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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/38353-8.txt b/38353-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d2502a3 --- /dev/null +++ b/38353-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9509 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Elsie's Widowhood, 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's Widowhood + A Sequel to Elsie's Children + + +Author: Martha Finley + + + +Release Date: December 20, 2011 [eBook #38353] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELSIE'S WIDOWHOOD*** + + +E-text prepared by Mark Nodine and the Online Distributed Proofreading +Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made available by +Internet Archive/American Libraries +(http://www.archive.org/details/americana) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustration. + See 38353-h.htm or 38353-h.zip: + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38353/38353-h/38353-h.htm) + or + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38353/38353-h.zip) + + + Images of the original pages are available through + Internet Archive/American Libraries. See + http://www.archive.org/details/elsieswidowhoods00finl + + + + + +ELSIE'S WIDOWHOOD + +A Sequel to "Elsie's Children" + +by + +MARTHA FINLEY + +"Alone she wanders where with HIM she trod, +No arm to stay her, but she leans on God." + --O. W. HOLMES + + + + + + + +New York +Dodd, Mead and Company +Publishers + +Copyright, 1880, by Dodd, Mead & Company. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +It was not in my heart to give to my favorite child, Elsie, the sorrows +of Widowhood. But the public made the title and demanded the book; and +the public, I am told, is autocratic. So what could I do but write the +story and try to show how the love of Christ in the heart can make life +happy even under sore bereavement? The apostle says, "I am filled with +comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation;" and since +trouble, trial and affliction are the lot of all in this world of sin +and sorrow, what greater kindness could I do you, dear reader, than to +show you where to go for relief and consolation? That this little book +may teach the sweet lesson to many a tried and burdened soul, is the +earnest prayer of your friend, + + THE AUTHOR. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + PAGE + + CHAPTER I 7 + + CHAPTER II 18 + + CHAPTER III 28 + + CHAPTER IV 38 + + CHAPTER V 47 + + CHAPTER VI 59 + + CHAPTER VII 68 + + CHAPTER VIII 80 + + CHAPTER IX 91 + + CHAPTER X 101 + + CHAPTER XI 114 + + CHAPTER XII 127 + + CHAPTER XIII 140 + + CHAPTER XIV 151 + + CHAPTER XV 165 + + CHAPTER XVI 178 + + CHAPTER XVII 194 + + CHAPTER XVIII 207 + + CHAPTER XIX 220 + + CHAPTER XX 236 + + CHAPTER XXI 247 + + CHAPTER XXII 263 + + CHAPTER XXIII 279 + + CHAPTER XXIV 296 + + CHAPTER XXV 323 + + + + +ELSIE'S WIDOWHOOD. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + "All love is sweet, + Given or returned. Common as light is love, + And its familiar voice wearies not ever." + --_Shelley._ + + +"Come in, Vi, darling," said Mrs. Travilla's sweet voice, "we will be +glad to have you with us." + +Violet, finding the door of her mother's dressing-room ajar, had stepped +in, then drawn hastily back, fearing to intrude upon what seemed a +private interview between her and her namesake daughter; Elsie being +seated on a cushion at her mamma's feet, her face half hidden on her +lap, while mamma's soft white hand gently caressed her hair and cheek. + +"I feared my presence might not be quite desirable just now, mamma," +Violet said gayly, coming forward as she spoke. "But what is the +matter?" she asked in alarm, perceiving that tears were trembling in the +soft brown eyes that were lifted to hers. "Dear mamma, are you ill? or +is Elsie? is anything wrong with her?" + +"She shall answer for herself," the mother said with a sort of tremulous +gayety of tone and manner. "Come, bonny lassie, lift your head and tell +your sister of the calamity that has befallen you." + +There was a whispered word or two of reply, and Elsie rose hastily and +glided from the room. + +"Mamma, is she sick?" asked Violet, surprised and troubled. + +"No, dear child. It is--the old story:" and the mother sighed +involuntarily. "We cannot keep her always; some one wants to take her +from us." + +"Some one! oh who, mamma? who would dare? But you and papa will never +allow it?" + +"Ah, my child, we cannot refuse; and I understand now, as I never did +before, why my father looked so sad when yours asked him for his +daughter." + +Light flashed upon Violet. "Ah mamma, is that it? and who--but I think I +know. It is Lester Leland, is it not?" + +Her mother's smile told her that her conjecture was correct. + +Violet sighed as she took the seat just vacated by her sister, folded +her arms on her mother's lap, and looked up with loving eyes into her +face. + +"Dear mamma, I am so sorry for you! for papa too, and for myself. What +shall I do without my sister? How can you and papa do without her? How +_can_ she? I'm sure no one in the world can ever be so dear to _me_ as +my own precious father and mother. And I wish--I wish Lester Leland had +never seen her." + +"No, darling, we should not wish that. These things must be; God in his +infinite wisdom and goodness has so ordered it. I am sad at the thought +of parting with my dear child, yet how could I be so selfish as to wish +her to miss the great happiness that I have found in the love of husband +and children?" + +Violet answered with a doubtful "Yes, mamma, but--" + +"Well, dear?" her mother asked with a smile, after waiting in vain for +the conclusion of the sentence. + +"I am sure there is not another man in all the world like papa; not one +half so dear and good and kind and lovable." + +"Ah, you may change your mind about that some day. It is precisely what +I used to think and say of my dear father, before I quite learned the +worth of yours." + +"Ah, yes, I forgot grandpa! he is--almost as nice and dear as papa. But +there can't be another one, I'm very, every sure of that. Lester Leland +is not half so nice. Oh I don't see how Elsie _can_!" + +"How Elsie can what?" asked her father, coming in at that moment, and +regarding her with a half quizzical look and smile. + +"Leave you and mamma for somebody else, you dear, dear, dearest father!" +returned Vi, springing up and running to him to put her arms about his +neck and half smother him with kisses. + +"Then we may hope to keep you for a good while yet?" he said +interrogatively, holding her close and returning her caresses in most +tender fatherly fashion, the mother watching them with beaming eyes. + +"Yes, indeed; till you grow quite, quite tired of me, papa." + +"And that will never be, my pet. Ah, little wife, how rich we are in our +children! Yet not rich enough to part with one without a pang of regret. +But we will not trouble about that yet, since the evil day is not very +near." + +"Oh isn't it?" cried Violet joyously. + +"No; Lester goes to Italy in a few weeks, and it will be one, two, or +maybe three years before he returns to claim his bride." + +"Ah, then it is not time to begin to fret about it yet!" cried Vi, +gleefully, smiles chasing away the clouds from her brow. + +At her age a year seems a long while in anticipation. + +"No, daughter, nor ever will be," her father responded with gentle +gravity. "I hope my little girl will never allow herself to indulge in +so useless and sinful a thing as fretting over either what can or what +cannot be helped." + +"Ah, you don't mean to let me fret at all, I see, you dear, wise old +papa," she returned with a merry laugh. "Now I must find Elsie and pass +the lesson over to her. For I shrewdly suspect she's fretting over +Lester's expected departure." + +"Away with you then!" was the laughing rejoinder, and she went dancing +and singing from the room. + +"The dear, merry, light-hearted child," her father said, looking after +her. "Would that I could keep her always thus." + +"Would you if you could, my husband?" Mrs. Travilla asked with a tender +smile, a look of loving reverence, as he sat down by her side. + +"No, sweet wife, I would not," he answered emphatically; "for, as +Rutherford says, 'grace groweth best in winter;' and the Master says, +'As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.'" + +"Yes; and 'we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of +God.' Ah, we could never choose for our precious children exemption from +such trials and afflictions as He may see necessary to fit them for an +eternity of joy and bliss at His right hand!" + +"No; nor for ourselves, nor for each other, my darling. But how well it +is that the choice is not for us! How could I ever choose a single pang +for you, beloved? vein of my heart, my life, my light, my joy!" + +"Or I for you, my dear, dear husband!" she whispered, as he drew her +head to a resting place upon his breast and pressed a long kiss of +ardent affection on her pure white brow. "Ah, Edward, I sometimes fear +that I lean on you too much, love you too dearly! What could I ever do +without you--husband, friend, counsellor, guide--everything in one?" + +Violet went very softly into her sister's dressing-room and stood for +several minutes watching her with a mixture of curiosity, interest and +amusement, before Elsie became aware of her presence. + +She sat with her elbow on the window seat, her cheek in her hand, eyes +fixed on some distant point in the landscape, but evidently with +thoughts intent upon something quite foreign to it; for the color came +and went on the soft cheeks with every breath, and conscious smiles +played about the full red lips. + +At last turning her head and catching her young sister's eye, she +crimsoned to the very forehead. + +"O Elsie, don't mind me!" Violet said, springing to her side and putting +her arms around her. "Are you so very happy? You look so, and I am glad +for you; but--but I can't understand it." + +"What, Vi?" Elsie asked, half hiding her blushing face on her sister's +shoulder. + +"How you can love anybody better than our own dear, darling, precious +papa and mamma." + +"Yes, I--I don't wonder, Vi," blushing more deeply than before, "but +they are not angry--dear, dear mamma and papa--it seems to me I never +loved them half so dearly before--and they say it is quite natural and +right." + +"Then it must be, of course; but--I wish it was somebody else's sister +and not mine. I can't feel as if a stranger has as much right to my own +sister as I have; and I don't know how to do without you. O Elsie, can't +you be content to live on always in just the way we have ever since we +were little bits of things?" + +Elsie answered with an ardent embrace and a murmured "Darling Vi, don't +be vexed with me. I'm sure you wouldn't if you knew how dearly, dearly I +love you." + +"Well, I do suppose you can't help it!" sighed Violet, returning the +embrace. + +"Can't help loving you? No, indeed; who could?" Elsie returned +laughingly. "You wouldn't wish it, surely? You value my affection?" + +"Oh you dear old goose!" laughed Violet; "but that was a wilful +misunderstanding. None so stupid as those that won't comprehend. Now +I'll run away and leave you to your pleasant thoughts. May I tell +Molly?" + +"Yes," Elsie answered with some hesitation, "she'll have to know soon. +Mamma thinks it should not be kept secret, though it must be so long +before--" + +"Ah, that reminds me that I was to pass over to you the lesson papa just +gave me--that fretting is never wise or right. I leave you to make the +application," and she ran gayly away. + +So joyous of heart, so full of youthful life and animation was she that +she seldom moved with sedateness and sobriety in the privacy of home, +but went tripping and dancing from room to room, often filling the house +with birdlike warblings or silvery laughter. + +Molly Percival sat in her own cheery, pleasant room, pen in hand and +surrounded by books and papers over which she seemed very intent, though +now and then she lifted her head and sent a sweeping glance through the +open window, drinking in with delight the beauties of a panorama of hill +and dale, sparkling river, cultivated field and wild woodland, to which +the shifting lights and shadows, as now and again a fleecy, wind-swept +cloud partially obscured the brightness of the sun, lent the charm of +endless variety. + +Molly's face was bright with intelligence and good humor. She enjoyed +her work and her increasing success. And she had still another happiness +in the change that had come over her mother. + +Still feeble in intellect, Enna Johnson had become as remarkable for +gentleness and docility as she had formerly been for pride, arrogance +and self-will. + +She had grown very fond of Molly, too, very proud of her attainments and +her growing fame, and asked no greater privilege than to sit in the room +with her, watching her at her work, and ever ready to wait upon and do +her errands. + +And so she, too, had her home at Ion, made always welcome by its +large-hearted, generous master and mistress. + +"Busy, as usual, I see," remarked Violet, as she came tripping in. +"Molly, you are the veriest bee, and richly deserve to have your hive +full of the finest honey. I'm the bearer of a bit of news very +interesting to Elsie and me, in fact I suppose I might say to all the +family. Have you time to hear it?" + +"Yes, indeed, and to thank you for your kindness in bringing it," Molly +answered, laying down her pen and leaning back in a restful attitude. +"But sit down first, won't you?" + +"Thank you, no; it's time to dress for dinner. I must just state the +fact and run away," said Violet, pulling out a tiny gold watch set with +brilliants. "It is that Elsie and Lester Leland are engaged." + +"And your father and mother approve?" asked Molly in some surprise. + +"Yes, of course; Elsie would never think of engaging herself to anybody +without their approval. But why should they be expected to object?" + +"I don't know, only--he's poor, and most wealthy people would consider +that a very great objection." + +Violet laughed lightly. "What an odd idea! If there is wealth on one +side, there's the less need of it on the other, I should think. And he +is intelligent, sensible, talented, amiable and good; rather handsome +too." + +"And so you are pleased, Vi?" + +"Yes, no, I don't know," and the bright face clouded slightly. "I +wish--but if people must marry, he'll do as well as another to rob me of +my sister, I suppose." + +She tripped away, and Molly, dropping her head upon her folded arms on +the table, sighed profoundly. + +Some one touched her on the shoulder, and her mother's voice asked, +"What's the matter, Molly? You don't envy her that poor artist fellow, +do you? You needn't: there'll be a better one coming along for you one +of these days." + +"No, no; not for me! not for me!" gasped the girl. "I've nothing to do +with love or marriage, except to picture them for others. It's like +mixing delicious draughts for other lips, while I--I may not taste +them--may not have a single drop to cool my parched tongue, or quench my +burning thirst." + +At the moment life seemed to stretch out before her as a dreary waste, +unbrightened by a single flower--a long, toilsome road to be trod in +loneliness and pain. Her heart uttered the old plaint: "They seem to +have everything and I nothing." + +Then her cheek burned with shame, and penitent tears filled her eyes, as +better thoughts came crowding into her mind. + +Had she not a better than an earthly love to cheer, comfort, and sustain +her on her way?--a love that would never fail, a Friend who would never +leave nor forsake her; whose sympathy was perfect; who was always +touched with the feeling of her infirmities, and into whose ear she +could ever whisper her every sorrow, perplexity, anxiety, certain of +help; for His love and power were infinite. + +And the minor blessings of her lot were innumerable: the love of kindred +and friends, and the ability to do good and give pleasure by the +exercise of her God-given talents, not the least. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + "Marriage is a matter of more worth + Than to be dealt in by attorneyship." + --_Shakespeare._ + + +Lester Leland would sail in a few weeks for Europe. He was going to +Italy to study the great masters, and with the determination to spare no +effort to so perfect himself in his art that his fame as the first of +American sculptors should constitute a prize worthy to lay at the feet +of his peerless Elsie. + +Their engagement was presently made known to all the connection, and +with no pledge or request of secrecy, her parents deeming such a course +wisest and kindest to all parties. Elsie had many suitors, and it was +but just to them to let it be understood that her selection was made. + +The communication was by note to each family, which note contained also +an invitation to a family dinner at Ion, given in honor of the newly +affianced pair. + +Of course the matter called forth more or less of discussion in each +household, every one feeling privileged to express an opinion in regard +to the suitableness of the proposed match. + +It created some surprise at the Oaks, but as Lester was liked and his +genius admired by them all, there were no unfavorable comments. + +At Ashlands the news was received in much the same way, Herbert +remarking, "Well, as it isn't Vi, I don't care a pin." + +Everybody at Fairview was delighted. At Pinegrove it was pronounced "an +odd affair," but just like the Travillas; in choosing their friends and +associates they never seemed to look upon wealth as a recommendation, or +the want of it as an objection. + +It was at breakfast-time that the note of invitation, addressed to old +Mr. Dinsmore, reached Roselands. He glanced over it, then read it aloud. + +"My great-granddaughter engaged to be married!" he remarked, as he laid +it down. "I may well feel myself an aged patriarch! Though 'few and evil +have the days of the years of my life been,'" he added, low and +musingly, ending with a heavy sigh. + +"No such thing, father!" said Mrs. Conly, in a quick, impatient tone. +"I'm not going to hear you talk so about yourself; you who have been +always an honorable, upright, polished gentleman." + +"But what a wretched mésalliance is this!" she commented, with covert +delight, taking up the note and glancing over its contents. "A poor +artist, destitute of fame and money alike, to mate with an heiress to +hundreds of thousands! Why, poor as I and my children are, I should have +rejected overtures from him for one of my girls with scorn and +indignation." + +"Which would have been a decided mistake, I think, mother," remarked +Calhoun, respectfully. "Leland is a fine fellow, of good family, and +very talented. He'll make his mark some day, and you may live to take +pride in saying that the wife of the famous sculptor Leland is a niece +of yours." + +"A half grandniece," she corrected, bridling. "But I shall be an ancient +dame indeed before that comes to pass." + +"I have found him a very gentlemanly and intelligent fellow," remarked +Arthur; "and as for money, Elsie is likely to have enough for both." + +"So she is," said the grandfather. + +"And he is thoroughly good, and will make a kind and appreciative +husband," added Isadore. + +Virginia looked scornful and contemptuous. "He's too goody-goody for +me," she said, "but just like the Travillas in that, so will fit in +exactly, I presume. Well, if people like to make fools of themselves, I +don't see that we need be unhappy about it. We'll accept the invitation, +of course, mamma?" turning to her mother; "and the next question is, +what shall we wear?" + +"We must make handsome dinner toilets, of course," was the reply; "for, +though none but relatives and connections are to be present, it will be +a large company." + +"Yes, and I've no fancy for being outshone by anybody, and Aunt Rose is +sure to be very elegantly attired; Cousin Rose Lacey and Cousin Horace's +wife no less so. Talk of my fondness for dress! It's small compared to +theirs." + +"It is principally the doing of the husbands," said Isadore. "Both--or I +might say all three, for Uncle Horace is no exception--are very fond of +seeing their wives well dressed." + +"An excellent trait in a gentleman--the determination that his nearest +female relatives shall make a good appearance," remarked Mrs. Conly, +significantly, glancing from father to sons. + +"But the ability to bring it about is not always commensurate with the +desire, mother," said Isadore. + +"Thank you, Isa," said Calhoun, following her from the room, for she had +risen from the table with her last words; "my mother does not seem to +comprehend the difference between our circumstances and those of some of +our relatives, and I am sure has no idea of the pain her words sometimes +give to grandpa, Art, and myself." + +"No, Cal, or she could never be so cruel," Isa answered, laying her hand +affectionately on his arm and looking lovingly into his eyes. "I know +that my brothers deny themselves many an innocent gratification for the +sake of their mother and sisters: and Cal, I do appreciate it." + +"I know you do, Isa. Now tell me what you will want for this--" + +"Nothing," she interrupted, with an arch smile up into his face. "Do you +suspect me of praising your generosity for a purpose? I have everything +I want for the occasion, I do assure you. But, Cal, what do you suppose +Uncle Horace will think of Elsie's choice?" + +"He will not object on the score of Leland's lack of wealth, unless I am +greatly mistaken. But here he comes to speak for himself," he added, as +a horseman was seen coming up the avenue at a brisk canter. + +They were standing in the hall, but now stepped out upon the veranda to +greet Mr. Dinsmore as he alighted, giving his horse in charge to a young +negro who came eagerly forward to do the service, quite sure that he +would be suitably rewarded. + +It was the lad's firm conviction that "Massa Horace" possessed an +inexhaustible supply of small coin, some of which was very apt to be +transferred to the pockets of those who waited upon him. + +Greetings were exchanged and Mr. Dinsmore said, "I am on my way to Ion. +Suppose you order your pony, Isa, and ride over with me. They will be +glad to see you. I want a few moments chat with my father, and that will +give you time to don your hat and habit." + +Isadore was nothing loath, and within half an hour they were on their +way. + +"You have heard the news?" her uncle remarked inquiringly. + +"Of Elsie's engagement? Yes, sir. You were discussing it with grandpa +and mamma, were you not?" + +"Yes," and he smiled slightly. + +"You don't think as she does about it, uncle?" + +"No, I am fully satisfied; that the young man is well-bred, good, +amiable, honest, intelligent, educated, talented and industrious seems +to me quite sufficient. My only objection is that the engagement seems +likely to be a long one. And yet that has the advantage of leaving the +dear child longer in her father's house." + +"Of which I for one am very glad," said Isa. "What a sweet girl she is, +uncle!" + +"Yes; she strongly resembles her mother in person and character; has +always seemed to me a sort of second edition of her." + +They found the Travillas, old and young, all out on the veranda enjoying +a family chat before scattering to their various employments for the +day. + +Grandpa, though seldom a day passed without a visit from him to Ion, was +welcomed with all the effusion and delight that might reasonably have +been expected if he had not been seen for a month. His daughter's eyes +shone with filial love and pleasure as they exchanged their accustomed +affectionate greeting, and, as he took possession of the comfortable +arm-chair Mr. Travilla hastened to offer, his grandchildren clustered +about him, the little ones climbing his knees with the freedom and +fearlessness of those who doubted neither their right nor their welcome. + +But in the meantime Isadore was not forgotten or overlooked. She too was +quite at home at Ion and always made to feel that her visits were +esteemed a pleasure. + +There was a slight timidity of manner, a sweet half shyness about the +younger Elsie this morning that was very charming. Her eyes drooped +under her grandfather's questioning look and smile and the color came +and went on her fair cheek. + +He said nothing to her, however, until the younger ones had been +summoned away to their studies, then turned to her with the remark, "I +must congratulate Lester Leland when next I see him. Well, my dear +child, I trust you have not made a hasty choice?" + +"I think not, grandpa; we have known each other quite intimately for +several years," she answered, casting down her eyes and blushing deeply. +"You do not disapprove?" + +"I have no right to object if your parents are satisfied," he said. "But +there, do not look uncomfortable; I really think Lester a fine fellow, +and am quite willing to number him among my grandchildren." + +She gave him a bright, grateful look; then she and Isa stole away +together for a little girlish confidence, leaving the older people to a +more business-like discussion of the matter. + +On every subject of grave importance Mr. Dinsmore was taken into the +counsels of his daughter and her husband. His approval on this occasion, +though they had scarcely doubted it, was gratifying to both. + +There were no declinations of the invitation to the family dinner-party, +and at the appointed time the whole connection gathered at Ion--a large +and goodly troop--the adults in drawing-room and parlors, the little +ones in the nursery. + +There was the Roselands branch, consisting of the old grandfather, with +his daughter, Mrs. Conly, and her numerous progeny. + +From the Oaks came Mr. Horace Dinsmore, Sr., and Mr. Horace Dinsmore, +Jr., with their wives and a bright, beautiful, rollicking year-old boy, +whom the proud young father styled Horace III.; also Molly's half +brother and sister, Bob and Betty Johnson, to whom their uncle and aunt +still gave a home and parental care and affection. + +All the Howards, of Pinegrove, were there too--three generations, two of +the sons bringing wives and little ones with them. + +The Carringtons, of Ashlands, were also present; for, though not +actually related to the Travillas, the old and close friendship, and the +fact that they were of Mrs. Rose Dinsmore's near kindred, seemed to +place them on the footing of relationship. + +But we are forgetting Mrs. Travilla's sister Rose. She was now Mrs. +Lacey, of the Laurels--a handsome place some four miles from Ion--and +mother of a fine son, whom she and her husband brought with them to the +family gathering and exhibited to the assembled company with no little +joy and pride. + +It remains only to mention Lester Leland and his relatives of Fairview, +who were all there, received and treated as honored guests by their +entertainers, with urbane politeness by all the others, except Mrs. +Conly and Virginia, who saw fit to appear almost oblivious of their +existence. + +They, however, took a sensible view of the situation, and were quite +indifferent as to the opinions and behavior toward them of the two +haughty women. + +No one else seemed to notice it; all was apparent harmony and good will, +and Lester felt himself welcomed into the family with at least a show of +cordiality from the most of the relatives of his betrothed. + +She behaved very sweetly, conducting herself with a half shy, modest +grace that disarmed even Aunt Conly's criticism. + +A few happy weeks followed, weeks rosy and blissful with love's young +dream, then Lester tore himself away and left his Elsie mourning; for +half the brightness and bloom of life seemed to have gone with him. + +Father and mother were very patient with her, very tender and +sympathizing, very solicitous to amuse and entertain and help her to +renew her old zest for simple home pleasures and employments, the old +enjoyment of their love and that of her brothers and sisters. + +Ah! in after days she recalled it all--especially the gentle, tender +persuasiveness of her father's looks and tones, the caressing touch of +his hand, the loving expression of his eye--with a strange mixture of +gladness and bitter sorrow, an unavailing, remorseful regret that she +had not responded more readily and heartily to these manifestations of +his strong fatherly affection. There came a time when a caress from him +was coveted far more than those of her absent lover. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + "Faith is exceedingly charitable and believeth no evil of God." + --_Rutherford._ + + +Delicious September days had come; the air was soft and balmy; a mellow +haze filled the woods, just beginning to show the touch of the Frost +King's fingers. + +The children could not content themselves within doors, and the wisely +indulgent mother had given them a holiday and spent the morning with +them on the banks of the lakelet and floating over its bright surface in +their pretty pleasure-boat. + +Returned to the house, she was now resting in her boudoir, lying back in +a large easy chair with a book in her hand. Suddenly it dropped into her +lap, she started up erect in her chair and seemed to listen intently. + +Was that her husband's step coming slowly along the hall? It was like +and yet unlike it, lacking the firm, elastic tread. + +The door opened and she sprang to her feet. "Edward! you are ill!" for +there was a deathly pallor on his face. + +"Do not be alarmed, little wife; it is nothing--a strange pain, a sudden +faintness," he said, trying to smile, but tottered and would have +fallen had she not hastened to give him the support of her arm. + +She helped him to a couch, placed a pillow beneath his head, rang for +assistance, brought him a glass of cold water, cologne and +smelling-salts from her dressing-table; doing all with a deft quickness +free from flurry, though her heart almost stood still with a terrible +fear and dread. + +What meant this sudden seizure, this anguish so great that it had bowed +in a moment the strength of a strong man? She had never known him to be +seriously ill before. He had seemed in usual health when he left her for +his accustomed round over the plantation only a few hours ago, and now +he was nearly helpless with suffering. + +Servants were instantly despatched in different directions: one to +Roselands to summon Dr. Arthur Conly, another to the Oaks for her +father, to whom she instinctively turned in every time of trouble, and +who was ever ready to obey the call. + +Both arrived speedily, to find Mr. Travilla in an agony of pain, bearing +it without a murmur, almost without a moan or groan, but with cold beads +of perspiration standing on his brow; Elsie beside him, calm, quiet, +alert to anticipate every wish, but pale as a marble statue and with a +look of anguish in her beautiful eyes. It was so hard to stand by and +see the suffering endured by him who was dearer than her own life. + +She watched Arthur's face as he examined and questioned his patient, and +saw it grow white to the very lips. + +Was her husband's doom then sealed? + +But Arthur drew her and Mr. Dinsmore aside. + +"The case is a bad one, but not hopeless," he said. "I am unwilling to +take the responsibility alone, but must call in Dr. Barton and also send +to the city for the best advice to be had there." + +"We have great confidence in your skill, Arthur," Elsie said, "but let +nothing be left undone. God alone can heal, but he works by means." + +"And in the multitude of counsellors there is safety," added Mr. +Dinsmore. "Dear daughter, 'be strong and of a good courage;' there shall +no evil befall you, for your heavenly Father knows, and will do what is +best." + +"Yes, papa, I know, I believe it," she answered with emotion. "Ah, pray +for me, that strength may be given me according to my day: and to him, +my dear, dear husband; no murmuring thoughts arise in either of our +hearts." + +The news had flown through the house that its master and head had been +stricken down with sudden, severe illness. Great were the consternation +and distress among both children and servants, so beloved was he, so +strange a thing did it seem for him to be ill, for he had seldom had a +day's sickness in all the years that they had known him. + +Elsie, Edward and Violet hastened to the door of the sick-room, begging +that they might be admitted, that they might share in the work of +nursing the dear invalid. + +Their mamma came to them, her sweet face very pale but calm. + +"No, darlings," she said in her gentle, tender tones, "it will not do to +have so many in the room while your dear father is suffering so much. +Your grandpa, mammy and I must be his only nurses for the present; +though after a time your services may be needed." + +"O mamma, it is very hard to have to stay away from him," sobbed Violet. + +"I know it, dearest," her mother said, "and my heart aches for you and +all my darlings; but I am sure you all love your dear father too well +not to willingly sacrifice your own feelings when to indulge them might +injure him or increase his pain." + +"O mamma, yes, yes indeed!" they all cried. + +"Well then, dears, go away now; look after the younger ones and the +servants--I trust them all to your care; and when the doctors say it +will do, you shall see and speak to your father, and do anything for him +that you can." + +So with a loving, motherly caress bestowed upon each, she dismissed them +to the duties she had pointed out, and returned to her station beside +her husband's couch. + +Mr. Dinsmore, Arthur Conly, and Aunt Chloe were gathered about it +engaged in efforts to relieve the torturing pain. His features were +convulsed with it, but his eyes wandered restlessly around the room as +if in search of something. As Elsie drew near they fixed themselves upon +her face, and his was lighted up with a faint smile. + +"Darling, precious little wife," he murmured, drawing her down to him +till their lips met in a long loving kiss, "don't leave me for a moment. +Nothing helps me to bear this agony like the sight of your sweet face." + +"Ah, beloved, if I might bear it for you!" she sighed, her eyes filling +with tears, while her soft white hand was laid tenderly upon his brow. + +"No, no!" he said, "that were far worse, far worse!" + +Her tears were falling fast. + +"Ah, do not be so distressed; it is not unendurable," he hastened to say +with a loving, tender look and an effort to smile in the midst of his +agony. "And He, He is with me; the Lord my Saviour! 'I know that my +Redeemer liveth,' and the sense of His love is very sweet, never so +sweet before." + +"Thank God that it is so! Ah, He is faithful to his promises!" she said. + +Then kneeling by his side she repeated one sweet and precious promise +after another, the blessed words and loved tones seeming to have a +greater power to soothe and relieve than anything else. + +The other physicians arrived, examined, consulted, used such remedies as +were known to them; everything was done that science and human skill +could do, but without avail; they could give temporary relief by the use +of opiates and anćsthetics, but were powerless to remove the disease +which was fast hurrying its victim to the grave. + +Both Mr. Travilla and Elsie desired to know the truth, and it was not +concealed from them. On Mr. Dinsmore devolved the sad task of imparting +it. + +It was in the afternoon of the second day. The doctors had held a final +consultation and communicated their verdict to him. Moved to his very +heart's core at the thought of parting with his lifelong bosom friend, +and more for the far sorer bereavement awaiting his almost idolized +child, he waited a little to recover his composure, then entered the +sick-room and drew silently near the bed. + +Elsie sat close at her husband's side, one hand clasped in his, while +with the other she gently fanned him or wiped the death damp from his +brow. Did she know it was that? Her face was colorless, but quite calm. + +Mr. Travilla was at that moment entirely conscious, and his eyes were +gazing full into hers with an expression of unutterable love and the +tenderest compassion. + +At length they turned from her face for an instant and were uplifted to +that of her father, as he stood close beside her, regarding them both +with features working with emotion. + +The dying man understood its cause. "Is it so, Dinsmore?" he said +feebly, but with perfect composure. "Elsie, little wife," and he drew +her to him, both tone and gesture full of exceeding tenderness. "O love, +darling, precious one, must we part? I go to the glory and bliss of +heaven, but you--" His voice broke. + +Her heart seemed riven in twain; but she must comfort him. One bursting +sob as she hid her face upon his breast, one silent agonized cry to +Heaven for help, and lifting her head, she gave him a long look of love, +then laid her cheek to his, put her arm about his neck. + +"My darling, my dear, dear husband," she said in her sweetest tones, "do +not fear for me, or for our children. The Lord, even Jesus, will be our +keeper. Do not let the thought of us disturb you now, or damp the glad +anticipation of the wondrous glory and bliss to which you go. Soon you +will be with Him, 'forever with the Lord.' And how glad our darling Lily +will be to see her beloved father; dear mother to recover her son; and +what a little, little while it will seem till we all shall join you +there, never, never to part again." + +"And neither she, my dear daughter, nor her children, shall want for a +father's love and care while I live, my dear friend," said Mr. Dinsmore, +his voice tremulous with emotion. + +"I know it, I know it, and God be thanked that I leave them in such good +and loving hands," Mr. Travilla answered, looking gratefully at his +friend. + +"You trusted your darling child to me," he went on low and feebly and +with frequent pauses for breath, "and I give her back to you. Oh she has +been a dear, dear wife to me!" he exclaimed, softly stroking her hair. +"God bless you, my darling! God bless you for your faithful, unselfish +love! You have been the sunshine of my heart and home." + +"And you, my beloved, oh what a husband you have been to me!" she +sobbed, covering his face with kisses; "never one unkind or impatient +word, or look, or tone, nothing but the tenderest love and care have I +had from you since the hour we gave ourselves to each other. And I +thought, oh I thought we had many more years to live and love together! +But God's will be done!" + +"Yes," he said, "His will be done with me and mine. Darling, he will +never leave nor forsake you; and though I am almost done with time, we +shall have all the ages of eternity to live and love together." + +Silent caresses were all that passed between them for some moments; then +Mr. Dinsmore inquired if his friend had any directions to give about his +affairs. + +"No," he said, "all that was attended to long since. Elsie knows where +to find all my papers, and understands everything in regard to the +property and my business matters as well as I do. + +"And my peace is made with God," he continued after a pause, speaking in +a sweetly solemn tone. "His presence is with me. I feel the everlasting +arms underneath and around me. All my hope and trust are in the blood +and righteousness of Christ, my crucified and risen Saviour. All is +peace. I am a sinner saved by grace. + +"Let me see my children and give them a father's blessing, and I shall +have nothing more to do but fall asleep in Jesus." + +Elsie and Vi were together in a room across the hall from that in which +their father lay, sitting clasped in each other's arms, waiting, hoping +for the promised summons to go to him when he should be sufficiently +relieved to bear their presence. + +Ah, there was in each young heart an unspoken fear that he would never +rise from that couch of pain, for they had seemed to read his doom in +the grave, anxious faces of grandfather and physicians; but oh it was +too terrible a fear for either to put into words even to her own +consciousness! How could life go on without the father who had thus far +constituted so large a part of it to them! + +A shuffling step drew near, and Aunt Chloe appeared before them, her +face swollen with weeping, her eyes filled with tears. + +"You's to come now, chillens." + +"Oh is papa better?" they cried, starting up in eager haste to obey the +summons. + +The old nurse shook her head, tears bursting forth afresh. "He's mos' +dar, chillens, mos' dar, whar dey don' hab no mo' pain, no mo' sickness, +no mo' dyin'. I see de glory shinin' in his face; he's mos' dar." + +Then as their sobs and tears burst forth, "Oh my mistis, my bressed +young mistis," she cried, throwing her apron over her head, "yo' ole +mammy'd die to keep massa here for yo' sake. But de Lord's will mus' be +done, an' He neber makes no mistakes." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + "Death is another life." + --_Bailey._ + + +"Oh Elsie, Elsie, what shall we do! But it can't, it can't be true!" +sobbed Violet, clinging to her sister in a heart-breaking paroxysm of +grief. "Oh it will kill mamma, and we shall lose her too!" + +"No, no, honey, not so," said Aunt Chloe; "my bressed young missus will +lib for yo' sake, for her chillens' sake. An' you ain't gwine to lose +massa: he's only gwine home a little while 'fore de rest." + +"Dear Vi, we must try to be composed for both their sakes," whispered +Elsie, scarcely able to speak for weeping. + +"Dear bressed Lord help dem, help dese po' chillens," ejaculated Aunt +Chloe. "Come, chillens, we's losin' precious time." + +They wiped away their tears, checked their sobs by a determined effort, +and hand in hand followed her to the sick-room. + +Perfect ease had taken the place of the agonizing pain which for many +hours had racked Mr. Travilla's frame, but it was the relief afforded +not by returning health, but by approaching dissolution; death's seal +was on his brow; even his children could read it as they gathered, +weeping, about his bed. + +He had a few words of fatherly counsel, of tender, loving farewell for +each--Elsie, Violet, Edward:--to the last saying, "My son, I commit your +mother to your tender care. You have almost reached man's estate; take +your father's place, and let her lean on your young, vigorous arm; yet +fail not in filial reverence and obedience; be ever ready to yield to +her wise, gentle guidance." + +"I will, father, I will," returned the lad in a choking voice. + +"And may not I too, and Herbert, papa?" sobbed Harold. + +"Yes, dear son, and all of you, love and cherish mamma and try to fill +my place to her. And love and obey your kind grandpa as you have always +loved and obeyed me." + +One after another had received a last caress, a special parting word, +till it had come to the turn of the youngest darling of all--little +four-year-old Walter. + +They lifted him on to the bed, and creeping close to his father, he +softly stroked the dying face, and kissing the lips, the cheeks, the +brow, cooed in sweet baby accents, "Me so glad to see my dear papa. Papa +doin' det well now. Isn't you, papa?" + +"Yes, papa's dear pet; I'm going where sickness and pain can never +come. My little boy must love the dear Saviour and trust in him, and +then one day he shall follow me to that blessed land. Ah, little son, +you are too young to remember your father. He will soon be forgotten!" + +"No, no, dearest," said his weeping wife, "not so; your pictured face +and our constant mention of you shall keep you in remembrance even with +him." + +"Thanks, dearest," he said, turning a loving gaze on her, "it is a +pleasant thought that my name will not be a forgotten sound among the +dear ones left behind. We shall meet again, beloved wife, meet again +beyond the river. I shall be waiting for you on the farther shore. I am +passing through the waters, but He is with me, He who hath washed me +from my sins in His own blood. And you, dearest wife--does He sustain +you in this hour?" + +"Yes," she said, "His grace is sufficient for me. Dear, dear husband, do +not fear to leave me to his care." + +Tears were coursing down her white cheeks, but the low, sweet tones of +her voice were calm and even. She was resolutely putting aside all +thought of self and the sore bereavement that awaited her and her +children, that she might smooth his passage to the tomb; she would not +that he should be disturbed by one anxious thought of them. + +He forgot none of his household. Molly and her mother were brought in +for a gentle, loving farewell word; then each of the servants. + +He lingered still for some hours, but his wife never left him for an +instant; her hand was clasped in his when the messenger came; his last +look of love was for her, his last whisper, "Precious little wife, +eternity is ours!" + +Friends carried him to his quiet resting place beside the little +daughter who had preceded him to the better land, and widow and children +returned without him to the home hitherto made so bright and happy by +his loved presence. + +Elsie, leaning on her father's arm, slowly ascended the steps of the +veranda, but on the threshold drew back with a shudder and a low, +gasping sob. + +Her father drew her to his breast. + +"My darling, do not go in. Come with me to the Oaks; let me take you all +there for a time." + +"No, dear papa; 'twould be but putting off the evil day--the trial that +must be borne sooner or later," she said in trembling, tearful tones. +"But--if you will stay with me--" + +"Surely, dearest, as long as you will. I could not leave you now, my +poor stricken one! Let me assist you to your room. You are completely +worn out, and must take some rest." + +"My poor children--" she faltered. + +"For their sakes you must take care of yourself," he said. "Your mamma +is here. She and I will take charge of everything until you are able to +resume your duties as mother and mistress." + +He led her to her apartments, made her lie down on a couch, darkened the +room, and sitting down beside her, took her hand in his. + +"Papa, papa!" she cried, starting up in a sudden burst of grief, "take +me in your arms, take me in your arms and hold me close as you used to +do, as he has done every day that he lived since you gave me to him!" + +"My poor darling, my poor darling!" he said, straining her to his +breast, "God comfort you! May He be the strength of your heart and your +portion forever! Remember that Jesus still lives, and that your beloved +one is with Him, rejoicing with joy unspeakable and full of glory." + +"Yes, yes, but oh, the learning to live without him!" she moaned. "How +can I! how can I!" + +"'When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through +the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the +fire, thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon +thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour,'" +he repeated in low, moved tones. "'Behold I have refined thee, but not +with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.' Dear +daughter, my heart bleeds for you, and yet I know that He who has sent +this sorrow loves you far better than I do, and He means it for good. +'Faith is the better of the free air and of the sharp winter storm in +its face. Grace withereth without adversity.'" + +"Yes, yes," she whispered, clinging to him. "Go on, dear papa, you bring +me comfort." + +"What so comforting as the love of Christ!" he went on; "the assurance +that 'in all our afflictions He is afflicted!' My darling, 'the +weightiest end of the cross of Christ, which is laid upon you, lieth +upon your strong Saviour!'" + +"And He will never let me sink," she said. "Oh what love is His! and how +unworthy am I!" + +Never very strong, Elsie was, as her father plainly perceived, greatly +exhausted by the combined influence of the fatigue of nursing, +overwhelming sorrow and the constraint she had put upon herself to +control its manifestations while her husband lived. + +She must have rest from every care and responsibility, must be shielded +from all annoyance, and as far as possible from every fresh reminder of +her loss. + +For several days he watched over her with unceasing care and solicitude, +doing all in his power to soothe, to comfort and console, allowing only +short interviews with Rose and the children, and keeping every one else +away except her old mammy. + +Never had father and daughter seemed nearer and dearer to each other +than in these sorrowful days. To lay her weary head upon his breast +while his arms folded her close to his heart, gave some relief--more +than could anything else--to the unutterable longing to feel the clasp +of those other arms whose loving embrace she could never know again on +earth. + +But her nature was too unselfish and affectionate to allow of long +indulgence in this life of inactivity and nursing of her grief. She +could not resist the anxious, pleading looks of her children. She, their +only remaining parent, must now devote herself to them even more +entirely than had been her wont. Grandma Rose was kind as kind could be, +but mamma's place could be filled by no one but herself. + +"Dear papa," she said when three days had passed, "I am rested now, and +you must please let me go back to my duties. My dear little ones need +me; the older ones too. I cannot deprive them of their mother any +longer." + +"Would it not be well to give yourself one more day of rest?" he asked, +gazing sadly at the wan cheeks and the mournful eyes that looked so +unnaturally large. "I do not think you are strong enough yet for +anything like exertion." + +"I think the sweet work of comforting and caring for my darlings--his +children as well as mine," she said with a tremble in her voice, "will +do me good." + +"It is partly for their sakes that I want you to take care of yourself," +he said, putting his arm about her, while her head dropped on his +shoulder. "Would it not have been _his_ wish? were you not always his +first care?" + +She gave a silent assent, the tears coursing down her cheeks. + +"And he gave you back to me, making you doubly mine--my own darling, +precious child! and your life, health and happiness must be my special +charge," he said, caressing her with exceeding tenderness. + +"My happiness? Then, papa, you will not try to keep me from my darlings. +My dear, dear father, do not think I am ungrateful for your loving care. +Ah, it is very sweet and restful to lean upon you and feel the strong +tender clasp of your arm! but I must rouse myself and become a prop for +others to lean upon." + +"Yes, to some extent--when you are quite rested. But you must bear no +burdens, dear daughter, that your father can bear for you." + +She looked her gratitude out of tear-dimmed eyes. + +"God has been very good to me, in sparing me, my father," she said. "And +my children, my seven darlings--all good and loving. How rich I ought +to feel! how rich I do feel, though so sorely bereaved." + +The tears burst forth afresh. + +"You will let me go to them?" she said when she could speak again. + +"To-morrow, if you will try to rest and gain strength to-day. I am quite +sure it is what he would have wished--that you should rest a little +longer. The children can come to you for an hour or two to-day." + +She yielded for that time, and the next day he withdrew his opposition +and himself led her down to the breakfast parlour, where all were +gathered to partake of the morning meal. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + "Weep not for him that dieth, + For he hath ceased from tears." + --_Mrs. Norton._ + + +There was much unselfish love for their mamma and for each other +displayed by the young Travillas in those sad days immediately following +the death of their dearly loved father. + +Every heart ached sorely with its own burden of grief--excepting that of +little Walter, who was too young to understand or realize his loss, yet +was most solicitous to assuage that of the brothers and sisters, but +especially to comfort and help "poor, dear, dear mamma." + +They were filled with alarm as they saw their grandfather almost carry +her to her room, then close the door upon them. + +"Oh," cried Violet, clinging to her older sister, and giving way to a +burst of terrified weeping, "I knew it would be so! mamma will die too. +Oh mamma, mamma!" + +"Dear child, no!" said Rose, laying a caressing hand on the young +weeper's arm; "do not be alarmed; your dear mother is worn out with +grief and nursing--she has scarcely slept for several days and +nights--but is not ill otherwise, and I trust that rest and the +consolations of God will still restore her to her wonted health and +cheerfulness." + +"O grandma," sobbed Elsie, "do you think mamma can ever be cheerful and +happy again? I am sure she can never forget papa." + +"No, she will never forget him, never cease to miss the delight of his +companionship; but she can learn to be happy in the thought of his +eternal blessedness and the sure reunion that awaits them when God shall +call her home; and in the love of Jesus and of her dear children." + +Rose had thrown one arm about Elsie's waist, the other round Violet, and +drawn them to a seat, while Edward and the younger children grouped +themselves about her, Rose and Walter leaning on her lap. + +They all loved her, and now hung upon her words, finding comfort in +them, though listening with many tears and sobs. + +She went on to speak at length of the glory and bliss of heaven, of the +joy of being with Christ and free from sin; done with sorrow and +sighing, pain and sickness and death; of the delight with which their +sister Lily, their Grandmother Travilla, and other dear ones gone +before, must have welcomed the coming of their father; and of the glad +greeting he would give to each of them when they too should reach the +gate of the Celestial City. + +"Yes, grandma, papa told us all to come," said little Rosie. + +"I know he did, dear child; and do you know the way?" + +"Yes, grandma, Jesus said, 'I am the way.' He died to save sinners, and +He will save all who love Him and trust in Him alone, not thinking +anything they can do is going to help to save them." + +"Save them from what, darling?" + +"From their sins, grandma, and from going to live with Satan and his +wicked angels, and wicked people that die and go there." + +"Yes, that is all so, and oh what love it was that led the dear Saviour +to suffer and die upon the cross that we might live! Dear children, it +was His death that bought eternal life for your beloved father and has +purchased it for us all if we will but take it as His free, unmerited +gift." + +"But, grandma," sobbed Harold, "why didn't He let our dear papa stay +with us a little longer? Oh I don't know how we can ever, ever live +without him!" + +This called forth a fresh burst of grief from all, even little Walter +crying piteously, "I want my papa! I want my own dear papa!" + +Rose lifted him to her lap and caressed him tenderly, her tears falling +fast. + +"Dear children," she said, as the storm of grief subsided a little, "we +must not be selfish in our sorrow; we must try to rejoice that your +beloved father is far, far happier than he could ever be here. I think +the dear Saviour took him home because He loved him so much that He +could no longer spare him out of heaven. And He, Jesus, will be your +Father now even more than He was before: 'A father of the fatherless and +a judge of the widows is God in his holy habitation.'" + +"I'm very glad the Bible tells us that," remarked Herbert, checking his +sobs. "I have heard and read the words often, but they never seemed half +so sweet before." + +"No," said Harold, putting an arm about him (the two were very strongly +attached and almost inseparable); "and we have grandpa too: papa said he +would be a father to us." + +"And he will, dear children," said Rose. "I do not think he could love +you much more than he does if he were really your own father, as he is +your dear mamma's." + +"And I am to try to fill papa's place," said Edward, with a strong but +vain effort to steady his voice. "I am far from competent, I know, but I +shall try to do my very best." + +"And God will help you if you ask Him," said Rose; "help you to be a +great comfort and assistance to your mother and younger brothers and +sisters." + +"Ah, if we might only go to mamma!" sighed Violet, when she and Elsie +had withdrawn to the privacy of their own apartment. "Do you think we +might venture now?" + +"Not yet awhile, I think--I hope she is resting; and grandpa will let us +know when it will not disturb her to see us." + +"O Elsie, can we ever be happy again?" cried Violet, throwing herself +into her sister's arms. "Where, where shall we go for comfort?" + +"To Jesus and His word, dear Vi. Let us kneel down together and ask Him +to bless us all and help us to say with our hearts 'Thy will be done,' +all of us children and our dear precious mamma." + +"Oh we can't pray for papa any more!" cried Vi, in an agony of grief. + +"No, dear Vi, but he no longer needs our prayers. He is so close to the +Master, so happy in being forever with Him, that nothing could add to +his bliss." + +Violet hushed her sobs, and with their arms about each other they knelt, +while in low, pleading tones Elsie poured out their grief and their +petitions into the ear of the ever compassionate, loving Saviour. + +Fortunately for them in this hour of sore affliction, they were no +strangers to prayer or to the Scriptures, and knew where to turn to find +the many sweet and precious promises suited to their needs. + +Some time was given to this, and then Elsie, mindful of the duty and +privilege of filling to the best of her ability her mother's place to +the little ones, went in search of them. + +The tea hour brought them all together again--all the children--but +father and mother were missing. Oh this gathering about the table was +almost the hardest thing of all! It had been wont to be a time of glad, +free, cheerful, often mirthful intercourse between parents and children; +no rude and noisy hilarity, but the most enjoyable social converse and +interchange of thought and feeling, in which the young people, while +showing the most perfect respect and deference to their parents, and +unselfish consideration for each other, were yet under no galling +constraint, but might ask questions and give free expression to their +opinions, if they wished; and were indeed encouraged to do so. + +But what a change had a few days brought! There was an empty chair that +would never again be filled by him to whom one and all had looked up +with the tenderest filial love and reverence. All eyes turned toward it, +then were suffused with tears, while one and another vainly strove to +suppress the bursting sobs. + +They could not sit down to the table. They drew close together in a +little weeping group. + +The grandparents came in, and Mr. Dinsmore, trying to gather them all +in his arms, caressed them in turn, saying in broken, tender tones, "My +dear children, my poor dear children! I will be a father to you. I +cannot supply his place, but will do so as nearly as I can. You know, my +darlings, my sweet Elsie's children, that I have a father's love for +you." + +"Yes, grandpa, we know it," "Dear grandpa, we're glad we have you left +to us," sobbed one and another. + +"And mamma, dear, precious mamma! O grandpa, is she sick?" + +"Not exactly sick, my darlings," he said, "but very much worn out. We +must let her rest." + +"Can't we see her? can't we go to her?" + +"Not now, not to-night, I think. I left her sleeping, and hope she will +not wake for some hours." + +At that the little ones seemed nearly heartbroken. "How could they go to +their beds without seeing mamma?" + +But Elsie comforted them. She would help mammy to put them to bed; and +oh it was the best of news that dear mamma was sleeping! because if she +did not she would soon be quite ill. + +Molly Percival, because of her crippled condition, making locomotion so +difficult, seldom joined the family at table, but took her meals in her +own room, a servant waiting upon her and her mother, who, in her new +devotion to poor Molly, preferred to eat with her. + +The appointments of their table were quite as dainty as those of the +other, the fare never less luxurious. + +A very tempting repast was spread before them to-night, but Molly could +not eat for weeping. + +Her mother, tasting one dish after another with evident enjoyment, at +length thought fit to expostulate with her. + +"Molly, why do you cry so? I do wish you would stop it and eat your +supper." + +"I'm not hungry, mother." + +"That's only because you're fretting so; and what's the use? Mr. +Travilla's better off; and besides he was nothing to you." + +"Nothing to me! O mother! he was so good, so kind to me, to Dick, to +everybody about him. He treated me like a daughter, and I loved him as +well as if he had been my own father. He did not forget you or me when +he was dying, mother." + +"No; and it was good of him. Still, crying doesn't do any good; and +you'll get weak and sick if you don't eat." + +Molly's only answer was a burst of grief. "Oh poor, poor Cousin Elsie! +her heart must be quite broken, for she idolized her husband. And the +girls and all of them; how they did love their father!" + +The servant came in with a plate of hot cakes, and a slender girlish +figure presently stole softly after, without knocking, for the door +stood open, and to the side of Molly's chair. It was Violet, looking, oh +so sad and sweet, so fair and spiritual in her deep mourning dress. + +In an instant she and Molly were locked in each other's arms, mingling +their sobs and tears together. + +"I'm afraid we have seemed to neglect you, Molly dear," Violet said when +she could speak, "but--" + +"No, no, you have _never_ done that!" cried Molly, weeping afresh. "And +how could I expect you to think of me at such a time! O Vi, Vi!" + +"Mamma cannot come up, for she is not--not able to leave her room, +and--and O Molly, I'm afraid she's going to be sick!" + +Molly tried to comfort and reassure her. "Aunt Rose was in for a while +this afternoon," she said, "and she thinks it is not really sickness, +only that she needs rest and--and comfort. And, Vi, the Lord will +comfort her. Don't you remember those sweet words in Isaiah?--'As one +whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be +comforted.'" + +Violet had come up to see Molly, lest the poor afflicted cousin should +feel neglected, while Elsie was engaged with the little ones--taking +mamma's place in seeing them to bed with a little loving talk on some +profitable theme. + +To-night it was the glory and bliss of heaven; leaving in their young +minds, instead of gloomy and dreadful thoughts of death and the cold, +dark grave, bright visions of angelic choirs, of white robes and palms +of victory, of golden crowns and harps, of the river of the water of +life, and the beautiful trees on its banks bearing twelve manner of +fruits; of papa with sweet Lily by his side, both casting their crowns +at Jesus' feet and singing with glad voices, "Worthy is the Lamb that +was slain." + +Leaving them at length to their slumbers, she joined Violet and Molly +for a few moments; then Edward came to say that their mother was awake +and grandpa had given permission for them to go to her and just bid her +good-night, if they could be quite composed. + +They thought they could; they would try very earnestly. + +She was in her dressing-room, reclining in an easy chair, looking, oh so +wan and sorrowful. + +She embraced each in turn, holding them to her heart with a whispered +word or two of tender mother love. "God bless you, my dear, dear +children! He will be a father to the fatherless and never leave nor +forsake you." + +Violet dared not trust herself to speak. Elsie only murmured, "Dear, +dearest mamma!" and Edward, "Darling, precious mother, don't grieve too +sorely." + +"The consolations of God are not small! my dear son," was all she said +in reply, and they withdrew softly and silently as they had come. + +The next morning and each following day they were all allowed a few +moments with her, until four days had passed. + +On the fifth, as we have said, she came down to the breakfast room +leaning on her father's arm. + +As they neared the door she paused, trembling like a leaf, and turning +to him a white, anguished face. + +He knew what it meant. She had not been in that room, had not taken her +place at that table, since the morning of the day on which her husband +was taken ill. He was with her then, in apparently perfect health; +now--the places which had known him on earth would know him no more +forever. + +Her head dropped on her father's shoulder, a low moan escaping her pale +lips. + +"Dear child," he said, drawing her closer to him, and tenderly kissing +her brow, "think how perfectly happy, how blest he is. You would not +call him back?" + +"Oh no, no!" came from the quivering lips. "'The spirit is willing, but +the flesh is weak!'" + +"Lean on your strong Saviour," he said, "and His grace will be +sufficient for you." + +She sent up a silent petition, then lifting her head, "I can bear it +now--He will help me," she said, and suffered him to lead her in. + +Her children gathered about her with a joy that was as a cordial to her +fainting spirit; their love was very sweet. + +But how her heart yearned over them because they were fatherless; all +the more so that she found her father's love so precious and sustaining +in this time of sorrow and bereavement. + +He led her to her accustomed seat, bent over her with a whispered word +of love and encouragement, then took the one opposite--once her +husband's, now his no more. + +Perhaps it was not quite so hard as to have seen it empty, but it cost a +heroic effort to restrain a burst of anguish. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + "Happy he + With such a mother! faith in womankind + Beats with his blood, and trust in all things high + Comes easy to him, and though he trip and fall + He shall not blind his soul with clay." + --_Tennyson._ + + +Life at Ion moved on in its accustomed quiet course, Mr. Travilla's +removal seeming, to outsiders, to have made very little change except +that Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore now took up their abode there for the greater +part of the time, leaving the younger Horace and his wife in charge at +the Oaks. + +An arrangement for which Elsie was very thankful, for her father's +presence and his love were as balm to her wounded spirit. + +Her strongest support in this, as in every trial of her life, was in her +almighty Saviour; on Him she leaned every hour with a simple childlike +faith and confidence in His unerring wisdom and infinite love; but it +was very sweet to lean somewhat upon the strength and wisdom of the +earthly father also, and to feel that the shield of his care and +protection was interposed between her and the cold world. + +Both his and Rose's companionship had ever been delightful to her, and +were now a great solace and pleasure. + +She gave no indulgence to a spirit of repining because her chief earthly +treasure had been taken from her for the remainder of her life in this +world, but was filled with gratitude for those blessings that were left, +ever deeming God's goodness to her far beyond her deserts. + +And her own sorrow was often half forgotten in tender compassion for her +fatherless children. For their sakes, as well as because such was her +Christian duty, she strove after a constant abiding cheerfulness; and +not without success. + +But it was not sought in forgetfulness of the dear one gone. They talked +freely and tenderly of him, his looks, his words, his ways; his present +happiness and the joy of the coming reunion with him. He was not dead to +them, but living in the blessed land where death could never enter, a +land that grew more real and attractive because he was there. + +Elsie found great comfort in her children--dear as her own offspring, +and dearer still because they were his also. They were very good and +obedient, loving her so devotedly that the very thought of grieving her +was pain. + +Her unselfish love seemed to call forth its counterpart in them: they +vied with each other in earnest efforts to make up to her the loss of +their father's love and ever watchful tender care. + +They were very fond of their grandfather too, and always yielded a ready +obedience to his commands or directions. + +He never had shown to them the sternness that had been one of the trials +of their mother's youthful days, but was patient and gentle, as well as +firm and decided. Mr. Travilla's example as a father had not been wasted +on him. + +He was wont to say "he had three reasons for loving them--that they were +the children of his friend, Elsie's children, and his own +grandchildren." + +It was very evident that they were very dear to him, and they loved him +dearly in return. + +Mr. Travilla had left no debts, no entanglements in his affairs; his +will was short, plainly expressed, and its conditions such as there was +no difficulty in carrying out. + +Elsie and her father were joint executors, and were associated in the +guardianship of the children also. The estate was left to her during her +natural life, to Edward after her death. + +Hitherto the education of all the sons and daughters had been carried on +at home, but now Edward was to go to college. + +It had been his father's decision, and his wishes and opinions were +sacred; so neither the lad nor any one else raised an objection, though +all felt the prospect of parting sorely just at this time. + +There had been some talk of sending Harold and Herbert away also to a +preparatory school; but to save them and their mother the pain of +separation, Mr. Dinsmore offered to prepare them to enter college. + +Elsie was in fact herself competent to the task, but gladly accepted her +father's offered assistance; desiring to increase as much as possible +his good influence over her boys, hoping that so they would learn to +emulate all that was admirable in his character. + +They were of course leading a very quiet and retired life at Ion; but +with her household cares and the superintendence of the education of her +younger children to attend to in addition to other and less pressing +duties, Elsie was in no danger of finding time hanging heavy on her +hands. + +One of the numerous demands upon her maternal responsibility and +affection was found in the call to cheer, comfort and console her +namesake daughter under the trial of separation from her betrothed, +delay in hearing from him, and a morbid remorse on account of having, as +she expressed it, "troubled poor, dear papa by grieving and fretting +over Lester's departure." + +"Dear child," the mother said, "he sympathized with but did not blame +you, and would not have you blame yourself so severely now and embitter +your life with unavailing regrets. He loved you very, very dearly, and +has often said to me, 'Elsie has been nothing but a blessing to us since +the hour of her birth.'" + +"O mamma, how sweet! Thank you for telling me," exclaimed the daughter, +tears of mingled joy and sorrow filling her eyes. "He said it once to +me, when I was quite a little girl--at the time grandpa--your +grandpa--and Aunt Enna were hurt, and you went to Roselands to nurse +her, leaving me at home to try to fill your place. Oh I shall never +forget how dear and kind he was when he came home from taking you there! +how he took me in his arms and kissed me and said those very words. +Mamma, I cannot recall one cross word ever spoken by him to me, or to +any one." + +"No, daughter, nor can I; he was most kind, patient, forbearing, loving, +as husband, father, master--in all the relations of life. What a +privilege to have been his cherished wife for so many years!" + +The sweet voice was very tremulous, and unbidden tears stole over the +fair cheeks that had not quite recovered their bloom; for scarce a month +had passed since the angel of death had come between her beloved and +herself. + +"Dear mamma, you made him very happy," whispered Elsie, clasping her +close with loving caresses. + +"Yes, we were as happy together, I believe, as it is possible for any +to be in this world of sin and sorrow. I bless God that he was spared to +me so long, and for the blessedness that now is his, and the sure hope +that this separation is but for a season." + +"Mamma, it is that sweet hope that keeps you from sinking." + +"Yes, dearest, that and the sweet love and sympathy of Jesus. My +father's and my dear children's love does greatly help me also. Ah how +great is the goodness of my heavenly Father in sparing me all these! And +keeping me from poverty too; how many a poor widow has the added pang of +seeing her children suffering sore privations or scattered among +strangers, because she lacks the ability to provide them with food and +clothing." + +"Mamma, how dreadful!" cried Elsie. "I had never thought of that. How +thankful we ought to be that we do not have to be separated from you or +from each other. To be sure Edward is going away for a time," she added, +with a sigh and a tear, "but it is not to toil for a livelihood or +endure privations." + +"No, but to avail himself of opportunities for mental culture for which +we should be grateful as still another of the many blessings God has +given us. He will be exposed to temptations such as would never assail +him at home: but these he must meet, and if he does so looking to God +for strength, he will overcome and be all the stronger for the conflict. +And we, daughter, must follow him constantly with our prayers. Thank God +that we can do that!" + +To Edward himself she spoke in the same strain in a last private talk +had with him the night before he went away. + +"I know that you have a very strong will of your own, my dear boy," she +added, "and are not easily led; and because I believe it to be your +earnest desire and purpose to walk in the way of God's commands, that is +a comfort to me." + +"You are right in regard to both, mother," he said with emotion: "and oh +I could sooner cut off my right hand than do aught to grieve you, and +dishonor the memory of--of my sainted father!" + +"I believe it, my son, but do not trust in your own strength. 'Be strong +in the Lord, and in the power of his might.'" + +"Yes, mother, I know, I feel that otherwise I shall fail; but 'I can do +all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.' Mother," he added, +turning over the leaves of his Bible (they had been reading together), +"in storing my memory with the teachings of this blessed book, you have +given me the best possible preparation for meeting the temptations and +snares of life." + +"Yes," she said, "'Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my +path;' 'Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.' Let +them ever be yours, my son; in doubt and perplexity go ever to them for +direction--not forgetting prayer for the teachings of the Holy +Spirit--and you cannot go far astray. Make the Bible your rule of faith +and practice, bring everything to the test of Scripture. 'To the law and +to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is +because there is no light in them.'" + +"Mother," he said, "I think I have a pretty clear idea of some of the +temptations of college life: doubtless there are always a good many +idle, profane, drinking, dissolute fellows among the students, but it +does not seem possible that I shall ever find pleasure in the society of +such." + +"I hope not indeed!" she answered with emphasis. "It would be a sore +grief to me. But I hardly fear it; I believe my boy is a Christian and +loves purity: loves study too for its own sake. What I most fear for you +is that the pride of intellect may lead you to listen to the arguments +of sceptics and to examine their works. My son, if you should, you will +probably regret it to your dying day. It can do you nothing but harm. If +you fill your mind with such things your spiritual foes will take +advantage of it to harass you with doubts and fears. 'Blessed is the man +that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way +of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.' He who would rob +you of your faith in God and His holy word is your greatest enemy. Study +the evidences of Christianity and be ever ready to give a reason for the +hope that is in you." + +"Mother," he said, taking her hand in his, "I will heed your counsels, +but it seems to me that having seen Christianity so beautifully +exemplified in your life and my father's, I can never doubt its truth +and power." + +Then after a pause in which tears of mingled joy and sorrow fell freely +from her eyes, "Dear mother, you have given me a very liberal allowance. +Can you spare it? I do not know, I have never known the amount of your +income." + +"I can spare it perfectly well, my son," she answered, with a tender +smile, pleased at this proof of his thoughtful love. "It is the sum your +father thought best to give you--for we had consulted together about all +these matters. I do not wish you to feel stinted, but at the same time +would have you avoid waste and extravagance, remembering that they are +inconsistent with our Saviour's teachings, and that money is one of the +talents for whose use or abuse we must render an account at the last." + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + "But O! for the touch of a vanished hand, + And the sound of a voice that is still." + --_Tennyson._ + + +It was a chill November day, a day of lowering clouds, wind, rain, sleet +and snow. + +Arthur Conly coming into the drawing-room at Ion and finding its +mistress there alone, remarked as he shook hands with her, "The +beginning of winter, Cousin Elsie! It is setting in early. It froze hard +last night, and the wind to-day is cutting." + +"Yes," she said, "even papa and my two big, hardy boys found a short +walk quite sufficient to satisfy them to-day. But you poor doctors can +seldom consult your own comfort in regard to facing wind and storm. Take +this easy chair beside the fire." + +"Thank you, no; I shall find it quite warm enough on the sofa beside +you. I am glad to have found you alone, for I want to have a little +semi-confidential chat." + +She gave him an inquiring look. + +"I am a little uneasy about grandpa," he went on: "he seems feeble and +has a troublesome cough, and I think should have a warmer climate +through the coming winter. I think too, cousin, that such a change +would be by no means hurtful to you or your children," he continued, +regarding her with a grave, professional air: "you are a trifle thin and +pale, and need something to rouse and stimulate you." + +"What is it you wish, Arthur?" she asked, with a slight tremble in her +voice. + +"I should be glad if you would go to Viamede for the winter and take our +grandfather with you." + +He paused for an answer. + +Her face was turned toward a window looking out upon the grounds; her +eyes rested with mournful gaze upon a low mound of earth within a little +enclosure not many rods away. + +Arthur read her thoughts, and laying a gentle hand on hers, said in low +compassionate tones: + +"He is not there, cousin, and his spirit will be as near you in your +Lily's birthplace, and your own, as here. Is not that home also full of +pleasant memories of him?" + +She gave a silent assent. + +"And you can take all your other dear ones with you." + +"Except Edward." + +"Yes, but in his case it will only involve a little delay in receiving +letters. Your father and Aunt Rose I am certain will go with you. And +our old grandpa--" + +"Is a dear old grandpa, and must not suffer anything I can save him +from," she interrupted. "Yes, Arthur, I will go, if--if my father +approves and will accompany us, of which I have no doubt." + +He thanked her warmly. "It may be the saving of grandpa's life," he +said. + +"He is getting very old, Arthur." + +"Yes, past eighty, but with care he may live to be a hundred; he has a +naturally vigorous constitution. And how he mellows with age, Elsie! He +has become a very lovely Christian, as humble and simple-hearted as a +little child." + +"Yes," she said turning toward him eyes filled with glad tears, "and he +has become very dear to me. I think he loves us all--especially +papa--and that we shall have a happy winter together." + +"I don't doubt it; in fact, I quite envy you the prospect." + +"Oh could you not go with us to stay at least a few weeks? We should all +be so very glad to have you." + +"Quite impossible," he said, shaking his head rather ruefully. "I'm +greatly obliged, and should be delighted to accept your invitation, but +it isn't often a busy doctor can venture to take such a holiday." + +"I'm very sorry. But you think there is no doubt that grandpa will be +willing to go?" + +"He'll not hesitate a moment if he hears Uncle Horace is to go. He +clings to him now more than to any other earthly creature." + +"Papa is in the library; shall we join him and hear what he thinks of +your plan?" said Elsie, rising. + +"By all means," returned Arthur, and they did so. + +Mr. Dinsmore highly approved, as did Rose also on being called in to the +conference. + +"How soon do you think of starting?" she asked, looking at Elsie, then +at her husband. + +"Papa should decide that," Elsie answered, a slight tremble in her +voice, thinking of the absent one to whom that question should have been +referred were his dear presence still with them. + +She caught a look of tenderest love and sympathy from her father. How +well he understood her! How ever thoughtful of her feelings he was! + +"I think the decision should rest with you, daughter," he said; "though +I suppose the sooner the better." + +"Yes," said Arthur; "for grandpa especially." + +"I presume no great amount of preparation will be needful, since it is +but a change from one home to another," suggested Rose. + +"No," said Elsie, "and I think a week will suffice for mine. Papa, can +business matters be arranged in that time?" + +"Oh yes! so we will say this day week." + +The door had opened very quietly a few moments before, admitting little +Rose and Walter, and stealing softly to their mother's side they were +now leaning on her lap, looking from one to another of their elders and +listening with some curiosity to their conversation. + +"What is it, mamma?" asked Rosie. + +"We are talking of going to Viamede, dear." + +"Oh that will be nice!" + +"But we tan't doe wis-out papa," prattled Walter; "tan we, mamma? I wish +my dear papa tum back quick." + +Rosie saw the pain in mamma's dear face, the tears in her eyes as she +pressed a silent kiss on the brow of the innocent questioner, and with +ready, loving tact she seized the little fellow's hand, and, drawing him +away, "Come, Walter," she said, "let us go and tell the rest about it." + +They ran away together, and Arthur rose to take leave. + +"Am I imposing upon your unselfish kindness of heart, my dear cousin?" +he asked in an undertone, taking Elsie's hand in his; "is it too great a +sacrifice of your own feelings and inclinations?" + +She answered with a text, as was not unusual with her, "'Even Christ +pleased not himself.'" + +Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore were conversing apart at the moment. + +"Perhaps," returned Arthur musingly, "we might make some other +arrangement; grandpa might be willing to go without--" + +"No, no," she interrupted, "I could not think of giving him the pain of +separation from papa, nor could I bear that myself. But do not trouble +about me; there will be much pleasure mingled with the pain--pleasure in +ministering to the comfort and happiness of the dear old grandpa, and in +seeing Viamede and the old servants. I have always loved both the place +and them." + +Her father had caught a part of her words. + +"Separation from me?" he said, turning toward her, "who talks of that? +It shall not be with my consent." + +"No, papa, nor with mine, for either grandpa or myself," she said with a +look of affection and a slight smile. "Arthur, will you carry a message +from me to Isa?" + +"With pleasure." + +"Then tell her I should be very glad to have her spend the winter at +Viamede with us, if she feels that she would enjoy the trip and the +quiet life we shall lead there. There will, of course, be no gayeties to +tempt a young girl." + +"Thank you," he said, his eyes shining; "I have not the slightest doubt +that she will be delighted to accept the invitation. And, now I think of +it, Aunt Enna and Molly will of course find a home with us at Roselands +while you are away." + +"No, no, they will go with us," returned Elsie quickly, "unless indeed +they prefer to be left behind." + +Arthur suggested that they would be a great charge, especially upon the +journey, but the objection was promptly overruled by Mr. Dinsmore, Rose +and Elsie. + +Molly must go, they all said; she would be sure to enjoy the change +greatly: and the poor child had so few pleasures; and the same was true +of Enna also: she had never seen Viamede, and could not fail to be +delighted with its loveliness; nor would it do to part her from Molly, +who was now her chief happiness. + +"I trust they will appreciate your kindness; Molly will, I am sure," +Arthur said as he went away. + +As the door closed on him, Elsie glided to the window and stood in a +pensive attitude gazing out upon that lowly mound, only faintly +discernible now in the gathering darkness, for night was closing in +early by reason of the heavy clouds that obscured the sky. + +A yearning importunate cry was going up from her almost breaking heart. +"My husband, oh my husband, how can I live without you! Oh to hear once +more the sound of your voice, to feel once again the clasp of your arm, +the touch of your hand!" + +A sense of utter loneliness was upon her. + +But in another moment she felt herself enfolded in a strong yet tender +embrace, a gentle caressing hand smoothing her hair. + +"My darling, my precious one, my own beloved child!" murmured her +father's voice in its most endearing accents, as he drew her head to a +resting place on his breast. + +She let it lie there, her tears falling fast. + +"I fear this going away is to be too great a trial to you," he said. + +"No, papa, but I am very weak. Forgive my selfish indulgence of my +sorrow." + +"My darling, I can sympathize in it, at least to some extent. I remember +even yet the anguish of the first months of my mourning for your +mother." + +"Papa, I feel that my wound can never heal; it is too deep; deep as the +roots of my love for him, that had been striking farther and farther +into the soil with every one of the many days and years that we lived +and loved together." + +"I fear it may be so," he answered with tenderest compassion; "yet time +will dull the edge of your sorrow; you will learn to dwell less upon the +pain of the separation, and more upon his present happiness and the +bliss of the reunion that will be drawing nearer and nearer with each +revolving day. Dear one, this aching pain will not last forever; as +Rutherford says, 'Sorrow and the saints are not married together; or +suppose it were so, Heaven would make a divorce.'" + +"They are very sweet words," she murmured, "and sweeter still is the +assurance given us in the Scriptures that 'our light affliction, which +is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal +weight of glory.'" + +"Yes," said Rose, coming to her other side and speaking in low, tender +tones, "dear Elsie, let those words comfort you; and these others also, +'Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he +receiveth.' But for that and similar texts I should wonder much that +trial of any kind was ever permitted to come nigh one who has been a +loving disciple of Jesus since her very early years." + +"Was it that I loved my husband too well?" Elsie queried in tremulous +tones. "I do not think I made an idol of him; for inexpressibly dear as +he was, the Master was dearer still." + +"If that be so you did not love him--your husband--too well," her father +answered. + +"I hear my children's voices; I must not let them see their mother +giving way to grief like this," she said, lifting her head and wiping +away her tears. + +They came in--the whole six--preceded by a servant bearing lights. + +There was a subdued eagerness about the younger ones, as they hastened +to their mother asking, "Mamma, is it really so--that we are going to +Viamede?" + +"Yes, dears, I believe it is quite settled. Grandpa approves, and I hope +you are all pleased." + +"Oh yes, yes!" + +"If you are, mamma," the older girls said, noticing with affectionate +concern the traces of tears on her face; "if not, we prefer to stay +here." + +"Thank you, my darlings," she answered, smiling affectionately upon +them; "for several reasons I shall be glad to go, the principal being +that our poor old grandfather needs the warm climate he will find there; +and of course we could not think of letting him go alone." + +"Oh no!" they said; "he could not do without grandpa, and neither could +we." + +"And neither could grandpa do without his eldest daughter, or her +children," added Mr. Dinsmore playfully, sitting down and taking Walter +upon one knee, Rosie upon the other. "So we will all go together, and I +trust will have a happy time in that lovely land of fruits and flowers." + +They had not seen it for several years, not since Walter was a babe and +Rosie so young that she remembered but little about it. Both were +delighted with the prospect before them, and plied their grandpa with +many eager questions, while their mother looked on with growing +cheerfulness, resolutely putting aside her grief that she might not mar +their pleasure. + +The other four had gathered about her, Vi on a cushion at her feet, +Elsie seated close on one side, Herbert standing on the other, and +Harold at the back of her chair, leaning fondly over her, now touching +his lips to her cheek, now softly smoothing her shining hair. + +"Dear mamma, how beautiful you are!" he whispered. + +"You might as well say it out loud," remarked Herbert, overhearing the +words, "because everybody knows it and nobody would want to contradict +you." + +"We are very apt to think those beautiful whom we love," their mother +said with a pleased smile, "and the love of my children is very sweet to +me." + +"Yes, mamma, but you _are_ beautiful," insisted Harold; "it isn't only +my love that makes you look so to me, though I do love you +dearly--dearly." + +"Mamma knows we all do," said Violet; "we should be monsters of +ingratitude if we did not." + +"As I should be if I were not filled with thankfulness to God that he +has blessed me with such dutiful and affectionate children," added the +mother. + +"Mamma, how soon will we go to Viamede?" asked Violet; and that +question being answered, another quickly followed. "We will not leave +Molly behind?" + +"No, certainly not; nor Aunt Enna, if they will kindly consent to go +with us." + +"Consent, mamma! I'm sure they cannot help being delighted to go. May I +run and tell them?" + +"Yes, my child; I know you always enjoy being the bearer of pleasant +news." + +Molly heard it with great pleasure and gratitude to her cousin; Enna +with even childish delight. Neither had a thought of declining. + +Isadore Conly, also, was very much pleased, and sure she should vastly +enjoy the winter with her relations, spite of many an envious +prognostication to the contrary on the part of her mother and Virginia. +They would not go on any account, they averred, and were glad they had +been overlooked in the invitation--mean as it was in Elsie not to +include them--for life at Viamede could not fail to be a very dull +affair for that winter at least. + +But Elsie, of course, heard none of these unkind remarks, and seeing the +happiness she was conferring not only upon more distant relations but +upon her children also, who showed increasing pleasure in the thought of +the expected visit to their lovely southern home as the time drew near, +she felt fully repaid for the sacrifice of feeling she was making. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + "'Tis easier for the generous to forgive + Than for offence to ask it." + --_Thomson._ + + +The only noteworthy incident of the journey of our friends took place at +New Orleans, where they halted for a few days of rest to all, and +sight-seeing on the part of the young people. + +Mr. Horace Dinsmore, who had some business matters to attend to in +connection with Elsie's property in the city, was hurrying back to his +hotel one afternoon, when a beggar accosted him, asking for a little +help, holding out a very forlorn hat to receive it. + +There seemed something familiar in the voice, and Mr. Dinsmore stopped +and looked earnestly at its owner. + +A seamed, scarred face, thin, cadaverous, framed in with unkempt hair +and scraggy beard--an attenuated form clothed in rags--these were what +met his view, surely for the first time, for there was nothing familiar +about either. + +No, not for the first time; for, with a start of recognition and a +muttered curse, the mendicant dropped his hat, then stooped, hastily +snatched it from the ground, and rushed away down an alley. + +"Ah, I know you now!" cried Mr. Dinsmore, giving instant pursuit. + +He could not be mistaken in the peculiarly maimed hand stretched out to +regain the hat. + +Its owner fled as if for his life, but, weak from disease and famine, +could not distance his pursuer. + +At last, finding the latter close at his heels, he stopped and faced +him, leaning, panting and trembling, against a wall. + +"George Boyd, is it you? reduced to such a condition as this!" exclaimed +Mr. Dinsmore, eying him searchingly. + +"You've mistaken your man, sir," panted the fugitive. "My name's +Brown--Sam Brown at your service." + +"Then why did you run away from me?" coolly inquired the gentleman. "No, +I cannot mistake that hand," pointing to the maimed member. + +"And you'd like to hang me, I suppose," returned the other bitterly. +"But I don't believe you could do it here. Beside, what's the use? I'll +not cumber the ground much longer, can't you see that? Travilla +himself," he added, with a fierce oath, "can hardly wish me anything +worse than I've come to. I'm literally starving--can hardly get enough +food to keep soul and body together from one day to another." + +"Then come with me and I will feed you," Mr. Dinsmore said, his whole +soul moved with pity for the miserable wretch. "Yonder is a restaurant; +let us go there, and I will pay for all you can eat." + +"You don't mean it?" cried Boyd in incredulous surprise. + +"I do; every word of it. Will you come?" + +"A strange question to ask a starving man. Of course I will; only too +gladly." + +They crossed the street, entered the eating-house, and Mr. Dinsmore +ordered a substantial meal set before Boyd. He devoured it with wolfish +voracity, his entertainer watching him for a moment, then turning away +in pained disgust. + +Time after time plate and cup were filled and emptied, but at last he +declared his appetite fully satisfied. Mr. Dinsmore paid the reckoning, +and they passed out into the street together. + +"Well, sir," said Boyd, "I'm a thousand times obliged. Shall be more so +if you will accommodate me with a small loan--or gift if you like, for I +haven't a cent in the world." + +"How much do you think you deserve at my hands?" asked Mr. Dinsmore +somewhat severely, for the request seemed to him a bold one under the +circumstances. + +"I leave that to your generosity, sir," was the cool reply. + +"Which you expect to be great enough to allow you to escape the justice +that should have been meted out to you years ago?" + +"I've never harmed a hair of your head nor of any one belonging to you; +though I owe a heavy scare to both you and Travilla," was the insolent +rejoinder. + +"No, your imprisonment was the due reward of your lawless and cruel +deeds." + +"Whatever I may have done," retorted the wretch with savage ferocity, +"it was nothing compared to the injury inflicted upon me. I suffered +inconceivable torture. Look at me and judge if I do not speak the truth; +look at these fearful scars, these almost blinded eyes." He finished +with a torrent of oaths and curses directed at Travilla. + +"Stop!" said Mr. Dinsmore authoritatively, "you are speaking against the +sainted dead, and he entirely innocent of the cause of your sufferings." + +"What! is he dead? When? where? how did he die?" + +"At Ion, scarce two months ago, calmly, peacefully, trusting with +undoubting faith in the atoning blood of Christ." + +Boyd stood leaning against the outer wall of the restaurant; he was +evidently very weak; he seemed awe-struck, and did not speak again for +a moment; then, "I did not know it," he said in a subdued tone. "So he's +gone! And his wife? She was very fond of him." + +"She was indeed. She is in this city with her family, on her way to +Viamede." + +"I'm sorry for her; never had any grudge against her," said Boyd. "And +my aunt?" + +"Is still living and in good health, but beginning to feel the +infirmities of age. She has long mourned for you as worse than dead. You +look ill able to stand; let me help you to your home." + +"Home? I have none." There was a mixture of scorn and despair in the +tones. + +"But you must have some lodging place?" + +"Yes, sometimes it is a door-step, sometimes a pile of rotten straw in a +filthy cellar. On second thoughts, Dinsmore, I rather wish you'd have me +arrested and lodged in jail," he added with a bitter laugh. "I'd at +least have a bed to lay my weary limbs upon, and something to eat. And +before the trial was over I'd be beyond the reach of any heavier +penalty." + +"Of human law," added Mr. Dinsmore significantly, "but do not forget +that after death comes the judgment. No, Boyd; I feel no resentment +toward you, and since your future career in this world is evidently very +short, I do not feel called upon to deliver you up to human justice. +Also, for your aunt's sake especially, I am inclined to give you some +assistance. I will therefore give you the means to pay for a decent +lodging to-night, and to-morrow will see what further can be done, if +you will let me know where to find you." + +Time and place were fixed upon, money enough to pay for bed and +breakfast was given to Boyd, and they parted company, Mr. Dinsmore +hastening on his way to his hotel--the very best the city afforded--with +a light, free step, while Boyd slowly dragged himself to a very humble +lodging in a narrow, dirty street near at hand. + +Mr. Dinsmore found his whole party gathered in their private parlor and +anxiously awaiting his coming. As he entered there was a general +exclamation of relief and pleasure on the part of the ladies and his +father, and a joyous shout from Rosie and Walter as each hastened to +claim a seat upon his knee. + +"My dears, grandpa is tired," said their mother. + +"Not too tired for this," he said, caressing them with all a father's +fondness. + +"Are you not late, my dear?" asked his wife; "we were beginning to feel +a trifle anxious about you." + +"Rather, I believe. I will explain the cause at another time," he said +pleasantly. + +Tea was brought in, family worship followed the meal, and shortly after +that Elsie retired with her little ones to see them to bed; the others +drew round the table, each with book or work, Harold pushing Molly's +chair up near the light; and Mr. Dinsmore, seating himself beside his +wife, on a distant sofa, gave her in subdued tones an account of his +interview with Boyd. + +"Poor wretch!" she sighed, "what can we do for him? It is too dreadful +to think of his dying as he has lived." + +"It is, indeed! We will consult with Elsie as to what can be done." + +"The very mention of his name must be a pain to her; can she not be +spared it?" + +"I will consider that question. You know I would not willingly pain +her," he said, with a tenderly affectionate glance at his daughter as +she re-entered the room; then rising he paced the floor, as was his +habit when engaged in deep or perplexing thought. + +Elsie watched him a little anxiously, but without remark until all the +others had retired, leaving her alone with him and Rose. + +Then going to him where he sat, in a large easy chair beside the table, +looking over the evening paper, "Papa," she said, laying her hand +affectionately on his arm, "I fear you are finding my affairs +troublesome." + +"No, my dear child, not at all," he answered, throwing down the paper +and drawing her to a seat upon his knee. + +"It seems quite like old, old times," she said with a smile, gazing +lovingly into his eyes, then stealing an arm about his neck and laying +her cheek to his. + +"Yes," he said, fondling her; "why should I not have you here as I used +to twenty odd years ago? You are no larger or heavier nor I a whit less +strong and vigorous than we were then." + +"How thankful I am for that last," she returned, softly stroking his +face, "and it is very pleasant occasionally to imagine myself your own +little girl again. But something is giving you anxiety, my dear father. +Is it anything in which I can assist you?" + +"Yes; but I fear I can hardly explain without calling up painful +memories." + +He felt her start slightly, and a low-breathed sigh met his ear. + +"Still say on, dear papa," she whispered tremulously. + +"Can you bear it?" he asked; "not for me, but for another--an enemy." + +"Yes, the Lord will give me strength. Of whom do you speak?" + +"George Boyd." + +"The would-be murderer of my husband!" she exclaimed, with a start and +shiver, while the tears coursed freely down her cheeks. "I thought him +long since dead." + +"No, I met him this evening, but so worn and altered by disease and +famine, so seamed and scarred by Aunt Dicey's scalding shower, that I +recognized him only by the mutilated right hand. Elsie, the man is +reduced to the lowest depths of poverty and shame, and evidently very +near his end." + +"Papa, what would you have me do?" she asked in quivering tones. + +"Could you bear to have him removed to Viamede? could you endure his +presence there for the few weeks he has yet to live?" + +She seemed to have a short struggle with herself, then the answer came +in low, agitated tones. + +"Yes, if neither my children nor I need look upon him or hold any +communication with him." + +"That would not be at all necessary," her father answered, holding her +close to his heart. "And indeed I could not consent to it myself. He is +a loathsome creature both morally and physically; yet for his aunt's +sake, and still more for His sake who bids us 'Love your enemies, bless +them that curse you, do good to them that hate you,' I shall gladly do +all in my power for the wretched prodigal. And who can tell but there +may yet be mercy in store for him? God's mercy and power are infinite, +and He has 'no pleasure in the death of him that dieth,' but would +rather that he turn from his evil way and live." + +There was a little pause, then Elsie asked if her father had arranged +any plans in regard to Boyd's removal. + +"Yes," he said, "subject of course to your approval. I have thought it +would be well to send him on at once and let him be settled in his +quarters before the arrival of our own party. You must decide what room +he is to occupy." + +She named one situated in a wing of the mansion, and quite distant from +the apartments which would be used by the family. + +"What more, papa?" she asked. + +"He must have an attendant--a nurse. And shall we not write to his aunt, +inviting her to come and be with him while he lives? remain through the +winter with us, if she can find it convenient and agreeable to do so?" + +"Yes, oh yes! poor dear Mrs. Carrington; it will be but a melancholy +pleasure to her. But I think if any one can do him good it will be she. +I will write at once." + +"Not to-night; it is too late; you are looking weary, and I want you to +go at once to bed. To-morrow morning will be time enough for the +letter." + +"What, sending me to bed, papa!" she said with a slightly amused smile. +"I must be indeed your little girl again. Well, I will obey as I used +to in the olden time, for I still believe you know what is best for me. +So good-night, my dear, dear father!" + +"Good-night, my darling," he responded, caressing her with all the old, +fatherly tenderness. "May God bless and keep you and your dear +children." + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + "She led me first to God; + Her words and prayers were my young spirit's dew." + --_Pierpont._ + + +Elsie's letter to Mrs. Carrington was despatched by the first morning +mail, and directly after breakfast Mr. Dinsmore went in search of Boyd. + +Hardened as the man was, he showed some sense of gratitude toward the +new-made widow of his intended victim, when informed of her kind +intentions toward himself; some remorse for his attempt to injure him +whom she had so dearly loved. + +"It is really a great deal more than I had the least right to expect +even for my aunt's sake," he said. "Why, sir, it will be like getting +out of hell into heaven!" + +"It is not for Mrs. Carrington's sake alone, or principally--strong as +is the tie of friendship between them," replied Mr. Dinsmore, "but +rather for the sake of the Master she loves and serves, and who bids His +followers return good for evil." + +"Cant!" sneered Boyd to himself: then aloud, "Well, sir, I wish it were +in my power to make some suitable return to Mrs. Travilla; but that can +never be, and unfortunately I cannot even undo the past." + +"No; and that is a thought which might well deter us from evil deeds. +Now the next thing is to provide you with a bath, decent clothing, and +suitable attendant, and get you and him aboard the boat, which leaves a +few hours hence." + +All this was done and Mr. Dinsmore returned to his daughter with a +satisfactory report to that effect. + +Their party remained a few days longer in the Crescent City, then +embarked for Viamede, where they arrived in due season, having met with +no accident or detention by the way. + +As on former occasions, they were joyfully welcomed by the old servants; +but many tears mingled with the rejoicings, for Mr. Travilla had been +greatly beloved by all, and they wept for both their own loss and that +of their "dear bressed Missus," as they were wont to call her whom his +death had widowed. + +She was much overcome at the first, memory vividly recalling former +arrivals when he--her dearest earthly friend--was by her side, giving +her the support of his loved presence and sharing her happiness. + +Her thoughts dwelt particularly upon the glad days of their honeymoon; +and she seemed to see herself again a loved, loving, cherished bride, +now wandering with him through the beautiful orange groves or over the +velvety, flower-bespangled lawn, now seated by his side in the veranda, +the parlor, the library, or on some rustic seat under the grand old +trees, his arm encircling her waist, his eyes looking tenderly into +hers; or it might be gliding over the waters of the lakelet or galloping +or driving through the woods, everywhere and always the greatest delight +of each the love and companionship of the other. + +Ah, how often she now caught herself listening for the sound of his +voice, his step, waiting, longing to feel the touch of his hand! Could +she ever cease to do so?