace at the time of the
+marriage ceremony. Think of the surprise and pleasure your unexpected
+grandeur in it will cause."
+
+"But what if the stunning surprise should have a bad effect upon
+somebody," laughed Maud. "I think I'll risk it, however. Oh, Cousin
+Elsie! I do not know how to thank you for this great kindness!" she
+added with tears of joy and gratitude in her eyes.
+
+"Then don't try, Maud, dear," Mrs. Travilla returned with a bright,
+sweet look into the young girl's face. "The happiness I can see that it
+gives you is even a greater reward than the trifling kindness deserves.
+And how fortunate it is that the dress fits so perfectly--as if it had
+just been made for you."
+
+A few moments later Maud and Mr. Dinsmore were on their way back to The
+Oaks. They found Mrs. Sue Dinsmore and Sydney on the veranda, waiting in
+eager curiosity to learn on what business Maud had been wanted at Ion.
+
+"To receive and bring home this package," returned Maud gaily to their
+excited questioning. "Come with me up to my room, and I will display to
+you its contents. You come, too, Cousin Horace, that you may witness
+their surprise and dismay. There, don't say you haven't time, for it
+needn't take you five minutes."
+
+"Well, perhaps I can spare that many," he returned laughingly, following
+the three as they tripped up the stairway.
+
+Maud made quick work of opening the package and displaying its contents
+to their view.
+
+"Oh, oh, how beautiful! how lovely! perfectly exquisite!" were the
+excited exclamations of Mrs. Dinsmore and Sydney. "Whose are they? where
+did they come from?"
+
+"They are Cousin Elsie's wedding dress and veil," replied Maud. "And she
+lends them to me to be married in. But it is to be a secret. Nobody is
+to know anything about it till I appear with them on--when I am to add
+the name of Percival to those I already bear," she concluded in a tone
+that seemed to indicate that she was jesting to hide an inclination to
+indulge in tears.
+
+"I highly approve," said Mrs. Dinsmore. "The things--dress and veil--are
+beautiful, and will make our bride look bewitchingly lovely; I strongly
+approve, too, of the plan of keeping the matter a close secret until the
+bride enters the room on the bridegroom's arm. But does the dress fit
+you, Maud?"
+
+"Perfectly; as if it had just been made for me!" exclaimed Maud in tones
+of delight. "Oh, I do feel so glad, and so thankful to dear Cousin
+Elsie! I fear it must be somewhat trying to her feelings to see me wear
+it; but she is not one to hesitate for that when she has an opportunity
+to do a kindness. She is a good Christian if ever there was one."
+
+"Indeed she is!" exclaimed Mrs. Dinsmore and Sydney in a breath.
+
+Mr. Dinsmore had already left the room.
+
+"But now, girls, we must bestir ourselves and make ready for the day,"
+added Mrs. Dinsmore. "You know the morning is to be spent by the whole
+connection at Pinegrove, and the afternoon at Roselands. It won't take
+you long to get ready, will it?"
+
+"No, only a few minutes," both answered, and she hurried away to
+complete her own preparations.
+
+"Oh, Maud, dear!" said Sydney, taking up the bridal veil and gazing
+admiringly upon it, "I am so glad Cousin Elsie has lent you this bit of
+loveliness, and that beautiful dress to be married in. You will look
+just bewitching; and how proud Dick will be of his bride. I wish he was
+here now to see these charming things. Do you mean to tell him about
+them and show them to him beforehand?"
+
+"I don't know; I really haven't thought about it yet," Maud answered.
+"But we must make haste, now, and not keep Cousin Horace and Sue
+waiting."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+
+At Woodburn Captain Raymond and his eldest daughter had had their usual
+early ramble together about the grounds; then, coming in, had found a
+large mail, containing a number of business letters for him, awaiting
+them.
+
+"I hope they are such as I can answer for you on the typewriter, papa,"
+Lucilla said cheerfully.
+
+"Yes," he replied; "if you have time and inclination to do so."
+
+"Always time to work for my father," she said, giving him a bright,
+sweet smile, as she seated herself before the machine.
+
+"Then we will do it at once," he said, returning the smile as he
+uncovered the machine and put the paper in place for her. "'Business
+before pleasure' is a good rule, and my dear, helpful daughter makes it
+an easier one for me to follow than it would be without her
+assistance."
+
+"I am so glad it does, papa; so glad I am of some use to you," she
+returned, blushing with pleasure as she spoke.
+
+"I know you are, daughter dear, else I should not call upon you for
+these services," he said heartily; then, glancing over a letter he had
+just opened, he began dictating.
+
+He had not said anything to her about the talk he and Donald Keith had
+had the night before, nor did he intend to. So sure of the result was he
+that it did not seem at all necessary, and he thought the knowledge of
+what was before her would only cause her embarrassment and discomfort.
+He did not know what opportunity Keith might seize, and it seemed better
+to leave her in ignorance of his intentions.
+
+"Is that all, father?" she asked presently, when several letters had
+been written.
+
+"Yes, daughter," he replied; "and now we can feel free for the day. I
+hope it will be a pleasant one to you."
+
+"I expect it to be, papa," she returned; "Pinegrove is a beautiful
+place, and the Howards are delightful people. No relation to me, but
+tolerably near cousins to Mamma Vi, you know."
+
+"Yes; Mrs. Howard being half sister to her grandfather," he said with an
+amused look. "They can hardly be called near relatives, but are very
+estimable people, and I think the half day may be passed very pleasantly
+with them and the visiting relatives."
+
+"I like Flora Howard. Papa, don't you think she might make a nice wife
+for Captain Keith, if only they should take a fancy to each other?"
+
+"I hadn't thought of it. She is rather young--not much older than my
+daughter Lulu, I judge; so had better not be thinking of marriage for
+years to come."
+
+"Yes, sir; but a good many girls do, you know; girls that haven't such a
+dear, good father as mine to make them feel that they never want to
+leave him for anybody else."
+
+"You are sure you don't want to leave yours?" he asked with a searching,
+though smiling look into her face.
+
+"Oh, papa, you can't doubt it, I am sure!" she exclaimed, giving him a
+look of ardent affection.
+
+"No, I do not," he returned; "I am very sure--since you have told me so
+at least a dozen times--that my dear eldest daughter loves me better
+than she does any other man living, and wants me to keep her all my own
+for years to come."
+
+"Yes, indeed, papa," she said with a happy laugh, "that is just what I
+want you to do."
+
+"Then we entirely agree. There is the breakfast bell, and I hope my
+daughter feels ready to obey its summons."
+
+"Yes, sir; it is a welcome sound."
+
+It was a bright and cheerful party that presently gathered about the
+table, and a lively conversation was carried on while they partook of
+the tempting viands. The new home about to be prepared for Rosie, its
+present condition, the beauty of the situation, the grounds, the
+building, and the improvements to be made by alterations and additions,
+were themes dilated upon for a time; then the approaching marriage of
+Dick and Maud came under discussion, and the questions were broached
+whether she would wear the dress she had worn as Rosie's bridesmaid,
+and whether she would have the same attendants.
+
+"I hope she will," little Elsie said. "I'd like to be flower girl again,
+and my dress is all ready, so that it wouldn't make any trouble or
+expense."
+
+"That is very thoughtful in you, little sister," laughed Lucilla.
+
+"I am really sorry there is no time or opportunity to buy presents for
+Maud," remarked Violet in a regretful tone.
+
+"Yes, it seems a pity," said Captain Raymond; "but perhaps they can be
+sent on to her later. If people will marry in haste they will have to
+take the consequences. I hope that in this case one of them will not be
+repenting at leisure."
+
+"I don't believe it will," said Violet. "They are of the same kith and
+kin, and know pretty much all about each other."
+
+"Keith," said Captain Raymond, "send your plate up again; I see it is
+almost empty."
+
+"Thank you, no; I want to save some appetite for the later breakfast
+that I am told I must share with the rest of you at Pinegrove. Our good
+friends there might feel hurt should I do it scant justice."
+
+"How soon do we go, papa?" asked Grace.
+
+"As soon after prayers as the ladies are dressed and ready."
+
+"The little girls and boys too, papa?" asked Ned somewhat anxiously.
+"Elsie and I are to go, aren't we?"
+
+"Oh, yes, my son, and I hope will have a very pleasant time. I am glad I
+can trust you to be good, well-behaved children."
+
+Donald Keith was on the watch for an opportunity to tell to Lucilla the
+story of his love, but none offered. They drove to Pinegrove, and
+afterward to Roselands, in the same carriage, but it had a number of
+other occupants, and the conversation was general. But, fortunately for
+Lucilla, she had no suspicion of his designs upon her, so was entirely
+at her ease with him.
+
+The Pinegrove party was a success, everybody enjoying it fully; the very
+young in playing games, the older ones strolling about the grounds,
+chatting, laughing, singing.
+
+The breakfast, quite a grand affair, was served about noon, and some two
+hours after it was over they all left the grove for Roselands.
+
+Little had been said at Pinegrove about the approaching marriage, but it
+came under discussion at Roselands, and to the extreme satisfaction of
+the two little Elsies it was decided that they should act as flower
+girls, as they had at Rosie's wedding. The same bridesmaids and maid of
+honour were chosen also; with the understanding that they should all
+wear the same dresses worn as Rosie's attendants.