--ever lose that weary homesickness of heart +that at times seemed almost more than mortal strength could endure? + +But she had more than mortal strength to sustain her; the everlasting +arms were underneath and around her, the love that can never die, never +change, was her unfailing support and consolation. + +She indulged in no spirit of repining, no nursing of her grief, but gave +herself with cheerful earnestness to every good work: the careful, +prayerful instruction and training of her children as her first duty; +then kindly attentions to her old grandfather, to parents and guests; +after that the care of house servants, field hands, and the outside poor +of the vicinity, neglecting neither their bodies nor their souls; also +helping the cause of Christ in both her own and foreign lands, with +untiring efforts, earnest, believing prayer, and liberal gifts, striving +to be a faithful steward of the ample means God had committed to her +trust, and rejoicing in the ability to relieve the wants of His people, +and to assist in spreading abroad the glad news of salvation through +faith in Christ. + +There was no gayety at Viamede that winter, but the atmosphere of the +house was eminently cheerful, its walls often echoing to the blithe +voices and merry laughter of the children; never checked or reproved by +mamma; the days gliding peacefully by, in a varied round of useful and +pleasant employment and delightful recreation that left no room for +_ennui_--riding, driving, walking, boating for all, and healthful play +for the children. + +Lester Leland had been heard from, was well, and wrote in so hopeful a +strain that the heart of his affianced grew light and joyous. She was +almost ashamed to find she could be so happy without the dear father so +lately removed. + +Her mother reassured her on that point: it was right for her to be as +happy as she could; it was what her papa would have highly approved and +wished; and then in being so and allowing it to be perceived by those +around her, she would add to their enjoyment. + +"We are told to 'rejoice in the Lord always,'" concluded the mother, +"and a Christian's heart should never be the abode of gloom and +sadness." + +"Dear mamma, what an unfailing comfort and blessing you are to me and to +all your children," cried the young girl. "Oh, I do thank God every day +for my mother's dear love, my mother's wise counsels!" + +It was very true, and to mamma each one of the six--or we might say +seven, for Edward did the same by letter--carried every trouble, great +or small, every doubt, fear, and perplexity. + +No two of them were exactly alike in disposition--each required a little +different management from the others--but attentively studying each +character and asking wisdom from above, the mother succeeded wonderfully +well in guiding and controlling them. + +In this her father assisted her, and she was most careful and decided in +upholding his authority, never in any emergency opposing hers to it. + +"Mamma," said Harold, coming to her one day in her dressing-room, +"Herbie is in trouble with grandpa." + +"I am very sorry," she said with a look of concern, "but if so it must +be by his own fault; your grandpa's commands are never unreasonable." + +"No, I suppose not, mamma," Harold returned doubtfully, "but Herbie is +having a very hard time over his Latin lesson, and says he can't learn +it: it is too difficult. Mamma," with some hesitation, "if you would +speak to grandpa perhaps he would let him off this once." + +"Do you think that would be a good plan?" she asked with a slight smile. +"Herbert's great fault is lack of perseverance; he is too easily +discouraged, too ready to give up and say 'I can't.' Do you think it +would be really kind to indulge him in doing so?" + +"Perhaps not, mamma; but I feel very sorry to see him in such distress. +Grandpa has forbidden him to leave the school-room or to have anything +to eat but bread and milk till he can recite his lesson quite perfectly. +And we had planned to go fishing this afternoon, if you should give +permission, mamma." + +"My son," she said with an affectionate look into the earnest face of +the pleader, "I am glad to see your sympathy and love for your brother, +but I think your grandpa loves him quite as well and knows far better +what is for his good, and I cannot interfere between them; my children +must all be as obedient and submissive to my father as they are to me." + +"Yes, mamma, I know, and indeed we never disobey him. How could we when +papa bade us not? and made him our guardian, too?" + +Mrs. Travilla sat thinking for a moment after Harold had gone, then +rose and went to the school-room. + +Herbert sat there alone, idly drumming on his desk, the open book pushed +aside. His face was flushed and wore a very disconsolate and slightly +sullen expression. + +He looked up as his mother came in, but dropped his eyes instantly, +blushing and ashamed. + +"Mamma," he stammered, "I--I can't learn this lesson, it's so very hard, +and I'm so tired of being cooped up here. Mayn't I go out and have a +good run before I try any more?" + +"If your grandpa gives permission; not otherwise." + +"But he won't; and it's a hateful old lesson! and I _can't_ learn it!" +he cried with angry impatience. + +"My boy, you are grieving your mother very much," she said, sitting down +beside him and laying her cool hand on his heated brow. + +"O mamma, I didn't mean to do that!" he cried, throwing his arms about +her neck. "I do love you dearly, dearly." + +"I believe it, my son," she said, returning his caress, "but I want you +to prove it by being obedient to your kind grandpa as well as to me, and +by trying to conquer your faults." + +"Mamma, I haven't been naughty--only I can't learn such hard lessons as +grandpa gives." + +"My son, I know you do not mean to be untruthful, but to say that you +cannot learn your lesson is really not the truth; the difficulty is not +so much in the ability as in the will. And are you not indulging a +naughty temper?" + +"Mamma," he said, hanging his head, "you don't know how hard Latin is." + +"Why, what do you mean, my son?" she asked in surprise; "you certainly +know that I have studied Latin." + +"Yes, mamma, but wasn't it easier for you to learn than it is for me?" + +"I think not," she said with a smile, "though I believe I had more real +love for study and was less easily conquered by difficulties; and +yet--shall I tell you a little secret?" + +"Oh yes, ma'am, please do!" he answered, turning a bright, interested +face to hers. + +"Well, I disliked Latin at first, and did not want to study it. I should +have coaxed very hard to be excused from doing so, but that I dared not, +because my papa had strictly forbidden me to coax or tease after he had +given his decision; and he had said Latin was to be one of my studies. +There was one day, though, that I cried over my lesson and insisted that +I could not learn it." + +"And what did grandpa do to you?" he asked with great interest. + +"Treated me just as he does you--told me I _must_ learn it, and that I +could not dine with him and mamma or leave my room until I knew it. And, +my boy, I see now that he was wise and kind, and I have often been +thankful since that he was so firm and decided with me." + +"But did you learn it?" + +"Yes; nor did it take me long when once I gave my mind to it with +determination. That is exactly what you need to do. The great fault of +your disposition is lack of energy and perseverance, a fault grandpa and +I must help you to conquer, or you will never be of much use in the +world." + +"But, mamma, it seems to me I shall not need to do much when I'm a man," +he remarked a little shamefacedly; "haven't you a great deal of money to +give us all?" + +"It may be all gone before you are grown up," she said gravely. "I +shall be glad to lose it if its possession is to be the ruin of my sons. +But I do not intend to let any of you live in idleness, for that would +be a sin, because our talents must be improved to the utmost and used in +God's service, whether we have much or little money or none at all. +Therefore each of my boys must study a profession or learn some +handicraft by which he can earn his own living or make money to use in +doing good. + +"Now I am going to leave you," she added, rising, "and if you do not +want to give me a sad heart you will set to work at that lesson with a +will, and soon have it ready to recite to your grandpa." + +"Mamma, I will, to please you," he returned, drawing the book toward +him. + +"Do it to please God, your kind heavenly Father, even more than to make +me happy," she answered, laying her hand caressingly on his head. + +"Mamma, what is the text that says it will please Him?" he asked, +looking up inquiringly, for it had always been a habit with her to +enforce her teachings with a passage of Scripture. + +"There are a great many that teach it more or less directly," she said; +"we are to be diligent in business, to improve our talents and use them +in God's service; children are to obey their parents; and both your +grandpa and I have directed you to learn that lesson." + +"Mamma, I will do my very best," he said cheerfully, and she saw as she +left the room that he was really trying to redeem the promise. + +An hour later he came to her with a very bright face, to say that +grandpa had pronounced his recitation quite perfect and released him +from confinement. + +Her pleased look, her smile, her kiss were a sweet reward and a strong +incentive to continuance in well-doing. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according + to this word, it is because there is no light in them." + --_Isaiah_ 8:20. + + +Some years before this Elsie had built a little church on the +plantation, entirely at her own expense, for the use of her dependents +and of her own family when sojourning at Viamede. The membership was +composed principally of blacks. + +A few miles distant was another small church of the same denomination, +attended by the better class of whites; planters and their families. + +To these two congregations conjointly Mr. Mason had ministered for a +long while, preaching to the one in the morning, to the other in the +afternoon of each Sabbath. + +He had, however, been called to another field of labor, a few weeks +previous to the arrival of our friends, leaving the two congregations +pastorless, and the pretty cottage built for him at Viamede without a +tenant. + +Still they were not entirely without the preaching of the word, now one +and now another coming to supply the pulpits for a Sunday or two. + +At present they were filled by a young minister who came as a candidate, +and whose services had been engaged for several weeks. + +Elsie and her family were paying no visits now in this time of mourning, +but nothing but sickness, or a very severe storm, ever kept them from +church. They attended both services, and in the evening the older ones +gathered about the table in the library with their Bibles, and, with +Cruden's Concordance and other helps at hand, spent an hour or more in +the study of the word. + +"Mamma," said little Rosie, one Sunday as they were walking slowly +homeward from the nearer church, "why don't we have a minister that +believes the Bible?" + +"My child, don't you think Mr. Jones believes it?" + +"No, mamma," most emphatically, "because he contradicts it; he said +there's only one devil, and my Bible says Jesus cast out devils--seven +out of Mary Magdalen, and ever so many out of one man, besides other +ones out of other folks." + +"And last Sunday, when he was preaching about Jonah, he said it was a +wicked and foolish practice to cast lots," remarked Harold, "while the +Bible tells us that the Lord commanded the Israelites to divide their +land by lot, and that the apostles cast lots to choose a successor to +Judas." + +"Yes," said Violet, "and when Achan had sinned, didn't they cast lots to +find out who it was that troubled Israel?" + +"And to choose a king in the days of the prophet Samuel," added their +older sister. "How strange that any one should say it was a foolish and +wicked practice!" + +"I don't think his mother can have brought him up on the Bible as ours +does us," remarked Herbert. + +"Mamma, which are we to believe," asked Rosie, "the minister or the +Bible?" + +"Bring everything to the test of scripture," answered the mother's +gentle voice. "'To the law and the testimony: if they speak not +according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.' I want +you to have great respect for the ministry, yet never to receive any +man's teachings when you find them opposed to those of God's holy word." + +When the Bibles were brought out that evening, Isa proposed that they +should take up the question of the correctness of that assertion of Mr. +Jones which had led Rosie to doubt his belief in the inspiration of the +Scriptures. + +"Yes, let us do so," said her uncle. "It is an interesting subject." + +"Yes, I think it is," said Molly; "but do you consider it a question of +any importance, uncle?" + +"I do; no Bible truth can be unimportant. 'All scripture is by +inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for +correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may +be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.' And if we have +spiritual foes we surely need to know it, that we may be on our guard +against them." + +"And we have not been left without warning against them," observed old +Mr. Dinsmore. "'Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to +stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh +and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the +rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in +high places.' How absurd the idea that principalities and powers can +mean but one creature!" + +"David prays, 'Lead me in a plain path because of mine enemies'; and +again, 'Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies, +make thy way straight before my face,'" said Mrs. Travilla. "It seems +evident to me that it was spiritual foes he meant; that he feared to be +left a prey to their temptations, their deceit, the snares and traps +they would set for his soul." + +"Undoubtedly," returned her father. "On any other supposition some of +the psalms would seem to be very bloodthirsty and unchristian." + +"I rather took Mr. Jones to task about it as we came out of church," +said old Mr. Dinsmore, "and he maintained that he was in the right on +the ground that the name devil comes from the Greek Diabolos, which is +applied only to the prince of the devils." + +"And what of that?" said his son; "the Hebrew name, Satan, has the very +same signification--an adversary, an accuser, calumniator or +slanderer--and Christ called the devils he had just cast out, Satan: +'How can Satan cast out Satan? If Satan rise up against himself, and be +divided, he cannot stand.' If they are so like him, so entirely one with +him, as to be called himself--and that by Him who has all knowledge and +who is the Truth--I cannot see that there is any occasion to deny them +the name of devil, or anything to be gained by doing so; while on the +other hand there is danger of positive harm, as it seems to throw doubt +and discredit upon our English translation." + +"A very serious responsibility to assume, since the vast majority of the +people must depend upon it," remarked Mrs. Travilla. "I think any one +who makes the assertion we are discussing should give a very full +explanation and strong warning against the lesser evil spirits we call +devils. 'If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?'" + +"Yes," said her father, "and I have very strong faith in the learning, +wisdom and piety of the translators." + +"Is Satan a real person? and were the devils whom Christ and his +disciples cast out, real persons?" asked Isadore. "I have heard people +talk of Satan as if he were an imaginary creature, a myth; and of the +others, with which persons were possessed in those days, as probably +nothing more than bad tempers." + +"'To the law and to the testimony,'" replied her uncle, opening his +Bible. "We will consider your questions in the order in which they were +asked. 'Is Satan a real person?' There can be no difficulty in proving +it to any one who believes the Bible to be the inspired word of God; the +difficulty is rather in selecting from the multitude of texts that teach +it." + +Some time was now spent in searching out, with the help of Bible Text +Book and Concordance, a very long list of texts bearing on the +question--giving the titles, the character and the doings of Satan; +showing that he sinned against God, was cast out of heaven; down to +hell; that he was the author of the fall; that he perverts scripture; +opposes God's work; hinders the Gospel; works lying wonders; that he +tempted Christ; is a liar and the father of lies; is a murderer; yet +appears as an angel of light. + +"Here," said Mr. Dinsmore, "is a summing-up of what he is, by Cruden, +who was without question a thorough Bible scholar; and remember, as I +read it, that the description applies not to Satan alone, but also to +those wicked spirits under him. 'He is surprisingly subtile; his +strength is superior to ours, his malice is deadly; his activity and +diligence are equal to his malice; and he has a mighty number of +principalities and powers under his command!'" + +"Yes," said old Mr. Dinsmore, meditatively, "'the rulers of the darkness +of this world,' the word is plural: it seems there must be several +orders of them, composing a mighty host." + +"I find both my queries already fully answered," said Isa. + +"Nevertheless, let us look a little farther into that second question," +her uncle answered. "I will give the references as before, while the +rest of you turn to and read them." + +When this had been done, "Now," said he, "let us sum up the evidence as +to their personality, character, works, and right to the name of devil." + +"As to the first they sinned: hell is prepared for them: they believe +and tremble: they spoke: knew Christ and testified to his divinity, +'Jesus, thou son of God.' 'I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of +God.' Wicked tempers could not do any of these things. As to the second, +their character, they are called in the Bible 'unclean spirits,' foul +spirits; and since Christ called them Satan himself, the description of +his character, as I have before remarked, is a faithful description of +theirs also. This last proves also their right to the title of devil. +The scripture--Christ himself--calls them the devil's angels, his +messengers; for that is the meaning of angel, they do Satan's behests, +go on his errands and help him in the work of destroying souls and +tempting and tormenting those whom they cannot destroy.--Well, Vi, what +is it?" For she had given him a perplexed, troubled look. + +"There is just one difficulty that I see, grandpa. Here in Jude we are +told, 'And the Angels which kept not their first estate, but left their +own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness +unto the judgment of the great day.' The apostle Peter says the same +thing. My difficulty is to reconcile this statement with the other +teaching--that they are going about the world on their wicked, cruel +errands." + +"To the law and to the testimony," repeated Mr. Dinsmore. "Since the +infallible word of God makes both statements, we must believe both, +whether we can reconcile them or not; but I doubt not we shall be able +to do so if we diligently search the word with prayer for the teachings +of the Holy Spirit." + +He then offered a short, fervent petition to that end; after which they +resumed their investigation. + +"Let us remember," he said, "that the same word often has many +significations, and that hell may be a state or condition rather than a +place--I mean that the word may be sometimes used in that sense: so with +chains and with darkness." + +"We use the expression, 'the chains of habit,'" suggested his daughter; +"a spirit could not be bound with a material chain; but in Proverbs we +are told, 'His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he +shall be holden with the cords of his sins.' Think of the awful +wickedness and utter despair of those lost spirits--no space for +repentance, no hope or possibility of salvation--and I think we have +chains on them of fearful weight and strength." + +"The cords of sin are the consequences of crimes and bad habits. Sin +never goes unpunished, and the bad habits contracted are, as it were, +indissoluble bands from which it is impossible to get free," read Mr. +Dinsmore from the Concordance, adding, "and to those lost spirits it is +_utterly_ impossible; yes, here in their wicked tempers, malignant +desires and utter despair, we have, I think, the chains that bind them." + +"But the darkness, grandpa?" queried Harold. + +"We are coming to that. Cruden tells us here that darkness sometimes +signifies great distress, perplexity and calamity; as in Isa. 8:22, Joel +2:2. Sometimes sin or impurity, 1 John 1:5. The devil have all these; +how great is their sin, how great must be their distress and anguish in +the sure prospect of eternal destruction from the presence of God, +eternal torment! dense and fearful must it be beyond the power of words +to express! They are darkness, for our Saviour calls the exercise of +Satan's power 'the power of darkness.' 'This is your hour and the power +of darkness.' By the gates of hell, Matt. 16:18, is meant the power and +policy of the devil and his instruments. It would seem that they carry +their chains, their darkness, their hell with them wherever they go. And +now for the application, the lesson we should learn from all this: what +do you think it is, Harold?" + +"That we should be constantly on our guard against the wiles of these +adversaries, is it not, sir?" + +"Yes, and ever looking to the captain of our salvation for strength and +wisdom to do so effectually." + +"Putting on the whole armor of God," added old Mr. Dinsmore; "the shield +of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the spirit which is the +word of God. What else, Herbert?" + +"The breast-plate of righteousness, sir; and the loins are to be girt +about with truth, the feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of +peace." + +"There is yet another lesson," said Mrs. Travilla, her face all aglow +with holy joy and love, "how it should quicken our zeal for the Master, +our gratitude, our joy and love, when we think of his salvation offered +to us as his free gift the purchase of his own blood, when he might +justly have left us in the same awful state of horror and despair that +is the portion of the angels that sinned. And how should we cling to him +who alone is able to keep us from falling into the traps and snares they +are constantly spreading for our unwary feet. Ah, my dear children, +there is no safety but in keeping close to Christ!" + +"But there we are safe," added her father: "'he is able also to save +them to the uttermost that come unto God by him.' He says of his sheep, +'I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither +shall any man pluck them out of my hand.' He saves his people from sin, +from hell and destruction." + +"Can't we find some texts about the good angels?" asked little Rosie, +who had been permitted to sit up beyond her usual bedtime to share in +the Bible lesson. + +"Yes," said her grandpa, "we may be thankful for them, because they are +kind and good and loving, taking delight in our salvation and in +ministering to God's people, as they did to the Master when on earth. +Which of you can name some instances given in the Bible?" + +"One fed Elijah when he fled from wicked Jezebel," answered Rosie, +promptly. + +"They carried Lazarus to heaven," said Herbert. + +"And stopped the lions' mouths when they would have eaten Daniel," added +Harold. + +The others went on, "One comforted Paul when he was in danger of +shipwreck." + +"One delivered Peter from prison." + +"Now who can quote a promise or assurance that we, if the true children +of God, shall have help or protection from them?" + +"'He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy +ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot +against a stone!'" repeated the younger Elsie, and her mother added in +low, sweet tones, full of joy and thankfulness, "'The angel of the Lord +encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.' Is it +not a sweet assurance?" she exclaimed: "he is not a transient visitor, +but encamps as intending to remain; and not upon one side alone, leaving +the others exposed to the enemy, but round about. Blessed are they who +have the Lord of hosts for their Keeper!" + +They united in a song of praise, old Mr. Dinsmore led in prayer, then +with an exchange of affectionate good-nights they separated. + +"Mamma," said the younger Elsie, lingering for a little in her mother's +boudoir, "to-night's study of the word has done me good. I want to live +nearer to Jesus, to love him more, to serve him better." + +"I too," said Violet. "I want to give him the service of my whole heart +and life, time, talents, money, everything!" + +"It rejoices my heart to hear it, my darlings," the mother answered, +folding them in her arms, while glad tears shone in her eyes; "it is +what I desire above all things for you, for all my dear ones, and for +myself." + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + "'Tis not the whole of life to live, + Nor all of death to die." + --_Montgomery._ + + +Mrs. Carrington obeyed with all speed the call to come to the aid of her +unworthy nephew, and her arrival was not delayed many days after that of +their kind entertainers. + +She received a cordial welcome; but since that first day the ladies and +children of the family had seen very little of her, for Boyd had taken +to his bed, and she devoted herself to him. + +The gentlemen frequently spent a little time in his room, induced +thereto by motives of kindness, but the others never approached it. + +Elsie looked upon him as the would-be murderer of her husband, and could +scarcely think of him without a shudder. + +She was willing, even anxious to give him every comfort that money could +buy, and that every effort should be made by her father and others to +lead him to repentance and faith in Christ to the saving of his soul; +but she shrank from seeing him, though she made kind inquiries, sent +messages, and offered many sincere and fervent prayers on his behalf. + +Strolling about the grounds one afternoon with her little ones, she saw +her father coming towards her. + +Something in the expression of his countenance as he drew rapidly nearer +startled her with a vague fear. + +"What is it, papa?" she asked tremulously. + +"Take my arm," he said, offering it. "I have something to say to you. +Rosie, do you and Walter go to your mammy." + +The children obeyed, while he and their mother turned into another path. + +Elsie's heart was beating very fast. "Papa, is--is anything wrong +with--" + +"With any of your loved ones? No, daughter: they are all safe and well +so far as I know. But I have a message for you--a request which it will +not be easy or pleasant for you to grant, or to refuse. Boyd is drawing +very near his end, and with a mind full of horror and despair. He says +there is no hope, no mercy for him--nothing but the blackness of +darkness forever." + +Elsie's eyes overflowed. "Poor, poor fellow! Papa, can nothing be done +for him?" + +"Could you bear to go to him?" he asked tenderly. "Forgive me, dear +child, for paining you with such a suggestion; but the poor wretch +thinks he could die easier if he heard you say that you forgive him." + +There was a shudder, a moment's struggle with herself; then she said, +very low and sadly, "Yes, papa, I will go at once. How selfish I have +been in staying away so long. But--O Edward! my husband, my husband!" + +He soothed her very tenderly for a moment, then asked gently, "Would he +not have bidden you go?" + +"Oh, yes, yes: he would have forgiven, he did forgive him with all his +great, generous heart. And, God helping me, so will I. I am ready to +go." + +"Lost, lost, lost! no hope, no help, the blackness of darkness forever!" +were the words, uttered in piercing tones, full of anguish and despair, +that greeted Elsie's ears as her father softly opened the door of Boyd's +room and led her in. + +At those sounds, at the sight that met her view--the wretched man with +the seal of death on his haggard, emaciated face, seamed and scarred +beyond all recognition, tossing restlessly from side to side, while he +rent the air with his cries--she turned so sick and faint that she +staggered, and but for the support of her father's arm would have fallen +to the floor. + +"Call up all your courage, my dear child," he whispered, leaning over +her, "look to the Lord for strength, and who shall say you may not he +able to do the poor dying wretch some good?" + +She struggled determinately with her faintness, and they drew near the +bed. + +Boyd started up at sight of her, thrusting the maimed hand under the +bedclothes, and holding out the other with a ghastly smile. + +"You're an angel, Mrs. Travilla!" he gasped, "an angel of mercy to a +miserable wretch whom you've a good right to hate." + +"No," she said, taking the hand in a kindly grasp, "I have no right to +hate you, or any one--I whose sins against my Lord are far, far greater +than yours against me or mine. I forgive you, as I hope to be forgiven. +May God forgive you also." + +"No, no, it is too late, too late for that!" he groaned. "I have sinned +against light and knowledge. He has called and I refused many, many +times; and now the door is shut." + +"It is your adversary the devil who tells you that," she said, tears +streaming from her eyes; "he would destroy your soul: but the words of +Jesus are, 'Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out?' +'Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.'" + +"Ah, but he also says, 'Because I have called and ye refused; I have +stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; but ye have set at naught +all my counsel, and would none of my reproof; I also will laugh at your +calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; when your fear cometh as +desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress +and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will +not answer.' Oh it's all true, every word of it!" he cried, with a look +of horror and despair that none who saw it could ever forget, "I feel it +in my inmost soul. There was a time when mercy's door was open to me, +but it's shut now, shut forever." + +"O George, George!" sobbed his aunt, "the invitation is without +limit--'whosoever will;' if you have a will to come, it cannot be that +it is even now too late." + +"But those words--those dreadful words," he said, turning eagerly toward +her, "Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer.'" + +"Are addressed to those who desire deliverance, not from sin itself, but +only from its punishment," said Mr. Dinsmore. "If you have any desire to +be saved from your sins, to be cleansed from their pollution, to be made +holy, it is not too late--the 'whosoever will' is for you." + +He shook his head sadly. "I don't know, I don't know, a death-bed is a +poor place to analyze one's feelings. Oh! warn men everywhere not to put +it off, not to put it off! Tell them it is running a fearful risk." + +"We will, we will," said his aunt; "but, O George, think of yourself: +'cry to Jesus, he is able to save to the uttermost,' and he has no +pleasure in the death of any soul; he would have you turn now and live: +oh cry to him for mercy!" + +"Too late, too late!" he muttered faintly, "the door is shut." + +They knelt about his bed and poured out fervent prayers for him; they +repeated promise after promise, invitations and assurances from the +word, of God's willingness to save. + +At last, "I'm going, going!" he gasped. "Oh God be merciful to me a +sinner!" And with the last word the spirit took its flight. + +Mrs. Carrington sank, half fainting, into Elsie's arms, and Mr. Dinsmore +and the doctor bore her from the room. + +It was Elsie's sad task to try to comfort and console where there was +little to build hope upon: she could but dwell upon God's great mercy, +his willingness to save, and the possibility that that last dying cry +came from a truly penitent heart. + +"I must try to believe it, else my heart would break!" cried the old +lady. "O Elsie, my heart has bled for you, but your sorrow is not like +unto my sorrow! You can rest in the sure and certain hope of a blissful +reunion, you know that your beloved is rejoicing before the throne; +while I--alas, alas! I know not where my poor boy is. And I am tortured +with the fear that some of his blood may be found in my skirts--that I +did not guide and instruct, warn and entreat him as I might; that my +prayers were not frequent and fervent enough, my example all that it +should have been." + +"My dear friend, 'who is sufficient for these things?'" Elsie answered, +weeping; "who has not reason for such self reproach? I think not you +more than the rest of us." + +"Ah!" sighed the old lady, "I wish that were so: had I but been to him, +and to my own children, the mother you are to yours, my conscience would +not now trouble me as it does." + +Mrs. Travilla had caused a room to be fitted up as a studio for her +older daughters, and here they were spending their afternoon--Vi +painting, Elsie modelling and thinking, the while, of her absent lover, +perchance busy in his studio with hammer and chisel. + +"The sun is setting," exclaimed Violet at length, throwing down her +brush. "What can have become of mamma that she has not been in to watch +our progress?" + +"I hope she has been taking a drive," Elsie answered, ceasing work also. +"Come, let us go and dress for tea, Vi; it is high time." + +They hastened to do so, and had scarcely completed their toilet when +Harold rapped and asked if mamma were there. + +"No? Where can she have gone?" he said. "Herbie and I came in from +fishing a little while ago, and we have hunted for her almost +everywhere." + +"Except in the nursery," suggested Herbert. "Let's go and see if she's +there." + +"The carriage is driving up," said Vi, glancing through the window; +"probably mamma is in it," and all four hurried down to the front +veranda eager to meet and welcome her. + +Their old grandfather alighted, handed out Grandma Rose, Aunt Enna, Isa, +and then, with the help of one of the servant men, Molly. + +The carriage door closed. Mamma was not there. Indeed their grandma and +Isa were asking for her as they came up the steps. + +And childish voices were now heard in their rear making the same +inquiry--Rosie and Walter coming from the nursery in search of the +mother they never willingly lost sight of for an hour. + +"Why, what can have become of mamma? Rosie, when did you see her last?" +asked Harold. + +"Out on the lawn. She was walking with us, and grandpa came and took her +away." + +"Where to?" + +"I don't know," answered the child, bursting into tears. + +"There, there, don't cry; dear mamma's sure to be safe along with +grandpa," Harold said, putting his arms around his little sister. "And +here he comes to tell us about her," he added joyously, as Mr. Dinsmore +was seen coming down the hall. + +They crowded about him, the same question on every tongue. + +"She is with Mrs. Carrington," he said, patting the heads of the weeping +Rosie and Walter. "Don't cry, my children. She may not be able to join +us at tea, but you shall see her before you go to your beds." + +Then to the older ones, speaking in a subdued tone, "Boyd is gone, and +his aunt is much overcome." + +"Gone, Horace!" exclaimed his wife, looking shocked and awe-struck: "how +did he die? was there any ground for hope?" + +"Very little," he sighed, "that is the saddest part of it. The body will +be sent away to-night," he added, in answer to a question from his +father; "he is to be buried with the rest of his family. Mrs. Carrington +will not go with it, will probably remain here through the winter." + +All felt it a relief that the burial was not to be near at hand, or the +corpse to remain many hours in the house--"a wicked man's corpse," as +Harold said with a shudder, but all were saddened and horror-struck at +the thought that he had gone leaving so little reason for hope of his +salvation. + +They gathered at the supper-table a very quiet, solemn company; few +words were spoken; the little ones missed their mother and were glad to +get away to the nursery, where she presently came to them, looking sad +and with traces of recent tears about her eyes. + +But she smiled very sweetly upon them, kissed them tenderly, and sitting +down, took Walter on her lap and put an arm round Rosie as she stood by +her side. + +They were curious to know about Mr. Boyd, asking if he had gone to +heaven where dear papa and Lily were. + +"I do not know, my darlings," she answered, the tears coming into her +eyes again; "he is there if he repented of his sins against God, and +trusted in Jesus." + +Then she talked to them, as often before, of the dear Saviour--the great +love wherewith he loves his people, and the many mansions he is +preparing for them. + +She spoke to them, too, of God's hatred of sin, and the need of +watchfulness and prayer. + +"The devil hates us, my darlings," she said; "he goes about like a +roaring lion, seeking to kill our souls; but Jesus loves us, he is +stronger than Satan, and if we keep close to him we are safe." + +Having seen them safe in bed, she went to her dressing-room, to find the +other four there waiting for her. + +They gathered about her with glad, loving looks and words, each eager to +anticipate her wishes and to be the first to wait upon her. + +"My dear children," she said, smiling through glistening tears, "your +love is very sweet to me!" + +"And what do you think yours is to us, mamma?" exclaimed Violet, +kneeling at her mother's feet and clasping her arms about her waist, +while she lifted to hers a face glowing with ardent affection and +admiration. + +"Just the same, I hope and believe;" and with the words the mother's +hand passed caressingly over the golden curls. + +"Mamma, you have been crying very much," remarked Harold sorrowfully. "I +wish--" + +"Well, my son?" as he paused, leaving his sentence unfinished. + +"I wish I could make you so happy that you would never want to shed a +tear." + +"When I get to heaven, my dear boy, it will be so with me. '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.' And +that is where your dear papa is now. Oh how glad we ought to be for +him!" she said with mingled smiles and tears. "'Blessed are the dead +which die in the Lord:' but oh, it is not so, my children, with those +who have not chosen him for their portion! 'for to them is reserved the +blackness of darkness for ever.'" + +There was a slight solemn pause, all thinking of the wretched man who +had passed away from earth that afternoon. + +"Mamma," asked Harold at last, speaking in a subdued tone, "do you think +it is so with Mr. Boyd?" + +"My son," she said gently, "that is a question we are not called upon to +decide; we can only leave him in the hands of God, in full confidence +that the Judge of all the earth will do right." + +"Mamma, would you like to tell us about it?" asked Herbert. + +"It is a painful subject," she sighed, "but--yes, I will tell you, that +it may be a warning to you all your lives." + +They listened with awe-struck faces, and with tears of pity, as she went +on to give a graphic picture of that death scene so different from the +one they had witnessed a few short months ago. + +"Oh my children," she said, "live not for time, but for eternity! +remembering that this life is but a preparation for another and endless +existence. 'Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.' +'Count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ +Jesus our Lord.' Choose his service now while youth and health are +yours, and when death comes you will have nothing to fear. 'The wicked +is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his +death.' 'Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man +soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh, shall +of the flesh reap corruption: but he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of +the Spirit reap life everlasting.'" + +"Yes, mamma," Elsie said in a half-whisper, the tears stealing down her +cheeks, "surely we have seen it fulfilled in these last few months. Our +beloved father sowed to the Spirit, and what a joyous reaping is his! +How calmly and sweetly he fell asleep in Jesus." + +"Yes," the mother said, mingling her tears with theirs--for all were +weeping now--yet with a light shining in her eyes, "I am full of joy and +thankfulness to-night in the midst of my grief. Oh how should we love +and rejoice in this dear Saviour, who through his own death has given +eternal life to him and to us; and to as many as God has given him--to +all that will come to him for it." + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God." + --_1 Peter_, 4:11. + + +"Mamma, can we--Elsie and I--have a little private talk with you?" asked +Violet as they left the dinner-table the next Sunday. + +"Certainly, daughter, if it be suited to the sacredness of the day." + +"Quite so, mamma," answered Elsie: "it is, at least in part, a question +of conscience." + +"Then we shall want our Bibles to help us decide it. Let us take them +and go out upon the lawn, to the inviting shade of yonder group of +magnolias." + +"Do you intend to be so selfish as to monopolize your mother's society?" +asked her father playfully. + +"Just for a little while, grandpa," Vi answered with coaxing look and +tone. "Please, all of you, let us two have mamma quite to ourselves for +a few minutes." + +"Well, daughters, what is it?" Mrs. Travilla asked, as she seated +herself under the trees with one on each side. + +"Mamma," Elsie began, "you saw a young lady talking with us after +church? She is Miss Miriam Pettit. She says she and several other young +girls belonging to the church used to hold a weekly prayer-meeting in +Mrs. Mason's parlor. It is the most central place they can find, and she +will be very glad, very much obliged, if you will let them use it still. +She has understood that nearly all the furniture of the cottage belongs +to you and is still there." + +"Yes, that is so; and they are very welcome to the use of any of the +rooms. But that is not all you and Vi had to say?" + +"Oh no, mamma! she wants us to join them and take part in the +meetings--I mean not only to sing and read, but also to lead in prayer." + +"Well, my dears, I should be glad to have you do so; and you surely +cannot doubt that it would be right?" + +"No, mamma," Violet said in her sprightly way, "but we should like to +have you tell us--at least I should--that it would not be wrong to +refuse." + +"My child, do you not believe in prayer as both a duty and a privilege? +social and public as well as private prayer?" + +"O mamma, yes! but is it not enough for me to pray at home in my closet, +and to unite silently with the prayers offered by ministers and others +in public?" + +"Are we not told to pray without ceasing?" + +"Oh yes, mamma! and I did not mean to omit silent, ejaculatory prayer; +but is it my duty to lead the devotions of others?" + +"Our Saviour gave a precious assurance to those who unite in presenting +their petitions at a throne of grace. 'Where two or three are gathered +together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.' Some one must +lead--there ought always to be several to do so--and why should you be +excused more than another?" + +"Elsie is willing, mamma, and Miss Pettit too." + +"I am glad to hear it," the mother said, with an affectionate look at +her eldest daughter. "I know it will be something of a trial to Elsie, +and doubtless it is to Miss Pettit too--it is to almost every one: but +what a light cross to bear for Jesus compared to that he bore for us--or +those borne by the martyrs of old; or even by the missionaries who leave +home and dear ones to go far away to teach the heathen! I had hoped my +Vi was ready to follow her Master wherever his providence called her: +that she would not keep back any part of the price, but give him all." + +"Oh yes, yes, mamma!" she cried, the tears starting to her eyes, "I want +to be altogether his. I have given him all, and don't want to keep back +anything. I will try to do this if you think he calls me to it; though +it seems almost impossible." + +"My child, he will help you if you ask him; will give his Holy Spirit to +teach you how to pray and what to pray for. Try to get your mind and +heart full of your own and others' needs, to forget their presence and +remember his: then words will come, and you will find that in trying to +do the Master's work and will, you have brought down a rich blessing +upon your own soul. And why should we feel it a trial to speak aloud to +our Father in the presence of others of his children, or of those who +are not?" + +"I don't know, mamma; it does seem very strange that we should." + +"I should like to attend your meetings, but hardly suppose I should be +welcome," Mrs. Travilla said with a smile. + +"To us, mamma," both answered, "but perhaps not to the others. Miss +Pettit said there were to be none but young girls." + +"Isa is invited, I presume?" + +"Yes, mamma, and says she will attend; but can't promise anything more. +I think she will, though, if you will talk to her as you have to us," +Violet added, as they rose to return to the veranda, where the rest of +the family still lingered. + +And she was not mistaken. Isa was too true and earnest a Christian, too +full of love for the Master and zeal for the upbuilding of his cause +and kingdom, to refuse to do anything that she saw would tend to that, +however much it might cost her to attempt it. + +"Well, cricket," Mr. Dinsmore said, giving Violet a pet name he had +bestowed upon her when she was a very little girl, "come sit on my knee +and tell me if we are all to be kept in the dark in regard to the object +of this secret conference with mamma?" + +"Oh, grandpa," she said, taking the offered seat, and giving him a hug +and kiss, "gentlemen have no curiosity, you know. Still, now it's +settled, we don't care if you do hear all about it." + +Both he and his wife highly approved, and the latter, seeing an +interested yet regretful look on poor Molly's face, asked, "Why should +we not have, in addition, a female prayer-meeting of our own? We have +more than twice the number necessary to claim the promise." + +The suggestion was received with favor by all the ladies present, time +and place were fixed upon, and then, that they might be the better +prepared to engage in this new effort to serve the Master, they agreed +to take the subject of prayer for that evening's Bible study. + +But once entered upon, they found it so interesting, comprehensive and +profitable a theme that they devoted several evenings to it. + +The children as well as their elders were continually finding +discrepancies between the teachings of the Bible and those of Mr. Jones, +and Elsie was not a little relieved to learn that the time for which his +services had been engaged had now nearly expired. She hoped there was no +danger that he would be requested to remain. + +One day as she was leaving the quarter, where she had been visiting the +sick, Uncle Ben, now very old and feeble, accosted her respectfully. + +"Missus, I'se be bery thankful to hab a little conversation wid you when +it suits yo' convenience to talk to dis chile." + +"What is it, Uncle Ben?" she asked. + +"May I walk 'longside ob de Missus up to de house?" he returned. + +"Certainly, Uncle Ben, if you feel strong enough to do so." + +"Tank you, Missus; do dese ole limbs good to stretch 'em 'bout dat much. +It's 'bout Massa Jones I'se want to converse wid you, Missus. I hear +dey's talkin' 'bout invitin' him to stay, and I want to ascertain if you +intends to put him ober dis church." + +"I, Uncle Ben!" she exclaimed, "I put a minister over your church? I +have no right and certainly no wish to do any such thing. It is for the +members to choose whom they will have." + +"But you pays de money and provides de house for him, Missus." + +"That is true; but it does not give me the right to say who he shall be. +Only if you should choose one whose teachings I could not approve--one +who was not careful to teach according to God's word--I should feel that +I could not take the responsibility of supporting him." + +"I'se glad of dat, Missus," he said with a gleam of satisfaction in his +eyes; "'cause I'se want de Bible truff and nuffin else. And young Massa +Jones, he preach bery nice sometimes, but sometimes it 'pears like he +disremembers what's in de bressed book, and contradicts it wid some of +his own notions." + +"Then you don't wish him to stay?" + +"No, Missus, dat I don't! hopin' you won't be displeased wid me for +sayin' it." + +"Not at all, Uncle Ben: I find the very same objection to him that you +do." + +On reaching the house she bade the old man a kindly good-bye, and +directed him to go to the kitchen and tell the cook, from her, to give +him a good dinner, with plenty of hot, strong coffee. + +Rosie and Walter were on the back veranda looking out for mamma. + +"Oh we're so glad you've tum home, mamma!" cried Walter, running to meet +her and claim a kiss. + +"Yes, mamma, it seemed so long to wait," said Rosie, "and now there is a +strange gentleman in the drawing-room, waiting to see you. He's been +here a good while, and both grandpas are out." + +"Then I must go to him at once. But I think he is not likely to detain +me long away from you, darlings," the mother said. + +She found the gentleman--a handsome man of middle age--looking not at +all annoyed or impatient, but seemingly well entertained by Isa and +Violet, who were there, chatting sociably together over some pretty +fancy work, when he was shown in by the servant. + +They withdrew after Isa had introduced Mrs. Travilla and Mr. Embury. + +The former thought it a little singular when she learned that her +caller's errand was the same with that of Uncle Ben, _i.e._, to talk +about Mr. Jones and the propriety of asking him to take permanent charge +of the two churches: yet with this difference--that he was personally +not unfavorable to the idea. + +"I like him very well, though he is not by any means Mr. Mason's equal +as a preacher," he said, "and I think our little congregation can be +induced to give him a call; but we are too few to support him unless by +continuing the union with this church, so that the small salary we can +give will still be supplemented by the very generous one you pay, and +the use of the cottage you built for Mr. Mason. I am taking for +granted, my dear Madame, that you intend to go on doing for your +retainers here as you have hitherto." + +"I do," she said, "in case they choose a minister whose teachings accord +with those of the inspired word. I cannot be responsible for any other." + +"And do those of Mr. Jones not come up to the standard?" + +"I regret to have to say that they do not; his preaching is far from +satisfactory to me; he makes nothing of the work of the Spirit, or the +danger of grieving Him away forever; nothing of the danger of +self-deception; instructing those who are in doubt about the genuineness +of their conversion that they must not be discouraged, instead of +advising them to go to Christ now and be saved, just as any other sinner +must. I fear his teaching may lead some to be content with a false hope. +Then he often speaks in a half hesitating way, which shows doubt and +uncertainty, on his part, of truths which are taught most plainly and +forcibly in scripture. In a word, his preaching leaves the impression +upon me that he has no very thorough acquaintance with the Bible, and no +very strong confidence in the infallibility of its teachings. Indeed so +glaring are his contradictions of scripture, that even my young children +have noticed them more than once or twice." + +"Really, Mrs. Travilla, you make out a strong case against him," +remarked her interlocutor, after a moment's thoughtful silence, "and +upon reflection I believe a true one. I am surprised at myself that I +have listened with so little realization of the important defects in his +system of theology. I was not ardently in favor of calling him before; +now I am decidedly opposed to it." + +He was about to take leave, but, the two Mr. Dinsmores coming in at that +moment, resumed his seat, and the subject was reopened. + +They soon learned that they were all of substantially the same opinion +in regard to it. + +In the course of the conversation some account was given Mr. Embury of +the Sunday evening Bible study at Viamede. + +He seemed much interested, and at length asked if he might be permitted +to join them occasionally. + +"My boys are away at school," he said, "my two little girls go early to +bed, and my evenings are often lonely--since my dear Mary left me, now +two years ago," he added with a sigh. "May I come, Mrs. Travilla?" + +"Yes," she said, reading approval in the eyes of her father and +grandfather, while her own tender heart sympathized with the bereaved +husband, though at the same time her sensitive nature shrank from the +invasion of their family circle by a stranger. + +He read it all in her speaking countenance, but could not deny himself +the anticipated pleasure of making the acquaintance of so lovely a +family group--to say nothing of the intellectual or spiritual profit to +be expected from sharing in their searching of the scriptures. + +Mr. Embury was a man of liberal education and much general +information--one who read and thought a good deal and talked well. + +The conversation turned upon literature, and Mr. Dinsmore presently +carried him off to the library to show him some valuable books recently +purchased by himself and his daughter. + +They were still there when the tea-bell rang, and being hospitably urged +to remain and partake of the meal with the family, Mr. Embury accepted +the invitation with unfeigned pleasure. + +All were present even down to little Walter, and not excepting poor +Molly. + +Her apartments at Viamede being on the same floor with dining-room, +library and parlors, she joined the family gatherings almost as +frequently as any one else--indeed whenever she preferred the society of +her relatives to the seclusion of her own room. + +Mr. Embury had occasionally seen her at church. Her bright, intellectual +face and crippled condition had excited his interest and curiosity, and +in one way and another he had learned her story. + +Truth to tell, one thing that had brought him to Viamede was the desire +to make her acquaintance--though Molly and the rest were far from +suspecting it at the time. + +He had no definite motive for seeking to know her, except that his +large, generous heart was drawn out in pity for her physical infirmity, +and filled with admiration of her cheerfulness under it, and the energy +and determination she had shown in carving out a career for herself, and +steadily pursuing it spite of difficulties and discouragements that +would have daunted many a weaker spirit. + +She had less of purely physical beauty than any other lady present, her +mother excepted, yet there was something in her face that would have +attracted attention anywhere; and her conversational powers were +enviable, as Mr. Embury discovered in the course of the evening, for so +delightful did he find the society of these new friends, both ladies and +gentlemen, that he lingered among them until nearly ten o'clock, quite +oblivious of the flight of time until reminded of it by the striking of +the clock. + +"Really, Mrs. Travilla," he said, rising to take leave, "I owe you an +apology for this lengthened visit, which has somehow taken the place of +my intended call; but I must beg you to lay the blame where it should +fall, on the very great attractiveness of your family circle." + +"The apology is quite out of proportion to the offence, sir," she +returned, with a kindly smile; "so we grant you pardon, and shall not +refuse it for a repetition of the misdeed." + +"I wish," he said, glancing round from one to another, "that you would +all make me a return in kind. I will not say that Magnolia Hall is equal +to Viamede, but it is called a fine place, and I can assure you of at +least a hearty welcome to its hospitalities." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + "I preached as never sure to preach again, + And as a dying man to dying men." + --_Richard Baxter._ + + +There was a stranger in the pulpit the next Sunday morning; one whose +countenance, though youthful, by its intellectuality, its earnest +thoughtfulness, and a nameless something that told of communion with God +and a strong sense of the solemn responsibility of thus standing as an +ambassador for Christ to expound his word and will to sinful, dying men, +gave promise of a discourse that should send empty away no attentive +hearer hungering and thirsting for the bread and the water of life. + +Nor was the promise unfulfilled. Taking as his text the Master's own +words, "They hated me without a cause," he dwelt first upon the utter +helplessness, hopelessness and wretchedness of that estate of sin and +misery into which all mankind were plunged by Adam's fall; then upon +God's offered mercy through a Redeemer, even his only begotten and +well-beloved Son; upon the wondrous love of Christ "in offering himself +a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice and reconcile us to God," as shown +first in what he resigned--the joy and bliss of heaven, "the glory +which he had with the Father before the world was"--secondly in his +birth and life on earth, of which he gave a rapid but vivid sketch from +the manger to the cross--showing the meekness, patience, gentleness, +benevolence, self-denial, humility and resignation of Jesus--how true, +guileless, innocent, loving and compassionate he was; describing the +miracles he wrought--every one an act of kindness to some poor sufferer +from bereavement, accident, disease, or Satan's power; then the closing +scenes of that wondrous life--the agony in the garden, the cruel mockery +of a trial, the scourging, the crucifixion, the expiring agonies upon +the cross. + +He paused; the audience almost held their breath for the next words, the +silent tears were stealing down many a cheek. + +Leaning over the pulpit with outstretched hand, with features working +with emotion, "I have set before you," he said in tones thrilling with +pathos, "this Jesus in his life and in his death. He lived not for +himself, but for you; he died not for his own sins, but for yours and +mine: he offers you this salvation as a free gift purchased with his own +blood. Yea, risen again, and ever at the right hand of God, he maketh +intercession for you. If you hate him, is it not without a cause?" + +The preacher had wholly forgotten himself in his subject; nor did self +intrude into the prayer that followed the sermon. Truly he seemed to +stand in the immediate presence of Him who died on Calvary and rose +again, as he poured out his confessions of sins, his gratitude for +redeeming love, his earnest petitions for perishing souls, blindly, +wickedly hating without a cause this matchless, this loving, +compassionate Saviour. And for Christ's own people, that their faith +might be strengthened, their love increased, that they might be very +zealous for the Master, abounding in gifts and prayers and labors for +the upbuilding of his cause and kingdom. + +"The very man we should have here, if he can be induced to come," Mr. +Dinsmore said in a quiet aside to his daughter as the congregation began +to disperse, going out silently or conversing in subdued tones; for the +earnest, solemn discourse had made a deep impression. + +"Yes, papa. Oh, I should rejoice to hear such preaching every Sabbath!" +was Elsie's answer. + +"And I," Mr. Embury said, overhearing her remark. "But Mr. Keith gave us +expressly to understand that he did not come as a candidate; he is here +for his health or recreation, being worn out with study and pastoral +work, as I understand." + +"Keith?" exclaimed Mr. Dinsmore. "I thought there was something +familiar in his face. Elsie, I think he must belong to our Keiths." + +"We must find out, papa," she said. "Oh, I shall be glad if he does!" + +"Shall I bring him up and introduce him?" Mr. Embury asked. "Ah, here he +is!" as, turning about, he perceived the young minister close at hand. + +"Dinsmore! Travilla! those are family names with us!" the latter said, +with an earnest, interested look from one to the other as the +introductions were made. + +"As Keith is with us," Mr. Dinsmore answered, grasping his hand. "I +opine that I am speaking to a grandson of my cousin Marcia Keith and her +husband, Stuart Keith, of Pleasant Plains, Indiana?" + +"Yes, sir; I am the son of Cyril, their second son, and bear the same +name. And you, sir, are the Cousin Horace of whom I have so often heard +my grandmother and Aunt Mildred speak?" + +"The same." + +"And Mrs. Travilla is Cousin Elsie?" turning to her with a look of great +interest and pleasure mingled with admiration; but which quickly changed +to one of intense, sorrowful sympathy as he noticed her widow's weeds. +He had often heard of the strong attachment between herself and +husband, and this was the first intimation he had had of her +bereavement. + +She read his look and gave him her hand silently, her heart too full for +speech. + +"You will go home with us, of course," said Mr. Dinsmore, after +introducing his wife and the other ladies of the family. + +"And stay as long as you possibly can," added Elsie, finding her voice. +"Papa and I shall have a great many questions to ask about our cousins." + +"I shall be most happy to accept your kind invitation, if Mr. Embury +will excuse me from a prior engagement to dine and lodge with him," +replied Mr. Keith, turning with a smile to the proprietor of Magnolia +Hall, who was still standing near in a waiting attitude. + +"I am loath to do so," he said, pleasantly, "but relatives have the +first claim. I will waive mine for the present, in your favor, Mrs. +Travilla, if you will indemnify me by permission to call frequently at +Viamede while Mr. Keith stays; and afterward, if you don't find me a +bore. I might as well make large demands while I am about it." + +"Being in a gracious mood, I grant them, large as they are," she +responded, in the same playful tone that he had used. "Come whenever it +suits your convenience and pleasure, Mr. February." + +"Viamede!" said Mr. Keith, meditatively, as they drove homeward. "I +remember hearing Aunt Mildred talk of a visit she paid there many years +ago, when she was quite a young girl, and you, Cousin Elsie, were a mere +baby." + +"Yes," said old Mr. Dinsmore. "It was I who brought her. Horace was away +in Europe at the time, and the death of Cameron, Elsie's guardian, made +it necessary for me to come on and attend to matters. Mildred was +visiting us at Roselands that winter, and I was very glad to secure her +as travelling companion. Do you remember anything about it, Elsie?" + +"Not very much, grandpa," she said: "a little of Cousin Mildred's +kindness and affection; something of the pain of parting from my dear +home and the old servants. But I have a very vivid recollection of a +visit paid to Pleasant Plains with papa," and she turned to him with a +deeply affectionate look, "shortly before his marriage. I then saw Aunt +Marcia, as both she and papa bade me call her, and Cousin Mildred and +all the others, not forgetting Uncle Stewart. We had a delightful visit, +had we not, papa?" + +"Yes, I remember we enjoyed it greatly." + +"I was just then very happy in the prospect of a new mamma," Elsie went +on, with a smiling glance at her loved stepmother, "and papa was so very +good as to allow me to tell of my happiness to the cousins. Your father +was quite a tall lad at that time, Cousin Cyril, and very kind to his +little cousin, who considered him a very fine young gentleman." + +"He is an elderly man now," remarked his son. "You have seen Aunt +Mildred and some others of the family since then?" + +"Yes, several times; she and a good many of the others were with us at +different times during the Centennial. But why did you not let us know +of your coming, Cousin Cyril? why not come directly to us?" + +"It was a sudden move on my part," he said, "and indeed I was not aware +that I was coming into the neighborhood of Viamede, or that you were +there. But I am delighted that it is so--that I have the opportunity to +become acquainted with you and to see the place, which Aunt Mildred +described as a paradise upon earth." + +"We think it almost that, but you shall judge for yourself," she said, +with a pleased smile. + +"Beautiful! enchanting! the half had not been told me!" he exclaimed in +delight, as, a few moments later, he stood upon the veranda gazing out +over the emerald velvet of the lawn, bespangled with its many hued and +lovely flowers, and dotted here and there with giant oaks, graceful +magnolias, and clusters of orange trees laden with their delicate, +sweet-scented blossoms and golden fruit, to the lakelet whose waters +glittered in the sunlight, and the fields, the groves and hills beyond. + +"Ah, if earthly scenes are so lovely, what must heaven be!" he added, +turning to Elsie a face full of joyful anticipation. + +"Yes," she responded in low, moved tones, "how great is their +blessedness who walk the streets of the Celestial City! How their eyes +must feast upon its beauties! And yet--ah, methinks it must be long ere +they can see them, for gazing upon the lovely face of Him whose blood +has purchased their right to enter there." + +"Even so," he said. "Oh, for one glimpse of His face! Dear cousin," and +he took her hand in his, "let the thought of the 'exceeding and eternal +weight of glory' your loved one is now enjoying, and which you will one +day share with him, comfort you in your loneliness and sorrow." + +"It does, it does!" she said tremulously, "that and the sweet sense of +His abiding love, and presence who can never die and never change. I am +far from unhappy, Cousin Cyril. I have found truth in those beautiful +words, + + 'Then sorrow touched by Thee, grows bright + With more than rapture's ray, + As darkness shows us worlds of light + We never saw by day.'" + +They had been comparatively alone for the moment, no one near enough to +overhear the low-toned talk between them. + +The young minister was greatly pleased with Viamede--the more so the +more he saw of it--and with his new-found relatives, the more and better +he became acquainted with them; while they found him all his earnest, +scriptural preaching had led them to expect. + +His religion was not a mask, or a garment to be worn only in the pulpit +or on the Sabbath, but permeated his whole life and conversation; as was +the case with most if not all of those with whom he now sojourned; and +like them, he was a happy Christian; content with the allotments of +God's providence, walking joyously in the light of his countenance, +making it the one purpose and effort of his life to live to God's glory +and bring others to share in the blessed service. + +He was strongly urged to spend the Winter at Viamede as his cousin's +guest, and preacher to the two churches. + +He took a day or two to consider the matter, then, to the great +satisfaction of all concerned, consented to remain, thanking his cousins +warmly for their kindness in giving him so sweet a home; for they made +him feel that he was entirely one of themselves, always welcome in their +midst, yet at perfect liberty to withdraw into the seclusion of his own +apartments whenever duty or inclination called him to do so. + +The well-stocked library supplied him with all needed books, there were +servants to wait upon him, horses at his disposal, in short, nothing +wanting for purposes of work or of recreation. Again and again he said +to himself, or in his letters to those in the home he had left, that +"the lines had fallen to him in pleasant places." + +In the meantime Elsie found the truth as expounded by him from Sabbath +to Sabbath, and in the week-day evening service and the family worship, +most comforting and sustaining; while his intelligent, agreeable +conversation and cheerful companionship were most enjoyable at other +times. + +"Cousin Cyril" soon became a great favorite with those who claimed the +right to call him so, and very much liked and looked up to by Isadore, +Molly, and the rest to whom he was simply Mr. Keith. + +In common with all others who knew them, he admired his young cousins, +Elsie and Violet, extremely, and found their society delightful. + +Molly's sad affliction called forth, from the first, his deepest +commiseration; her brave endurance of it, her uniform cheerfulness under +it, his strong admiration and respect. + +Yet he presently discovered that Isadore Conly had stronger attractions +for him than any other woman he had ever met. It was not her beauty +alone, her refinement, her many accomplishments, but principally her +noble qualities of mind and heart, gradually opening themselves to his +view as day after day they met in the unrestrained familiar intercourse +of the home circle, or walked or rode out together, sometimes in the +company of others, sometimes alone. + +Mr. Embury made good use of the permission Mrs. Travilla had granted +him, and occasionally forestalling Cyril's attentions, led the latter to +look upon him as a rival. + +Molly watched it all, and though now one and now the other devoted an +hour to her, sitting by her side in the house doing his best to +entertain her with conversation, or pushing her wheeled chair about the +walks in the beautiful grounds, or taking her out for a drive, thought +both were in pursuit of Isa. + +It was their pleasure to wait upon Isa, Elsie and Vi, while pity and +benevolence alone led them to bestow some time and effort upon +herself--a poor cripple whom no one could really enjoy taking about. + +She had but a modest opinion of her own attractions, and would have +been surprised to learn how greatly she was really admired by both +gentlemen, for her good sense, her talent, energy and perseverance +in her chosen line of work, and her constant cheerfulness; how +brilliant and entertaining they often found her talk, pronouncing +it "bright, sparkling, witty;" how attractive her intellectual +countenance, and her bright, dark, expressive eyes. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + "Something the heart must have to cherish, + Must love and joy, and sorrow learn; + Something with passion clasp or perish, + And in itself to ashes burn." + --_Longfellow._ + +"Molly, how you do work! a great deal too hard, I am sure," said the +younger Elsie, coming into her cousin's room, to find her at her writing +desk, pen in hand, as usual, an unfinished manuscript before her, and +books and papers scattered about. + +Molly looked up with a forced smile: she was not in mirthful mood. + +"It is because I am so slow that I must keep at it or I get nothing +done." + +"Well, there's no need," said Elsie, "and really, Molly dear, I do +believe you would gain time by resting more and oftener than you do. Who +can work fast and well when brain and body are both weary? I have come +to ask if you will take a drive with our two grandpas, grandma and Mrs. +Carrington?" + +"Thank you kindly, but I can't spare the time to-day." + +"But don't you think you ought? Your health is of more importance than +that manuscript. I am sure, Molly, you need the rest. I have noticed +that you are growing thin and pale of late, and look tired almost all +the time." + +"I was out for an hour this morning." + +"An hour! and the weather is so delightful, everything out of doors +looking so lovely, that the rest of us find it next to impossible to +content ourselves within doors for an hour. Some of us are going to play +croquet. If you will not drive, won't you let one of the servants wheel +you out there--near enough to enable you to watch the game?" + +"Please don't think me ungracious," Molly answered, coloring, "but I +really should prefer to stay here and work." + +"I think Aunt Enna is going with us, and you will be left quite alone, +unless you will let me stay, or send a servant to sit with you," Elsie +suggested. + +But Molly insisted that she would rather be alone. "And you know," she +added, pointing to a silver hand bell on the table before her, "I can +ring if I need anything." + +So Elsie went rather sadly away, more than half suspecting that Molly +was grieving over her inability to move about as others did, and take +part in the active sports they found so enjoyable and healthful. + +And indeed she had hardly closed the door between them when the tears +began to roll down Molly's cheeks. She wiped them away and tried to go +on with her work; but they came faster and faster, till throwing down +her pen she hid her face in her hands, and burst into passionate +weeping, sobs shaking her whole frame. + +A longing so intense had come over her to leave that chair, to walk, to +run, to leap and dance, as she had delighted to do in the old days +before that terrible fall. She wanted to wander over the velvety lawn +beneath her windows, to pluck for herself the many-hued, sweet-scented +flowers, growing here and there in the grass. Kind hands were always +ready to gather and bring them to her, but it was not like walking about +among them, stooping down and plucking them with her own fingers. + +Oh to feel her feet under her and wander at her own sweet will about the +beautiful grounds, over the hills and through the woods! Oh to feel that +she was a fit mate for some one who might some day love and cherish her +as Mr. Travilla had loved and cherished her whom he so fondly called his +"little wife!" + +She pitied her cousin for her sad bereavement; her heart had often, +often bled for her because of her loss; but ah! it were "better to have +loved and lost, than never to have loved at all." + +Never to love, never to be loved, that was the hardest part of it all. + +There was Dick, to be sure, the dear fellow! how she did love him! and +she believed he loved her almost as well; but the time would come when +another would have the first place in his heart; perhaps it had already +come. + +Her mother's affection was something, but it was the love of a stronger +nature than her own that she craved, a staff to lean upon, a guiding, +protecting love, a support such as is the strong, stately oak to the +delicate, clinging vine. + +There were times when she keenly enjoyed her independence, perfect +liberty to control her own actions and choose her own work; her ability +to earn a livelihood for herself; but at this moment all that was as +nothing. + +Usually she was submissive under her affliction; now her heart rebelled +fiercely against it. She called it a hard and cruel fate, to which she +could not, would not be resigned. + +She was frightened at herself as she felt that she was so rebellious, +and that she was envying the happiness of the cousins who had for years +treated her with unvarying kindness; that her lot seemed the harder by +contrast with theirs. + +And yet how well she knew that theirs was not perfect happiness--that +the death of the husband and father had been a sore trial to them all. + +Through the open window she saw the handsome, easy-rolling family +carriage drive away and disappear among the trees on the farther side of +the lawn; then the croquet party setting out for the scene of their +proposed game, which was at some little distance from the mansion, +though within the grounds. + +She noticed that Isa and Mr. Keith walked first--very close together, +and looking very like a pair of lovers, she thought--then Mr. Embury +with Violet's graceful, girlish figure by his side, she walking with a +free, springing step that once poor Molly might have emulated, as she +called to mind with a bitter groan and an almost frantic effort to rise +from her chair. + +Ah, what was it that so sharpened the sting brought by the thought of +her own impotence, as she saw Vi's bright, beautiful face uplifted to +that of her companion? A sudden glimpse into her own heart sent a +crimson tide all over the poor girl's face. + +"O Molly Percival, what a fool you are!" she exclaimed half aloud, then +burst into hysterical weeping; but calming herself almost instantly. +"No, I will not, will _not_ be so weak!" she said, turning resolutely +from the window. "I have been happy in my work, happy and content, and +so will I be again. No foolish impossible dreams for you, Molly +Percival! no dog in the manger feelings either; you shall not indulge +them." + +But the thread of thought was broken and lost, and she tried in vain to +recover it; a distant hum of blithe voices came now and again to her ear +with disturbing influence. + +She could not rise and go away from it. + +Again the pen was laid aside, and lying back in her chair with her head +against its cushions, she closed her eyes with a weary sigh, a tear +trickling slowly down her cheek. + +"I cannot work," she murmured. "Ah, if I could only stop thinking these +miserable, wicked thoughts!" + +Mrs. Travilla, returning from a visit to the quarter, stopped a moment +to watch the croquet players. + +"Where is Molly?" she asked of her eldest daughter; "did she go with +your grandpa and the others?" + +"No, mamma, she is in her room, hard at work as usual, poor thing!" + +"She is altogether too devoted to her work; she ought to be out enjoying +this delicious weather. Surely you did not neglect to invite her to join +you here, Elsie?" + +"No, mamma, I did my best to persuade her. I can hardly bear to think +she is shut up there alone, while all the rest of us are having so +pleasant an afternoon." + +"It is too bad," Mr. Embury remarked, "and I was strongly tempted to +venture into her sanctum and try my powers of persuasion; but refrained +lest I should but disturb the flow of thought and get myself into +disgrace without accomplishing my end. Have you the courage to attempt +the thing, Mrs. Travilla?" + +"I think I must try," she answered, with a smile, as she turned away in +the direction of the house. + +She found Molly at work, busied over a translation for which she had +laid aside the unfinished story interrupted by the younger Elsie's +visit. + +She welcomed her cousin with a smile, but not a very bright or mirthful +one, and traces of tears about her eyes were very evident. + +"My dear child," Elsie said, in tones as tender and compassionate as she +would have used to one of her own darlings, and laying her hand +affectionately on the young girl's shoulder, "I do not like to see you +so hard at work while every one else is out enjoying this delightful +weather. How can you resist the call of all the bloom and beauty you can +see from your window there?" + +"It is attractive, cousin," Molly answered; "I could not resist it +if--if I could run about as others do," she added, with a tremble in her +voice. + +"My poor, poor child!" Elsie said with emotion, bending down to press a +kiss on the girl's forehead. + +Molly threw her arms about her, and burst into tears and sobs. + +"Oh it is so hard, so hard! so cruel that I must sit here a helpless +cripple all my days! How can I bear it, for years and years, it may +be!" + +"Dear child, 'sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.' Let us live +one day at a time, leaving the future with our heavenly Father, trusting +in His promise that as our day our strength shall be. Rutherford says, +'These many days I have had no morrow at all.' If it were so with all of +us, how the burdens would be lightened! for a very large part of them is +apprehension for the future. Is it not?" + +"Yes, and I am ashamed of my weakness and cowardice." + +"Dear child, I have often admired your strength and courage under a +trial I fear I should not bear half so well." + +Molly lifted to her cousin's a face full of wonder, surprise and +gratitude; then it clouded again and tears trembled in her eyes and in +her voice, as she said, "But, Cousin Elsie, you must let me work; it is +my life, my happiness; the only kind I can ever hope for, ever have. +Others may busy themselves with household cares, may fill their hearts +with the sweet loves of kind husbands and dear little children; but +these things are not for me. O cousin, forgive me!" she cried, as she +saw the pained look in Elsie's face. "I did not mean--I did not +intend--" + +"To remind me of the past," Elsie whispered, struggling with her tears. +"It is full of sweet memories, that I would not be without for anything. +Oh true indeed is it that + + 'Tis better to have loved and lost, + Than never to have loved at all." + +"O Cousin Elsie, your faith and patience are beautiful!" cried Molly, +impulsively. "You never murmur at your cross, you are satisfied with all +God sends. I wish it were so with me, but--O cousin, cousin, my very +worst trouble is that I am afraid I am not a Christian! that I have been +deceiving myself all these years!" she ended with a burst of bitter +weeping. + +"Molly dear," Elsie said, folding her in her arms and striving to soothe +her with caresses, "you surprise me very much, for I have long seen the +lovely fruit of the Spirit in your life and conversation. Do you not +love Jesus and trust in him alone for salvation?" + +"I thought I did, and oh I cannot bear to think of not belonging to him! +it breaks my heart!" + +"Then why should you think so?" + +"Because I find so much of evil in myself. If you knew the rebellious +thoughts and feelings I have had this very day you would not think me a +Christian. I have hated myself because of them." + +"You have struggled to cast them out, you have not encouraged or loved +them. Is that what they do who have no love to Christ? no desire after +conformity to his will? It is the child of God who hates sin and +struggles against it. But it is not necessary to decide whether you +have or have not been mistaken in your past experience, since you may +come to Jesus now just as if you had never come before: give yourself to +him and accept his offered salvation without stopping to ask whether it +is for the first or the ten thousandth time. Oh that is always my +comfort when assailed by doubts and fears! 'Behold, now is the accepted +time; behold, now is the day of salvation.' Jesus says, to-day and every +day, 'Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will +give you rest.' 'Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out.'" + +Glad tears glistened in Molly's eyes. "And he will pardon my iniquity +though it is so great," she murmured, with trembling lip and half +averted face: "he will forgive all my transgressions and my sins, +cleanse me from them and love me freely." + +"Yes, dear child, he will. And now put away your work for the rest of +this day and come out into the pure, sweet air. If we weary our poor, +weak bodies too much, Satan is but too ready to take advantage of our +physical condition to assault us with temptations, doubts and fears." + +"I will do as you think best, cousin," was the submissive reply. + +Elsie at once summoned a servant, and in a few moments Molly's chair was +rolling along the gravelled walks, underneath the grand old trees, a +gentle breeze from the lakelet, laden with the scent of magnolias and +orange blossoms, gathered in its passage across the lawn, softly fanning +her cheek, her cousin walking by her side and entertaining her with +pleasant chat. + +Rosie and Walter came running to meet them. They were glad to see Molly +out: they filled her lap with flowers and her ears with their sweet +innocent prattle, her heart growing lighter as she listened and drank in +beside all the sweet sights and scents and sounds of nature in her most +bountiful mood. + +They made a partial circuit of the grounds that at last brought them to +the croquet players, who, one and all, greeted Molly's arrival with +expressions of satisfaction or delight. + +Each brought an offering of bud or blossom, the loveliest and sweetest +of flowers were scattered so profusely on every hand. + +Mr. Embury's was a half blown rose, and Elsie, furtively watching her +charge, noted the quick blush with which it was received, the care with +which it was stealthily treasured afterward. + +A suspicion stirred in her breast, a fear that made her heart tremble +and ache for the poor girl. + +Mr. Embury spent the evening at Viamede. Molly was in the parlor with +the rest, and the greater part of the time he was close at her side. + +Both talked more than usual, often addressing each other, and seemed to +outdo themselves in sparkling wit and brilliant repartee. + +Molly's cheeks glowed and her eyes shone: she had never been so handsome +or fascinating before, and Mr. Embury hung upon her words. + +Elsie's heart sank as she saw it all. "My poor child!" she sighed to +herself. "I must warn him that her affections are not to be trifled +with. He may think her sad affliction is her shield--raising a barrier +that she herself must know to be impassable--but when was heart +controlled by reason?" + +The next morning Enna, putting her head in at the door of the +dressing-room where her niece was busy with her little ones, said: +"Elsie, I wish you'd come and speak a word to Molly. She'll hear reason +from you, maybe, though she thinks I haven't sense enough to give her +any advice." + +"What is it?" Elsie asked, obeying the summons at once, leaving Rosie +and Walter in Aunt Chloe's charge. + +"Just come to her room, won't you?" Enna said, leading the way. "I don't +see what possesses the child to act so. He's handsome and rich and +everything a reasonable woman could ask. I want you to--But there! he's +gone, and it's too late!" + +Elsie following her glance through a window they were passing, saw Mr. +Embury's carriage driving away. + +"Did he ask Molly to go with him?" she inquired. + +"Yes, and she wouldn't do it; though I did all I could to make her. Come +and speak to her though, so she'll know better next time." + +Molly sat in an attitude of dejection, her face hidden in her hands, and +did not seem conscious of their entrance until Elsie's hand was softly +laid on her shoulder, while the pitying voice asked, "What is the +matter, Molly dear?" + +Then the bowed head was lifted, and Elsie saw that her eyes were full of +tears, her cheeks wet with them. + +"Oh, Cousin Elsie," she sobbed, "don't ask me to go with him. I must +not. I must try to keep away from him. Oh, why did we ever meet? Shall I +ever be rid of this weary pain in my heart?" + +"Yes, dear child, it will pass away in time," her cousin whispered, +putting kind arms about her. "He must stay away, and you will learn to +be happy again in your work, and, better still, in the one love that can +never fail you in this world or the next." + +"He is a good man, don't blame him," murmured the poor girl, hiding her +blushing face on her cousin's shoulder. + +"I will try not; but such selfish thoughtlessness is almost +unpardonable. He must not come here any more." + +"No, no: don't tell him that! don't let him suspect that I--care +whether he does or not. And he enjoys it so much, he is so lonely in his +own house." + +"Do not fear that I will betray you, poor, dear, unselfish child," Elsie +said; "but I must protect you somehow. And, Molly dear, though I believe +married life is the happiest, where there is deep, true love, founded on +respect and perfect confidence, I am quite sure that it is possible for +a woman to be very happy though she live single all her days. There is +my dear old Aunt Wealthy, for example; she must be now nearly ninety. I +have known her for more than twenty years, and always as one of the +cheeriest and happiest people I ever saw." + +"Did she ever meet any one she cared for?" Molly asked, still hiding her +face. + +"Yes: she had a sore disappointment in her young days, as she told me +herself; but the wound healed in time." + +Enna had seated herself in a low rocking-chair by a window, and with +hands folded in her lap was keenly eying her daughter and niece. + +"What are you two saying to each other?" she demanded. "You talk so low +I can only catch a word now and then; but I don't believe, Elsie, that +you are coaxing Molly to behave as I want her to." + +"Poor mother!" sighed Molly; "she can't understand it." + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + "Man's love is of man's life a thing apart, + 'Tis woman's whole existence." + --_Byron._ + + +Finding her own thoughts full of Molly and her troubles to the exclusion +of everything else, Elsie presently dismissed her little ones to their +play, spent a few moments in consulting her best Friend, then went in +search of her father. + +She would not betray Molly even to him, but it would be safe, helpful, +comforting to confide her own doubts, fears and anxieties. + +She found him in the library, and alone. He was standing before a window +with his back toward her as she entered, and did not seem to hear her +light footsteps till she was close at his side; then turning hastily, he +caught her in his arms, strained her to his breast, and kissed her again +and again with passionate fondness. + +"What is it, papa?" she asked in surprise, looking up into his face and +seeing it full of emotion that seemed a strange blending of pain and +pleasure. + +"My darling, my darling!" he said in low, tremulous tones, holding her +close, and repeating his caresses, "how shall I ever make up to you for +the sorrows of your infancy? the culpable, heartless neglect with which +your father treated you then? I see I surprise you by referring to it +now, but I have been talking with one of the old servants who retains a +vivid remembrance of your babyhood here, and your heart-rending grief +when forced away from your home and almost all you had learned to love. +Such a picture of it has she given me that I fairly long to go back to +that time and take my baby girl to my heart and comfort her." + +"Dear papa, I hardly remember it now," she said, laying her head down on +his breast; "and oh I have the sweetest memories of years and years of +the tenderest fatherly love and care!--love and care that surround me +still and form one of my best and dearest earthly blessings. If the Lord +will, may we long be spared to each other, my dear, dear father!" + +His response was a fervent "Amen," and sitting down upon a sofa, he drew +her to a seat by his side. + +"I have come to you for help and advice in a new difficulty, papa," she +said. "I fear I have made a sad mistake in allowing Mr. Embury's visits +here; and yet--I cannot exclude from my house gentlemen visitors of +unexceptionable character." + +"No; and he appears to be all that, and more--a sincere, earnest +Christian. But what is it that you regret or fear? Elsie is engaged, +Violet very young, and for Isa--supposing there were any such +prospect--it would be a most suitable match." + +"But Molly?" + +"Molly!" he exclaimed with a start. "Poor child! she could never think +of marriage!" + +"No, papa, but hearts don't reason and love comes unbidden." + +"And you think she cares for him?" + +"It would not be strange if she should; he is a very agreeable man, +and--Did you notice them last night? I thought his actions decidedly +loverlike, and there was something in her face that made me tremble for +the poor child's future peace of mind." + +"Poor child!" he echoed; "poor, poor child! I am glad you called my +attention to it. I must give Embury a hint: he cannot, of course, be +thinking what he is about: for I am sure he is not the heartless wretch +he would be if he could wreck her happiness intentionally." + +"Thank you, dear papa. You will know exactly how to do it without the +least compromise of the dear girl's womanly pride and delicacy of +feeling, or offending or hurting him. + +"You spoke just now of Isa," she went on presently. "I should be glad if +she and Mr. Embury fancied each other; such a match would be very +pleasing to Aunt Louise on account of his wealth and social position, +little as she would like his piety, but--" + +"Well, daughter?" + +"Have you noticed how constantly Cyril seeks her companionship? how +naturally the others leave those two to pair off together? They sit and +read or chat together by the hour out yonder under the trees; scarce a +day passes without its long, lonely ramble or ride. He talks to her of +his work too, in which his whole heart is engaged; listens attentively +to all she says--turning in the most interested way to her for an +opinion, no matter what subject is broached; listens with delight to her +music too, and sometimes reads his sermons to her for the benefit of her +criticism, or consults her in regard to his choice of a text." + +Mr. Dinsmore's countenance expressed extreme satisfaction. "I am glad of +it," he said; "they seem made for each other." + +"But Aunt Louise, papa?" + +"Will not fancy a poor clergyman for a son-in-law, yet will consider +even that better than not seeing her daughter married at all. And if the +two most intimately concerned are happy and content, what matter for the +rest?" + +"Oh papa!" Elsie returned with a smile that had something of old-time +archness in it, "have not your opinions in regard to the rights of +parents and the duties of children changed somewhat since my early +girlhood?" + +"Circumstances alter cases," he answered with a playful caress. "I +should never have objected to so wise a choice as Isa's--always +supposing that she has made the one we are talking of." + +"And you will not mind if Aunt Louise blames you? or me?" + +"I shall take all the blame and not mind it in the least." + +Yes, Cyril Keith and Isadore Conly were made for each other, and had +become conscious of the fact, though no word of love had yet been +spoken. + +To him she was the sweetest and loveliest of her sex, in whom he found a +stronger union of beauty, grace, accomplishments, sound sense and +earnest piety than in any other young lady of his acquaintance; while to +her he was the impersonation of all that was truly noble, manly and +Christian. + +They were dreaming love's young dream, and found intense enjoyment each +in the other's society, especially amid all the loveliness of nature +that surrounded them. + +Cyril's was a whole-hearted consecration to his divine Master and that +loved Master's work, but this human love interfered not in any way with +that, for it is of God's appointment. + +"'And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I +will make him an help meet for him.' 'Whoso findeth a wife findeth a +good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.'" + +"How like you that is, papa dear," Elsie said; "but it would be easier +to me to bear blame myself than to have it heaped upon you. I suppose, +though, that it would be useless to attempt any interference with the +course of true love?" + +"Yes; we will simply let them alone." + +Mr. Dinsmore rode over to Magnolia Hall that afternoon to seek an +interview with its owner; but learned that he was not at home, and might +not be for a day or two. No one knew just when he would return. So the +only course now left seemed to be to wait till he should call again at +Viamede. + +He had been an almost daily visitor of late, and often sent some token +of remembrance by a servant--fruit, flowers, game or fish, or it might +be a book from his library which was not found in theirs. + +But now one, two, three days passed and nothing was seen or heard of +him. + +Sad, wearisome days they were to Molly: mental labor was next to +impossible; she could not even read with any enjoyment; her heart was +heavy with grief and unsatisfied longing, intensified by her mother's +constant reiteration, "You've offended him, and he'll never come again; +you've thrown away the best chance a girl ever had; and you'll never +see another like it." + +Then it was unusually long since she had heard from Dick; and she had +waited for news from a manuscript which had cost her months of hard +work, and on which great expectations were based, till her heart was +sick with hope deferred. + +It was on the morning of the fourth day that Molly, having persuaded her +mother to go for a walk with her grandfather and Mrs. Carrington, +summoned a servant and desired to be taken out into the grounds. + +She sat motionless in her chair gazing in mournful silence on all the +luxuriant beauty that surrounded her, while the man wheeled her up one +walk and down another. + +At length, "That will do, Joe," she said; "you may stop the chair under +that magnolia yonder, and leave me there for an hour." + +"I'se 'fraid you git tired, Miss Molly, and nobody roun' for to wait on +you," he remarked when he had placed her in the desired spot. + +"No; I have the bell here, and it can be heard at the house. I have a +book, too, to amuse myself with: and the gardener yonder is within +sight. You need not fear to leave me." + +He walked away and she opened her book. But she scarcely looked at it. +Her thoughts were busying themselves with something else, and her eyes +were full of tears. + +A quick, manly step on the gravel walk behind her startled her and sent +a vivid color over face and neck. + +"Good morning, Miss Percival; I am fortunate indeed in finding you here +alone," a voice said, close at her side. + +"Good morning, Mr. Embury," she returned, with a vain effort to steady +her tones, and without looking up. + +He took possession of a rustic seat close to which her chair was +standing. "Molly, my dear Miss Molly," he said, in some agitation, "I +fear I have unwittingly offended." + +"No, no, no!" she answered, bursting into tears in spite of herself. +"There, what a baby I am!" dashing them angrily away. "I wish you +wouldn't come here and set me to crying." + +"Let me tell you something, let me ask you one question; and then if you +bid me, I will go away and never come near you again," he said, taking +her hand and holding it fast. "Molly, I love you. I want you to be my +wife. Will you?" + +"Oh you don't mean it! you can't mean it! no man in his senses would +want to marry me--a poor helpless cripple!" she cried, trying to pull +the hand away, "and it's a cruel, cruel jest! Oh how can you!" and +covering her face with the free hand, she sobbed as if her heart would +break. + +"Don't, don't, dear Molly," he entreated. "I am not jesting, nor am I +rushing into this thing hastily or thoughtlessly. Your very helplessness +draws me to you and makes you doubly dear. I want to take care of you, +my poor child. I want to make up your loss to you as far as my love and +sympathy can; to make your life bright and happy in spite of your +terrible trial." + +"You are the noblest, most unselfish man I ever heard of," she said, +wiping away her tears to give him a look of amazement and admiration; +"but I cannot be so selfish as to take all when I can give nothing in +return." + +"Do you call yourself--with your sweet face, cheery disposition, +brilliant talents, and conversational powers that render you the most +entertaining and charming of companions--nothing? I think you a greater +prize than half the women who have the free use of all their limbs." + +"You are very kind to say it." + +"No, I am not, for it is the simple, unvarnished truth. Molly, if you +can love me, I should rather have you than any other woman on earth. How +your presence would brighten my home! I give all indeed! you will be +worth more to me than all I have to give in return. O Molly, have you no +love to bestow upon poor me?" + +She had ceased the struggle to free her hand from the strong yet tender +clasp in which it was held, but her face was averted and tears were +falling fast. His words had sent a thrill of exquisite joy to her heart, +but instantly it changed to bitter sorrow. + +"You cannot have counted the cost," she said. "I am poor; I have nothing +at all but the pittance I earn by my pen. And think: I can never walk by +your side: I cannot go about your house and see that your comfort is not +neglected, or your substance wasted. I cannot nurse you in sickness or +wait upon you in health as another woman might. Oh cannot you see that I +have nothing to give you in return for all you--in your wonderful +generosity--are offering to me?" + +"Your love, dear girl, and the blessed privilege of taking care of you, +are all I ask, all I want--can you not give me these?" + +"Oh, why do you tempt me so?" she cried. + +"Tempt you? would it be a sin to love me? to give yourself to me when I +want you so much, so very much?" + +"It seems to me it would be taking advantage of the most unheard-of +generosity. What woman's heart could stand out against it?" + +"Ah, then you do love me!" he exclaimed, in accents of joy, and lifting +her hand to his lips. "You will be mine? my own dear wife? a sweet +mother to my darlings. I have brought them with me, that their beauty +and sweetness, their pretty innocent ways, may plead my cause with you, +for I know that you love little children." He was gone before she could +reply, and the next moment was at her side again, bearing in his arms +two lovely little creatures of three and five. + +"These are my babies," he said, sitting down with one upon each knee. +"Corinna," to the eldest, "don't you want this sweet lady to come and +live with us and be your dear mamma?" + +The child took a long, searching look into Molly's face before she +answered; then, with a bright, glad smile breaking like sunlight over +her own, "Yes, papa, I _do_!" she said, emphatically. "Won't you come, +pretty lady? Madie and I will be good children, and love you ever so +much." And she held up her rosebud mouth for a kiss. + +Molly gave it very heartily. + +"Me, too--you mustn't fordet to tiss Madie," the little one said. + +Molly motioned the father to set the child in her lap, and, putting an +arm about Corinna, petted and fondled them both for a little, the mother +instinct stirring strongly within her the while. + +"There, that will do, my pets; we must not tire the dear lady," Mr. +Embury said presently, lifting his youngest and setting her on her feet +beside her sister. "Go back now to your mammy. See, yonder she is, +waiting for you." + +"What darlings they are," Molly said, following them with wistful, +longing eyes. + +"Yes. Ah, can your heart resist their appeal?" + +"How could I, chained to my chair, do a mother's part by them?" she +asked mournfully, and with a heavy sigh. + +"Their physical needs are well attended to," he said, again taking her +hand, while his eyes sought hers with wistful, pleading tenderness; "it +is motherly counsels, sympathy, love they want. Is it not in your power +to give them all these? I would throw no burdens on you, love; I only +aim to show you that the giving need not necessarily be all on my side, +the receiving all on yours." + +"How kind, how noble you are," she said, in moved tones. "But your +relatives? your other children? how would they feel to see you joined +for life to a--" + +"Don't say it," he interrupted, in tones of tenderest compassion. "My +boys will be drawn to you by your helplessness, while they will be very +proud of your talents and your sweetness. I have no other near relatives +but two brothers, who have no right to concern themselves in the matter, +nor will be likely to care to do so. But, O, dearest girl, what shall I, +what can I say to convince you that you are my heart's desire? that I +want you, your love, your dear companionship, more than tongue can tell? +Will you refuse them to me?" + +She answered only with a look, but it said all he wished. + +"Bless you, darling!" he whispered, putting his arm about her, while her +head dropped upon his shoulder, "you have made me very happy." + +Molly was silent, was weeping, but for very gladness; her heart sang for +joy; not that a beautiful home, wealth, and all the luxury and ease it +could purchase, would now be hers, but that she was loved by one so +noble and generous, so altogether worthy of her highest respect, her +warmest affection, the devotion of her whole life, which she inwardly +vowed should be his. She would strive to be to him such a wife as Elsie +had been to her husband, such a mother to his children as her sweet +cousin was to hers. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + "I saw her, and I loved her-- + I sought her, and I won." + + "Across the threshold led, + And every tear kiss'd off as soon as shed, + His house she enters, there to be a light + Shining within, when all without is night; + A guardian angel, o'er his life presiding, + Doubling his pleasure, and his cares dividing." + --_Roger._ + + +"You declined a drive with me the last time I asked you," Mr. Embury +remarked, breaking a momentary silence that had fallen between them, +"but will you not be more gracious to-day? My carriage is near at hand, +and I have a great desire to take you for an airing--you and the +babies." + +Blushing deeply, Molly said, "Yes, if you wish it, and will bring me +back before I am missed." + +"I shall take good care of you, as who would not of his own?" he said, +bending down to look into her face with a proud, fond smile; "yes, you +are mine now, dearest, and I shall never resign my claim. Ah," as he +lifted his head again, "here comes your uncle, and I fancy he eyes me +with distrust. Mr. Dinsmore," and he stepped forward with outstretched +hand, "how do you do, sir? What do you say to receiving me into the +family? I trust you will not object, for this dear girl intends to give +me the right to call you uncle." + +Mr. Dinsmore grasped the hand, looking in silent astonishment from one +to the other. He read the story of their love in both faces--Molly's +downcast and blushing, yet happy; Mr. Embury's overflowing with +unfeigned delight. + +"I assure you, sir," he went on, "I am fully aware that she is a prize +any man might be proud to win. Your niece is no ordinary woman: her +gifts and graces are many and great." + +"She is all that you have said, and even more," her uncle returned, +finding his voice. "And yet--you are quite sure that this is not a +sudden impulse for which you may some day be sorry?" + +He had stepped to Molly's other side and taken her hand in his, in a +protecting, fatherly way. "It would wreck her happiness," he added, in +moved tones, "and that is very dear to me." + +"It cannot be dearer to you, sir, than it is to me," the lover answered; +"and rest assured your fears are groundless. It is no sudden impulse on +my part, but deliberate action taken after weeks of careful and +prayerful consideration. You seem to stand in the place of a father to +her; will you give her to me?" + +"Mr. Embury, you are the noblest of men, and must forgive me that I had +some suspicion that you were thoughtlessly trifling with the child's +affections. I see you have won her heart, and may you be very happy +together." + +Mr. Dinsmore was turning away, but Mr. Embury stopped him. + +"Let me thank you, sir," he said, again holding out his hand. "We are +going for a little drive," he added, "and please let no one be anxious +about Miss Percival. I am responsible for her safe return." + +Molly's chair rolled on with rapid, steady movement to the entrance to +the grounds, where Mr. Embury's carriage stood; then she felt herself +carefully, tenderly lifted from one to the other and comfortably +established on a softly cushioned seat. + +How like a delightful dream it all seemed--the swift, pleasant motion +through the pure, sweet, fragrant air; beautiful scenery on every hand; +the prattle of infant voices and the whispers of love in her ear. Should +she not awake presently to its unreality? awake to find herself still +the lonely, unloved woman she was in her own esteem but an hour ago, and +who by reason of her sad infirmity could look forward to nothing else +through life? + +They turned in at an open gateway, and Molly, suddenly rousing herself, +said, in surprise, "We are entering some one's private grounds, are we +not?" + +"Yes," was the quiet reply, "but there is no objection. The owner and I +are on the most intimate terms. I admire the place very much, and want +you to see it, so we will drive all around the grounds." And he gave the +order to the coachman. + +Molly looked and admired. "Charming! almost if not quite equal to +Viamede." + +His eyes shone. "Your taste agrees with mine," he said. "Look this way. +We have a good view of the house from here. What do you think of it?" + +"That it is just suited to its surroundings, and must be a delightful +residence." + +"So it is; and I want to show you the inside too. There's no objection," +as he read hesitation and disapproval in her face; "the master and +mistress are not there, and--in fact I have charge of the place just +now, and am quite at liberty to show it to strangers." + +The next moment they drew up before the front entrance. Mr. Embury +hastily alighted and lifted out the little ones, saying in a low tone +something which Molly did not hear as he set them down. + +They ran in at the open door, and turning to her again he took her in +his strong arms and bore her into a lordly entrance hall; then on +through, one spacious, elegantly furnished room after another--parlors, +library, dining and drawing-rooms--moving slowly that she might have +time so gaze and admire, and now and then setting her down for a few +moments in an easy chair or on a luxurious sofa, usually before a rare +painting or some other beautiful work of art which he thought she would +particularly enjoy. + +The children had disappeared, and they were quite alone. + +He had reserved a charming boudoir for the last. Open doors gave +tempting glimpses of dressing and bedrooms beyond. + +"These," he said, placing her in a delightfully easy, velvet cushioned +chair, and standing by her side, "are the apartments of the mistress of +the mansion, as you have doubtless already conjectured. What do you +think of them?" + +"That they are very beautiful, very luxurious. And oh what a lovely view +from yonder window!" + +"And from this, is it not?" he said, stepping aside and turning her +chair a little that she might see, through a vista of grand old trees, +the lagoon beyond sparkling in the sunlight. + +"Oh that is finer still!" she cried. "I should think one might almost be +content to live a close prisoner here." + +"Then I may hope my dear wife will not be unhappy here? will not regret +leaving the beauties of Viamede and the charming society there for this +place and the companionship of its owner? Molly, dearest, this is +Magnolia Hall; you are its mistress, and these are your own rooms," he +said, kneeling by her side to fold her to his heart with tenderest +caresses. + +"It is too much, oh you are too good to me!" she sobbed, as her head +dropped upon his shoulder. + +On leaving Mr. Embury and Molly, Mr. Dinsmore hastened to join his wife +and daughter, who were sitting together on the lawn. The interview +between the lovers having taken place in a part of the grounds not +visible from where they sat, they had seen nothing of it. + +"You look like the bearer of glad tidings, my dear," Rose remarked, +glancing inquiringly at her husband as he seated himself at her side. + +"And so I am, wife," he answered joyously. "Elsie, you may spare +yourself any further regrets because of your kindness to Mr. Embury. He +is a noble, generous-hearted fellow, and very much in love with our +poor, dear Molly. They are engaged." + +"Engaged?" echoed both ladies simultaneously, as much surprised and +pleased as he had hoped to see them. + +"Yes," he said, and went on to repeat what had passed between himself +and the newly-affianced pair. + +"Dear Molly," Elsie said with tears trembling in her eyes, "I trust +there are many very happy days in store for her. And how pleased Aunt +Enna will be, she was so desirous to bring about the match." + +"Molly herself should have the pleasure of telling her." + +"Yes, indeed, papa." + +"There is something else," Mr. Dinsmore said. "At Mr. Embury's +suggestion I wrote to Dick two or three weeks ago, telling him that +there was a good opening for a physician here, and asking if he would +not like to come and settle if pleased with the country. His answer came +this morning, and he will be with us in a few days." + +"How glad I am!" was Elsie's exclamation. "Molly's cup of happiness will +be full to overflowing." + +Rose, too, was rejoiced; but she had heard before of the invitation to +Dick, and was less surprised at this news than Elsie was. + +The ladies had their work, Mr. Dinsmore the morning paper, and the three +were still sitting there when Mr. Embury's carriage returned. + +Molly's face was radiant with happiness; Mr. Embury's also; and the +faces of the friends who gathered about them in the library, whither he +carried her, seemed to reflect the glad light in theirs. + +Everybody was rejoiced at Molly's good fortune, and pleased to receive +Mr. Embury into the family, for they all respected and liked him. + +Enna's delight on hearing the news was unbounded; she half smothered her +daughter with kisses, and exclaimed over and over again, "I knew he +wanted you! And didn't I tell you there'd be somebody better worth +having than Elsie's lover coming after you some day? And I'm as glad as +can be that my girl's going to be married the first of all--before +Louise's girls, or Elsie's either!" + +"I can't see that that makes the least difference, mother," Molly said, +laughing for very gladness. "But oh what a good and kind man he is! and +what a lovely home we are to have! for, mother, he says you are to live +with us always if you like." + +"Now that is nice!" Enna said, much gratified. "And is it as pretty as +Viamede?" + +"It is almost if not quite as beautiful as Viamede, though not quite so +large; both house and grounds are, I believe, a little smaller." + +"How soon are you going to be married?" + +"I don't know just when, mother; the day has not been set." + +"I hope it will be soon, just as soon as we can get you ready." + +This was a little private chat in Molly's room after Mr. Embury had +gone away. She had asked to have her chair wheeled in there, and to be +left alone with her mother while she told her the news of her +engagement. + +"I must consult with uncle and aunt and Cousin Elsie about that," she +said in answer to her mother's last remark. "Will you please open the +door now and ask them to come in? I don't care if the rest come too." + +"Well, Molly, when, where, and by whom is the knot to be tied?" asked +Mr. Dinsmore playfully, as he stood by her side looking down with a +kindly smile at her blushing, happy face. + +"O uncle, so many questions at once!" + +"Well, one at a time then: When?" + +"That foolishly impatient man wanted me to say to-night," she answered, +laughing, "and when I told him how absurd an idea that was, he insisted +that a week was quite long enough for him to go on living alone." + +"A week!" exclaimed her aunt. "You surely did not consent to that?" + +"No," Aunt Rose, "but I believe I half consented to try to make my +preparations in two weeks. I doubt if we can quite settle that question +now." + +"There must be time allowed for furnishing you with a handsome +trousseau, my dear child," Elsie said, "but possibly it can be +accomplished in a fortnight. As to the next question--where?