+
+"And, of course, you will wear yours, Maud," said Laura Howard. "It is
+lovely and very becoming, and the shade so delicate that I should think
+it would do almost, if not quite, as well as if it were white."
+
+"It is very pretty, and as becoming as any I own," Maud said with a
+slight smile. "I haven't time to buy another, and, if one's bridegroom
+is all right, it doesn't really matter whether the wedding dress is
+perfectly white or not."
+
+"Certainly not," laughed Dick. "I should rather by far marry the right
+woman in a black calico than the wrong one in the handsomest of white
+satins; even with Brussels or point lace on it in abundance."
+
+"Well, then, I may feel entirely easy," Maud said, echoing his laugh,
+"for I shall certainly be better and more appropriately attired than in
+a black dress, or calico of any colour."
+
+"Of course you will," said Grace, "I think that dress of yours is lovely
+and extremely becoming. No one need be ashamed of such a wedding dress
+as that."
+
+"And I am determined that she shall have a lovely wedding," said Mrs.
+Sue Dinsmore; "as much like what I have been told Sister Elsie's was as
+possible. The house shall be trimmed with abundance of flowers, and the
+bride and groom shall stand in the very same spot that their
+predecessors did; and I dare say the refreshments will be pretty nearly
+a reproduction of what were served that evening; as nearly as I can
+manage it, at all events."
+
+"It really won't matter if there are some added luxuries, my dear," her
+husband remarked in a jesting tone, and with a twinkle of fun in his
+eye.
+
+"No, I presume not; it will be better to err on that side than on the
+other," she returned demurely. "I mean, however, to make up to poor Maud
+for the lack of a new wedding dress; at least so far as I can."
+
+"As I do," said Mrs. Travilla, smiling kindly upon the expectant bride.
+
+"And it is only the pressure of Dick's haste--the lack of time for
+it--that keeps her brothers from providing her with as handsome a
+wedding outfit as could be desired," remarked Chester, looking slightly
+annoyed and hurt.
+
+"Yes, Chester, we all know that," a chorus of voices exclaimed, his
+Uncle Dinsmore adding: "And as we are all relatives or connections, it
+really matters very little. Dick may be thankful--and I don't in the
+least doubt that he is--to get Maud, without considering how she is
+attired, or of what her wardrobe consists."
+
+"I say amen to that, uncle," smiled Dick, "and shall only enjoy speedily
+supplying anything lacking in her wardrobe. I'll be glad, indeed, to
+have the right."
+
+"Very good in you, Dick; but it isn't the bridegroom's place to supply
+the trousseau," said Chester, only half mollified. "And there is no
+occasion, seeing her brothers are able to do it, and willing, to say
+nothing of her own means."
+
+"Oh, Ches, don't be vexed," said Maud. "It will all be right; I have a
+very good wardrobe, and don't mean to let Dick buy anything for me this
+long while."
+
+At which Dick laughed meaningly, as much as to say: "In regard to that I
+shall do as I please or think best."
+
+Chester was somewhat out of sorts; he did not like to have his sister
+hurried into marriage without a trousseau, and he had noticed something
+that displeased him still more in Captain Keith's manner toward Lucilla
+Raymond. It was hard, very hard, he thought, that her father would not
+allow him to tell her the story of his love. He would have been still
+more indignant had he known that Keith was allowed that privilege.
+
+As for Keith, he was looking out for an opportunity to avail himself of
+the father's permission; not very hopefully, but still not in entire
+despair; thinking that clever courting might perhaps win her in the end.
+And he felt that she was worth much effort and long waiting for.
+
+The afternoon passed quickly and the party broke up early, partly
+because of the necessary preparations for to-morrow's wedding. The Oaks
+family, having the most of that to attend to, were the first to leave,
+and the others soon followed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+
+Ever since gaining her father's permission to tell Lucilla the story of
+his love, Captain Keith had been watching for a favourable opportunity
+to do so, but thus far without avail.
+
+"Now," he thought, as they drove on the homeward way from Roselands to
+Woodburn, "I must try to get a few moments alone with her this evening."
+
+He did not succeed, however; there were still several guests besides
+himself, and Lucilla seemed to be always in request for conversation, or
+taking part in some game. And directly after the evening service she
+slipped away to her own apartments and was seen no more that night.
+
+In the morning it was equally impossible to catch her alone for even a
+moment, so busy and excited were all with regard to what was to be the
+great event of the day.
+
+The ladies began their toilets soon after breakfast and were not seen
+again until about to enter the carriages which were to carry them to The
+Oaks; this time Keith had not even the pleasure of being in the same
+vehicle with Lucilla.
+
+Then, arrived at their destination, the young girls vanished from his
+sight, going into the dressing room appointed for their use in robing
+themselves for the ceremony.
+
+Lucilla and Grace were to be bridesmaids,--Laura Howard, also,--and
+Sydney maid of honour.
+
+Only a few minutes before their arrival Dick had been admitted to the
+room where his bride sat arrayed in her wedding attire--the beautiful
+dress and veil provided by the kindness of her Cousin Elsie.
+
+"Oh, my darling!" he exclaimed in astonishment, "how lovely you are and
+how beautifully dressed. This is not the dress you spoke of
+wearing,--this rich white satin,--and the veil. Why, Rosie's own were
+not handsomer!"
+
+"No, I think not," said Maud, smiling at his pleasure. "They are dear
+Cousin Elsie's own wedding garments, kindly lent to me because I had no
+time to procure such for myself; and I was willing--yes, very glad to
+borrow them, because they are so lovely and becoming, and because, you
+know, it is said to be good luck to have something old to wear, as well
+as something new. I hope my bridegroom approves?"
+
+"He could not do anything else, seeing how lovely his bride looks in
+them," Dick replied, putting an arm about her and holding her close with
+more than one tender caress. Then, holding her off a little for another
+and closer inspection, "Oh, Maud, darling, how lovely you are!" he
+exclaimed. "I feel a rich and happy man to think you are all my own, my
+very own. Dearest, it shall not be my fault if you do not find yourself
+a happy woman in the sweet, new home to which I am about to take you."
+
+"Dick, dear Dick, I do not doubt that I shall be happy," she said
+softly, lifting to his eyes that were full of happy tears; "if I am not,
+I am sure it will be no fault of yours."
+
+But footsteps were heard approaching and he took his arm from her waist
+and stood beside her with her hand in his.
+
+The door opened and the bridesmaids and groomsmen filed in. Then there
+were exclamations of surprise and delight.
+
+"Oh, Maud, how lovely! how lovely! When and where did you get that
+beautiful dress and veil? We all thought you were to be married in your
+bridesmaid dress that you wore at Rosie's wedding."
+
+"And you like this one better? and the veil that goes with it?" Maud
+returned with a joyous blush and smile.
+
+"Oh, yes, yes, certainly; it is far handsomer, and so becoming! But how
+did you get it up so quickly?"
+
+"I didn't. It was dear Cousin Elsie's wedding dress, and she has lent it
+to me to be married in. It was just like her--always so kind and
+thoughtful of others."
+
+"That is true, indeed!" said Lucilla; "I do think that in all this world
+there is not a kinder person than dear Grandma Elsie."
+
+Just then the little flower girls appeared in the doorway and uttered
+their exclamations of surprise and delight at the beauty of the bride's
+attire. Their mothers were just behind them, and Violet seemed as much
+surprised and pleased as the children. She recognized the dress and
+veil--which she had seen a number of times in the course of her life,
+and was well content that her mother had seen fit to lend them to Maud
+for this important time when she could not provide such luxuries for
+herself.
+
+"The dress fits you wonderfully well, Maud; and both it and the veil are
+very becoming," Violet said. "I am glad mamma had them, and thought of
+producing them for this occasion."
+
+"Yes, it was very, very kind in Cousin Elsie," returned the bride,
+blushing with pleasure.
+
+"And you are all ready to go down now, are you not?" asked Mrs.
+Dinsmore. "Everybody is here and waiting for the ceremony to begin. The
+appointed hour has come, too, and here is the minister," as the Rev. Mr.
+Keith appeared in the doorway.
+
+At that the little procession formed at once and passed down the broad
+stairway, through the flower-bedecked hall, and into the large parlour
+where the guests were gathered.
+
+All went well; the ceremony was short but impressive, the
+congratulations were warm and sincere, and the wedding breakfast that
+followed a grand affair. Soon after it was over the bride changed her
+wedding dress for a neat and pretty travelling one. Then she and her
+new-made husband bade good-bye, entered a carriage, and started for a
+train that was to carry them on their homeward way.
+
+Most of the other relatives from a distance left for their homes during
+the afternoon or evening. Captain Keith had announced his intention to
+leave that night by a later train. He was to start from Woodburn, so he
+bade adieu to all the friends but that family, then went home with his
+friend, Captain Raymond.
+
+After a late dinner there, he found and seized the opportunity he had so
+long been waiting for. Lucilla was sitting alone upon the veranda, with
+a book in her hand, but not reading, for her eyes were not on it. She
+seemed to be thinking intently of something else. But when Captain Keith
+took a seat by her side she welcomed him with a pleasant smile.
+
+"So you leave us to-night," she said. "I hope you have enjoyed your
+visit well enough to feel a trifle sorry to go."