--you +surely will let it be here, in my house?" + +"Gladly, cousin, if pleasing to you," Molly answered with a grateful, +loving look. "And Mr. Keith shall officiate, if he will. Of course it +must be a very quiet affair; I should prefer that under any +circumstances." + +"You will invite Dick, will you not?" her uncle asked with a twinkle in +his eye. + +"Dick! oh the dear fellow! I ought to have him. I wonder if I could +persuade him to leave his practice long enough to come. Two weeks would +give him time to get here if I write at once." + +"No need," her uncle replied. "Providence permitting, he will be here in +less than half that time." + +Then the whole story came out in answer to Molly's look of astonished +inquiry, and her cup of happiness was indeed full to overflowing. + +"Where did you drive, Molly?" asked Isa. "But I suppose you hardly know; +you could see nothing but--your companion?" + +"Ah, Isa, do you judge of me by yourself?" queried Molly gleefully. "By +the way, though, I had three companions. But _don't_ I know where I +went?" + +Then smiling, laughing, blushing, rosy and happy as they had never seen +her before, she described the darling baby girls and the beautiful +home. + +But the sweet words of love that had been as music to her ear were too +sacred for any other. + +She had quite a large and certainly very attentive and interested +audience, the whole family having gathered in the room. Enna and the +young girls were especially delighted with the tale she had to tell. + +"It's just like a story--the very nicest kind of a story!" cried Vi, +clapping her hands in an ecstasy of delight when Molly came to that part +of her narrative where she learned that she herself was to be the +mistress of the lordly mansion she had entered as a stranger visitor, +with all its wealth of luxury and beauty. + +The next two or three weeks were full of pleasant bustle and excitement, +preparations for the wedding being pushed forward with all possible +dispatch, Mr. Embury pleading his loneliness and that he wanted Molly's +relatives and friends to see her fairly settled in her new home before +they left Viamede for the North. + +Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore, with Enna, Isa, the younger Elsie and Violet, +took a trip to New Orleans and spent several days in shopping there, +laying in great store of rich, costly and beautiful things for Molly's +adornment. + +Mr. Embury, too, paid a flying visit to the city, which resulted in an +elegant set of jewels for his bride and some new articles of furniture +for her apartments. + +Dick arrived at about the expected time and was joyfully welcomed. His +surprise and delight in view of Molly's prospects were quite sufficient +to satisfy her, and so greatly was he pleased with the country that in a +few days he announced his purpose to remain. + +Cyril had received a unanimous call from the two churches, and after +mature deliberation accepted it, upon which Elsie doubled the salary she +had formerly paid, and told him playfully and in private that if he +would get a wife whom she could approve she would repair, enlarge, and +refurnish the cottage. + +"You are extremely kind and generous cousin," he stammered, coloring +deeply, "and I--I would be only too glad to follow out your suggestion." + +"Well," she returned in the same playful tone, "what is there to +hinder?" + +"The only woman I could fancy, could love, is so beautiful, fascinating, +accomplished, so altogether attractive in every way, that--I fear she +could hardly be expected to content herself with a poor minister." + +"I cannot say how that is," Elsie answered with a smile, "but judging by +myself I should think she would give her hand wherever her heart has +gone; and if I were a man I should not despair until I had asked and +been refused. And, Cyril, though not rich in this world's goods, I +consider you a fit match for the highest--you who are a son of the +King." + +"That sonship is more to me than all the world has to give," he said, +looking at her with glistening eyes, "but to others it may seem of +little worth." + +"Not to any one who is of the right spirit to be truly an helpmeet to +you. I think I know where your affections are set, my dear cousin, and +that by her the true riches are esteemed as by you and me." + +He thanked her warmly by word and look for her kind sympathy and +encouragement, and there the interview ended. + +But that night, when Elsie was about retiring, Isa came to her, all +smiles, tears and blushes, to tell the story of love given and returned. +She and Cyril had spent the evening wandering about the grounds alone +together in the moonlight, and he had wooed and won his heart's choice. + +"Dear Isa, I am very, very glad for you and for Cyril," Elsie whispered, +clasping her cousin close, and kissing again and again the blushing +cheek. "I cannot wish anything better for you than that you may be as +happy in your wedded life as my dear husband and I were." + +"Nor could I ask a better wish," Isa returned with emotion; "but ah! I +fear I can never be the perfect wife you were! And, cousin, I can +hardly hope for mamma's approval of my choice." + +"Do not trouble about that now; I think we shall find means to win her +consent." + +"I think grandpa and uncle are sure to approve." + +"Yes; and they will be powerful advocates with Aunt Louise; so I think +you need not hesitate to be as happy as you can," Elsie answered with a +smile. "Do you wish the matter kept secret?" + +"Mr. Keith is with grandpa and uncle now," Isa said, blushing, "and I +don't care how soon Aunt Rose and the girls and Dick know it; but if you +please, the rest may wait until mamma is heard from." + +Molly was delighted, though not greatly astonished, when Isa told her +the next morning. + +"How nice that we shall be near neighbors," she exclaimed. "I wish you +would just decide to make it a double wedding." + +"Thank you," laughed Isa; "do you forget that it is now just one week +from your appointed day? or do you think my trousseau could be gotten up +in a week, though it takes three for yours?" + +"I really didn't stop to think," Molly acknowledged with a happy laugh; +"but, Isa, you are so beautiful that you need no finery to add to your +attractions, while my plainness requires a good deal." + +"Molly," Isa said, standing before her and gazing fixedly and admiringly +into the glad, blooming face, "I think you have neglected your mirror of +late or you wouldn't talk so." + +A great surprise came to Molly on the morning of her wedding day. Her +cousin Elsie gave her ten thousand dollars, and Mr. Embury settled fifty +thousand upon her, beside presenting her with the jewels he had +purchased--a set of diamonds and pearls. + +Also she received many handsome presents from uncle, aunt, brother and +cousins, and from Mr. Embury's children. + +He had sent for his two boys, fine manly fellows of ten and twelve, to +be present at the marriage, which was to take place in the evening, and +had brought them that morning for a short call upon his chosen bride. + +She and they seemed mutually pleased, and Molly, who had been somewhat +apprehensive lest they should dislike the match, felt as if the last +stone were removed from her path. + +She gratified Mr. Embury greatly by a request that the baby girls and +all the servants from Magnolia Hall might be present, and that he would +let Louis, his eldest son, stand up with them as third groomsman, Dick +and Harold Travilla being first and second. + +Isa, the younger Elsie and Violet were the bridesmaids, all wearing +white for the occasion. + +It was a very quiet wedding indeed, no one at all present but the +members of the two families, servants included--these last grouping +themselves about the open door into the hall. + +Molly sat in her chair looking very sweet and pretty in white silk, +point lace, and abundance of orange blossoms freshly gathered from the +trees on the lawn. + +The bridesmaids looked very lovely also; groom and groomsmen handsome +and happy. + +Mr. Keith made the ceremony short but solemn and impressive. The usual +greetings and congratulations followed; Elsie's to the bride a whispered +hope, accompanied with tears and smiles, that every year might find +herself and husband nearer and dearer to each other. + +An elegant banquet succeeded, and shortly after the happy bridegroom +bore his new-made wife away to her future home. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + "But happy they! the happiest of their kind! + Whom gentler stars unite, and in one fate + Their hearts, their fortunes, and their beings blend. + . . . . . for naught but love + Can answer love, and render bliss secure." + --_Thomson's Seasons._ + + +As no invitations to the wedding were to be sent to relatives at a +distance, it was thought quite as well not to inform them of Molly's +engagement until after the marriage had taken place; beside, as the +preparations were so hurried, no one had much time for correspondence. + +Isadore Conly did not once during the three weeks write to Roselands, +excusing herself on the double plea that her last letter remained +unanswered, and that she was particularly busy about the trousseau. + +She found little time to spare from that which was not taken up in +walking or riding with Cyril. + +He proposed writing to her mother immediately after declaring his love; +but she begged him to delay a little till her grandfather and uncle +should have time to consider how to bring their influence to bear upon +Mrs. Conly in the way most likely to win her approval of his suit. + +The day after the wedding saw a number of letters directed to +Roselands, dropped into the Viamede mail-bag, and a few days later they +reached their destination. + +The family--consisting of Mrs. Conly, Calhoun, Arthur, Virginia, Walter +(who was at home for a few days on a furlough, being now a lieutenant in +the U. S. Army), and several younger ones--were at breakfast when Pomp +came in with the mail-bag. + +Calhoun opened it and distributed the contents. + +"Letters from Viamede at last," he remarked; "three for you, mother, +from grandpa, uncle and--somebody else; one for Walter (Dick's +handwriting! I didn't know he was there) and one for Virginia." + +"From Isa," Virginia said as she glanced at the superscription; then +tearing open the envelope, and glancing down the first page, "Molly is +married! to a rich planter, too! Will wonders never cease!" + +A simultaneous exclamation of surprise from all present. + +"Nonsense, Isa's hoaxing you," said Walter, stirring his coffee. "Here, +let me see the letter." + +"No. Open your own." + +"That's not in Isa's line," remarked Arthur, "but really it is very +astonishing news. What does Dick say, Wal? He went down there to attend +the wedding, I presume?" + +"No; didn't know a word about it till he got there," Walter said, giving +a hasty perusal to the not very lengthy epistle; "went to settle; good +opening for a doctor; splendid country, everything lovely, likes +brother-in-law immensely, is overjoyed at Molly's good luck, says she's +as happy as a queen." + +"Which may mean much or little," remarked Conly. + +His mother cleared her throat emphatically, and all eyes turned to her. +She held an open letter in her hand, and her face looked flushed and +angry. + +"Isa, too, it seems, has lost her heart," she said in a bitter, +sarcastic tone; "and with her usual good sense, has bestowed it upon a +poor clergyman. Doubtless he has heard of her Aunt Delaford's +intentions--Elsie perhaps has given him the hint, he being a relative of +hers--and thinks he is securing a fortune. But if Isa throws herself +away in such fashion, Sister Delaford may change her mind." + +Calhoun and Arthur both repelled with warmth the insinuation against +Elsie; the latter adding that he thought Isa's personal charms were +quite sufficient of themselves to captivate a man who was not in pursuit +of wealth. + +"And Isa," remarked Calhoun, "is so unworldly that wealth would be a +matter of small consideration to her where her heart was concerned." + +"A fact that should make her friends the more careful how they encourage +her in taking a poor man," said the mother; "but my father and brother +are both strongly in favor of this adventurer's suit." + +"Adventurer, mother! I thought you said he was a clergyman!" + +"Well, Calhoun, I don't see any contradiction there. But his name is +Keith, and that explains it all, for my father was always very partial +to those relatives of his first wife. Horace, too, of course." + +"But as Isa is a good deal more nearly related to them, they are very +fond of her, and, men not easily deceived or taken in, I think we may +safely trust to their judgment. You won't oppose what they so highly +approve, mother?" + +"I don't know; must take time to think it over. Do you and Arthur come +with me to the library," she said, rising with the letter in her hand. +"I see you have both finished your breakfast." + +They rose instantly, and followed her from the room, Walter looking +after them and muttering discontentedly, "I think mother might take me +into her counsels, too." + +"You are too young and foolish," said Virginia. + +"The first objection doesn't lie against you, though the second may," he +retorted. "You'd better look to your laurels. Isa and Molly are both +well ahead of you." + +"What of that?" she said, reddening with vexation. "Isa's two years +older than I, and taking a poor minister whom I wouldn't look at." + +"Sour grapes," suggested her brother, teasingly. "And Molly's not a year +older than you, and has married rich." + +"A second-hand husband!" sneered Virginia; at which Walter laughed +uproariously. + +"O Virgie, Virgie, those grapes are terribly sour!" he said. "But do let +us hear what Isa has to say about it." + +"I haven't finished the letter; but there, take it; what do I care about +her fine dresses and presents, and the splendors of Magnolia Hall?" + +"Well," he cried presently, "Cousin Elsie did the thing handsomely! and +he's a splendid fellow, if he is second-hand. No wonder Dick's pleased. +I only wish my sisters might all do as well." + +In the library Calhoun was saying, as he laid down his uncle's letter, +which he had just read aloud, "Cousin Elsie is certainly the most +generous of women! Mother, you could not have read this when you uttered +that insinuation against her a few moments since?" + +Mrs. Conly colored violently under her son's searching gaze. + +"Twenty-five thousand is a mere trifle to her," she said, bridling, "and +you perceive she promises Isa that dower in the event of her marrying +that poor relation of her own." + +"It is extremely generous, nevertheless!" exclaimed both her sons in a +breath. + +"And I do not think it by any means a bad match for Isa," Arthur went +on--"a good man, of fine talent, receiving a very comfortable salary, a +lovely home rent free, very little expense except for clothing, seeing +they are--as uncle says--to have all the fruit, vegetables, nearly their +whole living, in fact, from the Viamede fields and orchards; use of +carriages and horses too, whenever they like." + +"No, it isn't so bad," their mother acknowledged, "and if she gets her +Aunt Delaford's money, she will really be very far from poor. But I +dislike the thought of having her, with her beauty and talents, buried, +as one may say, in that out-of-the-way corner of the world." + +"But she chooses for herself, and ought to be the best judge of what is +for her own happiness," Calhoun said. "So you will consent, mother?" + +"Oh yes, yes, of course! But I'll take no blame from your Aunt Delaford; +nor from Isa either, if ever she sees cause to repent." + +So a letter was sent that made glad the hearts of the lovers, spite of +some ungraciousness of tone. + +Isa's letter, giving, as it did, a minute description of the trousseau, +the wedding, Magnolia Hall, Mr. Embury and his children, and telling of +the generous settlements upon the bride made by him and her cousin +Elsie, was read and re-read by Mrs. Conly and Virginia with great +interest, which was yet not altogether pleasurable. + +They were glad that Molly had now a good home of her own, and +particularly that her mother was to share it--a home so far away from +Roselands that Enna was not likely to trouble them any more, for her +feebleness of intellect made her something of a mortification to them of +late years--yet the good fortune of the poor crippled niece and cousin +was too great, too strongly in contrast with their own rather straitened +circumstances, not to arouse some feelings of envy and jealousy in +persons of their haughty and overbearing disposition. + +"Dear me, I wonder why some people have all the good fortune and others +none!" exclaimed Virginia angrily. "I should say fifty thousand was +quite enough for Molly--especially in addition to the rich husband and +loads of handsome presents--and that ten thousand would have been much +better bestowed upon you or me, mamma." + +"You've only to get married, sis, and probably she'll do the same +handsome thing by you," remarked Walter, who happened to be within +hearing. + +"Not she! I never had the good fortune to be one of her favorites." + +"Well, Isa can't say that, for she's certainly doing the handsome thing +by her." + +"What?" + +"So mother hasn't told you? She's promised that the day Isa marries her +cousin, Cyril Keith, she'll hand over twenty-five thousand dollars to +them." + +"That was to get mamma's consent. Mamma, I wouldn't be bought if I were +you," Virginia said scornfully. + +"You wouldn't?" laughed Walter. "I tell you you'd sell yourself to-day +to any man worth half a million, or even something less." + +"Walter, you are perfectly insulting," cried Virginia, her eyes flashing +and her cheek flushing hotly. "I wish your furlough ended to-day." + +"Thank you, my very affectionate sister," he said, bowing low as he +stood before her. "Why don't you wish I'd get shot in the next fight +with the Indians? Well, I'll tell you what it is," he went on presently, +"if I were one of Cousin Elsie's children--Ed, for instance--I'd enter a +pretty strong protest against these wholesale acts of benevolence toward +poor relations." + +"She can afford it," said his mother loftily, "and I must say I should +have a much higher appreciation of her generosity if she had given Isa +the money without any conditions attached." + +"But Isa wouldn't, or I greatly mistake." + +"Do you mean to say you think there has been a conspiracy between them?" +demanded his mother, growing very red and angry. + +"No, no, mother, nothing of the kind! but Cousin Elsie is a woman of +keen observation, delicate tact and great discernment; and she had Isa's +happiness much at heart." + +"Really," she sneered, "I have but just made the delightful discovery +that I have a Solomon among my sons!" + +"I think it was mean not to invite us to the wedding," said Virginia. + +"No; that was right enough," corrected her mother; "being in deep +mourning for her husband, she could not, of course, give Molly anything +but the quietest sort of wedding." + +"Well, Isa will come home to be married?" + +"Of course; and I shall insist upon time to have everything done +properly and without any one being hurried to death." + +Immediately upon the reception of Mrs. Conly's letter giving consent to +the match between her daughter and Cyril Keith, the work of adding to, +repairing and improving the cottage destined to be the future home of +the young couple was begun. + +It was a matter of great interest, not to Cyril and Isa alone, but to +the whole family of Dinsmores and Travillas; and their departure from +Viamede was delayed some weeks that Elsie and her father and grandfather +might oversee and direct the workmen. + +It was going to be a really commodious and beautiful residence when +completed. Elsie determined that it should be prettily furnished, too, +and found great pleasure in planning for the comfort and enjoyment of +these cousins. + +And Molly's happiness was a constant delight to her. There was daily +intercourse between Viamede and Magnolia Hall, Mr. Embury driving Molly +over almost every day to see her relatives, and Dick bringing his +mother, usually on horseback. + +Dick was making his home with his sister for the present, at Mr. +Embury's urgent request, and was showing himself a good and affectionate +son to Enna. + +The visits were returned, too, even Elsie going over frequently for a +short call, because she saw that Molly very keenly enjoyed being in a +position to extend hospitality to all her friends, and especially +herself, as one to whom she had long been indebted for a happy home. + +"Oh, cousin," Molly said to her one day when they were alone together in +her beautiful boudoir, "I am so happy! my husband is so kind, so +affectionate! I cannot understand how it is that he is so fond and even +proud of me--helpless cripple that I am. But I have learned to be +thankful even for that," she added, tears springing to her eyes, +"because he says it was that that first drew his attention to me; and, +strangely enough, his pity soon turned to admiration and love. Oh he has +such a big, generous heart!" + +"He has indeed!" Elsie said. "But, Molly dear, you underrate yourself. I +do not wonder that he admires and is proud of your brave, cheerful +courage under your hard trial, and of your talents and the name you are +making for yourself as both a translator and original writer; I hope you +will not give up your work entirely now that there is no pecuniary +necessity for it, for I think it is bringing a blessing to yourself and +to others." + +"No, oh no; I shall not give it up while I can believe it is doing +something for the Master's cause. Louis does not wish me to while I +enjoy it, and I find he is just the critic I need to help me to improve. +I had a letter from Virgie yesterday," she went on with a happy laugh, +"congratulating me on being no longer compelled to work, yet pitying me +because I am a stepmother." + +"That does not trouble you?" Elsie said, inquiringly. + +"Oh no! The boys, Louis and Fred, are so much like their father--seeming +to love me all the better for my helplessness (by the way, Louis, my +husband, says it is a positive delight to him to take me in his arms and +lift me about)--and the baby girls are as lovely and dear as they can +be. I wouldn't for anything part with one of the whole four." + +"Dear child!" Elsie said, embracing her with full heart and eyes, "I am +so glad, so happy for you that it is so! And how your mother and brother +seem to enjoy your good fortunes!" + +"Yes; Dick is such a dear fellow! and mother--really it is just a +pleasure to see how she delights in it all. And I think she couldn't be +fonder of the children if she were their own grandmother." + +"How glad, how thankful I am that we came to Viamede this winter," Elsie +said, after a moment's silent musing; "grandpa has so entirely recovered +his health in consequence, a favorable opening has been found for Dick, +and four other people are made happy in mutual love who might, perhaps, +never have met otherwise--all this, beside dear Mrs. Carrington having +the melancholy pleasure of nursing her poor nephew through his last +illness. How true is the promise, 'In all thy ways acknowledge him, and +he shall direct thy paths.'" + +"You take a very unselfish delight in other people's happiness, +cousin," Molly remarked. "And Isa is very happy." + +"Yes, and Cyril too," Elsie answered with a smile. "I sometimes think my +Elsie half envies them--thinking of Lester so far away. But her turn +will come too, I trust, poor, dear child!" + +May was well advanced, the weather already very warm in the Teche +country when at last our friends set out upon their return to their more +northern homes. + +Everything there was looking very lovely on their arrival. Friends, +kindred and servants rejoiced over their return, all in good health. + +Elsie and her children took up again the old, quiet life at Ion, missing +Molly not a little, and feeling afresh, for a time, the absence of one +far nearer and dearer. + +Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore spent some weeks with their other children, then +again made their home at Ion, at Elsie's urgent solicitation. In the +loneliness of her widowhood she knew not how to do without her father. + +In order to secure her cousin Elsie's presence at her wedding, Isa +insisted upon a very quiet one, only relatives and very intimate friends +to be invited to witness the ceremony; but to please her mother and +Virginia, there was afterward a brilliant reception. The marriage took +place the last of June, and the next two months were spent principally +among Cyril's relatives at the North. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + "The sea! the sea! the open sea! + The blue, the fresh, the ever free!" + --_Proctor._ + + +The summer vacation brought Edward Travilla home just in time for his +cousin Isa's wedding. He had grown so manly and so like his father in +appearance that at sight of him his mother was much overcome. + +His first, his warmest, tenderest greeting was for her. He held her to +his heart, his own too full for speech, while she wept upon his +shoulder. + +But only for a moment; lifting her head, she gazed long and searchingly +into his face, then, with a sigh of relief, "Thank God," she whispered, +"that I can believe my boy has come back to me as pure and innocent as +he went!" + +"I hope so, mother; your love, your teachings and my father's have been +my safeguard in many an hour of temptation," he answered with emotion. + +"Did you not seek help from above, my son?" she asked gently. + +"Yes, mother; you had taught me to do so, and I knew that you, too, were +daily seeking it for me." + +"Yes, my dear boy; I think there was scarce a waking hour in which I did +not ask a blessing on my absent son." + +The mother dried her tears; grandparents, brothers and sisters drew near +and embraced the lad, servants shook him by the hand, and Ion was filled +with rejoicing as never before since the removal of its master and head. + +Tongues ran nimbly as they sat about the tea-table and on the veranda +afterward; so much had happened to the young collegian, so many changes +had taken place in the family connection since he went away, that there +was a great deal to tell and to hear on both sides. + +The voices were blithe, and there was many a silvery peal of laughter +mingled with the pleasant, cheery talk. + +Isa's and Molly's matches were discussed in a most kindly way, for +Edward was quite curious to hear all about them and the preparations for +the approaching wedding. + +Cyril had arrived earlier in the day, was taking tea at Roselands, but +would pass the night at Ion, which Edward was glad to hear, as he wished +to make his acquaintance. + +A summer at the sea-shore had been decided upon some weeks ago, and +Edward, to his great gratification, had been empowered to select a +cottage for the family to occupy during the season, his Aunt Adelaide +and her husband assisting him with their advice. + +He announced with much satisfaction that he had secured one that he +thought would accommodate them well--several guests in addition, if +mamma cared to invite any of her friends--and please every one. + +"It is large, convenient, well--even handsomely furnished--and but a few +yards from the shore," he said. "The country is pretty about there, +too--pleasant walks and drives through green lanes, fields and woods." + +"But where is it, Edward?" asked Violet. + +"Not far from Long Branch; and there are some half-dozen other sea-side +places within easy driving distance." + +There were exclamations of delight and impatience to be there from the +younger ones, while the mother covered up with a smile and a few words +of commendation to Edward the pain in her heart at the thought that her +best beloved would not be with his wife and children beside the sea this +summer, as in former years. + +Her father and Rose were thinking of that, too, with deep sympathy for +her. + +In a moment the same thought presented itself to Edward and Violet, and +they drew closer to their mother with loving, caressing looks and words. +But memories of Lester, and their walks and talks together when last she +was at the sea-shore, were filling the mind of the younger Elsie with +emotions, half of pleasure, half of pain. When should they meet again? +Then the sudden silence that had fallen upon the group about her mother, +and a glance at that loved mother's face, reminded her also of the +father who would return no more, and whose companionship had been so +dear a delight to her and to them all. + +It was Rosie who broke the silence at length; "Mamma, can we not go +pretty soon?" + +"Yes, daughter, in about a week." + +The journey was made without accident, the cottage and its vicinity +found to be all that Edward had represented. + +They had brought some of their own servants with them, and had nothing +to do with hotel or boarding-house life. Elsie had always loved the +quiet and seclusion of home, and clung to it now, more than ever; yet +for her children's sake she would not shut out society entirely; both +Edward and his sisters were free to invite their young friends to +partake of the hospitalities of their mother's house, but without noise +or revelry, for which indeed, they themselves had no heart. + +For a while the society of his mother and sisters was quite sufficient +for Edward and his for them--they were all so strongly attached to each +other and he had been so long away from home that it was very delightful +to be together once more. + +Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore were at that time visiting relatives in +Philadelphia and its vicinity, and his grandfather's absence gave Edward +the long coveted opportunity to try how nearly he could fill his +father's place as his mother's earthly prop. It was a dear delight to +have her lean upon his arm, rely upon his strength, consult him about +business or family matters. + +He was very proud and fond of his lovely sisters; prouder and fonder +still of his sweet and beautiful mother. He quite longed to show her to +all his college friends, yet would not for the world have her grief +intruded upon by them with their thoughtless gayety. + +During these weeks that they were entirely alone she gave herself up +wholly to her children, seeking to secure to them the greatest possible +amount of innocent enjoyment. No tasks were set, there was no attempt at +regular employment, and almost the whole day was spent in the open air; +together they sported in the surf, strolled on the beach, or sat in the +sand revelling in the delicious sea breeze and the sight of the ever +restless, ever changing, beautiful ocean, with its rolling, tumbling, +dashing waves. They were there early in the morning, sometimes in season +to watch the sun rise out of the water; and often again when the silvery +moonlight lent its witchery to the scene. + +But there came a day when the rain poured down so continuously and +heavily that they were glad to take refuge from it in the house. + +They gathered in a room overlooking the sea, the ladies with their fancy +work, Rosie with her doll, while Harold and Herbert helped little Walter +to build block houses, and Edward read aloud a story selected by the +mother, as entertaining and at the same time pure and wholesome. + +She was careful in choosing their mental food; she would no sooner have +suffered her children's minds to be poisoned than their bodies. + +As Edward closed the book upon the completion of the story, "Mamma," +said the younger Elsie, "do you quite approve of all the teachings the +author has given there? or perhaps I should rather say the sentiments +she has expressed." + +"Not quite, but what is it you do not approve?" the mother answered with +an affectionate and pleased look at the earnest face of the questioner. +"I am glad to see that you are not ready to be carried about with every +wind of doctrine." + +"It is her comment upon her heroine's effort to escape from her trouble +by asking help from God. She speaks as if, had the girl been older and +wiser, she would have known that God had the welfare and happiness of +other people to consult as well as hers, and couldn't be expected to +sacrifice them for her sake." + +"Well, daughter?" + +"It seems to me to show a very low estimate of God's power and wisdom. +Since he is infinite in both, can he not so order events as to secure +the best good to all his creatures?" + +"Yes, my child, I am sure he can, and we need never fear that he is not +able and willing to help his people in every time of trouble. 'The name +of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is +safe.' 'The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them +out of all their troubles.' He does not always answer just as we +desire, it is true, but often in a better way, for we, in our folly +and short-sightedness, sometimes ask what would prove in the end a +curse instead of a blessing." + +"Mamma, how happy we should be if we had perfect faith and trust," said +Violet. + +"Yes; if we fully believed the inspired assurance, 'We know that all +things work together for good to them that love God,' we should not fret +or grieve over losses, crosses or disappointments. Strive after such +faith, my children, and pray constantly for it, for it is the gift of +God." + +There was a little pause, broken only by Walter's prattle, the plash of +the rain and the murmur of the sea. + +Edward seemed in deep thought. Taking a low seat at his mother's knee, +"Mamma," he said, "I want to have a talk with you, and perhaps this is +as good a time as any." + +"Well, my dear boy, what is it?" + +"Do you think, mamma, that I ought to go into the ministry?" + +"My son," she said, looking at him in some surprise, "that is not a +question to be decided in a moment, or without asking God's guidance." + +"You would be willing, mother?" + +"More than willing--glad and thankful--if I saw reason to believe that +you were called of God to that work. To be truly an ambassador of Christ +is, in my esteem, to stand higher than any of earth's potentates, yet if +your talents do not lie in that direction I would not have you there. It +is every man's duty to serve God to the utmost of his ability, but all +are not called to the ministry; some can do far better service in other +walks of life, and I should prefer to have a son of mine a good +carpenter, mason or shoemaker, rather than a poor preacher." + +"You do not mean poor in purse, mamma?" queried Harold, joining the +little group. + +"No; a poor sermonizer--one lacking the requisite talents, diligence or +piety to proclaim God's truth with faithfulness and power." + +"How can one tell to what work he is called, mamma?" Edward asked, with +an anxious, perplexed look. + +"By watching the leadings of God's providence and by earnest prayer for +his direction. Also I think if a lad has a decided bias for any one +profession or employment it is a pretty sure indication that that is +what he is called to; for we can almost always do best what we most +enjoy doing." + +"Then I think I should study medicine," said Harold, "for I should very +greatly prefer that to anything else. And don't you think, mamma, that a +doctor may do really as much good as a minister?" + +"Quite as much if he be a devoted, earnest Christian, ready to do good +as he has opportunity: therefore I entirely approve your choice." + +"Thank you, mamma. So I consider it quite settled," Harold returned with +a look of great satisfaction. "Now, Ed and Herbie, what will you be?" + +"As Herbert never likes to be separated from you, I presume he too will +choose medicine," the mother remarked, with a smiling glance at her +third son, as he too came and stood at her side. + +"I don't know, mamma; it seems to me doctors have a dreadfully hard +life." + +"Ah! I fancy a life of elegant leisure would suit you best, my laddie," +laughed his eldest brother. + +But the mother's look was grave and a little anxious. + +Herbert saw it. "Don't be troubled about me, mamma dear," he said, +putting his arms round her neck and gazing lovingly into her eyes. "I do +mean to fight against my natural laziness. But do you think I ought to +choose so very hard a life as Harold means to?" + +"Not if you have talent for something useful which would better suit +your inclinations. Can you think of any such thing?" + +"Couldn't I be a lawyer?" + +"You could never rise to eminence in that profession without a great +deal of hard work." + +"An author then?" + +"The same answer will fit again," his mother returned with a slight +smile. "Has not your Cousin Molly worked very hard for a number of +years?" + +Herbert drew a long, deep sigh, then brightening, "I might be a +publisher," he said. "I don't suppose they work very hard, and they can +have all the new books to read." + +"Oh, Herbie," said Violet, "think of the great number of letters they +must have to write, and manuscripts to read, beside many other things." + +"No, my boy, you cannot do or be anything worth while without work, and +a good deal of it," said his mother. "So I hope you will make it your +earnest, constant prayer that you may have grace to overcome your +besetting sin of indolence, and to 'be not slothful in business; +fervent in spirit; serving the Lord'. The Bible bids us, 'Whatsoever thy +hand findeth to do, do it with thy might. Whatsoever ye do, do it +heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.'" + +"Edward, you have not told us yet what you wish to be," said his sister +Elsie. + +"My inclination," he answered in grave, earnest tones, "is to take my +father's place in every way possible, first in the care of my darling, +precious mother," taking her hand and lifting it to his lips, "after +that in cultivating the Ion plantation and making myself a good, +upright, useful church-member and citizen." + +"A worthy ambition, my boy," the mother said with emotion; "my strong +desire is that you may follow as closely as possible in the footsteps of +your honored father. I never knew a better man, in the pulpit or out of +it. His was a truly Christian manhood, and, like his Master, he went +about doing good." + +"Then, mother, with your approval my choice is made; and with your +permission I shall spend some time in an agricultural college, after +finishing the course where I am." + +"You shall do as you wish; you shall have every advantage I can give +you. My other boys also, if they will improve them." + +"Your girls, too, mamma?" asked Rosie. + +"Yes, indeed," mamma answered, bestowing a smile and a kiss upon the +young questioner. + +At that moment the tea-bell summoned them to their evening meal. Edward +took his father's seat at the table, his father's place in asking a +blessing upon the food. + +As they left the table they perceived that the rain had ceased; the +clouds had broken away from the setting sun, and its red light streamed +over the dark waters like a pathway of fire. + +They were all gathered on the porch, watching, as usual, the changing +beauty of the sea and the clouds, when a young man, in the undress +uniform of a lieutenant in the army, opened their gate, and came with a +brisk, manly step up the walk leading to the house. + +As he drew near, he lifted his military cap, bowed low to the ladies, +then, stepping upon the porch, handed a card to Mrs. Travilla. + +"Donald Keith," she read aloud, and holding out her hand with a sweet, +welcoming smile, "How do you do, cousin?" she said; "I am very glad to +see you. But to which branch do you belong?" + +"I am a younger brother of the Reverend Cyril Keith, lately married to a +Miss Conly," the young officer answered, as he took the offered hand. +"He wrote me of your great kindness to him, and when I learned, a few +hours since, who were the occupants of this cottage, I felt that I must +come and thank you. I hope I do not intrude, cousin?" + +"No, indeed; we are always ready to welcome relatives. Now let me +introduce these other cousins--my boys and girls." + +The young man spent the whole evening in the company of these new-found +relatives, and went away highly delighted with them all. + +He had several weeks' furlough, was staying at a hotel near by, and +promised himself great enjoyment in the society of the dwellers in the +cottage. + +And they were pleased with him. + +"He seems a very nice, clever fellow, mother," Edward remarked. + +"Yes," she said, "he has very agreeable manners and talks well; and +knowing that he comes of a godly race, I hope we shall find him in all +respects a suitable companion for you and your sisters. I am glad of his +coming for your sakes, for I fear you may have felt the want of young +society." + +"Oh, no, mamma," they all protested, "we could not have enjoyed +ourselves better. It has been so nice to have you quite to ourselves." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + "A mother is a mother still, + The holiest thing alive." + --_Coleridge._ + + +The next morning's mail brought a letter from Mr. Dinsmore, announcing +his speedy coming with his wife, father, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Allison, +and several of their children. + +"There's an end to our good times!" sighed Violet. + +"Shall you be so very sorry to see your grandpa?" her mother asked with +a slight smile, knowing that her father was dearly loved by all her +children, and by none more than by Violet herself. + +"Oh no, mamma; nor grandma, nor any of them," was the quick reply; "only +it was so nice to have you so entirely to ourselves." + +"Haven't you enjoyed it too, mamma?" asked several voices, while every +face turned eagerly and inquiringly to hers. + +"Yes, indeed, my darlings," she said; "and yet so dearly do I love my +father that my heart bounds at the very thought that he will be with me +again in a few hours." + +"Then, mamma, we are all glad for you," Elsie said: Violet adding, "and +for ourselves, too; for it is nice to have grandpa and grandma with us; +and Aunt Adelaide also; she is always so kind." + +"Very different from Aunt Louise," remarked Edward. "Who would ever +think they were sisters! Isa and Virginia are quite as unlike, too, +though they are sisters. I hope Aunt Louise and her old-maid daughter +won't visit us this summer!" + +"Edward!" his mother said in a tone of reproof. + +"Excuse me, mother," he said; "but if I dislike them, it is because they +have always treated you so badly." + +"They have never done me any injury, my son," she answered, with gentle +gravity, "and I would not have you feel unkindly toward them; much less +am I willing to hear you speak of them as you did just now. Virginia is +not an old maid, and if she were I should be sorry to have you apply +that epithet to her." + +"She is several years older than I am, mother," he said, blushing. + +"About three; and you are only a boy." + +Edward felt this as the most cutting rebuke his gentle mother had ever +administered to him, for he had begun to think of himself as a man, old +enough and strong enough to be his mother's stay and support, and a +guide to his younger brothers and sisters. + +But sensible that he had deserved the reproof, he bore it in silence; +yet could not rest until seizing an opportunity to speak to her without +being overheard by others, "Dear mamma," he whispered, looking +beseechingly into her eyes, "will you not forgive my thoughtless, +uncharitable speech of this morning?" + +"Certainly, my dear boy," she answered with one of her sweetest smiles, +"and I trust you will try to cultivate more kindly feelings toward your +grandpa's sister and niece, for his sake, and because it is a Christian +duty." + +Mr. Dinsmore and his party arrived that afternoon, and the next day were +followed by Mrs. Conly and Virginia. + +"We thought we would give you a surprise," was the greeting of the +former: "the heat and threats of yellow fever drove us North. I +scattered the younger children about among other relatives, leaving +several at your house, Adelaide, then came on here with Virgie, knowing +that Elsie would of course have room enough for us two." + +"We will find room for you, Aunt Louise," Elsie said with pleasant +cordiality, and trying hard to feel rejoiced at their coming. + +A very difficult task, as they never were at the slightest pains to make +themselves agreeable, and the house was already comfortably filled. + +Edward waited only to shake hands hastily with his aunt and cousin, +then slipped away for a solitary stroll on the beach while he should +fight down his feelings of disgust and irritation at this unwelcome and +unwarrantable invasion of his mother's dwelling. + +He had asked that morning if he might invite his college chum, Charlie +Perrine, to spend a week or two with him, and had received a prompt and +kind permission to do so. It seemed hard enough to have to entertain, +instead, these relatives, between whom and himself there had always been +a cordial dislike; for from early childhood he had perceived and +strongly resented the envy, jealousy and ill-will indulged in by them +toward his mother. + +He paced hurriedly to and fro for some minutes, striving, with but +indifferent success, to recover his equanimity, then stood still, gazing +out to sea, half inclined to wish himself on board an outward-bound +vessel in the offing. + +Presently a hand took quiet possession of his arm, and turning his head +he found his mother standing by his side. + +"I am grieved to see my boy's face so clouded," she said in her sweet +and gentle tones. + +"Then, mother, it shall not be so any longer," he answered, resolutely +forcing a smile. "I have been really trying to feel good-natured, but it +is not easy under the circumstances. Not to me, I mean. I wish I had +inherited your sweet disposition." + +"Ah, you can judge only from outside appearances," she said with a sigh +and a smile; "no one knows what a battle his neighbor may be fighting in +his own heart, while outwardly calm and serene. I know you are +disappointed because you fear you must give up inviting your friend for +the present, but that will not be necessary, my dear boy. We can still +manage to make room for him by a little crowding which will hurt no one. +My room is so large that I can easily take Walter and all your sisters +in with me, and if necessary we will pitch a tent for the servants." + +"Or for Charlie and me, mother," he exclaimed in delight; "we should not +mind it in the least; indeed it would be good fun to live so for a +while." + +At this moment they were joined by Elsie and Violet, both full of +sympathy for Edward, and anxious to consult mamma as to the possibility +of still making room for the comfortable accommodation of his friend. + +They listened with delight to her proposed arrangement: it would be a +great pleasure to them to share her room, if it would not inconvenience +her, and she assured them it would not. + +"I was afraid," said Elsie, "that Aunt Adelaide might hurry away to make +room for the others, but now I hope she will not, for we all enjoy +having her with us." + +"No," Mrs. Travilla said, "we will keep her as long as we can. Ah, here +come my father and grandfather. I think we shall astonish them with the +news of the arrival." + +"Cousin Donald is with them too," remarked Elsie. "Mamma, I think +Virginia will be rather pleased to see so fine looking a gentleman +haunting the house." + +"Her sister's brother-in-law," said Vi. "Perhaps she will claim him as +more nearly related to her than to us." + +The young man had found favor with both Mr. Dinsmores, and the three +were just returning from a pretty long tramp together which had caused +them to miss seeing the arrival of Mrs. and Miss Conly. + +The news seemed to give more surprise than pleasure. + +"It was very thoughtless in Louise," the old gentleman said with some +vexation, "but it is just like her. I think we must find rooms for them +at one of the hotels, Elsie; for I don't see how your house is to +accommodate us all." + +"I do, grandpa," was her smiling rejoinder, "so make yourself perfectly +easy on that score." + +"I hope our excursion is not to be interfered with, cousin?" Donald said +inquiringly: for arrangements had been made for a long drive that +afternoon, taking in several of the neighboring sea-side resorts, and as +his three lady cousins had promised to be of the party, he was loath to +give it up. + +"No," she said, "Aunt Adelaide and Aunt Louise will doubtless be well +pleased to be left alone together for a few hours, after a separation of +several years." + +"Besides, both my aunt and cousin will need a long nap to refresh them +after the fatigue of their journey," remarked Edward. + +The young people exchanged congratulatory glances. They were all eager +for the drive. It was just the day for it, they had all decided--the +roads in excellent condition after the late rain, a delicious sea-breeze +blowing, and light fleecy clouds tempering the heat of the July sun. + +They set off directly after an early dinner--all the Dinsmores and +Travillas, Mr. Allison and his children and Mr. Keith--in two covered +carriages, and well provided with waterproofs for protection against a +possible shower. + +They were a pleasant, congenial party, the older people cheerful and +companionable, the children full of life and spirits. + +They had visited Seagirt, Spring Lake and Asbury Park, and were passing +through Ocean Beach, when Edward, catching sight of a young couple +sauntering leisurely along on the sidewalk, uttered an exclamation, +"Why, there's Charlie Perrine!" then calling to the driver to stop, he +sprang out and hurried toward them. + +"His college chum--and how glad they are to meet," Violet said as the +two were seen shaking hands in the most cordial manner. + +Then Perrine introduced Edward to his companion, and the lad's sisters +noticed that his face lighted up with pleased surprise as he grasped her +hand. + +"Why, I know her!" cried Donald. "Excuse me one moment, ladies;" and he +too sprang out and hastened to join the little group on the sidewalk. + +He and the lady met like very intimate friends, greeting each other as +"Donald" and "Mary:" then he led her to the side of the carriage and +introduced her. "My cousin Mary Keith, Uncle Donald's daughter; our +cousins, Miss Elsie and Miss Violet Travilla." + +The girls shook hands and exchanged glances of mutual interest and +admiration. Mary had a very bright, pleasant face, dark eyes and hair, +plenty of color, lady-like manners, and a stylish figure well set off by +inexpensive but tasteful attire. + +The other carriage, containing the older people, had now come up and +halted beside the first. + +There were more introductions, then Mary was persuaded to take Edward's +place in the carriage with her young cousins, and drive with them to the +Colorado House, where she was staying, while he and his friend followed +on foot. + +Here the whole party alighted, seated themselves on the porch and +chatted together for a half hour. + +"How long do you stay here, Cousin Mary?" Mrs. Travilla asked. + +"Another week, Cousin Elsie; I have engaged my room for that length of +time: and I wish you would let one of your girls stay with me, or both +if they will, though I'm afraid that would crowd them. I should be so +glad if you would. I want to become acquainted with them: and besides I +have just lost my roommate, and don't like to be left alone." + +After a little consultation between the elders of the party, it was +decided that Violet should accept the invitation, her mother promising +to send her a trunk in the morning, and Mary agreeing to return the +visit later in the season, when her cousin's cottage would have parted +with some of its present occupants. + +Edward, too, would remain and room with Charlie Perrine, on the same +floor with the girls, so that Violet would feel that she had a +protector. + +"I hope it will be a pleasant change for you, dear child," the mother +whispered in parting from Violet, "and if you grow tired of it, you know +you can come home at any time. And Edward," she added, turning to him, +"I trust your sister to your care, particularly in bathing: don't let +her go in without you, and don't either of you venture far out or into +any dangerous spot." + +"We will be very careful, mamma," they both replied, "so do not feel in +the least uneasy." + +"I shall owe you a grudge for this." Donald was saying in a rueful aside +to Mary. + +"Why, you needn't," she returned; "you can come too, if you wish, unless +you object to my society." + +"That wouldn't mend matters," he answered, with a glance at the younger +Elsie. + +"Nonsense! I've found out already that she's engaged. Didn't you know +it?" + +"Not I. Well, it takes a woman to find out the secrets of her sex!" + +"Then you own that a woman can keep a secret?" was her laughing +rejoinder. "But do tell me," in a still lower tone, "has cousin lost her +husband lately?" + +"Within a year, and they were devotedly attached." + +"Oh poor thing! But isn't she sweet?" + +"Yes, indeed! it didn't take even me long to find that out." + +The carriages rolled away amid much waving of handkerchiefs by the +travellers and the little party left behind; then Mary carried Violet +off to her room for a long talk before it should be time to dress for +tea, while the lads strolled away together along the beach, their +tongues quite as busy as the other two: for there were various college +matters to discuss, beside plans for fishing, boating, riding, and +driving. + +And Edward must sound his mother's praises and learn whether Charlie did +not think her the very loveliest woman he ever saw. + +"Yes," Charlie said with a sigh, "you are a lucky fellow, Ned. I hardly +remember my mother--was only five years old when she died." + +"Then I pity you with all my heart!" Edward exclaimed; "for there's +nothing like a mother to love you and stand by you through thick and +thin." + +He turned his head away to hide the tears that sprang unbidden to his +eyes, for along with his pity for his friend came a sudden recollection +of that dreadful event in his childhood when by an act of disobedience +he had come very near killing his dearly loved father. Ah, he should +never forget his agony of terror and remorse, his fear that his mother +could never love him again, or the tenderness with which she had +embraced him, assuring him of her forgiveness and continued affection. + +Meantime Donald was speaking in glowing terms of Cousin Mary. "One of +the best girls in the world," he pronounced her--"so kind-hearted, so +helpful and industrious. Uncle's circumstances are moderate," he said; +"Aunt's health has been delicate for years, and Mary, as the eldest of +eight or nine children, has had her hands full. I am very glad she is +taking a rest now, for she needs it. A maiden sister of her mother's is +filling her place for a few weeks, she told me: else she could not have +been spared from home." + +"You make me glad that I left Violet with her," Mrs. Travilla said, with +a look of pleased content. + +Edward and his chum returned from their walk, made themselves neat, and +were waiting on the piazza before the open door, as Mary and Violet came +down at the call to tea. + +The dining-room was furnished with small tables each accommodating eight +persons. Our four young friends found seats together. The other four +places at their table were occupied by two couples--a tall, gaunt, +sour-visaged elderly man in green spectacles, and his meek little wife, +and a small, thin, invalid old gentleman, who wore a look of patient +resignation, and his wife, taller than himself by half a head. + +A fine head of beautiful grey hair was the only attractive thing about +her, her features were coarse and her countenance was fretful. She +occupied herself in filling and emptying her plate with astonishing +rapidity, and paid little or no attention to her husband, who was so +crippled by rheumatism as to be almost helpless, having entirely lost +the use of one hand, and so nearly that of his lower limbs that he could +not walk without assistance. + +He had a nurse, a young German, who was with him constantly day and +night, helped him about and waited upon him, but in a very awkward +fashion. The man's clumsiness was, however, borne with patience by the +sufferer, and did not seem to trouble the wife. + +She eyed Violet curiously between her immense mouthfuls, and whispered +to her husband, loud enough for the child to hear, "Isn't that a pretty +girl, William? such a handsome complexion! I reckon she paints." + +The sudden crimsoning of Vi's cheek contradicted that suspicion +instantly, and the woman corrected herself. "No, she don't, I see. I +wonder who she is?" + +"Hush, hush, Maria!" whispered her husband, "don't you see she hears +you?" and he gave the young girl such a fatherly look, gentle and +tender, that quick tears sprang to her eyes: it was so strong a reminder +of one whose look of parental love she should never meet again on earth. + +People at other tables were noticing her too, remarking upon her beauty +and grace, and asking each other who she was. + +"We'll soon find out, mamma; don't you see she is with Miss Keith? and +she will be sure to introduce her to us," said a nice looking girl about +Vi's age, addressing a sweet faced lady by whose side she sat. + +They all met in the parlor shortly afterward, and Vi, Mrs. Perkins, her +daughter Susie, and her son Fred, a lad of nineteen or twenty, were +formally presented to each other. + +"I don't want to get into a crowd; I don't care to make acquaintances," +Vi had said, half tearfully. + +Mary understood and respected the feeling, but answered, "Yes, dear +cousin, I know: but do let me introduce Mrs. Perkins and her children. +She is so sweet and lovely, a real Christian lady; and her son and +daughter are very nice. We have been together a great deal, and I feel +as if they were old friends." + +Vi did not wonder at it after talking a little with Mrs. Perkins, who +had made room for her on the sofa by her side; her thought was, "She is +a little like mamma; not quite so sweet nor half so beautiful; though +she is very pretty." + +Several other ladies had come in by this time, the invalid gentleman's +wife among the rest. "Mrs. Moses," Vi heard some one call her. + +"How do you do, Miss?" she said, drawing forward an arm chair and +seating herself directly in front of Violet. "You're a new-comer, +ain't you?" + +"I came this afternoon," Vi answered, and turned to Mrs. Perkins with a +remark about the changing beauty of the sea and clouds; for they were +near an open window that gave them a view of old ocean. + +"Where are you from?" asked Mrs. Moses. + +"The South, Madame." + +"Ah! I should hardly have suspected it: you've such a lovely complexion, +and how beautiful your hair is! like spun gold." + +The German servant-man appeared in the doorway. + +"Mrs. Moshes, Herr wants to see you." + +"Yes, I hear." Turning to Vi again, "Well, you must have had a long, +tiresome journey; and I suppose you didn't come all alone?" + +Vi let the inquiry pass unnoticed, but the woman went on, "I've never +been South, but I'd like to go; perhaps I shall next winter. It might +help William's rheumatism." + +"Your husband wants you, Mrs. Moses," remarked Mary Keith. + +"Oh yes; he's always wanting me. I'll go presently." + +"Cousin," said Mary, "shall we take a stroll on the beach?" + +Violet caught at the suggestion with alacrity, and they went at once, +the rest of their party, and Mrs. Perkins and hers, accompanying them. + +"That poor man!" sighed Mary. "I thought if we all left her, perhaps she +would go to him." + +"Isn't it strange?" said Susie, "he seems to love her dearly, and she to +care nothing about him. And he is so nice and good and patient, and she +so disagreeable." + +"A very poor sort of wife, I think," pursued Mary. "She will not even +sleep on the same floor with him, for fear of being disturbed when pain +keeps him awake. Day and night he is left to the care of that awkward, +blundering German. But there! I ought to be ashamed of myself for +talking about an absent neighbor." + +"I don't think you are doing any harm, Cousin Mary," said Charlie, "for +we can all see how utterly selfish the woman is." + +"What! are you two cousins?" asked Edward in surprise. + +"First cousins, sir," returned Charlie, laughing, "sisters' children. +Can't you and I claim kin, seeing she's cousin to both of us?" + +A sudden dash of rain prevented Edward's reply, and sent them all +scurrying into the house. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + "A little more than kin and a little less than kind." + --_Shakespeare._ + + +Our little party had scarcely seated themselves in the parlor, where a +number of the guests of the house were already gathered, when the +invalid gentleman was assisted in by his servant and took possession of +an easy chair which Mrs. Perkins hastened to offer him. + +He thanked her courteously as he sank back in it with a slight sigh as +of one in pain. + +Violet, close at his side, regarded him with pitying eyes. "I fear you +suffer a great deal, sir," she said, low and feelingly, when Mary, her +next neighbor, had introduced them. + +"Yes, a good deal, but less than when I came." + +"Then the sea air is doing you good, I hope." + +"I'm thankful to say I think it is. There's an increase of pain +to-night, but that is always to be expected in rainy weather." + +"You are very patient, Mr. Moses," Mary remarked. + +"And why shouldn't I be patient?" he returned; "didn't Christ suffer far +more than I do?" + +"And he comforts you in the midst of it all, does he not?" asked Mrs. +Perkins. + +"He does, indeed, ma'am." + +"I have always found him faithful to his promises," she said. + +"And I," remarked another lady sitting near; "strength has always been +given me according to my day, in the past, and I am glad to leave the +future with him." + +"Humph! it's plain to be seen that you two don't know what trouble is," +put in Mrs. Moses, glancing fretfully at her crippled spouse; whereat +the poor man burst into tears. + +Vi's tender heart ached for him, and the countenances of all within +hearing of the remark expressed sincere pity and sympathy. + +A child began drumming on the piano, and Mr. Moses sent a helpless, half +despairing glance in that direction that spoke of tortured nerves. + +Vi saw it, and, as he turned to her with, "Don't you play and sing, my +dear? You look like it, and I should be much gratified to hear you," she +rose and went at once to the instrument, thinking of nothing but trying +to bring help and comfort to the poor sufferer. + +"Will you let me play a little?" she said to the child, with look and +tone of winning sweetness, and the piano-stool was promptly vacated. + +Seating herself, she touched a few chords, and instantly a hush fell +upon the room. + +She played a short prelude; then, in a voice full, rich and sweet, +sang-- + + "'O Jesus! Friend unfailing, + How dear art thou to me! + And cares or fears assailing, + I find my rest in thee! + Why should my feet grow weary + Of this my pilgrim way; + Rough though the path and dreary + It ends in perfect day. + + "'Naught, naught I count as treasure, + Compared, O Christ, with thee; + Thy sorrow without measure + Earned peace and joy for me. + I love to own, Lord Jesus, + Thy claims o'er me and mine, + Bought with thy blood most precious, + Whose can I be but thine! + + "'For every tribulation, + For every sore distress. + In Christ I've full salvation, + Sure help and quiet rest. + No fear of foes prevailing, + I triumph, Lord, in thee. + O Jesus, Friend unfailing! + How dear art thou to me!'"* + + * I know not who is the author of these beautiful lines. + +Edward had made his way to her side as soon as he perceived her purpose. + +"You have left out half," he whispered, leaning over her, "and the words +are all so sweet." + +"Yes, I know, but I feared it was too long." + +There were murmurs of admiration as he led her back to her seat. "How +well she plays! such an exquisite touch!" "What a sweet voice! highly +cultivated, and every word distinct." "Yes, and what a beauty she is!" + +Some of these remarks reached Violet's ears and deepened the color on +her cheek, but she forgot them all in the delight of having given +pleasure to the invalid. He thanked her with tears in his eyes. + +"The words are very sweet and comforting," he said. "Are they your own?" + +"Oh no, sir!" she answered. "I do not know whose they are, but I have +found comfort in them, and hoped that you might also." + +Edward and Mary were conversing in low, earnest tones. + +"I am delighted!" Mary said. + +"With what?" + +"Words, music, voice, everything." + +"The music is her own, composed expressly for the words, which she found +in a religious newspaper." + +"Indeed! she is a genius then! the tune is lovely." + +"Yes, she is thought to have a decided genius for both music and +painting; I must show you some of her pictures when you pay us that +promised visit." + +Mr. Moses presently found himself in too much pain to remain where he +was, and summoning his servant, retired to his own room. + +His wife, paying no regard to a wistful, longing look he gave her as he +moved painfully away, remained where she was and entertained the other +ladies with an account of the family pedigree. + +"We are lineal descendants of Moses, the Hebrew Lawgiver," she +announced. "But don't suppose we are Jews, for we are not at all." + +"Belong to the lost ten tribes, I suppose," remarked Charles Perrine +dryly. + +The morning's sun shone brightly in a clear sky, and on leaving the +breakfast table our little party went down to the beach and sat in the +sand, watching the incoming tide, before which they were now and then +obliged to retreat, sometimes in scrambling haste that gave occasion for +much mirth and laughter. + +Mrs. Moses came down presently and joined them, an uninvited and not +over-welcome companion, but of course the beach was as free to her as to +them. + +"How is your husband this morning?" inquired Mrs. Perkins. + +"Oh about as usual." + +"I do believe it would do him good to sit here awhile with us, sunning +himself." + +"Too damp." + +"No; the dampness here is from the salt water, and will harm nobody." + +"Where is he?" asked Fred, getting on his feet. + +"On the porch yonder," the wife answered, in a tone of indifference. + +"Come, boys, let's go and bring him!" said Fred, and at the word the +other two rose with alacrity, and all three hurried to the house. + +They found the poor old gentleman sitting alone, save for the presence +of the uncouth servant standing in silence at the back of his chair, and +watching with wistful, longing eyes the merry groups moving hither and +thither, to and fro, between the houses and the ocean, some going down +to bathe, others coming dripping from the water, some sporting among the +waves, and others still, like our own party, sunning themselves on the +beach. + +"We have come to ask you to join us, sir," Fred said in respectful but +hearty tones. "Won't you let us help you down to the beach? the ladies +are anxious to have you there." + +The poor man's face lighted up with pleased surprise, then clouded +slightly. "I should like to go indeed," he said, "if I could do so +without troubling others; but that is impossible." + +"We should not feel it any trouble, sir." the lads returned, "but a +pleasure rather, if you will let us help you there." + +"I ought not to ask it of you: Jacob here can give me an arm." + +"No," said Edward, "let Jacob take this opportunity for a bath, and we +will fill his place in waiting upon you." + +The invalid yielded, and found himself moved with far more ease and +comfort than he had believed possible. + +The ladies--his wife, perhaps, excepted, greeted him with smiles and +pleasant words of welcome. They had arranged a couch with their +waterproofs and shawls, far enough from the water's edge to be secure +from the waves, and here the lads laid him down with gentle carefulness. + +Mrs. Perkins seated herself at his head and shaded his face from the sun +with her umbrella, while the others grouped themselves about, near +enough to carry on a somewhat disjointed conversation in spite of the +noise of the waters. + +"I think a sunbath will really be good for you, Mr. Moses," said Miss +Keith. + +"It's worth trying anyhow," he answered, with a patient smile. "And it's +a real treat to do so in such pleasant company. But don't any of you +lose your bath for me. I've seen a number go in, and I suppose this is +about the best time." + +"Just as the ladies say," was the gallant rejoinder of the young men. + +"I do not care to bathe to-day," Violet said with decision. "The rest of +you may go, and I will stay and take are of Mr. Moses." + +"Well, I'll go then. He'll not be wanting anything." said his wife. +"Ain't the rest of you coming, ladies and gentlemen?" + +After some discussion, all went but Mrs. Perkins and Violet, and they +were left alone with the invalid. + +Vi had conceived a great pity for him, great disgust for the selfish, +unsympathizing wife. + +"How different from mamma!" she said to herself. "She never would have +wearied of waiting upon papa if he had been so afflicted; she would have +wanted to be beside him, comforting him every moment. And how sweetly it +would have been done." + +"Little lady," the old man said, with a longing look into the sweet +girlish face, "will you sing me that song again? It was the most +delightful, consoling thing I've heard for many a day." + +"Yes, indeed, sir; I would do anything in my power to help you to forget +your pain," she said, coloring with pleasure. + +She sang the whole of the one he had asked for, then perceiving how +greatly he enjoyed it, several others of like character. + +He listened intently, sometimes with tears in his eyes, and thanking her +warmly again and again. + +Finding that the old gentleman felt brighter and more free from pain +during the rest of the day, and thought he had received benefit from +his visit to the beach, the lads helped him there again the next day. + +They set him down, then wandered away, leaving him in the care of the +same group of ladies who had gathered round him the day before. + +Each one was anxious to do something for his relief or entertainment, +and he seemed both pleased with their society and grateful for their +attentions. + +Mrs. Perkins suggested that the lame hand might be benefited by burying +it in the sand while he sat there. + +"No harm in trying it, anyhow," he said. "Just turn me round a little, +Maria, if you please." + +His wife complied promptly with the request, but in a way which the +other ladies thought rough and unfeeling, seizing him by the collar of +his coat and jerking him round to the desired position. + +But he made no complaint. + +"I think it does ease the pain," he said after a little. "I'm only sorry +I can't try it every day for a while." + +"What is there to hinder?" asked Mrs. Perkins. + +"Why, we're going to-morrow," replied Mrs. Moses, shortly. + +"Oh, why not stay longer? You have been here but a week, and Mr. Moses +has improved quite a good deal in that time." + +"Well, he can stay as long as he chooses, but I'm going to New York +to-morrow to visit my sister." + +The ladies urged her to stay for her poor husband's sake, but she was +not to be persuaded, and he was unwilling to remain without her. + +"Take some sand with you, then, to bury his hand in, won't you?" said +Mrs. Perkins. + +"I haven't anything to carry it in," was the ungracious reply. + +"Those newspapers." + +"I want to read them." + +"Well, if we find something to put it in, and get it all ready for you, +will you take it in your trunk?" + +"Yes, I'll do that." + +"I have a good sized paper box which will answer the purpose, I think," +said Mary Keith. "I'll get it." + +She hastened to the house, returned again in a few moments with the box, +and they proceeded to fill it, sifting the sand carefully through their +fingers to remove every pebble. + +"You are taking a great deal of trouble for me, ladies," the old +gentleman remarked. + +"No trouble at all, sir," said Mary; "it's a real pleasure to do +anything we can for you: especially remembering the Master's words, +'Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my +brethren, you have done it unto me.'" + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + "How happy they + Who, from the toil and tumult of their lives, + Steal to look down where nought but ocean strives." + --_Byron._ + + +Violet was alone, lying on the bed, resting after her bath, not asleep, +but thinking dreamily of home and mother. + +"Only one more day and my week here will be up," she was saying to +herself. "I've had a delightful time, but oh I want to see mamma and the +rest!" + +Just then the door opened and Mary came in with a face all smiles. "O +Vi, I'm so glad!" she exclaimed, seating herself on the side of the bed. + +"What about, cousin?" Violet asked, rousing herself, and with a keen +look of interest. + +"I have just had the offer of a furnished cottage for two or three +weeks--to keep house in, you understand--and I can invite several +friends to stay with me, and it won't cost half so much as boarding +here, beside being great fun," Mary answered, talking very fast in her +excitement and delight. "Charlie will stay with me, I think, and I hope +you and Edward will, and I have two girl friends at home whom I shall +invite. One is an invalid, and needs the change, oh so badly; but +though they are not exactly poor people, not the kind one would dare +offer charity to, her father couldn't afford to give her even a week at +any of these hotels or boarding-houses: and she did look so wistful and +sad when I bade her good-bye. 'I can hardly help envying you, Mary,' she +said, 'though I am ever so glad you are going. But I have such a longing +to get away from home for a while--to go somewhere, anywhere, for a +change. I'm so weak and miserable, and it seems to me that if I could +only go away I should get well. I haven't been outside of this town for +years.'" + +Violet's eyes filled with tears. "Poor thing!" she said. "I have always +travelled about so much, and enjoyed it greatly. I wonder why it is I +have so many more pleasures and blessings than other people." + +"I hope they may never be fewer," Mary said, caressing her. "But isn't +it nice that now I can give poor Amy Fletcher--for that is her name--two +or three weeks here at the sea-shore?" + +"Yes, indeed! But you haven't told me how it happens." + +In reply to this Mary went on to say that a married friend who had +rented the cottage she had spoken of for the year, now found that he +must take his family away for a short time, mountain air being +recommended for his wife, who was in poor health, and as it would cost +no more to have the cottage occupied in their absence than to leave it +empty, he had offered her the use of it rent free. + +"He saw father and mother last week," she added in conclusion, "and +talked it over with them, and they have written me to accept his offer +by all means, and stay as long at the shore as I can." + +"But you are to visit us, you know." + +"Yes, afterward, if that will do. I don't intend to miss that pleasure +if I can help it," Mary answered gleefully. "Now about my other friend, +Ella Neff. She is not an invalid, but she teaches for her support, and I +know such a change would do her a world of good. She wanted to come with +me, but couldn't afford it; yet I'm sure she can in this way: for beside +the difference of board there will not be the same necessity for fine +dress." + +"I should never have thought of that," said Vi. + +"No, of course not, you fortunate little lassie; you have never known +anything about the pinchings of poverty--or the pleasures of economy," +she added merrily, "for I do assure you there is often real enjoyment in +finding how nicely you can contrive to make one dollar do the work of +two--or 'auld claes look amaist as weel's the new.' But oh, don't you +think it will be fun to keep house, do our own cooking and all?" + +"Yes," Violet said; "yes, indeed." + +"And you'll stay, won't you? Don't you think you'd enjoy it?" + +"Oh, ever so much! but I don't believe I can wait any longer than till +to-morrow to see mamma. Besides, I don't know whether she would +approve." + +"Well, if you should spend a day at home and get her consent to come +back; how would that do?" + +Vi thought that plan might answer, if Edward were willing to make one of +the party at the cottage. + +"We must consult the lads at once," said Mary. "Let me help you dress, +and we'll go in search of them." + +Vi sprang up, and with her cousin's assistance made a rapid toilet. + +They found Edward and Charlie in the summer-house, just across the road, +waiting for the call to dinner. Fortunately no one was within hearing, +and Mary quickly unfolded her plan. + +It was heard with delight. "Splendid! Capital! Of course we'll be glad +to accept your invitation," they said: Edward, however, putting in the +provision, "If mamma sees no objection." + +"Or grandpa," added Violet. + +"All the same," said Edward; "mamma never approves of anything that he +does not." + +"Where is the cottage? Can we look at it?" asked Charles. + +"Yes; the family left this morning, and I have the key," Mary answered. +"We could take possession to-night if we chose; but I must lay in some +provisions first." + +"Let's walk up (or down, whichever it is) after dinner and look at it." + +"Yes, Charlie, if Edward and Vi are agreed. It is up, on this street, +about two blocks from here." + +"Directly in front of the ocean? That's all right." + +"Or the ocean directly in front of it," Mary returned laughingly. + +"All the same; don't be too critical, Miss Keith," said Charlie. + +They did not linger long over dinner or dessert, but made haste to the +cottage, eager to see what accommodations it afforded. + +It was small, the rooms few in number, and mere boxes compared to those +Edward and Violet had been accustomed to at Ion and Viamede; and very +much more contracted than those of the cottage their mother was +occupying, yet all four were quite satisfied to take up their residence +in it for a season. + +"Four bedrooms," remarked Mary reflectively: "two will do for the lads +and two for the lasses. Parlor and dining-room are not very spacious, +but will hold us all when necessary; I don't suppose we'll spend much of +the daytime within doors. By the way, I think we must add Don Keith to +our party--if he'll come." + +The boys said "By all means," and Vi raised no objection. + +"When do you expect Ella and Amy?" asked Charles, who was well +acquainted with both. + +"I telegraphed to mother at once to invite them, and shall expect to see +them about day after to-morrow." + +"What sort of provisions do you propose to lay in, Miss Keith?" inquired +Charlie. "I am personally interested in that." + +"I do not doubt that in the least, Mr. Perrine," she answered demurely. +"I intend to buy some of the best flour and groceries that I can find." + +"Flour? can't you buy bread here?" + +"Yes, but perhaps I may choose to exhibit my skill in its manufacture; +also in that of cake and pastry." + +"Ah! Well, no objection to that except that we don't want you shut up +in the kitchen when the rest of us are off pleasuring. What about other +supplies?" + +"I see you have some idea of what is necessary in housekeeping, Charlie, +and I'll give you a good recommendation to--the first nice girl who asks +me if you'll make a good husband," Mary returned, looking at her cousin +with laughing eyes. + +"Am I to have an answer to my question, Miss Keith?" he inquired with +dignity. + +"Yes, when I see fit to give it. The Marstons were, of course, served +with butter, eggs, milk and cream, fish, flesh, and fowl, and Mr. +Marston told me he had spoken to the persons thus serving him and his to +do likewise by me and mine: does this explanation relieve your mind, Mr. +Perrine?" + +"Entirely. I am satisfied that we are not invited to share starving +rations, which I am morally certain would give me the dyspepsia." + +"I think we are very fortunate," Mary remarked, resuming her ordinary +tone; "they have left us bedding, table and kitchen furniture, and we +have nothing whatever to provide except our food, drink and clothing." + +"I shall order a carriage for an early hour to-morrow morning," said +Edward, "and drive over to see my mother. Vi will, of course, go along, +and I wish, Cousin Mary, that you and Charlie would go too." + +"Thank you very much," Mary said. "I should enjoy it extremely, but +there are some few arrangements to be made here. The girls may come +to-morrow evening, and I must be here and ready to receive them." + +Then Charlie decided that he must stay and take care of Mary; so it was +finally arranged that Edward and Violet should go alone, and the former +attend to the ordering of the groceries, and anything else he could +think of that was desirable and did not require to be fresh. + +When the carriage containing Edward and Violet drove up to their +mother's door, nearly all the family and their guests were out upon the +beach. + +There was instantly a glad shout from Harold, Herbert and Walter, "There +they are!" and they, their sisters and grandfather started at once for +the house, while Mrs. Dinsmore and Mrs. Travilla, who were within, +hastened to the door. + +Mrs. Conly and Virginia, slowly sauntering along within sight of the +cottage, looked after those who were hurrying towards it, with smiles of +contempt. + +"Such a hugging and kissing as there will be now!" sneered Virginia; +"they will make as much fuss as if they hadn't seen each other for five +years." + +"Yes," returned her mother, "and I don't wish to be a spectator of the +sickening scene. Thank fortune I'm not of the overly affectionate kind." + +"Mamma, mamma!" cried Violet, springing into the dear arms so joyfully +opened to receive her, "oh, I am so glad, so glad to see you again!" + +"Not more glad than mamma is, darling," Elsie said, clasping her close +with tender caresses. + +"And you've come home a day sooner than you were expected! how good in +you!" the younger Elsie exclaimed, taking her turn. + +"Yes, but not to stay; that is, I mean if mamma consents to--" + +But the sentence remained unfinished for awhile, there were so many +claiming a hug and kiss from both herself and Edward; indeed I am afraid +Virginia was so far correct in her prediction that there was as much +embracing and rejoicing, perhaps even more, than there would have been +in the Conly family in receiving a brother and sister who had been +absent for years. + +But when all that had been attended to, and the pleasant little +excitement began to subside, it did not take many minutes for mamma and +grandpa and grandma to learn all about the proposed essay in +housekeeping on the part of the young folks. + +"What! does my Vi want to leave her mother again so soon?" Mrs. Travilla +said with half reproachful tenderness, putting an arm about the +slender, girlish waist, and pressing another kiss on the softly rounded, +blooming cheek. + +"No, mamma dearest," Vi said, blushing and laying her head down on her +mother's shoulder, "but the house here is as full as ever, isn't it?" + +"Yes, but that makes no difference; there is plenty of room." + +"Well, mamma, I don't like to be away from you, or any of the dear ones, +but I do think it would be great fun for a little while. Don't you? +wouldn't you have liked it when you were my age?" + +"Yes, I daresay I should, and I see no great objection, if you and +Edward wish to try it. What do you say, papa?" + +"That I think their mother is the right person to decide the question, +and that I do not suppose they can come to any harm," Mr. Dinsmore +answered, with a kindly look and smile directed to Edward and Violet. "I +doubt if I should have allowed you to do such a thing at Vi's age, +Elsie," he added, "but I believe I grow more indulgent with advancing +years--perhaps more foolish." + +"No, papa, I cannot think that," she said, lifting her soft eyes to his +with a world of filial tenderness and reverence in their brown depths; +"I lean very much upon the wisdom of your decisions. Well, dears, since +grandpa does not disapprove, you have my full consent to do as you +please in this matter." + +They thanked her warmly. + +"Cousin Mary would be delighted if Elsie would come too," said Violet, +looking wishfully at her sister, "and so would I. I don't suppose, +mamma, you could spare us both at once, but if Elsie would like to go, I +will stay, and not feel it the least bit of a hardship either," she +added, turning to her mother with a bright, affectionate smile. + +"I should be lonely with both my older daughters away," the mother said, +"but I will not be selfish in my love. Elsie may go, too, if she +wishes." + +"Dear, kind mamma, selfishness is no part of your nature," her namesake +daughter responded promptly, "but Elsie has not the slightest desire to +go. Yet I thank my sweet sister all the same for her very kind and +unselfish offer," she added, giving Violet a look of strong affection. + +"But what is grandpa to do without his merry little cricket?" asked Mr. +Dinsmore, drawing Vi down upon his knee. "For how long is it? one, two, +or three weeks?" + +"I don't know, grandpa; perhaps I shall grow tired and homesick, and +want to come back directly." + +"Well, no one will be sorry to see you, come when you may." + +"You will always be joyfully welcomed," added mamma; "nor Edward less +so. Now let us consider what you will need, and how best to provide it. +I claim the privilege of furnishing all the groceries and everything +else for the larder that need not be procured upon the spot." + +"Oh, thank you, mamma!" said Edward; "but I knew you would." + +Violet asked and obtained permission to sleep with her mother that +night, and all day long was scarcely absent from her side. Evidently the +child had a divided heart, and was at times more than half inclined to +stay at home. + +But Edward urged that he would not half enjoy himself without her, that +she had promised to go if mamma did not withhold consent, and that Mary +would be sadly disappointed if she failed to return with him. Donald +Keith, too, who was still there, and had accepted Mary's invitation, +added his persuasions. "He was sure they would have a very pleasant +time, and if she grew homesick she could drive home any day in a couple +of hours; he would be glad to bring her over himself if she would let +him, or she could come in less time by the cars." + +Then her mother came to her help. "I think it will be best for you to +go, dear, even if you should stay but a day or two," she said. "And if +your grandpa likes, he and I will drive over with you, and see your snug +little cottage, and whether there is anything we can do to add to the +comfort or enjoyment of those who are to occupy it for a season." + +"A very good idea, daughter," Mr. Dinsmore said, and Vi's rather +troubled face grew bright. + +"Oh how nice, mamma!" she exclaimed. "I will go without any more foolish +hesitation, although I do not think Edward is quite correct in saying I +promised." + +"Foolish enough!" sneered Virginia, who prided herself on her audacity +in making disagreeable remarks. "I should be very much ashamed of myself +if I were half the mother baby you are." + +"And I," remarked Mr. Dinsmore severely, irritated out of all patience +by the pained look in Vi's face, "should be more ashamed of my sweet +little granddaughter if she were as heartless and ready to wound the +feelings of others as a certain niece of mine seems to be." + +"Will you come to my house-warming, Mrs. Perkins, you and Fred and +Susie?" asked Mary Keith as they left the breakfast-table of the +Colorado House the next morning. "I expect my cousins the Travillas +about dinner-time, and the morning train may bring the other guests. I +mean to be all ready for them at any rate. The dinner is to be prepared +with my own hands, and though it will be on a small scale compared with +those served here, you shall at least have a hearty welcome." + +"Thank you, we would be delighted, but are already engaged for the +picnic," Mrs. Perkins said. + +So they parted with mutual good wishes, each hoping the other would have +an enjoyable day. + +Charles and Mary made themselves busy in seeing to the removal to the +cottage of their own and cousin's luggage, making some purchases at the +provision stores, and some rearrangements of furniture; then about the +dinner, Mary pressing Charlie into her service as sheller of peas, +husker of corn, and beater of eggs. + +They had a very merry time over their work, though Charlie protested +vigorously against being set at such menial tasks, and declared that +"Ed" should be made to do a fair share of them in future. + +Mary sent him to the train to meet the girls, while she stayed behind to +watch over the dinner. + +He had scarcely gone when a carriage drew up at the door, and Mr. and +Mrs. Dinsmore, Mrs. Travilla, Edward and Violet, and Donald Keith +alighted therefrom and came trooping in, most of them laden with +parcels, while the driver brought up the rear, carrying a large hamper +that seemed to be well filled and heavy. + +Mary's first emotion on seeing the arrival was delight, the second a +sudden fear that her dinner would not suffice for so many. + +But that fear was relieved at sight of the hamper and a whisper from Vi, +who headed the procession, that it contained such store of provision as +would obviate the necessity of much cooking for several days to come. + +"Oh how good and kind in your mother!" Mary exclaimed in a like low +tone, then hastened to welcome her guests with unmixed pleasure. + +"O Cousin Elsie, how nice in you to come and to bring Edward and Violet! +You are going to let them stay, I am sure, and I am so glad. So glad to +see you, too, Cousin Rose and Cousin Horace: it seems as if I ought to +call you aunt and uncle, though." + +"Then suppose you do," Mr. Dinsmore said, shaking hands with her, and +kissing her rosy cheek. "You have my permission." + +"I shall, then, and thank you," she returned in her bright merry tones. +"O Don," turning to Mr. Keith with outstretched hands, "so here you are! +that's a good boy." + +"Yes, and so good a boy must not be put off with less than others get," +he said, following Mr. Dinsmore's example. + +"Well, as you are only a cousin it doesn't matter," she remarked +indifferently. "Please all make yourselves at home. Oh there's the +stage stopping at the gate! the girls have come!" and she flew out to +welcome them. + +The little parlor was quite inconveniently crowded, but that afforded +subject for mirth, as Mary introduced her friends and bustled about +trying to find seats for them all. + +"We shall have to take dinner in relays or else set a table in here, +besides the one in the dining-room," she said, laughing. + +"Let Amy and me go to our room and dress while your first set eat, and +give us our dinner afterwards," suggested Ella Neff. + +"Yes, I should much prefer it," Miss Fletcher said, "for we are really +too dusty and dirty to sit down to your table now." + +"And I shall act as waiter to the first table and eat with these ladies +at the second," said Charlie. + +"Very well, I can manage to seat the rest," Mary said; and so it was +arranged. + +The dinner proved very nice and very abundant with the help of the +contents of the hamper. Mary's cooking received many praises, in which +Charlie claimed a share, because, as he said, he had assisted largely. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + "O spirits gay, and kindly heart! + Precious the blessings ye impart!" + --_Joanna Baillie._ + + +"Well, cricket, are we to carry you back with us?" Mr. Dinsmore asked, +with a smiling look at Violet. "If so, 'tis time to be tying on your +hat, for the carriage is at the door." + +"No, grandpa, I am going to stay," she answered, holding up her face for +a parting kiss. + +"I am well satisfied with your decision, dear child," her mother said +when bidding her good-bye, as they and Edward stood alone together for a +moment on the little porch. "I think these young people are all safe +associates for you and your brother," turning to him and taking a hand +of each, "and that you will enjoy yourselves very much with them. But, +my darlings, never forget in the midst of your mirth and gayety--or in +trouble, if that should come--that God's eye is upon you, and that you +have a Christian character to maintain before men. Let me give you a +parting text, 'Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, +do all to the glory of God.' And yet another for your joy and comfort, +'The Lord God is a sun and shields the Lord will give grace and glory: +no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.'" + +"Was there ever such another dear, good mother as ours?" Violet said to +her brother, as together they watched the carriage out of sight. + +"I wish there were thousands like her," he answered. "Ever since I can +remember it has been plain to me that what she most desired for all her +children was that they might be real, true, earnest Christians. Vi, if +we are not all that, we can never lay the blame at our mother's door." + +"Nor papa's either," Violet said with a sigh and a tear to his memory, +"for he was just as careful as she is to train us up for God and +heaven." + +"Yes," Edward assented with emotion. "O Vi, if I could but be the man he +was!" + +They went into the house. In the little parlor Amy Fletcher reclined on +a sofa gazing out through the open door upon the sea. + +"I have had my first sight of old ocean to-day," she said, glancing up +at them as they came in, "and oh how beautiful it is! how delicious this +breeze coming from it! it surely must bring health and strength to any +one who is not very ill indeed!" + +"I hope it will to you," Violet said, sitting down by her side. + +"I hope so," she returned with a cheerful look and smile, "for the +doctors tell me I have no organic disease, and that nothing is more +likely to build me up than sea air and sea-bathing." + +Amy was small and fragile in appearance, but not painfully thin; she had +large dark grey eyes, brown hair, a sweet patient expression, a clear +complexion, and though usually rather too pale and quiet, when excited +or greatly interested the color would come and go on her cheek, her eyes +shine, and her whole face light up in a way that made her decidedly +pretty. + +She was weary now with her journey and a visit to the beach, though she +had only walked to a summer house near by and sat there while the rest +strolled about. + +Merry sounds of jest and laughter were coming from the kitchen. + +"The girls are washing the dishes," Amy said with a smile, "and the lads +helping or hindering, I don't know which." + +"The dinner dishes?" asked Violet. + +"Yes, Mary set them aside for the time, that she might enjoy the company +of your friends while they stayed." + +"Do you think I could be of any assistance out there?" queried Edward, +with gravity. + +"I have an idea that the place is quite full now," Amy said, with a +merry glance up into his face. "I wish there was room for us all, for +they seem to be having a great deal of sport. Just hark how they are +laughing! Well, our turn will come. Don't you think we are going to have +a jolly time here?" + +The door opened and the two young men came in. + +"You don't know what you've missed, Ed," said Charlie helping himself to +a chair near Amy's couch; "housework's jolly good fun." + +"When you don't have too much of it," remarked Amy. + +"And do it in pleasant company," added Donald. + +"And under a capable and kind instructress," supplemented Mary, speaking +from the kitchen. + +"What are your terms for tuition, Miss Keith?" inquired Edward, as she +and Ella Neff joined the circle in the parlor. + +"Beginners get their board, which is sometimes more than they earn." + +"Is that all?" said Donald. "Then I think I shall retire from the +service." + +"I advise you to do no such thing," said Ella, "the knowledge you gain +may prove invaluable in some future emergency: some time when you find +yourself out on the plains or buried in the forests of the Far West, +with no gentle, loving woman at hand to prepare your meals." + +"In that case there would doubtless be an ungentle and obedient +orderly to do so," rejoined Donald with gravity. + +"Well, women are often lectured by newspaper writers and others on the +paramount duty of making themselves acquainted with the culinary art, as +well as everything else pertaining to housewifery, in order that they +may be fully capable of directing the labors of their servants, and I +see no reason why the rule shouldn't hold good for men," remarked Ella. + +"There, sir, you're cornered, Donald!" laughed Charlie. + +"Now that we are all here together, suppose we make such arrangements as +are necessary to constitute ourselves a tolerably orderly household," +said Mary. + +"I understood that you were commanding officer, and the rest of us had +nothing to do but obey orders," said Donald. + +"Quite a mistake. This is not an army, but a democracy, in which the +majority rules. All important questions, therefore--" + +"Such as the bill of fare for dinner," suggested Charlie. "Excuse the +hint, ma'am." + +"Are to be put to vote," Mary went on, not deigning to notice the +interruption. "Mr. Keith, I propose that you, as the eldest of the +party, take the chair." + +"Which?" he asked with serious air. + +"That large, easy one, which each of us is politely leaving for somebody +else." + +Donald promptly took possession. "Is the meeting ready for business?" he +asked. + +"Ready!" responded Charles and Edward. + +"Somebody make a motion, then." + +"I move that Miss Mary Keith be elected housekeeper extraordinary and +cook plenipotentiary," said Ella. + +"I second the motion," said Edward. + +"You have all heard the motion, and to save useless repetition I put it +to vote. All in favor--" + +A simultaneous "Aye!" from all present, Mary excepted. + +"Who are to be my assistants?" she asked. + +"All of us, I suppose," said Charles. "No, not Amy: she's the invalid, +and must be taken care of by the heartiest and strongest, which is +probably your humble servant, ladies and gentlemen." + +"Doubtful that!" said Edward, with a downward glance at his own stout +limbs. + +"I think we should all help in that and with the housework," remarked Vi +modestly. "Cousin Mary, I can make beds, sweep and dust very nicely, +mamma says. It was her wish that I should learn, and I did." + +"So can I," said Ella, "and we'll undertake that part of the work +together, if you like, Miss--" + +"Call me Violet or Vi." + +"Yes," said Charlie. "I move that everybody be called by the Christian +name--or some abbreviation thereof--as a saving of trouble, and showing +a friendly disposition toward each other." + +"Agreed," said Donald, "but let it be understood that there's no +objection to the prefix of cousin." + +"At what hours shall we take our meals?" asked Mary. + +"Make a motion," said Donald. + +"Breakfast at eight, dinner at one, tea at six; will these hours suit +all? If not, let us have objections." + +"Speak now, or forever hold your peace," said Charlie. "They suit me +well enough if the rule be not too rigidly enforced, so as to interfere +with pleasuring." + +"I didn't mean they should do that," said Mary; "they are only to be a +general guide." + +"And if anybody happens to indulge in an extra morning nap, what's to be +the penalty?" + +"A cold and lonely breakfast, I suppose. Perhaps to wash his own dishes +besides." + +"All in favor of the hours named for meals please signify it by saying +aye," said Donald. + +"Aye!" from every tongue. + +"Anything else, Miss Keith?" he asked. + +"Just one thing more," she answered, speaking with a sudden seriousness, +and in a low, almost tremulous tone that sobered them all instantly. + +She went on with an effort. "We all profess to be Christians: shall we +live together, even for the short space of two or three weeks, like +heathen or mere worldings?" + +A moment's silence, then Donald said with quiet gravity, "Surely not, +Mary." + +"We will not partake of the food God provides for our nourishment and +enjoyment without asking his blessing upon it, or begin or end the day +without prayer and praise, will we?" she asked. + +"Oh no!" came softly from the lips of Amy and Violet, and was echoed by +the other voices. + +"Then which of you, my three cousins, Don, Edward, and Charlie, will +take the lead in these acts of worship?" + +A longer silence than before; then Vi turned a wistful, pleading look +upon her brother. + +There was no mistaking its meaning; and his mother's parting words were +ringing in his ears. + +"If no one else is willing," he said, "I will do it." + +"Thank you, Edward," said Charlie, rising and grasping his hand; "but it +would be too selfish to leave you to do it alone; so I will take my +turn." + +"I too," said Donald. "It should never be said of a soldier that he +refused to stand by his colors." + +"Or of a follower of Christ that he was shamed of his Master's service," +added Edward. + +So it was arranged that they should take turns, day about, according to +their age. + +"Five o'clock--just an hour to tea-time," Charlie said, consulting his +watch: "what shall we do with it? Amy, do you feel equal to a stroll on +the beach, with the support of my arm?" + +"Thank you, it would be very nice, but I am tired enough to think it +still nicer just to lie here and look at the sea," she said. "I shall +not mind being left alone, though; so, please, all the rest of you go. +And to-morrow I shall be able to join you, I hope." + +"Ah no, we won't leave you here all alone," said several voices. + +"No," said Mary, "for I am going to stay with her. I am weary enough +just now to prefer resting in this easy chair to a ramble on the beach +or anywhere else; and beside, I want a chat with Amy." + +"Secrets to tell, eh?" said Charlie, picking up his hat. "Good-bye, +then. Don't forget to speak well of the absent." + +"Oh I am so glad to be alone with you for a little while, Mary," Amy +said, when the others had all gone. "I want to thank you for your +kindness in asking me to come here; such a blessed relief as it was! +for it seemed to me the very monotony of my life was killing me." + +"The thanks hardly belong to me," Mary said, between a smile and a tear, +as she leaned over Amy, gently smoothing back the hair from her +forehead. "I think they should be given first to our heavenly Father, +and second to Mr. Marston." + +"Yes, and third to you, Mary. I used to wonder over that text in +Isaiah--'He that believeth shall not make haste.' I didn't know what it +meant, but I believe I do now." + +"Well, dear, what is your explanation?" + +"I think it means he that is strong in faith will patiently and calmly +wait God's time for the fulfilment of his promises, and for relief from +trouble and trial. Oh if I could but do it always!" + +"And I," sighed Mary; "but oh how often I am guilty of making haste for +myself or for others--my dear ones especially. There is poor mother so +often sick, and it is so hard to see her suffer, when she is so good, +too, so patient and cheerful and resigned." + +"Yes, I know that must be far harder than suffering yourself." + +"Amy," Mary said after a pause, "you must not forget that it is a very +great pleasure to me to have you here, and that if you and the others +had refused to come and stay with me I could not have accepted Mr. +Marston's offer." + +"It is very generous in you to set it in that light," Amy answered, with +a grateful look and smile. + +They found so much to talk about that time flew very fast, and they were +greatly surprised on seeing Ella and Violet coming up the path from the +gate to the house. + +"Surely it is not six yet!" Mary exclaimed. + +"No, only half-past five," Vi said, taking out her watch; "but you are +tired, and Ella and I want you to let us get the tea." + +"Good girls!" returned Mary gayly. "I feel quite rested now, but you may +help if you like. I'm not going to cook much, though--only to make tea +and stew a few oysters." + +Tea and the clearing up after it well over, they all gathered on the +porch, where they had the full benefit of the breeze and could get a +glimpse of the sea by the light of the stars, and listen to its +ceaseless murmur, while amusing themselves with cheerful chat and in +making arrangements for various pleasure excursions about the vicinity. + +It was unanimously decided to reserve the long walks until Amy should +grow stronger, in order that she might share the enjoyment. + +In the meanwhile they would fill up the time with bathing, lounging, +short strolls, driving, and boating. + +They finished the evening with the singing of hymns, a chapter of the +Bible read aloud by Donald, and a short, earnest prayer, well suited to +their needs, offered by him. + +The next day their plans were interfered with by a constant, steady +rainfall, but no one fretted or looked dull. Most of them took their +bath in spite of it, and there were books and games with which to while +away the time within doors. + +The second day was bright and clear. Amy felt herself already so greatly +improved that she was eager for a proposed boating excursion on Shark +River. Breakfast was prepared, eaten, and cleared away in good season. +Mary was an excellent manager, working rapidly and well herself and +skilfully directing the labors of others. + +They took the stage down to the river, hired a boat large enough to +carry the whole party, spent a couple of hours in rowing back and forth, +up and down, then returned home as they had come, reaching there in +season for their bath and the preparation of a good though not very +elaborate dinner, Mary pressing Ella and the lads into her service, +while Amy and Violet were ordered to lie down and rest after their bath. + +"What's the programme for this afternoon?" asked Charlie, finishing his +dessert and pushing his plate aside. + +"Dish-washing, a long lounge on beds and couches, then tea and a second +chapter of cleansing of utensils, followed by an evening stroll on the +beach," answered Mary. + +"And what for to-morrow?" queried Donald. + +"Ah, that reminds me," said Edward, "that Mrs. Perkins told me she +expects her husband by the evening train, and wants us to join them +to-morrow in getting up a fishing party. The plan is to drive over to +Manasquan, hire a boat there and go out on the ocean. What do you all +say about it?" + +The young men were highly in favor of the trip; Amy would see how she +felt in the morning; Violet demurred, lest there might be danger in +going upon the ocean, and "because she could not see any pleasure in +catching fish; it seemed so cruel." + +"But you eat them," reasoned her brother. + +"Yes, I know, and I suppose it is very inconsistent to object to +catching them, but I do. I could not enjoy seeing them suffer." + +"You can go with us without feeling obliged to share in that, can you +not?" asked Donald. + +"Needn't even go out in the boat unless you choose," put in Charlie. +"We'll find a shady spot under the trees near the shore where you can +sit and watch us." + +Violet thought that plan would do very well; she could take a book +along, and the time would not seem tedious. + +"But Mary has not spoken," said Donald, turning to her. + +"I see no objection to your going, any or all of you," she answered +brightly, "but I must be excused." + +"But why?" they all asked in various tones of disappointment and +inquiry. + +"Because to-morrow is Saturday, and the cook and housekeeper must make +ready for the Sabbath rest by doing two days' work in one." + +"Can't we manage that somehow?" asked Donald. + +Mary shook her head. "No; but I shan't mind it at all. Go and enjoy +yourselves, my children, and leave me to attend to my duties at home." + +"The rest can go if they choose, but if you stay at home, cousin, I +shall stay with you," announced Violet with decision. + +They rose from the table. + +"Mary," said Charlie, "let the dishes stand a bit. I'm going to the +post-office," and seizing his hat he disappeared, followed by the +laughter of the others. + +"Quick, now, lads and lasses, let's have them all out of the way before +he gets back," said Ella, beginning to clear the table in hot haste. + +The heat of the sun was too great to allow of very fast walking, and +Charlie was gone a full half hour; when he returned he found them all +sitting at their ease in the parlor. + +"I think we'll leave those dishes till the cool of the evening, Mary," +he said, wiping the perspiration from his forehead. + +"No, I can't consent to that--not on ordinary occasions," she answered +demurely. + +"Then back to the post-office goes this letter!" he cried threateningly, +holding aloft one with her address upon it. + +"Silly boy, the dishes are done without your help; give it to me!" she +cried, springing up and catching it out of his hand. + +"A fortunate day; nobody neglected by Uncle Sam's messengers," he said, +pulling several more from his pocket and distributing them. + +The tongues were silent for a moment; then Vi uttered a joyous +exclamation. "O Mary, you needn't stay at home to-morrow! mamma says she +will send a hamper by the evening train to-morrow, with provision to +last us over Sunday, so that you need not be troubled with Saturday +cooking." + +Everybody was glad, everybody thankful. + +"But to-morrow's dinner," said Mary, presently; "shall we get back in +time for me to cook it?" + +"I don't know," said Edward; "but there are hotels where we can dine, +and I invite you all to be my guests at whichever one the party may +select. Now, Cousin Mary," as he read hesitation in her face, "I shall +be hurt if anybody refuses my invitation." + +So no one ventured an objection. + +The day proved auspicious. Amy was unusually well, everybody else in +good health and spirits, no excuse for staying at home: so all went and +spent the entire day, taking an early start and not returning till late +in the afternoon. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + + "_Macbeth._ If we should fail-- + + "_Lady M._ We fail! + But screw your courage to the sticking place, + And we'll not fail." + --_Shakespeare._ + + +Sunday morning came and our young friends met at the breakfast table, +not in their usual jesting, mirthful mood, but with cheerful gravity of +demeanor, suited to the sacredness of the day. + +"There is no preaching, no sort of religious service within our reach +to-day," Edward remarked. + +"Then shall we not have one of our own?" asked Mary. "I have a book of +sermons: one might be read aloud; then we can have three prayers and as +many hymns as we please; we all sing." + +"And we might have a Bible reading also," suggested Ella. "And suppose +we take up the International Sunday-school Lesson and study it." + +All these propositions were received with favor and eventually carried +out. + +They did not think it wrong to stroll quietly along the shore, or to sit +there watching the play of the billows, and thus they ended their +afternoon. + +The evening was pleasantly spent in serious talk and the singing of +hymns on the front porch, where they could feel the breeze and see the +foam-crested waves by the light of a young moon. + +They retired early, feeling that they had had an enjoyable, restful day, +and rose betimes, full of life and vigor--except Amy; and even she felt +equal to a longer stroll than she had yet taken. + +The days flew by on swift wings, each bringing its duties and enjoyments +with it, and so pleasant was the gay, free life they led that at times +they half regretted that it must come to an end. + +Yet there were other times when some, if not all of them, anticipated, +with real satisfaction, the return to the more serious business of life. + +There was a very frequent exchange of visits between their party and the +one to which Edward and Violet more properly belonged; sometimes by way +of the cars, at others by riding or driving; so that Violet was never +many days without sight and speech of her mother and some of the other +dear ones at home; and that reconciled her to a longer absence from it. + +At length the younger Elsie was persuaded to come and spend a few days +with Mary and her party, the mother consenting to spare both daughters +for that length of time. The sweet girl's presence added much to the +enjoyment of all, especially her sister, for their mutual attachment had +always been very strong. + +One day there was a large fishing party, composed principally of guests +from other houses, which both Elsie and Violet declined to attend; but +Vi, fired with a laudable ambition to emulate her cousin Mary's skill in +the culinary art, volunteered to get dinner, and have it ready by the +time the others returned. + +Each one of them offered to stay and assist, but she would not hear of +it; laughingly asserting that "she wanted all the honor and glory, and +wouldn't have anybody with her but Elsie, who knew nothing about +cooking, but would keep her from being 'lone and lorn,' and perhaps help +a little in those things which were so easy that even the lads could do +them," she concluded, with a merry glance from one to the other. + +Edward was not there, some errand having taken him home by the morning +train. + +"Can you stand that insinuation, Donald?" asked Charlie. "I vote that +you and I stay at home to-morrow and get dinner, just to prove our skill +in that line." + +"Agreed," said Donald; "but what's to be done with the lasses in the +meantime? We can't let them go off pleasuring alone." + +"Oh, Edward can take care of them all for once; he's to be back by +dinner-time to-day, you know, so will be on hand here to-morrow." + +"Thank you," said Ella, laughing, and with a mock courtesy, "but we are +entirely capable of taking care of ourselves, as perhaps we may prove to +you one of these days. But here's the carriage at the gate. Come, Amy, +I'll help you in. Let us show these lords of creation that they are of +not quite so great importance as they are pleased to imagine." + +She ran gayly out, Amy following a little more slowly, with a regretful +good-bye to the two who were to remain at home. + +The lads hurried after, in season to forestall Ella in assisting Amy +into the vehicle, which the former had hastily entered unaided, before +they could reach it. + +Mary lingered behind a moment to say to Elsie and Violet that she did +not in the least care to go, indeed would prefer to stay with them. + +"No, no, cousin Mary," they both said, "we would not have you miss the +sport, or deprive the rest of the pleasure of your society." + +"Besides," added Violet, with a merry look and smile, "if you were here +I know very well I should miss the opportunity to distinguish myself as +a capable and accomplished cook. So away with you, fair lady! See, the +lads are waiting to hand you into the carriage." + +"Good-bye then, but don't attempt an elaborate dinner," Mary returned, +as she hastened away. + +The sisters stood on the little porch watching the departure till the +carriage was out of sight. + +Just then a boy carrying a large basket opened the gate and came in. + +"That's right, you are just in good time," was Vi's greeting. "Please +carry them into the kitchen. Have you brought all I ordered?" + +"Yes'm; potatoes, corn, beans, tomats, cabbage, lettuce, and young +beets. All right fresh and nice." + +Violet paid him and he left. + +"There, I shall have a sufficient variety of vegetables," she remarked, +viewing her purchase with satisfaction. + +"O Vi," sighed Elsie, with a look of apprehension, "do you in the least +know what you are about?" + +"Why of course, you dear old goosie! haven't I watched Cousin Mary's +cooking operations for over two weeks? Oh I assure you I'm going to have +a fine dinner! There's a chicken all ready for the oven--cousin showed +me how to make the stuffing and all that. I've engaged fresh fish and +oysters--they'll be coming in directly. I shall make an oyster pie and +broil the fish. I mean to make a boiled pudding and sauce for dessert, +and have bought nuts, raisins and almonds, oranges, bananas and candies +besides, and engaged ice cream and cake." + +"Your bill of fare sounds very good, but what if you should fail in the +cooking?" + +"Oh, no such word as fail for me!" laughed Vi. "I've screwed my courage +to the sticking place, and don't intend to fail. Now we must don our big +aprons and to work; you'll help me with the vegetables, I know." + +"Willingly, if you'll show me how." + +Violet felt very wise and important as she gave her older sister the +requested instruction, then went bustling about making her pudding and +pastry: for she decided to add tarts to her bill of fare, and the oyster +pie must have a very nice crust. + +But as she proceeded with her preparations she discovered that her +knowledge was deficient in regard to many of the details of the business +in hand; she did not know exactly how much time to allow for the cooking +of each dish--how long it would take the chicken to roast, pie and tarts +to bake, pudding and vegetables to boil. + +She grew anxious and nervous in her perplexity; there was no one to give +her the needed information, the cookery books did not supply it, and in +sheer desperation she filled her oven, her pots and kettles as fast as +possible, saying to Elsie it would surely be better to have food a +little overdone than not sufficiently cooked. + +It proved an unfortunate decision, especially as the fishing party were +an hour later in returning than had been expected. + +Poor Violet was too much mortified to eat when she discovered that there +was no sweetness left in the corn, that her potatoes were water-soaked, +her oysters tough as leather, the chicken scorched and very much +overdone, the fish burnt almost to a cinder, and--oh worst of all! +cooked with the scales on. She had forgotten they had any. + +Her friends all comforted her, however, taking the blame on themselves. +"If they had not been so late, things would not have been so overdone; +it was their fault. And the lettuce, the cold-slaw, and bread and butter +were all very nice. The tarts too." + +But as soon as she tasted them Violet knew she had forgotten the salt in +her crust and that it was tough compared to her Cousin Mary's. + +And then the pudding! oh why did it turn out so heavy? Ah, she had made +it with sour milk and put in no soda. + +"Oh what shall I do?" she said despairingly to Mary, who was helping her +to dish it up. "There's hardly anything fit to eat, and I know you are +all very hungry." + +"Indeed, dear little coz, there is a great deal that's fit to eat," +Mary said, glancing toward he table on which the last course was set +out--except the ice cream, which had not yet been taken out of the +freezer. + +"Yes, those are nice, but the substantial of the meal--just what are +most needed--are all spoiled. Oh what's that?" with a sudden change of +tone as a man bearing a large hamper appeared at the open door; +"something from mamma, I do believe." + +"Yes," said Edward, stepping in after the man as the latter set the +hamper down; "and as it's more than an hour past dinner time, I suppose +it's very well I didn't come empty handed." + +"O Ned, Ned, you dear, good fellow!" cried Violet, springing to his side +and throwing her arms around his neck. + +"Yes, you may well say that!" he returned, laughing, as he gave her a +kiss, then put her aside and stooped to open the basket, "for I told +mother what you were attempting to-day, and she said 'The poor, dear +child! she will surely fail, so I'll send some provisions with you when +you go.' And here they are, all of the best, of course, for mamma never +does anything by halves," he added, beginning to hand out the viands--a +pair of cold roast fowls, a boiled tongue, pickles, jellies, pies and +cakes in variety,--Mary and Vi receiving them with exclamations of +satisfaction, delight and thankfulness which quickly brought the others +upon the scene, just as the bearer of the hamper, who had gone out on +setting it down, re-entered with a basket of of beautiful, luscious +looking peaches and grapes. + +"Hello!" exclaimed Charlie, in high glee, "what's all this? a second +dinner?" + +"Yes," returned Violet, "my dear, good mother's atonement for her +conceited daughter's failure." + +"No, no, we don't call it a failure, nor the cook conceited," cried a +chorus of voices; "some things are very nice, and others were spoiled by +our fault in coming home so late." + +"Well, please come back to the table and we'll begin again," said +Violet, carrying the fowls into the dining-room, Mary following with the +tongue, Elsie and Ella with other edibles. + +"Please, some of you, help me carry away dinner number one, to make room +for dinner number two," said Vi, replacing the dish containing her +unfortunate chicken with the one on which she had put the new arrivals. + +Upon that everybody seized one or more of the dishes and hurried back to +the kitchen; and so with a great rushing to and fro and amid much +laughter and many merry jests they respread the board. + +Violet's spirits and appetite had returned, and she joined the others in +making a hearty meal. + +The next morning was cloudy and cool for the season. All agreed it was +just the day for a long stroll inland, and shortly after breakfast they +set out in a body--Mary, Ella and Edward leading the van, Donald and +Edward's two sisters coming next, Charlie and Amy bringing up the rear. + +There seemed to be a tacit understanding that those two were always to +be together and no remark was ever made about it, but Charlie always +quietly took possession of the fragile little lady, just as if he had +entered into bonds to be her care-taker and entertainer, accommodating +his pace to hers, which was so much slower than that most natural to the +others that they often unintentionally left her far behind. + +They presently met Mrs. Perkins, Fred and Susie, who were also starting +out for a walk, and the two parties joined their forces. + +They passed through the village, and sat down for a little while on some +rustic benches under the trees on the river bank, to rest and enjoy the +pleasing prospect. + +The village lay behind them; before, green slopes dotted here and there +with trees standing singly or in groups; then the sparkling river, to +the left, beyond the bridge, widening into a lake-like expanse, to the +right pouring its waters into the great ocean, on whose broad bosom many +ships, steamers and smaller craft could be seen, some near, others far +away in the distance. + +The surface of the river too was enlivened by a number of small +sail-boats slowly moving before the wind, and skiffs that darted hither +and thither. On the further bank the scene was diversified by woods and +fields, with here and there a farm-house, then the sandy beach bordering +the wide blue sea. + +"Are you quite tired out, Amy?" Charlie asked after a little. + +"Oh no, I'm quite rested," she answered gayly, "and feel able to walk a +good deal farther. I am really surprised to find how strong and well I +am." + +"The sea-shore's the place for you evidently," he said; then as she +sprang up nimbly to join the others as they rose and moved on again, +"But I don't know that it would be best to keep you here too long; you +might grow so strong as to feel capable of dispensing with any help from +other folks." + +"Which would be very delightful indeed," she returned with an arch look +and smile as she accepted his offered arm. + +They hastened on after the rest of their party, over a bridge and along +the roadside for some distance, then they all struck into a narrow +footpath on the farther side of the fence, the young men letting down +the bars to give the ladies easy ingress, and followed that through a +bit of woods, crossing a little stream by a broken bridge, where again +the lads had the pleasure of giving assistance to their companions of +the weaker sex; then across some cornfields; making a circuit that +brought them back to the river. + +The path now ran along its bank, and still pursuing it they came at +length to a little inlet where was neither bridge nor boat. + +There they stopped and held a consultation. No one wanted to go back by +the way they had come, it was too long and roundabout; if they could but +cross this inlet they could soon reach one of the life-saving stations +on the other side, and there probably find some one who would carry them +across the river in a boat, when a short walk along the beach would take +them to their temporary homes. + +"The water is not deep, I think," said Donald. "I propose that we lads +strip off boots and stockings, wade through and carry the ladies over. I +will wade across first and try its depth." + +He did so, spite of some protests from the more timid of the ladies, and +found it hardly knee-deep. All then agreed to his proposition. + +"Edward and I will make a chair by clasping hands," he said gayly, "and +Fred and Charlie can do likewise if they will, and we will divide the +honor of carrying the ladies over dryshod." + +Donald had a purpose in selecting Edward as his companion and helper in +the undertaking; feeling pretty certain that Elsie and Violet would +choose to be carried by their brother, which they did. + +"I see through you, young man," Charlie said to Donald in a laughing +aside while making ready for the trip, "but I don't care very much, if +you leave Miss Fletcher for me." + +"All right," returned Donald, "I intended to, for I see which way the +wind blows. She's light too, my lad, and will be the better suited to +your strength." + +"Strength, man! I'm as able to lift and carry as Lieutenant Keith, if +I'm not greatly mistaken," Charlie said with pretended wrath, "and to +prove it I speak for the carrying of Mrs. Perkins and Miss Neff, who +must be a trifle heavier than any of the other ladies." + +"All right; but fortunately there isn't one in the party heavy enough to +be any great burden to either of us." + +So amid a good deal of mirth and laughter and some timidity and +shrinking on the part of the younger girls, the short journey was made, +and that without mishap or loss. + +Then a short, though toilsome walk through the soft yielding sand +brought them to the life-saving station, a small two-story frame +building standing high on the sandy beach, the restless billows of old +ocean tossing and tumbling not many rods away. + +They were courteously treated by the brave fellows who make this their +abode during eight months of the year, were shown the room on the lower +floor where they cook and eat, the two above where they sleep, and also +all the apparatus for saving the shipwrecked and any others who may be +in danger of drowning within reach of their aid. + +Our friends were all greatly interested in looking at these things--the +colored lamps and flags for signalling, the life-boat, the breeches-buoy +and the life-car--this last especially: it was of metal, shaped like a +row-boat, but covered in over the top, except a square opening large +enough to admit one passenger at a time, and having a sliding door, the +closing of which, after the passengers are in, makes the car completely +water-tight. + +"How many will it hold?" asked Edward. + +"Six or seven grown folks, if they are not very large sized." + +"Oh, I should think they would smother!" cried Violet. + +"It is only about three or four minutes they'd have to stay in it," said +the exhibitor. + +Then he showed them the thick, strong rope or hawser on which it +runs, and the mortar by means of which they send a line to the +distressed vessel with a tally-board attached on which are printed +directions--English on one side, French on the other--for the proper +securing of the hawser to the wreck. + +"The other end is made fast on shore, I suppose?" said Amy inquiringly. + +"Yes, Miss." + +"And when they have made their end fast and got into the car--" + +"Then we pull 'em ashore." + +"Not a particularly pleasant ride to take, I imagine," remarked Donald. + +"Not so very sir; she's apt to be tossed about pretty roughly by the big +waves; turn over several times, liker than not." + +"Yes, I suppose so." + +"Oh," cried Amy, with a shudder, "I think I'd almost rather drown." + +"No, Miss," said the man, "I guess you'd find even that better'n +drowning." + +Having fully satisfied their curiosity, our friends inquired if there +was anybody about there who would take them across the river. + +"Yes, sir, I'll row you across, half of you at a time," answered the +man, addressing Donald, who had acted as spokesman for the party. "All +of you at once would be too big a load for the boat." + +It was but a short walk to the river, a few minutes' row across it, and +soon they were all on the farther side and walking along the beach +toward home. + +"Dinner time!" exclaimed Ella, looking at her watch. "What's to be done +about it?" + +Her question seemed to be addressed to Mary. + +"Don't ask me," was the demure reply. "It's none of my concern to-day. +Didn't you hear the agreement between Charlie and Don yesterday?" + +"There! Mr. Charles Perrine, see the scrape you have got yourself and me +into!" exclaimed Donald with a perplexed and rueful look. + +"What in the world are we to do!" cried Charlie, stopping short with his +hand upon the gate and turning so as to face the others. + +"Get in out of the sun for the first thing," replied his cousin. + +"Yes, yes, of course!" and he stepped back and held the gate open for +the ladies to pass in. + +"We are all hungry as bears, I suppose," he said when they were fairly +in the house. "Come, Mary, be good and tell us what to do. Shall we go +to one of the hotels?" + +"No, make the fire, set the table, and grind some coffee," she answered, +laughing. "I foresaw that I'd have to come to the rescue, and am +prepared. We'll have coffee, stewed oysters, cold fowl left from +yesterday, plenty of good bread, rolls and butter, fruits and cake, and +it won't take many minutes to get it ready." + +"Mary, you're a jewel!" Charlie returned, catching her about the waist +and kissing her on both cheeks. + +"Begone, you impertinent fellow!" she said laughingly as she released +herself and pushed him away. "Even a cousin shouldn't take such +liberties." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + + "O pilot! 'tis a fearful night, + There's danger on the deep." + --_Bayly._ + + +Elsie had gone home, and in a few days our little party would break up +entirely, Ella and Amy return to their homes, Mary, Donald and Charlie +go with Edward and Violet to their mother's cottage to spend some time +as Mrs. Travilla's guests. + +The Allisons had gone, and there was now abundance of room, though the +Conlys, mother and daughter, still lingered, loath to leave the +delightful sea breezes. + +The quiet life led under her cousin Elsie's roof was not much to +Virginia's taste, but nothing better had offered as yet. + +Breakfast was over, the morning tasks the girls had set themselves were +all done, and the whole four came trooping out upon the porch where the +three lads were standing apparently very intent upon some object out at +sea. + +Edward was looking through a spy-glass, which he handed to Donald just +as the girls joined them, saying, "See if you can make out the name." + +"Not quite, but she is certainly a yacht," was Donald's reply, after a +moment's steady gaze at one of the many vessels within sight; for they +had counted more than forty of various sorts and sizes, some outward +bound, others coming in. The one which so excited their interest was +drawing nearer. + +"Let me look," said Mary. "I have the reputation of being very +far-sighted." + +Donald handed her the glass and pointed out the vessel. + +She sighted it, and in another moment said, "Yes, I can read the +name--'The Curlew.'" + +"Ah, ha!" cried Edward in a very pleased tone, "I was correct; it is +Will Tallis's yacht." + +"And really it looks as if he meant to call at Ocean Beach," added +Charlie. "Must have heard, Ned, that you and I are here." + +"Doubtless," laughed Edward. + +"Will Tallis?" repeated Violet inquiringly. "Is he a friend of yours, +Edward?" + +"Why, yes; have you never heard me speak of him? He's a splendid fellow, +one whom I should very willingly introduce to my mother and sisters." + +"And has a yacht of his own?" + +"Yes; he's very rich, and delights in being on the sea. Inherits the +taste, I suppose; his father was a sea-captain. He told us--Charlie and +me--that he meant to go yachting this season, and wished he could +persuade us to go with him." + +"And I, for one, should like nothing better," said Charlie. "Why, Ned, +he is coming ashore! See, they have dropped anchor and are putting off +from the yacht in a boat! Yes, here they come, pulling straight for this +beach. Where's my hat? Let's run down, boys, and meet them as they +land!" cried the lad, greatly excited. + +Amy had found his hat and silently handed it to him. Edward and Donald +seized theirs, and all three rushed to the beach. + +"Come, girls," said Ella, "let us go too; why should we miss the fun, if +there is to be any?" + +They put on their hats, took their sun-umbrellas, and started. They +however went only as far as to the sidewalk in front of the Colorado +House--so many people were thronging the beach to witness the landing, +which was now evidently to take place just below there, and our modest, +refined young ladies did not like to be in a crowd. + +Mrs. Perkins and Susie joined them. Fred was away; had gone over to New +York, expecting to return by the evening train. + +"Not much to be seen by us but the waves and the crowd," remarked Ella, +a little impatiently. "Nor much to be heard but the murmur of their +voices." + +"They must have landed, I think," Mrs. Perkins said. "Yes, here they +come; our lads, I mean, and a stranger with them. A very nice looking +fellow he is, too." + +The four young men drew near, and Edward introduced "My friend, Mr. +Tallis," to the ladies. + +He was very gentlemanly in appearance, and had a pleasant, open +countenance, a cordial, hearty manner as he shook hands with the +matronly married lady and lifted his hat to the younger ones. + +"I am happy to make your acquaintance, ladies," he said, with a genial +smile and an admiring glance at Violet, "and have come to ask the +pleasure of your company on board my yacht. I am bound for Boston and +the coasts of New Hampshire and Maine--a short sea-voyage which I trust +you will find enjoyable if I can but persuade you to try it." + +Mrs. Perkins declined, with thanks, for herself and Susie. Violet did +likewise. The other three hesitated, but finally yielded to the +persuasions of the lads. + +"O Edward, you will not go, surely?" whispered Violet, drawing her +brother aside. + +"And why not?" he returned with some impatience. + +"Because you haven't mamma's consent, or grandpa's either." + +"No, but that's only because they are not here to give it. I'm sure +there's nothing objectionable. Will's the very sort of fellow they would +approve, the vessel is new and strong, and the captain and crew +understand their business." + +"But a storm might come up." + +"Why, Vi, how silly! there's no appearance of a storm, and we are not +intending to go far out to sea. Besides, you might just as well bring +that objection to any trip by sea." + +"Yes; but if you had mamma's consent it would be different." + +"I don't see that. I'd ask it, of course, if I could--and be sure to get +it, too, I think--but there isn't time; they don't want to lose this +favorable wind and fine weather, and will be off again within an hour. +Come, make up your mind to go with us: I want you along, for I think it +will be a delightful little voyage." + +"Thank you, brother, but I don't wish to go, and couldn't enjoy it if I +went without mamma's knowledge and consent: and I do wish you would not +go." + +"Vi, I never knew you so absurd and unreasonable! But if you will not go +along, perhaps I ought to stay to take care of you. I had not thought of +that before. Mother left you in my charge, but I am sure she would not +want me to lose this pleasure, and it strikes me as a trifle selfish in +you to make it necessary for me to do so." + +"I don't want you to stay on my account," she said, tears springing to +her eyes, "and I don't think you need. I can go home this afternoon by +the cars. Probably mamma would not mind my taking so short a ride +alone." + +"I don't know: but I should enjoy the voyage far more with you along." + +"What is the matter?" asked Mrs. Perkins, overhearing a part of the +talk. "I will take charge of your sister, Mr. Travilla, if she prefers +to stay behind." + +"Thank you," Edward responded with brightening countenance. "But--Vi, +you will not care to bathe while we are gone?" + +"No, Ned, I shall not go in without you, as mamma desired me not." + +"And you are willing for me to go?" + +"Not quite; I wish you wouldn't; only don't stay to take care of me." + +Edward looked a good deal vexed and annoyed. + +"Mrs. Perkins," he said, turning to her, "if Fred were here, would you +object to his going?" + +"No, not at all. I should leave him to follow his own inclination. But," +as Edward turned triumphantly to Violet, "I am not meaning to encourage +you to go, if your sister thinks your mother might object: all mothers +do not see alike, you know." + +"Well," he said, "I imagine I am as competent a judge of that as Violet +is. I feel well-nigh certain that she would bid me go and enjoy myself. +She's not one of the fussy kind of mothers who are afraid to let their +children stir out of their sight." + +"Then you will go?" said Mr. Tallis. + +"Yes," Edward answered, resolutely avoiding Violet's pleading looks. + +"I wish we could persuade your sister," Mr. Tallis said, turning to her. +"Are you timid about venturing on the sea, Miss Travilla?" + +"Not particularly," she said, coloring slightly. + +"Then do come with us! the more the merrier, you know, and I should be +so happy. I do not feel quite comfortable to carry off all the rest of +your party and leave you alone." + +The girls joined their entreaties to his, but Violet was firm in her +resolution to remain on shore. + +Then Mary offered to stay with her, but as Violet felt convinced that it +would involve a sacrifice on her cousin's part, she would not consent. + +They now all hastened back to the cottage to make such preparations as +might be needful. It was not much to any of them, as they expected to +return the next day or the one following. + +"Edward, can I be of any assistance to you?" Violet asked, going to the +door of his room. + +"Yes, if you like to pack this valise. Maybe you would do it better than +I. I'm alone, so come in." + +Violet accepted the invitation, and did the little service quite to his +satisfaction. + +"You are a nice, handy girl, if I do say it that shouldn't," he remarked +laughingly. "But what's the matter?" as he saw that her eyes were full +of tears. + +"O Edward, don't go away vexed with me!" she exclaimed, putting an arm +around his neck. "Suppose a storm should come up, and--and we should +never see each other again." + +The last words came with an irrepressible burst of tears and sobs. The +loving young heart was sore from recent bereavement, and ready to fear +for all its dear ones. + +"Come, don't fret about possibilities," he said, kindly. "I'm not vexed +now, and you must forgive me for calling you selfish." + +"You don't think I am?" + +"No, indeed! but just the darlingest little sister ever a fellow had. I +shouldn't like--if anything should happen--to have you remember that as +one of the last things I had said to you. No, I was the selfish one. Now +good-bye, and don't worry about me," he said, holding her close, and +kissing her several times; "you know, Vi dear, that we are under the +same protecting care on sea and on land." + +"Yes," she whispered, but with some hesitation, and drawing a deep sigh. + +"Ah!" he said, "you doubt whether I shall be taken care of because I'm +going without permission. Are you not forgetting that we have always +been trained to think and decide for ourselves in all cases where it is +right and proper for us to do so? And why should I need permission to go +on the sea in a yacht any more than in a fishing-boat? Can you answer me +that?" he concluded, half laughingly. + +"No," she said, with a slight smile, "and I daresay you are in the right +about it." + +"Then you won't change your mind ('tis a woman's privilege, you know) +and go along? It's not yet too late." + +"No, thank you; I do not care to claim all the woman's privileges yet," +she answered with playful look and tone. + +"Hello, Ned! 'most ready?" shouted Charlie from below. "Time's about +up." + +They went down at once. + +The other girls were on the porch quite ready to start, Donald standing +with them. Mrs. Perkins and Susie could be descried down on the beach +waiting to see them off; Mr. Tallis too, chatting with the ladies. + +The young men gathered up the ladies' satchels and their own. Charlie +offered his arm to Amy, but she declined it with a laughing assurance +that she was now strong enough to walk without support. + +"Miss Neff," he sighed, turning to Ella, "I've lost my situation: will +you?" + +"And you and the rest of us will, maybe, lose something else if we don't +hurry," she answered lightly. "'Time and tide wait for no man,' so let +us make haste before they fail us." + +These three were very merry, the other three sober almost to absolute +quietness as they made their way to the waiting boat. + +Edward kissed his sister again as he was about to step into it, and she +clung to his neck for a moment whispering, "Ah, I shall pray that you +may come back safely!" + +"Don't borrow trouble, you dear little goose," he said, as he let her +go. + +At the last moment it appeared that Donald was not going. + +There were various exclamations of surprise and disappointment from the +voyagers when his purpose to remain behind became apparent, "They had +understood he was going--why did he change his mind?" + +"Well," he said, with a quiet smile, "a man is not bound to give all his +reasons, but the fact is Mrs. Perkins has held out strong inducements to +me to stay where I am." + +"And he couldn't be in better company, could he?" was her laughing +addition. + +Violet was as much taken by surprise as the others, but in her secret +heart not at all sorry--"It would be so much less lonely with Cousin +Donald there." + +They stood on the beach, waving their handkerchiefs to their departing +friends until the latter had reached the deck of the yacht. Nor did they +cease to watch the vessel so long as the smallest portion of it was +visible, as it faded quite out of sight. + +Violet felt a strong inclination to indulge in a hearty cry, but putting +a determined restraint upon herself, chatted cheerfully instead. Yet her +friends perceived her depression and exerted themselves for her +entertainment. + +"It seems to me," Donald said, with a glance at Violet, but addressing +Mrs. Perkins, as they went into a summer house near by and sat down, +"that this little lady has less of inquisitiveness than most people--(I +will not say most of her sex, for I think my own is by no means +deficient in the characteristic)--or she would have made some inquiry in +regard to the strong inducements I spoke of." + +"What were they?" Violet asked. "You have roused my sleeping curiosity." + +"Mrs. Perkins has kindly offered to come to the cottage and help us with +our housekeeping while the rest of the lads and lassies are away, and +to bring Miss Susie and her brother with her." + +Vi's face lighted up with pleasure. "It is very kind," she said. "Now I +shall not mind the absence of the others half so much as I had expected. +I like my little room at the cottage, and do not fancy living in a crowd +as I must anywhere else." + +"Then you will not go home?" Donald said, inquiringly. + +"No; upon second thought I have decided against that plan, because if I +did go I must tell mamma how it happened, and then if a storm should +come up she would be tortured with useless anxiety about my brother." + +"You are very thoughtful of your mother." + +"As any one would be who had such a mother as ours, Cousin Donald." + +"She is certainly very lovely and lovable," he said. "Now about our +meals, cousin. Do you object to taking them in a crowd? at one of the +public houses here?" + +"No; I think it the least of two evils," she answered, with a smile, +"for I own to being somewhat tired of the fun of housework and cooking." + +"Then we will settle upon that plan," Mrs. Perkins said; "sleep and live +at the cottage, breakfast, dine and sup elsewhere." + +Mrs. Perkins was a very good talker, full of general information, +anecdote and entertaining reminiscences, a delightful companion even to +one as young as Violet. + +Time passed swiftly to them all. Life at the cottage, because it took +them out of the crowd, was more enjoyable than that at the hotels, which +were all very full at this season, and as a consequence, very noisy. + +The cottage seemed very peaceful and quiet by contrast. Indeed it was +far quieter now than it had been at any time in the past two or three +weeks, and Violet, who was beginning to weary of so much sport and +mirthfulness, really found the change agreeable. + +By the middle of the afternoon of the next day they began to watch for +the reappearance of the Curlew; but night closed in again without the +sight. + +There was a very fresh and stormy breeze from the north-east when they +went to bed. In the morning it blew almost a gale, and as Violet's eyes +turned seaward her face wore a very anxious expression. + +"No sign of the Curlew yet," she sighed, as she stood at the parlor +window gazing out upon the wind-tossed billows, plunging, leaping, +roaring, foaming as if in furious passion. + +"No; and we may well thank God that we do not," said Donald's voice +close at her side, "for the wind is just in the quarter to drive them +ashore: I hope they are giving the land a wide berth." + +She looked up into his face with frightened eyes. + +"Do not be alarmed," he said; "let us not anticipate evil. They may be +safe in port somewhere; and at all events we know who rules the winds +and waves." + +"Yes," she murmured, in low tremulous tones, "the stormy wind fulfils +His word: and no real evil shall befall any of His children." + +There was a moment of silence; then, "It is about breakfast time now," +he said, "but you will not venture out in this gale, surely? Shall I not +have your meal sent in to you?" + +"Thank you, but I prefer to make the effort to go," she said; "I want to +get a nearer view of the sea." + +The others felt the same desire, and presently they all started out +together. + +The ladies found it as much as they could do to keep their feet even +with the assistance of their stronger companions, and the great, +wind-driven waves sometimes swept across the sidewalk. + +It was clearly dangerous, if not impossible, to approach nearer to the +surging waters. The gale was increasing every moment, the sky had grown +black with clouds and distant mutterings of thunder, and an occasional +lightning flash gave warning that the worst was yet to come. Evidently +it would be no day for outdoor exercise or amusement. + +Regaining the cottage with difficulty, after eating their breakfast they +brought out books, games and fancy work, resolved to make the best of +circumstances. Yet anxious as they were for the fate of their friends, +the voyagers in the yacht, they did little but gaze out upon the sea, +looking for the Curlew, but glad that neither she nor any other vessel +was in sight. + +The Curlew's cabin was comfortably, even luxuriously furnished, her +larder well supplied with all the delicacies of the season. Favored with +beautiful weather and propitious winds, our friends found their first +day out from Ocean Beach most enjoyable. + +They passed the greater part of their time on deck, now promenading, now +reclining in extension chairs, chatting, laughing, singing to the +accompaniment of flute and violin; the one played by Edward, the other +by Charlie. + +The yacht was a swift sailer, her motion easy, and until the afternoon +of the second day they were scarcely troubled with sea-sickness. Most of +the time they kept within sight of land, touching at Boston, Portsmouth, +and several other of the New England seaports, and continuing on their +course until the wind changed, when they turned, with the purpose of +going directly back to Ocean Beach. + +For some hours all went well, a stiff breeze carrying them rapidly in +the desired direction; but it grew stronger and shifted to a dangerous +quarter, while the rough and unsteady motion of the vessel made all the +passengers so sea-sick that they began to heartily wish themselves safe +on land. + +The ladies grew frightened, but the captain assured them there was as +yet little cause for alarm. He had shortened sail and put out to sea, +fearing the dangers of the coast. + +But the wind increased constantly until by night it was blowing a gale, +and though every stitch of canvas had been taken in and furled, they +were being driven landward. + +All night long the seamen fought against the storm, striving to keep out +to sea, but conscious that their efforts were nearly futile. There was +little sleep that night for passengers or crew. + +Morning broke amid a heavy storm of rain, accompanied by thunder and +lightning, while the wind seemed to have redoubled its fury, blowing +directly toward the shore. + +The girls, conscious that they were in peril of shipwreck, had gone to +their berths without undressing. Amy had been very sick all night, and +the other two, who stood it better, had done their best to wait upon +her, though it was little that could be done for her relief, and the +pitching and rolling of the vessel frequently threw them with violence +against each other or the furniture. + +"It is morning," said Ella at length; "see, it grows light in spite of +the storm; and I hear voices in the saloon. Shall I open the door?" + +"Yes," said Mary, "let us learn the worst, and try to be prepared for +it." + +The three young men were in the saloon, and the girls joined them, Amy +looking like the ghost of herself. + +Charlie, who had stationed himself near her door, instantly gave her the +support of his arm, putting it about her waist, while he held fast to +the furniture with the other hand, and her head dropped on his shoulder. + +With death staring them in the face they did not care for the eyes of +their companions in peril: who, indeed, were too full of the danger and +solemnity of their own position to pay any attention to the matter. + +"O darling," Charlie said hoarsely, "if I could only put you safe on +shore!" + +"Never mind," she answered, looking lovingly into his eyes, "if we die, +we shall die together; and O Charlie, as we both trust in Jesus, it will +only be going home together to be 'forever with the Lord,' never, never +to part again!" + +"Yes, there's comfort in that," he said; "and if you are to go, I'm glad +I'm here to go with you. But life is sweet, Amy, and we will not give up +hope yet." + +Mary and Edward had clasped hands, each gazing silently into the sad and +anxious face of the other. + +She was thinking of her invalid mother, her father, brothers and +sisters, and how they would miss her loving ministrations. + +He too thought of his tender mother so lately widowed, her sorrow over +the loss of her first-born son; and of other dear ones, especially +Violet, away from all the rest, the only one conscious of his danger. He +was glad now that she had refused to come with them, but he knew the +terrible anxiety she must feel, the almost heart-breaking sorrow his +loss and the sight of their mother's grief would be to her. + +"Mr. Tallis, I know we must be in great danger," Ella said, as he took +her hand to help her to a seat. "Is there any hope at all?" + +"Oh surely, Miss Neff!" he replied; "we will not give up hope yet, +though we are indeed in fearful peril. The greatest danger is that we +shall be driven ashore; but we are still some distance off the coast, +and the wind may change or lull sufficiently for an anchor to hold when +we are in water shallow enough for trying that expedient. And even +should we be wrecked, there will be still a chance for us in the good +offices of the members of the life-saving service." + +"Ah, yes," she said, a gleam of hope shining in her eyes, "the brave +fellows will not leave us to perish if they can help us." + +"And we will put our trust in God," added Mary. + +What a day it was to them all, the storm raging throughout the whole of +it with unabated fury, and their hope of escape from the dangers of the +deep growing less and less. + +The patrolmen were out, and toward sundown one of them descried the +masts of a vessel far away in the distance. It was seen by others also, +for all day long many glasses had been, at frequent intervals, sweeping +the whole field of vision seaward. + +The news spread like wildfire, creating a great excitement among the +multitude of people gathered in the hotels and boarding-houses, as well +as among the dwellers by the sea, not excepting the brave surfmen whose +aid was likely to be in speedy requisition. + +Hundreds of pairs of eyes watched the vessel battling with the storm, +yet spite of every effort sweeping nearer and nearer the dreadful +breakers. She seemed doomed to destruction, but darkness fell while yet +she was too far away for recognition. + +Violet and her companions had gazed upon her with fast beating hearts +from the time of her appearance until they could no longer catch the +faintest outline of her figure in the gathering gloom. + +Donald had nearly satisfied himself of her identity, but would not for +any consideration have had Violet know that he believed her to be the +Curlew. Even without that confirmation of her fears, the anxiety of the +poor child was such that it was painful to witness. + +It was indeed the Curlew, and about the time she was descried by those +on land the captain remarked aside to her owner, "The Jersey shore is in +sight, Mr. Tallis, and nothing short of a miracle can save us from +wreck, for we are driving right on to it in spite of all that can be +done. The Curlew is doomed, she has dragged her anchor, and will be in +the breakers before many hours." + +"It will be a heavy loss to me, captain," was the reply, "but if all our +lives are saved I shall not grumble; shall on the contrary be filled +with thankfulness." + +"Well, sir, we'll hope for the best," was the cheerful rejoinder. + +Soon all on board knew the full extent of the danger, and our young +friends gave themselves to solemn preparation for eternity; also, in +view of the possibility of some being saved while others were lost, +made an exchange of parting messages to absent loved ones. + +It was again a sleepless night to them; sleepless to our Ocean Beach +friends at the cottage also, and to many others whose hearts were filled +with sympathy for those in the doomed vessel. + +About midnight the report of a signal gun of distress sent all rushing +to the beach. She had struck, not a quarter of a mile from the shore; +and as the clouds broke away the dark outline of her hull could be +distinctly discerned among the foam-tipped breakers. + +The rain had ceased, and there was a slight lull in the tempest of wind, +so that it was possible to stand on the beach; but so furious still was +the action of the waves that the patrolman, having instantly answered +the gun by burning his signal-light, and now rushing in among his mates, +reported that the surf-boat could not be used. + +So the mortar-car was ordered out. + +There was not an instant's delay. Gallantly the men bent to their work, +dragged the car toilsomely over the low sand-hills to a spot directly +opposite the wreck, and by the light of a lantern placed it and every +part of the apparatus--the shot-line box, hauling lines and hawser for +running, with the breeches-buoy attached--in position, put the tackles +in place ready for hauling, and with pick and spade dug a trench for +the sand anchor. + +Each man having his particular part of the work assigned him, and +knowing exactly what he was to do and how to do it, and all acting +simultaneously, the whole thing was accomplished in a short space of +time after reaching the desired spot. + +An anxious, excited crowd was looking on. Apart from the throng and a +little higher up the beach were our friends, Fred in charge of his +mother and Susie, Donald with Violet under his protection. + +She had begged so hard to come, "because it might be the Curlew, so how +could she stay away?" that he had no heart to resist her entreaties. And +he felt that she would be safe in his care, while Mrs. Perkins' presence +made it perfectly proper. + +All being in readiness the gun was fired, and the shot flew through the +rigging of the ill-fated vessel. + +Edward, now standing on her deck, understood just what was to be done, +and no time was lost. With a glad shout, heard by those on shore, the +line was seized by the sailors and rapidly hauled in. + +Ere long the hawser was stretched straight and taut between the beach +and the wreck--the shore end being raised several feet in the air by +the erection of a wooden crotch--and the breeches-buoy was ready to be +drawn to and fro upon it. + +"Will you try it first, sir?" the captain of the Curlew said to Mr. +Tallis. + +"No, I should be the last man to leave the wreck." + +"Go, go, Will!" cried Edward imperatively; "go and tell them to send the +life-car, for there are ladies to be saved." + +"Yes, go sir; don't waste precious time in disputing," cried the +captain; and thus urged the young man went. + +He reached the shore in safety, was welcomed with a glad shout, and +instantly the word circulated among the crowd, "The owner of the Curlew. +It is she." + +Violet had nearly fallen fainting to the ground, but Donald, supporting +her with his arm said in her ear, "Courage, my brave lassie! and they +shall all be saved." + +"Take care of my mother and sister for a moment, Keith!" exclaimed Fred, +and plunging into the crowd he quickly made his way to the side of the +rescued man. + +"This way, if you please," he said, touching him on the shoulder; "a +lady, Miss Travilla, would be glad to speak to you." + +"Oh, yes! I know!" and all dripping and panting as he was, but having +already delivered his message, and seen the men on the way for the +safety-car, he went to her. + +"It is Mr. Tallis," Fred said; "Miss Travilla, my mother and sister, and +Mr. Keith," for it was too dark for a distinct view of each other's +faces. + +"My brother?" faltered Violet, holding out her hand. + +"Is uninjured thus far, my dear young lady, and I trust will be with you +in a few minutes. The vessel must, I presume, go to pieces finally, but +will undoubtedly hold together long enough for all on board to be +brought safely to shore." + +Men from among the crowd had volunteered to assist in bringing the car, +and while awaiting its coming the breeches-buoy travelled back and +forth, bringing the sailors; for neither Edward nor Charlie would leave +the ladies, and the captain insisted that he should be the last man to +be rescued. + +From the hour of their early morning meeting in the saloon the Curlew's +passengers were almost constantly together, a very sober, solemn, and +nearly silent company. Mary, in speaking of it afterward, said she felt +as if she were attending her own funeral and listening to the sighs and +sobs of her bereaved friends. + +"And yet," she added with a bright, glad smile, "it was not all sadness +and gloom; for the consolations of God were not small with me, and the +thought of soon being with Christ in glory was at times very sweet." + +When the vessel struck, Charlie started up with a sharp cry, "We are +lost!" + +Then all immediately fell on their knees while Edward poured out a +fervent prayer, that they might be saved from a watery grave, if such +were the will of God, if not, prepared for death and a glorious +immortality; adding a final petition for the dear ones who would grieve +for their loss. + +Just as they rose from their knees the signal gun was fired. + +Then the captain came down the companionway and looking in upon them, +said. "Don't despair ladies and gentlemen; things are not quite so bad +as they might be; we have grounded very near the shore and a life-saving +station, and my signal gun was immediately replied to by the patrolman +with his red signal light. So we may feel assured that prompt and +efficient help is near at hand." + +Hope revived in their breasts, as they listened; then Will Tallis and +Edward ventured upon deck, leaving the girls in Charlie's charge. + +The warning lights on shore gave to the anxious watchers on the deck an +inkling of what was being done for their relief, and when the shot was +fired from the mortar and came whizzing through the rigging, Edward +cried out in delight. "The line, the line! Now we shall be helped +ashore!" + +As the vessel was now without motion, save a shiver as now and again a +great wave struck her, the girls were pretty comfortable and in no +immediate danger, and as they urged it, Charlie, too, at length ventured +upon deck. + +He soon returned with an encouraging report, the better understood by +the girls because of their late visit to the life-saving station. "The +sailors were hauling in the line," he said, and soon the work of +transporting them all to land would begin. + +Amy shuddered at the thought of a ride in the life-car, yet, as the +surfman had predicted, felt that even that would be far preferable to +drowning. + +The next report brought them was of Mr. Tallis's safe landing, and the +next that the life-car waited for them. + +Edward, the captain, and two sailors helped Mary and Ella across the +wind-swept deck and into the car, Charlie and another sailor following +with Amy. + +They put her in after the other two and Charlie stepped in next, calling +to Edward to come also. + +"No," was the quiet reply. "I go by the breeches-buoy." + +The sliding door was hastily shut, and Amy gasped for breath as she +felt the car gliding swiftly along the hawser, while the great waves +dashed over it, rocking it from side to side. + +Charlie's arm was round her, holding her close, but she grew deathly +sick and fainted quite away. + +The minutes seemed hours, but at last they heard, above the thunder of +the breaking waves, a great shout, and at the same instant felt the car +grate upon the sand. + +The door was pushed open, Charlie, the nearest to it, stepped out, drew +Amy after him, apparently more dead than alive, and leaving it to others +to assist Mary and Ella, bore her in his arms, in almost frantic haste, +to the nearest house. + +Mary was in Vi's arms almost before she knew that she had actually +reached shore; Vi kissing her with tears and sobs, and crying, "Edward, +Edward, where is he?" + +"Coming," Mary said, "the brave, generous fellow would see us all safe +first." + +It was not long now till Violet's anxiety was fully relieved and her +heart sending up glad thanksgivings as she found herself clasped to her +brother's breast, all dripping wet though he was. + +And great was the joy of the young owner of the Curlew when he learned +that though she was a total wreck, not a single soul had been lost in +her. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + + "Those that he loved so long and sees no more, + Loved and still loves,--not dead, but gone before,-- + He gathers round him." + --_Rogers._ + + +The morning was but dull and dreary, for though the storm had spent +itself, the sky was obscured with clouds and the sea still wrought +tempestuously; but its sullen roar may, perchance, have been as +favorable to the prolonged slumbers of our worn-out friends, whom the +tempest had robbed of so many hours of their accustomed sleep, as the +lack of brightness in the sky and atmosphere. + +However that may have been, most of them, retiring about dawn of day, +slept on till noon, or near it. + +In Mrs. Travilla's cottage the family gathered round the breakfast table +at the usual hour. + +The meal was nearly concluded when a servant brought in the morning +paper and handed it to Mr. Dinsmore. + +"I fear that brings news of many disasters caused by the storm, +especially on the Atlantic seaboard," remarked his daughter as he took +it up. + +"Altogether likely," was his rejoinder. Then as he ran his eye down the +long list of casualties, "Why, what is this?" he exclaimed, and went on +to read aloud. + +"Went ashore last night at Ocean Beach, the Curlew, a pleasure yacht +belonging to W. V. Tallis; Captain Collins. She is a total wreck, but no +lives were lost, passengers and crew being taken off by the men of +Life-Saving Station No. --. List of passengers, Mr. W. V. Tallis, Mr. +Edward Travilla, Mr. Charles Perrine, Miss Mary Keith, Miss Amy +Fletcher, and Miss Ella Neff." + +There was a moment of astonished silence, then "Violet!" gasped the +mother, turning deathly pale. + +"She was evidently not on board," Mr. Dinsmore hastened to reply, "or +else her name was carelessly omitted in the list, for it says +distinctly, 'No lives were lost.'" + +"I hope you are right, Horace," Mrs. Conly remarked, "but if she were my +child I shouldn't have any peace till I knew all about it." + +"There isn't the least probability that if a life had been lost the +reporter would have failed to say so," returned Mr. Dinsmore with some +severity of tone. + +"Of course you are in the right, Horace, you always are," she said, +bridling. + +"Well," remarked Virginia, "I'm astonished, I must own, that such +pattern good children should go off on such an expedition without so +much as saying by your leave to either mother or guardian." + +"I have just said that I am morally certain Violet did not go," said Mr. +Dinsmore. + +"And I do not blame Edward that he did," added the mother in her sweet, +gentle tones; "he is old enough now to decide such matters for himself +in the absence of his natural guardians. Also he knows me well enough to +judge pretty correctly whether I would approve or not, and I should not +have objected had I been there." + +"Shall we drive over and see about the children?" asked her father. + +"Yes, papa, if you please, and let us start as soon as the necessary +arrangements can be made." + +Violet had scarcely completed her morning toilet, though it was a little +past noon, when glancing from the window she saw a carriage at the gate +and her grandfather in the act of assisting her mother to alight from +it. + +With a low, joyous exclamation, she flew to meet and welcome them. + +"Mamma, mamma! I am so glad, so glad you have come!" + +"My darling, my darling! Thank God that I have you safe in my arms!" the +mother said, holding her close with kisses and tears. "What is this I +hear of danger and shipwreck?" + +"It is a long story, mamma; but we are all safe. Edward, Charlie, and +the girls are still sleeping, I believe, for they were worn out with +anxiety and the loss of two nights' rest." + +"And you, dear child?" + +"Was not with them, but of course slept but little last night--indeed +not at all until after daybreak, when they were all safe on shore--and +have only just risen." + +"Then we will hear the story after you have breakfasted," her +grandfather said. + +They did not get the whole of it, however, until Edward joined them, an +hour or two later. It was to them a deeply interesting and thrilling +account that he gave. He had also much to say in Violet's praise, but +was relieved and gratified to learn that neither mother nor grandfather +blamed him for the course he had taken. He brought in his friend Tallis +and introduced him, and was glad to see that the impression on both +sides was favorable. + +Edward had already urged Tallis to pay him a visit, and Mr. Dinsmore and +Elsie repeated the invitation. But the young man declined it for the +present, on the plea that the loss of his vessel made it necessary for +him to give his attention to some pressing business matters. + +Elsie proposed taking her son and daughter home with her, and they were +nothing loath. She would have had all the rest of the young party come +at once to her cottage and remain as long as they found it agreeable to +do so, but all declined with thanks however, except Donald, Mary and +Charlie, who promised to come in a few days. Amy was not quite able to +travel; they would stay with her until she was sufficiently recruited to +undertake the journey to her own home. Charlie would see her and Ella +safely there, and follow Mary to the cottage home of the Travillas. + +Before leaving Ocean Beach, Elsie and her father visited the life-saving +station, and the latter insisted upon bestowing a generous reward upon +each of the brave surfmen. Also he contributed largely to the making +good their losses to the poor shipwrecked sailors. + +Most joyously was the return of Edward and Violet welcomed by +grandmother, brothers and sisters. Edward was the hero of the hour, +especially with Harold and Herbert, who in fact quite envied him his +adventure now that it was safely over. + +Violet found home and its beloved occupants dearer and more delightful +than ever. The presence there of her aunt and cousin seemed the only +drawback upon her felicity; yet that occasionally proved a serious one +to both herself and "Cousin Donald," with whom Virginia was determined +to get up a flirtation. + +He did not admire her and would not fall in with her plans, perceiving +which she turned against him, became his bitter foe, and made him and +Violet both uncomfortable by sly hints that he was seeking her; and that +simply because she was an heiress. + +Old Mr. Dinsmore had gone to visit his daughter Adeline and most +sincerely did Violet wish that "Aunt Louise" and Virginia would follow. + +Mrs. Travilla was, as we have said, living a very retired life, not +mingling in general society at all, but an old friend of her husband and +father, who had been a frequent and welcome guest at the Oaks and Ion, +had taken up his temporary residence at a hotel near by, and now and +then joined their party on the beach or dropped in at the cottage for a +friendly chat with Mr. Dinsmore. + +Sometimes Mrs. Travilla was present and took part in the conversation; +once or twice it had happened that they had been alone together for a +few moments. She neither avoided intercourse with the gentleman nor +sought it; though he was a widower and much admired by many of her sex. + +Perhaps Mrs. Conly and Virginia were the only persons who had any +sinister thoughts in connection with the matter; but they, after the +manner of the human race, judged others by themselves. + +One day Violet accidentally overheard a little talk between them that +struck her first with indignation and astonishment, then with grief and +dismay. + +"What brings Mr. Ford here, do you suppose, mamma?" inquired Virginia, +in a sneering tone. + +"What a question, Virginia, for a girl of your sense!" replied her +mother, "he's courting Elsie, of course. Isn't she a rich and beautiful +widow? I had almost added young, for she really looks hardly older than +her eldest daughter." + +"Well, do you think he'll succeed?" + +"Yes, I do; sooner or later. He is certainly a very attractive man, and +she can't be expected to live single all the rest of her days. But what +a foolish will that was of Travilla's--leaving everything in her hands!" + +"Why, mamma?" + +"Because Ford may get it all into his possession and make way with it by +some rash speculation. Men often do those things." + +Violet was alone in a little summer-house in the garden, back of the +cottage, with a book. She had been very intent upon it until roused by +the sound of the voices of her aunt and cousin, who had been pacing up +and down the walk and now paused for an instant close to her, though a +thick growth of vines hid her from sight. + +They moved on with Mrs. Conly's last word, and the young girl sprang to +her feet, her cheeks aflame, her eyes glittering, her small hand +clenched till the nails sank into the soft flesh. "How dare they talk so +of mamma! and papa too, dear, dear papa!" she exclaimed half aloud; then +her anger and grief found vent in a burst of bitter weeping as she cast +herself down upon the seat from which she had risen, and bowed her head +upon her hands. + +The storm of feeling was so violent that she did not hear a light, +approaching footstep, did not know that any one was near until she felt +herself taken into loving arms that clasped her close, while her mamma's +sweet voice asked in tenderest tones, "my poor darling, what can have +caused you such distress?" + +"Mamma, mamma, don't ask me! please don't ask me!" she cried, hiding her +blushing, tearful face on her mother's bosom. + +"Has my dear Vi then secrets from her mother?" Elsie asked in tones of +half reproachful tenderness. + +"Only because it would distress you to know, dearest mamma. Oh I could +not bear to hurt you so!" sobbed the poor girl. + +"Still tell me, dearest" urged the mother. "Nothing could hurt me so +sorely as the loss of my child's confidence." + +"Then mamma, I will; but oh don't think that I believe one word of it +all." Then with a little hesitation. "I think mamma, that I am not +doing wrong to tell you, though the words were not meant for my ear?" + +"I think not, my dear child, since it seems it is something that +concerns both you and me." + +The short colloquy had burnt itself into Violet's brain and she repeated +it verbatim. + +It caused her loved listener a sharper pang than she knew or supposed. +Elsie was deeply hurt and for a moment her indignation waxed hot against +her ungrateful, heartless relations. + +Then her heart sent up a strong cry for help to forgive even as she +would be forgiven. + +But she must comfort Vi, and how vividly at this moment did memory +recall a little scene in her own early childhood when she was in like +sore distress from a similar fear, roused in very nearly the same +manner; and her father comforted her. + +"Vi, darling," she said in quivering tones, and with a tender caress, +"it is altogether a mistake. And you need never fear anything of the +kind. Your beloved father is no more dead to me than though he were but +in the next room. His place is not now--can never be, vacant in either +my home or my heart. We are separated for time by 'the stream--the +narrow stream of death,' but when I, too, have crossed it, we shall be +together, never to part again." + + +THE END. + + + + + A LIST OF THE ELSIE BOOKS AND OTHER POPULAR BOOKS + BY MARTHA FINLEY + + _ELSIE DINSMORE._ + _ELSIE'S HOLIDAYS AT ROSELANDS._ + _ELSIE'S GIRLHOOD._ + _ELSIE'S WOMANHOOD._ + _ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD._ + _ELSIE'S CHILDREN._ + _ELSIE'S WIDOWHOOD._ + _GRANDMOTHER ELSIE._ + _ELSIE'S NEW RELATIONS._ + _ELSIE AT NANTUCKET._ + _THE TWO ELSIES._ + _ELSIE'S KITH AND KIN._ + _ELSIE'S FRIENDS AT WOODBURN._ + _CHRISTMAS WITH GRANDMA ELSIE._ + _ELSIE AND THE RAYMONDS._ + _ELSIE YACHTING WITH THE RAYMONDS._ + _ELSIE'S VACATION._ + _ELSIE AT VIAMEDE._ + _ELSIE AT ION._ + _ELSIE AT THE WORLD'S FAIR._ + _ELSIE'S JOURNEY ON INLAND WATERS._ + _ELSIE AT HOME._ + _ELSIE ON THE HUDSON._ + _ELSIE IN THE SOUTH._ + _ELSIE'S YOUNG FOLKS._ + _ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP._ + _ELSIE AND HER LOVED ONES._ + + _MILDRED KEITH._ + _MILDRED AT ROSELANDS._ + _MILDRED'S MARRIED LIFE._ + _MILDRED AND ELSIE._ + _MILDRED AT HOME._ + _MILDRED'S BOYS AND GIRLS._ + _MILDRED'S NEW DAUGHTER._ + + _CASELLA._ + _SIGNING THE CONTRACT AND WHAT IT COST._ + _THE TRAGEDY OF WILD RIVER VALLEY._ + _OUR FRED._ + _AN OLD-FASHIONED BOY._ + _WANTED, A PEDIGREE._ + _THE THORN IN THE NEST._ + + + + + * * * * * * + + + + +Transcriber's note: + +Punctuation has been made consistent. Spelling, grammar and +hyphenation have been retained as they appear in the original +publication except as follows: + + Page 9 + here can't be another one, I'm very, evry _changed to_ + there can't be another one, I'm very, very + + Page 11 + so useful and sinful a thing _changed to_ + so useless and sinful a thing + + Page 15 + generous master and mistresss _changed to_ + generous master and mistress + + Page 55 + so fair and spirituel _changed to_ + so fair and spiritual + + Page 98 + pared not, because my papa _changed to_ + dared not, because my papa + + Page 102 + Crudens' Concordance and other _changed to_ + Cruden's Concordance and other + + Page 144 + strong attachment beween herself _changed to_ + strong attachment between herself + + Page 150 + countanence, and her bright _changed to_ + countenance, and her bright + + Page 213 + of the Lord is as trong _changed to_ + of the Lord is a strong + + Page 214 + embassador of Christ is _changed to_ + ambassador of Christ is + + Page 233 + gentlemen's wife among the rest _changed to_ + gentleman's wife among the rest + + Page 234 + aint you _changed to_ + ain't you + + Page 244 + enefit from his visit _changed to_ + benefit from his visit + + Page 264 + al together they watched _changed to_ + as together they watched + + Page 284 + Your bill of fair sounds _changed to_ + Your bill of fare sounds + + Page 285 + which had not yet been freezer _changed to_ + which had not yet been taken out of the freezer + + Page 286 + and as its more ... suppose its very _changed to_ + and as it's more ... suppose it's very + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELSIE'S WIDOWHOOD*** + + +******* This file should be named 38353-8.txt or 38353-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/8/3/5/38353 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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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 <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: Elsie's Widowhood</p> +<p> A Sequel to Elsie's Children</p> +<p>Author: Martha Finley</p> +<p>Release Date: December 20, 2011 [eBook #38353]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELSIE'S WIDOWHOOD***</p> +<p> </p> +<h4>E-text prepared by Mark Nodine<br /> + and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (<a href="http://www.pgdp.net">http://www.pgdp.net</a>)<br /> + from page images generously made available by<br /> + Internet Archive/American Libraries<br /> + (<a href="http://www.archive.org/details/americana">http://www.archive.org/details/americana</a>)</h4> +<p> </p> +<table border="0" style="background-color: #ccccff;margin: 0 auto;" cellpadding="10"> + <tr> + <td valign="top"> + Note: + </td> + <td> + Images of the original pages are available through + Internet Archive/American Libraries. See + <a href="http://www.archive.org/details/elsieswidowhoods00finl"> + http://www.archive.org/details/elsieswidowhoods00finl</a> + </td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h1>ELSIE'S WIDOWHOOD</h1> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="400" height="613" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/frontis.jpg" width="400" height="667" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + + +<hr /> + +<p class="center"><span class="heading">ELSIE'S<br /> +WIDOWHOOD</span><br /> +<br /><br /> +A SEQUEL TO<br /> +<big>"ELSIE'S CHILDREN"</big><br /> +<br /> +BY<br /> +<big>MARTHA FINLEY</big><br /> +<br /><br /></p> + +<div class="block26"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="io">"Alone she wanders where with <small>HIM</small> she trod,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No arm to stay her, but she leans on God."<br /></span> + +<p class="right">—<span class="smcap">O. W. Holmes</span></p> +</div></div></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 150px;"> +<img src="images/logo.jpg" width="150" height="201" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="center">NEW YORK<br /> +<big>DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY</big><br /> +<span class="smcap">Publishers</span></p> + + + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p class="center">Copyright, 1880, by <span class="smcap">Dodd, Mead & Company</span>.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2>PREFACE.</h2> + + +<p class="mb0"><span class="smcap">It</span> was not in my heart to give to my favorite child, Elsie, the sorrows +of Widowhood. But the public made the title and demanded the book; and +the public, I am told, is autocratic. So what could I do but write the +story and try to show how the love of Christ in the heart can make life +happy even under sore bereavement? The apostle says, "I am filled with +comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation;" and since +trouble, trial and affliction are the lot of all in this world of sin +and sorrow, what greater kindness could I do you, dear reader, than to +show you where to go for relief and consolation? That this little book +may teach the sweet lesson to many a tried and burdened soul, is the +earnest prayer of your friend,</p> +<p class="right2 smcap">The Author.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a name="contents" id="contents"></a>CONTENTS.</h2> + +<table summary="Contents"> +<tr> +<th class="thr2" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Page</span></th> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Chapter I</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#i">7</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Chapter II</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#ii">18</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Chapter III</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#iii">28</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Chapter IV</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#iv">38</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Chapter V</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#v">47</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Chapter VI</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#vi">59</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Chapter VII</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#vii">68</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Chapter VIII</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#viii">80</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Chapter IX</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#ix">91</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Chapter X</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#x">101</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Chapter XI</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xi">114</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Chapter XII</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xii">127</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Chapter XIII</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xiii">140</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Chapter XIV</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xiv">151</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Chapter XV</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xv">165</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Chapter XVI</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xvi">178</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Chapter XVII</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xvii">194</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Chapter XVIII</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xviii">207</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Chapter XIX</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xix">220</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Chapter XX</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xx">236</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Chapter XXI</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xxi">247</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Chapter XXII</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xxii">263</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Chapter XXIII</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xxiii">279</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Chapter XXIV</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xxiv">296</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Chapter XXV</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xxv">323</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a> +ELSIE'S WIDOWHOOD.</h2> + +<hr class="hrsmall" /> + +<h2><a name="i" id="i"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<div class="block26"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="io">"All love is sweet,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Given or returned. Common as light is love,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And its familiar voice wearies not ever."<br /></span> + +<p class="right">—<i>Shelley.</i></p> +</div></div></div> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Come</span> in, Vi, darling," said Mrs. Travilla's sweet voice, "we will be +glad to have you with us."</p> + +<p>Violet, finding the door of her mother's dressing-room ajar, had stepped +in, then drawn hastily back, fearing to intrude upon what seemed a +private interview between her and her namesake daughter; Elsie being +seated on a cushion at her mamma's feet, her face half hidden on her +lap, while mamma's soft white hand gently caressed her hair and cheek.</p> + +<p>"I feared my presence might not be quite desirable just now, mamma," +Violet said gayly, coming forward as she spoke. "But what is the +matter?" she asked in alarm, perceiving that tears were trembling in the +soft brown eyes that were lifted to hers. "Dear mamma, are you ill? or +is Elsie? is anything wrong with her?"</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a> +"She shall answer for herself," the mother said with a sort of tremulous +gayety of tone and manner. "Come, bonny lassie, lift your head and tell +your sister of the calamity that has befallen you."</p> + +<p>There was a whispered word or two of reply, and Elsie rose hastily and +glided from the room.</p> + +<p>"Mamma, is she sick?" asked Violet, surprised and troubled.</p> + +<p>"No, dear child. It is—the old story:" and the mother sighed +involuntarily. "We cannot keep her always; some one wants to take her +from us."</p> + +<p>"Some one! oh who, mamma? who would dare? But you and papa will never +allow it?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, my child, we cannot refuse; and I understand now, as I never did +before, why my father looked so sad when yours asked him for his +daughter."</p> + +<p>Light flashed upon Violet. "Ah mamma, is that it? and who—but I think I +know. It is Lester Leland, is it not?"</p> + +<p>Her mother's smile told her that her conjecture was correct.</p> + +<p>Violet sighed as she took the seat just vacated by her sister, folded +her arms on her mother's lap, and looked up with loving eyes into her +face.</p> + +<p>"Dear mamma, I am so sorry for you! for<a class="pagenum" name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a> papa too, and for myself. What +shall I do without my sister? How can you and papa do without her? How +<em>can</em> she? I'm sure no one in the world can ever be so dear to <em>me</em> as +my own precious father and mother. And I wish—I wish Lester Leland had +never seen her."</p> + +<p>"No, darling, we should not wish that. These things must be; God in his +infinite wisdom and goodness has so ordered it. I am sad at the thought +of parting with my dear child, yet how could I be so selfish as to wish +her to miss the great happiness that I have found in the love of husband +and children?"</p> + +<p>Violet answered with a doubtful "Yes, mamma, but—"</p> + +<p>"Well, dear?" her mother asked with a smile, after waiting in vain for +the conclusion of the sentence.</p> + +<p>"I am sure there is not another man in all the world like papa; not one +half so dear and good and kind and lovable."</p> + +<p>"Ah, you may change your mind about that some day. It is precisely what +I used to think and say of my dear father, before I quite learned the +worth of yours."</p> + +<p>"Ah, yes, I forgot grandpa! he is—almost as nice and dear as papa. But +<a name="there" id="there"></a><ins title="Original has here">there</ins> can't be another one, I'm very, +<a name="very" id="very"></a><ins title="Original has evry">very</ins> sure of +that. Lester Leland is not half so nice. Oh I don't see how Elsie +<em>can</em>!"</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a> +"How Elsie can what?" asked her father, coming in at that moment, and +regarding her with a half quizzical look and smile.</p> + +<p>"Leave you and mamma for somebody else, you dear, dear, dearest father!" +returned Vi, springing up and running to him to put her arms about his +neck and half smother him with kisses.</p> + +<p>"Then we may hope to keep you for a good while yet?" he said +interrogatively, holding her close and returning her caresses in most +tender fatherly fashion, the mother watching them with beaming eyes.</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed; till you grow quite, quite tired of me, papa."</p> + +<p>"And that will never be, my pet. Ah, little wife, how rich we are in our +children! Yet not rich enough to part with one without a pang of regret. +But we will not trouble about that yet, since the evil day is not very +near."</p> + +<p>"Oh isn't it?" cried Violet joyously.</p> + +<p>"No; Lester goes to Italy in a few weeks, and it will be one, two, or +maybe three years before he returns to claim his bride."</p> + +<p>"Ah, then it is not time to begin to fret about it yet!" cried Vi, +gleefully, smiles chasing away the clouds from her brow.</p> + +<p>At her age a year seems a long while in anticipation.</p> + +<p>"No, daughter, nor ever will be," her father<a class="pagenum" name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a> responded with gentle +gravity. "I hope my little girl will never allow herself to indulge in +so <a name="useless" id="useless"></a><ins title="Original has useful">useless</ins> and sinful a thing as fretting over either what +can or what cannot be helped."</p> + +<p>"Ah, you don't mean to let me fret at all, I see, you dear, wise old +papa," she returned with a merry laugh. "Now I must find Elsie and pass +the lesson over to her. For I shrewdly suspect she's fretting over +Lester's expected departure."</p> + +<p>"Away with you then!" was the laughing rejoinder, and she went dancing +and singing from the room.</p> + +<p>"The dear, merry, light-hearted child," her father said, looking after +her. "Would that I could keep her always thus."</p> + +<p>"Would you if you could, my husband?" Mrs. Travilla asked with a tender +smile, a look of loving reverence, as he sat down by her side.</p> + +<p>"No, sweet wife, I would not," he answered emphatically; "for, as +Rutherford says, 'grace groweth best in winter;' and the Master says, +'As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.'"</p> + +<p>"Yes; and 'we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of +God.' Ah, we could never choose for our precious children exemption from +such trials and afflictions as He may see necessary to fit them for an +eternity of joy and bliss at His right hand!"</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a> +"No; nor for ourselves, nor for each other, my darling. But how well it +is that the choice is not for us! How could I ever choose a single pang +for you, beloved? vein of my heart, my life, my light, my joy!"</p> + +<p>"Or I for you, my dear, dear husband!" she whispered, as he drew her +head to a resting place upon his breast and pressed a long kiss of +ardent affection on her pure white brow. "Ah, Edward, I sometimes fear +that I lean on you too much, love you too dearly! What could I ever do +without you—husband, friend, counsellor, guide—everything in one?"</p> + +<p>Violet went very softly into her sister's dressing-room and stood for +several minutes watching her with a mixture of curiosity, interest and +amusement, before Elsie became aware of her presence.</p> + +<p>She sat with her elbow on the window seat, her cheek in her hand, eyes +fixed on some distant point in the landscape, but evidently with +thoughts intent upon something quite foreign to it; for the color came +and went on the soft cheeks with every breath, and conscious smiles +played about the full red lips.</p> + +<p>At last turning her head and catching her young sister's eye, she +crimsoned to the very forehead.</p> + +<p>"O Elsie, don't mind me!" Violet said, springing to her side and putting +her arms<a class="pagenum" name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a> around her. "Are you so very happy? You look so, and I am glad +for you; but—but I can't understand it."</p> + +<p>"What, Vi?" Elsie asked, half hiding her blushing face on her sister's +shoulder.</p> + +<p>"How you can love anybody better than our own dear, darling, precious +papa and mamma."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I—I don't wonder, Vi," blushing more deeply than before, "but +they are not angry—dear, dear mamma and papa—it seems to me I never +loved them half so dearly before—and they say it is quite natural and +right."</p> + +<p>"Then it must be, of course; but—I wish it was somebody else's sister +and not mine. I can't feel as if a stranger has as much right to my own +sister as I have; and I don't know how to do without you. O Elsie, can't +you be content to live on always in just the way we have ever since we +were little bits of things?"</p> + +<p>Elsie answered with an ardent embrace and a murmured "Darling Vi, don't +be vexed with me. I'm sure you wouldn't if you knew how dearly, dearly I +love you."</p> + +<p>"Well, I do suppose you can't help it!" sighed Violet, returning the +embrace.</p> + +<p>"Can't help loving you? No, indeed; who could?" Elsie returned +laughingly. "You wouldn't wish it, surely? You value my affection?"</p> + +<p>"Oh you dear old goose!" laughed Violet;<a class="pagenum" name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a> "but that was a wilful +misunderstanding. None so stupid as those that won't comprehend. Now +I'll run away and leave you to your pleasant thoughts. May I tell +Molly?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," Elsie answered with some hesitation, "she'll have to know soon. +Mamma thinks it should not be kept secret, though it must be so long +before—"</p> + +<p>"Ah, that reminds me that I was to pass over to you the lesson papa just +gave me—that fretting is never wise or right. I leave you to make the +application," and she ran gayly away.</p> + +<p>So joyous of heart, so full of youthful life and animation was she that +she seldom moved with sedateness and sobriety in the privacy of home, +but went tripping and dancing from room to room, often filling the house +with birdlike warblings or silvery laughter.</p> + +<p>Molly Percival sat in her own cheery, pleasant room, pen in hand and +surrounded by books and papers over which she seemed very intent, though +now and then she lifted her head and sent a sweeping glance through the +open window, drinking in with delight the beauties of a panorama of hill +and dale, sparkling river, cultivated field and wild woodland, to which +the shifting lights and shadows, as now and again a fleecy, wind-swept +cloud partially obscured the brightness of the sun, lent the charm of +endless variety.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a> +Molly's face was bright with intelligence and good humor. She enjoyed +her work and her increasing success. And she had still another happiness +in the change that had come over her mother.</p> + +<p>Still feeble in intellect, Enna Johnson had become as remarkable for +gentleness and docility as she had formerly been for pride, arrogance +and self-will.</p> + +<p>She had grown very fond of Molly, too, very proud of her attainments and +her growing fame, and asked no greater privilege than to sit in the room +with her, watching her at her work, and ever ready to wait upon and do +her errands.</p> + +<p>And so she, too, had her home at Ion, made always welcome by its +large-hearted, generous master and <a name="mistress" id="mistress"></a><ins title="Original has mistresss">mistress</ins>.</p> + +<p>"Busy, as usual, I see," remarked Violet, as she came tripping in. +"Molly, you are the veriest bee, and richly deserve to have your hive +full of the finest honey. I'm the bearer of a bit of news very +interesting to Elsie and me, in fact I suppose I might say to all the +family. Have you time to hear it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed, and to thank you for your kindness in bringing it," Molly +answered, laying down her pen and leaning back in a restful attitude. +"But sit down first, won't you?"</p> + +<p>"Thank you, no; it's time to dress for dinner. I must just state the +fact and run away,"<a class="pagenum" name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a> said Violet, pulling out a tiny gold watch set with +brilliants. "It is that Elsie and Lester Leland are engaged."</p> + +<p>"And your father and mother approve?" asked Molly in some surprise.</p> + +<p>"Yes, of course; Elsie would never think of engaging herself to anybody +without their approval. But why should they be expected to object?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, only—he's poor, and most wealthy people would consider +that a very great objection."</p> + +<p>Violet laughed lightly. "What an odd idea! If there is wealth on one +side, there's the less need of it on the other, I should think. And he +is intelligent, sensible, talented, amiable and good; rather handsome +too."</p> + +<p>"And so you are pleased, Vi?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, no, I don't know," and the bright face clouded slightly. "I +wish—but if people must marry, he'll do as well as another to rob me of +my sister, I suppose."</p> + +<p>She tripped away, and Molly, dropping her head upon her folded arms on +the table, sighed profoundly.</p> + +<p>Some one touched her on the shoulder, and her mother's voice asked, +"What's the matter, Molly? You don't envy her that poor artist fellow, +do you? You needn't: there'll be a better one coming along for you one +of these days."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a> +"No, no; not for me! not for me!" gasped the girl. "I've nothing to do +with love or marriage, except to picture them for others. It's like +mixing delicious draughts for other lips, while I—I may not taste +them—may not have a single drop to cool my parched tongue, or quench my +burning thirst."</p> + +<p>At the moment life seemed to stretch out before her as a dreary waste, +unbrightened by a single flower—a long, toilsome road to be trod in +loneliness and pain. Her heart uttered the old plaint: "They seem to +have everything and I nothing."</p> + +<p>Then her cheek burned with shame, and penitent tears filled her eyes, as +better thoughts came crowding into her mind.</p> + +<p>Had she not a better than an earthly love to cheer, comfort, and sustain +her on her way?—a love that would never fail, a Friend who would never +leave nor forsake her; whose sympathy was perfect; who was always +touched with the feeling of her infirmities, and into whose ear she +could ever whisper her every sorrow, perplexity, anxiety, certain of +help; for His love and power were infinite.</p> + +<p>And the minor blessings of her lot were innumerable: the love of kindred +and friends, and the ability to do good and give pleasure by the +exercise of her God-given talents, not the least.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a> +<a name="ii" id="ii"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<div class="block26"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="io">"Marriage is a matter of more worth<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Than to be dealt in by attorneyship."<br /></span> + +<p class="right">—<i>Shakespeare.</i></p> +</div></div></div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Lester Leland</span> would sail in a few weeks for Europe. He was going to +Italy to study the great masters, and with the determination to spare no +effort to so perfect himself in his art that his fame as the first of +American sculptors should constitute a prize worthy to lay at the feet +of his peerless Elsie.</p> + +<p>Their engagement was presently made known to all the connection, and +with no pledge or request of secrecy, her parents deeming such a course +wisest and kindest to all parties. Elsie had many suitors, and it was +but just to them to let it be understood that her selection was made.</p> + +<p>The communication was by note to each family, which note contained also +an invitation to a family dinner at Ion, given in honor of the newly +affianced pair.</p> + +<p>Of course the matter called forth more or less of discussion in each +household, every one feeling privileged to express an opinion in regard +to the suitableness of the proposed match.</p> + +<p>It created some surprise at the Oaks, but as<a class="pagenum" name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a> Lester was liked and his +genius admired by them all, there were no unfavorable comments.</p> + +<p>At Ashlands the news was received in much the same way, Herbert +remarking, "Well, as it isn't Vi, I don't care a pin."</p> + +<p>Everybody at Fairview was delighted. At Pinegrove it was pronounced "an +odd affair," but just like the Travillas; in choosing their friends and +associates they never seemed to look upon wealth as a recommendation, or +the want of it as an objection.</p> + +<p>It was at breakfast-time that the note of invitation, addressed to old +Mr. Dinsmore, reached Roselands. He glanced over it, then read it aloud.</p> + +<p>"My great-granddaughter engaged to be married!" he remarked, as he laid +it down. "I may well feel myself an aged patriarch! Though 'few and evil +have the days of the years of my life been,'" he added, low and +musingly, ending with a heavy sigh.</p> + +<p>"No such thing, father!" said Mrs. Conly, in a quick, impatient tone. +"I'm not going to hear you talk so about yourself; you who have been +always an honorable, upright, polished gentleman."</p> + +<p>"But what a wretched mésalliance is this!" she commented, with covert +delight, taking up the note and glancing over its contents. "A poor +artist, destitute of fame and money alike,<a class="pagenum" name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a> to mate with an heiress to +hundreds of thousands! Why, poor as I and my children are, I should have +rejected overtures from him for one of my girls with scorn and +indignation."</p> + +<p>"Which would have been a decided mistake, I think, mother," remarked +Calhoun, respectfully. "Leland is a fine fellow, of good family, and +very talented. He'll make his mark some day, and you may live to take +pride in saying that the wife of the famous sculptor Leland is a niece +of yours."</p> + +<p>"A half grandniece," she corrected, bridling. "But I shall be an ancient +dame indeed before that comes to pass."</p> + +<p>"I have found him a very gentlemanly and intelligent fellow," remarked +Arthur; "and as for money, Elsie is likely to have enough for both."</p> + +<p>"So she is," said the grandfather.</p> + +<p>"And he is thoroughly good, and will make a kind and appreciative +husband," added Isadore.</p> + +<p>Virginia looked scornful and contemptuous. "He's too goody-goody for +me," she said, "but just like the Travillas in that, so will fit in +exactly, I presume. Well, if people like to make fools of themselves, I +don't see that we need be unhappy about it. We'll accept the invitation, +of course, mamma?" turning to her mother; "and the next question is, +what shall we wear?"</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a> +"We must make handsome dinner toilets, of course," was the reply; "for, +though none but relatives and connections are to be present, it will be +a large company."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I've no fancy for being outshone by anybody, and Aunt Rose is +sure to be very elegantly attired; Cousin Rose Lacey and Cousin Horace's +wife no less so. Talk of my fondness for dress! It's small compared to +theirs."</p> + +<p>"It is principally the doing of the husbands," said Isadore. "Both—or I +might say all three, for Uncle Horace is no exception—are very fond of +seeing their wives well dressed."</p> + +<p>"An excellent trait in a gentleman—the determination that his nearest +female relatives shall make a good appearance," remarked Mrs. Conly, +significantly, glancing from father to sons.</p> + +<p>"But the ability to bring it about is not always commensurate with the +desire, mother," said Isadore.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Isa," said Calhoun, following her from the room, for she had +risen from the table with her last words; "my mother does not seem to +comprehend the difference between our circumstances and those of some of +our relatives, and I am sure has no idea of the pain her words sometimes +give to grandpa, Art, and myself."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a> +"No, Cal, or she could never be so cruel," Isa answered, laying her hand +affectionately on his arm and looking lovingly into his eyes. "I know +that my brothers deny themselves many an innocent gratification for the +sake of their mother and sisters: and Cal, I do appreciate it."</p> + +<p>"I know you do, Isa. Now tell me what you will want for this—"</p> + +<p>"Nothing," she interrupted, with an arch smile up into his face. "Do you +suspect me of praising your generosity for a purpose? I have everything +I want for the occasion, I do assure you. But, Cal, what do you suppose +Uncle Horace will think of Elsie's choice?"</p> + +<p>"He will not object on the score of Leland's lack of wealth, unless I am +greatly mistaken. But here he comes to speak for himself," he added, as +a horseman was seen coming up the avenue at a brisk canter.</p> + +<p>They were standing in the hall, but now stepped out upon the veranda to +greet Mr. Dinsmore as he alighted, giving his horse in charge to a young +negro who came eagerly forward to do the service, quite sure that he +would be suitably rewarded.</p> + +<p>It was the lad's firm conviction that "Massa Horace" possessed an +inexhaustible supply of small coin, some of which was very apt to be +transferred to the pockets of those who waited upon him.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a> +Greetings were exchanged and Mr. Dinsmore said, "I am on my way to Ion. +Suppose you order your pony, Isa, and ride over with me. They will be +glad to see you. I want a few moments chat with my father, and that will +give you time to don your hat and habit."</p> + +<p>Isadore was nothing loath, and within half an hour they were on their +way.</p> + +<p>"You have heard the news?" her uncle remarked inquiringly.</p> + +<p>"Of Elsie's engagement? Yes, sir. You were discussing it with grandpa +and mamma, were you not?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," and he smiled slightly.</p> + +<p>"You don't think as she does about it, uncle?"</p> + +<p>"No, I am fully satisfied; that the young man is well-bred, good, +amiable, honest, intelligent, educated, talented and industrious seems +to me quite sufficient. My only objection is that the engagement seems +likely to be a long one. And yet that has the advantage of leaving the +dear child longer in her father's house."</p> + +<p>"Of which I for one am very glad," said Isa. "What a sweet girl she is, +uncle!"</p> + +<p>"Yes; she strongly resembles her mother in person and character; has +always seemed to me a sort of second edition of her."</p> + +<p>They found the Travillas, old and young, all out on the veranda enjoying +a family chat before<a class="pagenum" name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a> scattering to their various employments for the +day.</p> + +<p>Grandpa, though seldom a day passed without a visit from him to Ion, was +welcomed with all the effusion and delight that might reasonably have +been expected if he had not been seen for a month. His daughter's eyes +shone with filial love and pleasure as they exchanged their accustomed +affectionate greeting, and, as he took possession of the comfortable +arm-chair Mr. Travilla hastened to offer, his grandchildren clustered +about him, the little ones climbing his knees with the freedom and +fearlessness of those who doubted neither their right nor their welcome.</p> + +<p>But in the meantime Isadore was not forgotten or overlooked. She too was +quite at home at Ion and always made to feel that her visits were +esteemed a pleasure.</p> + +<p>There was a slight timidity of manner, a sweet half shyness about the +younger Elsie this morning that was very charming. Her eyes drooped +under her grandfather's questioning look and smile and the color came +and went on her fair cheek.</p> + +<p>He said nothing to her, however, until the younger ones had been +summoned away to their studies, then turned to her with the remark, "I +must congratulate Lester Leland when next I see him. Well, my dear +child, I trust you have not made a hasty choice?"</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a> +"I think not, grandpa; we have known each other quite intimately for +several years," she answered, casting down her eyes and blushing deeply. +"You do not disapprove?"</p> + +<p>"I have no right to object if your parents are satisfied," he said. "But +there, do not look uncomfortable; I really think Lester a fine fellow, +and am quite willing to number him among my grandchildren."</p> + +<p>She gave him a bright, grateful look; then she and Isa stole away +together for a little girlish confidence, leaving the older people to a +more business-like discussion of the matter.</p> + +<p>On every subject of grave importance Mr. Dinsmore was taken into the +counsels of his daughter and her husband. His approval on this occasion, +though they had scarcely doubted it, was gratifying to both.</p> + +<p>There were no declinations of the invitation to the family dinner-party, +and at the appointed time the whole connection gathered at Ion—a large +and goodly troop—the adults in drawing-room and parlors, the little +ones in the nursery.</p> + +<p>There was the Roselands branch, consisting of the old grandfather, with +his daughter, Mrs. Conly, and her numerous progeny.</p> + +<p>From the Oaks came Mr. Horace Dinsmore, Sr., and Mr. Horace Dinsmore, +Jr., with their wives and a bright, beautiful, rollicking year-old boy, +whom the proud young father styled<a class="pagenum" name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a> Horace III.; also Molly's half +brother and sister, Bob and Betty Johnson, to whom their uncle and aunt +still gave a home and parental care and affection.</p> + +<p>All the Howards, of Pinegrove, were there too—three generations, two of +the sons bringing wives and little ones with them.</p> + +<p>The Carringtons, of Ashlands, were also present; for, though not +actually related to the Travillas, the old and close friendship, and the +fact that they were of Mrs. Rose Dinsmore's near kindred, seemed to +place them on the footing of relationship.</p> + +<p>But we are forgetting Mrs. Travilla's sister Rose. She was now Mrs. +Lacey, of the Laurels—a handsome place some four miles from Ion—and +mother of a fine son, whom she and her husband brought with them to the +family gathering and exhibited to the assembled company with no little +joy and pride.</p> + +<p>It remains only to mention Lester Leland and his relatives of Fairview, +who were all there, received and treated as honored guests by their +entertainers, with urbane politeness by all the others, except Mrs. +Conly and Virginia, who saw fit to appear almost oblivious of their +existence.</p> + +<p>They, however, took a sensible view of the situation, and were quite +indifferent as to the opinions and behavior toward them of the two +haughty women.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a> +No one else seemed to notice it; all was apparent harmony and good will, +and Lester felt himself welcomed into the family with at least a show of +cordiality from the most of the relatives of his betrothed.</p> + +<p>She behaved very sweetly, conducting herself with a half shy, modest +grace that disarmed even Aunt Conly's criticism.</p> + +<p>A few happy weeks followed, weeks rosy and blissful with love's young +dream, then Lester tore himself away and left his Elsie mourning; for +half the brightness and bloom of life seemed to have gone with him.</p> + +<p>Father and mother were very patient with her, very tender and +sympathizing, very solicitous to amuse and entertain and help her to +renew her old zest for simple home pleasures and employments, the old +enjoyment of their love and that of her brothers and sisters.</p> + +<p>Ah! in after days she recalled it all—especially the gentle, tender +persuasiveness of her father's looks and tones, the caressing touch of +his hand, the loving expression of his eye—with a strange mixture of +gladness and bitter sorrow, an unavailing, remorseful regret that she +had not responded more readily and heartily to these manifestations of +his strong fatherly affection. There came a time when a caress from him +was coveted far more than those of her absent lover.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a> +<a name="iii" id="iii"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<div class="block38"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Faith is exceedingly charitable and believeth no evil of God."<br /></span> + +<p class="right">—<i>Rutherford.</i></p> +</div></div></div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Delicious</span> September days had come; the air was soft and balmy; a mellow +haze filled the woods, just beginning to show the touch of the Frost +King's fingers.</p> + +<p>The children could not content themselves within doors, and the wisely +indulgent mother had given them a holiday and spent the morning with +them on the banks of the lakelet and floating over its bright surface in +their pretty pleasure-boat.</p> + +<p>Returned to the house, she was now resting in her boudoir, lying back in +a large easy chair with a book in her hand. Suddenly it dropped into her +lap, she started up erect in her chair and seemed to listen intently.</p> + +<p>Was that her husband's step coming slowly along the hall? It was like +and yet unlike it, lacking the firm, elastic tread.</p> + +<p>The door opened and she sprang to her feet. "Edward! you are ill!" for +there was a deathly pallor on his face.</p> + +<p>"Do not be alarmed, little wife; it is nothing—a strange pain, a sudden +faintness," he said, trying to smile, but tottered and would have<a class="pagenum" name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a> +fallen had she not hastened to give him the support of her arm.</p> + +<p>She helped him to a couch, placed a pillow beneath his head, rang for +assistance, brought him a glass of cold water, cologne and +smelling-salts from her dressing-table; doing all with a deft quickness +free from flurry, though her heart almost stood still with a terrible +fear and dread.</p> + +<p>What meant this sudden seizure, this anguish so great that it had bowed +in a moment the strength of a strong man? She had never known him to be +seriously ill before. He had seemed in usual health when he left her for +his accustomed round over the plantation only a few hours ago, and now +he was nearly helpless with suffering.</p> + +<p>Servants were instantly despatched in different directions: one to +Roselands to summon Dr. Arthur Conly, another to the Oaks for her +father, to whom she instinctively turned in every time of trouble, and +who was ever ready to obey the call.</p> + +<p>Both arrived speedily, to find Mr. Travilla in an agony of pain, bearing +it without a murmur, almost without a moan or groan, but with cold beads +of perspiration standing on his brow; Elsie beside him, calm, quiet, +alert to anticipate every wish, but pale as a marble statue and with a +look of anguish in her beautiful eyes. It was<a class="pagenum" name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a> so hard to stand by and +see the suffering endured by him who was dearer than her own life.</p> + +<p>She watched Arthur's face as he examined and questioned his patient, and +saw it grow white to the very lips.</p> + +<p>Was her husband's doom then sealed?</p> + +<p>But Arthur drew her and Mr. Dinsmore aside.</p> + +<p>"The case is a bad one, but not hopeless," he said. "I am unwilling to +take the responsibility alone, but must call in Dr. Barton and also send +to the city for the best advice to be had there."</p> + +<p>"We have great confidence in your skill, Arthur," Elsie said, "but let +nothing be left undone. God alone can heal, but he works by means."</p> + +<p>"And in the multitude of counsellors there is safety," added Mr. +Dinsmore. "Dear daughter, 'be strong and of a good courage;' there shall +no evil befall you, for your heavenly Father knows, and will do what is +best."</p> + +<p>"Yes, papa, I know, I believe it," she answered with emotion. "Ah, pray +for me, that strength may be given me according to my day: and to him, +my dear, dear husband; no murmuring thoughts arise in either of our +hearts."</p> + +<p>The news had flown through the house that its master and head had been +stricken down with sudden, severe illness. Great were the consternation +and distress among both children<a class="pagenum" name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a> and servants, so beloved was he, so +strange a thing did it seem for him to be ill, for he had seldom had a +day's sickness in all the years that they had known him.</p> + +<p>Elsie, Edward and Violet hastened to the door of the sick-room, begging +that they might be admitted, that they might share in the work of +nursing the dear invalid.</p> + +<p>Their mamma came to them, her sweet face very pale but calm.</p> + +<p>"No, darlings," she said in her gentle, tender tones, "it will not do to +have so many in the room while your dear father is suffering so much. +Your grandpa, mammy and I must be his only nurses for the present; +though after a time your services may be needed."</p> + +<p>"O mamma, it is very hard to have to stay away from him," sobbed Violet.</p> + +<p>"I know it, dearest," her mother said, "and my heart aches for you and +all my darlings; but I am sure you all love your dear father too well +not to willingly sacrifice your own feelings when to indulge them might +injure him or increase his pain."</p> + +<p>"O mamma, yes, yes indeed!" they all cried.</p> + +<p>"Well then, dears, go away now; look after the younger ones and the +servants—I trust them all to your care; and when the doctors say it +will do, you shall see and speak to your father, and do anything for him +that you can."