+
+"I have enjoyed my visit greatly," he said in reply, "and I should like
+to prolong it; but it will not do to play all the time. It seems lonely,
+too, to have to go away taking no one with me. To go as Cousin Dick did
+this afternoon, with a dear young wife, would not be a hardship; but to
+go alone is rather dismal. Don't you think it must be?"
+
+"Yes; I have never tried it, but I should think it was. When mamma died
+and papa had to go away on his ship--oh, you don't know how hard it was
+to part with him--I still had my brother Max and dear Gracie. I had them
+both until a good while after papa came home to stay; so I have never
+been all alone."
+
+"And I sincerely hope you never may be," he said. "But do you never feel
+as if you would like to have a life companion, such as Maud was given
+to-day?"
+
+"A husband, do you mean? No, indeed! for then I should be obliged to
+leave my dear father--the best man in the world, the dearest, kindest,
+most loving father to me."
+
+"He is all that, I am sure," said Keith; "but, perhaps, some day you may
+find that you can love another even better than you love him."
+
+She shook her head dissentingly.
+
+"I can hardly believe it possible. It seems to me that it would just
+break my heart to have to leave my father or to be separated from him in
+any way."
+
+Keith sighed drearily. "Miss Raymond," he said, "I love you, I love you
+devotedly, and if--if you have not given your affection to another,
+perhaps in time you may find it possible to return my love. Will you not
+let me hope for that?"
+
+"Oh, don't!" she said, half rising to leave him, her face scarlet with
+blushes. "I don't know anything about love,--that kind of love,--and my
+father has forbidden me to listen to such things and----"
+
+"But he would let you this time, for he gave me permission to speak to
+you and--and tell you of my love."
+
+"That is very strange; I don't understand it," she said, sinking back
+into her chair with a look of perplexity and distress on her face.
+"Ah," brightening a little, "I think papa knew there was no danger that
+I would be willing to leave him for anybody else."
+
+"Yes; I suppose that was it," sighed Keith, and, at that moment, there
+came an interruption, very welcome to Lucilla, in the form of little Ned
+looking for papa. And the next moment papa himself, to find Captain
+Keith and hand him a letter; a servant having just brought the afternoon
+mail. Then Lucilla slipped away to her own room, where she stayed until
+summoned to the dining room by the tea bell.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+
+It was a pleasant surprise to Lucilla to find Grandma Elsie and Walter
+there, and to learn that they had come to stay several days. So it was
+easy to avoid being left alone with Captain Keith, and there was no more
+private talk between them. When the carriage drove up to take him to his
+train she was on the veranda with the others, and he shook hands with
+her in her turn, saying, "Good-bye, Miss Lu. I shall hope to hear from
+your father that you are well and happy."
+
+"Thank you; good-bye, and I wish you a safe journey," she said in reply,
+but without lifting her eyes to his face.
+
+Just as she was ready for bed her father came to her room to bid her
+good-night as he so often did.
+
+Taking her in his arms and looking searchingly into her eyes, "Is there
+anything wrong with you--anything troubling you, daughter?" he asked
+tenderly.
+
+"Yes, papa," she said, colouring and dropping her eyes. "Oh, why did you
+let Captain Keith talk to me of--of love, when you have so often told me
+I was much too young to even think of such things?"
+
+"Well, dear child," he said, "I knew it would be risking little or
+nothing, as I was certain I had too large a place in your heart to leave
+any room for him, but it seemed the only way to thoroughly convince him
+of that was to let him try to push himself in there. And he did try?"
+
+"Yes, papa; and when I told him you had forbidden me to listen to such
+things, he said you had given him leave to speak about it to me; and
+that surprised me more than his speaking. You didn't want me to say yes,
+father?"
+
+"No, daughter; no, indeed! I should not have let him speak if I had not
+been very sure that my dear child loved me too well to leave me for him
+or anybody else."
+
+"Oh, I am so glad!" she exclaimed with a sigh of relief and laying her
+head down on his breast, "though I couldn't believe that my dear father
+wanted to be rid of me, or felt willing that I should love anybody else
+better than I love him."
+
+"No, dear daughter, you need never be afraid of that. But, now,
+good-night. Go at once to your bed, for you are looking very weary."
+
+She obeyed, slept sweetly and peacefully till her usual hour for rising,
+and, as was her usual custom, joined her father in a stroll about the
+grounds before the breakfast hour.
+
+"How would you and Grace like to have your friends Eva and Sydney here
+for a few days, daughter?" he asked as they paced along side by side.
+
+"Oh, I think it would be very pleasant, papa!" she answered in a joyous
+tone. "I know Gracie would like it, and I think Sydney would, too. Eva
+always does. I believe she loves you almost as well as if you were her
+father as well as ours."
+
+"Ah! that is pleasant news for me," he said with a smile. "I am fond of
+her, too, though, of course, not with just the fondness I feel for my
+own children."
+
+"Oh, I am glad you don't! I shouldn't want you to love her as well as
+you do me. Will you invite the girls, papa?"
+
+"Yes; we will call to them through the telephone after breakfast."
+
+They did so, there was a joyful acceptance from each, and before the
+dinner hour they had both arrived. Sydney had not gone with Maud and
+Dick. It had been decided before the wedding that it would be better for
+her to remain in a more northern region till fall, then go South to make
+her home with her sister.
+
+"I was glad of your invitation, captain," she said when he helped her
+out of the carriage, "for I was finding it dreadfully lonesome without
+my sister."
+
+"Ah! so I suspected, as did my wife, and we thought it might relieve
+your loneliness a little to spend a few days here with us."
+
+"Yes; it was so kind," she responded, "so very kind! And you are here,
+too, Cousin Elsie, and Walter! Oh, I am sure we are going to have a fine
+time."
+
+"Yes, indeed, I always do have the best of times here," said Evelyn;
+"especially when Grandma Elsie and Walter add their attractions to
+those of the Woodburn folks."
+
+"We will all try to make it as delightful as we can," said Grace. "Papa
+has kindly excused Lu and me from lessons while you stay; so we can busy
+ourselves with fancy work or anything we like, when we are not driving
+or walking; and we have some new books and periodicals that one can read
+aloud while the rest are doing fancy work or whatever they please. We
+can play games, too, so I think we will not lack for amusement."
+
+"No, we never do, here," said Eva.
+
+And they did not; time passed swiftly and pleasantly in the round of
+occupations and amusements suggested by Grace. Friday and Saturday
+soon slipped by, and Sunday came, bringing its sacred duties and
+pleasures--religious services at home, at church, then the Sunday
+schools, and after that the home Bible class, which all found so
+pleasant. They gathered upon the veranda, each with a Bible in hand;
+for even little Ned could now read fluently, and generally find the
+references for himself.
+
+"Will you not lead us to-day, mother?" asked the captain when all were
+seated.
+
+"No," she said with her pleasant smile, "I very much prefer to have that
+burden borne by my son-in-law, Captain Raymond."
+
+"And you wish him to select the subject?"
+
+"Yes; he cannot fail to fix upon a good and interesting one."
+
+"And how is it with you, my love?" he asked, turning to Violet.
+
+"Suppose we take thanksgiving as our subject," she said; "we all have so
+much, so very much, to be thankful for."
+
+"Indeed we have!" he returned emphatically, "and I think no better
+subject could be found. Neddie, my boy, can you tell papa something you
+have to be thankful for?"
+
+"Oh, yes, papa! eyes to see with, ears to hear with, hands and feet, and
+that I can use them all; for I saw a boy the other day that can't walk
+at all, though he has feet, but must lie on a bed or sit in a chair all
+the time; while I can walk, and run, and jump whenever I want to."
+
+"Yes, those are all great blessings," his father said. "And now, Elsie,
+can you think of some others?"
+
+"Oh, so many, papa! more than I can count," the little girl answered
+earnestly. "A dear, kind father and mother, and grandma among them; and,
+oh, so many dear relations besides; 'specially my sisters and brothers.
+And I am so glad I was born in this Christian land and taught about God
+and the dear Saviour; and have a Bible to read, and know that I may pray
+to God, and that he will hear me and help me to be good--to love and
+serve him. But, oh! I can't name all my blessings, papa, they are so
+very, very many."
+
+"That is very true, daughter," he replied; "and we can all say the same;
+our blessings are more than we can count. But the best of all is the
+gift of God's dear son. 'God so loved the world, that he gave his only
+begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but
+have everlasting life.' 'Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.'
+'I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my
+God while I have being.' So says the Psalmist, and surely we can all
+echo his words from our very hearts. Mother, you seem to have selected
+a passage. Will you please read it?"
+
+"Yes," she said; "here in Corinthians where the apostle is speaking of
+the sting of death and the victory over the grave, he cries exultingly,
+'But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord
+Jesus Christ.' Then he goes on, 'Therefore my beloved brethren be ye
+steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,
+forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.'"
+
+"Yes; and let us all heed that exhortation," said the captain. "Evelyn,
+you seem to have a text ready. Will you please read it?"
+
+"These words of Jesus," she said, "'I will not leave you comfortless; I
+will come to you,' are they not words to be thankful for?"
+
+"They are, indeed!" he said. "What can be more comforting than the
+presence of the Master? His presence and his love. 'He that hath my
+commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that
+loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will
+manifest myself to him.' Ah! what is there more worthy to be thankful
+for than the love of Christ! But when should we give thanks, Walter?"