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a> +So with a loving, motherly caress bestowed upon each, she dismissed them +to the duties she had pointed out, and returned to her station beside +her husband's couch.</p> + +<p>Mr. Dinsmore, Arthur Conly, and Aunt Chloe were gathered about it +engaged in efforts to relieve the torturing pain. His features were +convulsed with it, but his eyes wandered restlessly around the room as +if in search of something. As Elsie drew near they fixed themselves upon +her face, and his was lighted up with a faint smile.</p> + +<p>"Darling, precious little wife," he murmured, drawing her down to him +till their lips met in a long loving kiss, "don't leave me for a moment. +Nothing helps me to bear this agony like the sight of your sweet face."</p> + +<p>"Ah, beloved, if I might bear it for you!" she sighed, her eyes filling +with tears, while her soft white hand was laid tenderly upon his brow.</p> + +<p>"No, no!" he said, "that were far worse, far worse!"</p> + +<p>Her tears were falling fast.</p> + +<p>"Ah, do not be so distressed; it is not unendurable," he hastened to say +with a loving, tender look and an effort to smile in the midst of his +agony. "And He, He is with me; the Lord my Saviour! 'I know that my +Redeemer liveth,' and the sense of His love is very sweet, never so +sweet before."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a> +"Thank God that it is so! Ah, He is faithful to his promises!" she said.</p> + +<p>Then kneeling by his side she repeated one sweet and precious promise +after another, the blessed words and loved tones seeming to have a +greater power to soothe and relieve than anything else.</p> + +<p>The other physicians arrived, examined, consulted, used such remedies as +were known to them; everything was done that science and human skill +could do, but without avail; they could give temporary relief by the use +of opiates and anæsthetics, but were powerless to remove the disease +which was fast hurrying its victim to the grave.</p> + +<p>Both Mr. Travilla and Elsie desired to know the truth, and it was not +concealed from them. On Mr. Dinsmore devolved the sad task of imparting +it.</p> + +<p>It was in the afternoon of the second day. The doctors had held a final +consultation and communicated their verdict to him. Moved to his very +heart's core at the thought of parting with his lifelong bosom friend, +and more for the far sorer bereavement awaiting his almost idolized +child, he waited a little to recover his composure, then entered the +sick-room and drew silently near the bed.</p> + +<p>Elsie sat close at her husband's side, one hand clasped in his, while +with the other she gently<a class="pagenum" name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a> fanned him or wiped the death damp from his +brow. Did she know it was that? Her face was colorless, but quite calm.</p> + +<p>Mr. Travilla was at that moment entirely conscious, and his eyes were +gazing full into hers with an expression of unutterable love and the +tenderest compassion.</p> + +<p>At length they turned from her face for an instant and were uplifted to +that of her father, as he stood close beside her, regarding them both +with features working with emotion.</p> + +<p>The dying man understood its cause. "Is it so, Dinsmore?" he said +feebly, but with perfect composure. "Elsie, little wife," and he drew +her to him, both tone and gesture full of exceeding tenderness. "O love, +darling, precious one, must we part? I go to the glory and bliss of +heaven, but you—" His voice broke.</p> + +<p>Her heart seemed riven in twain; but she must comfort him. One bursting +sob as she hid her face upon his breast, one silent agonized cry to +Heaven for help, and lifting her head, she gave him a long look of love, +then laid her cheek to his, put her arm about his neck.</p> + +<p>"My darling, my dear, dear husband," she said in her sweetest tones, "do +not fear for me, or for our children. The Lord, even Jesus, will be our +keeper. Do not let the thought of us disturb you now, or damp the glad +anticipation of the wondrous glory and bliss to which<a class="pagenum" name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a> you go. Soon you +will be with Him, 'forever with the Lord.' And how glad our darling Lily +will be to see her beloved father; dear mother to recover her son; and +what a little, little while it will seem till we all shall join you +there, never, never to part again."</p> + +<p>"And neither she, my dear daughter, nor her children, shall want for a +father's love and care while I live, my dear friend," said Mr. Dinsmore, +his voice tremulous with emotion.</p> + +<p>"I know it, I know it, and God be thanked that I leave them in such good +and loving hands," Mr. Travilla answered, looking gratefully at his +friend.</p> + +<p>"You trusted your darling child to me," he went on low and feebly and +with frequent pauses for breath, "and I give her back to you. Oh she has +been a dear, dear wife to me!" he exclaimed, softly stroking her hair. +"God bless you, my darling! God bless you for your faithful, unselfish +love! You have been the sunshine of my heart and home."</p> + +<p>"And you, my beloved, oh what a husband you have been to me!" she +sobbed, covering his face with kisses; "never one unkind or impatient +word, or look, or tone, nothing but the tenderest love and care have I +had from you since the hour we gave ourselves to each other. And I +thought, oh I thought we had many more years to live and love together! +But God's will be done!"</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a> +"Yes," he said, "His will be done with me and mine. Darling, he will +never leave nor forsake you; and though I am almost done with time, we +shall have all the ages of eternity to live and love together."</p> + +<p>Silent caresses were all that passed between them for some moments; then +Mr. Dinsmore inquired if his friend had any directions to give about his +affairs.</p> + +<p>"No," he said, "all that was attended to long since. Elsie knows where +to find all my papers, and understands everything in regard to the +property and my business matters as well as I do.</p> + +<p>"And my peace is made with God," he continued after a pause, speaking in +a sweetly solemn tone. "His presence is with me. I feel the everlasting +arms underneath and around me. All my hope and trust are in the blood +and righteousness of Christ, my crucified and risen Saviour. All is +peace. I am a sinner saved by grace.</p> + +<p>"Let me see my children and give them a father's blessing, and I shall +have nothing more to do but fall asleep in Jesus."</p> + +<p>Elsie and Vi were together in a room across the hall from that in which +their father lay, sitting clasped in each other's arms, waiting, hoping +for the promised summons to go to him when he should be sufficiently +relieved to bear their presence.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a> +Ah, there was in each young heart an unspoken fear that he would never +rise from that couch of pain, for they had seemed to read his doom in +the grave, anxious faces of grandfather and physicians; but oh it was +too terrible a fear for either to put into words even to her own +consciousness! How could life go on without the father who had thus far +constituted so large a part of it to them!</p> + +<p>A shuffling step drew near, and Aunt Chloe appeared before them, her +face swollen with weeping, her eyes filled with tears.</p> + +<p>"You's to come now, chillens."</p> + +<p>"Oh is papa better?" they cried, starting up in eager haste to obey the +summons.</p> + +<p>The old nurse shook her head, tears bursting forth afresh. "He's mos' +dar, chillens, mos' dar, whar dey don' hab no mo' pain, no mo' sickness, +no mo' dyin'. I see de glory shinin' in his face; he's mos' dar."</p> + +<p>Then as their sobs and tears burst forth, "Oh my mistis, my bressed +young mistis," she cried, throwing her apron over her head, "yo' ole +mammy'd die to keep massa here for yo' sake. But de Lord's will mus' be +done, an' He neber makes no mistakes."</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a> +<a name="iv" id="iv"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<div class="block18"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Death is another life."<br /></span> + +<p class="right">—<i>Bailey.</i></p> +</div></div></div> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Oh</span> Elsie, Elsie, what shall we do! But it can't, it can't be true!" +sobbed Violet, clinging to her sister in a heart-breaking paroxysm of +grief. "Oh it will kill mamma, and we shall lose her too!"</p> + +<p>"No, no, honey, not so," said Aunt Chloe; "my bressed young missus will +lib for yo' sake, for her chillens' sake. An' you ain't gwine to lose +massa: he's only gwine home a little while 'fore de rest."</p> + +<p>"Dear Vi, we must try to be composed for both their sakes," whispered +Elsie, scarcely able to speak for weeping.</p> + +<p>"Dear bressed Lord help dem, help dese po' chillens," ejaculated Aunt +Chloe. "Come, chillens, we's losin' precious time."</p> + +<p>They wiped away their tears, checked their sobs by a determined effort, +and hand in hand followed her to the sick-room.</p> + +<p>Perfect ease had taken the place of the agonizing pain which for many +hours had racked Mr. Travilla's frame, but it was the relief afforded +not by returning health, but by approaching dissolution; death's seal +was on his brow;<a class="pagenum" name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a> even his children could read it as they gathered, +weeping, about his bed.</p> + +<p>He had a few words of fatherly counsel, of tender, loving farewell for +each—Elsie, Violet, Edward:—to the last saying, "My son, I commit your +mother to your tender care. You have almost reached man's estate; take +your father's place, and let her lean on your young, vigorous arm; yet +fail not in filial reverence and obedience; be ever ready to yield to +her wise, gentle guidance."</p> + +<p>"I will, father, I will," returned the lad in a choking voice.</p> + +<p>"And may not I too, and Herbert, papa?" sobbed Harold.</p> + +<p>"Yes, dear son, and all of you, love and cherish mamma and try to fill +my place to her. And love and obey your kind grandpa as you have always +loved and obeyed me."</p> + +<p>One after another had received a last caress, a special parting word, +till it had come to the turn of the youngest darling of all—little +four-year-old Walter.</p> + +<p>They lifted him on to the bed, and creeping close to his father, he +softly stroked the dying face, and kissing the lips, the cheeks, the +brow, cooed in sweet baby accents, "Me so glad to see my dear papa. Papa +doin' det well now. Isn't you, papa?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, papa's dear pet; I'm going where sickness<a class="pagenum" name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a> and pain can never +come. My little boy must love the dear Saviour and trust in him, and +then one day he shall follow me to that blessed land. Ah, little son, +you are too young to remember your father. He will soon be forgotten!"</p> + +<p>"No, no, dearest," said his weeping wife, "not so; your pictured face +and our constant mention of you shall keep you in remembrance even with +him."</p> + +<p>"Thanks, dearest," he said, turning a loving gaze on her, "it is a +pleasant thought that my name will not be a forgotten sound among the +dear ones left behind. We shall meet again, beloved wife, meet again +beyond the river. I shall be waiting for you on the farther shore. I am +passing through the waters, but He is with me, He who hath washed me +from my sins in His own blood. And you, dearest wife—does He sustain +you in this hour?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," she said, "His grace is sufficient for me. Dear, dear husband, do +not fear to leave me to his care."</p> + +<p>Tears were coursing down her white cheeks, but the low, sweet tones of +her voice were calm and even. She was resolutely putting aside all +thought of self and the sore bereavement that awaited her and her +children, that she might smooth his passage to the tomb; she would not +that he should be disturbed by one anxious thought of them.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a> +He forgot none of his household. Molly and her mother were brought in +for a gentle, loving farewell word; then each of the servants.</p> + +<p>He lingered still for some hours, but his wife never left him for an +instant; her hand was clasped in his when the messenger came; his last +look of love was for her, his last whisper, "Precious little wife, +eternity is ours!"</p> + +<p>Friends carried him to his quiet resting place beside the little +daughter who had preceded him to the better land, and widow and children +returned without him to the home hitherto made so bright and happy by +his loved presence.</p> + +<p>Elsie, leaning on her father's arm, slowly ascended the steps of the +veranda, but on the threshold drew back with a shudder and a low, +gasping sob.</p> + +<p>Her father drew her to his breast.</p> + +<p>"My darling, do not go in. Come with me to the Oaks; let me take you all +there for a time."</p> + +<p>"No, dear papa; 'twould be but putting off the evil day—the trial that +must be borne sooner or later," she said in trembling, tearful tones. +"But—if you will stay with me—"</p> + +<p>"Surely, dearest, as long as you will. I could not leave you now, my +poor stricken one! Let me assist you to your room. You are completely +worn out, and must take some rest."</p> + +<p>"My poor children—" she faltered.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a> +"For their sakes you must take care of yourself," he said. "Your mamma +is here. She and I will take charge of everything until you are able to +resume your duties as mother and mistress."</p> + +<p>He led her to her apartments, made her lie down on a couch, darkened the +room, and sitting down beside her, took her hand in his.</p> + +<p>"Papa, papa!" she cried, starting up in a sudden burst of grief, "take +me in your arms, take me in your arms and hold me close as you used to +do, as he has done every day that he lived since you gave me to him!"</p> + +<p>"My poor darling, my poor darling!" he said, straining her to his +breast, "God comfort you! May He be the strength of your heart and your +portion forever! Remember that Jesus still lives, and that your beloved +one is with Him, rejoicing with joy unspeakable and full of glory."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, but oh, the learning to live without him!" she moaned. "How +can I! how can I!"</p> + +<p>"'When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through +the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the +fire, thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon +thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour,'" +he repeated in low, moved tones. "'Behold I have refined thee, but not +with silver;<a class="pagenum" name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a> I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.' Dear +daughter, my heart bleeds for you, and yet I know that He who has sent +this sorrow loves you far better than I do, and He means it for good. +'Faith is the better of the free air and of the sharp winter storm in +its face. Grace withereth without adversity.'"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes," she whispered, clinging to him. "Go on, dear papa, you bring +me comfort."</p> + +<p>"What so comforting as the love of Christ!" he went on; "the assurance +that 'in all our afflictions He is afflicted!' My darling, 'the +weightiest end of the cross of Christ, which is laid upon you, lieth +upon your strong Saviour!'"</p> + +<p>"And He will never let me sink," she said. "Oh what love is His! and how +unworthy am I!"</p> + +<p>Never very strong, Elsie was, as her father plainly perceived, greatly +exhausted by the combined influence of the fatigue of nursing, +overwhelming sorrow and the constraint she had put upon herself to +control its manifestations while her husband lived.</p> + +<p>She must have rest from every care and responsibility, must be shielded +from all annoyance, and as far as possible from every fresh reminder of +her loss.</p> + +<p>For several days he watched over her with unceasing care and solicitude, +doing all in his power to soothe, to comfort and console, allowing<a class="pagenum" name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a> only +short interviews with Rose and the children, and keeping every one else +away except her old mammy.</p> + +<p>Never had father and daughter seemed nearer and dearer to each other +than in these sorrowful days. To lay her weary head upon his breast +while his arms folded her close to his heart, gave some relief—more +than could anything else—to the unutterable longing to feel the clasp +of those other arms whose loving embrace she could never know again on +earth.</p> + +<p>But her nature was too unselfish and affectionate to allow of long +indulgence in this life of inactivity and nursing of her grief. She +could not resist the anxious, pleading looks of her children. She, their +only remaining parent, must now devote herself to them even more +entirely than had been her wont. Grandma Rose was kind as kind could be, +but mamma's place could be filled by no one but herself.</p> + +<p>"Dear papa," she said when three days had passed, "I am rested now, and +you must please let me go back to my duties. My dear little ones need +me; the older ones too. I cannot deprive them of their mother any +longer."</p> + +<p>"Would it not be well to give yourself one more day of rest?" he asked, +gazing sadly at the wan cheeks and the mournful eyes that looked so +unnaturally large. "I do not think you are strong enough yet for +anything like exertion."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a> +"I think the sweet work of comforting and caring for my darlings—his +children as well as mine," she said with a tremble in her voice, "will +do me good."</p> + +<p>"It is partly for their sakes that I want you to take care of yourself," +he said, putting his arm about her, while her head dropped on his +shoulder. "Would it not have been <em>his</em> wish? were you not always his +first care?"</p> + +<p>She gave a silent assent, the tears coursing down her cheeks.</p> + +<p>"And he gave you back to me, making you doubly mine—my own darling, +precious child! and your life, health and happiness must be my special +charge," he said, caressing her with exceeding tenderness.</p> + +<p>"My happiness? Then, papa, you will not try to keep me from my darlings. +My dear, dear father, do not think I am ungrateful for your loving care. +Ah, it is very sweet and restful to lean upon you and feel the strong +tender clasp of your arm! but I must rouse myself and become a prop for +others to lean upon."</p> + +<p>"Yes, to some extent—when you are quite rested. But you must bear no +burdens, dear daughter, that your father can bear for you."</p> + +<p>She looked her gratitude out of tear-dimmed eyes.</p> + +<p>"God has been very good to me, in sparing me, my father," she said. "And +my children,<a class="pagenum" name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a> my seven darlings—all good and loving. How rich I ought +to feel! how rich I do feel, though so sorely bereaved."</p> + +<p>The tears burst forth afresh.</p> + +<p>"You will let me go to them?" she said when she could speak again.</p> + +<p>"To-morrow, if you will try to rest and gain strength to-day. I am quite +sure it is what he would have wished—that you should rest a little +longer. The children can come to you for an hour or two to-day."</p> + +<p>She yielded for that time, and the next day he withdrew his opposition +and himself led her down to the breakfast parlour, where all were +gathered to partake of the morning meal.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a> +<a name="v" id="v"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<div class="block26"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="io">"Weep not for him that dieth,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For he hath ceased from tears."<br /></span> + +<p class="right">—<i>Mrs. Norton.</i></p> +</div></div></div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">There</span> was much unselfish love for their mamma and for each other +displayed by the young Travillas in those sad days immediately following +the death of their dearly loved father.</p> + +<p>Every heart ached sorely with its own burden of grief—excepting that of +little Walter, who was too young to understand or realize his loss, yet +was most solicitous to assuage that of the brothers and sisters, but +especially to comfort and help "poor, dear, dear mamma."</p> + +<p>They were filled with alarm as they saw their grandfather almost carry +her to her room, then close the door upon them.</p> + +<p>"Oh," cried Violet, clinging to her older sister, and giving way to a +burst of terrified weeping, "I knew it would be so! mamma will die too. +Oh mamma, mamma!"</p> + +<p>"Dear child, no!" said Rose, laying a caressing hand on the young +weeper's arm; "do not be alarmed; your dear mother is worn out with +grief and nursing—she has scarcely slept for several days and +nights—but is not ill otherwise, and I trust that rest and the +consolations of God<a class="pagenum" name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a> will still restore her to her wonted health and +cheerfulness."</p> + +<p>"O grandma," sobbed Elsie, "do you think mamma can ever be cheerful and +happy again? I am sure she can never forget papa."</p> + +<p>"No, she will never forget him, never cease to miss the delight of his +companionship; but she can learn to be happy in the thought of his +eternal blessedness and the sure reunion that awaits them when God shall +call her home; and in the love of Jesus and of her dear children."</p> + +<p>Rose had thrown one arm about Elsie's waist, the other round Violet, and +drawn them to a seat, while Edward and the younger children grouped +themselves about her, Rose and Walter leaning on her lap.</p> + +<p>They all loved her, and now hung upon her words, finding comfort in +them, though listening with many tears and sobs.</p> + +<p>She went on to speak at length of the glory and bliss of heaven, of the +joy of being with Christ and free from sin; done with sorrow and +sighing, pain and sickness and death; of the delight with which their +sister Lily, their Grandmother Travilla, and other dear ones gone +before, must have welcomed the coming of their father; and of the glad +greeting he would give to each of them when they too should reach the +gate of the Celestial City.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a> +"Yes, grandma, papa told us all to come," said little Rosie.</p> + +<p>"I know he did, dear child; and do you know the way?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, grandma, Jesus said, 'I am the way.' He died to save sinners, and +He will save all who love Him and trust in Him alone, not thinking +anything they can do is going to help to save them."</p> + +<p>"Save them from what, darling?"</p> + +<p>"From their sins, grandma, and from going to live with Satan and his +wicked angels, and wicked people that die and go there."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is all so, and oh what love it was that led the dear Saviour +to suffer and die upon the cross that we might live! Dear children, it +was His death that bought eternal life for your beloved father and has +purchased it for us all if we will but take it as His free, unmerited +gift."</p> + +<p>"But, grandma," sobbed Harold, "why didn't He let our dear papa stay +with us a little longer? Oh I don't know how we can ever, ever live +without him!"</p> + +<p>This called forth a fresh burst of grief from all, even little Walter +crying piteously, "I want my papa! I want my own dear papa!"</p> + +<p>Rose lifted him to her lap and caressed him tenderly, her tears falling +fast.</p> + +<p>"Dear children," she said, as the storm of<a class="pagenum" name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a> grief subsided a little, "we +must not be selfish in our sorrow; we must try to rejoice that your +beloved father is far, far happier than he could ever be here. I think +the dear Saviour took him home because He loved him so much that He +could no longer spare him out of heaven. And He, Jesus, will be your +Father now even more than He was before: 'A father of the fatherless and +a judge of the widows is God in his holy habitation.'"</p> + +<p>"I'm very glad the Bible tells us that," remarked Herbert, checking his +sobs. "I have heard and read the words often, but they never seemed half +so sweet before."</p> + +<p>"No," said Harold, putting an arm about him (the two were very strongly +attached and almost inseparable); "and we have grandpa too: papa said he +would be a father to us."</p> + +<p>"And he will, dear children," said Rose. "I do not think he could love +you much more than he does if he were really your own father, as he is +your dear mamma's."</p> + +<p>"And I am to try to fill papa's place," said Edward, with a strong but +vain effort to steady his voice. "I am far from competent, I know, but I +shall try to do my very best."</p> + +<p>"And God will help you if you ask Him," said Rose; "help you to be a +great comfort and assistance to your mother and younger brothers and +sisters."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a> +"Ah, if we might only go to mamma!" sighed Violet, when she and Elsie +had withdrawn to the privacy of their own apartment. "Do you think we +might venture now?"</p> + +<p>"Not yet awhile, I think—I hope she is resting; and grandpa will let us +know when it will not disturb her to see us."</p> + +<p>"O Elsie, can we ever be happy again?" cried Violet, throwing herself +into her sister's arms. "Where, where shall we go for comfort?"</p> + +<p>"To Jesus and His word, dear Vi. Let us kneel down together and ask Him +to bless us all and help us to say with our hearts 'Thy will be done,' +all of us children and our dear precious mamma."</p> + +<p>"Oh we can't pray for papa any more!" cried Vi, in an agony of grief.</p> + +<p>"No, dear Vi, but he no longer needs our prayers. He is so close to the +Master, so happy in being forever with Him, that nothing could add to +his bliss."</p> + +<p>Violet hushed her sobs, and with their arms about each other they knelt, +while in low, pleading tones Elsie poured out their grief and their +petitions into the ear of the ever compassionate, loving Saviour.</p> + +<p>Fortunately for them in this hour of sore affliction, they were no +strangers to prayer or to the Scriptures, and knew where to turn to find +the many sweet and precious promises suited to their needs.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a> +Some time was given to this, and then Elsie, mindful of the duty and +privilege of filling to the best of her ability her mother's place to +the little ones, went in search of them.</p> + +<p>The tea hour brought them all together again—all the children—but +father and mother were missing. Oh this gathering about the table was +almost the hardest thing of all! It had been wont to be a time of glad, +free, cheerful, often mirthful intercourse between parents and children; +no rude and noisy hilarity, but the most enjoyable social converse and +interchange of thought and feeling, in which the young people, while +showing the most perfect respect and deference to their parents, and +unselfish consideration for each other, were yet under no galling +constraint, but might ask questions and give free expression to their +opinions, if they wished; and were indeed encouraged to do so.</p> + +<p>But what a change had a few days brought! There was an empty chair that +would never again be filled by him to whom one and all had looked up +with the tenderest filial love and reverence. All eyes turned toward it, +then were suffused with tears, while one and another vainly strove to +suppress the bursting sobs.</p> + +<p>They could not sit down to the table. They drew close together in a +little weeping group.</p> + +<p>The grandparents came in, and Mr. Dinsmore,<a class="pagenum" name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a> trying to gather them all +in his arms, caressed them in turn, saying in broken, tender tones, "My +dear children, my poor dear children! I will be a father to you. I +cannot supply his place, but will do so as nearly as I can. You know, my +darlings, my sweet Elsie's children, that I have a father's love for +you."</p> + +<p>"Yes, grandpa, we know it," "Dear grandpa, we're glad we have you left +to us," sobbed one and another.</p> + +<p>"And mamma, dear, precious mamma! O grandpa, is she sick?"</p> + +<p>"Not exactly sick, my darlings," he said, "but very much worn out. We +must let her rest."</p> + +<p>"Can't we see her? can't we go to her?"</p> + +<p>"Not now, not to-night, I think. I left her sleeping, and hope she will +not wake for some hours."</p> + +<p>At that the little ones seemed nearly heartbroken. "How could they go to +their beds without seeing mamma?"</p> + +<p>But Elsie comforted them. She would help mammy to put them to bed; and +oh it was the best of news that dear mamma was sleeping! because if she +did not she would soon be quite ill.</p> + +<p>Molly Percival, because of her crippled condition, making locomotion so +difficult, seldom joined the family at table, but took her meals in<a class="pagenum" name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a> her +own room, a servant waiting upon her and her mother, who, in her new +devotion to poor Molly, preferred to eat with her.</p> + +<p>The appointments of their table were quite as dainty as those of the +other, the fare never less luxurious.</p> + +<p>A very tempting repast was spread before them to-night, but Molly could +not eat for weeping.</p> + +<p>Her mother, tasting one dish after another with evident enjoyment, at +length thought fit to expostulate with her.</p> + +<p>"Molly, why do you cry so? I do wish you would stop it and eat your +supper."</p> + +<p>"I'm not hungry, mother."</p> + +<p>"That's only because you're fretting so; and what's the use? Mr. +Travilla's better off; and besides he was nothing to you."</p> + +<p>"Nothing to me! O mother! he was so good, so kind to me, to Dick, to +everybody about him. He treated me like a daughter, and I loved him as +well as if he had been my own father. He did not forget you or me when +he was dying, mother."</p> + +<p>"No; and it was good of him. Still, crying doesn't do any good; and +you'll get weak and sick if you don't eat."</p> + +<p>Molly's only answer was a burst of grief. "Oh poor, poor Cousin Elsie! +her heart must be quite broken, for she idolized her husband.<a class="pagenum" name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a> And the +girls and all of them; how they did love their father!"</p> + +<p>The servant came in with a plate of hot cakes, and a slender girlish +figure presently stole softly after, without knocking, for the door +stood open, and to the side of Molly's chair. It was Violet, looking, oh +so sad and sweet, so fair and <a name="spiritual" id="spiritual"></a><ins title="Original has spirituel">spiritual</ins> in her deep +mourning dress.</p> + +<p>In an instant she and Molly were locked in each other's arms, mingling +their sobs and tears together.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid we have seemed to neglect you, Molly dear," Violet said when +she could speak, "but—"</p> + +<p>"No, no, you have <em>never</em> done that!" cried Molly, weeping afresh. "And +how could I expect you to think of me at such a time! O Vi, Vi!"</p> + +<p>"Mamma cannot come up, for she is not—not able to leave her room, +and—and O Molly, I'm afraid she's going to be sick!"</p> + +<p>Molly tried to comfort and reassure her. "Aunt Rose was in for a while +this afternoon," she said, "and she thinks it is not really sickness, +only that she needs rest and—and comfort. And, Vi, the Lord will +comfort her. Don't you remember those sweet words in Isaiah?—'As one +whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be +comforted.'"</p> + +<p>Violet had come up to see Molly, lest the poor<a class="pagenum" name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a> afflicted cousin should +feel neglected, while Elsie was engaged with the little ones—taking +mamma's place in seeing them to bed with a little loving talk on some +profitable theme.</p> + +<p>To-night it was the glory and bliss of heaven; leaving in their young +minds, instead of gloomy and dreadful thoughts of death and the cold, +dark grave, bright visions of angelic choirs, of white robes and palms +of victory, of golden crowns and harps, of the river of the water of +life, and the beautiful trees on its banks bearing twelve manner of +fruits; of papa with sweet Lily by his side, both casting their crowns +at Jesus' feet and singing with glad voices, "Worthy is the Lamb that +was slain."</p> + +<p>Leaving them at length to their slumbers, she joined Violet and Molly +for a few moments; then Edward came to say that their mother was awake +and grandpa had given permission for them to go to her and just bid her +good-night, if they could be quite composed.</p> + +<p>They thought they could; they would try very earnestly.</p> + +<p>She was in her dressing-room, reclining in an easy chair, looking, oh so +wan and sorrowful.</p> + +<p>She embraced each in turn, holding them to her heart with a whispered +word or two of tender mother love. "God bless you, my dear, dear +children! He will be a father to the fatherless and never leave nor +forsake you."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a> +Violet dared not trust herself to speak. Elsie only murmured, "Dear, +dearest mamma!" and Edward, "Darling, precious mother, don't grieve too +sorely."</p> + +<p>"The consolations of God are not small! my dear son," was all she said +in reply, and they withdrew softly and silently as they had come.</p> + +<p>The next morning and each following day they were all allowed a few +moments with her, until four days had passed.</p> + +<p>On the fifth, as we have said, she came down to the breakfast room +leaning on her father's arm.</p> + +<p>As they neared the door she paused, trembling like a leaf, and turning +to him a white, anguished face.</p> + +<p>He knew what it meant. She had not been in that room, had not taken her +place at that table, since the morning of the day on which her husband +was taken ill. He was with her then, in apparently perfect health; +now—the places which had known him on earth would know him no more +forever.</p> + +<p>Her head dropped on her father's shoulder, a low moan escaping her pale +lips.</p> + +<p>"Dear child," he said, drawing her closer to him, and tenderly kissing +her brow, "think how perfectly happy, how blest he is. You would not +call him back?"</p> + +<p>"Oh no, no!" came from the quivering lips. "'The spirit is willing, but +the flesh is weak!'"</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a> +"Lean on your strong Saviour," he said, "and His grace will be +sufficient for you."</p> + +<p>She sent up a silent petition, then lifting her head, "I can bear it +now—He will help me," she said, and suffered him to lead her in.</p> + +<p>Her children gathered about her with a joy that was as a cordial to her +fainting spirit; their love was very sweet.</p> + +<p>But how her heart yearned over them because they were fatherless; all +the more so that she found her father's love so precious and sustaining +in this time of sorrow and bereavement.</p> + +<p>He led her to her accustomed seat, bent over her with a whispered word +of love and encouragement, then took the one opposite—once her +husband's, now his no more.</p> + +<p>Perhaps it was not quite so hard as to have seen it empty, but it cost a +heroic effort to restrain a burst of anguish.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a> +<a name="vi" id="vi"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<div class="block28"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i14">"Happy he<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With such a mother! faith in womankind<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Beats with his blood, and trust in all things high<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Comes easy to him, and though he trip and fall<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He shall not blind his soul with clay."<br /></span> + + +<p class="right">—<i>Tennyson.</i></p> +</div></div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Life</span> at Ion moved on in its accustomed quiet course, Mr. Travilla's +removal seeming, to outsiders, to have made very little change except +that Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore now took up their abode there for the greater +part of the time, leaving the younger Horace and his wife in charge at +the Oaks.</p> + +<p>An arrangement for which Elsie was very thankful, for her father's +presence and his love were as balm to her wounded spirit.</p> + +<p>Her strongest support in this, as in every trial of her life, was in her +almighty Saviour; on Him she leaned every hour with a simple childlike +faith and confidence in His unerring wisdom and infinite love; but it +was very sweet to lean somewhat upon the strength and wisdom of the +earthly father also, and to feel that the shield of his care and +protection was interposed between her and the cold world.</p> + +<p>Both his and Rose's companionship had ever<a class="pagenum" name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a> been delightful to her, and +were now a great solace and pleasure.</p> + +<p>She gave no indulgence to a spirit of repining because her chief earthly +treasure had been taken from her for the remainder of her life in this +world, but was filled with gratitude for those blessings that were left, +ever deeming God's goodness to her far beyond her deserts.</p> + +<p>And her own sorrow was often half forgotten in tender compassion for her +fatherless children. For their sakes, as well as because such was her +Christian duty, she strove after a constant abiding cheerfulness; and +not without success.</p> + +<p>But it was not sought in forgetfulness of the dear one gone. They talked +freely and tenderly of him, his looks, his words, his ways; his present +happiness and the joy of the coming reunion with him. He was not dead to +them, but living in the blessed land where death could never enter, a +land that grew more real and attractive because he was there.</p> + +<p>Elsie found great comfort in her children—dear as her own offspring, +and dearer still because they were his also. They were very good and +obedient, loving her so devotedly that the very thought of grieving her +was pain.</p> + +<p>Her unselfish love seemed to call forth its counterpart in them: they +vied with each other in earnest efforts to make up to her the loss of +their father's love and ever watchful tender care.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a> +They were very fond of their grandfather too, and always yielded a ready +obedience to his commands or directions.</p> + +<p>He never had shown to them the sternness that had been one of the trials +of their mother's youthful days, but was patient and gentle, as well as +firm and decided. Mr. Travilla's example as a father had not been wasted +on him.</p> + +<p>He was wont to say "he had three reasons for loving them—that they were +the children of his friend, Elsie's children, and his own +grandchildren."</p> + +<p>It was very evident that they were very dear to him, and they loved him +dearly in return.</p> + +<p>Mr. Travilla had left no debts, no entanglements in his affairs; his +will was short, plainly expressed, and its conditions such as there was +no difficulty in carrying out.</p> + +<p>Elsie and her father were joint executors, and were associated in the +guardianship of the children also. The estate was left to her during her +natural life, to Edward after her death.</p> + +<p>Hitherto the education of all the sons and daughters had been carried on +at home, but now Edward was to go to college.</p> + +<p>It had been his father's decision, and his wishes and opinions were +sacred; so neither the lad nor any one else raised an objection, though +all felt the prospect of parting sorely just at this time.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a> +There had been some talk of sending Harold and Herbert away also to a +preparatory school; but to save them and their mother the pain of +separation, Mr. Dinsmore offered to prepare them to enter college.</p> + +<p>Elsie was in fact herself competent to the task, but gladly accepted her +father's offered assistance; desiring to increase as much as possible +his good influence over her boys, hoping that so they would learn to +emulate all that was admirable in his character.</p> + +<p>They were of course leading a very quiet and retired life at Ion; but +with her household cares and the superintendence of the education of her +younger children to attend to in addition to other and less pressing +duties, Elsie was in no danger of finding time hanging heavy on her +hands.</p> + +<p>One of the numerous demands upon her maternal responsibility and +affection was found in the call to cheer, comfort and console her +namesake daughter under the trial of separation from her betrothed, +delay in hearing from him, and a morbid remorse on account of having, as +she expressed it, "troubled poor, dear papa by grieving and fretting +over Lester's departure."</p> + +<p>"Dear child," the mother said, "he sympathized with but did not blame +you, and would not have you blame yourself so severely now and embitter +your life with unavailing regrets. He<a class="pagenum" name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a> loved you very, very dearly, and +has often said to me, 'Elsie has been nothing but a blessing to us since +the hour of her birth.'"</p> + +<p>"O mamma, how sweet! Thank you for telling me," exclaimed the daughter, +tears of mingled joy and sorrow filling her eyes. "He said it once to +me, when I was quite a little girl—at the time grandpa—your +grandpa—and Aunt Enna were hurt, and you went to Roselands to nurse +her, leaving me at home to try to fill your place. Oh I shall never +forget how dear and kind he was when he came home from taking you there! +how he took me in his arms and kissed me and said those very words. +Mamma, I cannot recall one cross word ever spoken by him to me, or to +any one."</p> + +<p>"No, daughter, nor can I; he was most kind, patient, forbearing, loving, +as husband, father, master—in all the relations of life. What a +privilege to have been his cherished wife for so many years!"</p> + +<p>The sweet voice was very tremulous, and unbidden tears stole over the +fair cheeks that had not quite recovered their bloom; for scarce a month +had passed since the angel of death had come between her beloved and +herself.</p> + +<p>"Dear mamma, you made him very happy," whispered Elsie, clasping her +close with loving caresses.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we were as happy together, I believe,<a class="pagenum" name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a> as it is possible for any +to be in this world of sin and sorrow. I bless God that he was spared to +me so long, and for the blessedness that now is his, and the sure hope +that this separation is but for a season."</p> + +<p>"Mamma, it is that sweet hope that keeps you from sinking."</p> + +<p>"Yes, dearest, that and the sweet love and sympathy of Jesus. My +father's and my dear children's love does greatly help me also. Ah how +great is the goodness of my heavenly Father in sparing me all these! And +keeping me from poverty too; how many a poor widow has the added pang of +seeing her children suffering sore privations or scattered among +strangers, because she lacks the ability to provide them with food and +clothing."</p> + +<p>"Mamma, how dreadful!" cried Elsie. "I had never thought of that. How +thankful we ought to be that we do not have to be separated from you or +from each other. To be sure Edward is going away for a time," she added, +with a sigh and a tear, "but it is not to toil for a livelihood or +endure privations."</p> + +<p>"No, but to avail himself of opportunities for mental culture for which +we should be grateful as still another of the many blessings God has +given us. He will be exposed to temptations such as would never assail +him at home: but these he must meet, and if he does so looking<a class="pagenum" name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a> to God +for strength, he will overcome and be all the stronger for the conflict. +And we, daughter, must follow him constantly with our prayers. Thank God +that we can do that!"</p> + +<p>To Edward himself she spoke in the same strain in a last private talk +had with him the night before he went away.</p> + +<p>"I know that you have a very strong will of your own, my dear boy," she +added, "and are not easily led; and because I believe it to be your +earnest desire and purpose to walk in the way of God's commands, that is +a comfort to me."</p> + +<p>"You are right in regard to both, mother," he said with emotion: "and oh +I could sooner cut off my right hand than do aught to grieve you, and +dishonor the memory of—of my sainted father!"</p> + +<p>"I believe it, my son, but do not trust in your own strength. 'Be strong +in the Lord, and in the power of his might.'"</p> + +<p>"Yes, mother, I know, I feel that otherwise I shall fail; but 'I can do +all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.' Mother," he added, +turning over the leaves of his Bible (they had been reading together), +"in storing my memory with the teachings of this blessed book, you have +given me the best possible preparation for meeting the temptations and +snares of life."</p> + +<p>"Yes," she said, "'Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my +path;' 'Thy testimonies<a class="pagenum" name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a> also are my delight and my counsellors.' Let +them ever be yours, my son; in doubt and perplexity go ever to them for +direction—not forgetting prayer for the teachings of the Holy +Spirit—and you cannot go far astray. Make the Bible your rule of faith +and practice, bring everything to the test of Scripture. 'To the law and +to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is +because there is no light in them.'"</p> + +<p>"Mother," he said, "I think I have a pretty clear idea of some of the +temptations of college life: doubtless there are always a good many +idle, profane, drinking, dissolute fellows among the students, but it +does not seem possible that I shall ever find pleasure in the society of +such."</p> + +<p>"I hope not indeed!" she answered with emphasis. "It would be a sore +grief to me. But I hardly fear it; I believe my boy is a Christian and +loves purity: loves study too for its own sake. What I most fear for you +is that the pride of intellect may lead you to listen to the arguments +of sceptics and to examine their works. My son, if you should, you will +probably regret it to your dying day. It can do you nothing but harm. If +you fill your mind with such things your spiritual foes will take +advantage of it to harass you with doubts and fears. 'Blessed is the man +that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way +of sinners,<a class="pagenum" name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a> nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.' He who would rob +you of your faith in God and His holy word is your greatest enemy. Study +the evidences of Christianity and be ever ready to give a reason for the +hope that is in you."</p> + +<p>"Mother," he said, taking her hand in his, "I will heed your counsels, +but it seems to me that having seen Christianity so beautifully +exemplified in your life and my father's, I can never doubt its truth +and power."</p> + +<p>Then after a pause in which tears of mingled joy and sorrow fell freely +from her eyes, "Dear mother, you have given me a very liberal allowance. +Can you spare it? I do not know, I have never known the amount of your +income."</p> + +<p>"I can spare it perfectly well, my son," she answered, with a tender +smile, pleased at this proof of his thoughtful love. "It is the sum your +father thought best to give you—for we had consulted together about all +these matters. I do not wish you to feel stinted, but at the same time +would have you avoid waste and extravagance, remembering that they are +inconsistent with our Saviour's teachings, and that money is one of the +talents for whose use or abuse we must render an account at the last."</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a> +<a name="vii" id="vii"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<div class="block28"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="io">"But O! for the touch of a vanished hand,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And the sound of a voice that is still."<br /></span> + +<p class="right">—<i>Tennyson.</i></p> +</div></div></div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was a chill November day, a day of lowering clouds, wind, rain, sleet +and snow.</p> + +<p>Arthur Conly coming into the drawing-room at Ion and finding its +mistress there alone, remarked as he shook hands with her, "The +beginning of winter, Cousin Elsie! It is setting in early. It froze hard +last night, and the wind to-day is cutting."</p> + +<p>"Yes," she said, "even papa and my two big, hardy boys found a short +walk quite sufficient to satisfy them to-day. But you poor doctors can +seldom consult your own comfort in regard to facing wind and storm. Take +this easy chair beside the fire."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, no; I shall find it quite warm enough on the sofa beside +you. I am glad to have found you alone, for I want to have a little +semi-confidential chat."</p> + +<p>She gave him an inquiring look.</p> + +<p>"I am a little uneasy about grandpa," he went on: "he seems feeble and +has a troublesome cough, and I think should have a warmer climate +through the coming winter. I think too,<a class="pagenum" name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a> cousin, that such a change +would be by no means hurtful to you or your children," he continued, +regarding her with a grave, professional air: "you are a trifle thin and +pale, and need something to rouse and stimulate you."</p> + +<p>"What is it you wish, Arthur?" she asked, with a slight tremble in her +voice.</p> + +<p>"I should be glad if you would go to Viamede for the winter and take our +grandfather with you."</p> + +<p>He paused for an answer.</p> + +<p>Her face was turned toward a window looking out upon the grounds; her +eyes rested with mournful gaze upon a low mound of earth within a little +enclosure not many rods away.</p> + +<p>Arthur read her thoughts, and laying a gentle hand on hers, said in low +compassionate tones:</p> + +<p>"He is not there, cousin, and his spirit will be as near you in your +Lily's birthplace, and your own, as here. Is not that home also full of +pleasant memories of him?"</p> + +<p>She gave a silent assent.</p> + +<p>"And you can take all your other dear ones with you."</p> + +<p>"Except Edward."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but in his case it will only involve a little delay in receiving +letters. Your father and Aunt Rose I am certain will go with you. And +our old grandpa—"</p> + +<p>"Is a dear old grandpa, and must not suffer<a class="pagenum" name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a> anything I can save him +from," she interrupted. "Yes, Arthur, I will go, if—if my father +approves and will accompany us, of which I have no doubt."</p> + +<p>He thanked her warmly. "It may be the saving of grandpa's life," he +said.</p> + +<p>"He is getting very old, Arthur."</p> + +<p>"Yes, past eighty, but with care he may live to be a hundred; he has a +naturally vigorous constitution. And how he mellows with age, Elsie! He +has become a very lovely Christian, as humble and simple-hearted as a +little child."</p> + +<p>"Yes," she said turning toward him eyes filled with glad tears, "and he +has become very dear to me. I think he loves us all—especially +papa—and that we shall have a happy winter together."</p> + +<p>"I don't doubt it; in fact, I quite envy you the prospect."</p> + +<p>"Oh could you not go with us to stay at least a few weeks? We should all +be so very glad to have you."</p> + +<p>"Quite impossible," he said, shaking his head rather ruefully. "I'm +greatly obliged, and should be delighted to accept your invitation, but +it isn't often a busy doctor can venture to take such a holiday."</p> + +<p>"I'm very sorry. But you think there is no doubt that grandpa will be +willing to go?"</p> + +<p>"He'll not hesitate a moment if he hears<a class="pagenum" name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a> Uncle Horace is to go. He +clings to him now more than to any other earthly creature."</p> + +<p>"Papa is in the library; shall we join him and hear what he thinks of +your plan?" said Elsie, rising.</p> + +<p>"By all means," returned Arthur, and they did so.</p> + +<p>Mr. Dinsmore highly approved, as did Rose also on being called in to the +conference.</p> + +<p>"How soon do you think of starting?" she asked, looking at Elsie, then +at her husband.</p> + +<p>"Papa should decide that," Elsie answered, a slight tremble in her +voice, thinking of the absent one to whom that question should have been +referred were his dear presence still with them.</p> + +<p>She caught a look of tenderest love and sympathy from her father. How +well he understood her! How ever thoughtful of her feelings he was!</p> + +<p>"I think the decision should rest with you, daughter," he said; "though +I suppose the sooner the better."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Arthur; "for grandpa especially."</p> + +<p>"I presume no great amount of preparation will be needful, since it is +but a change from one home to another," suggested Rose.</p> + +<p>"No," said Elsie, "and I think a week will suffice for mine. Papa, can +business matters be arranged in that time?"</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a> +"Oh yes! so we will say this day week."</p> + +<p>The door had opened very quietly a few moments before, admitting little +Rose and Walter, and stealing softly to their mother's side they were +now leaning on her lap, looking from one to another of their elders and +listening with some curiosity to their conversation.</p> + +<p>"What is it, mamma?" asked Rosie.</p> + +<p>"We are talking of going to Viamede, dear."</p> + +<p>"Oh that will be nice!"</p> + +<p>"But we tan't doe wis-out papa," prattled Walter; "tan we, mamma? I wish +my dear papa tum back quick."</p> + +<p>Rosie saw the pain in mamma's dear face, the tears in her eyes as she +pressed a silent kiss on the brow of the innocent questioner, and with +ready, loving tact she seized the little fellow's hand, and, drawing him +away, "Come, Walter," she said, "let us go and tell the rest about it."</p> + +<p>They ran away together, and Arthur rose to take leave.</p> + +<p>"Am I imposing upon your unselfish kindness of heart, my dear cousin?" +he asked in an undertone, taking Elsie's hand in his; "is it too great a +sacrifice of your own feelings and inclinations?"</p> + +<p>She answered with a text, as was not unusual with her, "'Even Christ +pleased not himself.'"</p> + +<p>Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore were conversing apart at the moment.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a> +"Perhaps," returned Arthur musingly, "we might make some other +arrangement; grandpa might be willing to go without—"</p> + +<p>"No, no," she interrupted, "I could not think of giving him the pain of +separation from papa, nor could I bear that myself. But do not trouble +about me; there will be much pleasure mingled with the pain—pleasure in +ministering to the comfort and happiness of the dear old grandpa, and in +seeing Viamede and the old servants. I have always loved both the place +and them."</p> + +<p>Her father had caught a part of her words.</p> + +<p>"Separation from me?" he said, turning toward her, "who talks of that? +It shall not be with my consent."</p> + +<p>"No, papa, nor with mine, for either grandpa or myself," she said with a +look of affection and a slight smile. "Arthur, will you carry a message +from me to Isa?"</p> + +<p>"With pleasure."</p> + +<p>"Then tell her I should be very glad to have her spend the winter at +Viamede with us, if she feels that she would enjoy the trip and the +quiet life we shall lead there. There will, of course, be no gayeties to +tempt a young girl."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," he said, his eyes shining; "I have not the slightest doubt +that she will be delighted to accept the invitation. And, now I think of +it, Aunt Enna and Molly will of course<a class="pagenum" name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a> find a home with us at Roselands +while you are away."</p> + +<p>"No, no, they will go with us," returned Elsie quickly, "unless indeed +they prefer to be left behind."</p> + +<p>Arthur suggested that they would be a great charge, especially upon the +journey, but the objection was promptly overruled by Mr. Dinsmore, Rose +and Elsie.</p> + +<p>Molly must go, they all said; she would be sure to enjoy the change +greatly: and the poor child had so few pleasures; and the same was true +of Enna also: she had never seen Viamede, and could not fail to be +delighted with its loveliness; nor would it do to part her from Molly, +who was now her chief happiness.</p> + +<p>"I trust they will appreciate your kindness; Molly will, I am sure," +Arthur said as he went away.</p> + +<p>As the door closed on him, Elsie glided to the window and stood in a +pensive attitude gazing out upon that lowly mound, only faintly +discernible now in the gathering darkness, for night was closing in +early by reason of the heavy clouds that obscured the sky.</p> + +<p>A yearning importunate cry was going up from her almost breaking heart. +"My husband, oh my husband, how can I live without you! Oh to hear once +more the sound of your voice, to feel once again the clasp of your arm, +the touch of your hand!"</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a> +A sense of utter loneliness was upon her.</p> + +<p>But in another moment she felt herself enfolded in a strong yet tender +embrace, a gentle caressing hand smoothing her hair.</p> + +<p>"My darling, my precious one, my own beloved child!" murmured her +father's voice in its most endearing accents, as he drew her head to a +resting place on his breast.</p> + +<p>She let it lie there, her tears falling fast.</p> + +<p>"I fear this going away is to be too great a trial to you," he said.</p> + +<p>"No, papa, but I am very weak. Forgive my selfish indulgence of my +sorrow."</p> + +<p>"My darling, I can sympathize in it, at least to some extent. I remember +even yet the anguish of the first months of my mourning for your +mother."</p> + +<p>"Papa, I feel that my wound can never heal; it is too deep; deep as the +roots of my love for him, that had been striking farther and farther +into the soil with every one of the many days and years that we lived +and loved together."</p> + +<p>"I fear it may be so," he answered with tenderest compassion; "yet time +will dull the edge of your sorrow; you will learn to dwell less upon the +pain of the separation, and more upon his present happiness and the +bliss of the reunion that will be drawing nearer and nearer with each +revolving day. Dear one, this aching pain will not last forever; as +Rutherford says,<a class="pagenum" name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a> 'Sorrow and the saints are not married together; or +suppose it were so, Heaven would make a divorce.'"</p> + +<p>"They are very sweet words," she murmured, "and sweeter still is the +assurance given us in the Scriptures that 'our light affliction, which +is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal +weight of glory.'"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Rose, coming to her other side and speaking in low, tender +tones, "dear Elsie, let those words comfort you; and these others also, +'Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he +receiveth.' But for that and similar texts I should wonder much that +trial of any kind was ever permitted to come nigh one who has been a +loving disciple of Jesus since her very early years."</p> + +<p>"Was it that I loved my husband too well?" Elsie queried in tremulous +tones. "I do not think I made an idol of him; for inexpressibly dear as +he was, the Master was dearer still."</p> + +<p>"If that be so you did not love him—your husband—too well," her father +answered.</p> + +<p>"I hear my children's voices; I must not let them see their mother +giving way to grief like this," she said, lifting her head and wiping +away her tears.</p> + +<p>They came in—the whole six—preceded by a servant bearing lights.</p> + +<p>There was a subdued eagerness about the<a class="pagenum" name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a> younger ones, as they hastened +to their mother asking, "Mamma, is it really so—that we are going to +Viamede?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, dears, I believe it is quite settled. Grandpa approves, and I hope +you are all pleased."</p> + +<p>"Oh yes, yes!"</p> + +<p>"If you are, mamma," the older girls said, noticing with affectionate +concern the traces of tears on her face; "if not, we prefer to stay +here."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, my darlings," she answered, smiling affectionately upon +them; "for several reasons I shall be glad to go, the principal being +that our poor old grandfather needs the warm climate he will find there; +and of course we could not think of letting him go alone."</p> + +<p>"Oh no!" they said; "he could not do without grandpa, and neither could +we."</p> + +<p>"And neither could grandpa do without his eldest daughter, or her +children," added Mr. Dinsmore playfully, sitting down and taking Walter +upon one knee, Rosie upon the other. "So we will all go together, and I +trust will have a happy time in that lovely land of fruits and flowers."</p> + +<p>They had not seen it for several years, not since Walter was a babe and +Rosie so young that she remembered but little about it. Both were +delighted with the prospect before them, and<a class="pagenum" name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a> plied their grandpa with +many eager questions, while their mother looked on with growing +cheerfulness, resolutely putting aside her grief that she might not mar +their pleasure.</p> + +<p>The other four had gathered about her, Vi on a cushion at her feet, +Elsie seated close on one side, Herbert standing on the other, and +Harold at the back of her chair, leaning fondly over her, now touching +his lips to her cheek, now softly smoothing her shining hair.</p> + +<p>"Dear mamma, how beautiful you are!" he whispered.</p> + +<p>"You might as well say it out loud," remarked Herbert, overhearing the +words, "because everybody knows it and nobody would want to contradict +you."</p> + +<p>"We are very apt to think those beautiful whom we love," their mother +said with a pleased smile, "and the love of my children is very sweet to +me."</p> + +<p>"Yes, mamma, but you <em>are</em> beautiful," insisted Harold; "it isn't only +my love that makes you look so to me, though I do love you +dearly—dearly."</p> + +<p>"Mamma knows we all do," said Violet; "we should be monsters of +ingratitude if we did not."</p> + +<p>"As I should be if I were not filled with thankfulness to God that he +has blessed me with such dutiful and affectionate children," added the +mother.</p> + +<p>"Mamma, how soon will we go to Viamede?"<a class="pagenum" name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a> asked Violet; and that +question being answered, another quickly followed. "We will not leave +Molly behind?"</p> + +<p>"No, certainly not; nor Aunt Enna, if they will kindly consent to go +with us."</p> + +<p>"Consent, mamma! I'm sure they cannot help being delighted to go. May I +run and tell them?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, my child; I know you always enjoy being the bearer of pleasant +news."</p> + +<p>Molly heard it with great pleasure and gratitude to her cousin; Enna +with even childish delight. Neither had a thought of declining.</p> + +<p>Isadore Conly, also, was very much pleased, and sure she should vastly +enjoy the winter with her relations, spite of many an envious +prognostication to the contrary on the part of her mother and Virginia. +They would not go on any account, they averred, and were glad they had +been overlooked in the invitation—mean as it was in Elsie not to +include them—for life at Viamede could not fail to be a very dull +affair for that winter at least.</p> + +<p>But Elsie, of course, heard none of these unkind remarks, and seeing the +happiness she was conferring not only upon more distant relations but +upon her children also, who showed increasing pleasure in the thought of +the expected visit to their lovely southern home as the time drew near, +she felt fully repaid for the sacrifice of feeling she was making.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a> +<a name="viii" id="viii"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<div class="block26"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="io">"'Tis easier for the generous to forgive<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Than for offence to ask it."<br /></span> + +<p class="right">—<i>Thomson.</i></p> +</div></div></div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> only noteworthy incident of the journey of our friends took place at +New Orleans, where they halted for a few days of rest to all, and +sight-seeing on the part of the young people.</p> + +<p>Mr. Horace Dinsmore, who had some business matters to attend to in +connection with Elsie's property in the city, was hurrying back to his +hotel one afternoon, when a beggar accosted him, asking for a little +help, holding out a very forlorn hat to receive it.</p> + +<p>There seemed something familiar in the voice, and Mr. Dinsmore stopped +and looked earnestly at its owner.</p> + +<p>A seamed, scarred face, thin, cadaverous, framed in with unkempt hair +and scraggy beard—an attenuated form clothed in rags—these were what +met his view, surely for the first time, for there was nothing familiar +about either.</p> + +<p>No, not for the first time; for, with a start of recognition and a +muttered curse, the mendicant dropped his hat, then stooped, hastily<a class="pagenum" name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a> +snatched it from the ground, and rushed away down an alley.</p> + +<p>"Ah, I know you now!" cried Mr. Dinsmore, giving instant pursuit.</p> + +<p>He could not be mistaken in the peculiarly maimed hand stretched out to +regain the hat.</p> + +<p>Its owner fled as if for his life, but, weak from disease and famine, +could not distance his pursuer.</p> + +<p>At last, finding the latter close at his heels, he stopped and faced +him, leaning, panting and trembling, against a wall.</p> + +<p>"George Boyd, is it you? reduced to such a condition as this!" exclaimed +Mr. Dinsmore, eying him searchingly.</p> + +<p>"You've mistaken your man, sir," panted the fugitive. "My name's +Brown—Sam Brown at your service."</p> + +<p>"Then why did you run away from me?" coolly inquired the gentleman. "No, +I cannot mistake that hand," pointing to the maimed member.</p> + +<p>"And you'd like to hang me, I suppose," returned the other bitterly. +"But I don't believe you could do it here. Beside, what's the use? I'll +not cumber the ground much longer, can't you see that? Travilla +himself," he added, with a fierce oath, "can hardly wish me anything +worse than I've come to. I'm literally starving—can hardly get enough +food to keep<a class="pagenum" name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a> soul and body together from one day to another."</p> + +<p>"Then come with me and I will feed you," Mr. Dinsmore said, his whole +soul moved with pity for the miserable wretch. "Yonder is a restaurant; +let us go there, and I will pay for all you can eat."</p> + +<p>"You don't mean it?" cried Boyd in incredulous surprise.</p> + +<p>"I do; every word of it. Will you come?"</p> + +<p>"A strange question to ask a starving man. Of course I will; only too +gladly."</p> + +<p>They crossed the street, entered the eating-house, and Mr. Dinsmore +ordered a substantial meal set before Boyd. He devoured it with wolfish +voracity, his entertainer watching him for a moment, then turning away +in pained disgust.</p> + +<p>Time after time plate and cup were filled and emptied, but at last he +declared his appetite fully satisfied. Mr. Dinsmore paid the reckoning, +and they passed out into the street together.</p> + +<p>"Well, sir," said Boyd, "I'm a thousand times obliged. Shall be more so +if you will accommodate me with a small loan—or gift if you like, for I +haven't a cent in the world."</p> + +<p>"How much do you think you deserve at my hands?" asked Mr. Dinsmore +somewhat severely, for the request seemed to him a bold one under the +circumstances.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a> +"I leave that to your generosity, sir," was the cool reply.</p> + +<p>"Which you expect to be great enough to allow you to escape the justice +that should have been meted out to you years ago?"</p> + +<p>"I've never harmed a hair of your head nor of any one belonging to you; +though I owe a heavy scare to both you and Travilla," was the insolent +rejoinder.</p> + +<p>"No, your imprisonment was the due reward of your lawless and cruel +deeds."</p> + +<p>"Whatever I may have done," retorted the wretch with savage ferocity, +"it was nothing compared to the injury inflicted upon me. I suffered +inconceivable torture. Look at me and judge if I do not speak the truth; +look at these fearful scars, these almost blinded eyes." He finished +with a torrent of oaths and curses directed at Travilla.</p> + +<p>"Stop!" said Mr. Dinsmore authoritatively, "you are speaking against the +sainted dead, and he entirely innocent of the cause of your sufferings."</p> + +<p>"What! is he dead? When? where? how did he die?"</p> + +<p>"At Ion, scarce two months ago, calmly, peacefully, trusting with +undoubting faith in the atoning blood of Christ."</p> + +<p>Boyd stood leaning against the outer wall of the restaurant; he was +evidently very weak; he<a class="pagenum" name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a> seemed awe-struck, and did not speak again for +a moment; then, "I did not know it," he said in a subdued tone. "So he's +gone! And his wife? She was very fond of him."</p> + +<p>"She was indeed. She is in this city with her family, on her way to +Viamede."</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry for her; never had any grudge against her," said Boyd. "And +my aunt?"</p> + +<p>"Is still living and in good health, but beginning to feel the +infirmities of age. She has long mourned for you as worse than dead. You +look ill able to stand; let me help you to your home."</p> + +<p>"Home? I have none." There was a mixture of scorn and despair in the +tones.</p> + +<p>"But you must have some lodging place?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sometimes it is a door-step, sometimes a pile of rotten straw in a +filthy cellar. On second thoughts, Dinsmore, I rather wish you'd have me +arrested and lodged in jail," he added with a bitter laugh. "I'd at +least have a bed to lay my weary limbs upon, and something to eat. And +before the trial was over I'd be beyond the reach of any heavier +penalty."</p> + +<p>"Of human law," added Mr. Dinsmore significantly, "but do not forget +that after death comes the judgment. No, Boyd; I feel no resentment +toward you, and since your future career in this world is evidently very +short, I do<a class="pagenum" name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a> not feel called upon to deliver you up to human justice. +Also, for your aunt's sake especially, I am inclined to give you some +assistance. I will therefore give you the means to pay for a decent +lodging to-night, and to-morrow will see what further can be done, if +you will let me know where to find you."</p> + +<p>Time and place were fixed upon, money enough to pay for bed and +breakfast was given to Boyd, and they parted company, Mr. Dinsmore +hastening on his way to his hotel—the very best the city afforded—with +a light, free step, while Boyd slowly dragged himself to a very humble +lodging in a narrow, dirty street near at hand.</p> + +<p>Mr. Dinsmore found his whole party gathered in their private parlor and +anxiously awaiting his coming. As he entered there was a general +exclamation of relief and pleasure on the part of the ladies and his +father, and a joyous shout from Rosie and Walter as each hastened to +claim a seat upon his knee.</p> + +<p>"My dears, grandpa is tired," said their mother.</p> + +<p>"Not too tired for this," he said, caressing them with all a father's +fondness.</p> + +<p>"Are you not late, my dear?" asked his wife; "we were beginning to feel +a trifle anxious about you."</p> + +<p>"Rather, I believe. I will explain the cause at another time," he said +pleasantly.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a> +Tea was brought in, family worship followed the meal, and shortly after +that Elsie retired with her little ones to see them to bed; the others +drew round the table, each with book or work, Harold pushing Molly's +chair up near the light; and Mr. Dinsmore, seating himself beside his +wife, on a distant sofa, gave her in subdued tones an account of his +interview with Boyd.</p> + +<p>"Poor wretch!" she sighed, "what can we do for him? It is too dreadful +to think of his dying as he has lived."</p> + +<p>"It is, indeed! We will consult with Elsie as to what can be done."</p> + +<p>"The very mention of his name must be a pain to her; can she not be +spared it?"</p> + +<p>"I will consider that question. You know I would not willingly pain +her," he said, with a tenderly affectionate glance at his daughter as +she re-entered the room; then rising he paced the floor, as was his +habit when engaged in deep or perplexing thought.</p> + +<p>Elsie watched him a little anxiously, but without remark until all the +others had retired, leaving her alone with him and Rose.</p> + +<p>Then going to him where he sat, in a large easy chair beside the table, +looking over the evening paper, "Papa," she said, laying her hand +affectionately on his arm, "I fear you are finding my affairs +troublesome."</p> + +<p>"No, my dear child, not at all," he answered,<a class="pagenum" name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a> throwing down the paper +and drawing her to a seat upon his knee.</p> + +<p>"It seems quite like old, old times," she said with a smile, gazing +lovingly into his eyes, then stealing an arm about his neck and laying +her cheek to his.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said, fondling her; "why should I not have you here as I used +to twenty odd years ago? You are no larger or heavier nor I a whit less +strong and vigorous than we were then."</p> + +<p>"How thankful I am for that last," she returned, softly stroking his +face, "and it is very pleasant occasionally to imagine myself your own +little girl again. But something is giving you anxiety, my dear father. +Is it anything in which I can assist you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; but I fear I can hardly explain without calling up painful +memories."</p> + +<p>He felt her start slightly, and a low-breathed sigh met his ear.</p> + +<p>"Still say on, dear papa," she whispered tremulously.</p> + +<p>"Can you bear it?" he asked; "not for me, but for another—an enemy."</p> + +<p>"Yes, the Lord will give me strength. Of whom do you speak?"</p> + +<p>"George Boyd."</p> + +<p>"The would-be murderer of my husband!" she exclaimed, with a start and +shiver, while the<a class="pagenum" name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a> tears coursed freely down her cheeks. "I thought him +long since dead."</p> + +<p>"No, I met him this evening, but so worn and altered by disease and +famine, so seamed and scarred by Aunt Dicey's scalding shower, that I +recognized him only by the mutilated right hand. Elsie, the man is +reduced to the lowest depths of poverty and shame, and evidently very +near his end."</p> + +<p>"Papa, what would you have me do?" she asked in quivering tones.</p> + +<p>"Could you bear to have him removed to Viamede? could you endure his +presence there for the few weeks he has yet to live?"</p> + +<p>She seemed to have a short struggle with herself, then the answer came +in low, agitated tones.</p> + +<p>"Yes, if neither my children nor I need look upon him or hold any +communication with him."</p> + +<p>"That would not be at all necessary," her father answered, holding her +close to his heart. "And indeed I could not consent to it myself. He is +a loathsome creature both morally and physically; yet for his aunt's +sake, and still more for His sake who bids us 'Love your enemies, bless +them that curse you, do good to them that hate you,' I shall gladly do +all in my power for the wretched prodigal. And who can tell but there +may yet be mercy in store for him? God's mercy and power are infinite, +and He has 'no pleasure in the death of him that dieth,' but<a class="pagenum" name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a> would +rather that he turn from his evil way and live."</p> + +<p>There was a little pause, then Elsie asked if her father had arranged +any plans in regard to Boyd's removal.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said, "subject of course to your approval. I have thought it +would be well to send him on at once and let him be settled in his +quarters before the arrival of our own party. You must decide what room +he is to occupy."</p> + +<p>She named one situated in a wing of the mansion, and quite distant from +the apartments which would be used by the family.</p> + +<p>"What more, papa?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"He must have an attendant—a nurse. And shall we not write to his aunt, +inviting her to come and be with him while he lives? remain through the +winter with us, if she can find it convenient and agreeable to do so?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, oh yes! poor dear Mrs. Carrington; it will be but a melancholy +pleasure to her. But I think if any one can do him good it will be she. +I will write at once."</p> + +<p>"Not to-night; it is too late; you are looking weary, and I want you to +go at once to bed. To-morrow morning will be time enough for the +letter."</p> + +<p>"What, sending me to bed, papa!" she said with a slightly amused smile. +"I must be indeed your little girl again. Well, I will obey as I<a class="pagenum" name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a> used +to in the olden time, for I still believe you know what is best for me. +So good-night, my dear, dear father!"</p> + +<p>"Good-night, my darling," he responded, caressing her with all the old, +fatherly tenderness. "May God bless and keep you and your dear +children."</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a> +<a name="ix" id="ix"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<div class="block30"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="io">"She led me first to God;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Her words and prayers were my young spirit's dew."<br /></span> + +<p class="right">—<i>Pierpont.</i></p> +</div></div></div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Elsie's</span> letter to Mrs. Carrington was despatched by the first morning +mail, and directly after breakfast Mr. Dinsmore went in search of Boyd.</p> + +<p>Hardened as the man was, he showed some sense of gratitude toward the +new-made widow of his intended victim, when informed of her kind +intentions toward himself; some remorse for his attempt to injure him +whom she had so dearly loved.</p> + +<p>"It is really a great deal more than I had the least right to expect +even for my aunt's sake," he said. "Why, sir, it will be like getting +out of hell into heaven!"</p> + +<p>"It is not for Mrs. Carrington's sake alone, or principally—strong as +is the tie of friendship between them," replied Mr. Dinsmore, "but +rather for the sake of the Master she loves and serves, and who bids His +followers return good for evil."</p> + +<p>"Cant!" sneered Boyd to himself: then aloud, "Well, sir, I wish it were +in my power to make some suitable return to Mrs. Travilla;<a class="pagenum" name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a> but that can +never be, and unfortunately I cannot even undo the past."</p> + +<p>"No; and that is a thought which might well deter us from evil deeds. +Now the next thing is to provide you with a bath, decent clothing, and +suitable attendant, and get you and him aboard the boat, which leaves a +few hours hence."</p> + +<p>All this was done and Mr. Dinsmore returned to his daughter with a +satisfactory report to that effect.</p> + +<p>Their party remained a few days longer in the Crescent City, then +embarked for Viamede, where they arrived in due season, having met with +no accident or detention by the way.</p> + +<p>As on former occasions, they were joyfully welcomed by the old servants; +but many tears mingled with the rejoicings, for Mr. Travilla had been +greatly beloved by all, and they wept for both their own loss and that +of their "dear bressed Missus," as they were wont to call her whom his +death had widowed.</p> + +<p>She was much overcome at the first, memory vividly recalling former +arrivals when he—her dearest earthly friend—was by her side, giving +her the support of his loved presence and sharing her happiness.</p> + +<p>Her thoughts dwelt particularly upon the glad days of their honeymoon; +and she seemed to see herself again a loved, loving, cherished<a class="pagenum" name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a> bride, +now wandering with him through the beautiful orange groves or over the +velvety, flower-bespangled lawn, now seated by his side in the veranda, +the parlor, the library, or on some rustic seat under the grand old +trees, his arm encircling her waist, his eyes looking tenderly into +hers; or it might be gliding over the waters of the lakelet or galloping +or driving through the woods, everywhere and always the greatest delight +of each the love and companionship of the other.</p> + +<p>Ah, how often she now caught herself listening for the sound of his +voice, his step, waiting, longing to feel the touch of his hand! Could +she ever cease to do so?—ever lose that weary homesickness of heart +that at times seemed almost more than mortal strength could endure?</p> + +<p>But she had more than mortal strength to sustain her; the everlasting +arms were underneath and around her, the love that can never die, never +change, was her unfailing support and consolation.</p> + +<p>She indulged in no spirit of repining, no nursing of her grief, but gave +herself with cheerful earnestness to every good work: the careful, +prayerful instruction and training of her children as her first duty; +then kindly attentions to her old grandfather, to parents and guests; +after that the care of house servants, field hands, and the outside poor +of the vicinity,<a class="pagenum" name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a> neglecting neither their bodies nor their souls; also +helping the cause of Christ in both her own and foreign lands, with +untiring efforts, earnest, believing prayer, and liberal gifts, striving +to be a faithful steward of the ample means God had committed to her +trust, and rejoicing in the ability to relieve the wants of His people, +and to assist in spreading abroad the glad news of salvation through +faith in Christ.</p> + +<p>There was no gayety at Viamede that winter, but the atmosphere of the +house was eminently cheerful, its walls often echoing to the blithe +voices and merry laughter of the children; never checked or reproved by +mamma; the days gliding peacefully by, in a varied round of useful and +pleasant employment and delightful recreation that left no room for +<em>ennui</em>—riding, driving, walking, boating for all, and healthful play +for the children.</p> + +<p>Lester Leland had been heard from, was well, and wrote in so hopeful a +strain that the heart of his affianced grew light and joyous. She was +almost ashamed to find she could be so happy without the dear father so +lately removed.</p> + +<p>Her mother reassured her on that point: it was right for her to be as +happy as she could; it was what her papa would have highly approved and +wished; and then in being so and allowing it to be perceived by those +around her, she would add to their enjoyment.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a> +"We are told to 'rejoice in the Lord always,'" concluded the mother, +"and a Christian's heart should never be the abode of gloom and +sadness."</p> + +<p>"Dear mamma, what an unfailing comfort and blessing you are to me and to +all your children," cried the young girl. "Oh, I do thank God every day +for my mother's dear love, my mother's wise counsels!"</p> + +<p>It was very true, and to mamma each one of the six—or we might say +seven, for Edward did the same by letter—carried every trouble, great +or small, every doubt, fear, and perplexity.</p> + +<p>No two of them were exactly alike in disposition—each required a little +different management from the others—but attentively studying each +character and asking wisdom from above, the mother succeeded wonderfully +well in guiding and controlling them.</p> + +<p>In this her father assisted her, and she was most careful and decided in +upholding his authority, never in any emergency opposing hers to it.</p> + +<p>"Mamma," said Harold, coming to her one day in her dressing-room, +"Herbie is in trouble with grandpa."</p> + +<p>"I am very sorry," she said with a look of concern, "but if so it must +be by his own fault; your grandpa's commands are never unreasonable."</p> + +<p>"No, I suppose not, mamma," Harold returned<a class="pagenum" name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a> doubtfully, "but Herbie is +having a very hard time over his Latin lesson, and says he can't learn +it: it is too difficult. Mamma," with some hesitation, "if you would +speak to grandpa perhaps he would let him off this once."</p> + +<p>"Do you think that would be a good plan?" she asked with a slight smile. +"Herbert's great fault is lack of perseverance; he is too easily +discouraged, too ready to give up and say 'I can't.' Do you think it +would be really kind to indulge him in doing so?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not, mamma; but I feel very sorry to see him in such distress. +Grandpa has forbidden him to leave the school-room or to have anything +to eat but bread and milk till he can recite his lesson quite perfectly. +And we had planned to go fishing this afternoon, if you should give +permission, mamma."</p> + +<p>"My son," she said with an affectionate look into the earnest face of +the pleader, "I am glad to see your sympathy and love for your brother, +but I think your grandpa loves him quite as well and knows far better +what is for his good, and I cannot interfere between them; my children +must all be as obedient and submissive to my father as they are to me."</p> + +<p>"Yes, mamma, I know, and indeed we never disobey him. How could we when +papa bade us not? and made him our guardian, too?"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Travilla sat thinking for a moment after<a class="pagenum" name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a> Harold had gone, then +rose and went to the school-room.</p> + +<p>Herbert sat there alone, idly drumming on his desk, the open book pushed +aside. His face was flushed and wore a very disconsolate and slightly +sullen expression.</p> + +<p>He looked up as his mother came in, but dropped his eyes instantly, +blushing and ashamed.</p> + +<p>"Mamma," he stammered, "I—I can't learn this lesson, it's so very hard, +and I'm so tired of being cooped up here. Mayn't I go out and have a +good run before I try any more?"</p> + +<p>"If your grandpa gives permission; not otherwise."</p> + +<p>"But he won't; and it's a hateful old lesson! and I <em>can't</em> learn it!" +he cried with angry impatience.</p> + +<p>"My boy, you are grieving your mother very much," she said, sitting down +beside him and laying her cool hand on his heated brow.</p> + +<p>"O mamma, I didn't mean to do that!" he cried, throwing his arms about +her neck. "I do love you dearly, dearly."</p> + +<p>"I believe it, my son," she said, returning his caress, "but I want you +to prove it by being obedient to your kind grandpa as well as to me, and +by trying to conquer your faults."</p> + +<p>"Mamma, I haven't been naughty—only I can't learn such hard lessons as +grandpa gives."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a> +"My son, I know you do not mean to be untruthful, but to say that you +cannot learn your lesson is really not the truth; the difficulty is not +so much in the ability as in the will. And are you not indulging a +naughty temper?"</p> + +<p>"Mamma," he said, hanging his head, "you don't know how hard Latin is."</p> + +<p>"Why, what do you mean, my son?" she asked in surprise; "you certainly +know that I have studied Latin."</p> + +<p>"Yes, mamma, but wasn't it easier for you to learn than it is for me?"</p> + +<p>"I think not," she said with a smile, "though I believe I had more real +love for study and was less easily conquered by difficulties; and +yet—shall I tell you a little secret?"</p> + +<p>"Oh yes, ma'am, please do!" he answered, turning a bright, interested +face to hers.</p> + +<p>"Well, I disliked Latin at first, and did not want to study it. I should +have coaxed very hard to be excused from doing so, but that I +<a name="dared" id="dared"></a><ins title="Original has pared">dared</ins> not, because my papa had strictly forbidden me to coax +or tease after he had given his decision; and he had said Latin was to +be one of my studies. There was one day, though, that I cried over my +lesson and insisted that I could not learn it."</p> + +<p>"And what did grandpa do to you?" he asked with great interest.</p> + +<p>"Treated me just as he does you—told me I<a class="pagenum" name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a> <em>must</em> learn it, and that I +could not dine with him and mamma or leave my room until I knew it. And, +my boy, I see now that he was wise and kind, and I have often been +thankful since that he was so firm and decided with me."</p> + +<p>"But did you learn it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; nor did it take me long when once I gave my mind to it with +determination. That is exactly what you need to do. The great fault of +your disposition is lack of energy and perseverance, a fault grandpa and +I must help you to conquer, or you will never be of much use in the +world."</p> + +<p>"But, mamma, it seems to me I shall not need to do much when I'm a man," +he remarked a little shamefacedly; "haven't you a great deal of money to +give us all?"</p> + +<p>"It may be all gone before you are grown up," she said gravely. "I +shall be glad to lose it if its possession is to be the ruin of my sons. +But I do not intend to let any of you live in idleness, for that would +be a sin, because our talents must be improved to the utmost and used in +God's service, whether we have much or little money or none at all. +Therefore each of my boys must study a profession or learn some +handicraft by which he can earn his own living or make money to use in +doing good.</p> + +<p>"Now I am going to leave you," she added, rising, "and if you do not +want to give me a sad<a class="pagenum" name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a> heart you will set to work at that lesson with a +will, and soon have it ready to recite to your grandpa."</p> + +<p>"Mamma, I will, to please you," he returned, drawing the book toward +him.</p> + +<p>"Do it to please God, your kind heavenly Father, even more than to make +me happy," she answered, laying her hand caressingly on his head.</p> + +<p>"Mamma, what is the text that says it will please Him?" he asked, +looking up inquiringly, for it had always been a habit with her to +enforce her teachings with a passage of Scripture.</p> + +<p>"There are a great many that teach it more or less directly," she said; +"we are to be diligent in business, to improve our talents and use them +in God's service; children are to obey their parents; and both your +grandpa and I have directed you to learn that lesson."</p> + +<p>"Mamma, I will do my very best," he said cheerfully, and she saw as she +left the room that he was really trying to redeem the promise.</p> + +<p>An hour later he came to her with a very bright face, to say that +grandpa had pronounced his recitation quite perfect and released him +from confinement.</p> + +<p>Her pleased look, her smile, her kiss were a sweet reward and a strong +incentive to continuance in well-doing.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a> +<a name="x" id="x"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<blockquote class="mb0"> +<p class="mb0">"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to +this word, it is because there is no light in them."</p> + +<p class="right mt0">—<i>Isaiah</i> 8:20.</p> +</blockquote> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Some</span> years before this Elsie had built a little church on the +plantation, entirely at her own expense, for the use of her dependents +and of her own family when sojourning at Viamede. The membership was +composed principally of blacks.</p> + +<p>A few miles distant was another small church of the same denomination, +attended by the better class of whites; planters and their families.</p> + +<p>To these two congregations conjointly Mr. Mason had ministered for a +long while, preaching to the one in the morning, to the other in the +afternoon of each Sabbath.</p> + +<p>He had, however, been called to another field of labor, a few weeks +previous to the arrival of our friends, leaving the two congregations +pastorless, and the pretty cottage built for him at Viamede without a +tenant.</p> + +<p>Still they were not entirely without the preaching of the word, now one +and now another coming to supply the pulpits for a Sunday or two.</p> + +<p>At present they were filled by a young minister who came as a candidate, +and whose services had been engaged for several weeks.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a> +Elsie and her family were paying no visits now in this time of mourning, +but nothing but sickness, or a very severe storm, ever kept them from +church. They attended both services, and in the evening the older ones +gathered about the table in the library with their Bibles, and, with +<a name="Crudens" id="Crudens"></a><ins title="Original has apostrophe after the s">Cruden's</ins> Concordance and other helps at hand, spent an hour +or more in the study of the word.</p> + +<p>"Mamma," said little Rosie, one Sunday as they were walking slowly +homeward from the nearer church, "why don't we have a minister that +believes the Bible?"</p> + +<p>"My child, don't you think Mr. Jones believes it?"</p> + +<p>"No, mamma," most emphatically, "because he contradicts it; he said +there's only one devil, and my Bible says Jesus cast out devils—seven +out of Mary Magdalen, and ever so many out of one man, besides other +ones out of other folks."</p> + +<p>"And last Sunday, when he was preaching about Jonah, he said it was a +wicked and foolish practice to cast lots," remarked Harold, "while the +Bible tells us that the Lord commanded the Israelites to divide their +land by lot, and that the apostles cast lots to choose a successor to +Judas."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Violet, "and when Achan had sinned, didn't they cast lots to +find out who it was that troubled Israel?"</p> + +<p>"And to choose a king in the days of the<a class="pagenum" name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a> prophet Samuel," added their +older sister. "How strange that any one should say it was a foolish and +wicked practice!"</p> + +<p>"I don't think his mother can have brought him up on the Bible as ours +does us," remarked Herbert.</p> + +<p>"Mamma, which are we to believe," asked Rosie, "the minister or the +Bible?"</p> + +<p>"Bring everything to the test of scripture," answered the mother's +gentle voice. "'To the law and the testimony: if they speak not +according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.' I want +you to have great respect for the ministry, yet never to receive any +man's teachings when you find them opposed to those of God's holy word."</p> + +<p>When the Bibles were brought out that evening, Isa proposed that they +should take up the question of the correctness of that assertion of Mr. +Jones which had led Rosie to doubt his belief in the inspiration of the +Scriptures.</p> + +<p>"Yes, let us do so," said her uncle. "It is an interesting subject."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think it is," said Molly; "but do you consider it a question of +any importance, uncle?"</p> + +<p>"I do; no Bible truth can be unimportant. 'All scripture is by +inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for +correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the<a class="pagenum" name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a> man of God may +be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.' And if we have +spiritual foes we surely need to know it, that we may be on our guard +against them."</p> + +<p>"And we have not been left without warning against them," observed old +Mr. Dinsmore. "'Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to +stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh +and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the +rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in +high places.' How absurd the idea that principalities and powers can +mean but one creature!"</p> + +<p>"David prays, 'Lead me in a plain path because of mine enemies'; and +again, 'Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies, +make thy way straight before my face,'" said Mrs. Travilla. "It seems +evident to me that it was spiritual foes he meant; that he feared to be +left a prey to their temptations, their deceit, the snares and traps +they would set for his soul."</p> + +<p>"Undoubtedly," returned her father. "On any other supposition some of +the psalms would seem to be very bloodthirsty and unchristian."</p> + +<p>"I rather took Mr. Jones to task about it as we came out of church," +said old Mr. Dinsmore, "and he maintained that he was in the right on +the ground that the name devil comes from the<a class="pagenum" name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a> Greek Diabolos, which is +applied only to the prince of the devils."</p> + +<p>"And what of that?" said his son; "the Hebrew name, Satan, has the very +same signification—an adversary, an accuser, calumniator or +slanderer—and Christ called the devils he had just cast out, Satan: +'How can Satan cast out Satan? If Satan rise up against himself, and be +divided, he cannot stand.' If they are so like him, so entirely one with +him, as to be called himself—and that by Him who has all knowledge and +who is the Truth—I cannot see that there is any occasion to deny them +the name of devil, or anything to be gained by doing so; while on the +other hand there is danger of positive harm, as it seems to throw doubt +and discredit upon our English translation."</p> + +<p>"A very serious responsibility to assume, since the vast majority of the +people must depend upon it," remarked Mrs. Travilla. "I think any one +who makes the assertion we are discussing should give a very full +explanation and strong warning against the lesser evil spirits we call +devils. 'If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?'"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said her father, "and I have very strong faith in the learning, +wisdom and piety of the translators."</p> + +<p>"Is Satan a real person? and were the devils whom Christ and his +disciples cast out, real persons?"<a class="pagenum" name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a> asked Isadore. "I have heard people +talk of Satan as if he were an imaginary creature, a myth; and of the +others, with which persons were possessed in those days, as probably +nothing more than bad tempers."</p> + +<p>"'To the law and to the testimony,'" replied her uncle, opening his +Bible. "We will consider your questions in the order in which they were +asked. 'Is Satan a real person?' There can be no difficulty in proving +it to any one who believes the Bible to be the inspired word of God; the +difficulty is rather in selecting from the multitude of texts that teach +it."</p> + +<p>Some time was now spent in searching out, with the help of Bible Text +Book and Concordance, a very long list of texts bearing on the +question—giving the titles, the character and the doings of Satan; +showing that he sinned against God, was cast out of heaven; down to +hell; that he was the author of the fall; that he perverts scripture; +opposes God's work; hinders the Gospel; works lying wonders; that he +tempted Christ; is a liar and the father of lies; is a murderer; yet +appears as an angel of light.</p> + +<p>"Here," said Mr. Dinsmore, "is a summing-up of what he is, by Cruden, +who was without question a thorough Bible scholar; and remember, as I +read it, that the description applies not to Satan alone, but also to +those wicked spirits under him. 'He is surprisingly subtile; his<a class="pagenum" name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a> +strength is superior to ours, his malice is deadly; his activity and +diligence are equal to his malice; and he has a mighty number of +principalities and powers under his command!'"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said old Mr. Dinsmore, meditatively, "'the rulers of the darkness +of this world,' the word is plural: it seems there must be several +orders of them, composing a mighty host."</p> + +<p>"I find both my queries already fully answered," said Isa.</p> + +<p>"Nevertheless, let us look a little farther into that second question," +her uncle answered. "I will give the references as before, while the +rest of you turn to and read them."</p> + +<p>When this had been done, "Now," said he, "let us sum up the evidence as +to their personality, character, works, and right to the name of devil."</p> + +<p>"As to the first they sinned: hell is prepared for them: they believe +and tremble: they spoke: knew Christ and testified to his divinity, +'Jesus, thou son of God.' 'I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of +God.' Wicked tempers could not do any of these things. As to the second, +their character, they are called in the Bible 'unclean spirits,' foul +spirits; and since Christ called them Satan himself, the description of +his character, as I have before remarked, is a faithful description of +theirs also. This last proves also their right to the title of devil. +The scripture—Christ<a class="pagenum" name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a> himself—calls them the devil's angels, his +messengers; for that is the meaning of angel, they do Satan's behests, +go on his errands and help him in the work of destroying souls and +tempting and tormenting those whom they cannot destroy.—Well, Vi, what +is it?" For she had given him a perplexed, troubled look.</p> + +<p>"There is just one difficulty that I see, grandpa. Here in Jude we are +told, 'And the Angels which kept not their first estate, but left their +own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness +unto the judgment of the great day.' The apostle Peter says the same +thing. My difficulty is to reconcile this statement with the other +teaching—that they are going about the world on their wicked, cruel +errands."</p> + +<p>"To the law and to the testimony," repeated Mr. Dinsmore. "Since the +infallible word of God makes both statements, we must believe both, +whether we can reconcile them or not; but I doubt not we shall be able +to do so if we diligently search the word with prayer for the teachings +of the Holy Spirit."</p> + +<p>He then offered a short, fervent petition to that end; after which they +resumed their investigation.</p> + +<p>"Let us remember," he said, "that the same word often has many +significations, and that hell<a class="pagenum" name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a> may be a state or condition rather than a +place—I mean that the word may be sometimes used in that sense: so with +chains and with darkness."</p> + +<p>"We use the expression, 'the chains of habit,'" suggested his daughter; +"a spirit could not be bound with a material chain; but in Proverbs we +are told, 'His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he +shall be holden with the cords of his sins.' Think of the awful +wickedness and utter despair of those lost spirits—no space for +repentance, no hope or possibility of salvation—and I think we have +chains on them of fearful weight and strength."</p> + +<p>"The cords of sin are the consequences of crimes and bad habits. Sin +never goes unpunished, and the bad habits contracted are, as it were, +indissoluble bands from which it is impossible to get free," read Mr. +Dinsmore from the Concordance, adding, "and to those lost spirits it is +<em>utterly</em> impossible; yes, here in their wicked tempers, malignant +desires and utter despair, we have, I think, the chains that bind them."</p> + +<p>"But the darkness, grandpa?" queried Harold.</p> + +<p>"We are coming to that. Cruden tells us here that darkness sometimes +signifies great distress, perplexity and calamity; as in Isa. 8:22, Joel +2:2. Sometimes sin or impurity, 1 John 1:5. The devil have all these; +how great is their sin, how great must be their distress and anguish in +the sure prospect of eternal destruction from<a class="pagenum" name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a> the presence of God, +eternal torment! dense and fearful must it be beyond the power of words +to express! They are darkness, for our Saviour calls the exercise of +Satan's power 'the power of darkness.' 'This is your hour and the power +of darkness.' By the gates of hell, Matt. 16:18, is meant the power and +policy of the devil and his instruments. It would seem that they carry +their chains, their darkness, their hell with them wherever they go. And +now for the application, the lesson we should learn from all this: what +do you think it is, Harold?"</p> + +<p>"That we should be constantly on our guard against the wiles of these +adversaries, is it not, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and ever looking to the captain of our salvation for strength and +wisdom to do so effectually."</p> + +<p>"Putting on the whole armor of God," added old Mr. Dinsmore; "the shield +of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the spirit which is the +word of God. What else, Herbert?"</p> + +<p>"The breast-plate of righteousness, sir; and the loins are to be girt +about with truth, the feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of +peace."</p> + +<p>"There is yet another lesson," said Mrs. Travilla, her face all aglow +with holy joy and love, "how it should quicken our zeal for the Master, +our gratitude, our joy and love, when we think<a class="pagenum" name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a> of his salvation offered +to us as his free gift the purchase of his own blood, when he might +justly have left us in the same awful state of horror and despair that +is the portion of the angels that sinned. And how should we cling to him +who alone is able to keep us from falling into the traps and snares they +are constantly spreading for our unwary feet. Ah, my dear children, +there is no safety but in keeping close to Christ!"</p> + +<p>"But there we are safe," added her father: "'he is able also to save +them to the uttermost that come unto God by him.' He says of his sheep, +'I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither +shall any man pluck them out of my hand.' He saves his people from sin, +from hell and destruction."</p> + +<p>"Can't we find some texts about the good angels?" asked little Rosie, +who had been permitted to sit up beyond her usual bedtime to share in +the Bible lesson.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said her grandpa, "we may be thankful for them, because they are +kind and good and loving, taking delight in our salvation and in +ministering to God's people, as they did to the Master when on earth. +Which of you can name some instances given in the Bible?"</p> + +<p>"One fed Elijah when he fled from wicked Jezebel," answered Rosie, +promptly.</p> + +<p>"They carried Lazarus to heaven," said Herbert.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a> +"And stopped the lions' mouths when they would have eaten Daniel," added +Harold.</p> + +<p>The others went on, "One comforted Paul when he was in danger of +shipwreck."</p> + +<p>"One delivered Peter from prison."</p> + +<p>"Now who can quote a promise or assurance that we, if the true children +of God, shall have help or protection from them?"</p> + +<p>"'He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy +ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot +against a stone!'" repeated the younger Elsie, and her mother added in +low, sweet tones, full of joy and thankfulness, "'The angel of the Lord +encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.' Is it +not a sweet assurance?" she exclaimed: "he is not a transient visitor, +but encamps as intending to remain; and not upon one side alone, leaving +the others exposed to the enemy, but round about. Blessed are they who +have the Lord of hosts for their Keeper!"