+
+"Always, sir. Here in Ephesians I read, 'Giving thanks always for all
+things unto God the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.' Again
+in first Thessalonians, 'We give thanks to God always for you all,
+making mention of you in our prayers.'"
+
+Then Sydney, Lucilla, and Grace read in turn:
+
+"'Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks; for
+that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.'"
+
+"'And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also ye are
+called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in
+you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms
+and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the
+Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the
+Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.'"
+
+"'Continue in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving.'"
+
+They read, in turn, again and again, finding the Bible full of
+exhortations to thanksgiving, then joined in singing hymns of
+praise--not with their voices only, but with joy, and thankfulness in
+their hearts because of the good gifts of God, both temporal and
+spiritual, to them all.
+
+So closed the Sabbath day, and after it followed a night of sweet sleep
+and peaceful rest.
+
+At the breakfast table the next morning Walter asked: "Where are we
+going to spend our summer? Isn't it time to be thinking about it?"
+
+The question seemed to be addressed to no one in particular. There was a
+moment's silence; then the captain said:
+
+"Suppose you give us your ideas and wishes on that subject, Walter."
+
+"Well, I haven't much choice, sir; there are so many places that are
+about equally agreeable to me. Anywhere with mother and the rest of
+you."
+
+"Then what place would you prefer, mother?" asked the captain.
+
+"It is a question I have hardly considered yet," she replied. "Perhaps
+it might be well to hold a family council on the subject."
+
+"May I offer a suggestion?" asked Evelyn modestly, blushing as she
+spoke.
+
+"Certainly, my dear," said Mrs. Travilla.
+
+"We will be glad to hear it," said the captain.
+
+"Then it is that all who think they would find it agreeable will spend
+at least a week or two with me in my cottage on the Hudson. It was
+rented for a time, but is vacant now, and I want very much to be in it
+for a while, yet certainly not alone."
+
+"It is most kind in you to invite us, Evelyn, dear," said Mrs. Travilla,
+"but our party would much more than fill it."
+
+"Unless we should go in relays," laughed Violet; "perhaps it might be
+managed in that way, if Eva is very desirous to have us there."
+
+"And perhaps there are hotels in the vicinity where most of us could be
+accommodated," said the captain. "We are much obliged for your
+invitation, Eva, and will consider the question and talk it over with
+the others who may choose to be of our party."
+
+"Oh, I think it would be fun to go there!" exclaimed Sydney. "If I can
+have my way, I'll pay you a little visit there, and pass the rest of the
+time at the seashore."
+
+"That is what I should like to do," said Lucilla.
+
+"And I also," added Grace; "if papa and mamma approve, and would be with
+us in both places."
+
+"Of course I meant that," Lucilla hastened to say; "we would not half
+enjoy ourselves without them; and the children," she added, glancing at
+Elsie and Ned.
+
+"It seems to me we're getting pretty big to be called that," said Ned a
+little scornfully. "I'll be a man one of these days."
+
+"Not quite that yet, little brother," laughed Lucilla.
+
+The talk in regard to the summer's excursion was renewed after family
+worship, as they all sat together upon the veranda. Various places were
+talked of, various plans discussed, but nothing could be fully decided
+upon without consultation with the other near relatives who might
+decide to be of the party.
+
+"Hello! here comes Doctor Herbert," exclaimed Walter, as a doctor's gig
+turned in at the great gates and came driving rapidly up to the house.
+
+"What is it, Doc?" springing up and hastening down the steps as the gig
+halted before them.
+
+"A letter for mother," answered Herbert, handing it to Walter as he
+spoke. "Good-morning, mother, and all of you. You are looking well and
+have no need of a doctor, I suppose?"
+
+"Yes, we want a call from that one," said Violet. "Come in, won't you,
+if it is for only five minutes?"
+
+"Well, yes; since you are so urgent and I know of no urgent call for my
+services elsewhere," answered Herbert, suiting the action to the word.
+
+"Good-morning, my son," was his mother's smiling salutation, as he bent
+down to give her an affectionate caress. "I suppose you want to hear
+what Rosie has to say. I will just glance over her letter, then read
+aloud whatever I think she would deem suitable for you all to hear."
+
+It was a pleasant, cheerful letter; all seemed to be going right with
+the young couple, they very happy in each other. They were at Niagara
+Falls, expecting soon to leave there for some place on the Hudson, and
+afterward to visit the seashore; but their plans were not yet definitely
+arranged; nor would they be until Will's parents and Rosie's home
+friends, intending to go North for the summer, were heard from in regard
+to their plans and purposes.