</p> + +<p>They united in a song of praise, old Mr. Dinsmore led in prayer, then +with an exchange of affectionate good-nights they separated.</p> + +<p>"Mamma," said the younger Elsie, lingering for a little in her mother's +boudoir, "to-night's study of the word has done me good. I want to live +nearer to Jesus, to love him more, to serve him better."</p> + +<p>"I too," said Violet. "I want to give him<a class="pagenum" name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a> the service of my whole heart +and life, time, talents, money, everything!"</p> + +<p>"It rejoices my heart to hear it, my darlings," the mother answered, +folding them in her arms, while glad tears shone in her eyes; "it is +what I desire above all things for you, for all my dear ones, and for +myself."</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a> +<a name="xi" id="xi"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<div class="block24"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="io">"'Tis not the whole of life to live,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nor all of death to die."<br /></span> + +<p class="right">—<i>Montgomery.</i></p> +</div></div></div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Carrington</span> obeyed with all speed the call to come to the aid of her +unworthy nephew, and her arrival was not delayed many days after that of +their kind entertainers.</p> + +<p>She received a cordial welcome; but since that first day the ladies and +children of the family had seen very little of her, for Boyd had taken +to his bed, and she devoted herself to him.</p> + +<p>The gentlemen frequently spent a little time in his room, induced +thereto by motives of kindness, but the others never approached it.</p> + +<p>Elsie looked upon him as the would-be murderer of her husband, and could +scarcely think of him without a shudder.</p> + +<p>She was willing, even anxious to give him every comfort that money could +buy, and that every effort should be made by her father and others to +lead him to repentance and faith in Christ to the saving of his soul; +but she shrank from seeing him, though she made kind inquiries, sent +messages, and offered many sincere and fervent prayers on his behalf.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a> +Strolling about the grounds one afternoon with her little ones, she saw +her father coming towards her.</p> + +<p>Something in the expression of his countenance as he drew rapidly nearer +startled her with a vague fear.</p> + +<p>"What is it, papa?" she asked tremulously.</p> + +<p>"Take my arm," he said, offering it. "I have something to say to you. +Rosie, do you and Walter go to your mammy."</p> + +<p>The children obeyed, while he and their mother turned into another path.</p> + +<p>Elsie's heart was beating very fast. "Papa, is—is anything wrong +with—"</p> + +<p>"With any of your loved ones? No, daughter: they are all safe and well +so far as I know. But I have a message for you—a request which it will +not be easy or pleasant for you to grant, or to refuse. Boyd is drawing +very near his end, and with a mind full of horror and despair. He says +there is no hope, no mercy for him—nothing but the blackness of +darkness forever."</p> + +<p>Elsie's eyes overflowed. "Poor, poor fellow! Papa, can nothing be done +for him?"</p> + +<p>"Could you bear to go to him?" he asked tenderly. "Forgive me, dear +child, for paining you with such a suggestion; but the poor wretch +thinks he could die easier if he heard you say that you forgive him."</p> + +<p>There was a shudder, a moment's struggle<a class="pagenum" name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a> with herself; then she said, +very low and sadly, "Yes, papa, I will go at once. How selfish I have +been in staying away so long. But—O Edward! my husband, my husband!"</p> + +<p>He soothed her very tenderly for a moment, then asked gently, "Would he +not have bidden you go?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, yes: he would have forgiven, he did forgive him with all his +great, generous heart. And, God helping me, so will I. I am ready to +go."</p> + +<p>"Lost, lost, lost! no hope, no help, the blackness of darkness forever!" +were the words, uttered in piercing tones, full of anguish and despair, +that greeted Elsie's ears as her father softly opened the door of Boyd's +room and led her in.</p> + +<p>At those sounds, at the sight that met her view—the wretched man with +the seal of death on his haggard, emaciated face, seamed and scarred +beyond all recognition, tossing restlessly from side to side, while he +rent the air with his cries—she turned so sick and faint that she +staggered, and but for the support of her father's arm would have fallen +to the floor.</p> + +<p>"Call up all your courage, my dear child," he whispered, leaning over +her, "look to the Lord for strength, and who shall say you may not he +able to do the poor dying wretch some good?"</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a> +She struggled determinately with her faintness, and they drew near the +bed.</p> + +<p>Boyd started up at sight of her, thrusting the maimed hand under the +bedclothes, and holding out the other with a ghastly smile.</p> + +<p>"You're an angel, Mrs. Travilla!" he gasped, "an angel of mercy to a +miserable wretch whom you've a good right to hate."</p> + +<p>"No," she said, taking the hand in a kindly grasp, "I have no right to +hate you, or any one—I whose sins against my Lord are far, far greater +than yours against me or mine. I forgive you, as I hope to be forgiven. +May God forgive you also."</p> + +<p>"No, no, it is too late, too late for that!" he groaned. "I have sinned +against light and knowledge. He has called and I refused many, many +times; and now the door is shut."</p> + +<p>"It is your adversary the devil who tells you that," she said, tears +streaming from her eyes; "he would destroy your soul: but the words of +Jesus are, 'Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out?' +'Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.'"</p> + +<p>"Ah, but he also says, 'Because I have called and ye refused; I have +stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; but ye have set at naught +all my counsel, and would none of my reproof; I also will laugh at your +calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; when your fear cometh<a class="pagenum" name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a> as +desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress +and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will +not answer.' Oh it's all true, every word of it!" he cried, with a look +of horror and despair that none who saw it could ever forget, "I feel it +in my inmost soul. There was a time when mercy's door was open to me, +but it's shut now, shut forever."</p> + +<p>"O George, George!" sobbed his aunt, "the invitation is without +limit—'whosoever will;' if you have a will to come, it cannot be that +it is even now too late."</p> + +<p>"But those words—those dreadful words," he said, turning eagerly toward +her, "Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer.'"</p> + +<p>"Are addressed to those who desire deliverance, not from sin itself, but +only from its punishment," said Mr. Dinsmore. "If you have any desire to +be saved from your sins, to be cleansed from their pollution, to be made +holy, it is not too late—the 'whosoever will' is for you."</p> + +<p>He shook his head sadly. "I don't know, I don't know, a death-bed is a +poor place to analyze one's feelings. Oh! warn men everywhere not to put +it off, not to put it off! Tell them it is running a fearful risk."</p> + +<p>"We will, we will," said his aunt; "but, O George, think of yourself: +'cry to Jesus, he is<a class="pagenum" name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a> able to save to the uttermost,' and he has no +pleasure in the death of any soul; he would have you turn now and live: +oh cry to him for mercy!"</p> + +<p>"Too late, too late!" he muttered faintly, "the door is shut."</p> + +<p>They knelt about his bed and poured out fervent prayers for him; they +repeated promise after promise, invitations and assurances from the +word, of God's willingness to save.</p> + +<p>At last, "I'm going, going!" he gasped. "Oh God be merciful to me a +sinner!" And with the last word the spirit took its flight.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Carrington sank, half fainting, into Elsie's arms, and Mr. Dinsmore +and the doctor bore her from the room.</p> + +<p>It was Elsie's sad task to try to comfort and console where there was +little to build hope upon: she could but dwell upon God's great mercy, +his willingness to save, and the possibility that that last dying cry +came from a truly penitent heart.</p> + +<p>"I must try to believe it, else my heart would break!" cried the old +lady. "O Elsie, my heart has bled for you, but your sorrow is not like +unto my sorrow! You can rest in the sure and certain hope of a blissful +reunion, you know that your beloved is rejoicing before the throne; +while I—alas, alas! I know not where my poor boy is. And I am tortured +with the fear that<a class="pagenum" name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a> some of his blood may be found in my skirts—that I +did not guide and instruct, warn and entreat him as I might; that my +prayers were not frequent and fervent enough, my example all that it +should have been."</p> + +<p>"My dear friend, 'who is sufficient for these things?'" Elsie answered, +weeping; "who has not reason for such self reproach? I think not you +more than the rest of us."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" sighed the old lady, "I wish that were so: had I but been to him, +and to my own children, the mother you are to yours, my conscience would +not now trouble me as it does."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Travilla had caused a room to be fitted up as a studio for her +older daughters, and here they were spending their afternoon—Vi +painting, Elsie modelling and thinking, the while, of her absent lover, +perchance busy in his studio with hammer and chisel.</p> + +<p>"The sun is setting," exclaimed Violet at length, throwing down her +brush. "What can have become of mamma that she has not been in to watch +our progress?"</p> + +<p>"I hope she has been taking a drive," Elsie answered, ceasing work also. +"Come, let us go and dress for tea, Vi; it is high time."</p> + +<p>They hastened to do so, and had scarcely completed their toilet when +Harold rapped and asked if mamma were there.</p> + +<p>"No? Where can she have gone?" he said.<a class="pagenum" name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a> "Herbie and I came in from +fishing a little while ago, and we have hunted for her almost +everywhere."</p> + +<p>"Except in the nursery," suggested Herbert. "Let's go and see if she's +there."</p> + +<p>"The carriage is driving up," said Vi, glancing through the window; +"probably mamma is in it," and all four hurried down to the front +veranda eager to meet and welcome her.</p> + +<p>Their old grandfather alighted, handed out Grandma Rose, Aunt Enna, Isa, +and then, with the help of one of the servant men, Molly.</p> + +<p>The carriage door closed. Mamma was not there. Indeed their grandma and +Isa were asking for her as they came up the steps.</p> + +<p>And childish voices were now heard in their rear making the same +inquiry—Rosie and Walter coming from the nursery in search of the +mother they never willingly lost sight of for an hour.</p> + +<p>"Why, what can have become of mamma? Rosie, when did you see her last?" +asked Harold.</p> + +<p>"Out on the lawn. She was walking with us, and grandpa came and took her +away."</p> + +<p>"Where to?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," answered the child, bursting into tears.</p> + +<p>"There, there, don't cry; dear mamma's sure to be safe along with +grandpa," Harold said,<a class="pagenum" name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a> putting his arms around his little sister. "And +here he comes to tell us about her," he added joyously, as Mr. Dinsmore +was seen coming down the hall.</p> + +<p>They crowded about him, the same question on every tongue.</p> + +<p>"She is with Mrs. Carrington," he said, patting the heads of the weeping +Rosie and Walter. "Don't cry, my children. She may not be able to join +us at tea, but you shall see her before you go to your beds."</p> + +<p>Then to the older ones, speaking in a subdued tone, "Boyd is gone, and +his aunt is much overcome."</p> + +<p>"Gone, Horace!" exclaimed his wife, looking shocked and awe-struck: "how +did he die? was there any ground for hope?"</p> + +<p>"Very little," he sighed, "that is the saddest part of it. The body will +be sent away to-night," he added, in answer to a question from his +father; "he is to be buried with the rest of his family. Mrs. Carrington +will not go with it, will probably remain here through the winter."</p> + +<p>All felt it a relief that the burial was not to be near at hand, or the +corpse to remain many hours in the house—"a wicked man's corpse," as +Harold said with a shudder, but all were saddened and horror-struck at +the thought that he had gone leaving so little reason for hope of his +salvation.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a> +They gathered at the supper-table a very quiet, solemn company; few +words were spoken; the little ones missed their mother and were glad to +get away to the nursery, where she presently came to them, looking sad +and with traces of recent tears about her eyes.</p> + +<p>But she smiled very sweetly upon them, kissed them tenderly, and sitting +down, took Walter on her lap and put an arm round Rosie as she stood by +her side.</p> + +<p>They were curious to know about Mr. Boyd, asking if he had gone to +heaven where dear papa and Lily were.</p> + +<p>"I do not know, my darlings," she answered, the tears coming into her +eyes again; "he is there if he repented of his sins against God, and +trusted in Jesus."</p> + +<p>Then she talked to them, as often before, of the dear Saviour—the great +love wherewith he loves his people, and the many mansions he is +preparing for them.</p> + +<p>She spoke to them, too, of God's hatred of sin, and the need of +watchfulness and prayer.</p> + +<p>"The devil hates us, my darlings," she said; "he goes about like a +roaring lion, seeking to kill our souls; but Jesus loves us, he is +stronger than Satan, and if we keep close to him we are safe."</p> + +<p>Having seen them safe in bed, she went to her dressing-room, to find the +other four there waiting for her.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a> +They gathered about her with glad, loving looks and words, each eager to +anticipate her wishes and to be the first to wait upon her.</p> + +<p>"My dear children," she said, smiling through glistening tears, "your +love is very sweet to me!"</p> + +<p>"And what do you think yours is to us, mamma?" exclaimed Violet, +kneeling at her mother's feet and clasping her arms about her waist, +while she lifted to hers a face glowing with ardent affection and +admiration.</p> + +<p>"Just the same, I hope and believe;" and with the words the mother's +hand passed caressingly over the golden curls.</p> + +<p>"Mamma, you have been crying very much," remarked Harold sorrowfully. "I +wish—"</p> + +<p>"Well, my son?" as he paused, leaving his sentence unfinished.</p> + +<p>"I wish I could make you so happy that you would never want to shed a +tear."</p> + +<p>"When I get to heaven, my dear boy, it will be so with me. '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.' And +that is where your dear papa is now. Oh how glad we ought to be for +him!" she said with mingled smiles and tears. "'Blessed are the dead +which die in the Lord:' but oh, it is not so, my children, with those +who have not chosen him for their portion!<a class="pagenum" name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a> 'for to them is reserved the +blackness of darkness for ever.'"</p> + +<p>There was a slight solemn pause, all thinking of the wretched man who +had passed away from earth that afternoon.</p> + +<p>"Mamma," asked Harold at last, speaking in a subdued tone, "do you think +it is so with Mr. Boyd?"</p> + +<p>"My son," she said gently, "that is a question we are not called upon to +decide; we can only leave him in the hands of God, in full confidence +that the Judge of all the earth will do right."</p> + +<p>"Mamma, would you like to tell us about it?" asked Herbert.</p> + +<p>"It is a painful subject," she sighed, "but—yes, I will tell you, that +it may be a warning to you all your lives."</p> + +<p>They listened with awe-struck faces, and with tears of pity, as she went +on to give a graphic picture of that death scene so different from the +one they had witnessed a few short months ago.</p> + +<p>"Oh my children," she said, "live not for time, but for eternity! +remembering that this life is but a preparation for another and endless +existence. 'Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.' +'Count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ +Jesus our Lord.' Choose his service now while youth<a class="pagenum" name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a> and health are +yours, and when death comes you will have nothing to fear. 'The wicked +is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his +death.' 'Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man +soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh, shall +of the flesh reap corruption: but he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of +the Spirit reap life everlasting.'"</p> + +<p>"Yes, mamma," Elsie said in a half-whisper, the tears stealing down her +cheeks, "surely we have seen it fulfilled in these last few months. Our +beloved father sowed to the Spirit, and what a joyous reaping is his! +How calmly and sweetly he fell asleep in Jesus."</p> + +<p>"Yes," the mother said, mingling her tears with theirs—for all were +weeping now—yet with a light shining in her eyes, "I am full of joy and +thankfulness to-night in the midst of my grief. Oh how should we love +and rejoice in this dear Saviour, who through his own death has given +eternal life to him and to us; and to as many as God has given him—to +all that will come to him for it."</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a> +<a name="xii" id="xii"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<div class="block36"> +<blockquote> +<p class="mb0">"If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God."</p> + +<p class="right mt0">—<i>1 Peter</i>, 4:11.</p> +</blockquote> +</div> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Mamma</span>, can we—Elsie and I—have a little private talk with you?" asked +Violet as they left the dinner-table the next Sunday.</p> + +<p>"Certainly, daughter, if it be suited to the sacredness of the day."</p> + +<p>"Quite so, mamma," answered Elsie: "it is, at least in part, a question +of conscience."</p> + +<p>"Then we shall want our Bibles to help us decide it. Let us take them +and go out upon the lawn, to the inviting shade of yonder group of +magnolias."</p> + +<p>"Do you intend to be so selfish as to monopolize your mother's society?" +asked her father playfully.</p> + +<p>"Just for a little while, grandpa," Vi answered with coaxing look and +tone. "Please, all of you, let us two have mamma quite to ourselves for +a few minutes."</p> + +<p>"Well, daughters, what is it?" Mrs. Travilla asked, as she seated +herself under the trees with one on each side.</p> + +<p>"Mamma," Elsie began, "you saw a young lady talking with us after +church? She is Miss<a class="pagenum" name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a> Miriam Pettit. She says she and several other young +girls belonging to the church used to hold a weekly prayer-meeting in +Mrs. Mason's parlor. It is the most central place they can find, and she +will be very glad, very much obliged, if you will let them use it still. +She has understood that nearly all the furniture of the cottage belongs +to you and is still there."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is so; and they are very welcome to the use of any of the +rooms. But that is not all you and Vi had to say?"</p> + +<p>"Oh no, mamma! she wants us to join them and take part in the +meetings—I mean not only to sing and read, but also to lead in prayer."</p> + +<p>"Well, my dears, I should be glad to have you do so; and you surely +cannot doubt that it would be right?"</p> + +<p>"No, mamma," Violet said in her sprightly way, "but we should like to +have you tell us—at least I should—that it would not be wrong to +refuse."</p> + +<p>"My child, do you not believe in prayer as both a duty and a privilege? +social and public as well as private prayer?"</p> + +<p>"O mamma, yes! but is it not enough for me to pray at home in my closet, +and to unite silently with the prayers offered by ministers and others +in public?"</p> + +<p>"Are we not told to pray without ceasing?"</p> + +<p>"Oh yes, mamma! and I did not mean to<a class="pagenum" name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a> omit silent, ejaculatory prayer; +but is it my duty to lead the devotions of others?"</p> + +<p>"Our Saviour gave a precious assurance to those who unite in presenting +their petitions at a throne of grace. 'Where two or three are gathered +together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.' Some one must +lead—there ought always to be several to do so—and why should you be +excused more than another?"</p> + +<p>"Elsie is willing, mamma, and Miss Pettit too."</p> + +<p>"I am glad to hear it," the mother said, with an affectionate look at +her eldest daughter. "I know it will be something of a trial to Elsie, +and doubtless it is to Miss Pettit too—it is to almost every one: but +what a light cross to bear for Jesus compared to that he bore for us—or +those borne by the martyrs of old; or even by the missionaries who leave +home and dear ones to go far away to teach the heathen! I had hoped my +Vi was ready to follow her Master wherever his providence called her: +that she would not keep back any part of the price, but give him all."</p> + +<p>"Oh yes, yes, mamma!" she cried, the tears starting to her eyes, "I want +to be altogether his. I have given him all, and don't want to keep back +anything. I will try to do this if you think he calls me to it; though +it seems almost impossible."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a> +"My child, he will help you if you ask him; will give his Holy Spirit to +teach you how to pray and what to pray for. Try to get your mind and +heart full of your own and others' needs, to forget their presence and +remember his: then words will come, and you will find that in trying to +do the Master's work and will, you have brought down a rich blessing +upon your own soul. And why should we feel it a trial to speak aloud to +our Father in the presence of others of his children, or of those who +are not?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, mamma; it does seem very strange that we should."</p> + +<p>"I should like to attend your meetings, but hardly suppose I should be +welcome," Mrs. Travilla said with a smile.</p> + +<p>"To us, mamma," both answered, "but perhaps not to the others. Miss +Pettit said there were to be none but young girls."</p> + +<p>"Isa is invited, I presume?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, mamma, and says she will attend; but can't promise anything more. +I think she will, though, if you will talk to her as you have to us," +Violet added, as they rose to return to the veranda, where the rest of +the family still lingered.</p> + +<p>And she was not mistaken. Isa was too true and earnest a Christian, too +full of love for the Master and zeal for the upbuilding of his cause<a class="pagenum" name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a> +and kingdom, to refuse to do anything that she saw would tend to that, +however much it might cost her to attempt it.</p> + +<p>"Well, cricket," Mr. Dinsmore said, giving Violet a pet name he had +bestowed upon her when she was a very little girl, "come sit on my knee +and tell me if we are all to be kept in the dark in regard to the object +of this secret conference with mamma?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, grandpa," she said, taking the offered seat, and giving him a hug +and kiss, "gentlemen have no curiosity, you know. Still, now it's +settled, we don't care if you do hear all about it."</p> + +<p>Both he and his wife highly approved, and the latter, seeing an +interested yet regretful look on poor Molly's face, asked, "Why should +we not have, in addition, a female prayer-meeting of our own? We have +more than twice the number necessary to claim the promise."</p> + +<p>The suggestion was received with favor by all the ladies present, time +and place were fixed upon, and then, that they might be the better +prepared to engage in this new effort to serve the Master, they agreed +to take the subject of prayer for that evening's Bible study.</p> + +<p>But once entered upon, they found it so interesting, comprehensive and +profitable a theme that they devoted several evenings to it.</p> + +<p>The children as well as their elders were continually<a class="pagenum" name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a> finding +discrepancies between the teachings of the Bible and those of Mr. Jones, +and Elsie was not a little relieved to learn that the time for which his +services had been engaged had now nearly expired. She hoped there was no +danger that he would be requested to remain.</p> + +<p>One day as she was leaving the quarter, where she had been visiting the +sick, Uncle Ben, now very old and feeble, accosted her respectfully.</p> + +<p>"Missus, I'se be bery thankful to hab a little conversation wid you when +it suits yo' convenience to talk to dis chile."</p> + +<p>"What is it, Uncle Ben?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"May I walk 'longside ob de Missus up to de house?" he returned.</p> + +<p>"Certainly, Uncle Ben, if you feel strong enough to do so."</p> + +<p>"Tank you, Missus; do dese ole limbs good to stretch 'em 'bout dat much. +It's 'bout Massa Jones I'se want to converse wid you, Missus. I hear +dey's talkin' 'bout invitin' him to stay, and I want to ascertain if you +intends to put him ober dis church."</p> + +<p>"I, Uncle Ben!" she exclaimed, "I put a minister over your church? I +have no right and certainly no wish to do any such thing. It is for the +members to choose whom they will have."</p> + +<p>"But you pays de money and provides de house for him, Missus."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a> +"That is true; but it does not give me the right to say who he shall be. +Only if you should choose one whose teachings I could not approve—one +who was not careful to teach according to God's word—I should feel that +I could not take the responsibility of supporting him."</p> + +<p>"I'se glad of dat, Missus," he said with a gleam of satisfaction in his +eyes; "'cause I'se want de Bible truff and nuffin else. And young Massa +Jones, he preach bery nice sometimes, but sometimes it 'pears like he +disremembers what's in de bressed book, and contradicts it wid some of +his own notions."</p> + +<p>"Then you don't wish him to stay?"</p> + +<p>"No, Missus, dat I don't! hopin' you won't be displeased wid me for +sayin' it."</p> + +<p>"Not at all, Uncle Ben: I find the very same objection to him that you +do."</p> + +<p>On reaching the house she bade the old man a kindly good-bye, and +directed him to go to the kitchen and tell the cook, from her, to give +him a good dinner, with plenty of hot, strong coffee.</p> + +<p>Rosie and Walter were on the back veranda looking out for mamma.</p> + +<p>"Oh we're so glad you've tum home, mamma!" cried Walter, running to meet +her and claim a kiss.</p> + +<p>"Yes, mamma, it seemed so long to wait," said Rosie, "and now there is a +strange gentleman<a class="pagenum" name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a> in the drawing-room, waiting to see you. He's been +here a good while, and both grandpas are out."</p> + +<p>"Then I must go to him at once. But I think he is not likely to detain +me long away from you, darlings," the mother said.</p> + +<p>She found the gentleman—a handsome man of middle age—looking not at +all annoyed or impatient, but seemingly well entertained by Isa and +Violet, who were there, chatting sociably together over some pretty +fancy work, when he was shown in by the servant.</p> + +<p>They withdrew after Isa had introduced Mrs. Travilla and Mr. Embury.</p> + +<p>The former thought it a little singular when she learned that her +caller's errand was the same with that of Uncle Ben, <abbr title="that is">i.e.</abbr>, to talk +about Mr. Jones and the propriety of asking him to take permanent charge +of the two churches: yet with this difference—that he was personally +not unfavorable to the idea.</p> + +<p>"I like him very well, though he is not by any means Mr. Mason's equal +as a preacher," he said, "and I think our little congregation can be +induced to give him a call; but we are too few to support him unless by +continuing the union with this church, so that the small salary we can +give will still be supplemented by the very generous one you pay, and +the use of the cottage you built for Mr. Mason. I am taking<a class="pagenum" name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a> for +granted, my dear Madame, that you intend to go on doing for your +retainers here as you have hitherto."</p> + +<p>"I do," she said, "in case they choose a minister whose teachings accord +with those of the inspired word. I cannot be responsible for any other."</p> + +<p>"And do those of Mr. Jones not come up to the standard?"</p> + +<p>"I regret to have to say that they do not; his preaching is far from +satisfactory to me; he makes nothing of the work of the Spirit, or the +danger of grieving Him away forever; nothing of the danger of +self-deception; instructing those who are in doubt about the genuineness +of their conversion that they must not be discouraged, instead of +advising them to go to Christ now and be saved, just as any other sinner +must. I fear his teaching may lead some to be content with a false hope. +Then he often speaks in a half hesitating way, which shows doubt and +uncertainty, on his part, of truths which are taught most plainly and +forcibly in scripture. In a word, his preaching leaves the impression +upon me that he has no very thorough acquaintance with the Bible, and no +very strong confidence in the infallibility of its teachings. Indeed so +glaring are his contradictions of scripture, that even my young children +have noticed them more than once or twice."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a> +"Really, Mrs. Travilla, you make out a strong case against him," +remarked her interlocutor, after a moment's thoughtful silence, "and +upon reflection I believe a true one. I am surprised at myself that I +have listened with so little realization of the important defects in his +system of theology. I was not ardently in favor of calling him before; +now I am decidedly opposed to it."</p> + +<p>He was about to take leave, but, the two Mr. Dinsmores coming in at that +moment, resumed his seat, and the subject was reopened.</p> + +<p>They soon learned that they were all of substantially the same opinion +in regard to it.</p> + +<p>In the course of the conversation some account was given Mr. Embury of +the Sunday evening Bible study at Viamede.</p> + +<p>He seemed much interested, and at length asked if he might be permitted +to join them occasionally.</p> + +<p>"My boys are away at school," he said, "my two little girls go early to +bed, and my evenings are often lonely—since my dear Mary left me, now +two years ago," he added with a sigh. "May I come, Mrs. Travilla?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," she said, reading approval in the eyes of her father and +grandfather, while her own tender heart sympathized with the bereaved +husband, though at the same time her sensitive nature shrank from the +invasion of their family circle by a stranger.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a> +He read it all in her speaking countenance, but could not deny himself +the anticipated pleasure of making the acquaintance of so lovely a +family group—to say nothing of the intellectual or spiritual profit to +be expected from sharing in their searching of the scriptures.</p> + +<p>Mr. Embury was a man of liberal education and much general +information—one who read and thought a good deal and talked well.</p> + +<p>The conversation turned upon literature, and Mr. Dinsmore presently +carried him off to the library to show him some valuable books recently +purchased by himself and his daughter.</p> + +<p>They were still there when the tea-bell rang, and being hospitably urged +to remain and partake of the meal with the family, Mr. Embury accepted +the invitation with unfeigned pleasure.</p> + +<p>All were present even down to little Walter, and not excepting poor +Molly.</p> + +<p>Her apartments at Viamede being on the same floor with dining-room, +library and parlors, she joined the family gatherings almost as +frequently as any one else—indeed whenever she preferred the society of +her relatives to the seclusion of her own room.</p> + +<p>Mr. Embury had occasionally seen her at church. Her bright, intellectual +face and crippled condition had excited his interest and curiosity, and +in one way and another he had learned her story.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a> +Truth to tell, one thing that had brought him to Viamede was the desire +to make her acquaintance—though Molly and the rest were far from +suspecting it at the time.</p> + +<p>He had no definite motive for seeking to know her, except that his +large, generous heart was drawn out in pity for her physical infirmity, +and filled with admiration of her cheerfulness under it, and the energy +and determination she had shown in carving out a career for herself, and +steadily pursuing it spite of difficulties and discouragements that +would have daunted many a weaker spirit.</p> + +<p>She had less of purely physical beauty than any other lady present, her +mother excepted, yet there was something in her face that would have +attracted attention anywhere; and her conversational powers were +enviable, as Mr. Embury discovered in the course of the evening, for so +delightful did he find the society of these new friends, both ladies and +gentlemen, that he lingered among them until nearly ten o'clock, quite +oblivious of the flight of time until reminded of it by the striking of +the clock.</p> + +<p>"Really, Mrs. Travilla," he said, rising to take leave, "I owe you an +apology for this lengthened visit, which has somehow taken the place of +my intended call; but I must beg you to lay the blame where it should +fall, on the very great attractiveness of your family circle."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a> +"The apology is quite out of proportion to the offence, sir," she +returned, with a kindly smile; "so we grant you pardon, and shall not +refuse it for a repetition of the misdeed."</p> + +<p>"I wish," he said, glancing round from one to another, "that you would +all make me a return in kind. I will not say that Magnolia Hall is equal +to Viamede, but it is called a fine place, and I can assure you of at +least a hearty welcome to its hospitalities."</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a> +<a name="xiii" id="xiii"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<div class="block30"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="io">"I preached as never sure to preach again,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And as a dying man to dying men."<br /></span> + +<p class="right">—<i>Richard Baxter.</i></p> +</div></div></div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">There</span> was a stranger in the pulpit the next Sunday morning; one whose +countenance, though youthful, by its intellectuality, its earnest +thoughtfulness, and a nameless something that told of communion with God +and a strong sense of the solemn responsibility of thus standing as an +ambassador for Christ to expound his word and will to sinful, dying men, +gave promise of a discourse that should send empty away no attentive +hearer hungering and thirsting for the bread and the water of life.</p> + +<p>Nor was the promise unfulfilled. Taking as his text the Master's own +words, "They hated me without a cause," he dwelt first upon the utter +helplessness, hopelessness and wretchedness of that estate of sin and +misery into which all mankind were plunged by Adam's fall; then upon +God's offered mercy through a Redeemer, even his only begotten and +well-beloved Son; upon the wondrous love of Christ "in offering himself +a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice and reconcile us to God," as shown +first in what<a class="pagenum" name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a> he resigned—the joy and bliss of heaven, "the glory +which he had with the Father before the world was"—secondly in his +birth and life on earth, of which he gave a rapid but vivid sketch from +the manger to the cross—showing the meekness, patience, gentleness, +benevolence, self-denial, humility and resignation of Jesus—how true, +guileless, innocent, loving and compassionate he was; describing the +miracles he wrought—every one an act of kindness to some poor sufferer +from bereavement, accident, disease, or Satan's power; then the closing +scenes of that wondrous life—the agony in the garden, the cruel mockery +of a trial, the scourging, the crucifixion, the expiring agonies upon +the cross.</p> + +<p>He paused; the audience almost held their breath for the next words, the +silent tears were stealing down many a cheek.</p> + +<p>Leaning over the pulpit with outstretched hand, with features working +with emotion, "I have set before you," he said in tones thrilling with +pathos, "this Jesus in his life and in his death. He lived not for +himself, but for you; he died not for his own sins, but for yours and +mine: he offers you this salvation as a free gift purchased with his own +blood. Yea, risen again, and ever at the right hand of God, he maketh +intercession for you. If you hate him, is it not without a cause?"</p> + +<p>The preacher had wholly forgotten himself in<a class="pagenum" name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a> his subject; nor did self +intrude into the prayer that followed the sermon. Truly he seemed to +stand in the immediate presence of Him who died on Calvary and rose +again, as he poured out his confessions of sins, his gratitude for +redeeming love, his earnest petitions for perishing souls, blindly, +wickedly hating without a cause this matchless, this loving, +compassionate Saviour. And for Christ's own people, that their faith +might be strengthened, their love increased, that they might be very +zealous for the Master, abounding in gifts and prayers and labors for +the upbuilding of his cause and kingdom.</p> + +<p>"The very man we should have here, if he can be induced to come," Mr. +Dinsmore said in a quiet aside to his daughter as the congregation began +to disperse, going out silently or conversing in subdued tones; for the +earnest, solemn discourse had made a deep impression.</p> + +<p>"Yes, papa. Oh, I should rejoice to hear such preaching every Sabbath!" +was Elsie's answer.</p> + +<p>"And I," Mr. Embury said, overhearing her remark. "But Mr. Keith gave us +expressly to understand that he did not come as a candidate; he is here +for his health or recreation, being worn out with study and pastoral +work, as I understand."</p> + +<p>"Keith?" exclaimed Mr. Dinsmore. "I<a class="pagenum" name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a> thought there was something +familiar in his face. Elsie, I think he must belong to our Keiths."</p> + +<p>"We must find out, papa," she said. "Oh, I shall be glad if he does!"</p> + +<p>"Shall I bring him up and introduce him?" Mr. Embury asked. "Ah, here he +is!" as, turning about, he perceived the young minister close at hand.</p> + +<p>"Dinsmore! Travilla! those are family names with us!" the latter said, +with an earnest, interested look from one to the other as the +introductions were made.</p> + +<p>"As Keith is with us," Mr. Dinsmore answered, grasping his hand. "I +opine that I am speaking to a grandson of my cousin Marcia Keith and her +husband, Stuart Keith, of Pleasant Plains, Indiana?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; I am the son of Cyril, their second son, and bear the same +name. And you, sir, are the Cousin Horace of whom I have so often heard +my grandmother and Aunt Mildred speak?"</p> + +<p>"The same."</p> + +<p>"And Mrs. Travilla is Cousin Elsie?" turning to her with a look of great +interest and pleasure mingled with admiration; but which quickly changed +to one of intense, sorrowful sympathy as he noticed her widow's weeds. +He had often heard of the strong attachment <a name="between" id="between"></a><ins title="Original has beween">between</ins><a class="pagenum" name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a> herself +and husband, and this was the first intimation he had had of her +bereavement.</p> + +<p>She read his look and gave him her hand silently, her heart too full for +speech.</p> + +<p>"You will go home with us, of course," said Mr. Dinsmore, after +introducing his wife and the other ladies of the family.</p> + +<p>"And stay as long as you possibly can," added Elsie, finding her voice. +"Papa and I shall have a great many questions to ask about our cousins."</p> + +<p>"I shall be most happy to accept your kind invitation, if Mr. Embury +will excuse me from a prior engagement to dine and lodge with him," +replied Mr. Keith, turning with a smile to the proprietor of Magnolia +Hall, who was still standing near in a waiting attitude.</p> + +<p>"I am loath to do so," he said, pleasantly, "but relatives have the +first claim. I will waive mine for the present, in your favor, Mrs. +Travilla, if you will indemnify me by permission to call frequently at +Viamede while Mr. Keith stays; and afterward, if you don't find me a +bore. I might as well make large demands while I am about it."</p> + +<p>"Being in a gracious mood, I grant them, large as they are," she +responded, in the same playful tone that he had used. "Come whenever it +suits your convenience and pleasure, Mr. February."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a> +"Viamede!" said Mr. Keith, meditatively, as they drove homeward. "I +remember hearing Aunt Mildred talk of a visit she paid there many years +ago, when she was quite a young girl, and you, Cousin Elsie, were a mere +baby."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said old Mr. Dinsmore. "It was I who brought her. Horace was away +in Europe at the time, and the death of Cameron, Elsie's guardian, made +it necessary for me to come on and attend to matters. Mildred was +visiting us at Roselands that winter, and I was very glad to secure her +as travelling companion. Do you remember anything about it, Elsie?"</p> + +<p>"Not very much, grandpa," she said: "a little of Cousin Mildred's +kindness and affection; something of the pain of parting from my dear +home and the old servants. But I have a very vivid recollection of a +visit paid to Pleasant Plains with papa," and she turned to him with a +deeply affectionate look, "shortly before his marriage. I then saw Aunt +Marcia, as both she and papa bade me call her, and Cousin Mildred and +all the others, not forgetting Uncle Stewart. We had a delightful visit, +had we not, papa?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I remember we enjoyed it greatly."</p> + +<p>"I was just then very happy in the prospect of a new mamma," Elsie went +on, with a smiling glance at her loved stepmother, "and papa was so very +good as to allow me to tell of my happiness to the cousins. Your father +was quite a<a class="pagenum" name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a> tall lad at that time, Cousin Cyril, and very kind to his +little cousin, who considered him a very fine young gentleman."</p> + +<p>"He is an elderly man now," remarked his son. "You have seen Aunt +Mildred and some others of the family since then?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, several times; she and a good many of the others were with us at +different times during the Centennial. But why did you not let us know +of your coming, Cousin Cyril? why not come directly to us?"</p> + +<p>"It was a sudden move on my part," he said, "and indeed I was not aware +that I was coming into the neighborhood of Viamede, or that you were +there. But I am delighted that it is so—that I have the opportunity to +become acquainted with you and to see the place, which Aunt Mildred +described as a paradise upon earth."</p> + +<p>"We think it almost that, but you shall judge for yourself," she said, +with a pleased smile.</p> + +<p>"Beautiful! enchanting! the half had not been told me!" he exclaimed in +delight, as, a few moments later, he stood upon the veranda gazing out +over the emerald velvet of the lawn, bespangled with its many hued and +lovely flowers, and dotted here and there with giant oaks, graceful +magnolias, and clusters of orange trees laden with their delicate, +sweet-scented blossoms and golden fruit, to the lakelet whose<a class="pagenum" name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a> waters +glittered in the sunlight, and the fields, the groves and hills beyond.</p> + +<p>"Ah, if earthly scenes are so lovely, what must heaven be!" he added, +turning to Elsie a face full of joyful anticipation.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she responded in low, moved tones, "how great is their +blessedness who walk the streets of the Celestial City! How their eyes +must feast upon its beauties! And yet—ah, methinks it must be long ere +they can see them, for gazing upon the lovely face of Him whose blood +has purchased their right to enter there."</p> + +<p>"Even so," he said. "Oh, for one glimpse of His face! Dear cousin," and +he took her hand in his, "let the thought of the 'exceeding and eternal +weight of glory' your loved one is now enjoying, and which you will one +day share with him, comfort you in your loneliness and sorrow."</p> + +<p>"It does, it does!" she said tremulously, "that and the sweet sense of +His abiding love, and presence who can never die and never change. I am +far from unhappy, Cousin Cyril. I have found truth in those beautiful +words,</p> + +<div class="block26"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="io">'Then sorrow touched by Thee, grows bright<br /></span> +<span class="i2">With more than rapture's ray,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As darkness shows us worlds of light<br /></span> +<span class="i2">We never saw by day.'"<br /></span> +</div></div></div> + +<p>They had been comparatively alone for the moment, no one near enough to +overhear the low-toned talk between them.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a> +The young minister was greatly pleased with Viamede—the more so the +more he saw of it—and with his new-found relatives, the more and better +he became acquainted with them; while they found him all his earnest, +scriptural preaching had led them to expect.</p> + +<p>His religion was not a mask, or a garment to be worn only in the pulpit +or on the Sabbath, but permeated his whole life and conversation; as was +the case with most if not all of those with whom he now sojourned; and +like them, he was a happy Christian; content with the allotments of +God's providence, walking joyously in the light of his countenance, +making it the one purpose and effort of his life to live to God's glory +and bring others to share in the blessed service.</p> + +<p>He was strongly urged to spend the Winter at Viamede as his cousin's +guest, and preacher to the two churches.</p> + +<p>He took a day or two to consider the matter, then, to the great +satisfaction of all concerned, consented to remain, thanking his cousins +warmly for their kindness in giving him so sweet a home; for they made +him feel that he was entirely one of themselves, always welcome in their +midst, yet at perfect liberty to withdraw into the seclusion of his own +apartments whenever duty or inclination called him to do so.</p> + +<p>The well-stocked library supplied him with<a class="pagenum" name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a> all needed books, there were +servants to wait upon him, horses at his disposal, in short, nothing +wanting for purposes of work or of recreation. Again and again he said +to himself, or in his letters to those in the home he had left, that +"the lines had fallen to him in pleasant places."</p> + +<p>In the meantime Elsie found the truth as expounded by him from Sabbath +to Sabbath, and in the week-day evening service and the family worship, +most comforting and sustaining; while his intelligent, agreeable +conversation and cheerful companionship were most enjoyable at other +times.</p> + +<p>"Cousin Cyril" soon became a great favorite with those who claimed the +right to call him so, and very much liked and looked up to by Isadore, +Molly, and the rest to whom he was simply Mr. Keith.</p> + +<p>In common with all others who knew them, he admired his young cousins, +Elsie and Violet, extremely, and found their society delightful.</p> + +<p>Molly's sad affliction called forth, from the first, his deepest +commiseration; her brave endurance of it, her uniform cheerfulness under +it, his strong admiration and respect.</p> + +<p>Yet he presently discovered that Isadore Conly had stronger attractions +for him than any other woman he had ever met. It was not her beauty +alone, her refinement, her many accomplishments, but principally her +noble qualities of mind and heart, gradually opening themselves<a class="pagenum" name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a> to his +view as day after day they met in the unrestrained familiar intercourse +of the home circle, or walked or rode out together, sometimes in the +company of others, sometimes alone.</p> + +<p>Mr. Embury made good use of the permission Mrs. Travilla had granted +him, and occasionally forestalling Cyril's attentions, led the latter to +look upon him as a rival.</p> + +<p>Molly watched it all, and though now one and now the other devoted an +hour to her, sitting by her side in the house doing his best to +entertain her with conversation, or pushing her wheeled chair about the +walks in the beautiful grounds, or taking her out for a drive, thought +both were in pursuit of Isa.</p> + +<p>It was their pleasure to wait upon Isa, Elsie and Vi, while pity and +benevolence alone led them to bestow some time and effort upon +herself—a poor cripple whom no one could really enjoy taking about.</p> + +<p>She had but a modest opinion of her own attractions, and would have been +surprised to learn how greatly she was really admired by both gentlemen, +for her good sense, her talent, energy and perseverance in her chosen +line of work, and her constant cheerfulness; how brilliant and +entertaining they often found her talk, pronouncing it "bright, +sparkling, witty;" how attractive her intellectual +<a name="countenance" id="countenance"></a><ins title="Original has countanence,">countenance</ins> and her bright, dark, expressive eyes.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a> +<a name="xiv" id="xiv"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<div class="block26"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Something the heart must have to cherish,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Must love and joy, and sorrow learn;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Something with passion clasp or perish,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And in itself to ashes burn."<br /></span> + +<p class="right">—<i>Longfellow.</i></p> +</div></div></div> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Molly</span>, how you do work! a great deal too hard, I am sure," said the +younger Elsie, coming into her cousin's room, to find her at her writing +desk, pen in hand, as usual, an unfinished manuscript before her, and +books and papers scattered about.</p> + +<p>Molly looked up with a forced smile: she was not in mirthful mood.</p> + +<p>"It is because I am so slow that I must keep at it or I get nothing +done."</p> + +<p>"Well, there's no need," said Elsie, "and really, Molly dear, I do +believe you would gain time by resting more and oftener than you do. Who +can work fast and well when brain and body are both weary? I have come +to ask if you will take a drive with our two grandpas, grandma and Mrs. +Carrington?"</p> + +<p>"Thank you kindly, but I can't spare the time to-day."</p> + +<p>"But don't you think you ought? Your health is of more importance than +that manuscript. I am sure, Molly, you need the rest. I<a class="pagenum" name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a> have noticed +that you are growing thin and pale of late, and look tired almost all +the time."</p> + +<p>"I was out for an hour this morning."</p> + +<p>"An hour! and the weather is so delightful, everything out of doors +looking so lovely, that the rest of us find it next to impossible to +content ourselves within doors for an hour. Some of us are going to play +croquet. If you will not drive, won't you let one of the servants wheel +you out there—near enough to enable you to watch the game?"</p> + +<p>"Please don't think me ungracious," Molly answered, coloring, "but I +really should prefer to stay here and work."</p> + +<p>"I think Aunt Enna is going with us, and you will be left quite alone, +unless you will let me stay, or send a servant to sit with you," Elsie +suggested.</p> + +<p>But Molly insisted that she would rather be alone. "And you know," she +added, pointing to a silver hand bell on the table before her, "I can +ring if I need anything."</p> + +<p>So Elsie went rather sadly away, more than half suspecting that Molly +was grieving over her inability to move about as others did, and take +part in the active sports they found so enjoyable and healthful.</p> + +<p>And indeed she had hardly closed the door between them when the tears +began to roll down Molly's cheeks. She wiped them away and tried<a class="pagenum" name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a> to go +on with her work; but they came faster and faster, till throwing down +her pen she hid her face in her hands, and burst into passionate +weeping, sobs shaking her whole frame.</p> + +<p>A longing so intense had come over her to leave that chair, to walk, to +run, to leap and dance, as she had delighted to do in the old days +before that terrible fall. She wanted to wander over the velvety lawn +beneath her windows, to pluck for herself the many-hued, sweet-scented +flowers, growing here and there in the grass. Kind hands were always +ready to gather and bring them to her, but it was not like walking about +among them, stooping down and plucking them with her own fingers.</p> + +<p>Oh to feel her feet under her and wander at her own sweet will about the +beautiful grounds, over the hills and through the woods! Oh to feel that +she was a fit mate for some one who might some day love and cherish her +as Mr. Travilla had loved and cherished her whom he so fondly called his +"little wife!"</p> + +<p>She pitied her cousin for her sad bereavement; her heart had often, +often bled for her because of her loss; but ah! it were "better to have +loved and lost, than never to have loved at all."</p> + +<p>Never to love, never to be loved, that was the hardest part of it all.</p> + +<p>There was Dick, to be sure, the dear fellow! how she did love him! and +she believed he<a class="pagenum" name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a> loved her almost as well; but the time would come when +another would have the first place in his heart; perhaps it had already +come.</p> + +<p>Her mother's affection was something, but it was the love of a stronger +nature than her own that she craved, a staff to lean upon, a guiding, +protecting love, a support such as is the strong, stately oak to the +delicate, clinging vine.</p> + +<p>There were times when she keenly enjoyed her independence, perfect +liberty to control her own actions and choose her own work; her ability +to earn a livelihood for herself; but at this moment all that was as +nothing.</p> + +<p>Usually she was submissive under her affliction; now her heart rebelled +fiercely against it. She called it a hard and cruel fate, to which she +could not, would not be resigned.</p> + +<p>She was frightened at herself as she felt that she was so rebellious, +and that she was envying the happiness of the cousins who had for years +treated her with unvarying kindness; that her lot seemed the harder by +contrast with theirs.</p> + +<p>And yet how well she knew that theirs was not perfect happiness—that +the death of the husband and father had been a sore trial to them all.</p> + +<p>Through the open window she saw the handsome, easy-rolling family +carriage drive away and disappear among the trees on the farther side of +the lawn; then the croquet party setting<a class="pagenum" name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a> out for the scene of their +proposed game, which was at some little distance from the mansion, +though within the grounds.</p> + +<p>She noticed that Isa and Mr. Keith walked first—very close together, +and looking very like a pair of lovers, she thought—then Mr. Embury +with Violet's graceful, girlish figure by his side, she walking with a +free, springing step that once poor Molly might have emulated, as she +called to mind with a bitter groan and an almost frantic effort to rise +from her chair.</p> + +<p>Ah, what was it that so sharpened the sting brought by the thought of +her own impotence, as she saw Vi's bright, beautiful face uplifted to +that of her companion? A sudden glimpse into her own heart sent a +crimson tide all over the poor girl's face.</p> + +<p>"O Molly Percival, what a fool you are!" she exclaimed half aloud, then +burst into hysterical weeping; but calming herself almost instantly. +"No, I will not, will <em>not</em> be so weak!" she said, turning resolutely +from the window. "I have been happy in my work, happy and content, and +so will I be again. No foolish impossible dreams for you, Molly +Percival! no dog in the manger feelings either; you shall not indulge +them."</p> + +<p>But the thread of thought was broken and lost, and she tried in vain to +recover it; a distant hum of blithe voices came now and again to her ear +with disturbing influence.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a> +She could not rise and go away from it.</p> + +<p>Again the pen was laid aside, and lying back in her chair with her head +against its cushions, she closed her eyes with a weary sigh, a tear +trickling slowly down her cheek.</p> + +<p>"I cannot work," she murmured. "Ah, if I could only stop thinking these +miserable, wicked thoughts!"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Travilla, returning from a visit to the quarter, stopped a moment +to watch the croquet players.</p> + +<p>"Where is Molly?" she asked of her eldest daughter; "did she go with +your grandpa and the others?"</p> + +<p>"No, mamma, she is in her room, hard at work as usual, poor thing!"</p> + +<p>"She is altogether too devoted to her work; she ought to be out enjoying +this delicious weather. Surely you did not neglect to invite her to join +you here, Elsie?"</p> + +<p>"No, mamma, I did my best to persuade her. I can hardly bear to think +she is shut up there alone, while all the rest of us are having so +pleasant an afternoon."</p> + +<p>"It is too bad," Mr. Embury remarked, "and I was strongly tempted to +venture into her sanctum and try my powers of persuasion; but refrained +lest I should but disturb the flow of thought and get myself into +disgrace without accomplishing my end. Have you the courage to attempt +the thing, Mrs. Travilla?"</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a> +"I think I must try," she answered, with a smile, as she turned away in +the direction of the house.</p> + +<p>She found Molly at work, busied over a translation for which she had +laid aside the unfinished story interrupted by the younger Elsie's +visit.</p> + +<p>She welcomed her cousin with a smile, but not a very bright or mirthful +one, and traces of tears about her eyes were very evident.</p> + +<p>"My dear child," Elsie said, in tones as tender and compassionate as she +would have used to one of her own darlings, and laying her hand +affectionately on the young girl's shoulder, "I do not like to see you +so hard at work while every one else is out enjoying this delightful +weather. How can you resist the call of all the bloom and beauty you can +see from your window there?"</p> + +<p>"It is attractive, cousin," Molly answered; "I could not resist it +if—if I could run about as others do," she added, with a tremble in her +voice.</p> + +<p>"My poor, poor child!" Elsie said with emotion, bending down to press a +kiss on the girl's forehead.</p> + +<p>Molly threw her arms about her, and burst into tears and sobs.</p> + +<p>"Oh it is so hard, so hard! so cruel that I must sit here a helpless +cripple all my days! How can I bear it, for years and years, it may +be!"</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a> +"Dear child, 'sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.' Let us live +one day at a time, leaving the future with our heavenly Father, trusting +in His promise that as our day our strength shall be. Rutherford says, +'These many days I have had no morrow at all.' If it were so with all of +us, how the burdens would be lightened! for a very large part of them is +apprehension for the future. Is it not?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I am ashamed of my weakness and cowardice."</p> + +<p>"Dear child, I have often admired your strength and courage under a +trial I fear I should not bear half so well."</p> + +<p>Molly lifted to her cousin's a face full of wonder, surprise and +gratitude; then it clouded again and tears trembled in her eyes and in +her voice, as she said, "But, Cousin Elsie, you must let me work; it is +my life, my happiness; the only kind I can ever hope for, ever have. +Others may busy themselves with household cares, may fill their hearts +with the sweet loves of kind husbands and dear little children; but +these things are not for me. O cousin, forgive me!" she cried, as she +saw the pained look in Elsie's face. "I did not mean—I did not +intend—"</p> + +<p>"To remind me of the past," Elsie whispered, struggling with her tears. +"It is full of sweet memories, that I would not be without for anything. +Oh true indeed is it that<a class="pagenum" name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></p> + +<div class="block22"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="io">'Tis better to have loved and lost,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Than never to have loved at all."<br /></span> +</div></div></div> + +<p>"O Cousin Elsie, your faith and patience are beautiful!" cried Molly, +impulsively. "You never murmur at your cross, you are satisfied with all +God sends. I wish it were so with me, but—O cousin, cousin, my very +worst trouble is that I am afraid I am not a Christian! that I have been +deceiving myself all these years!" she ended with a burst of bitter +weeping.</p> + +<p>"Molly dear," Elsie said, folding her in her arms and striving to soothe +her with caresses, "you surprise me very much, for I have long seen the +lovely fruit of the Spirit in your life and conversation. Do you not +love Jesus and trust in him alone for salvation?"</p> + +<p>"I thought I did, and oh I cannot bear to think of not belonging to him! +it breaks my heart!"</p> + +<p>"Then why should you think so?"</p> + +<p>"Because I find so much of evil in myself. If you knew the rebellious +thoughts and feelings I have had this very day you would not think me a +Christian. I have hated myself because of them."</p> + +<p>"You have struggled to cast them out, you have not encouraged or loved +them. Is that what they do who have no love to Christ? no desire after +conformity to his will? It is the child of God who hates sin and +struggles against it. But it is not necessary to decide whether<a class="pagenum" name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a> you +have or have not been mistaken in your past experience, since you may +come to Jesus now just as if you had never come before: give yourself to +him and accept his offered salvation without stopping to ask whether it +is for the first or the ten thousandth time. Oh that is always my +comfort when assailed by doubts and fears! 'Behold, now is the accepted +time; behold, now is the day of salvation.' Jesus says, to-day and every +day, 'Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will +give you rest.' 'Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out.'"</p> + +<p>Glad tears glistened in Molly's eyes. "And he will pardon my iniquity +though it is so great," she murmured, with trembling lip and half +averted face: "he will forgive all my transgressions and my sins, +cleanse me from them and love me freely."</p> + +<p>"Yes, dear child, he will. And now put away your work for the rest of +this day and come out into the pure, sweet air. If we weary our poor, +weak bodies too much, Satan is but too ready to take advantage of our +physical condition to assault us with temptations, doubts and fears."</p> + +<p>"I will do as you think best, cousin," was the submissive reply.</p> + +<p>Elsie at once summoned a servant, and in a few moments Molly's chair was +rolling along the gravelled walks, underneath the grand old trees,<a class="pagenum" name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a> a +gentle breeze from the lakelet, laden with the scent of magnolias and +orange blossoms, gathered in its passage across the lawn, softly fanning +her cheek, her cousin walking by her side and entertaining her with +pleasant chat.</p> + +<p>Rosie and Walter came running to meet them. They were glad to see Molly +out: they filled her lap with flowers and her ears with their sweet +innocent prattle, her heart growing lighter as she listened and drank in +beside all the sweet sights and scents and sounds of nature in her most +bountiful mood.</p> + +<p>They made a partial circuit of the grounds that at last brought them to +the croquet players, who, one and all, greeted Molly's arrival with +expressions of satisfaction or delight.</p> + +<p>Each brought an offering of bud or blossom, the loveliest and sweetest +of flowers were scattered so profusely on every hand.</p> + +<p>Mr. Embury's was a half blown rose, and Elsie, furtively watching her +charge, noted the quick blush with which it was received, the care with +which it was stealthily treasured afterward.</p> + +<p>A suspicion stirred in her breast, a fear that made her heart tremble +and ache for the poor girl.</p> + +<p>Mr. Embury spent the evening at Viamede. Molly was in the parlor with +the rest, and the greater part of the time he was close at her side.</p> + +<p>Both talked more than usual, often addressing<a class="pagenum" name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a> each other, and seemed to +outdo themselves in sparkling wit and brilliant repartee.</p> + +<p>Molly's cheeks glowed and her eyes shone: she had never been so handsome +or fascinating before, and Mr. Embury hung upon her words.</p> + +<p>Elsie's heart sank as she saw it all. "My poor child!" she sighed to +herself. "I must warn him that her affections are not to be trifled +with. He may think her sad affliction is her shield—raising a barrier +that she herself must know to be impassable—but when was heart +controlled by reason?"</p> + +<p>The next morning Enna, putting her head in at the door of the +dressing-room where her niece was busy with her little ones, said: +"Elsie, I wish you'd come and speak a word to Molly. She'll hear reason +from you, maybe, though she thinks I haven't sense enough to give her +any advice."</p> + +<p>"What is it?" Elsie asked, obeying the summons at once, leaving Rosie +and Walter in Aunt Chloe's charge.</p> + +<p>"Just come to her room, won't you?" Enna said, leading the way. "I don't +see what possesses the child to act so. He's handsome and rich and +everything a reasonable woman could ask. I want you to—But there! he's +gone, and it's too late!"</p> + +<p>Elsie following her glance through a window they were passing, saw Mr. +Embury's carriage driving away.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a> +"Did he ask Molly to go with him?" she inquired.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and she wouldn't do it; though I did all I could to make her. Come +and speak to her though, so she'll know better next time."</p> + +<p>Molly sat in an attitude of dejection, her face hidden in her hands, and +did not seem conscious of their entrance until Elsie's hand was softly +laid on her shoulder, while the pitying voice asked, "What is the +matter, Molly dear?"</p> + +<p>Then the bowed head was lifted, and Elsie saw that her eyes were full of +tears, her cheeks wet with them.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Cousin Elsie," she sobbed, "don't ask me to go with him. I must +not. I must try to keep away from him. Oh, why did we ever meet? Shall I +ever be rid of this weary pain in my heart?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, dear child, it will pass away in time," her cousin whispered, +putting kind arms about her. "He must stay away, and you will learn to +be happy again in your work, and, better still, in the one love that can +never fail you in this world or the next."</p> + +<p>"He is a good man, don't blame him," murmured the poor girl, hiding her +blushing face on her cousin's shoulder.</p> + +<p>"I will try not; but such selfish thoughtlessness is almost +unpardonable. He must not come here any more."</p> + +<p>"No, no: don't tell him that! don't let him<a class="pagenum" name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a> suspect that I—care +whether he does or not. And he enjoys it so much, he is so lonely in his +own house."</p> + +<p>"Do not fear that I will betray you, poor, dear, unselfish child," Elsie +said; "but I must protect you somehow. And, Molly dear, though I believe +married life is the happiest, where there is deep, true love, founded on +respect and perfect confidence, I am quite sure that it is possible for +a woman to be very happy though she live single all her days. There is +my dear old Aunt Wealthy, for example; she must be now nearly ninety. I +have known her for more than twenty years, and always as one of the +cheeriest and happiest people I ever saw."</p> + +<p>"Did she ever meet any one she cared for?" Molly asked, still hiding her +face.</p> + +<p>"Yes: she had a sore disappointment in her young days, as she told me +herself; but the wound healed in time."</p> + +<p>Enna had seated herself in a low rocking-chair by a window, and with +hands folded in her lap was keenly eying her daughter and niece.</p> + +<p>"What are you two saying to each other?" she demanded. "You talk so low +I can only catch a word now and then; but I don't believe, Elsie, that +you are coaxing Molly to behave as I want her to."</p> + +<p>"Poor mother!" sighed Molly; "she can't understand it."</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a> +<a name="xv" id="xv"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<div class="block24"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="io">"Man's love is of man's life a thing apart,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Tis woman's whole existence."<br /></span> + +<p class="right">—<i>Byron.</i></p> +</div></div></div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Finding</span> her own thoughts full of Molly and her troubles to the exclusion +of everything else, Elsie presently dismissed her little ones to their +play, spent a few moments in consulting her best Friend, then went in +search of her father.</p> + +<p>She would not betray Molly even to him, but it would be safe, helpful, +comforting to confide her own doubts, fears and anxieties.</p> + +<p>She found him in the library, and alone. He was standing before a window +with his back toward her as she entered, and did not seem to hear her +light footsteps till she was close at his side; then turning hastily, he +caught her in his arms, strained her to his breast, and kissed her again +and again with passionate fondness.</p> + +<p>"What is it, papa?" she asked in surprise, looking up into his face and +seeing it full of emotion that seemed a strange blending of pain and +pleasure.</p> + +<p>"My darling, my darling!" he said in low, tremulous tones, holding her +close, and repeating his caresses, "how shall I ever make up to you for +the sorrows of your infancy? the culpable,<a class="pagenum" name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a> heartless neglect with which +your father treated you then? I see I surprise you by referring to it +now, but I have been talking with one of the old servants who retains a +vivid remembrance of your babyhood here, and your heart-rending grief +when forced away from your home and almost all you had learned to love. +Such a picture of it has she given me that I fairly long to go back to +that time and take my baby girl to my heart and comfort her."</p> + +<p>"Dear papa, I hardly remember it now," she said, laying her head down on +his breast; "and oh I have the sweetest memories of years and years of +the tenderest fatherly love and care!—love and care that surround me +still and form one of my best and dearest earthly blessings. If the Lord +will, may we long be spared to each other, my dear, dear father!"</p> + +<p>His response was a fervent "Amen," and sitting down upon a sofa, he drew +her to a seat by his side.</p> + +<p>"I have come to you for help and advice in a new difficulty, papa," she +said. "I fear I have made a sad mistake in allowing Mr. Embury's visits +here; and yet—I cannot exclude from my house gentlemen visitors of +unexceptionable character."</p> + +<p>"No; and he appears to be all that, and more—a sincere, earnest +Christian. But what is it that you regret or fear? Elsie is engaged,<a class="pagenum" name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a> +Violet very young, and for Isa—supposing there were any such +prospect—it would be a most suitable match."</p> + +<p>"But Molly?"</p> + +<p>"Molly!" he exclaimed with a start. "Poor child! she could never think +of marriage!"</p> + +<p>"No, papa, but hearts don't reason and love comes unbidden."</p> + +<p>"And you think she cares for him?"</p> + +<p>"It would not be strange if she should; he is a very agreeable man, +and—Did you notice them last night? I thought his actions decidedly +loverlike, and there was something in her face that made me tremble for +the poor child's future peace of mind."</p> + +<p>"Poor child!" he echoed; "poor, poor child! I am glad you called my +attention to it. I must give Embury a hint: he cannot, of course, be +thinking what he is about: for I am sure he is not the heartless wretch +he would be if he could wreck her happiness intentionally."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, dear papa. You will know exactly how to do it without the +least compromise of the dear girl's womanly pride and delicacy of +feeling, or offending or hurting him.</p> + +<p>"You spoke just now of Isa," she went on presently. "I should be glad if +she and Mr. Embury fancied each other; such a match would be very +pleasing to Aunt Louise on account of his wealth and social position, +little as she would like his piety, but—"</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a> +"Well, daughter?"</p> + +<p>"Have you noticed how constantly Cyril seeks her companionship? how +naturally the others leave those two to pair off together? They sit and +read or chat together by the hour out yonder under the trees; scarce a +day passes without its long, lonely ramble or ride. He talks to her of +his work too, in which his whole heart is engaged; listens attentively +to all she says—turning in the most interested way to her for an +opinion, no matter what subject is broached; listens with delight to her +music too, and sometimes reads his sermons to her for the benefit of her +criticism, or consults her in regard to his choice of a text."</p> + +<p>Mr. Dinsmore's countenance expressed extreme satisfaction. "I am glad of +it," he said; "they seem made for each other."</p> + +<p>"But Aunt Louise, papa?"</p> + +<p>"Will not fancy a poor clergyman for a son-in-law, yet will consider +even that better than not seeing her daughter married at all. And if the +two most intimately concerned are happy and content, what matter for the +rest?"</p> + +<p>"Oh papa!" Elsie returned with a smile that had something of old-time +archness in it, "have not your opinions in regard to the rights of +parents and the duties of children changed somewhat since my early +girlhood?"</p> + +<p>"Circumstances alter cases," he answered with<a class="pagenum" name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a> a playful caress. "I +should never have objected to so wise a choice as Isa's—always +supposing that she has made the one we are talking of."</p> + +<p>"And you will not mind if Aunt Louise blames you? or me?"</p> + +<p>"I shall take all the blame and not mind it in the least."</p> + +<p>Yes, Cyril Keith and Isadore Conly were made for each other, and had +become conscious of the fact, though no word of love had yet been +spoken.</p> + +<p>To him she was the sweetest and loveliest of her sex, in whom he found a +stronger union of beauty, grace, accomplishments, sound sense and +earnest piety than in any other young lady of his acquaintance; while to +her he was the impersonation of all that was truly noble, manly and +Christian.</p> + +<p>They were dreaming love's young dream, and found intense enjoyment each +in the other's society, especially amid all the loveliness of nature +that surrounded them.</p> + +<p>Cyril's was a whole-hearted consecration to his divine Master and that +loved Master's work, but this human love interfered not in any way with +that, for it is of God's appointment.</p> + +<p>"'And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I +will make him an help meet for him.' 'Whoso findeth a wife<a class="pagenum" name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a> findeth a +good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.'"</p> + +<p>"How like you that is, papa dear," Elsie said; "but it would be easier +to me to bear blame myself than to have it heaped upon you. I suppose, +though, that it would be useless to attempt any interference with the +course of true love?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; we will simply let them alone."</p> + +<p>Mr. Dinsmore rode over to Magnolia Hall that afternoon to seek an +interview with its owner; but learned that he was not at home, and might +not be for a day or two. No one knew just when he would return. So the +only course now left seemed to be to wait till he should call again at +Viamede.</p> + +<p>He had been an almost daily visitor of late, and often sent some token +of remembrance by a servant—fruit, flowers, game or fish, or it might +be a book from his library which was not found in theirs.</p> + +<p>But now one, two, three days passed and nothing was seen or heard of +him.</p> + +<p>Sad, wearisome days they were to Molly: mental labor was next to +impossible; she could not even read with any enjoyment; her heart was +heavy with grief and unsatisfied longing, intensified by her mother's +constant reiteration, "You've offended him, and he'll never come again; +you've thrown away the best chance a<a class="pagenum" name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a> girl ever had; and you'll never +see another like it."</p> + +<p>Then it was unusually long since she had heard from Dick; and she had +waited for news from a manuscript which had cost her months of hard +work, and on which great expectations were based, till her heart was +sick with hope deferred.</p> + +<p>It was on the morning of the fourth day that Molly, having persuaded her +mother to go for a walk with her grandfather and Mrs. Carrington, +summoned a servant and desired to be taken out into the grounds.</p> + +<p>She sat motionless in her chair gazing in mournful silence on all the +luxuriant beauty that surrounded her, while the man wheeled her up one +walk and down another.</p> + +<p>At length, "That will do, Joe," she said; "you may stop the chair under +that magnolia yonder, and leave me there for an hour."</p> + +<p>"I'se 'fraid you git tired, Miss Molly, and nobody roun' for to wait on +you," he remarked when he had placed her in the desired spot.</p> + +<p>"No; I have the bell here, and it can be heard at the house. I have a +book, too, to amuse myself with: and the gardener yonder is within +sight. You need not fear to leave me."</p> + +<p>He walked away and she opened her book. But she scarcely looked at it. +Her thoughts were busying themselves with something else, and her eyes +were full of tears.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a> +A quick, manly step on the gravel walk behind her startled her and sent +a vivid color over face and neck.</p> + +<p>"Good morning, Miss Percival; I am fortunate indeed in finding you here +alone," a voice said, close at her side.</p> + +<p>"Good morning, Mr. Embury," she returned, with a vain effort to steady +her tones, and without looking up.</p> + +<p>He took possession of a rustic seat close to which her chair was +standing. "Molly, my dear Miss Molly," he said, in some agitation, "I +fear I have unwittingly offended."</p> + +<p>"No, no, no!" she answered, bursting into tears in spite of herself. +"There, what a baby I am!" dashing them angrily away. "I wish you +wouldn't come here and set me to crying."</p> + +<p>"Let me tell you something, let me ask you one question; and then if you +bid me, I will go away and never come near you again," he said, taking +her hand and holding it fast. "Molly, I love you. I want you to be my +wife. Will you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh you don't mean it! you can't mean it! no man in his senses would +want to marry me—a poor helpless cripple!" she cried, trying to pull +the hand away, "and it's a cruel, cruel jest! Oh how can you!" and +covering her face with the free hand, she sobbed as if her heart would +break.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a> +"Don't, don't, dear Molly," he entreated. "I am not jesting, nor am I +rushing into this thing hastily or thoughtlessly. Your very helplessness +draws me to you and makes you doubly dear. I want to take care of you, +my poor child. I want to make up your loss to you as far as my love and +sympathy can; to make your life bright and happy in spite of your +terrible trial."</p> + +<p>"You are the noblest, most unselfish man I ever heard of," she said, +wiping away her tears to give him a look of amazement and admiration; +"but I cannot be so selfish as to take all when I can give nothing in +return."</p> + +<p>"Do you call yourself—with your sweet face, cheery disposition, +brilliant talents, and conversational powers that render you the most +entertaining and charming of companions—nothing? I think you a greater +prize than half the women who have the free use of all their limbs."</p> + +<p>"You are very kind to say it."</p> + +<p>"No, I am not, for it is the simple, unvarnished truth. Molly, if you +can love me, I should rather have you than any other woman on earth. How +your presence would brighten my home! I give all indeed! you will be +worth more to me than all I have to give in return. O Molly, have you no +love to bestow upon poor me?"</p> + +<p>She had ceased the struggle to free her hand<a class="pagenum" name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a> from the strong yet tender +clasp in which it was held, but her face was averted and tears were +falling fast. His words had sent a thrill of exquisite joy to her heart, +but instantly it changed to bitter sorrow.</p> + +<p>"You cannot have counted the cost," she said. "I am poor; I have nothing +at all but the pittance I earn by my pen. And think: I can never walk by +your side: I cannot go about your house and see that your comfort is not +neglected, or your substance wasted. I cannot nurse you in sickness or +wait upon you in health as another woman might. Oh cannot you see that I +have nothing to give you in return for all you—in your wonderful +generosity—are offering to me?"</p> + +<p>"Your love, dear girl, and the blessed privilege of taking care of you, +are all I ask, all I want—can you not give me these?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, why do you tempt me so?" she cried.</p> + +<p>"Tempt you? would it be a sin to love me? to give yourself to me when I +want you so much, so very much?"</p> + +<p>"It seems to me it would be taking advantage of the most unheard-of +generosity. What woman's heart could stand out against it?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, then you do love me!" he exclaimed, in accents of joy, and lifting +her hand to his lips. "You will be mine? my own dear wife? a sweet +mother to my darlings. I have brought<a class="pagenum" name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a> them with me, that their beauty +and sweetness, their pretty innocent ways, may plead my cause with you, +for I know that you love little children." He was gone before she could +reply, and the next moment was at her side again, bearing in his arms +two lovely little creatures of three and five.</p> + +<p>"These are my babies," he said, sitting down with one upon each knee. +"Corinna," to the eldest, "don't you want this sweet lady to come and +live with us and be your dear mamma?"</p> + +<p>The child took a long, searching look into Molly's face before she +answered; then, with a bright, glad smile breaking like sunlight over +her own, "Yes, papa, I <em>do</em>!" she said, emphatically. "Won't you come, +pretty lady? Madie and I will be good children, and love you ever so +much." And she held up her rosebud mouth for a kiss.</p> + +<p>Molly gave it very heartily.</p> + +<p>"Me, too—you mustn't fordet to tiss Madie," the little one said.</p> + +<p>Molly motioned the father to set the child in her lap, and, putting an +arm about Corinna, petted and fondled them both for a little, the mother +instinct stirring strongly within her the while.</p> + +<p>"There, that will do, my pets; we must not tire the dear lady," Mr. +Embury said presently, lifting his youngest and setting her on her feet<a class="pagenum" name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a> +beside her sister. "Go back now to your mammy. See, yonder she is, +waiting for you."</p> + +<p>"What darlings they are," Molly said, following them with wistful, +longing eyes.</p> + +<p>"Yes. Ah, can your heart resist their appeal?"</p> + +<p>"How could I, chained to my chair, do a mother's part by them?" she +asked mournfully, and with a heavy sigh.</p> + +<p>"Their physical needs are well attended to," he said, again taking her +hand, while his eyes sought hers with wistful, pleading tenderness; "it +is motherly counsels, sympathy, love they want. Is it not in your power +to give them all these? I would throw no burdens on you, love; I only +aim to show you that the giving need not necessarily be all on my side, +the receiving all on yours."</p> + +<p>"How kind, how noble you are," she said, in moved tones. "But your +relatives? your other children? how would they feel to see you joined +for life to a—"</p> + +<p>"Don't say it," he interrupted, in tones of tenderest compassion. "My +boys will be drawn to you by your helplessness, while they will be very +proud of your talents and your sweetness. I have no other near relatives +but two brothers, who have no right to concern themselves in the matter, +nor will be likely to care to do so. But, O, dearest girl, what shall I, +what can I say to<a class="pagenum" name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a> convince you that you are my heart's desire? that I +want you, your love, your dear companionship, more than tongue can tell? +Will you refuse them to me?"</p> + +<p>She answered only with a look, but it said all he wished.</p> + +<p>"Bless you, darling!" he whispered, putting his arm about her, while her +head dropped upon his shoulder, "you have made me very happy."</p> + +<p>Molly was silent, was weeping, but for very gladness; her heart sang for +joy; not that a beautiful home, wealth, and all the luxury and ease it +could purchase, would now be hers, but that she was loved by one so +noble and generous, so altogether worthy of her highest respect, her +warmest affection, the devotion of her whole life, which she inwardly +vowed should be his. She would strive to be to him such a wife as Elsie +had been to her husband, such a mother to his children as her sweet +cousin was to hers.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a> +<a name="xvi" id="xvi"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<div class="block30"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="io6">"I saw her, and I loved her—<br /></span> +<span class="i6 pb">I sought her, and I won."<br /></span> +<span class="i8">"Across the threshold led,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And every tear kiss'd off as soon as shed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His house she enters, there to be a light<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Shining within, when all without is night;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A guardian angel, o'er his life presiding,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Doubling his pleasure, and his cares dividing."<br /></span> + +<p class="right">—<i>Roger.</i></p> +</div></div></div> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">You</span> declined a drive with me the last time I asked you," Mr. Embury +remarked, breaking a momentary silence that had fallen between them, +"but will you not be more gracious to-day? My carriage is near at hand, +and I have a great desire to take you for an airing—you and the +babies."</p> + +<p>Blushing deeply, Molly said, "Yes, if you wish it, and will bring me +back before I am missed."</p> + +<p>"I shall take good care of you, as who would not of his own?" he said, +bending down to look into her face with a proud, fond smile; "yes, you +are mine now, dearest, and I shall never resign my claim. Ah," as he +lifted his head again, "here comes your uncle, and I fancy he eyes me +with distrust. Mr. Dinsmore," and he stepped forward with outstretched +hand, "how do you do, sir? What do you say to receiving me into<a class="pagenum" name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a> the +family? I trust you will not object, for this dear girl intends to give +me the right to call you uncle."</p> + +<p>Mr. Dinsmore grasped the hand, looking in silent astonishment from one +to the other. He read the story of their love in both faces—Molly's +downcast and blushing, yet happy; Mr. Embury's overflowing with +unfeigned delight.</p> + +<p>"I assure you, sir," he went on, "I am fully aware that she is a prize +any man might be proud to win. Your niece is no ordinary woman: her +gifts and graces are many and great."</p> + +<p>"She is all that you have said, and even more," her uncle returned, +finding his voice. "And yet—you are quite sure that this is not a +sudden impulse for which you may some day be sorry?"</p> + +<p>He had stepped to Molly's other side and taken her hand in his, in a +protecting, fatherly way. "It would wreck her happiness," he added, in +moved tones, "and that is very dear to me."</p> + +<p>"It cannot be dearer to you, sir, than it is to me," the lover answered; +"and rest assured your fears are groundless. It is no sudden impulse on +my part, but deliberate action taken after weeks of careful and +prayerful consideration. You seem to stand in the place of a father to +her; will you give her to me?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Embury, you are the noblest of men,<a class="pagenum" name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a> and must forgive me that I had +some suspicion that you were thoughtlessly trifling with the child's +affections. I see you have won her heart, and may you be very happy +together."</p> + +<p>Mr. Dinsmore was turning away, but Mr. Embury stopped him.</p> + +<p>"Let me thank you, sir," he said, again holding out his hand. "We are +going for a little drive," he added, "and please let no one be anxious +about Miss Percival. I am responsible for her safe return."</p> + +<p>Molly's chair rolled on with rapid, steady movement to the entrance to +the grounds, where Mr. Embury's carriage stood; then she felt herself +carefully, tenderly lifted from one to the other and comfortably +established on a softly cushioned seat.</p> + +<p>How like a delightful dream it all seemed—the swift, pleasant motion +through the pure, sweet, fragrant air; beautiful scenery on every hand; +the prattle of infant voices and the whispers of love in her ear. Should +she not awake presently to its unreality? awake to find herself still +the lonely, unloved woman she was in her own esteem but an hour ago, and +who by reason of her sad infirmity could look forward to nothing else +through life?</p> + +<p>They turned in at an open gateway, and Molly, suddenly rousing herself, +said, in surprise, "We are entering some one's private grounds, are we +not?"</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a> +"Yes," was the quiet reply, "but there is no objection. The owner and I +are on the most intimate terms. I admire the place very much, and want +you to see it, so we will drive all around the grounds." And he gave the +order to the coachman.</p> + +<p>Molly looked and admired. "Charming! almost if not quite equal to +Viamede."</p> + +<p>His eyes shone. "Your taste agrees with mine," he said. "Look this way. +We have a good view of the house from here. What do you think of it?"</p> + +<p>"That it is just suited to its surroundings, and must be a delightful +residence."</p> + +<p>"So it is; and I want to show you the inside too. There's no objection," +as he read hesitation and disapproval in her face; "the master and +mistress are not there, and—in fact I have charge of the place just +now, and am quite at liberty to show it to strangers."</p> + +<p>The next moment they drew up before the front entrance. Mr. Embury +hastily alighted and lifted out the little ones, saying in a low tone +something which Molly did not hear as he set them down.</p> + +<p>They ran in at the open door, and turning to her again he took her in +his strong arms and bore her into a lordly entrance hall; then on +through, one spacious, elegantly furnished room after another—parlors, +library, dining and<a class="pagenum" name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a> drawing-rooms—moving slowly that she might have +time so gaze and admire, and now and then setting her down for a few +moments in an easy chair or on a luxurious sofa, usually before a rare +painting or some other beautiful work of art which he thought she would +particularly enjoy.</p> + +<p>The children had disappeared, and they were quite alone.</p> + +<p>He had reserved a charming boudoir for the last. Open doors gave +tempting glimpses of dressing and bedrooms beyond.</p> + +<p>"These," he said, placing her in a delightfully easy, velvet cushioned +chair, and standing by her side, "are the apartments of the mistress of +the mansion, as you have doubtless already conjectured. What do you +think of them?"</p> + +<p>"That they are very beautiful, very luxurious. And oh what a lovely view +from yonder window!"</p> + +<p>"And from this, is it not?" he said, stepping aside and turning her +chair a little that she might see, through a vista of grand old trees, +the lagoon beyond sparkling in the sunlight.</p> + +<p>"Oh that is finer still!" she cried. "I should think one might almost be +content to live a close prisoner here."</p> + +<p>"Then I may hope my dear wife will not be unhappy here? will not regret +leaving the<a class="pagenum" name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a> beauties of Viamede and the charming society there for this +place and the companionship of its owner? Molly, dearest, this is +Magnolia Hall; you are its mistress, and these are your own rooms," he +said, kneeling by her side to fold her to his heart with tenderest +caresses.</p> + +<p>"It is too much, oh you are too good to me!" she sobbed, as her head +dropped upon his shoulder.</p> + +<p>On leaving Mr. Embury and Molly, Mr. Dinsmore hastened to join his wife +and daughter, who were sitting together on the lawn. The interview +between the lovers having taken place in a part of the grounds not +visible from where they sat, they had seen nothing of it.</p> + +<p>"You look like the bearer of glad tidings, my dear," Rose remarked, +glancing inquiringly at her husband as he seated himself at her side.</p> + +<p>"And so I am, wife," he answered joyously. "Elsie, you may spare +yourself any further regrets because of your kindness to Mr. Embury. He +is a noble, generous-hearted fellow, and very much in love with our +poor, dear Molly. They are engaged."</p> + +<p>"Engaged?" echoed both ladies simultaneously, as much surprised and +pleased as he had hoped to see them.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said, and went on to repeat what had passed between himself +and the newly-affianced pair.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a> +"Dear Molly," Elsie said with tears trembling in her eyes, "I trust +there are many very happy days in store for her. And how pleased Aunt +Enna will be, she was so desirous to bring about the match."</p> + +<p>"Molly herself should have the pleasure of telling her."</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed, papa."</p> + +<p>"There is something else," Mr. Dinsmore said. "At Mr. Embury's +suggestion I wrote to Dick two or three weeks ago, telling him that +there was a good opening for a physician here, and asking if he would +not like to come and settle if pleased with the country. His answer came +this morning, and he will be with us in a few days."</p> + +<p>"How glad I am!" was Elsie's exclamation. "Molly's cup of happiness will +be full to overflowing."</p> + +<p>Rose, too, was rejoiced; but she had heard before of the invitation to +Dick, and was less surprised at this news than Elsie was.</p> + +<p>The ladies had their work, Mr. Dinsmore the morning paper, and the three +were still sitting there when Mr. Embury's carriage returned.</p> + +<p>Molly's face was radiant with happiness; Mr. Embury's also; and the +faces of the friends who gathered about them in the library, whither he +carried her, seemed to reflect the glad light in theirs.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a> +Everybody was rejoiced at Molly's good fortune, and pleased to receive +Mr. Embury into the family, for they all respected and liked him.</p> + +<p>Enna's delight on hearing the news was unbounded; she half smothered her +daughter with kisses, and exclaimed over and over again, "I knew he +wanted you! And didn't I tell you there'd be somebody better worth +having than Elsie's lover coming after you some day? And I'm as glad as +can be that my girl's going to be married the first of all—before +Louise's girls, or Elsie's either!"</p> + +<p>"I can't see that that makes the least difference, mother," Molly said, +laughing for very gladness. "But oh what a good and kind man he is! and +what a lovely home we are to have! for, mother, he says you are to live +with us always if you like."</p> + +<p>"Now that is nice!" Enna said, much gratified. "And is it as pretty as +Viamede?"</p> + +<p>"It is almost if not quite as beautiful as Viamede, though not quite so +large; both house and grounds are, I believe, a little smaller."</p> + +<p>"How soon are you going to be married?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know just when, mother; the day has not been set."</p> + +<p>"I hope it will be soon, just as soon as we can get you ready."</p> + +<p>This was a little private chat in Molly's room<a class="pagenum" name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a> after Mr. Embury had +gone away. She had asked to have her chair wheeled in there, and to be +left alone with her mother while she told her the news of her +engagement.</p> + +<p>"I must consult with uncle and aunt and Cousin Elsie about that," she +said in answer to her mother's last remark. "Will you please open the +door now and ask them to come in? I don't care if the rest come too."</p> + +<p>"Well, Molly, when, where, and by whom is the knot to be tied?" asked +Mr. Dinsmore playfully, as he stood by her side looking down with a +kindly smile at her blushing, happy face.</p> + +<p>"O uncle, so many questions at once!"</p> + +<p>"Well, one at a time then: When?"</p> + +<p>"That foolishly impatient man wanted me to say to-night," she answered, +laughing, "and when I told him how absurd an idea that was, he insisted +that a week was quite long enough for him to go on living alone."</p> + +<p>"A week!" exclaimed her aunt. "You surely did not consent to that?"</p> + +<p>"No," Aunt Rose, "but I believe I half consented to try to make my +preparations in two weeks. I doubt if we can quite settle that question +now."</p> + +<p>"There must be time allowed for furnishing you with a handsome +trousseau, my dear child," Elsie said, "but possibly it can be +accomplished<a class="pagenum" name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a> in a fortnight. As to the next question—where?—you +surely will let it be here, in my house?"</p> + +<p>"Gladly, cousin, if pleasing to you," Molly answered with a grateful, +loving look. "And Mr. Keith shall officiate, if he will. Of course it +must be a very quiet affair; I should prefer that under any +circumstances."</p> + +<p>"You will invite Dick, will you not?" her uncle asked with a twinkle in +his eye.</p> + +<p>"Dick! oh the dear fellow! I ought to have him. I wonder if I could +persuade him to leave his practice long enough to come. Two weeks would +give him time to get here if I write at once."</p> + +<p>"No need," her uncle replied. "Providence permitting, he will be here in +less than half that time."</p> + +<p>Then the whole story came out in answer to Molly's look of astonished +inquiry, and her cup of happiness was indeed full to overflowing.</p> + +<p>"Where did you drive, Molly?" asked Isa. "But I suppose you hardly know; +you could see nothing but—your companion?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, Isa, do you judge of me by yourself?" queried Molly gleefully. "By +the way, though, I had three companions. But <em>don't</em> I know where I +went?"</p> + +<p>Then smiling, laughing, blushing, rosy and happy as they had never seen +her before, she described the darling baby girls and the beautiful +home.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a> +But the sweet words of love that had been as music to her ear were too +sacred for any other.</p> + +<p>She had quite a large and certainly very attentive and interested +audience, the whole family having gathered in the room. Enna and the +young girls were especially delighted with the tale she had to tell.</p> + +<p>"It's just like a story—the very nicest kind of a story!" cried Vi, +clapping her hands in an ecstasy of delight when Molly came to that part +of her narrative where she learned that she herself was to be the +mistress of the lordly mansion she had entered as a stranger visitor, +with all its wealth of luxury and beauty.</p> + +<p>The next two or three weeks were full of pleasant bustle and excitement, +preparations for the wedding being pushed forward with all possible +dispatch, Mr. Embury pleading his loneliness and that he wanted Molly's +relatives and friends to see her fairly settled in her new home before +they left Viamede for the North.</p> + +<p>Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore, with Enna, Isa, the younger Elsie and Violet, +took a trip to New Orleans and spent several days in shopping there, +laying in great store of rich, costly and beautiful things for Molly's +adornment.</p> + +<p>Mr. Embury, too, paid a flying visit to the city, which resulted in an +elegant set of jewels for his bride and some new articles of furniture +for her apartments.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a> +Dick arrived at about the expected time and was joyfully welcomed. His +surprise and delight in view of Molly's prospects were quite sufficient +to satisfy her, and so greatly was he pleased with the country that in a +few days he announced his purpose to remain.</p> + +<p>Cyril had received a unanimous call from the two churches, and after +mature deliberation accepted it, upon which Elsie doubled the salary she +had formerly paid, and told him playfully and in private that if he +would get a wife whom she could approve she would repair, enlarge, and +refurnish the cottage.</p> + +<p>"You are extremely kind and generous cousin," he stammered, coloring +deeply, "and I—I would be only too glad to follow out your suggestion."</p> + +<p>"Well," she returned in the same playful tone, "what is there to +hinder?"</p> + +<p>"The only woman I could fancy, could love, is so beautiful, fascinating, +accomplished, so altogether attractive in every way, that—I fear she +could hardly be expected to content herself with a poor minister."</p> + +<p>"I cannot say how that is," Elsie answered with a smile, "but judging by +myself I should think she would give her hand wherever her heart has +gone; and if I were a man I should not despair until I had asked and +been refused. And, Cyril, though not rich in this world's<a class="pagenum" name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a> goods, I +consider you a fit match for the highest—you who are a son of the +King."</p> + +<p>"That sonship is more to me than all the world has to give," he said, +looking at her with glistening eyes, "but to others it may seem of +little worth."</p> + +<p>"Not to any one who is of the right spirit to be truly an helpmeet to +you. I think I know where your affections are set, my dear cousin, and +that by her the true riches are esteemed as by you and me."</p> + +<p>He thanked her warmly by word and look for her kind sympathy and +encouragement, and there the interview ended.</p> + +<p>But that night, when Elsie was about retiring, Isa came to her, all +smiles, tears and blushes, to tell the story of love given and returned. +She and Cyril had spent the evening wandering about the grounds alone +together in the moonlight, and he had wooed and won his heart's choice.</p> + +<p>"Dear Isa, I am very, very glad for you and for Cyril," Elsie whispered, +clasping her cousin close, and kissing again and again the blushing +cheek. "I cannot wish anything better for you than that you may be as +happy in your wedded life as my dear husband and I were."</p> + +<p>"Nor could I ask a better wish," Isa returned with emotion; "but ah! I +fear I can never be the perfect wife you were! And, cousin, I can<a class="pagenum" name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a> +hardly hope for mamma's approval of my choice."</p> + +<p>"Do not trouble about that now; I think we shall find means to win her +consent."</p> + +<p>"I think grandpa and uncle are sure to approve."</p> + +<p>"Yes; and they will be powerful advocates with Aunt Louise; so I think +you need not hesitate to be as happy as you can," Elsie answered with a +smile. "Do you wish the matter kept secret?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Keith is with grandpa and uncle now," Isa said, blushing, "and I +don't care how soon Aunt Rose and the girls and Dick know it; but if you +please, the rest may wait until mamma is heard from."</p> + +<p>Molly was delighted, though not greatly astonished, when Isa told her +the next morning.</p> + +<p>"How nice that we shall be near neighbors," she exclaimed. "I wish you +would just decide to make it a double wedding."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," laughed Isa; "do you forget that it is now just one week +from your appointed day? or do you think my trousseau could be gotten up +in a week, though it takes three for yours?"</p> + +<p>"I really didn't stop to think," Molly acknowledged with a happy laugh; +"but, Isa, you are so beautiful that you need no finery to add<a class="pagenum" name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a> to your +attractions, while my plainness requires a good deal."</p> + +<p>"Molly," Isa said, standing before her and gazing fixedly and admiringly +into the glad, blooming face, "I think you have neglected your mirror of +late or you wouldn't talk so."</p> + +<p>A great surprise came to Molly on the morning of her wedding day. Her +cousin Elsie gave her ten thousand dollars, and Mr. Embury settled fifty +thousand upon her, beside presenting her with the jewels he had +purchased—a set of diamonds and pearls.</p> + +<p>Also she received many handsome presents from uncle, aunt, brother and +cousins, and from Mr. Embury's children.</p> + +<p>He had sent for his two boys, fine manly fellows of ten and twelve, to +be present at the marriage, which was to take place in the evening, and +had brought them that morning for a short call upon his chosen bride.</p> + +<p>She and they seemed mutually pleased, and Molly, who had been somewhat +apprehensive lest they should dislike the match, felt as if the last +stone were removed from her path.</p> + +<p>She gratified Mr. Embury greatly by a request that the baby girls and +all the servants from Magnolia Hall might be present, and that he would +let Louis, his eldest son, stand up with them as third groomsman, Dick +and Harold Travilla being first and second.