+
+"Well," said Herbert, when the reading of the letter was concluded, "I
+think we will have to hold a family council, taking in the Crolys, and
+decide those momentous questions. Right quickly, too, for the weather is
+growing very warm, and if you all stay here our firm may have too much
+to do."
+
+"I think you are right, doctor," said the captain, "and lest you and
+Harold and Arthur should be overworked, I intend to see that that
+council is held promptly."
+
+"Well, captain, suppose we appoint this evening as the time, and
+Roselands as the place, as the Crolys are there, and not so able as the
+rest of us to go about from place to place."
+
+"That seems a very good plan," said his mother, "but I think it will not
+be necessary for us all to attend. I prefer to leave the decision with
+the gentlemen of our party. Can you go, Herbert?"
+
+"To the family council, mother? Oh, yes!"
+
+"That is well," she said with a smile, "but I meant can you go North
+with us?"
+
+"For a part of the time, I think; we three doctors can doubtless take
+turns in having a vacation."
+
+"You ought to, I think," said Violet. "Doctors certainly need rest as
+much, or more, than most other people."
+
+"Yes, they do, indeed!" said the captain; "they are, as a rule, very
+much overworked, I think."
+
+"Some of them hardly so much as they might like to be," laughed Herbert.
+"You will be coming home soon, mother?" turning to her.
+
+"Yes; probably to-morrow," she answered.
+
+He chatted a little longer, then drove away. The young people presently
+went off into the grounds, leaving Grandma Elsie, Violet, and the
+captain still sitting in the veranda, they busied with their fancy work,
+he looking over the morning paper.
+
+"If you find anything very interesting, my dear, mamma and I will be
+glad to hear it," said Violet.
+
+"Yes," he said, "and here is something interesting, though far from
+being pleasant news. Davis, one of the burglars whom Lucilla caught, has
+escaped from prison; gone no one knows where, and may be even now
+lurking in this neighbourhood. I must watch over my daughter or he may
+attempt to do her some harm. At the time of the trial he seemed to feel
+very revengeful toward her."
+
+"Oh, that is dreadful!" cried Violet. "Indeed we must be watchful over
+poor dear Lu. You will not tell her, Levis?"
+
+"I think I shall," he said reflectively; "she will need to be careful
+about venturing to a distance from the house, even within the grounds,
+without a protector; therefore I must warn her and forbid her to run
+any unnecessary risk. I hope it may not be long before the fellow will
+be caught and returned to his prison."
+
+"And I think it might be well for us to hasten our departure for the
+North for her safety," said Violet. "She would be safer there, would she
+not?"
+
+"Probably," he replied, "and we will make haste to be off on that
+account."
+
+"Yes; I think you should, by all means," said her mother. "Anything that
+I can do to assist your preparations, Vi, will be gladly done."
+
+"I will set to work at once," exclaimed Violet.
+
+"And I shall call my daughters in at once and set them about their
+preparations," said the captain, throwing aside his paper and starting
+even as he spoke.
+
+The young people were much surprised by his summons and directions to
+his daughters, but he did not go into a lengthened explanation; merely
+said that he had decided to start northward in a day or two, and
+necessary preparations must be made as promptly as possible.
+
+His daughters were accustomed to rendering prompt and unquestioning
+obedience to their father's commands, and did so now, though much
+wondering at this sudden move.
+
+Some hours later he called Lucilla aside and told her the whole story.
+She turned pale for a moment, then, lifting fearless eyes to his,
+"Father," she said, "don't be uneasy about me. I will trust in the Lord
+and not be afraid; I will trust in his care and yours, and I shall be
+safe. I am thinking of those sweet verses in the thirty-seventh Psalm,
+'But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength
+in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them and deliver them:
+he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust
+in him.'"
+
+"Yes, dear child, trust in him and you will be safe," returned the
+captain with emotion. "I shall not go over to Roselands this evening, as
+I had intended, but will talk through the telephone to the friends
+gathered there to discuss the questions when we shall start for the
+North and in what spots locate ourselves for the summer."
+
+He did so, and before they were through with their conference it was
+decided that he, with his family, Evelyn, Sydney, Grandma Elsie, Walter,
+and all the Lelands should at once pack up, and in two days start for
+Eva's cottage on the Hudson.
+
+Little preparation was needed but the packing of trunks; all were ready
+at the set time, started away in good health and spirits, and,
+travelling by rail, soon reached their destination; where we will leave
+them for the present.
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
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+
+
+Transcriber's notes:
+
+   Punctuation normalized.
+
+   Page 65: the word "the" inserted: "with the results."
+
+   Page 155: "thing" changed to "think": "Don't you think so".
+
+   Page 197: "lead" changed to "led": "the minister led the exercises".
+
+   Page 264: "On" changed to "No": "No one need be".
+
+
+
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