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a> +Isa, the younger Elsie and Violet were the bridesmaids, all wearing +white for the occasion.</p> + +<p>It was a very quiet wedding indeed, no one at all present but the +members of the two families, servants included—these last grouping +themselves about the open door into the hall.</p> + +<p>Molly sat in her chair looking very sweet and pretty in white silk, +point lace, and abundance of orange blossoms freshly gathered from the +trees on the lawn.</p> + +<p>The bridesmaids looked very lovely also; groom and groomsmen handsome +and happy.</p> + +<p>Mr. Keith made the ceremony short but solemn and impressive. The usual +greetings and congratulations followed; Elsie's to the bride a whispered +hope, accompanied with tears and smiles, that every year might find +herself and husband nearer and dearer to each other.</p> + +<p>An elegant banquet succeeded, and shortly after the happy bridegroom +bore his new-made wife away to her future home.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a> +<a name="xvii" id="xvii"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<div class="block30"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="io">"But happy they! the happiest of their kind!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whom gentler stars unite, and in one fate<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Their hearts, their fortunes, and their beings blend.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">. . . . . for naught but love<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Can answer love, and render bliss secure."<br /></span> + +<p class="right">—<i>Thomson's Seasons.</i></p> +</div></div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">As</span> no invitations to the wedding were to be sent to relatives at a +distance, it was thought quite as well not to inform them of Molly's +engagement until after the marriage had taken place; beside, as the +preparations were so hurried, no one had much time for correspondence.</p> + +<p>Isadore Conly did not once during the three weeks write to Roselands, +excusing herself on the double plea that her last letter remained +unanswered, and that she was particularly busy about the trousseau.</p> + +<p>She found little time to spare from that which was not taken up in +walking or riding with Cyril.</p> + +<p>He proposed writing to her mother immediately after declaring his love; +but she begged him to delay a little till her grandfather and uncle +should have time to consider how to bring their influence to bear upon +Mrs. Conly in the way most likely to win her approval of his suit.</p> + +<p>The day after the wedding saw a number of<a class="pagenum" name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a> letters directed to +Roselands, dropped into the Viamede mail-bag, and a few days later they +reached their destination.</p> + +<p>The family—consisting of Mrs. Conly, Calhoun, Arthur, Virginia, Walter +(who was at home for a few days on a furlough, being now a lieutenant in +the U. S. Army), and several younger ones—were at breakfast when Pomp +came in with the mail-bag.</p> + +<p>Calhoun opened it and distributed the contents.</p> + +<p>"Letters from Viamede at last," he remarked; "three for you, mother, +from grandpa, uncle and—somebody else; one for Walter (Dick's +handwriting! I didn't know he was there) and one for Virginia."</p> + +<p>"From Isa," Virginia said as she glanced at the superscription; then +tearing open the envelope, and glancing down the first page, "Molly is +married! to a rich planter, too! Will wonders never cease!"</p> + +<p>A simultaneous exclamation of surprise from all present.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, Isa's hoaxing you," said Walter, stirring his coffee. "Here, +let me see the letter."</p> + +<p>"No. Open your own."</p> + +<p>"That's not in Isa's line," remarked Arthur, "but really it is very +astonishing news. What does Dick say, Wal? He went down there to attend +the wedding, I presume?"</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a> +"No; didn't know a word about it till he got there," Walter said, giving +a hasty perusal to the not very lengthy epistle; "went to settle; good +opening for a doctor; splendid country, everything lovely, likes +brother-in-law immensely, is overjoyed at Molly's good luck, says she's +as happy as a queen."</p> + +<p>"Which may mean much or little," remarked Conly.</p> + +<p>His mother cleared her throat emphatically, and all eyes turned to her. +She held an open letter in her hand, and her face looked flushed and +angry.</p> + +<p>"Isa, too, it seems, has lost her heart," she said in a bitter, +sarcastic tone; "and with her usual good sense, has bestowed it upon a +poor clergyman. Doubtless he has heard of her Aunt Delaford's +intentions—Elsie perhaps has given him the hint, he being a relative of +hers—and thinks he is securing a fortune. But if Isa throws herself +away in such fashion, Sister Delaford may change her mind."</p> + +<p>Calhoun and Arthur both repelled with warmth the insinuation against +Elsie; the latter adding that he thought Isa's personal charms were +quite sufficient of themselves to captivate a man who was not in pursuit +of wealth.</p> + +<p>"And Isa," remarked Calhoun, "is so unworldly that wealth would be a +matter of small consideration to her where her heart was concerned."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a> +"A fact that should make her friends the more careful how they encourage +her in taking a poor man," said the mother; "but my father and brother +are both strongly in favor of this adventurer's suit."</p> + +<p>"Adventurer, mother! I thought you said he was a clergyman!"</p> + +<p>"Well, Calhoun, I don't see any contradiction there. But his name is +Keith, and that explains it all, for my father was always very partial +to those relatives of his first wife. Horace, too, of course."</p> + +<p>"But as Isa is a good deal more nearly related to them, they are very +fond of her, and, men not easily deceived or taken in, I think we may +safely trust to their judgment. You won't oppose what they so highly +approve, mother?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know; must take time to think it over. Do you and Arthur come +with me to the library," she said, rising with the letter in her hand. +"I see you have both finished your breakfast."</p> + +<p>They rose instantly, and followed her from the room, Walter looking +after them and muttering discontentedly, "I think mother might take me +into her counsels, too."</p> + +<p>"You are too young and foolish," said Virginia.</p> + +<p>"The first objection doesn't lie against you, though the second may," he +retorted. "You'd<a class="pagenum" name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a> better look to your laurels. Isa and Molly are both +well ahead of you."</p> + +<p>"What of that?" she said, reddening with vexation. "Isa's two years +older than I, and taking a poor minister whom I wouldn't look at."</p> + +<p>"Sour grapes," suggested her brother, teasingly. "And Molly's not a year +older than you, and has married rich."</p> + +<p>"A second-hand husband!" sneered Virginia; at which Walter laughed +uproariously.</p> + +<p>"O Virgie, Virgie, those grapes are terribly sour!" he said. "But do let +us hear what Isa has to say about it."</p> + +<p>"I haven't finished the letter; but there, take it; what do I care about +her fine dresses and presents, and the splendors of Magnolia Hall?"</p> + +<p>"Well," he cried presently, "Cousin Elsie did the thing handsomely! and +he's a splendid fellow, if he is second-hand. No wonder Dick's pleased. +I only wish my sisters might all do as well."</p> + +<p>In the library Calhoun was saying, as he laid down his uncle's letter, +which he had just read aloud, "Cousin Elsie is certainly the most +generous of women! Mother, you could not have read this when you uttered +that insinuation against her a few moments since?"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Conly colored violently under her son's searching gaze.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a> +"Twenty-five thousand is a mere trifle to her," she said, bridling, "and +you perceive she promises Isa that dower in the event of her marrying +that poor relation of her own."</p> + +<p>"It is extremely generous, nevertheless!" exclaimed both her sons in a +breath.</p> + +<p>"And I do not think it by any means a bad match for Isa," Arthur went +on—"a good man, of fine talent, receiving a very comfortable salary, a +lovely home rent free, very little expense except for clothing, seeing +they are—as uncle says—to have all the fruit, vegetables, nearly their +whole living, in fact, from the Viamede fields and orchards; use of +carriages and horses too, whenever they like."</p> + +<p>"No, it isn't so bad," their mother acknowledged, "and if she gets her +Aunt Delaford's money, she will really be very far from poor. But I +dislike the thought of having her, with her beauty and talents, buried, +as one may say, in that out-of-the-way corner of the world."</p> + +<p>"But she chooses for herself, and ought to be the best judge of what is +for her own happiness," Calhoun said. "So you will consent, mother?"</p> + +<p>"Oh yes, yes, of course! But I'll take no blame from your Aunt Delaford; +nor from Isa either, if ever she sees cause to repent."</p> + +<p>So a letter was sent that made glad the hearts of the lovers, spite of +some ungraciousness of tone.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a> +Isa's letter, giving, as it did, a minute description of the trousseau, +the wedding, Magnolia Hall, Mr. Embury and his children, and telling of +the generous settlements upon the bride made by him and her cousin +Elsie, was read and re-read by Mrs. Conly and Virginia with great +interest, which was yet not altogether pleasurable.</p> + +<p>They were glad that Molly had now a good home of her own, and +particularly that her mother was to share it—a home so far away from +Roselands that Enna was not likely to trouble them any more, for her +feebleness of intellect made her something of a mortification to them of +late years—yet the good fortune of the poor crippled niece and cousin +was too great, too strongly in contrast with their own rather straitened +circumstances, not to arouse some feelings of envy and jealousy in +persons of their haughty and overbearing disposition.</p> + +<p>"Dear me, I wonder why some people have all the good fortune and others +none!" exclaimed Virginia angrily. "I should say fifty thousand was +quite enough for Molly—especially in addition to the rich husband and +loads of handsome presents—and that ten thousand would have been much +better bestowed upon you or me, mamma."</p> + +<p>"You've only to get married, sis, and probably she'll do the same +handsome thing by you," remarked<a class="pagenum" name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a> Walter, who happened to be within +hearing.</p> + +<p>"Not she! I never had the good fortune to be one of her favorites."</p> + +<p>"Well, Isa can't say that, for she's certainly doing the handsome thing +by her."</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"So mother hasn't told you? She's promised that the day Isa marries her +cousin, Cyril Keith, she'll hand over twenty-five thousand dollars to +them."</p> + +<p>"That was to get mamma's consent. Mamma, I wouldn't be bought if I were +you," Virginia said scornfully.</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't?" laughed Walter. "I tell you you'd sell yourself to-day +to any man worth half a million, or even something less."</p> + +<p>"Walter, you are perfectly insulting," cried Virginia, her eyes flashing +and her cheek flushing hotly. "I wish your furlough ended to-day."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, my very affectionate sister," he said, bowing low as he +stood before her. "Why don't you wish I'd get shot in the next fight +with the Indians? Well, I'll tell you what it is," he went on presently, +"if I were one of Cousin Elsie's children—Ed, for instance—I'd enter a +pretty strong protest against these wholesale acts of benevolence toward +poor relations."</p> + +<p>"She can afford it," said his mother loftily,<a class="pagenum" name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a> "and I must say I should +have a much higher appreciation of her generosity if she had given Isa +the money without any conditions attached."</p> + +<p>"But Isa wouldn't, or I greatly mistake."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to say you think there has been a conspiracy between them?" +demanded his mother, growing very red and angry.</p> + +<p>"No, no, mother, nothing of the kind! but Cousin Elsie is a woman of +keen observation, delicate tact and great discernment; and she had Isa's +happiness much at heart."</p> + +<p>"Really," she sneered, "I have but just made the delightful discovery +that I have a Solomon among my sons!"</p> + +<p>"I think it was mean not to invite us to the wedding," said Virginia.</p> + +<p>"No; that was right enough," corrected her mother; "being in deep +mourning for her husband, she could not, of course, give Molly anything +but the quietest sort of wedding."</p> + +<p>"Well, Isa will come home to be married?"</p> + +<p>"Of course; and I shall insist upon time to have everything done +properly and without any one being hurried to death."</p> + +<p>Immediately upon the reception of Mrs. Conly's letter giving consent to +the match between her daughter and Cyril Keith, the work of adding to, +repairing and improving the cottage destined to be the future home of +the young couple was begun.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a> +It was a matter of great interest, not to Cyril and Isa alone, but to +the whole family of Dinsmores and Travillas; and their departure from +Viamede was delayed some weeks that Elsie and her father and grandfather +might oversee and direct the workmen.</p> + +<p>It was going to be a really commodious and beautiful residence when +completed. Elsie determined that it should be prettily furnished, too, +and found great pleasure in planning for the comfort and enjoyment of +these cousins.</p> + +<p>And Molly's happiness was a constant delight to her. There was daily +intercourse between Viamede and Magnolia Hall, Mr. Embury driving Molly +over almost every day to see her relatives, and Dick bringing his +mother, usually on horseback.</p> + +<p>Dick was making his home with his sister for the present, at Mr. +Embury's urgent request, and was showing himself a good and affectionate +son to Enna.</p> + +<p>The visits were returned, too, even Elsie going over frequently for a +short call, because she saw that Molly very keenly enjoyed being in a +position to extend hospitality to all her friends, and especially +herself, as one to whom she had long been indebted for a happy home.</p> + +<p>"Oh, cousin," Molly said to her one day when they were alone together in +her beautiful boudoir, "I am so happy! my husband is so<a class="pagenum" name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a> kind, so +affectionate! I cannot understand how it is that he is so fond and even +proud of me—helpless cripple that I am. But I have learned to be +thankful even for that," she added, tears springing to her eyes, +"because he says it was that that first drew his attention to me; and, +strangely enough, his pity soon turned to admiration and love. Oh he has +such a big, generous heart!"</p> + +<p>"He has indeed!" Elsie said. "But, Molly dear, you underrate yourself. I +do not wonder that he admires and is proud of your brave, cheerful +courage under your hard trial, and of your talents and the name you are +making for yourself as both a translator and original writer; I hope you +will not give up your work entirely now that there is no pecuniary +necessity for it, for I think it is bringing a blessing to yourself and +to others."</p> + +<p>"No, oh no; I shall not give it up while I can believe it is doing +something for the Master's cause. Louis does not wish me to while I +enjoy it, and I find he is just the critic I need to help me to improve. +I had a letter from Virgie yesterday," she went on with a happy laugh, +"congratulating me on being no longer compelled to work, yet pitying me +because I am a stepmother."</p> + +<p>"That does not trouble you?" Elsie said, inquiringly.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a> +"Oh no! The boys, Louis and Fred, are so much like their father—seeming +to love me all the better for my helplessness (by the way, Louis, my +husband, says it is a positive delight to him to take me in his arms and +lift me about)—and the baby girls are as lovely and dear as they can +be. I wouldn't for anything part with one of the whole four."</p> + +<p>"Dear child!" Elsie said, embracing her with full heart and eyes, "I am +so glad, so happy for you that it is so! And how your mother and brother +seem to enjoy your good fortunes!"</p> + +<p>"Yes; Dick is such a dear fellow! and mother—really it is just a +pleasure to see how she delights in it all. And I think she couldn't be +fonder of the children if she were their own grandmother."</p> + +<p>"How glad, how thankful I am that we came to Viamede this winter," Elsie +said, after a moment's silent musing; "grandpa has so entirely recovered +his health in consequence, a favorable opening has been found for Dick, +and four other people are made happy in mutual love who might, perhaps, +never have met otherwise—all this, beside dear Mrs. Carrington having +the melancholy pleasure of nursing her poor nephew through his last +illness. How true is the promise, 'In all thy ways acknowledge him, and +he shall direct thy paths.'"</p> + +<p>"You take a very unselfish delight in other<a class="pagenum" name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a> people's happiness, +cousin," Molly remarked. "And Isa is very happy."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and Cyril too," Elsie answered with a smile. "I sometimes think my +Elsie half envies them—thinking of Lester so far away. But her turn +will come too, I trust, poor, dear child!"</p> + +<p>May was well advanced, the weather already very warm in the Teche +country when at last our friends set out upon their return to their more +northern homes.</p> + +<p>Everything there was looking very lovely on their arrival. Friends, +kindred and servants rejoiced over their return, all in good health.</p> + +<p>Elsie and her children took up again the old, quiet life at Ion, missing +Molly not a little, and feeling afresh, for a time, the absence of one +far nearer and dearer.</p> + +<p>Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore spent some weeks with their other children, then +again made their home at Ion, at Elsie's urgent solicitation. In the +loneliness of her widowhood she knew not how to do without her father.</p> + +<p>In order to secure her cousin Elsie's presence at her wedding, Isa +insisted upon a very quiet one, only relatives and very intimate friends +to be invited to witness the ceremony; but to please her mother and +Virginia, there was afterward a brilliant reception. The marriage took +place the last of June, and the next two months were spent principally +among Cyril's relatives at the North.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a> +<a name="xviii" id="xviii"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + +<div class="block20"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"The sea! the sea! the open sea!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The blue, the fresh, the ever free!"<br /></span> + + +<p class="right">—<i>Proctor.</i></p> +</div></div></div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> summer vacation brought Edward Travilla home just in time for his +cousin Isa's wedding. He had grown so manly and so like his father in +appearance that at sight of him his mother was much overcome.</p> + +<p>His first, his warmest, tenderest greeting was for her. He held her to +his heart, his own too full for speech, while she wept upon his +shoulder.</p> + +<p>But only for a moment; lifting her head, she gazed long and searchingly +into his face, then, with a sigh of relief, "Thank God," she whispered, +"that I can believe my boy has come back to me as pure and innocent as +he went!"</p> + +<p>"I hope so, mother; your love, your teachings and my father's have been +my safeguard in many an hour of temptation," he answered with emotion.</p> + +<p>"Did you not seek help from above, my son?" she asked gently.</p> + +<p>"Yes, mother; you had taught me to do so, and I knew that you, too, were +daily seeking it for me."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a> +"Yes, my dear boy; I think there was scarce a waking hour in which I did +not ask a blessing on my absent son."</p> + +<p>The mother dried her tears; grandparents, brothers and sisters drew near +and embraced the lad, servants shook him by the hand, and Ion was filled +with rejoicing as never before since the removal of its master and head.</p> + +<p>Tongues ran nimbly as they sat about the tea-table and on the veranda +afterward; so much had happened to the young collegian, so many changes +had taken place in the family connection since he went away, that there +was a great deal to tell and to hear on both sides.</p> + +<p>The voices were blithe, and there was many a silvery peal of laughter +mingled with the pleasant, cheery talk.</p> + +<p>Isa's and Molly's matches were discussed in a most kindly way, for +Edward was quite curious to hear all about them and the preparations for +the approaching wedding.</p> + +<p>Cyril had arrived earlier in the day, was taking tea at Roselands, but +would pass the night at Ion, which Edward was glad to hear, as he wished +to make his acquaintance.</p> + +<p>A summer at the sea-shore had been decided upon some weeks ago, and +Edward, to his great gratification, had been empowered to select a +cottage for the family to occupy during the season, his Aunt Adelaide +and her husband assisting him with their advice.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a> +He announced with much satisfaction that he had secured one that he +thought would accommodate them well—several guests in addition, if +mamma cared to invite any of her friends—and please every one.</p> + +<p>"It is large, convenient, well—even handsomely furnished—and but a few +yards from the shore," he said. "The country is pretty about there, +too—pleasant walks and drives through green lanes, fields and woods."</p> + +<p>"But where is it, Edward?" asked Violet.</p> + +<p>"Not far from Long Branch; and there are some half-dozen other sea-side +places within easy driving distance."</p> + +<p>There were exclamations of delight and impatience to be there from the +younger ones, while the mother covered up with a smile and a few words +of commendation to Edward the pain in her heart at the thought that her +best beloved would not be with his wife and children beside the sea this +summer, as in former years.</p> + +<p>Her father and Rose were thinking of that, too, with deep sympathy for +her.</p> + +<p>In a moment the same thought presented itself to Edward and Violet, and +they drew closer to their mother with loving, caressing looks and words. +But memories of Lester, and their walks and talks together when last she +was at the sea-shore, were filling the mind of the younger Elsie with +emotions, half of pleasure,<a class="pagenum" name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a> half of pain. When should they meet again? +Then the sudden silence that had fallen upon the group about her mother, +and a glance at that loved mother's face, reminded her also of the +father who would return no more, and whose companionship had been so +dear a delight to her and to them all.</p> + +<p>It was Rosie who broke the silence at length; "Mamma, can we not go +pretty soon?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, daughter, in about a week."</p> + +<p>The journey was made without accident, the cottage and its vicinity +found to be all that Edward had represented.</p> + +<p>They had brought some of their own servants with them, and had nothing +to do with hotel or boarding-house life. Elsie had always loved the +quiet and seclusion of home, and clung to it now, more than ever; yet +for her children's sake she would not shut out society entirely; both +Edward and his sisters were free to invite their young friends to +partake of the hospitalities of their mother's house, but without noise +or revelry, for which indeed, they themselves had no heart.</p> + +<p>For a while the society of his mother and sisters was quite sufficient +for Edward and his for them—they were all so strongly attached to each +other and he had been so long away from home that it was very delightful +to be together once more.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a> +Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore were at that time visiting relatives in +Philadelphia and its vicinity, and his grandfather's absence gave Edward +the long coveted opportunity to try how nearly he could fill his +father's place as his mother's earthly prop. It was a dear delight to +have her lean upon his arm, rely upon his strength, consult him about +business or family matters.</p> + +<p>He was very proud and fond of his lovely sisters; prouder and fonder +still of his sweet and beautiful mother. He quite longed to show her to +all his college friends, yet would not for the world have her grief +intruded upon by them with their thoughtless gayety.</p> + +<p>During these weeks that they were entirely alone she gave herself up +wholly to her children, seeking to secure to them the greatest possible +amount of innocent enjoyment. No tasks were set, there was no attempt at +regular employment, and almost the whole day was spent in the open air; +together they sported in the surf, strolled on the beach, or sat in the +sand revelling in the delicious sea breeze and the sight of the ever +restless, ever changing, beautiful ocean, with its rolling, tumbling, +dashing waves. They were there early in the morning, sometimes in season +to watch the sun rise out of the water; and often again when the silvery +moonlight lent its witchery to the scene.</p> + +<p>But there came a day when the rain poured<a class="pagenum" name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a> down so continuously and +heavily that they were glad to take refuge from it in the house.</p> + +<p>They gathered in a room overlooking the sea, the ladies with their fancy +work, Rosie with her doll, while Harold and Herbert helped little Walter +to build block houses, and Edward read aloud a story selected by the +mother, as entertaining and at the same time pure and wholesome.</p> + +<p>She was careful in choosing their mental food; she would no sooner have +suffered her children's minds to be poisoned than their bodies.</p> + +<p>As Edward closed the book upon the completion of the story, "Mamma," +said the younger Elsie, "do you quite approve of all the teachings the +author has given there? or perhaps I should rather say the sentiments +she has expressed."</p> + +<p>"Not quite, but what is it you do not approve?" the mother answered with +an affectionate and pleased look at the earnest face of the questioner. +"I am glad to see that you are not ready to be carried about with every +wind of doctrine."</p> + +<p>"It is her comment upon her heroine's effort to escape from her trouble +by asking help from God. She speaks as if, had the girl been older and +wiser, she would have known that God had the welfare and happiness of +other people to consult as well as hers, and couldn't be expected to +sacrifice them for her sake."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a> +"Well, daughter?"</p> + +<p>"It seems to me to show a very low estimate of God's power and wisdom. +Since he is infinite in both, can he not so order events as to secure +the best good to all his creatures?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, my child, I am sure he can, and we need never fear that he is not +able and willing to help his people in every time of trouble. 'The name +of the Lord is <a name="strong" id="strong"></a><ins title="Original has as trong">a strong</ins> tower: the righteous runneth into +it, and is safe.' 'The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and +delivereth them out of all their troubles.' He does not always answer +just as we desire, it is true, but often in a better way, for we, in our +folly and short-sightedness, sometimes ask what would prove in the end a +curse instead of a blessing."</p> + +<p>"Mamma, how happy we should be if we had perfect faith and trust," said +Violet.</p> + +<p>"Yes; if we fully believed the inspired assurance, 'We know that all +things work together for good to them that love God,' we should not fret +or grieve over losses, crosses or disappointments. Strive after such +faith, my children, and pray constantly for it, for it is the gift of +God."</p> + +<p>There was a little pause, broken only by Walter's prattle, the plash of +the rain and the murmur of the sea.</p> + +<p>Edward seemed in deep thought. Taking a low seat at his mother's knee, +"Mamma," he<a class="pagenum" name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a> said, "I want to have a talk with you, and perhaps this is +as good a time as any."</p> + +<p>"Well, my dear boy, what is it?"</p> + +<p>"Do you think, mamma, that I ought to go into the ministry?"</p> + +<p>"My son," she said, looking at him in some surprise, "that is not a +question to be decided in a moment, or without asking God's guidance."</p> + +<p>"You would be willing, mother?"</p> + +<p>"More than willing—glad and thankful—if I saw reason to believe that +you were called of God to that work. To be truly an +<a name="ambassador" id="ambassador"></a><ins title="Original has embassador">ambassador</ins> of Christ is, in my esteem, to stand higher +than any of earth's potentates, yet if your talents do not lie in that +direction I would not have you there. It is every man's duty to serve +God to the utmost of his ability, but all are not called to the +ministry; some can do far better service in other walks of life, and I +should prefer to have a son of mine a good carpenter, mason or +shoemaker, rather than a poor preacher."</p> + +<p>"You do not mean poor in purse, mamma?" queried Harold, joining the +little group.</p> + +<p>"No; a poor sermonizer—one lacking the requisite talents, diligence or +piety to proclaim God's truth with faithfulness and power."</p> + +<p>"How can one tell to what work he is called, mamma?" Edward asked, with +an anxious, perplexed look.</p> + +<p>"By watching the leadings of God's providence<a class="pagenum" name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a> and by earnest prayer for +his direction. Also I think if a lad has a decided bias for any one +profession or employment it is a pretty sure indication that that is +what he is called to; for we can almost always do best what we most +enjoy doing."</p> + +<p>"Then I think I should study medicine," said Harold, "for I should very +greatly prefer that to anything else. And don't you think, mamma, that a +doctor may do really as much good as a minister?"</p> + +<p>"Quite as much if he be a devoted, earnest Christian, ready to do good +as he has opportunity: therefore I entirely approve your choice."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, mamma. So I consider it quite settled," Harold returned with +a look of great satisfaction. "Now, Ed and Herbie, what will you be?"</p> + +<p>"As Herbert never likes to be separated from you, I presume he too will +choose medicine," the mother remarked, with a smiling glance at her +third son, as he too came and stood at her side.</p> + +<p>"I don't know, mamma; it seems to me doctors have a dreadfully hard +life."</p> + +<p>"Ah! I fancy a life of elegant leisure would suit you best, my laddie," +laughed his eldest brother.</p> + +<p>But the mother's look was grave and a little anxious.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a> +Herbert saw it. "Don't be troubled about me, mamma dear," he said, +putting his arms round her neck and gazing lovingly into her eyes. "I do +mean to fight against my natural laziness. But do you think I ought to +choose so very hard a life as Harold means to?"</p> + +<p>"Not if you have talent for something useful which would better suit +your inclinations. Can you think of any such thing?"</p> + +<p>"Couldn't I be a lawyer?"</p> + +<p>"You could never rise to eminence in that profession without a great +deal of hard work."</p> + +<p>"An author then?"</p> + +<p>"The same answer will fit again," his mother returned with a slight +smile. "Has not your Cousin Molly worked very hard for a number of +years?"</p> + +<p>Herbert drew a long, deep sigh, then brightening, "I might be a +publisher," he said. "I don't suppose they work very hard, and they can +have all the new books to read."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Herbie," said Violet, "think of the great number of letters they +must have to write, and manuscripts to read, beside many other things."</p> + +<p>"No, my boy, you cannot do or be anything worth while without work, and +a good deal of it," said his mother. "So I hope you will make it your +earnest, constant prayer that you may have grace to overcome your +besetting sin of indolence,<a class="pagenum" name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a> and to 'be not slothful in business; +fervent in spirit; serving the Lord'. The Bible bids us, 'Whatsoever thy +hand findeth to do, do it with thy might. Whatsoever ye do, do it +heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.'"</p> + +<p>"Edward, you have not told us yet what you wish to be," said his sister +Elsie.</p> + +<p>"My inclination," he answered in grave, earnest tones, "is to take my +father's place in every way possible, first in the care of my darling, +precious mother," taking her hand and lifting it to his lips, "after +that in cultivating the Ion plantation and making myself a good, +upright, useful church-member and citizen."</p> + +<p>"A worthy ambition, my boy," the mother said with emotion; "my strong +desire is that you may follow as closely as possible in the footsteps of +your honored father. I never knew a better man, in the pulpit or out of +it. His was a truly Christian manhood, and, like his Master, he went +about doing good."</p> + +<p>"Then, mother, with your approval my choice is made; and with your +permission I shall spend some time in an agricultural college, after +finishing the course where I am."</p> + +<p>"You shall do as you wish; you shall have every advantage I can give +you. My other boys also, if they will improve them."</p> + +<p>"Your girls, too, mamma?" asked Rosie.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a> +"Yes, indeed," mamma answered, bestowing a smile and a kiss upon the +young questioner.</p> + +<p>At that moment the tea-bell summoned them to their evening meal. Edward +took his father's seat at the table, his father's place in asking a +blessing upon the food.</p> + +<p>As they left the table they perceived that the rain had ceased; the +clouds had broken away from the setting sun, and its red light streamed +over the dark waters like a pathway of fire.</p> + +<p>They were all gathered on the porch, watching, as usual, the changing +beauty of the sea and the clouds, when a young man, in the undress +uniform of a lieutenant in the army, opened their gate, and came with a +brisk, manly step up the walk leading to the house.</p> + +<p>As he drew near, he lifted his military cap, bowed low to the ladies, +then, stepping upon the porch, handed a card to Mrs. Travilla.</p> + +<p>"Donald Keith," she read aloud, and holding out her hand with a sweet, +welcoming smile, "How do you do, cousin?" she said; "I am very glad to +see you. But to which branch do you belong?"</p> + +<p>"I am a younger brother of the Reverend Cyril Keith, lately married to a +Miss Conly," the young officer answered, as he took the offered hand. +"He wrote me of your great kindness to him, and when I learned, a few +hours since, who were the occupants of this cottage, I<a class="pagenum" name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a> felt that I must +come and thank you. I hope I do not intrude, cousin?"</p> + +<p>"No, indeed; we are always ready to welcome relatives. Now let me +introduce these other cousins—my boys and girls."</p> + +<p>The young man spent the whole evening in the company of these new-found +relatives, and went away highly delighted with them all.</p> + +<p>He had several weeks' furlough, was staying at a hotel near by, and +promised himself great enjoyment in the society of the dwellers in the +cottage.</p> + +<p>And they were pleased with him.</p> + +<p>"He seems a very nice, clever fellow, mother," Edward remarked.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she said, "he has very agreeable manners and talks well; and +knowing that he comes of a godly race, I hope we shall find him in all +respects a suitable companion for you and your sisters. I am glad of his +coming for your sakes, for I fear you may have felt the want of young +society."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, mamma," they all protested, "we could not have enjoyed +ourselves better. It has been so nice to have you quite to ourselves."</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a> +<a name="xix" id="xix"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + +<div class="block20"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="io">"A mother is a mother still,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The holiest thing alive."<br /></span> + +<p class="right">—<i>Coleridge.</i></p> +</div></div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> next morning's mail brought a letter from Mr. Dinsmore, announcing +his speedy coming with his wife, father, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Allison, +and several of their children.</p> + +<p>"There's an end to our good times!" sighed Violet.</p> + +<p>"Shall you be so very sorry to see your grandpa?" her mother asked with +a slight smile, knowing that her father was dearly loved by all her +children, and by none more than by Violet herself.</p> + +<p>"Oh no, mamma; nor grandma, nor any of them," was the quick reply; "only +it was so nice to have you so entirely to ourselves."</p> + +<p>"Haven't you enjoyed it too, mamma?" asked several voices, while every +face turned eagerly and inquiringly to hers.</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed, my darlings," she said; "and yet so dearly do I love my +father that my heart bounds at the very thought that he will be with me +again in a few hours."</p> + +<p>"Then, mamma, we are all glad for you," Elsie said: Violet adding, "and +for ourselves,<a class="pagenum" name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a> too; for it is nice to have grandpa and grandma with us; +and Aunt Adelaide also; she is always so kind."</p> + +<p>"Very different from Aunt Louise," remarked Edward. "Who would ever +think they were sisters! Isa and Virginia are quite as unlike, too, +though they are sisters. I hope Aunt Louise and her old-maid daughter +won't visit us this summer!"</p> + +<p>"Edward!" his mother said in a tone of reproof.</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, mother," he said; "but if I dislike them, it is because they +have always treated you so badly."</p> + +<p>"They have never done me any injury, my son," she answered, with gentle +gravity, "and I would not have you feel unkindly toward them; much less +am I willing to hear you speak of them as you did just now. Virginia is +not an old maid, and if she were I should be sorry to have you apply +that epithet to her."</p> + +<p>"She is several years older than I am, mother," he said, blushing.</p> + +<p>"About three; and you are only a boy."</p> + +<p>Edward felt this as the most cutting rebuke his gentle mother had ever +administered to him, for he had begun to think of himself as a man, old +enough and strong enough to be his mother's stay and support, and a +guide to his younger brothers and sisters.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a> +But sensible that he had deserved the reproof, he bore it in silence; +yet could not rest until seizing an opportunity to speak to her without +being overheard by others, "Dear mamma," he whispered, looking +beseechingly into her eyes, "will you not forgive my thoughtless, +uncharitable speech of this morning?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, my dear boy," she answered with one of her sweetest smiles, +"and I trust you will try to cultivate more kindly feelings toward your +grandpa's sister and niece, for his sake, and because it is a Christian +duty."</p> + +<p>Mr. Dinsmore and his party arrived that afternoon, and the next day were +followed by Mrs. Conly and Virginia.</p> + +<p>"We thought we would give you a surprise," was the greeting of the +former: "the heat and threats of yellow fever drove us North. I +scattered the younger children about among other relatives, leaving +several at your house, Adelaide, then came on here with Virgie, knowing +that Elsie would of course have room enough for us two."</p> + +<p>"We will find room for you, Aunt Louise," Elsie said with pleasant +cordiality, and trying hard to feel rejoiced at their coming.</p> + +<p>A very difficult task, as they never were at the slightest pains to make +themselves agreeable, and the house was already comfortably filled.</p> + +<p>Edward waited only to shake hands hastily<a class="pagenum" name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a> with his aunt and cousin, +then slipped away for a solitary stroll on the beach while he should +fight down his feelings of disgust and irritation at this unwelcome and +unwarrantable invasion of his mother's dwelling.</p> + +<p>He had asked that morning if he might invite his college chum, Charlie +Perrine, to spend a week or two with him, and had received a prompt and +kind permission to do so. It seemed hard enough to have to entertain, +instead, these relatives, between whom and himself there had always been +a cordial dislike; for from early childhood he had perceived and +strongly resented the envy, jealousy and ill-will indulged in by them +toward his mother.</p> + +<p>He paced hurriedly to and fro for some minutes, striving, with but +indifferent success, to recover his equanimity, then stood still, gazing +out to sea, half inclined to wish himself on board an outward-bound +vessel in the offing.</p> + +<p>Presently a hand took quiet possession of his arm, and turning his head +he found his mother standing by his side.</p> + +<p>"I am grieved to see my boy's face so clouded," she said in her sweet +and gentle tones.</p> + +<p>"Then, mother, it shall not be so any longer," he answered, resolutely +forcing a smile. "I have been really trying to feel good-natured, but it +is not easy under the circumstances. Not to me, I mean. I wish I had +inherited your sweet disposition."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a> +"Ah, you can judge only from outside appearances," she said with a sigh +and a smile; "no one knows what a battle his neighbor may be fighting in +his own heart, while outwardly calm and serene. I know you are +disappointed because you fear you must give up inviting your friend for +the present, but that will not be necessary, my dear boy. We can still +manage to make room for him by a little crowding which will hurt no one. +My room is so large that I can easily take Walter and all your sisters +in with me, and if necessary we will pitch a tent for the servants."</p> + +<p>"Or for Charlie and me, mother," he exclaimed in delight; "we should not +mind it in the least; indeed it would be good fun to live so for a +while."</p> + +<p>At this moment they were joined by Elsie and Violet, both full of +sympathy for Edward, and anxious to consult mamma as to the possibility +of still making room for the comfortable accommodation of his friend.</p> + +<p>They listened with delight to her proposed arrangement: it would be a +great pleasure to them to share her room, if it would not inconvenience +her, and she assured them it would not.</p> + +<p>"I was afraid," said Elsie, "that Aunt Adelaide might hurry away to make +room for the others, but now I hope she will not, for we all enjoy +having her with us."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a> +"No," Mrs. Travilla said, "we will keep her as long as we can. Ah, here +come my father and grandfather. I think we shall astonish them with the +news of the arrival."</p> + +<p>"Cousin Donald is with them too," remarked Elsie. "Mamma, I think +Virginia will be rather pleased to see so fine looking a gentleman +haunting the house."</p> + +<p>"Her sister's brother-in-law," said Vi. "Perhaps she will claim him as +more nearly related to her than to us."</p> + +<p>The young man had found favor with both Mr. Dinsmores, and the three +were just returning from a pretty long tramp together which had caused +them to miss seeing the arrival of Mrs. and Miss Conly.</p> + +<p>The news seemed to give more surprise than pleasure.</p> + +<p>"It was very thoughtless in Louise," the old gentleman said with some +vexation, "but it is just like her. I think we must find rooms for them +at one of the hotels, Elsie; for I don't see how your house is to +accommodate us all."</p> + +<p>"I do, grandpa," was her smiling rejoinder, "so make yourself perfectly +easy on that score."</p> + +<p>"I hope our excursion is not to be interfered with, cousin?" Donald said +inquiringly: for arrangements had been made for a long drive that +afternoon, taking in several of the neighboring sea-side resorts, and as +his three lady<a class="pagenum" name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a> cousins had promised to be of the party, he was loath to +give it up.</p> + +<p>"No," she said, "Aunt Adelaide and Aunt Louise will doubtless be well +pleased to be left alone together for a few hours, after a separation of +several years."</p> + +<p>"Besides, both my aunt and cousin will need a long nap to refresh them +after the fatigue of their journey," remarked Edward.</p> + +<p>The young people exchanged congratulatory glances. They were all eager +for the drive. It was just the day for it, they had all decided—the +roads in excellent condition after the late rain, a delicious sea-breeze +blowing, and light fleecy clouds tempering the heat of the July sun.</p> + +<p>They set off directly after an early dinner—all the Dinsmores and +Travillas, Mr. Allison and his children and Mr. Keith—in two covered +carriages, and well provided with waterproofs for protection against a +possible shower.</p> + +<p>They were a pleasant, congenial party, the older people cheerful and +companionable, the children full of life and spirits.</p> + +<p>They had visited Seagirt, Spring Lake and Asbury Park, and were passing +through Ocean Beach, when Edward, catching sight of a young couple +sauntering leisurely along on the sidewalk, uttered an exclamation, +"Why, there's Charlie Perrine!" then calling to the driver to stop, he +sprang out and hurried toward them.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a> +"His college chum—and how glad they are to meet," Violet said as the +two were seen shaking hands in the most cordial manner.</p> + +<p>Then Perrine introduced Edward to his companion, and the lad's sisters +noticed that his face lighted up with pleased surprise as he grasped her +hand.</p> + +<p>"Why, I know her!" cried Donald. "Excuse me one moment, ladies;" and he +too sprang out and hastened to join the little group on the sidewalk.</p> + +<p>He and the lady met like very intimate friends, greeting each other as +"Donald" and "Mary:" then he led her to the side of the carriage and +introduced her. "My cousin Mary Keith, Uncle Donald's daughter; our +cousins, Miss Elsie and Miss Violet Travilla."</p> + +<p>The girls shook hands and exchanged glances of mutual interest and +admiration. Mary had a very bright, pleasant face, dark eyes and hair, +plenty of color, lady-like manners, and a stylish figure well set off by +inexpensive but tasteful attire.</p> + +<p>The other carriage, containing the older people, had now come up and +halted beside the first.</p> + +<p>There were more introductions, then Mary was persuaded to take Edward's +place in the carriage with her young cousins, and drive with them to the +Colorado House, where she was<a class="pagenum" name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a> staying, while he and his friend followed +on foot.</p> + +<p>Here the whole party alighted, seated themselves on the porch and +chatted together for a half hour.</p> + +<p>"How long do you stay here, Cousin Mary?" Mrs. Travilla asked.</p> + +<p>"Another week, Cousin Elsie; I have engaged my room for that length of +time: and I wish you would let one of your girls stay with me, or both +if they will, though I'm afraid that would crowd them. I should be so +glad if you would. I want to become acquainted with them: and besides I +have just lost my roommate, and don't like to be left alone."</p> + +<p>After a little consultation between the elders of the party, it was +decided that Violet should accept the invitation, her mother promising +to send her a trunk in the morning, and Mary agreeing to return the +visit later in the season, when her cousin's cottage would have parted +with some of its present occupants.</p> + +<p>Edward, too, would remain and room with Charlie Perrine, on the same +floor with the girls, so that Violet would feel that she had a +protector.</p> + +<p>"I hope it will be a pleasant change for you, dear child," the mother +whispered in parting from Violet, "and if you grow tired of it, you know +you can come home at any time. And Edward,"<a class="pagenum" name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a> she added, turning to him, +"I trust your sister to your care, particularly in bathing: don't let +her go in without you, and don't either of you venture far out or into +any dangerous spot."</p> + +<p>"We will be very careful, mamma," they both replied, "so do not feel in +the least uneasy."</p> + +<p>"I shall owe you a grudge for this." Donald was saying in a rueful aside +to Mary.</p> + +<p>"Why, you needn't," she returned; "you can come too, if you wish, unless +you object to my society."</p> + +<p>"That wouldn't mend matters," he answered, with a glance at the younger +Elsie.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! I've found out already that she's engaged. Didn't you know +it?"</p> + +<p>"Not I. Well, it takes a woman to find out the secrets of her sex!"</p> + +<p>"Then you own that a woman can keep a secret?" was her laughing +rejoinder. "But do tell me," in a still lower tone, "has cousin lost her +husband lately?"</p> + +<p>"Within a year, and they were devotedly attached."</p> + +<p>"Oh poor thing! But isn't she sweet?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed! it didn't take even me long to find that out."</p> + +<p>The carriages rolled away amid much waving of handkerchiefs by the +travellers and the little party left behind; then Mary carried Violet<a class="pagenum" name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a> +off to her room for a long talk before it should be time to dress for +tea, while the lads strolled away together along the beach, their +tongues quite as busy as the other two: for there were various college +matters to discuss, beside plans for fishing, boating, riding, and +driving.</p> + +<p>And Edward must sound his mother's praises and learn whether Charlie did +not think her the very loveliest woman he ever saw.</p> + +<p>"Yes," Charlie said with a sigh, "you are a lucky fellow, Ned. I hardly +remember my mother—was only five years old when she died."</p> + +<p>"Then I pity you with all my heart!" Edward exclaimed; "for there's +nothing like a mother to love you and stand by you through thick and +thin."</p> + +<p>He turned his head away to hide the tears that sprang unbidden to his +eyes, for along with his pity for his friend came a sudden recollection +of that dreadful event in his childhood when by an act of disobedience +he had come very near killing his dearly loved father. Ah, he should +never forget his agony of terror and remorse, his fear that his mother +could never love him again, or the tenderness with which she had +embraced him, assuring him of her forgiveness and continued affection.</p> + +<p>Meantime Donald was speaking in glowing terms of Cousin Mary. "One of +the best girls<a class="pagenum" name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a> in the world," he pronounced her—"so kind-hearted, so +helpful and industrious. Uncle's circumstances are moderate," he said; +"Aunt's health has been delicate for years, and Mary, as the eldest of +eight or nine children, has had her hands full. I am very glad she is +taking a rest now, for she needs it. A maiden sister of her mother's is +filling her place for a few weeks, she told me: else she could not have +been spared from home."</p> + +<p>"You make me glad that I left Violet with her," Mrs. Travilla said, with +a look of pleased content.</p> + +<p>Edward and his chum returned from their walk, made themselves neat, and +were waiting on the piazza before the open door, as Mary and Violet came +down at the call to tea.</p> + +<p>The dining-room was furnished with small tables each accommodating eight +persons. Our four young friends found seats together. The other four +places at their table were occupied by two couples—a tall, gaunt, +sour-visaged elderly man in green spectacles, and his meek little wife, +and a small, thin, invalid old gentleman, who wore a look of patient +resignation, and his wife, taller than himself by half a head.</p> + +<p>A fine head of beautiful grey hair was the only attractive thing about +her, her features were coarse and her countenance was fretful. She +occupied herself in filling and emptying her<a class="pagenum" name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a> plate with astonishing +rapidity, and paid little or no attention to her husband, who was so +crippled by rheumatism as to be almost helpless, having entirely lost +the use of one hand, and so nearly that of his lower limbs that he could +not walk without assistance.</p> + +<p>He had a nurse, a young German, who was with him constantly day and +night, helped him about and waited upon him, but in a very awkward +fashion. The man's clumsiness was, however, borne with patience by the +sufferer, and did not seem to trouble the wife.</p> + +<p>She eyed Violet curiously between her immense mouthfuls, and whispered +to her husband, loud enough for the child to hear, "Isn't that a pretty +girl, William? such a handsome complexion! I reckon she paints."</p> + +<p>The sudden crimsoning of Vi's cheek contradicted that suspicion +instantly, and the woman corrected herself. "No, she don't, I see. I +wonder who she is?"</p> + +<p>"Hush, hush, Maria!" whispered her husband, "don't you see she hears +you?" and he gave the young girl such a fatherly look, gentle and +tender, that quick tears sprang to her eyes: it was so strong a reminder +of one whose look of parental love she should never meet again on earth.</p> + +<p>People at other tables were noticing her too, remarking upon her beauty +and grace, and asking each other who she was.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a> +"We'll soon find out, mamma; don't you see she is with Miss Keith? and +she will be sure to introduce her to us," said a nice looking girl about +Vi's age, addressing a sweet faced lady by whose side she sat.</p> + +<p>They all met in the parlor shortly afterward, and Vi, Mrs. Perkins, her +daughter Susie, and her son Fred, a lad of nineteen or twenty, were +formally presented to each other.</p> + +<p>"I don't want to get into a crowd; I don't care to make acquaintances," +Vi had said, half tearfully.</p> + +<p>Mary understood and respected the feeling, but answered, "Yes, dear +cousin, I know: but do let me introduce Mrs. Perkins and her children. +She is so sweet and lovely, a real Christian lady; and her son and +daughter are very nice. We have been together a great deal, and I feel +as if they were old friends."</p> + +<p>Vi did not wonder at it after talking a little with Mrs. Perkins, who +had made room for her on the sofa by her side; her thought was, "She is +a little like mamma; not quite so sweet nor half so beautiful; though +she is very pretty."</p> + +<p>Several other ladies had come in by this time, the invalid +<a name="gentleman" id="gentleman"></a><ins title="Original has gentlemen's">gentleman's</ins> wife among the rest. "Mrs. Moses," Vi heard +some one call her.</p> + +<p>"How do you do, Miss?" she said, drawing forward an arm chair and +seating herself directly<a class="pagenum" name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a> in front of Violet. "You're a new-comer, +<a name="aint" id="aint"></a><ins title="Original has aint">ain't</ins> you?"</p> + +<p>"I came this afternoon," Vi answered, and turned to Mrs. Perkins with a +remark about the changing beauty of the sea and clouds; for they were +near an open window that gave them a view of old ocean.</p> + +<p>"Where are you from?" asked Mrs. Moses.</p> + +<p>"The South, Madame."</p> + +<p>"Ah! I should hardly have suspected it: you've such a lovely complexion, +and how beautiful your hair is! like spun gold."</p> + +<p>The German servant-man appeared in the doorway.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Moshes, Herr wants to see you."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I hear." Turning to Vi again, "Well, you must have had a long, +tiresome journey; and I suppose you didn't come all alone?"</p> + +<p>Vi let the inquiry pass unnoticed, but the woman went on, "I've never +been South, but I'd like to go; perhaps I shall next winter. It might +help William's rheumatism."</p> + +<p>"Your husband wants you, Mrs. Moses," remarked Mary Keith.</p> + +<p>"Oh yes; he's always wanting me. I'll go presently."</p> + +<p>"Cousin," said Mary, "shall we take a stroll on the beach?"</p> + +<p>Violet caught at the suggestion with alacrity, and they went at once, +the rest of their party,<a class="pagenum" name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a> and Mrs. Perkins and hers, accompanying them.</p> + +<p>"That poor man!" sighed Mary. "I thought if we all left her, perhaps she +would go to him."</p> + +<p>"Isn't it strange?" said Susie, "he seems to love her dearly, and she to +care nothing about him. And he is so nice and good and patient, and she +so disagreeable."</p> + +<p>"A very poor sort of wife, I think," pursued Mary. "She will not even +sleep on the same floor with him, for fear of being disturbed when pain +keeps him awake. Day and night he is left to the care of that awkward, +blundering German. But there! I ought to be ashamed of myself for +talking about an absent neighbor."</p> + +<p>"I don't think you are doing any harm, Cousin Mary," said Charlie, "for +we can all see how utterly selfish the woman is."</p> + +<p>"What! are you two cousins?" asked Edward in surprise.</p> + +<p>"First cousins, sir," returned Charlie, laughing, "sisters' children. +Can't you and I claim kin, seeing she's cousin to both of us?"</p> + +<p>A sudden dash of rain prevented Edward's reply, and sent them all +scurrying into the house.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a> +<a name="xx" id="xx"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + +<div class="block32"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"A little more than kin and a little less than kind."<br /></span> + +<p class="right">—<i>Shakespeare.</i></p> +</div></div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Our</span> little party had scarcely seated themselves in the parlor, where a +number of the guests of the house were already gathered, when the +invalid gentleman was assisted in by his servant and took possession of +an easy chair which Mrs. Perkins hastened to offer him.</p> + +<p>He thanked her courteously as he sank back in it with a slight sigh as +of one in pain.</p> + +<p>Violet, close at his side, regarded him with pitying eyes. "I fear you +suffer a great deal, sir," she said, low and feelingly, when Mary, her +next neighbor, had introduced them.</p> + +<p>"Yes, a good deal, but less than when I came."</p> + +<p>"Then the sea air is doing you good, I hope."</p> + +<p>"I'm thankful to say I think it is. There's an increase of pain +to-night, but that is always to be expected in rainy weather."</p> + +<p>"You are very patient, Mr. Moses," Mary remarked.</p> + +<p>"And why shouldn't I be patient?" he returned; "didn't Christ suffer far +more than I do?"</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a> +"And he comforts you in the midst of it all, does he not?" asked Mrs. +Perkins.</p> + +<p>"He does, indeed, ma'am."</p> + +<p>"I have always found him faithful to his promises," she said.</p> + +<p>"And I," remarked another lady sitting near; "strength has always been +given me according to my day, in the past, and I am glad to leave the +future with him."</p> + +<p>"Humph! it's plain to be seen that you two don't know what trouble is," +put in Mrs. Moses, glancing fretfully at her crippled spouse; whereat +the poor man burst into tears.</p> + +<p>Vi's tender heart ached for him, and the countenances of all within +hearing of the remark expressed sincere pity and sympathy.</p> + +<p>A child began drumming on the piano, and Mr. Moses sent a helpless, half +despairing glance in that direction that spoke of tortured nerves.</p> + +<p>Vi saw it, and, as he turned to her with, "Don't you play and sing, my +dear? You look like it, and I should be much gratified to hear you," she +rose and went at once to the instrument, thinking of nothing but trying +to bring help and comfort to the poor sufferer.</p> + +<p>"Will you let me play a little?" she said to the child, with look and +tone of winning sweetness, and the piano-stool was promptly vacated.</p> + +<p>Seating herself, she touched a few chords, and instantly a hush fell +upon the room.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a> +She played a short prelude; then, in a voice full, rich and sweet, +sang—</p> + +<div class="block24"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"'O Jesus! Friend unfailing,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">How dear art thou to me!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And cares or fears assailing,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">I find my rest in thee!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Why should my feet grow weary<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Of this my pilgrim way;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Rough though the path and dreary<br /></span> +<span class="i2">It ends in perfect day.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"'Naught, naught I count as treasure,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Compared, O Christ, with thee;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thy sorrow without measure<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Earned peace and joy for me.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I love to own, Lord Jesus,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Thy claims o'er me and mine,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Bought with thy blood most precious,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Whose can I be but thine!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"'For every tribulation,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">For every sore distress.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In Christ I've full salvation,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Sure help and quiet rest.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No fear of foes prevailing,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">I triumph, Lord, in thee.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">O Jesus, Friend unfailing!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">How dear art thou to me!'"*<br /></span> +</div></div></div> + +<p class="center">* I know not who is the author of these beautiful lines.</p> + +<p>Edward had made his way to her side as soon as he perceived her purpose.</p> + +<p>"You have left out half," he whispered, leaning over her, "and the words +are all so sweet."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a> +"Yes, I know, but I feared it was too long."</p> + +<p>There were murmurs of admiration as he led her back to her seat. "How +well she plays! such an exquisite touch!" "What a sweet voice! highly +cultivated, and every word distinct." "Yes, and what a beauty she is!"</p> + +<p>Some of these remarks reached Violet's ears and deepened the color on +her cheek, but she forgot them all in the delight of having given +pleasure to the invalid. He thanked her with tears in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"The words are very sweet and comforting," he said. "Are they your own?"</p> + +<p>"Oh no, sir!" she answered. "I do not know whose they are, but I have +found comfort in them, and hoped that you might also."</p> + +<p>Edward and Mary were conversing in low, earnest tones.</p> + +<p>"I am delighted!" Mary said.</p> + +<p>"With what?"</p> + +<p>"Words, music, voice, everything."</p> + +<p>"The music is her own, composed expressly for the words, which she found +in a religious newspaper."</p> + +<p>"Indeed! she is a genius then! the tune is lovely."</p> + +<p>"Yes, she is thought to have a decided genius for both music and +painting; I must show you some of her pictures when you pay us that +promised visit."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a> +Mr. Moses presently found himself in too much pain to remain where he +was, and summoning his servant, retired to his own room.</p> + +<p>His wife, paying no regard to a wistful, longing look he gave her as he +moved painfully away, remained where she was and entertained the other +ladies with an account of the family pedigree.</p> + +<p>"We are lineal descendants of Moses, the Hebrew Lawgiver," she +announced. "But don't suppose we are Jews, for we are not at all."</p> + +<p>"Belong to the lost ten tribes, I suppose," remarked Charles Perrine +dryly.</p> + +<p>The morning's sun shone brightly in a clear sky, and on leaving the +breakfast table our little party went down to the beach and sat in the +sand, watching the incoming tide, before which they were now and then +obliged to retreat, sometimes in scrambling haste that gave occasion for +much mirth and laughter.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Moses came down presently and joined them, an uninvited and not +over-welcome companion, but of course the beach was as free to her as to +them.</p> + +<p>"How is your husband this morning?" inquired Mrs. Perkins.</p> + +<p>"Oh about as usual."</p> + +<p>"I do believe it would do him good to sit here awhile with us, sunning +himself."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a> +"Too damp."</p> + +<p>"No; the dampness here is from the salt water, and will harm nobody."</p> + +<p>"Where is he?" asked Fred, getting on his feet.</p> + +<p>"On the porch yonder," the wife answered, in a tone of indifference.</p> + +<p>"Come, boys, let's go and bring him!" said Fred, and at the word the +other two rose with alacrity, and all three hurried to the house.</p> + +<p>They found the poor old gentleman sitting alone, save for the presence +of the uncouth servant standing in silence at the back of his chair, and +watching with wistful, longing eyes the merry groups moving hither and +thither, to and fro, between the houses and the ocean, some going down +to bathe, others coming dripping from the water, some sporting among the +waves, and others still, like our own party, sunning themselves on the +beach.</p> + +<p>"We have come to ask you to join us, sir," Fred said in respectful but +hearty tones. "Won't you let us help you down to the beach? the ladies +are anxious to have you there."</p> + +<p>The poor man's face lighted up with pleased surprise, then clouded +slightly. "I should like to go indeed," he said, "if I could do so +without troubling others; but that is impossible."</p> + +<p>"We should not feel it any trouble, sir." the lads returned, "but a +pleasure rather, if you will let us help you there."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a> +"I ought not to ask it of you: Jacob here can give me an arm."</p> + +<p>"No," said Edward, "let Jacob take this opportunity for a bath, and we +will fill his place in waiting upon you."</p> + +<p>The invalid yielded, and found himself moved with far more ease and +comfort than he had believed possible.</p> + +<p>The ladies—his wife, perhaps, excepted, greeted him with smiles and +pleasant words of welcome. They had arranged a couch with their +waterproofs and shawls, far enough from the water's edge to be secure +from the waves, and here the lads laid him down with gentle carefulness.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Perkins seated herself at his head and shaded his face from the sun +with her umbrella, while the others grouped themselves about, near +enough to carry on a somewhat disjointed conversation in spite of the +noise of the waters.</p> + +<p>"I think a sunbath will really be good for you, Mr. Moses," said Miss +Keith.</p> + +<p>"It's worth trying anyhow," he answered, with a patient smile. "And it's +a real treat to do so in such pleasant company. But don't any of you +lose your bath for me. I've seen a number go in, and I suppose this is +about the best time."</p> + +<p>"Just as the ladies say," was the gallant rejoinder of the young men.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a> +"I do not care to bathe to-day," Violet said with decision. "The rest of +you may go, and I will stay and take are of Mr. Moses."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll go then. He'll not be wanting anything." said his wife. +"Ain't the rest of you coming, ladies and gentlemen?"</p> + +<p>After some discussion, all went but Mrs. Perkins and Violet, and they +were left alone with the invalid.</p> + +<p>Vi had conceived a great pity for him, great disgust for the selfish, +unsympathizing wife.</p> + +<p>"How different from mamma!" she said to herself. "She never would have +wearied of waiting upon papa if he had been so afflicted; she would have +wanted to be beside him, comforting him every moment. And how sweetly it +would have been done."</p> + +<p>"Little lady," the old man said, with a longing look into the sweet +girlish face, "will you sing me that song again? It was the most +delightful, consoling thing I've heard for many a day."</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed, sir; I would do anything in my power to help you to forget +your pain," she said, coloring with pleasure.</p> + +<p>She sang the whole of the one he had asked for, then perceiving how +greatly he enjoyed it, several others of like character.</p> + +<p>He listened intently, sometimes with tears in his eyes, and thanking her +warmly again and again.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a> +Finding that the old gentleman felt brighter and more free from pain +during the rest of the day, and thought he had received +<a name="benefit" id="benefit"></a><ins title="Original has enefit">benefit</ins> from his visit to the beach, the lads helped him +there again the next day.</p> + +<p>They set him down, then wandered away, leaving him in the care of the +same group of ladies who had gathered round him the day before.</p> + +<p>Each one was anxious to do something for his relief or entertainment, +and he seemed both pleased with their society and grateful for their +attentions.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Perkins suggested that the lame hand might be benefited by burying +it in the sand while he sat there.</p> + +<p>"No harm in trying it, anyhow," he said. "Just turn me round a little, +Maria, if you please."</p> + +<p>His wife complied promptly with the request, but in a way which the +other ladies thought rough and unfeeling, seizing him by the collar of +his coat and jerking him round to the desired position.</p> + +<p>But he made no complaint.</p> + +<p>"I think it does ease the pain," he said after a little. "I'm only sorry +I can't try it every day for a while."</p> + +<p>"What is there to hinder?" asked Mrs. Perkins.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a> +"Why, we're going to-morrow," replied Mrs. Moses, shortly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, why not stay longer? You have been here but a week, and Mr. Moses +has improved quite a good deal in that time."</p> + +<p>"Well, he can stay as long as he chooses, but I'm going to New York +to-morrow to visit my sister."</p> + +<p>The ladies urged her to stay for her poor husband's sake, but she was +not to be persuaded, and he was unwilling to remain without her.</p> + +<p>"Take some sand with you, then, to bury his hand in, won't you?" said +Mrs. Perkins.</p> + +<p>"I haven't anything to carry it in," was the ungracious reply.</p> + +<p>"Those newspapers."</p> + +<p>"I want to read them."</p> + +<p>"Well, if we find something to put it in, and get it all ready for you, +will you take it in your trunk?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'll do that."</p> + +<p>"I have a good sized paper box which will answer the purpose, I think," +said Mary Keith. "I'll get it."</p> + +<p>She hastened to the house, returned again in a few moments with the box, +and they proceeded to fill it, sifting the sand carefully through their +fingers to remove every pebble.</p> + +<p>"You are taking a great deal of trouble for me, ladies," the old +gentleman remarked.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a> +"No trouble at all, sir," said Mary; "it's a real pleasure to do +anything we can for you: especially remembering the Master's words, +'Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my +brethren, you have done it unto me.'"</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a> +<a name="xxi" id="xxi"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + +<div class="block30"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i11">"How happy they<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Who, from the toil and tumult of their lives,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Steal to look down where nought but ocean strives."<br /></span> + +<p class="right">—<i>Byron.</i></p> +</div></div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Violet</span> was alone, lying on the bed, resting after her bath, not asleep, +but thinking dreamily of home and mother.</p> + +<p>"Only one more day and my week here will be up," she was saying to +herself. "I've had a delightful time, but oh I want to see mamma and the +rest!"</p> + +<p>Just then the door opened and Mary came in with a face all smiles. "O +Vi, I'm so glad!" she exclaimed, seating herself on the side of the bed.</p> + +<p>"What about, cousin?" Violet asked, rousing herself, and with a keen +look of interest.</p> + +<p>"I have just had the offer of a furnished cottage for two or three +weeks—to keep house in, you understand—and I can invite several +friends to stay with me, and it won't cost half so much as boarding +here, beside being great fun," Mary answered, talking very fast in her +excitement and delight. "Charlie will stay with me, I think, and I hope +you and Edward will, and I have two girl friends at home whom I shall +invite.<a class="pagenum" name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a> One is an invalid, and needs the change, oh so badly; but +though they are not exactly poor people, not the kind one would dare +offer charity to, her father couldn't afford to give her even a week at +any of these hotels or boarding-houses: and she did look so wistful and +sad when I bade her good-bye. 'I can hardly help envying you, Mary,' she +said, 'though I am ever so glad you are going. But I have such a longing +to get away from home for a while—to go somewhere, anywhere, for a +change. I'm so weak and miserable, and it seems to me that if I could +only go away I should get well. I haven't been outside of this town for +years.'"</p> + +<p>Violet's eyes filled with tears. "Poor thing!" she said. "I have always +travelled about so much, and enjoyed it greatly. I wonder why it is I +have so many more pleasures and blessings than other people."</p> + +<p>"I hope they may never be fewer," Mary said, caressing her. "But isn't +it nice that now I can give poor Amy Fletcher—for that is her name—two +or three weeks here at the sea-shore?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed! But you haven't told me how it happens."</p> + +<p>In reply to this Mary went on to say that a married friend who had +rented the cottage she had spoken of for the year, now found that he<a class="pagenum" name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a> +must take his family away for a short time, mountain air being +recommended for his wife, who was in poor health, and as it would cost +no more to have the cottage occupied in their absence than to leave it +empty, he had offered her the use of it rent free.</p> + +<p>"He saw father and mother last week," she added in conclusion, "and +talked it over with them, and they have written me to accept his offer +by all means, and stay as long at the shore as I can."</p> + +<p>"But you are to visit us, you know."</p> + +<p>"Yes, afterward, if that will do. I don't intend to miss that pleasure +if I can help it," Mary answered gleefully. "Now about my other friend, +Ella Neff. She is not an invalid, but she teaches for her support, and I +know such a change would do her a world of good. She wanted to come with +me, but couldn't afford it; yet I'm sure she can in this way: for beside +the difference of board there will not be the same necessity for fine +dress."</p> + +<p>"I should never have thought of that," said Vi.</p> + +<p>"No, of course not, you fortunate little lassie; you have never known +anything about the pinchings of poverty—or the pleasures of economy," +she added merrily, "for I do assure you there is often real enjoyment in +finding how<a class="pagenum" name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a> nicely you can contrive to make one dollar do the work of +two—or 'auld claes look amaist as weel's the new.' But oh, don't you +think it will be fun to keep house, do our own cooking and all?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," Violet said; "yes, indeed."</p> + +<p>"And you'll stay, won't you? Don't you think you'd enjoy it?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, ever so much! but I don't believe I can wait any longer than till +to-morrow to see mamma. Besides, I don't know whether she would +approve."</p> + +<p>"Well, if you should spend a day at home and get her consent to come +back; how would that do?"</p> + +<p>Vi thought that plan might answer, if Edward were willing to make one of +the party at the cottage.</p> + +<p>"We must consult the lads at once," said Mary. "Let me help you dress, +and we'll go in search of them."</p> + +<p>Vi sprang up, and with her cousin's assistance made a rapid toilet.</p> + +<p>They found Edward and Charlie in the summer-house, just across the road, +waiting for the call to dinner. Fortunately no one was within hearing, +and Mary quickly unfolded her plan.</p> + +<p>It was heard with delight. "Splendid! Capital! Of course we'll be glad +to accept your<a class="pagenum" name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a> invitation," they said: Edward, however, putting in the +provision, "If mamma sees no objection."</p> + +<p>"Or grandpa," added Violet.</p> + +<p>"All the same," said Edward; "mamma never approves of anything that he +does not."</p> + +<p>"Where is the cottage? Can we look at it?" asked Charles.</p> + +<p>"Yes; the family left this morning, and I have the key," Mary answered. +"We could take possession to-night if we chose; but I must lay in some +provisions first."</p> + +<p>"Let's walk up (or down, whichever it is) after dinner and look at it."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Charlie, if Edward and Vi are agreed. It is up, on this street, +about two blocks from here."</p> + +<p>"Directly in front of the ocean? That's all right."</p> + +<p>"Or the ocean directly in front of it," Mary returned laughingly.</p> + +<p>"All the same; don't be too critical, Miss Keith," said Charlie.</p> + +<p>They did not linger long over dinner or dessert, but made haste to the +cottage, eager to see what accommodations it afforded.</p> + +<p>It was small, the rooms few in number, and mere boxes compared to those +Edward and Violet had been accustomed to at Ion and Viamede; and very +much more contracted than<a class="pagenum" name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a> those of the cottage their mother was +occupying, yet all four were quite satisfied to take up their residence +in it for a season.</p> + +<p>"Four bedrooms," remarked Mary reflectively: "two will do for the lads +and two for the lasses. Parlor and dining-room are not very spacious, +but will hold us all when necessary; I don't suppose we'll spend much of +the daytime within doors. By the way, I think we must add Don Keith to +our party—if he'll come."</p> + +<p>The boys said "By all means," and Vi raised no objection.</p> + +<p>"When do you expect Ella and Amy?" asked Charles, who was well +acquainted with both.</p> + +<p>"I telegraphed to mother at once to invite them, and shall expect to see +them about day after to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"What sort of provisions do you propose to lay in, Miss Keith?" inquired +Charlie. "I am personally interested in that."</p> + +<p>"I do not doubt that in the least, Mr. Perrine," she answered demurely. +"I intend to buy some of the best flour and groceries that I can find."</p> + +<p>"Flour? can't you buy bread here?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but perhaps I may choose to exhibit my skill in its manufacture; +also in that of cake and pastry."</p> + +<p>"Ah! Well, no objection to that except that<a class="pagenum" name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a> we don't want you shut up +in the kitchen when the rest of us are off pleasuring. What about other +supplies?"</p> + +<p>"I see you have some idea of what is necessary in housekeeping, Charlie, +and I'll give you a good recommendation to—the first nice girl who asks +me if you'll make a good husband," Mary returned, looking at her cousin +with laughing eyes.</p> + +<p>"Am I to have an answer to my question, Miss Keith?" he inquired with +dignity.</p> + +<p>"Yes, when I see fit to give it. The Marstons were, of course, served +with butter, eggs, milk and cream, fish, flesh, and fowl, and Mr. +Marston told me he had spoken to the persons thus serving him and his to +do likewise by me and mine: does this explanation relieve your mind, Mr. +Perrine?"</p> + +<p>"Entirely. I am satisfied that we are not invited to share starving +rations, which I am morally certain would give me the dyspepsia."</p> + +<p>"I think we are very fortunate," Mary remarked, resuming her ordinary +tone; "they have left us bedding, table and kitchen furniture, and we +have nothing whatever to provide except our food, drink and clothing."</p> + +<p>"I shall order a carriage for an early hour to-morrow morning," said +Edward, "and drive over to see my mother. Vi will, of course, go along, +and I wish, Cousin Mary, that you and Charlie would go too."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a> +"Thank you very much," Mary said. "I should enjoy it extremely, but +there are some few arrangements to be made here. The girls may come +to-morrow evening, and I must be here and ready to receive them."</p> + +<p>Then Charlie decided that he must stay and take care of Mary; so it was +finally arranged that Edward and Violet should go alone, and the former +attend to the ordering of the groceries, and anything else he could +think of that was desirable and did not require to be fresh.</p> + +<p>When the carriage containing Edward and Violet drove up to their +mother's door, nearly all the family and their guests were out upon the +beach.</p> + +<p>There was instantly a glad shout from Harold, Herbert and Walter, "There +they are!" and they, their sisters and grandfather started at once for +the house, while Mrs. Dinsmore and Mrs. Travilla, who were within, +hastened to the door.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Conly and Virginia, slowly sauntering along within sight of the +cottage, looked after those who were hurrying towards it, with smiles of +contempt.</p> + +<p>"Such a hugging and kissing as there will be now!" sneered Virginia; +"they will make as much fuss as if they hadn't seen each other for five +years."</p> + +<p>"Yes," returned her mother, "and I don't<a class="pagenum" name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a> wish to be a spectator of the +sickening scene. Thank fortune I'm not of the overly affectionate kind."</p> + +<p>"Mamma, mamma!" cried Violet, springing into the dear arms so joyfully +opened to receive her, "oh, I am so glad, so glad to see you again!"</p> + +<p>"Not more glad than mamma is, darling," Elsie said, clasping her close +with tender caresses.</p> + +<p>"And you've come home a day sooner than you were expected! how good in +you!" the younger Elsie exclaimed, taking her turn.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but not to stay; that is, I mean if mamma consents to—"</p> + +<p>But the sentence remained unfinished for awhile, there were so many +claiming a hug and kiss from both herself and Edward; indeed I am afraid +Virginia was so far correct in her prediction that there was as much +embracing and rejoicing, perhaps even more, than there would have been +in the Conly family in receiving a brother and sister who had been +absent for years.</p> + +<p>But when all that had been attended to, and the pleasant little +excitement began to subside, it did not take many minutes for mamma and +grandpa and grandma to learn all about the proposed essay in +housekeeping on the part of the young folks.</p> + +<p>"What! does my Vi want to leave her mother again so soon?" Mrs. Travilla +said with half<a class="pagenum" name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a> reproachful tenderness, putting an arm about the +slender, girlish waist, and pressing another kiss on the softly rounded, +blooming cheek.</p> + +<p>"No, mamma dearest," Vi said, blushing and laying her head down on her +mother's shoulder, "but the house here is as full as ever, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but that makes no difference; there is plenty of room."</p> + +<p>"Well, mamma, I don't like to be away from you, or any of the dear ones, +but I do think it would be great fun for a little while. Don't you? +wouldn't you have liked it when you were my age?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I daresay I should, and I see no great objection, if you and +Edward wish to try it. What do you say, papa?"</p> + +<p>"That I think their mother is the right person to decide the question, +and that I do not suppose they can come to any harm," Mr. Dinsmore +answered, with a kindly look and smile directed to Edward and Violet. "I +doubt if I should have allowed you to do such a thing at Vi's age, +Elsie," he added, "but I believe I grow more indulgent with advancing +years—perhaps more foolish."</p> + +<p>"No, papa, I cannot think that," she said, lifting her soft eyes to his +with a world of filial tenderness and reverence in their brown depths; +"I lean very much upon the wisdom of your decisions. Well, dears, since +grandpa does not<a class="pagenum" name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a> disapprove, you have my full consent to do as you +please in this matter."</p> + +<p>They thanked her warmly.</p> + +<p>"Cousin Mary would be delighted if Elsie would come too," said Violet, +looking wishfully at her sister, "and so would I. I don't suppose, +mamma, you could spare us both at once, but if Elsie would like to go, I +will stay, and not feel it the least bit of a hardship either," she +added, turning to her mother with a bright, affectionate smile.</p> + +<p>"I should be lonely with both my older daughters away," the mother said, +"but I will not be selfish in my love. Elsie may go, too, if she +wishes."</p> + +<p>"Dear, kind mamma, selfishness is no part of your nature," her namesake +daughter responded promptly, "but Elsie has not the slightest desire to +go. Yet I thank my sweet sister all the same for her very kind and +unselfish offer," she added, giving Violet a look of strong affection.</p> + +<p>"But what is grandpa to do without his merry little cricket?" asked Mr. +Dinsmore, drawing Vi down upon his knee. "For how long is it? one, two, +or three weeks?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, grandpa; perhaps I shall grow tired and homesick, and +want to come back directly."</p> + +<p>"Well, no one will be sorry to see you, come when you may."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a> +"You will always be joyfully welcomed," added mamma; "nor Edward less +so. Now let us consider what you will need, and how best to provide it. +I claim the privilege of furnishing all the groceries and everything +else for the larder that need not be procured upon the spot."</p> + +<p>"Oh, thank you, mamma!" said Edward; "but I knew you would."</p> + +<p>Violet asked and obtained permission to sleep with her mother that +night, and all day long was scarcely absent from her side. Evidently the +child had a divided heart, and was at times more than half inclined to +stay at home.</p> + +<p>But Edward urged that he would not half enjoy himself without her, that +she had promised to go if mamma did not withhold consent, and that Mary +would be sadly disappointed if she failed to return with him. Donald +Keith, too, who was still there, and had accepted Mary's invitation, +added his persuasions. "He was sure they would have a very pleasant +time, and if she grew homesick she could drive home any day in a couple +of hours; he would be glad to bring her over himself if she would let +him, or she could come in less time by the cars."</p> + +<p>Then her mother came to her help. "I think it will be best for you to +go, dear, even if you should stay but a day or two," she said. "And if +your grandpa likes, he and I will drive over with you, and see your snug +little cottage,<a class="pagenum" name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a> and whether there is anything we can do to add to the +comfort or enjoyment of those who are to occupy it for a season."</p> + +<p>"A very good idea, daughter," Mr. Dinsmore said, and Vi's rather +troubled face grew bright.</p> + +<p>"Oh how nice, mamma!" she exclaimed. "I will go without any more foolish +hesitation, although I do not think Edward is quite correct in saying I +promised."</p> + +<p>"Foolish enough!" sneered Virginia, who prided herself on her audacity +in making disagreeable remarks. "I should be very much ashamed of myself +if I were half the mother baby you are."</p> + +<p>"And I," remarked Mr. Dinsmore severely, irritated out of all patience +by the pained look in Vi's face, "should be more ashamed of my sweet +little granddaughter if she were as heartless and ready to wound the +feelings of others as a certain niece of mine seems to be."</p> + +<p>"Will you come to my house-warming, Mrs. Perkins, you and Fred and +Susie?" asked Mary Keith as they left the breakfast-table of the +Colorado House the next morning. "I expect my cousins the Travillas +about dinner-time, and the morning train may bring the other guests. I +mean to be all ready for them at any rate. The dinner is to be prepared +with my own hands, and though it will be on a small<a class="pagenum" name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a> scale compared with +those served here, you shall at least have a hearty welcome."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, we would be delighted, but are already engaged for the +picnic," Mrs. Perkins said.</p> + +<p>So they parted with mutual good wishes, each hoping the other would have +an enjoyable day.</p> + +<p>Charles and Mary made themselves busy in seeing to the removal to the +cottage of their own and cousin's luggage, making some purchases at the +provision stores, and some rearrangements of furniture; then about the +dinner, Mary pressing Charlie into her service as sheller of peas, +husker of corn, and beater of eggs.</p> + +<p>They had a very merry time over their work, though Charlie protested +vigorously against being set at such menial tasks, and declared that +"Ed" should be made to do a fair share of them in future.</p> + +<p>Mary sent him to the train to meet the girls, while she stayed behind to +watch over the dinner.</p> + +<p>He had scarcely gone when a carriage drew up at the door, and Mr. and +Mrs. Dinsmore, Mrs. Travilla, Edward and Violet, and Donald Keith +alighted therefrom and came trooping in, most of them laden with +parcels, while the driver brought up the rear, carrying a large hamper +that seemed to be well filled and heavy.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a> +Mary's first emotion on seeing the arrival was delight, the second a +sudden fear that her dinner would not suffice for so many.</p> + +<p>But that fear was relieved at sight of the hamper and a whisper from Vi, +who headed the procession, that it contained such store of provision as +would obviate the necessity of much cooking for several days to come.</p> + +<p>"Oh how good and kind in your mother!" Mary exclaimed in a like low +tone, then hastened to welcome her guests with unmixed pleasure.</p> + +<p>"O Cousin Elsie, how nice in you to come and to bring Edward and Violet! +You are going to let them stay, I am sure, and I am so glad. So glad to +see you, too, Cousin Rose and Cousin Horace: it seems as if I ought to +call you aunt and uncle, though."</p> + +<p>"Then suppose you do," Mr. Dinsmore said, shaking hands with her, and +kissing her rosy cheek. "You have my permission."</p> + +<p>"I shall, then, and thank you," she returned in her bright merry tones. +"O Don," turning to Mr. Keith with outstretched hands, "so here you are! +that's a good boy."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and so good a boy must not be put off with less than others get," +he said, following Mr. Dinsmore's example.</p> + +<p>"Well, as you are only a cousin it doesn't matter," she remarked +indifferently. "Please<a class="pagenum" name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a> all make yourselves at home. Oh there's the +stage stopping at the gate! the girls have come!" and she flew out to +welcome them.</p> + +<p>The little parlor was quite inconveniently crowded, but that afforded +subject for mirth, as Mary introduced her friends and bustled about +trying to find seats for them all.</p> + +<p>"We shall have to take dinner in relays or else set a table in here, +besides the one in the dining-room," she said, laughing.</p> + +<p>"Let Amy and me go to our room and dress while your first set eat, and +give us our dinner afterwards," suggested Ella Neff.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I should much prefer it," Miss Fletcher said, "for we are really +too dusty and dirty to sit down to your table now."</p> + +<p>"And I shall act as waiter to the first table and eat with these ladies +at the second," said Charlie.</p> + +<p>"Very well, I can manage to seat the rest," Mary said; and so it was +arranged.</p> + +<p>The dinner proved very nice and very abundant with the help of the +contents of the hamper. Mary's cooking received many praises, in which +Charlie claimed a share, because, as he said, he had assisted largely.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a> +<a name="xxii" id="xxii"></a>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + +<div class="block24"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"O spirits gay, and kindly heart!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Precious the blessings ye impart!"<br /></span> + +<p class="right">—<i>Joanna Baillie.</i></p> +</div></div></div> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Well</span>, cricket, are we to carry you back with us?" Mr. Dinsmore asked, +with a smiling look at Violet. "If so, 'tis time to be tying on your +hat, for the carriage is at the door."</p> + +<p>"No, grandpa, I am going to stay," she answered, holding up her face for +a parting kiss.</p> + +<p>"I am well satisfied with your decision, dear child," her mother said +when bidding her good-bye, as they and Edward stood alone together for a +moment on the little porch. "I think these young people are all safe +associates for you and your brother," turning to him and taking a hand +of each, "and that you will enjoy yourselves very much with them. But, +my darlings, never forget in the midst of your mirth and gayety—or in +trouble, if that should come—that God's eye is upon you, and that you +have a Christian character to maintain before men. Let me give you a +parting text, 'Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, +do all to the glory of God.' And yet another for your joy and comfort, +'The Lord God is a sun and shields<a class="pagenum" name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a> the Lord will give grace and glory: +no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.'"</p> + +<p>"Was there ever such another dear, good mother as ours?" Violet said to +her brother, <a name="as" id="as"></a><ins title="Original has al">as</ins> together they watched the carriage +out of sight.</p> + +<p>"I wish there were thousands like her," he answered. "Ever since I can +remember it has been plain to me that what she most desired for all her +children was that they might be real, true, earnest Christians. Vi, if +we are not all that, we can never lay the blame at our mother's door."</p> + +<p>"Nor papa's either," Violet said with a sigh and a tear to his memory, +"for he was just as careful as she is to train us up for God and +heaven."</p> + +<p>"Yes," Edward assented with emotion. "O Vi, if I could but be the man he +was!"</p> + +<p>They went into the house. In the little parlor Amy Fletcher reclined on +a sofa gazing out through the open door upon the sea.</p> + +<p>"I have had my first sight of old ocean to-day," she said, glancing up +at them as they came in, "and oh how beautiful it is! how delicious this +breeze coming from it! it surely must bring health and strength to any +one who is not very ill indeed!"</p> + +<p>"I hope it will to you," Violet said, sitting down by her side.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a> +"I hope so," she returned with a cheerful look and smile, "for the +doctors tell me I have no organic disease, and that nothing is more +likely to build me up than sea air and sea-bathing."</p> + +<p>Amy was small and fragile in appearance, but not painfully thin; she had +large dark grey eyes, brown hair, a sweet patient expression, a clear +complexion, and though usually rather too pale and quiet, when excited +or greatly interested the color would come and go on her cheek, her eyes +shine, and her whole face light up in a way that made her decidedly +pretty.</p> + +<p>She was weary now with her journey and a visit to the beach, though she +had only walked to a summer house near by and sat there while the rest +strolled about.</p> + +<p>Merry sounds of jest and laughter were coming from the kitchen.</p> + +<p>"The girls are washing the dishes," Amy said with a smile, "and the lads +helping or hindering, I don't know which."</p> + +<p>"The dinner dishes?" asked Violet.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Mary set them aside for the time, that she might enjoy the company +of your friends while they stayed."</p> + +<p>"Do you think I could be of any assistance out there?" queried Edward, +with gravity.</p> + +<p>"I have an idea that the place is quite full now," Amy said, with a +merry glance up into his face. "I wish there was room for us all, for<a class="pagenum" name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a> +they seem to be having a great deal of sport. Just hark how they are +laughing! Well, our turn will come. Don't you think we are going to have +a jolly time here?"</p> + +<p>The door opened and the two young men came in.</p> + +<p>"You don't know what you've missed, Ed," said Charlie helping himself to +a chair near Amy's couch; "housework's jolly good fun."</p> + +<p>"When you don't have too much of it," remarked Amy.</p> + +<p>"And do it in pleasant company," added Donald.</p> + +<p>"And under a capable and kind instructress," supplemented Mary, speaking +from the kitchen.</p> + +<p>"What are your terms for tuition, Miss Keith?" inquired Edward, as she +and Ella Neff joined the circle in the parlor.</p> + +<p>"Beginners get their board, which is sometimes more than they earn."</p> + +<p>"Is that all?" said Donald. "Then I think I shall retire from the +service."</p> + +<p>"I advise you to do no such thing," said Ella, "the knowledge you gain +may prove invaluable in some future emergency: some time when you find +yourself out on the plains or buried in the forests of the Far West, +with no gentle, loving woman at hand to prepare your meals."</p> + +<p>"In that case there would doubtless be an ungentle and obedient +orderly to do so," rejoined Donald with gravity.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a> +"Well, women are often lectured by newspaper writers and others on the +paramount duty of making themselves acquainted with the culinary art, as +well as everything else pertaining to housewifery, in order that they +may be fully capable of directing the labors of their servants, and I +see no reason why the rule shouldn't hold good for men," remarked Ella.</p> + +<p>"There, sir, you're cornered, Donald!" laughed Charlie.</p> + +<p>"Now that we are all here together, suppose we make such arrangements as +are necessary to constitute ourselves a tolerably orderly household," +said Mary.</p> + +<p>"I understood that you were commanding officer, and the rest of us had +nothing to do but obey orders," said Donald.</p> + +<p>"Quite a mistake. This is not an army, but a democracy, in which the +majority rules. All important questions, therefore—"</p> + +<p>"Such as the bill of fare for dinner," suggested Charlie. "Excuse the +hint, ma'am."</p> + +<p>"Are to be put to vote," Mary went on, not deigning to notice the +interruption. "Mr. Keith, I propose that you, as the eldest of the +party, take the chair."</p> + +<p>"Which?" he asked with serious air.</p> + +<p>"That large, easy one, which each of us is politely leaving for somebody +else."</p> + +<p>Donald promptly took possession. "Is the meeting ready for business?" he +asked.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a> +"Ready!" responded Charles and Edward.</p> + +<p>"Somebody make a motion, then."</p> + +<p>"I move that Miss Mary Keith be elected housekeeper extraordinary and +cook plenipotentiary," said Ella.</p> + +<p>"I second the motion," said Edward.</p> + +<p>"You have all heard the motion, and to save useless repetition I put it +to vote. All in favor—"</p> + +<p>A simultaneous "Aye!" from all present, Mary excepted.</p> + +<p>"Who are to be my assistants?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"All of us, I suppose," said Charles. "No, not Amy: she's the invalid, +and must be taken care of by the heartiest and strongest, which is +probably your humble servant, ladies and gentlemen."</p> + +<p>"Doubtful that!" said Edward, with a downward glance at his own stout +limbs.</p> + +<p>"I think we should all help in that and with the housework," remarked Vi +modestly. "Cousin Mary, I can make beds, sweep and dust very nicely, +mamma says. It was her wish that I should learn, and I did."</p> + +<p>"So can I," said Ella, "and we'll undertake that part of the work +together, if you like, Miss—"</p> + +<p>"Call me Violet or Vi."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Charlie. "I move that everybody be called by the Christian +name—or some<a class="pagenum" name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a> abbreviation thereof—as a saving of trouble, and showing +a friendly disposition toward each other."</p> + +<p>"Agreed," said Donald, "but let it be understood that there's no +objection to the prefix of cousin."</p> + +<p>"At what hours shall we take our meals?" asked Mary.</p> + +<p>"Make a motion," said Donald.</p> + +<p>"Breakfast at eight, dinner at one, tea at six; will these hours suit +all? If not, let us have objections."</p> + +<p>"Speak now, or forever hold your peace," said Charlie. "They suit me +well enough if the rule be not too rigidly enforced, so as to interfere +with pleasuring."</p> + +<p>"I didn't mean they should do that," said Mary; "they are only to be a +general guide."</p> + +<p>"And if anybody happens to indulge in an extra morning nap, what's to be +the penalty?"</p> + +<p>"A cold and lonely breakfast, I suppose. Perhaps to wash his own dishes +besides."</p> + +<p>"All in favor of the hours named for meals please signify it by saying +aye," said Donald.</p> + +<p>"Aye!" from every tongue.</p> + +<p>"Anything else, Miss Keith?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Just one thing more," she answered, speaking with a sudden seriousness, +and in a low, almost tremulous tone that sobered them all instantly.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a> +She went on with an effort. "We all profess to be Christians: shall we +live together, even for the short space of two or three weeks, like +heathen or mere worldings?"</p> + +<p>A moment's silence, then Donald said with quiet gravity, "Surely not, +Mary."</p> + +<p>"We will not partake of the food God provides for our nourishment and +enjoyment without asking his blessing upon it, or begin or end the day +without prayer and praise, will we?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh no!" came softly from the lips of Amy and Violet, and was echoed by +the other voices.</p> + +<p>"Then which of you, my three cousins, Don, Edward, and Charlie, will +take the lead in these acts of worship?"</p> + +<p>A longer silence than before; then Vi turned a wistful, pleading look +upon her brother.</p> + +<p>There was no mistaking its meaning; and his mother's parting words were +ringing in his ears.</p> + +<p>"If no one else is willing," he said, "I will do it."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Edward," said Charlie, rising and grasping his hand; "but it +would be too selfish to leave you to do it alone; so I will take my +turn."</p> + +<p>"I too," said Donald. "It should never be said of a soldier that he +refused to stand by his colors."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a> +"Or of a follower of Christ that he was shamed of his Master's service," +added Edward.</p> + +<p>So it was arranged that they should take turns, day about, according to +their age.</p> + +<p>"Five o'clock—just an hour to tea-time," Charlie said, consulting his +watch: "what shall we do with it? Amy, do you feel equal to a stroll on +the beach, with the support of my arm?"</p> + +<p>"Thank you, it would be very nice, but I am tired enough to think it +still nicer just to lie here and look at the sea," she said. "I shall +not mind being left alone, though; so, please, all the rest of you go. +And to-morrow I shall be able to join you, I hope."</p> + +<p>"Ah no, we won't leave you here all alone," said several voices.</p> + +<p>"No," said Mary, "for I am going to stay with her. I am weary enough +just now to prefer resting in this easy chair to a ramble on the beach +or anywhere else; and beside, I want a chat with Amy."</p> + +<p>"Secrets to tell, eh?" said Charlie, picking up his hat. "Good-bye, +then. Don't forget to speak well of the absent."</p> + +<p>"Oh I am so glad to be alone with you for a little while, Mary," Amy +said, when the others had all gone. "I want to thank you for your +kindness in asking me to come here; such a<a class="pagenum" name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a> blessed relief as it was! +for it seemed to me the very monotony of my life was killing me."</p> + +<p>"The thanks hardly belong to me," Mary said, between a smile and a tear, +as she leaned over Amy, gently smoothing back the hair from her +forehead. "I think they should be given first to our heavenly Father, +and second to Mr. Marston."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and third to you, Mary. I used to wonder over that text in +Isaiah—'He that believeth shall not make haste.' I didn't know what it +meant, but I believe I do now."</p> + +<p>"Well, dear, what is your explanation?"</p> + +<p>"I think it means he that is strong in faith will patiently and calmly +wait God's time for the fulfilment of his promises, and for relief from +trouble and trial. Oh if I could but do it always!"</p> + +<p>"And I," sighed Mary; "but oh how often I am guilty of making haste for +myself or for others—my dear ones especially. There is poor mother so +often sick, and it is so hard to see her suffer, when she is so good, +too, so patient and cheerful and resigned."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know that must be far harder than suffering yourself."</p> + +<p>"Amy," Mary said after a pause, "you must not forget that it is a very +great pleasure to me to have you here, and that if you and the others +had refused to come and stay with me I could not have accepted Mr. +Marston's offer."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a> +"It is very generous in you to set it in that light," Amy answered, with +a grateful look and smile.</p> + +<p>They found so much to talk about that time flew very fast, and they were +greatly surprised on seeing Ella and Violet coming up the path from the +gate to the house.</p> + +<p>"Surely it is not six yet!" Mary exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"No, only half-past five," Vi said, taking out her watch; "but you are +tired, and Ella and I want you to let us get the tea."</p> + +<p>"Good girls!" returned Mary gayly. "I feel quite rested now, but you may +help if you like. I'm not going to cook much, though—only to make tea +and stew a few oysters."</p> + +<p>Tea and the clearing up after it well over, they all gathered on the +porch, where they had the full benefit of the breeze and could get a +glimpse of the sea by the light of the stars, and listen to its +ceaseless murmur, while amusing themselves with cheerful chat and in +making arrangements for various pleasure excursions about the vicinity.</p> + +<p>It was unanimously decided to reserve the long walks until Amy should +grow stronger, in order that she might share the enjoyment.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile they would fill up the time with bathing, lounging, +short strolls, driving, and boating.</p> + +<p>They finished the evening with the singing of<a class="pagenum" name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a> hymns, a chapter of the +Bible read aloud by Donald, and a short, earnest prayer, well suited to +their needs, offered by him.</p> + +<p>The next day their plans were interfered with by a constant, steady +rainfall, but no one fretted or looked dull. Most of them took their +bath in spite of it, and there were books and games with which to while +away the time within doors.</p> + +<p>The second day was bright and clear. Amy felt herself already so greatly +improved that she was eager for a proposed boating excursion on Shark +River. Breakfast was prepared, eaten, and cleared away in good season. +Mary was an excellent manager, working rapidly and well herself and +skilfully directing the labors of others.</p> + +<p>They took the stage down to the river, hired a boat large enough to +carry the whole party, spent a couple of hours in rowing back and forth, +up and down, then returned home as they had come, reaching there in +season for their bath and the preparation of a good though not very +elaborate dinner, Mary pressing Ella and the lads into her service, +while Amy and Violet were ordered to lie down and rest after their bath.</p> + +<p>"What's the programme for this afternoon?" asked Charlie, finishing his +dessert and pushing his plate aside.</p> + +<p>"Dish-washing, a long lounge on beds and<a class="pagenum" name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a> couches, then tea and a second +chapter of cleansing of utensils, followed by an evening stroll on the +beach," answered Mary.</p> + +<p>"And what for to-morrow?" queried Donald.</p> + +<p>"Ah, that reminds me," said Edward, "that Mrs. Perkins told me she +expects her husband by the evening train, and wants us to join them +to-morrow in getting up a fishing party. The plan is to drive over to +Manasquan, hire a boat there and go out on the ocean. What do you all +say about it?"</p> + +<p>The young men were highly in favor of the trip; Amy would see how she +felt in the morning; Violet demurred, lest there might be danger in +going upon the ocean, and "because she could not see any pleasure in +catching fish; it seemed so cruel."</p> + +<p>"But you eat them," reasoned her brother.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know, and I suppose it is very inconsistent to object to +catching them, but I do. I could not enjoy seeing them suffer."</p> + +<p>"You can go with us without feeling obliged to share in that, can you +not?" asked Donald.</p> + +<p>"Needn't even go out in the boat unless you choose," put in Charlie. +"We'll find a shady spot under the trees near the shore where you can +sit and watch us."</p> + +<p>Violet thought that plan would do very well; she could take a book +along, and the time would not seem tedious.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a> +"But Mary has not spoken," said Donald, turning to her.</p> + +<p>"I see no objection to your going, any or all of you," she answered +brightly, "but I must be excused."</p> + +<p>"But why?" they all asked in various tones of disappointment and +inquiry.</p> + +<p>"Because to-morrow is Saturday, and the cook and housekeeper must make +ready for the Sabbath rest by doing two days' work in one."</p> + +<p>"Can't we manage that somehow?" asked Donald.</p> + +<p>Mary shook her head. "No; but I shan't mind it at all. Go and enjoy +yourselves, my children, and leave me to attend to my duties at home."</p> + +<p>"The rest can go if they choose, but if you stay at home, cousin, I +shall stay with you," announced Violet with decision.</p> + +<p>They rose from the table.</p> + +<p>"Mary," said Charlie, "let the dishes stand a bit. I'm going to the +post-office," and seizing his hat he disappeared, followed by the +laughter of the others.</p> + +<p>"Quick, now, lads and lasses, let's have them all out of the way before +he gets back," said Ella, beginning to clear the table in hot haste.</p> + +<p>The heat of the sun was too great to allow of very fast walking, and +Charlie was gone a full<a class="pagenum" name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a> half hour; when he returned he found them all +sitting at their ease in the parlor.</p> + +<p>"I think we'll leave those dishes till the cool of the evening, Mary," +he said, wiping the perspiration from his forehead.</p> + +<p>"No, I can't consent to that—not on ordinary occasions," she answered +demurely.</p> + +<p>"Then back to the post-office goes this letter!" he cried threateningly, +holding aloft one with her address upon it.</p> + +<p>"Silly boy, the dishes are done without your help; give it to me!" she +cried, springing up and catching it out of his hand.</p> + +<p>"A fortunate day; nobody neglected by Uncle Sam's messengers," he said, +pulling several more from his pocket and distributing them.</p> + +<p>The tongues were silent for a moment; then Vi uttered a joyous +exclamation. "O Mary, you needn't stay at home to-morrow! mamma says she +will send a hamper by the evening train to-morrow, with provision to +last us over Sunday, so that you need not be troubled with Saturday +cooking."</p> + +<p>Everybody was glad, everybody thankful.</p> + +<p>"But to-morrow's dinner," said Mary, presently; "shall we get back in +time for me to cook it?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," said Edward; "but there are hotels where we can dine, +and I invite you all to be my guests at whichever one the party<a class="pagenum" name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a> may +select. Now, Cousin Mary," as he read hesitation in her face, "I shall +be hurt if anybody refuses my invitation."</p> + +<p>So no one ventured an objection.</p> + +<p>The day proved auspicious. Amy was unusually well, everybody else in +good health and spirits, no excuse for staying at home: so all went and +spent the entire day, taking an early start and not returning till late +in the afternoon.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a> +<a name="xxiii" id="xxiii"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> + +<div class="block28"> +<p class="mb0">"<i>Macbeth.</i> <span class="pl4">If</span> we should fail—</p> +<p class="mt0 mb0">"<i>Lady M.</i> <span class="pl10">We</span> fail!<br /> + But screw your courage to the sticking place,<br /> + And we'll not fail."</p> + +<p class="right">—<i>Shakespeare.</i></p> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sunday</span> morning came and our young friends met at the breakfast table, +not in their usual jesting, mirthful mood, but with cheerful gravity of +demeanor, suited to the sacredness of the day.</p> + +<p>"There is no preaching, no sort of religious service within our reach +to-day," Edward remarked.</p> + +<p>"Then shall we not have one of our own?" asked Mary. "I have a book of +sermons: one might be read aloud; then we can have three prayers and as +many hymns as we please; we all sing."</p> + +<p>"And we might have a Bible reading also," suggested Ella. "And suppose +we take up the International Sunday-school Lesson and study it."</p> + +<p>All these propositions were received with favor and eventually carried +out.</p> + +<p>They did not think it wrong to stroll quietly along the shore, or to sit +there watching the play of the billows, and thus they ended their +afternoon.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a> +The evening was pleasantly spent in serious talk and the singing of +hymns on the front porch, where they could feel the breeze and see the +foam-crested waves by the light of a young moon.</p> + +<p>They retired early, feeling that they had had an enjoyable, restful day, +and rose betimes, full of life and vigor—except Amy; and even she felt +equal to a longer stroll than she had yet taken.</p> + +<p>The days flew by on swift wings, each bringing its duties and enjoyments +with it, and so pleasant was the gay, free life they led that at times +they half regretted that it must come to an end.</p> + +<p>Yet there were other times when some, if not all of them, anticipated, +with real satisfaction, the return to the more serious business of life.</p> + +<p>There was a very frequent exchange of visits between their party and the +one to which Edward and Violet more properly belonged; sometimes by way +of the cars, at others by riding or driving; so that Violet was never +many days without sight and speech of her mother and some of the other +dear ones at home; and that reconciled her to a longer absence from it.</p> + +<p>At length the younger Elsie was persuaded to come and spend a few days +with Mary and her party, the mother consenting to spare both daughters +for that length of time. The sweet<a class="pagenum" name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a> girl's presence added much to the +enjoyment of all, especially her sister, for their mutual attachment had +always been very strong.</p> + +<p>One day there was a large fishing party, composed principally of guests +from other houses, which both Elsie and Violet declined to attend; but +Vi, fired with a laudable ambition to emulate her cousin Mary's skill in +the culinary art, volunteered to get dinner, and have it ready by the +time the others returned.</p> + +<p>Each one of them offered to stay and assist, but she would not hear of +it; laughingly asserting that "she wanted all the honor and glory, and +wouldn't have anybody with her but Elsie, who knew nothing about +cooking, but would keep her from being 'lone and lorn,' and perhaps help +a little in those things which were so easy that even the lads could do +them," she concluded, with a merry glance from one to the other.</p> + +<p>Edward was not there, some errand having taken him home by the morning +train.</p> + +<p>"Can you stand that insinuation, Donald?" asked Charlie. "I vote that +you and I stay at home to-morrow and get dinner, just to prove our skill +in that line."</p> + +<p>"Agreed," said Donald; "but what's to be done with the lasses in the +meantime? We can't let them go off pleasuring alone."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Edward can take care of them all for<a class="pagenum" name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a> once; he's to be back by +dinner-time to-day, you know, so will be on hand here to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said Ella, laughing, and with a mock courtesy, "but we are +entirely capable of taking care of ourselves, as perhaps we may prove to +you one of these days. But here's the carriage at the gate. Come, Amy, +I'll help you in. Let us show these lords of creation that they are of +not quite so great importance as they are pleased to imagine."</p> + +<p>She ran gayly out, Amy following a little more slowly, with a regretful +good-bye to the two who were to remain at home.</p> + +<p>The lads hurried after, in season to forestall Ella in assisting Amy +into the vehicle, which the former had hastily entered unaided, before +they could reach it.</p> + +<p>Mary lingered behind a moment to say to Elsie and Violet that she did +not in the least care to go, indeed would prefer to stay with them.</p> + +<p>"No, no, cousin Mary," they both said, "we would not have you miss the +sport, or deprive the rest of the pleasure of your society."</p> + +<p>"Besides," added Violet, with a merry look and smile, "if you were here +I know very well I should miss the opportunity to distinguish myself as +a capable and accomplished cook. So away with you, fair lady! See, the +lads are waiting to hand you into the carriage."</p> + +<p>"Good-bye then, but don't attempt an elaborate<a class="pagenum" name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a> dinner," Mary returned, +as she hastened away.</p> + +<p>The sisters stood on the little porch watching the departure till the +carriage was out of sight.</p> + +<p>Just then a boy carrying a large basket opened the gate and came in.</p> + +<p>"That's right, you are just in good time," was Vi's greeting. "Please +carry them into the kitchen. Have you brought all I ordered?"</p> + +<p>"Yes'm; potatoes, corn, beans, tomats, cabbage, lettuce, and young +beets. All right fresh and nice."</p> + +<p>Violet paid him and he left.</p> + +<p>"There, I shall have a sufficient variety of vegetables," she remarked, +viewing her purchase with satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"O Vi," sighed Elsie, with a look of apprehension, "do you in the least +know what you are about?"</p> + +<p>"Why of course, you dear old goosie! haven't I watched Cousin Mary's +cooking operations for over two weeks? Oh I assure you I'm going to have +a fine dinner! There's a chicken all ready for the oven—cousin showed +me how to make the stuffing and all that. I've engaged fresh fish and +oysters—they'll be coming in directly. I shall make an oyster pie and +broil the fish. I mean to make a boiled pudding and sauce for dessert, +and have bought nuts, raisins and almonds, oranges, bananas and candies +besides, and engaged ice cream and cake."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a> +"Your bill of <a name="fare" id="fare"></a><ins title="Original has fair">fare</ins> sounds very good, but what if you should +fail in the cooking?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no such word as fail for me!" laughed Vi. "I've screwed my courage +to the sticking place, and don't intend to fail. Now we must don our big +aprons and to work; you'll help me with the vegetables, I know."</p> + +<p>"Willingly, if you'll show me how."</p> + +<p>Violet felt very wise and important as she gave her older sister the +requested instruction, then went bustling about making her pudding and +pastry: for she decided to add tarts to her bill of fare, and the oyster +pie must have a very nice crust.</p> + +<p>But as she proceeded with her preparations she discovered that her +knowledge was deficient in regard to many of the details of the business +in hand; she did not know exactly how much time to allow for the cooking +of each dish—how long it would take the chicken to roast, pie and tarts +to bake, pudding and vegetables to boil.</p> + +<p>She grew anxious and nervous in her perplexity; there was no one to give +her the needed information, the cookery books did not supply it, and in +sheer desperation she filled her oven, her pots and kettles as fast as +possible, saying to Elsie it would surely be better to have food a +little overdone than not sufficiently cooked.</p> + +<p>It proved an unfortunate decision, especially<a class="pagenum" name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a> as the fishing party were +an hour later in returning than had been expected.</p> + +<p>Poor Violet was too much mortified to eat when she discovered that there +was no sweetness left in the corn, that her potatoes were water-soaked, +her oysters tough as leather, the chicken scorched and very much +overdone, the fish burnt almost to a cinder, and—oh worst of all! +cooked with the scales on. She had forgotten they had any.</p> + +<p>Her friends all comforted her, however, taking the blame on themselves. +"If they had not been so late, things would not have been so overdone; +it was their fault. And the lettuce, the cold-slaw, and bread and butter +were all very nice. The tarts too."</p> + +<p>But as soon as she tasted them Violet knew she had forgotten the salt in +her crust and that it was tough compared to her Cousin Mary's.</p> + +<p>And then the pudding! oh why did it turn out so heavy? Ah, she had made +it with sour milk and put in no soda.</p> + +<p>"Oh what shall I do?" she said despairingly to Mary, who was helping her +to dish it up. "There's hardly anything fit to eat, and I know you are +all very hungry."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, dear little coz, there is a great deal that's fit to eat," Mary +said, glancing toward he table on which the last course was set +out—except the ice cream, which had not yet been <a name="taken" id="taken"></a><ins title="Original does not have taken out of the">taken out of the</ins> +freezer.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a> +"Yes, those are nice, but the substantial of the meal—just what are +most needed—are all spoiled. Oh what's that?" with a sudden change of +tone as a man bearing a large hamper appeared at the open door; +"something from mamma, I do believe."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Edward, stepping in after the man as the latter set the +hamper down; "and as +<a name="its1" id="its1"></a><ins title="Original has its">it's</ins> more than an hour past dinner time, I +suppose <a name="its2" id="its2"></a><ins title="Original has its">its</ins> very well I didn't come empty handed."</p> + +<p>"O Ned, Ned, you dear, good fellow!" cried Violet, springing to his side +and throwing her arms around his neck.</p> + +<p>"Yes, you may well say that!" he returned, laughing, as he gave her a +kiss, then put her aside and stooped to open the basket, "for I told +mother what you were attempting to-day, and she said 'The poor, dear +child! she will surely fail, so I'll send some provisions with you when +you go.' And here they are, all of the best, of course, for mamma never +does anything by halves," he added, beginning to hand out the viands—a +pair of cold roast fowls, a boiled tongue, pickles, jellies, pies and +cakes in variety,—Mary and Vi receiving them with exclamations of +satisfaction, delight and thankfulness which quickly brought the others +upon the scene, just as the bearer of the hamper, who had gone out on +setting it down, re-entered with a basket of<a class="pagenum" name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a> of beautiful, luscious +looking peaches and grapes.</p> + +<p>"Hello!" exclaimed Charlie, in high glee, "what's all this? a second +dinner?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," returned Violet, "my dear, good mother's atonement for her +conceited daughter's failure."</p> + +<p>"No, no, we don't call it a failure, nor the cook conceited," cried a +chorus of voices; "some things are very nice, and others were spoiled by +our fault in coming home so late."</p> + +<p>"Well, please come back to the table and we'll begin again," said +Violet, carrying the fowls into the dining-room, Mary following with the +tongue, Elsie and Ella with other edibles.</p> + +<p>"Please, some of you, help me carry away dinner number one, to make room +for dinner number two," said Vi, replacing the dish containing her +unfortunate chicken with the one on which she had put the new arrivals.</p> + +<p>Upon that everybody seized one or more of the dishes and hurried back to +the kitchen; and so with a great rushing to and fro and amid much +laughter and many merry jests they respread the board.</p> + +<p>Violet's spirits and appetite had returned, and she joined the others in +making a hearty meal.</p> + +<p>The next morning was cloudy and cool for the season. All agreed it was +just the day for<a class="pagenum" name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a> a long stroll inland, and shortly after breakfast they +set out in a body—Mary, Ella and Edward leading the van, Donald and +Edward's two sisters coming next, Charlie and Amy bringing up the rear.</p> + +<p>There seemed to be a tacit understanding that those two were always to +be together and no remark was ever made about it, but Charlie always +quietly took possession of the fragile little lady, just as if he had +entered into bonds to be her care-taker and entertainer, accommodating +his pace to hers, which was so much slower than that most natural to the +others that they often unintentionally left her far behind.</p> + +<p>They presently met Mrs. Perkins, Fred and Susie, who were also starting +out for a walk, and the two parties joined their forces.</p> + +<p>They passed through the village, and sat down for a little while on some +rustic benches under the trees on the river bank, to rest and enjoy the +pleasing prospect.</p> + +<p>The village lay behind them; before, green slopes dotted here and there +with trees standing singly or in groups; then the sparkling river, to +the left, beyond the bridge, widening into a lake-like expanse, to the +right pouring its waters into the great ocean, on whose broad bosom many +ships, steamers and smaller craft could be seen, some near, others far +away in the distance.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a> +The surface of the river too was enlivened by a number of small +sail-boats slowly moving before the wind, and skiffs that darted hither +and thither. On the further bank the scene was diversified by woods and +fields, with here and there a farm-house, then the sandy beach bordering +the wide blue sea.</p> + +<p>"Are you quite tired out, Amy?" Charlie asked after a little.</p> + +<p>"Oh no, I'm quite rested," she answered gayly, "and feel able to walk a +good deal farther. I am really surprised to find how strong and well I +am."</p> + +<p>"The sea-shore's the place for you evidently," he said; then as she +sprang up nimbly to join the others as they rose and moved on again, +"But I don't know that it would be best to keep you here too long; you +might grow so strong as to feel capable of dispensing with any help from +other folks."</p> + +<p>"Which would be very delightful indeed," she returned with an arch look +and smile as she accepted his offered arm.</p> + +<p>They hastened on after the rest of their party, over a bridge and along +the roadside for some distance, then they all struck into a narrow +footpath on the farther side of the fence, the young men letting down +the bars to give the ladies easy ingress, and followed that through a +bit of woods, crossing a little stream by a broken<a class="pagenum" name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[290]</a> bridge, where again +the lads had the pleasure of giving assistance to their companions of +the weaker sex; then across some cornfields; making a circuit that +brought them back to the river.</p> + +<p>The path now ran along its bank, and still pursuing it they came at +length to a little inlet where was neither bridge nor boat.</p> + +<p>There they stopped and held a consultation. No one wanted to go back by +the way they had come, it was too long and roundabout; if they could but +cross this inlet they could soon reach one of the life-saving stations +on the other side, and there probably find some one who would carry them +across the river in a boat, when a short walk along the beach would take +them to their temporary homes.</p> + +<p>"The water is not deep, I think," said Donald. "I propose that we lads +strip off boots and stockings, wade through and carry the ladies over. I +will wade across first and try its depth."</p> + +<p>He did so, spite of some protests from the more timid of the ladies, and +found it hardly knee-deep. All then agreed to his proposition.</p> + +<p>"Edward and I will make a chair by clasping hands," he said gayly, "and +Fred and Charlie can do likewise if they will, and we will divide the +honor of carrying the ladies over dryshod."</p> + +<p>Donald had a purpose in selecting Edward as his companion and helper in +the undertaking;<a class="pagenum" name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[291]</a> feeling pretty certain that Elsie and Violet would +choose to be carried by their brother, which they did.</p> + +<p>"I see through you, young man," Charlie said to Donald in a laughing +aside while making ready for the trip, "but I don't care very much, if +you leave Miss Fletcher for me."</p> + +<p>"All right," returned Donald, "I intended to, for I see which way the +wind blows. She's light too, my lad, and will be the better suited to +your strength."</p> + +<p>"Strength, man! I'm as able to lift and carry as Lieutenant Keith, if +I'm not greatly mistaken," Charlie said with pretended wrath, "and to +prove it I speak for the carrying of Mrs. Perkins and Miss Neff, who +must be a trifle heavier than any of the other ladies."</p> + +<p>"All right; but fortunately there isn't one in the party heavy enough to +be any great burden to either of us."</p> + +<p>So amid a good deal of mirth and laughter and some timidity and +shrinking on the part of the younger girls, the short journey was made, +and that without mishap or loss.</p> + +<p>Then a short, though toilsome walk through the soft yielding sand +brought them to the life-saving station, a small two-story frame +building standing high on the sandy beach, the restless billows of old +ocean tossing and tumbling not many rods away.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[292]</a> +They were courteously treated by the brave fellows who make this their +abode during eight months of the year, were shown the room on the lower +floor where they cook and eat, the two above where they sleep, and also +all the apparatus for saving the shipwrecked and any others who may be +in danger of drowning within reach of their aid.</p> + +<p>Our friends were all greatly interested in looking at these things—the +colored lamps and flags for signalling, the life-boat, the breeches-buoy +and the life-car—this last especially: it was of metal, shaped like a +row-boat, but covered in over the top, except a square opening large +enough to admit one passenger at a time, and having a sliding door, the +closing of which, after the passengers are in, makes the car completely +water-tight.</p> + +<p>"How many will it hold?" asked Edward.</p> + +<p>"Six or seven grown folks, if they are not very large sized."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I should think they would smother!" cried Violet.</p> + +<p>"It is only about three or four minutes they'd have to stay in it," said +the exhibitor.</p> + +<p>Then he showed them the thick, strong rope or hawser on which it runs, +and the mortar by means of which they send a line to the distressed +vessel with a tally-board attached on which are printed +directions—English on one<a class="pagenum" name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[293]</a> side, French on the other—for the proper +securing of the hawser to the wreck.</p> + +<p>"The other end is made fast on shore, I suppose?" said Amy inquiringly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Miss."</p> + +<p>"And when they have made their end fast and got into the car—"</p> + +<p>"Then we pull 'em ashore."</p> + +<p>"Not a particularly pleasant ride to take, I imagine," remarked Donald.</p> + +<p>"Not so very sir; she's apt to be tossed about pretty roughly by the big +waves; turn over several times, liker than not."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I suppose so."</p> + +<p>"Oh," cried Amy, with a shudder, "I think I'd almost rather drown."</p> + +<p>"No, Miss," said the man, "I guess you'd find even that better'n +drowning."</p> + +<p>Having fully satisfied their curiosity, our friends inquired if there +was anybody about there who would take them across the river.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, I'll row you across, half of you at a time," answered the +man, addressing Donald, who had acted as spokesman for the party. "All +of you at once would be too big a load for the boat."</p> + +<p>It was but a short walk to the river, a few minutes' row across it, and +soon they were all on the farther side and walking along the beach +toward home.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[294]</a> +"Dinner time!" exclaimed Ella, looking at her watch. "What's to be done +about it?"</p> + +<p>Her question seemed to be addressed to Mary.</p> + +<p>"Don't ask me," was the demure reply. "It's none of my concern to-day. +Didn't you hear the agreement between Charlie and Don yesterday?"</p> + +<p>"There! Mr. Charles Perrine, see the scrape you have got yourself and me +into!" exclaimed Donald with a perplexed and rueful look.</p> + +<p>"What in the world are we to do!" cried Charlie, stopping short with his +hand upon the gate and turning so as to face the others.</p> + +<p>"Get in out of the sun for the first thing," replied his cousin.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, of course!" and he stepped back and held the gate open for +the ladies to pass in.</p> + +<p>"We are all hungry as bears, I suppose," he said when they were fairly +in the house. "Come, Mary, be good and tell us what to do. Shall we go +to one of the hotels?"</p> + +<p>"No, make the fire, set the table, and grind some coffee," she answered, +laughing. "I foresaw that I'd have to come to the rescue, and am +prepared. We'll have coffee, stewed oysters, cold fowl left from +yesterday, plenty of good bread, rolls and butter, fruits and cake, and +it won't take many minutes to get it ready."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[295]</a> +"Mary, you're a jewel!" Charlie returned, catching her about the waist +and kissing her on both cheeks.</p> + +<p>"Begone, you impertinent fellow!" she said laughingly as she released +herself and pushed him away. "Even a cousin shouldn't take such +liberties."</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[296]</a> +<a name="xxiv" id="xxiv"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> + +<div class="block20"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="io">"O pilot! 'tis a fearful night,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">There's danger on the deep."<br /></span> + +<p class="right">—<i>Bayly.</i></p> +</div></div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Elsie</span> had gone home, and in a few days our little party would break up +entirely, Ella and Amy return to their homes, Mary, Donald and Charlie +go with Edward and Violet to their mother's cottage to spend some time +as Mrs. Travilla's guests.</p> + +<p>The Allisons had gone, and there was now abundance of room, though the +Conlys, mother and daughter, still lingered, loath to leave the +delightful sea breezes.</p> + +<p>The quiet life led under her cousin Elsie's roof was not much to +Virginia's taste, but nothing better had offered as yet.</p> + +<p>Breakfast was over, the morning tasks the girls had set themselves were +all done, and the whole four came trooping out upon the porch where the +three lads were standing apparently very intent upon some object out at +sea.</p> + +<p>Edward was looking through a spy-glass, which he handed to Donald just +as the girls joined them, saying, "See if you can make out the name."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[297]</a> +"Not quite, but she is certainly a yacht," was Donald's reply, after a +moment's steady gaze at one of the many vessels within sight; for they +had counted more than forty of various sorts and sizes, some outward +bound, others coming in. The one which so excited their interest was +drawing nearer.</p> + +<p>"Let me look," said Mary. "I have the reputation of being very +far-sighted."</p> + +<p>Donald handed her the glass and pointed out the vessel.</p> + +<p>She sighted it, and in another moment said, "Yes, I can read the +name—'The Curlew.'"</p> + +<p>"Ah, ha!" cried Edward in a very pleased tone, "I was correct; it is +Will Tallis's yacht."</p> + +<p>"And really it looks as if he meant to call at Ocean Beach," added +Charlie. "Must have heard, Ned, that you and I are here."</p> + +<p>"Doubtless," laughed Edward.</p> + +<p>"Will Tallis?" repeated Violet inquiringly. "Is he a friend of yours, +Edward?"</p> + +<p>"Why, yes; have you never heard me speak of him? He's a splendid fellow, +one whom I should very willingly introduce to my mother and sisters."</p> + +<p>"And has a yacht of his own?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; he's very rich, and delights in being on the sea. Inherits the +taste, I suppose; his father was a sea-captain. He told us—Charlie<a class="pagenum" name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[298]</a> and +me—that he meant to go yachting this season, and wished he could +persuade us to go with him."</p> + +<p>"And I, for one, should like nothing better," said Charlie. "Why, Ned, +he is coming ashore! See, they have dropped anchor and are putting off +from the yacht in a boat! Yes, here they come, pulling straight for this +beach. Where's my hat? Let's run down, boys, and meet them as they +land!" cried the lad, greatly excited.</p> + +<p>Amy had found his hat and silently handed it to him. Edward and Donald +seized theirs, and all three rushed to the beach.</p> + +<p>"Come, girls," said Ella, "let us go too; why should we miss the fun, if +there is to be any?"</p> + +<p>They put on their hats, took their sun-umbrellas, and started. They +however went only as far as to the sidewalk in front of the Colorado +House—so many people were thronging the beach to witness the landing, +which was now evidently to take place just below there, and our modest, +refined young ladies did not like to be in a crowd.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Perkins and Susie joined them. Fred was away; had gone over to New +York, expecting to return by the evening train.</p> + +<p>"Not much to be seen by us but the waves and the crowd," remarked Ella, +a little impatiently. "Nor much to be heard but the murmur of their +voices."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[299]</a> +"They must have landed, I think," Mrs. Perkins said. "Yes, here they +come; our lads, I mean, and a stranger with them. A very nice looking +fellow he is, too."</p> + +<p>The four young men drew near, and Edward introduced "My friend, Mr. +Tallis," to the ladies.</p> + +<p>He was very gentlemanly in appearance, and had a pleasant, open +countenance, a cordial, hearty manner as he shook hands with the +matronly married lady and lifted his hat to the younger ones.</p> + +<p>"I am happy to make your acquaintance, ladies," he said, with a genial +smile and an admiring glance at Violet, "and have come to ask the +pleasure of your company on board my yacht. I am bound for Boston and +the coasts of New Hampshire and Maine—a short sea-voyage which I trust +you will find enjoyable if I can but persuade you to try it."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Perkins declined, with thanks, for herself and Susie. Violet did +likewise. The other three hesitated, but finally yielded to the +persuasions of the lads.</p> + +<p>"O Edward, you will not go, surely?" whispered Violet, drawing her +brother aside.</p> + +<p>"And why not?" he returned with some impatience.</p> + +<p>"Because you haven't mamma's consent, or grandpa's either."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[300]</a> +"No, but that's only because they are not here to give it. I'm sure +there's nothing objectionable. Will's the very sort of fellow they would +approve, the vessel is new and strong, and the captain and crew +understand their business."</p> + +<p>"But a storm might come up."</p> + +<p>"Why, Vi, how silly! there's no appearance of a storm, and we are not +intending to go far out to sea. Besides, you might just as well bring +that objection to any trip by sea."</p> + +<p>"Yes; but if you had mamma's consent it would be different."</p> + +<p>"I don't see that. I'd ask it, of course, if I could—and be sure to get +it, too, I think—but there isn't time; they don't want to lose this +favorable wind and fine weather, and will be off again within an hour. +Come, make up your mind to go with us: I want you along, for I think it +will be a delightful little voyage."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, brother, but I don't wish to go, and couldn't enjoy it if I +went without mamma's knowledge and consent: and I do wish you would not +go."</p> + +<p>"Vi, I never knew you so absurd and unreasonable! But if you will not go +along, perhaps I ought to stay to take care of you. I had not thought of +that before. Mother left you in my charge, but I am sure she would not +want me to lose this pleasure, and it strikes me as a trifle<a class="pagenum" name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[301]</a> selfish in +you to make it necessary for me to do so."</p> + +<p>"I don't want you to stay on my account," she said, tears springing to +her eyes, "and I don't think you need. I can go home this afternoon by +the cars. Probably mamma would not mind my taking so short a ride +alone."</p> + +<p>"I don't know: but I should enjoy the voyage far more with you along."</p> + +<p>"What is the matter?" asked Mrs. Perkins, overhearing a part of the +talk. "I will take charge of your sister, Mr. Travilla, if she prefers +to stay behind."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," Edward responded with brightening countenance. "But—Vi, +you will not care to bathe while we are gone?"</p> + +<p>"No, Ned, I shall not go in without you, as mamma desired me not."</p> + +<p>"And you are willing for me to go?"</p> + +<p>"Not quite; I wish you wouldn't; only don't stay to take care of me."</p> + +<p>Edward looked a good deal vexed and annoyed.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Perkins," he said, turning to her, "if Fred were here, would you +object to his going?"</p> + +<p>"No, not at all. I should leave him to follow his own inclination. But," +as Edward turned triumphantly to Violet, "I am not meaning to encourage +you to go, if your sister thinks<a class="pagenum" name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[302]</a> your mother might object: all mothers +do not see alike, you know."</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "I imagine I am as competent a judge of that as Violet +is. I feel well-nigh certain that she would bid me go and enjoy myself. +She's not one of the fussy kind of mothers who are afraid to let their +children stir out of their sight."</p> + +<p>"Then you will go?" said Mr. Tallis.</p> + +<p>"Yes," Edward answered, resolutely avoiding Violet's pleading looks.</p> + +<p>"I wish we could persuade your sister," Mr. Tallis said, turning to her. +"Are you timid about venturing on the sea, Miss Travilla?"</p> + +<p>"Not particularly," she said, coloring slightly.</p> + +<p>"Then do come with us! the more the merrier, you know, and I should be +so happy. I do not feel quite comfortable to carry off all the rest of +your party and leave you alone."</p> + +<p>The girls joined their entreaties to his, but Violet was firm in her +resolution to remain on shore.</p> + +<p>Then Mary offered to stay with her, but as Violet felt convinced that it +would involve a sacrifice on her cousin's part, she would not consent.</p> + +<p>They now all hastened back to the cottage to make such preparations as +might be needful. It was not much to any of them, as they expected to +return the next day or the one following.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[303]</a> +"Edward, can I be of any assistance to you?" Violet asked, going to the +door of his room.</p> + +<p>"Yes, if you like to pack this valise. Maybe you would do it better than +I. I'm alone, so come in."</p> + +<p>Violet accepted the invitation, and did the little service quite to his +satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"You are a nice, handy girl, if I do say it that shouldn't," he remarked +laughingly. "But what's the matter?" as he saw that her eyes were full +of tears.</p> + +<p>"O Edward, don't go away vexed with me!" she exclaimed, putting an arm +around his neck. "Suppose a storm should come up, and—and we should +never see each other again."</p> + +<p>The last words came with an irrepressible burst of tears and sobs. The +loving young heart was sore from recent bereavement, and ready to fear +for all its dear ones.</p> + +<p>"Come, don't fret about possibilities," he said, kindly. "I'm not vexed +now, and you must forgive me for calling you selfish."</p> + +<p>"You don't think I am?"</p> + +<p>"No, indeed! but just the darlingest little sister ever a fellow had. I +shouldn't like—if anything should happen—to have you remember that as +one of the last things I had said to you. No, I was the selfish one. Now +good-bye, and don't worry about me," he said, holding her close, and +kissing her several times; "you know,<a class="pagenum" name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[304]</a> Vi dear, that we are under the +same protecting care on sea and on land."</p> + +<p>"Yes," she whispered, but with some hesitation, and drawing a deep sigh.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" he said, "you doubt whether I shall be taken care of because I'm +going without permission. Are you not forgetting that we have always +been trained to think and decide for ourselves in all cases where it is +right and proper for us to do so? And why should I need permission to go +on the sea in a yacht any more than in a fishing-boat? Can you answer me +that?" he concluded, half laughingly.</p> + +<p>"No," she said, with a slight smile, "and I daresay you are in the right +about it."</p> + +<p>"Then you won't change your mind ('tis a woman's privilege, you know) +and go along? It's not yet too late."</p> + +<p>"No, thank you; I do not care to claim all the woman's privileges yet," +she answered with playful look and tone.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Ned! 'most ready?" shouted Charlie from below. "Time's about +up."</p> + +<p>They went down at once.</p> + +<p>The other girls were on the porch quite ready to start, Donald standing +with them. Mrs. Perkins and Susie could be descried down on the beach +waiting to see them off; Mr. Tallis too, chatting with the ladies.</p> + +<p>The young men gathered up the ladies' satchels<a class="pagenum" name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[305]</a> and their own. Charlie +offered his arm to Amy, but she declined it with a laughing assurance +that she was now strong enough to walk without support.</p> + +<p>"Miss Neff," he sighed, turning to Ella, "I've lost my situation: will +you?"</p> + +<p>"And you and the rest of us will, maybe, lose something else if we don't +hurry," she answered lightly. "'Time and tide wait for no man,' so let +us make haste before they fail us."</p> + +<p>These three were very merry, the other three sober almost to absolute +quietness as they made their way to the waiting boat.</p> + +<p>Edward kissed his sister again as he was about to step into it, and she +clung to his neck for a moment whispering, "Ah, I shall pray that you +may come back safely!"</p> + +<p>"Don't borrow trouble, you dear little goose," he said, as he let her +go.</p> + +<p>At the last moment it appeared that Donald was not going.</p> + +<p>There were various exclamations of surprise and disappointment from the +voyagers when his purpose to remain behind became apparent, "They had +understood he was going—why did he change his mind?"</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, with a quiet smile, "a man is not bound to give all his +reasons, but the fact is Mrs. Perkins has held out strong inducements to +me to stay where I am."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[306]</a> +"And he couldn't be in better company, could he?" was her laughing +addition.</p> + +<p>Violet was as much taken by surprise as the others, but in her secret +heart not at all sorry—"It would be so much less lonely with Cousin +Donald there."</p> + +<p>They stood on the beach, waving their handkerchiefs to their departing +friends until the latter had reached the deck of the yacht. Nor did they +cease to watch the vessel so long as the smallest portion of it was +visible, as it faded quite out of sight.</p> + +<p>Violet felt a strong inclination to indulge in a hearty cry, but putting +a determined restraint upon herself, chatted cheerfully instead. Yet her +friends perceived her depression and exerted themselves for her +entertainment.</p> + +<p>"It seems to me," Donald said, with a glance at Violet, but addressing +Mrs. Perkins, as they went into a summer house near by and sat down, +"that this little lady has less of inquisitiveness than most people—(I +will not say most of her sex, for I think my own is by no means +deficient in the characteristic)—or she would have made some inquiry in +regard to the strong inducements I spoke of."</p> + +<p>"What were they?" Violet asked. "You have roused my sleeping curiosity."</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Perkins has kindly offered to come to the cottage and help us with +our housekeeping<a class="pagenum" name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[307]</a> while the rest of the lads and lassies are away, and +to bring Miss Susie and her brother with her."</p> + +<p>Vi's face lighted up with pleasure. "It is very kind," she said. "Now I +shall not mind the absence of the others half so much as I had expected. +I like my little room at the cottage, and do not fancy living in a crowd +as I must anywhere else."</p> + +<p>"Then you will not go home?" Donald said, inquiringly.</p> + +<p>"No; upon second thought I have decided against that plan, because if I +did go I must tell mamma how it happened, and then if a storm should +come up she would be tortured with useless anxiety about my brother."</p> + +<p>"You are very thoughtful of your mother."</p> + +<p>"As any one would be who had such a mother as ours, Cousin Donald."</p> + +<p>"She is certainly very lovely and lovable," he said. "Now about our +meals, cousin. Do you object to taking them in a crowd? at one of the +public houses here?"</p> + +<p>"No; I think it the least of two evils," she answered, with a smile, +"for I own to being somewhat tired of the fun of housework and cooking."</p> + +<p>"Then we will settle upon that plan," Mrs. Perkins said; "sleep and live +at the cottage, breakfast, dine and sup elsewhere."</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[308]</a> +Mrs. Perkins was a very good talker, full of general information, +anecdote and entertaining reminiscences, a delightful companion even to +one as young as Violet.</p> + +<p>Time passed swiftly to them all. Life at the cottage, because it took +them out of the crowd, was more enjoyable than that at the hotels, which +were all very full at this season, and as a consequence, very noisy.</p> + +<p>The cottage seemed very peaceful and quiet by contrast. Indeed it was +far quieter now than it had been at any time in the past two or three +weeks, and Violet, who was beginning to weary of so much sport and +mirthfulness, really found the change agreeable.</p> + +<p>By the middle of the afternoon of the next day they began to watch for +the reappearance of the Curlew; but night closed in again without the +sight.</p> + +<p>There was a very fresh and stormy breeze from the north-east when they +went to bed. In the morning it blew almost a gale, and as Violet's eyes +turned seaward her face wore a very anxious expression.</p> + +<p>"No sign of the Curlew yet," she sighed, as she stood at the parlor +window gazing out upon the wind-tossed billows, plunging, leaping, +roaring, foaming as if in furious passion.</p> + +<p>"No; and we may well thank God that we do not," said Donald's voice +close at her side, "for<a class="pagenum" name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[309]</a> the wind is just in the quarter to drive them +ashore: I hope they are giving the land a wide berth."</p> + +<p>She looked up into his face with frightened eyes.</p> + +<p>"Do not be alarmed," he said; "let us not anticipate evil. They may be +safe in port somewhere; and at all events we know who rules the winds +and waves."</p> + +<p>"Yes," she murmured, in low tremulous tones, "the stormy wind fulfils +His word: and no real evil shall befall any of His children."</p> + +<p>There was a moment of silence; then, "It is about breakfast time now," +he said, "but you will not venture out in this gale, surely? Shall I not +have your meal sent in to you?"</p> + +<p>"Thank you, but I prefer to make the effort to go," she said; "I want to +get a nearer view of the sea."</p> + +<p>The others felt the same desire, and presently they all started out +together.</p> + +<p>The ladies found it as much as they could do to keep their feet even +with the assistance of their stronger companions, and the great, +wind-driven waves sometimes swept across the sidewalk.</p> + +<p>It was clearly dangerous, if not impossible, to approach nearer to the +surging waters. The gale was increasing every moment, the sky had grown +black with clouds and distant mutterings<a class="pagenum" name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[310]</a> of thunder, and an occasional +lightning flash gave warning that the worst was yet to come. Evidently +it would be no day for outdoor exercise or amusement.</p> + +<p>Regaining the cottage with difficulty, after eating their breakfast they +brought out books, games and fancy work, resolved to make the best of +circumstances. Yet anxious as they were for the fate of their friends, +the voyagers in the yacht, they did little but gaze out upon the sea, +looking for the Curlew, but glad that neither she nor any other vessel +was in sight.</p> + +<p>The Curlew's cabin was comfortably, even luxuriously furnished, her +larder well supplied with all the delicacies of the season. Favored with +beautiful weather and propitious winds, our friends found their first +day out from Ocean Beach most enjoyable.</p> + +<p>They passed the greater part of their time on deck, now promenading, now +reclining in extension chairs, chatting, laughing, singing to the +accompaniment of flute and violin; the one played by Edward, the other +by Charlie.</p> + +<p>The yacht was a swift sailer, her motion easy, and until the afternoon +of the second day they were scarcely troubled with sea-sickness. Most of +the time they kept within sight of land, touching at Boston, Portsmouth, +and several other of the New England seaports, and continuing on their +course until the wind changed,<a class="pagenum" name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[311]</a> when they turned, with the purpose of +going directly back to Ocean Beach.</p> + +<p>For some hours all went well, a stiff breeze carrying them rapidly in +the desired direction; but it grew stronger and shifted to a dangerous +quarter, while the rough and unsteady motion of the vessel made all the +passengers so sea-sick that they began to heartily wish themselves safe +on land.</p> + +<p>The ladies grew frightened, but the captain assured them there was as +yet little cause for alarm. He had shortened sail and put out to sea, +fearing the dangers of the coast.</p> + +<p>But the wind increased constantly until by night it was blowing a gale, +and though every stitch of canvas had been taken in and furled, they +were being driven landward.</p> + +<p>All night long the seamen fought against the storm, striving to keep out +to sea, but conscious that their efforts were nearly futile. There was +little sleep that night for passengers or crew.</p> + +<p>Morning broke amid a heavy storm of rain, accompanied by thunder and +lightning, while the wind seemed to have redoubled its fury, blowing +directly toward the shore.</p> + +<p>The girls, conscious that they were in peril of shipwreck, had gone to +their berths without undressing. Amy had been very sick all night, and +the other two, who stood it better, had done their best to wait upon +her, though it was little<a class="pagenum" name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[312]</a> that could be done for her relief, and the +pitching and rolling of the vessel frequently threw them with violence +against each other or the furniture.</p> + +<p>"It is morning," said Ella at length; "see, it grows light in spite of +the storm; and I hear voices in the saloon. Shall I open the door?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Mary, "let us learn the worst, and try to be prepared for +it."</p> + +<p>The three young men were in the saloon, and the girls joined them, Amy +looking like the ghost of herself.</p> + +<p>Charlie, who had stationed himself near her door, instantly gave her the +support of his arm, putting it about her waist, while he held fast to +the furniture with the other hand, and her head dropped on his shoulder.</p> + +<p>With death staring them in the face they did not care for the eyes of +their companions in peril: who, indeed, were too full of the danger and +solemnity of their own position to pay any attention to the matter.</p> + +<p>"O darling," Charlie said hoarsely, "if I could only put you safe on +shore!"</p> + +<p>"Never mind," she answered, looking lovingly into his eyes, "if we die, +we shall die together; and O Charlie, as we both trust in Jesus, it will +only be going home together to be 'forever with the Lord,' never, never +to part again!"</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[313]</a> +"Yes, there's comfort in that," he said; "and if you are to go, I'm glad +I'm here to go with you. But life is sweet, Amy, and we will not give up +hope yet."</p> + +<p>Mary and Edward had clasped hands, each gazing silently into the sad and +anxious face of the other.</p> + +<p>She was thinking of her invalid mother, her father, brothers and +sisters, and how they would miss her loving ministrations.</p> + +<p>He too thought of his tender mother so lately widowed, her sorrow over +the loss of her first-born son; and of other dear ones, especially +Violet, away from all the rest, the only one conscious of his danger. He +was glad now that she had refused to come with them, but he knew the +terrible anxiety she must feel, the almost heart-breaking sorrow his +loss and the sight of their mother's grief would be to her.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Tallis, I know we must be in great danger," Ella said, as he took +her hand to help her to a seat. "Is there any hope at all?"</p> + +<p>"Oh surely, Miss Neff!" he replied; "we will not give up hope yet, +though we are indeed in fearful peril. The greatest danger is that we +shall be driven ashore; but we are still some distance off the coast, +and the wind may change or lull sufficiently for an anchor to hold when +we are in water shallow enough for trying that expedient. And even +should we be wrecked,<a class="pagenum" name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[314]</a> there will be still a chance for us in the good +offices of the members of the life-saving service."</p> + +<p>"Ah, yes," she said, a gleam of hope shining in her eyes, "the brave +fellows will not leave us to perish if they can help us."</p> + +<p>"And we will put our trust in God," added Mary.</p> + +<p>What a day it was to them all, the storm raging throughout the whole of +it with unabated fury, and their hope of escape from the dangers of the +deep growing less and less.</p> + +<p>The patrolmen were out, and toward sundown one of them descried the +masts of a vessel far away in the distance. It was seen by others also, +for all day long many glasses had been, at frequent intervals, sweeping +the whole field of vision seaward.</p> + +<p>The news spread like wildfire, creating a great excitement among the +multitude of people gathered in the hotels and boarding-houses, as well +as among the dwellers by the sea, not excepting the brave surfmen whose +aid was likely to be in speedy requisition.</p> + +<p>Hundreds of pairs of eyes watched the vessel battling with the storm, +yet spite of every effort sweeping nearer and nearer the dreadful +breakers. She seemed doomed to destruction, but darkness fell while yet +she was too far away for recognition.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[315]</a> +Violet and her companions had gazed upon her with fast beating hearts +from the time of her appearance until they could no longer catch the +faintest outline of her figure in the gathering gloom.</p> + +<p>Donald had nearly satisfied himself of her identity, but would not for +any consideration have had Violet know that he believed her to be the +Curlew. Even without that confirmation of her fears, the anxiety of the +poor child was such that it was painful to witness.</p> + +<p>It was indeed the Curlew, and about the time she was descried by those +on land the captain remarked aside to her owner, "The Jersey shore is in +sight, Mr. Tallis, and nothing short of a miracle can save us from +wreck, for we are driving right on to it in spite of all that can be +done. The Curlew is doomed, she has dragged her anchor, and will be in +the breakers before many hours."</p> + +<p>"It will be a heavy loss to me, captain," was the reply, "but if all our +lives are saved I shall not grumble; shall on the contrary be filled +with thankfulness."</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, we'll hope for the best," was the cheerful rejoinder.</p> + +<p>Soon all on board knew the full extent of the danger, and our young +friends gave themselves to solemn preparation for eternity; also, in +view of the possibility of some being saved while<a class="pagenum" name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[316]</a> others were lost, +made an exchange of parting messages to absent loved ones.</p> + +<p>It was again a sleepless night to them; sleepless to our Ocean Beach +friends at the cottage also, and to many others whose hearts were filled +with sympathy for those in the doomed vessel.</p> + +<p>About midnight the report of a signal gun of distress sent all rushing +to the beach. She had struck, not a quarter of a mile from the shore; +and as the clouds broke away the dark outline of her hull could be +distinctly discerned among the foam-tipped breakers.</p> + +<p>The rain had ceased, and there was a slight lull in the tempest of wind, +so that it was possible to stand on the beach; but so furious still was +the action of the waves that the patrolman, having instantly answered +the gun by burning his signal-light, and now rushing in among his mates, +reported that the surf-boat could not be used.</p> + +<p>So the mortar-car was ordered out.</p> + +<p>There was not an instant's delay. Gallantly the men bent to their work, +dragged the car toilsomely over the low sand-hills to a spot directly +opposite the wreck, and by the light of a lantern placed it and every +part of the apparatus—the shot-line box, hauling lines and hawser for +running, with the breeches-buoy attached—in position, put the tackles +in place ready for<a class="pagenum" name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[317]</a> hauling, and with pick and spade dug a trench for +the sand anchor.</p> + +<p>Each man having his particular part of the work assigned him, and +knowing exactly what he was to do and how to do it, and all acting +simultaneously, the whole thing was accomplished in a short space of +time after reaching the desired spot.</p> + +<p>An anxious, excited crowd was looking on. Apart from the throng and a +little higher up the beach were our friends, Fred in charge of his +mother and Susie, Donald with Violet under his protection.</p> + +<p>She had begged so hard to come, "because it might be the Curlew, so how +could she stay away?" that he had no heart to resist her entreaties. And +he felt that she would be safe in his care, while Mrs. Perkins' presence +made it perfectly proper.</p> + +<p>All being in readiness the gun was fired, and the shot flew through the +rigging of the ill-fated vessel.</p> + +<p>Edward, now standing on her deck, understood just what was to be done, +and no time was lost. With a glad shout, heard by those on shore, the +line was seized by the sailors and rapidly hauled in.</p> + +<p>Ere long the hawser was stretched straight and taut between the beach +and the wreck—the shore end being raised several feet in the air by<a class="pagenum" name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[318]</a> +the erection of a wooden crotch—and the breeches-buoy was ready to be +drawn to and fro upon it.</p> + +<p>"Will you try it first, sir?" the captain of the Curlew said to Mr. +Tallis.</p> + +<p>"No, I should be the last man to leave the wreck."</p> + +<p>"Go, go, Will!" cried Edward imperatively; "go and tell them to send the +life-car, for there are ladies to be saved."</p> + +<p>"Yes, go sir; don't waste precious time in disputing," cried the +captain; and thus urged the young man went.</p> + +<p>He reached the shore in safety, was welcomed with a glad shout, and +instantly the word circulated among the crowd, "The owner of the Curlew. +It is she."</p> + +<p>Violet had nearly fallen fainting to the ground, but Donald, supporting +her with his arm said in her ear, "Courage, my brave lassie! and they +shall all be saved."</p> + +<p>"Take care of my mother and sister for a moment, Keith!" exclaimed Fred, +and plunging into the crowd he quickly made his way to the side of the +rescued man.</p> + +<p>"This way, if you please," he said, touching him on the shoulder; "a +lady, Miss Travilla, would be glad to speak to you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes! I know!" and all dripping and panting as he was, but having +already delivered<a class="pagenum" name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[319]</a> his message, and seen the men on the way for the +safety-car, he went to her.</p> + +<p>"It is Mr. Tallis," Fred said; "Miss Travilla, my mother and sister, and +Mr. Keith," for it was too dark for a distinct view of each other's +faces.</p> + +<p>"My brother?" faltered Violet, holding out her hand.</p> + +<p>"Is uninjured thus far, my dear young lady, and I trust will be with you +in a few minutes. The vessel must, I presume, go to pieces finally, but +will undoubtedly hold together long enough for all on board to be +brought safely to shore."</p> + +<p>Men from among the crowd had volunteered to assist in bringing the car, +and while awaiting its coming the breeches-buoy travelled back and +forth, bringing the sailors; for neither Edward nor Charlie would leave +the ladies, and the captain insisted that he should be the last man to +be rescued.</p> + +<p>From the hour of their early morning meeting in the saloon the Curlew's +passengers were almost constantly together, a very sober, solemn, and +nearly silent company. Mary, in speaking of it afterward, said she felt +as if she were attending her own funeral and listening to the sighs and +sobs of her bereaved friends.</p> + +<p>"And yet," she added with a bright, glad smile, "it was not all sadness +and gloom; for the consolations of God were not small with<a class="pagenum" name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[320]</a> me, and the +thought of soon being with Christ in glory was at times very sweet."</p> + +<p>When the vessel struck, Charlie started up with a sharp cry, "We are +lost!"</p> + +<p>Then all immediately fell on their knees while Edward poured out a +fervent prayer, that they might be saved from a watery grave, if such +were the will of God, if not, prepared for death and a glorious +immortality; adding a final petition for the dear ones who would grieve +for their loss.</p> + +<p>Just as they rose from their knees the signal gun was fired.</p> + +<p>Then the captain came down the companion-way and looking in upon them, +said. "Don't despair ladies and gentlemen; things are not quite so bad +as they might be; we have grounded very near the shore and a life-saving +station, and my signal gun was immediately replied to by the patrolman +with his red signal light. So we may feel assured that prompt and +efficient help is near at hand."</p> + +<p>Hope revived in their breasts, as they listened; then Will Tallis and +Edward ventured upon deck, leaving the girls in Charlie's charge.</p> + +<p>The warning lights on shore gave to the anxious watchers on the deck an +inkling of what was being done for their relief, and when the shot was +fired from the mortar and came whizzing through the rigging, Edward +cried out in<a class="pagenum" name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[321]</a> delight. "The line, the line! Now we shall be helped +ashore!"</p> + +<p>As the vessel was now without motion, save a shiver as now and again a +great wave struck her, the girls were pretty comfortable and in no +immediate danger, and as they urged it, Charlie, too, at length ventured +upon deck.</p> + +<p>He soon returned with an encouraging report, the better understood by +the girls because of their late visit to the life-saving station. "The +sailors were hauling in the line," he said, and soon the work of +transporting them all to land would begin.</p> + +<p>Amy shuddered at the thought of a ride in the life-car, yet, as the +surfman had predicted, felt that even that would be far preferable to +drowning.</p> + +<p>The next report brought them was of Mr. Tallis's safe landing, and the +next that the life-car waited for them.</p> + +<p>Edward, the captain, and two sailors helped Mary and Ella across the +wind-swept deck and into the car, Charlie and another sailor following +with Amy.</p> + +<p>They put her in after the other two and Charlie stepped in next, calling +to Edward to come also.</p> + +<p>"No," was the quiet reply. "I go by the breeches-buoy."</p> + +<p>The sliding door was hastily shut, and Amy<a class="pagenum" name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[322]</a> gasped for breath as she +felt the car gliding swiftly along the hawser, while the great waves +dashed over it, rocking it from side to side.</p> + +<p>Charlie's arm was round her, holding her close, but she grew deathly +sick and fainted quite away.</p> + +<p>The minutes seemed hours, but at last they heard, above the thunder of +the breaking waves, a great shout, and at the same instant felt the car +grate upon the sand.</p> + +<p>The door was pushed open, Charlie, the nearest to it, stepped out, drew +Amy after him, apparently more dead than alive, and leaving it to others +to assist Mary and Ella, bore her in his arms, in almost frantic haste, +to the nearest house.</p> + +<p>Mary was in Vi's arms almost before she knew that she had actually +reached shore; Vi kissing her with tears and sobs, and crying, "Edward, +Edward, where is he?"</p> + +<p>"Coming," Mary said, "the brave, generous fellow would see us all safe +first."</p> + +<p>It was not long now till Violet's anxiety was fully relieved and her +heart sending up glad thanksgivings as she found herself clasped to her +brother's breast, all dripping wet though he was.</p> + +<p>And great was the joy of the young owner of the Curlew when he learned +that though she was a total wreck, not a single soul had been lost in +her.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[323]</a> +<a name="xxv" id="xxv"></a>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> + +<div class="block30"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="io">"Those that he loved so long and sees no more,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Loved and still loves,—not dead, but gone before,—<br /></span> +<span class="i2">He gathers round him."<br /></span> + +<p class="right">—<i>Rogers.</i></p> +</div></div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> morning was but dull and dreary, for though the storm had spent +itself, the sky was obscured with clouds and the sea still wrought +tempestuously; but its sullen roar may, perchance, have been as +favorable to the prolonged slumbers of our worn-out friends, whom the +tempest had robbed of so many hours of their accustomed sleep, as the +lack of brightness in the sky and atmosphere.</p> + +<p>However that may have been, most of them, retiring about dawn of day, +slept on till noon, or near it.</p> + +<p>In Mrs. Travilla's cottage the family gathered round the breakfast table +at the usual hour.</p> + +<p>The meal was nearly concluded when a servant brought in the morning +paper and handed it to Mr. Dinsmore.</p> + +<p>"I fear that brings news of many disasters caused by the storm, +especially on the Atlantic seaboard," remarked his daughter as he took +it up.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[324]</a> +"Altogether likely," was his rejoinder. Then as he ran his eye down the +long list of casualties, "Why, what is this?" he exclaimed, and went on +to read aloud.</p> + +<p>"Went ashore last night at Ocean Beach, the Curlew, a pleasure yacht +belonging to W. V. Tallis; Captain Collins. She is a total wreck, but no +lives were lost, passengers and crew being taken off by the men of +Life-Saving Station No. —. List of passengers, Mr. W. V. Tallis, Mr. +Edward Travilla, Mr. Charles Perrine, Miss Mary Keith, Miss Amy +Fletcher, and Miss Ella Neff."</p> + +<p>There was a moment of astonished silence, then "Violet!" gasped the +mother, turning deathly pale.</p> + +<p>"She was evidently not on board," Mr. Dinsmore hastened to reply, "or +else her name was carelessly omitted in the list, for it says +distinctly, 'No lives were lost.'"</p> + +<p>"I hope you are right, Horace," Mrs. Conly remarked, "but if she were my +child I shouldn't have any peace till I knew all about it."</p> + +<p>"There isn't the least probability that if a life had been lost the +reporter would have failed to say so," returned Mr. Dinsmore with some +severity of tone.</p> + +<p>"Of course you are in the right, Horace, you always are," she said, +bridling.</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked Virginia, "I'm astonished,<a class="pagenum" name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[325]</a> I must own, that such +pattern good children should go off on such an expedition without so +much as saying by your leave to either mother or guardian."</p> + +<p>"I have just said that I am morally certain Violet did not go," said Mr. +Dinsmore.</p> + +<p>"And I do not blame Edward that he did," added the mother in her sweet, +gentle tones; "he is old enough now to decide such matters for himself +in the absence of his natural guardians. Also he knows me well enough to +judge pretty correctly whether I would approve or not, and I should not +have objected had I been there."</p> + +<p>"Shall we drive over and see about the children?" asked her father.</p> + +<p>"Yes, papa, if you please, and let us start as soon as the necessary +arrangements can be made."</p> + +<p>Violet had scarcely completed her morning toilet, though it was a little +past noon, when glancing from the window she saw a carriage at the gate +and her grandfather in the act of assisting her mother to alight from +it.</p> + +<p>With a low, joyous exclamation, she flew to meet and welcome them.</p> + +<p>"Mamma, mamma! I am so glad, so glad you have come!"</p> + +<p>"My darling, my darling! Thank God that I have you safe in my arms!" the +mother said,<a class="pagenum" name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[326]</a> holding her close with kisses and tears. "What is this I +hear of danger and shipwreck?"</p> + +<p>"It is a long story, mamma; but we are all safe. Edward, Charlie, and +the girls are still sleeping, I believe, for they were worn out with +anxiety and the loss of two nights' rest."</p> + +<p>"And you, dear child?"</p> + +<p>"Was not with them, but of course slept but little last night—indeed +not at all until after daybreak, when they were all safe on shore—and +have only just risen."</p> + +<p>"Then we will hear the story after you have breakfasted," her +grandfather said.</p> + +<p>They did not get the whole of it, however, until Edward joined them, an +hour or two later. It was to them a deeply interesting and thrilling +account that he gave. He had also much to say in Violet's praise, but +was relieved and gratified to learn that neither mother nor grandfather +blamed him for the course he had taken. He brought in his friend Tallis +and introduced him, and was glad to see that the impression on both +sides was favorable.</p> + +<p>Edward had already urged Tallis to pay him a visit, and Mr. Dinsmore and +Elsie repeated the invitation. But the young man declined it for the +present, on the plea that the loss of his vessel made it necessary for +him to give his attention to some pressing business matters.</p> + +<p>Elsie proposed taking her son and daughter<a class="pagenum" name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[327]</a> home with her, and they were +nothing loath. She would have had all the rest of the young party come +at once to her cottage and remain as long as they found it agreeable to +do so, but all declined with thanks however, except Donald, Mary and +Charlie, who promised to come in a few days. Amy was not quite able to +travel; they would stay with her until she was sufficiently recruited to +undertake the journey to her own home. Charlie would see her and Ella +safely there, and follow Mary to the cottage home of the Travillas.</p> + +<p>Before leaving Ocean Beach, Elsie and her father visited the life-saving +station, and the latter insisted upon bestowing a generous reward upon +each of the brave surfmen. Also he contributed largely to the making +good their losses to the poor shipwrecked sailors.</p> + +<p>Most joyously was the return of Edward and Violet welcomed by +grandmother, brothers and sisters. Edward was the hero of the hour, +especially with Harold and Herbert, who in fact quite envied him his +adventure now that it was safely over.</p> + +<p>Violet found home and its beloved occupants dearer and more delightful +than ever. The presence there of her aunt and cousin seemed the only +drawback upon her felicity; yet that occasionally proved a serious one +to both herself and "Cousin Donald," with whom Virginia was determined +to get up a flirtation.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[328]</a> +He did not admire her and would not fall in with her plans, perceiving +which she turned against him, became his bitter foe, and made him and +Violet both uncomfortable by sly hints that he was seeking her; and that +simply because she was an heiress.</p> + +<p>Old Mr. Dinsmore had gone to visit his daughter Adeline and most +sincerely did Violet wish that "Aunt Louise" and Virginia would follow.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Travilla was, as we have said, living a very retired life, not +mingling in general society at all, but an old friend of her husband and +father, who had been a frequent and welcome guest at the Oaks and Ion, +had taken up his temporary residence at a hotel near by, and now and +then joined their party on the beach or dropped in at the cottage for a +friendly chat with Mr. Dinsmore.</p> + +<p>Sometimes Mrs. Travilla was present and took part in the conversation; +once or twice it had happened that they had been alone together for a +few moments. She neither avoided intercourse with the gentleman nor +sought it; though he was a widower and much admired by many of her sex.</p> + +<p>Perhaps Mrs. Conly and Virginia were the only persons who had any +sinister thoughts in connection with the matter; but they, after the +manner of the human race, judged others by themselves.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[329]</a> +One day Violet accidentally overheard a little talk between them that +struck her first with indignation and astonishment, then with grief and +dismay.</p> + +<p>"What brings Mr. Ford here, do you suppose, mamma?" inquired Virginia, +in a sneering tone.</p> + +<p>"What a question, Virginia, for a girl of your sense!" replied her +mother, "he's courting Elsie, of course. Isn't she a rich and beautiful +widow? I had almost added young, for she really looks hardly older than +her eldest daughter."</p> + +<p>"Well, do you think he'll succeed?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I do; sooner or later. He is certainly a very attractive man, and +she can't be expected to live single all the rest of her days. But what +a foolish will that was of Travilla's—leaving everything in her hands!"</p> + +<p>"Why, mamma?"</p> + +<p>"Because Ford may get it all into his possession and make way with it by +some rash speculation. Men often do those things."</p> + +<p>Violet was alone in a little summer-house in the garden, back of the +cottage, with a book. She had been very intent upon it until roused by +the sound of the voices of her aunt and cousin, who had been pacing up +and down the walk and now paused for an instant close to her, though a +thick growth of vines hid her from sight.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[330]</a> +They moved on with Mrs. Conly's last word, and the young girl sprang to +her feet, her cheeks aflame, her eyes glittering, her small hand +clenched till the nails sank into the soft flesh. "How dare they talk so +of mamma! and papa too, dear, dear papa!" she exclaimed half aloud; then +her anger and grief found vent in a burst of bitter weeping as she cast +herself down upon the seat from which she had risen, and bowed her head +upon her hands.</p> + +<p>The storm of feeling was so violent that she did not hear a light, +approaching footstep, did not know that any one was near until she felt +herself taken into loving arms that clasped her close, while her mamma's +sweet voice asked in tenderest tones, "my poor darling, what can have +caused you such distress?"</p> + +<p>"Mamma, mamma, don't ask me! please don't ask me!" she cried, hiding her +blushing, tearful face on her mother's bosom.</p> + +<p>"Has my dear Vi then secrets from her mother?" Elsie asked in tones of +half reproachful tenderness.</p> + +<p>"Only because it would distress you to know, dearest mamma. Oh I could +not bear to hurt you so!" sobbed the poor girl.</p> + +<p>"Still tell me, dearest" urged the mother. "Nothing could hurt me so +sorely as the loss of my child's confidence."</p> + +<p>"Then mamma, I will; but oh don't think that I believe one word of it +all." Then with<a class="pagenum" name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[331]</a> a little hesitation. "I think mamma, that I am not +doing wrong to tell you, though the words were not meant for my ear?"</p> + +<p>"I think not, my dear child, since it seems it is something that +concerns both you and me."</p> + +<p>The short colloquy had burnt itself into Violet's brain and she repeated +it verbatim.</p> + +<p>It caused her loved listener a sharper pang than she knew or supposed. +Elsie was deeply hurt and for a moment her indignation waxed hot against +her ungrateful, heartless relations.</p> + +<p>Then her heart sent up a strong cry for help to forgive even as she +would be forgiven.</p> + +<p>But she must comfort Vi, and how vividly at this moment did memory +recall a little scene in her own early childhood when she was in like +sore distress from a similar fear, roused in very nearly the same +manner; and her father comforted her.</p> + +<p>"Vi, darling," she said in quivering tones, and with a tender caress, +"it is altogether a mistake. And you need never fear anything of the +kind. Your beloved father is no more dead to me than though he were but +in the next room. His place is not now—can never be, vacant in either +my home or my heart. We are separated for time by 'the stream—the +narrow stream of death,' but when I, too, have crossed it, we shall be +together, never to part again."</p> + + +<h3>THE END.</h3> + + + +<hr /> + +<p class="center"><strong>A LIST OF THE ELSIE BOOKS AND<br /> +OTHER POPULAR BOOKS</strong></p> + +<p class="center big">BY MARTHA FINLEY</p> + +<hr class="hr3" /> + +<div class="block34"> +<p class="noi mb0"><i>ELSIE DINSMORE.</i></p> +<p class="indent2 mt0 mb0"><i>ELSIE'S HOLIDAYS AT ROSELANDS.</i></p> +<p class="indent4 mt0 mb0"><i>ELSIE'S GIRLHOOD.</i></p> +<p class="indent6 mt0 mb0"><i>ELSIE'S WOMANHOOD.</i></p> +<p class="indent8 mt0 mb0"><i>ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.</i></p> +<p class="indent10 mt0 mb0"><i>ELSIE'S CHILDREN.</i></p> +<p class="noi mt0 mb0"><i>ELSIE'S WIDOWHOOD.</i></p> +<p class="indent2 mt0 mb0"><i>GRANDMOTHER ELSIE.</i></p> +<p class="indent4 mt0 mb0"><i>ELSIE'S NEW RELATIONS.</i></p> +<p class="indent6 mt0 mb0"><i>ELSIE AT NANTUCKET.</i></p> +<p class="indent8 mt0 mb0"><i>THE TWO ELSIES.</i></p> +<p class="indent10 mt0 mb0"><i>ELSIE'S KITH AND KIN.</i></p> +<p class="noi mt0 mb0"><i>ELSIE'S FRIENDS AT WOODBURN.</i></p> +<p class="indent2 mt0 mb0"><i>CHRISTMAS WITH GRANDMA ELSIE.</i></p> +<p class="indent4 mt0 mb0"><i>ELSIE AND THE RAYMONDS.</i></p> +<p class="indent6 mt0 mb0"><i>ELSIE YACHTING WITH THE RAYMONDS.</i></p> +<p class="indent8 mt0 mb0"><i>ELSIE'S VACATION.</i></p> +<p class="indent10 mt0 mb0"><i>ELSIE AT VIAMEDE.</i></p> +<p class="noi mt0 mb0"><i>ELSIE AT ION.</i></p> +<p class="indent2 mt0 mb0"><i>ELSIE AT THE WORLD'S FAIR.</i></p> +<p class="indent4 mt0 mb0"><i>ELSIE'S JOURNEY ON INLAND WATERS.</i></p> +<p class="indent6 mt0 mb0"><i>ELSIE AT HOME.</i></p> +<p class="indent8 mt0 mb0"><i>ELSIE ON THE HUDSON.</i></p> +<p class="indent10 mt0 mb0"><i>ELSIE IN THE SOUTH.</i></p> +<p class="indent12 mt0 mb0"><i>ELSIE'S YOUNG FOLKS.</i></p> +<p class="indent14 mt0 mb0"><i>ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP.</i></p> +<p class="indent16 mt0 mb0"><i>ELSIE AND HER LOVED ONES.</i></p> + +<hr class="hr3" /> + +<p class="noi mb0"><i>MILDRED KEITH.</i></p> +<p class="indent2 mt0 mb0"><i>MILDRED AT ROSELANDS.</i></p> +<p class="indent4 mt0 mb0"><i>MILDRED'S MARRIED LIFE.</i></p> +<p class="indent6 mt0 mb0"><i>MILDRED AND ELSIE.</i></p> +<p class="indent8 mt0 mb0"><i>MILDRED AT HOME.</i></p> +<p class="indent10 mt0 mb0"><i>MILDRED'S BOYS AND GIRLS.</i></p> +<p class="indent12 mt0 mb0"><i>MILDRED'S NEW DAUGHTER.</i></p> + +<hr class="hr3" /> +<p class="noi mb0"><i>CASELLA.</i></p> +<p class="indent2 mt0 mb0"><i>SIGNING THE CONTRACT AND WHAT IT COST.</i></p> +<p class="indent4 mt0 mb0"><i>THE TRAGEDY OF WILD RIVER VALLEY.</i></p> +<p class="indent6 mt0 mb0"><i>OUR FRED.</i></p> +<p class="indent8 mt0 mb0"><i>AN OLD-FASHIONED BOY.</i></p> +<p class="indent10 mt0 mb0"><i>WANTED, A PEDIGREE.</i></p> +<p class="indent12 mt0 mb0"><i>THE THORN IN THE NEST.</i></p> +</div> + + +<hr /> + +<div class="box"> +<p class="center">Transcriber's Note</p> + +<p class="noi">Punctuation has been made consistent. Spelling, grammar +and hyphenation have been retained as they appear in the original +publication except as follows:</p> + +<p class="noi">Page 9<br /> +here can't be another one, I'm very, evry <i>changed to</i><br /> +<a href="#there">there</a> can't be another one, I'm very, very</p> + +<p class="noi">Page 11<br /> +so useful and sinful a thing <i>changed to</i><br /> +so <a href="#useless">useless</a> and sinful a thing</p> + +<p class="noi">Page 15<br /> +generous master and mistresss <i>changed to</i><br /> +generous master and <a href="#mistress">mistress</a></p> + +<p class="noi">Page 55<br /> +so fair and spirituel <i>changed to</i><br /> +so fair and <a href="#spiritual">spiritual</a></p> + +<p class="noi">Page 98<br /> +pared not, because my papa <i>changed to</i><br /> +<a href="#dared">dared</a> not, because my papa</p> + +<p class="noi">Page 102<br /> +Crudens' Concordance and other <i>changed to</i><br /> +<a href="#Crudens">Cruden's</a> Concordance and other</p> + +<p class="noi">Page 144<br /> +strong attachment beween herself <i>changed to</i><br /> +strong attachment <a href="#between">between</a> herself</p> + +<p class="noi">Page 150<br /> +countanence, and her bright <i>changed to</i><br /> +<a href="#countenance">countenance</a>, and her bright</p> + +<p class="noi">Page 213<br /> +of the Lord is as trong <i>changed to</i><br /> +of the Lord is <a href="#strong">a strong</a></p> + +<p class="noi">Page 214<br /> +embassador of Christ is <i>changed to</i><br /> +<a href="#ambassador">ambassador</a> of Christ is</p> + +<p class="noi">Page 233<br /> +gentlemen's wife among the rest <i>changed to</i><br /> +<a href="#gentleman">gentleman's</a> wife among the rest</p> + +<p class="noi">Page 234<br /> +aint you <i>changed to</i><br /> +<a href="#aint">ain't</a> you</p> + +<p class="noi">Page 244<br /> +enefit from his visit <i>changed to</i><br /> +<a href="#benefit">benefit</a> from his visit</p> + +<p class="noi">Page 264<br /> +al together they watched <i>changed to</i><br /> +<a href="#as">as</a> together they watched</p> + +<p class="noi">Page 284<br /> +Your bill of fair sounds <i>changed to</i><br /> +Your bill of <a href="#fare">fare</a> sounds</p> + +<p class="noi">Page 285<br /> +which had not yet been freezer <i>changed to</i><br /> +which had not yet been <a href="#taken">taken out of the</a> freezer</p> + +<p class="noi">Page 286<br /> +and as its more ... suppose its very <i>changed to</i><br /> +and as <a href="#its1">it's</a> more ... suppose <a href="#its2">it's</a> very</p> +</div> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELSIE'S WIDOWHOOD***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 38353-h.txt or 38353-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/8/3/5/38353">http://www.gutenberg.org/3/8/3/5/38353</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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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's Widowhood + A Sequel to Elsie's Children + + +Author: Martha Finley + + + +Release Date: December 20, 2011 [eBook #38353] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELSIE'S WIDOWHOOD*** + + +E-text prepared by Mark Nodine and the Online Distributed Proofreading +Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made available by +Internet Archive/American Libraries +(http://www.archive.org/details/americana) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustration. + See 38353-h.htm or 38353-h.zip: + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38353/38353-h/38353-h.htm) + or + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38353/38353-h.zip) + + + Images of the original pages are available through + Internet Archive/American Libraries. See + http://www.archive.org/details/elsieswidowhoods00finl + + + + + +ELSIE'S WIDOWHOOD + +A Sequel to "Elsie's Children" + +by + +MARTHA FINLEY + +"Alone she wanders where with HIM she trod, +No arm to stay her, but she leans on God." + --O. W. HOLMES + + + + + + + +New York +Dodd, Mead and Company +Publishers + +Copyright, 1880, by Dodd, Mead & Company. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +It was not in my heart to give to my favorite child, Elsie, the sorrows +of Widowhood. But the public made the title and demanded the book; and +the public, I am told, is autocratic. So what could I do but write the +story and try to show how the love of Christ in the heart can make life +happy even under sore bereavement? The apostle says, "I am filled with +comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation;" and since +trouble, trial and affliction are the lot of all in this world of sin +and sorrow, what greater kindness could I do you, dear reader, than to +show you where to go for relief and consolation? That this little book +may teach the sweet lesson to many a tried and burdened soul, is the +earnest prayer of your friend, + + THE AUTHOR. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + PAGE + + CHAPTER I 7 + + CHAPTER II 18 + + CHAPTER III 28 + + CHAPTER IV 38 + + CHAPTER V 47 + + CHAPTER VI 59 + + CHAPTER VII 68 + + CHAPTER VIII 80 + + CHAPTER IX 91 + + CHAPTER X 101 + + CHAPTER XI 114 + + CHAPTER XII 127 + + CHAPTER XIII 140 + + CHAPTER XIV 151 + + CHAPTER XV 165 + + CHAPTER XVI 178 + + CHAPTER XVII 194 + + CHAPTER XVIII 207 + + CHAPTER XIX 220 + + CHAPTER XX 236 + + CHAPTER XXI 247 + + CHAPTER XXII 263 + + CHAPTER XXIII 279 + + CHAPTER XXIV 296 + + CHAPTER XXV 323 + + + + +ELSIE'S WIDOWHOOD. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + "All love is sweet, + Given or returned. Common as light is love, + And its familiar voice wearies not ever." + --_Shelley._ + + +"Come in, Vi, darling," said Mrs. Travilla's sweet voice, "we will be +glad to have you with us." + +Violet, finding the door of her mother's dressing-room ajar, had stepped +in, then drawn hastily back, fearing to intrude upon what seemed a +private interview between her and her namesake daughter; Elsie being +seated on a cushion at her mamma's feet, her face half hidden on her +lap, while mamma's soft white hand gently caressed her hair and cheek. + +"I feared my presence might not be quite desirable just now, mamma," +Violet said gayly, coming forward as she spoke. "But what is the +matter?" she asked in alarm, perceiving that tears were trembling in the +soft brown eyes that were lifted to hers. "Dear mamma, are you ill? or +is Elsie? is anything wrong with her?" + +"She shall answer for herself," the mother said with a sort of tremulous +gayety of tone and manner. "Come, bonny lassie, lift your head and tell +your sister of the calamity that has befallen you." + +There was a whispered word or two of reply, and Elsie rose hastily and +glided from the room. + +"Mamma, is she sick?" asked Violet, surprised and troubled. + +"No, dear child. It is--the old story:" and the mother sighed +involuntarily. "We cannot keep her always; some one wants to take her +from us." + +"Some one! oh who, mamma? who would dare? But you and papa will never +allow it?" + +"Ah, my child, we cannot refuse; and I understand now, as I never did +before, why my father looked so sad when yours asked him for his +daughter." + +Light flashed upon Violet. "Ah mamma, is that it? and who--but I think I +know. It is Lester Leland, is it not?" + +Her mother's smile told her that her conjecture was correct. + +Violet sighed as she took the seat just vacated by her sister, folded +her arms on her mother's lap, and looked up with loving eyes into her +face. + +"Dear mamma, I am so sorry for you! for papa too, and for myself. What +shall I do without my sister? How can you and papa do without her? How +_can_ she? I'm sure no one in the world can ever be so dear to _me_ as +my own precious father and mother. And I wish--I wish Lester Leland had +never seen her." + +"No, darling, we should not wish that. These things must be; God in his +infinite wisdom and goodness has so ordered it. I am sad at the thought +of parting with my dear child, yet how could I be so selfish as to wish +her to miss the great happiness that I have found in the love of husband +and children?" + +Violet answered with a doubtful "Yes, mamma, but--" + +"Well, dear?" her mother asked with a smile, after waiting in vain for +the conclusion of the sentence. + +"I am sure there is not another man in all the world like papa; not one +half so dear and good and kind and lovable." + +"Ah, you may change your mind about that some day. It is precisely what +I used to think and say of my dear father, before I quite learned the +worth of yours." + +"Ah, yes, I forgot grandpa! he is--almost as nice and dear as papa. But +there can't be another one, I'm very, every sure of that. Lester Leland +is not half so nice. Oh I don't see how Elsie _can_!" + +"How Elsie can what?" asked her father, coming in at that moment, and +regarding her with a half quizzical look and smile. + +"Leave you and mamma for somebody else, you dear, dear, dearest father!" +returned Vi, springing up and running to him to put her arms about his +neck and half smother him with kisses. + +"Then we may hope to keep you for a good while yet?" he said +interrogatively, holding her close and returning her caresses in most +tender fatherly fashion, the mother watching them with beaming eyes. + +"Yes, indeed; till you grow quite, quite tired of me, papa." + +"And that will never be, my pet. Ah, little wife, how rich we are in our +children! Yet not rich enough to part with one without a pang of regret. +But we will not trouble about that yet, since the evil day is not very +near." + +"Oh isn't it?" cried Violet joyously. + +"No; Lester goes to Italy in a few weeks, and it will be one, two, or +maybe three years before he returns to claim his bride." + +"Ah, then it is not time to begin to fret about it yet!" cried Vi, +gleefully, smiles chasing away the clouds from her brow. + +At her age a year seems a long while in anticipation. + +"No, daughter, nor ever will be," her father responded with gentle +gravity. "I hope my little girl will never allow herself to indulge in +so useless and sinful a thing as fretting over either what can or what +cannot be helped." + +"Ah, you don't mean to let me fret at all, I see, you dear, wise old +papa," she returned with a merry laugh. "Now I must find Elsie and pass +the lesson over to her. For I shrewdly suspect she's fretting over +Lester's expected departure." + +"Away with you then!" was the laughing rejoinder, and she went dancing +and singing from the room. + +"The dear, merry, light-hearted child," her father said, looking after +her. "Would that I could keep her always thus." + +"Would you if you could, my husband?" Mrs. Travilla asked with a tender +smile, a look of loving reverence, as he sat down by her side. + +"No, sweet wife, I would not," he answered emphatically; "for, as +Rutherford says, 'grace groweth best in winter;' and the Master says, +'As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.'" + +"Yes; and 'we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of +God.' Ah, we could never choose for our precious children exemption from +such trials and afflictions as He may see necessary to fit them for an +eternity of joy and bliss at His right hand!" + +"No; nor for ourselves, nor for each other, my darling. But how well it +is that the choice is not for us! How could I ever choose a single pang +for you, beloved? vein of my heart, my life, my light, my joy!" + +"Or I for you, my dear, dear husband!" she whispered, as he drew her +head to a resting place upon his breast and pressed a long kiss of +ardent affection on her pure white brow. "Ah, Edward, I sometimes fear +that I lean on you too much, love you too dearly! What could I ever do +without you--husband, friend, counsellor, guide--everything in one?" + +Violet went very softly into her sister's dressing-room and stood for +several minutes watching her with a mixture of curiosity, interest and +amusement, before Elsie became aware of her presence. + +She sat with her elbow on the window seat, her cheek in her hand, eyes +fixed on some distant point in the landscape, but evidently with +thoughts intent upon something quite foreign to it; for the color came +and went on the soft cheeks with every breath, and conscious smiles +played about the full red lips. + +At last turning her head and catching her young sister's eye, she +crimsoned to the very forehead. + +"O Elsie, don't mind me!" Violet said, springing to her side and putting +her arms around her. "Are you so very happy? You look so, and I am glad +for you; but--but I can't understand it." + +"What, Vi?" Elsie asked, half hiding her blushing face on her sister's +shoulder. + +"How you can love anybody better than our own dear, darling, precious +papa and mamma." + +"Yes, I--I don't wonder, Vi," blushing more deeply than before, "but +they are not angry--dear, dear mamma and papa--it seems to me I never +loved them half so dearly before--and they say it is quite natural and +right." + +"Then it must be, of course; but--I wish it was somebody else's sister +and not mine. I can't feel as if a stranger has as much right to my own +sister as I have; and I don't know how to do without you. O Elsie, can't +you be content to live on always in just the way we have ever since we +were little bits of things?" + +Elsie answered with an ardent embrace and a murmured "Darling Vi, don't +be vexed with me. I'm sure you wouldn't if you knew how dearly, dearly I +love you." + +"Well, I do suppose you can't help it!" sighed Violet, returning the +embrace. + +"Can't help loving you? No, indeed; who could?" Elsie returned +laughingly. "You wouldn't wish it, surely? You value my affection?" + +"Oh you dear old goose!" laughed Violet; "but that was a wilful +misunderstanding. None so stupid as those that won't comprehend. Now +I'll run away and leave you to your pleasant thoughts. May I tell +Molly?" + +"Yes," Elsie answered with some hesitation, "she'll have to know soon. +Mamma thinks it should not be kept secret, though it must be so long +before--" + +"Ah, that reminds me that I was to pass over to you the lesson papa just +gave me--that fretting is never wise or right. I leave you to make the +application," and she ran gayly away. + +So joyous of heart, so full of youthful life and animation was she that +she seldom moved with sedateness and sobriety in the privacy of home, +but went tripping and dancing from room to room, often filling the house +with birdlike warblings or silvery laughter. + +Molly Percival sat in her own cheery, pleasant room, pen in hand and +surrounded by books and papers over which she seemed very intent, though +now and then she lifted her head and sent a sweeping glance through the +open window, drinking in with delight the beauties of a panorama of hill +and dale, sparkling river, cultivated field and wild woodland, to which +the shifting lights and shadows, as now and again a fleecy, wind-swept +cloud partially obscured the brightness of the sun, lent the charm of +endless variety. + +Molly's face was bright with intelligence and good humor. She enjoyed +her work and her increasing success. And she had still another happiness +in the change that had come over her mother. + +Still feeble in intellect, Enna Johnson had become as remarkable for +gentleness and docility as she had formerly been for pride, arrogance +and self-will. + +She had grown very fond of Molly, too, very proud of her attainments and +her growing fame, and asked no greater privilege than to sit in the room +with her, watching her at her work, and ever ready to wait upon and do +her errands. + +And so she, too, had her home at Ion, made always welcome by its +large-hearted, generous master and mistress. + +"Busy, as usual, I see," remarked Violet, as she came tripping in. +"Molly, you are the veriest bee, and richly deserve to have your hive +full of the finest honey. I'm the bearer of a bit of news very +interesting to Elsie and me, in fact I suppose I might say to all the +family. Have you time to hear it?" + +"Yes, indeed, and to thank you for your kindness in bringing it," Molly +answered, laying down her pen and leaning back in a restful attitude. +"But sit down first, won't you?" + +"Thank you, no; it's time to dress for dinner. I must just state the +fact and run away," said Violet, pulling out a tiny gold watch set with +brilliants. "It is that Elsie and Lester Leland are engaged." + +"And your father and mother approve?" asked Molly in some surprise. + +"Yes, of course; Elsie would never think of engaging herself to anybody +without their approval. But why should they be expected to object?" + +"I don't know, only--he's poor, and most wealthy people would consider +that a very great objection." + +Violet laughed lightly. "What an odd idea! If there is wealth on one +side, there's the less need of it on the other, I should think. And he +is intelligent, sensible, talented, amiable and good; rather handsome +too." + +"And so you are pleased, Vi?" + +"Yes, no, I don't know," and the bright face clouded slightly. "I +wish--but if people must marry, he'll do as well as another to rob me of +my sister, I suppose." + +She tripped away, and Molly, dropping her head upon her folded arms on +the table, sighed profoundly. + +Some one touched her on the shoulder, and her mother's voice asked, +"What's the matter, Molly? You don't envy her that poor artist fellow, +do you? You needn't: there'll be a better one coming along for you one +of these days." + +"No, no; not for me! not for me!" gasped the girl. "I've nothing to do +with love or marriage, except to picture them for others. It's like +mixing delicious draughts for other lips, while I--I may not taste +them--may not have a single drop to cool my parched tongue, or quench my +burning thirst." + +At the moment life seemed to stretch out before her as a dreary waste, +unbrightened by a single flower--a long, toilsome road to be trod in +loneliness and pain. Her heart uttered the old plaint: "They seem to +have everything and I nothing." + +Then her cheek burned with shame, and penitent tears filled her eyes, as +better thoughts came crowding into her mind. + +Had she not a better than an earthly love to cheer, comfort, and sustain +her on her way?--a love that would never fail, a Friend who would never +leave nor forsake her; whose sympathy was perfect; who was always +touched with the feeling of her infirmities, and into whose ear she +could ever whisper her every sorrow, perplexity, anxiety, certain of +help; for His love and power were infinite. + +And the minor blessings of her lot were innumerable: the love of kindred +and friends, and the ability to do good and give pleasure by the +exercise of her God-given talents, not the least. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + "Marriage is a matter of more worth + Than to be dealt in by attorneyship." + --_Shakespeare._ + + +Lester Leland would sail in a few weeks for Europe. He was going to +Italy to study the great masters, and with the determination to spare no +effort to so perfect himself in his art that his fame as the first of +American sculptors should constitute a prize worthy to lay at the feet +of his peerless Elsie. + +Their engagement was presently made known to all the connection, and +with no pledge or request of secrecy, her parents deeming such a course +wisest and kindest to all parties. Elsie had many suitors, and it was +but just to them to let it be understood that her selection was made. + +The communication was by note to each family, which note contained also +an invitation to a family dinner at Ion, given in honor of the newly +affianced pair. + +Of course the matter called forth more or less of discussion in each +household, every one feeling privileged to express an opinion in regard +to the suitableness of the proposed match. + +It created some surprise at the Oaks, but as Lester was liked and his +genius admired by them all, there were no unfavorable comments. + +At Ashlands the news was received in much the same way, Herbert +remarking, "Well, as it isn't Vi, I don't care a pin." + +Everybody at Fairview was delighted. At Pinegrove it was pronounced "an +odd affair," but just like the Travillas; in choosing their friends and +associates they never seemed to look upon wealth as a recommendation, or +the want of it as an objection. + +It was at breakfast-time that the note of invitation, addressed to old +Mr. Dinsmore, reached Roselands. He glanced over it, then read it aloud. + +"My great-granddaughter engaged to be married!" he remarked, as he laid +it down. "I may well feel myself an aged patriarch! Though 'few and evil +have the days of the years of my life been,'" he added, low and +musingly, ending with a heavy sigh. + +"No such thing, father!" said Mrs. Conly, in a quick, impatient tone. +"I'm not going to hear you talk so about yourself; you who have been +always an honorable, upright, polished gentleman." + +"But what a wretched mesalliance is this!" she commented, with covert +delight, taking up the note and glancing over its contents. "A poor +artist, destitute of fame and money alike, to mate with an heiress to +hundreds of thousands! Why, poor as I and my children are, I should have +rejected overtures from him for one of my girls with scorn and +indignation." + +"Which would have been a decided mistake, I think, mother," remarked +Calhoun, respectfully. "Leland is a fine fellow, of good family, and +very talented. He'll make his mark some day, and you may live to take +pride in saying that the wife of the famous sculptor Leland is a niece +of yours." + +"A half grandniece," she corrected, bridling. "But I shall be an ancient +dame indeed before that comes to pass." + +"I have found him a very gentlemanly and intelligent fellow," remarked +Arthur; "and as for money, Elsie is likely to have enough for both." + +"So she is," said the grandfather. + +"And he is thoroughly good, and will make a kind and appreciative +husband," added Isadore. + +Virginia looked scornful and contemptuous. "He's too goody-goody for +me," she said, "but just like the Travillas in that, so will fit in +exactly, I presume. Well, if people like to make fools of themselves, I +don't see that we need be unhappy about it. We'll accept the invitation, +of course, mamma?" turning to her mother; "and the next question is, +what shall we wear?" + +"We must make handsome dinner toilets, of course," was the reply; "for, +though none but relatives and connections are to be present, it will be +a large company." + +"Yes, and I've no fancy for being outshone by anybody, and Aunt Rose is +sure to be very elegantly attired; Cousin Rose Lacey and Cousin Horace's +wife no less so. Talk of my fondness for dress! It's small compared to +theirs." + +"It is principally the doing of the husbands," said Isadore. "Both--or I +might say all three, for Uncle Horace is no exception--are very fond of +seeing their wives well dressed." + +"An excellent trait in a gentleman--the determination that his nearest +female relatives shall make a good appearance," remarked Mrs. Conly, +significantly, glancing from father to sons. + +"But the ability to bring it about is not always commensurate with the +desire, mother," said Isadore. + +"Thank you, Isa," said Calhoun, following her from the room, for she had +risen from the table with her last words; "my mother does not seem to +comprehend the difference between our circumstances and those of some of +our relatives, and I am sure has no idea of the pain her words sometimes +give to grandpa, Art, and myself." + +"No, Cal, or she could never be so cruel," Isa answered, laying her hand +affectionately on his arm and looking lovingly into his eyes. "I know +that my brothers deny themselves many an innocent gratification for the +sake of their mother and sisters: and Cal, I do appreciate it." + +"I know you do, Isa. Now tell me what you will want for this--" + +"Nothing," she interrupted, with an arch smile up into his face. "Do you +suspect me of praising your generosity for a purpose? I have everything +I want for the occasion, I do assure you. But, Cal, what do you suppose +Uncle Horace will think of Elsie's choice?" + +"He will not object on the score of Leland's lack of wealth, unless I am +greatly mistaken. But here he comes to speak for himself," he added, as +a horseman was seen coming up the avenue at a brisk canter. + +They were standing in the hall, but now stepped out upon the veranda to +greet Mr. Dinsmore as he alighted, giving his horse in charge to a young +negro who came eagerly forward to do the service, quite sure that he +would be suitably rewarded. + +It was the lad's firm conviction that "Massa Horace" possessed an +inexhaustible supply of small coin, some of which was very apt to be +transferred to the pockets of those who waited upon him. + +Greetings were exchanged and Mr. Dinsmore said, "I am on my way to Ion. +Suppose you order your pony, Isa, and ride over with me. They will be +glad to see you. I want a few moments chat with my father, and that will +give you time to don your hat and habit." + +Isadore was nothing loath, and within half an hour they were on their +way. + +"You have heard the news?" her uncle remarked inquiringly. + +"Of Elsie's engagement? Yes, sir. You were discussing it with grandpa +and mamma, were you not?" + +"Yes," and he smiled slightly. + +"You don't think as she does about it, uncle?" + +"No, I am fully satisfied; that the young man is well-bred, good, +amiable, honest, intelligent, educated, talented and industrious seems +to me quite sufficient. My only objection is that the engagement seems +likely to be a long one. And yet that has the advantage of leaving the +dear child longer in her father's house." + +"Of which I for one am very glad," said Isa. "What a sweet girl she is, +uncle!" + +"Yes; she strongly resembles her mother in person and character; has +always seemed to me a sort of second edition of her." + +They found the Travillas, old and young, all out on the veranda enjoying +a family chat before scattering to their various employments for the +day. + +Grandpa, though seldom a day passed without a visit from him to Ion, was +welcomed with all the effusion and delight that might reasonably have +been expected if he had not been seen for a month. His daughter's eyes +shone with filial love and pleasure as they exchanged their accustomed +affectionate greeting, and, as he took possession of the comfortable +arm-chair Mr. Travilla hastened to offer, his grandchildren clustered +about him, the little ones climbing his knees with the freedom and +fearlessness of those who doubted neither their right nor their welcome. + +But in the meantime Isadore was not forgotten or overlooked. She too was +quite at home at Ion and always made to feel that her visits were +esteemed a pleasure. + +There was a slight timidity of manner, a sweet half shyness about the +younger Elsie this morning that was very charming. Her eyes drooped +under her grandfather's questioning look and smile and the color came +and went on her fair cheek. + +He said nothing to her, however, until the younger ones had been +summoned away to their studies, then turned to her with the remark, "I +must congratulate Lester Leland when next I see him. Well, my dear +child, I trust you have not made a hasty choice?" + +"I think not, grandpa; we have known each other quite intimately for +several years," she answered, casting down her eyes and blushing deeply. +"You do not disapprove?" + +"I have no right to object if your parents are satisfied," he said. "But +there, do not look uncomfortable; I really think Lester a fine fellow, +and am quite willing to number him among my grandchildren." + +She gave him a bright, grateful look; then she and Isa stole away +together for a little girlish confidence, leaving the older people to a +more business-like discussion of the matter. + +On every subject of grave importance Mr. Dinsmore was taken into the +counsels of his daughter and her husband. His approval on this occasion, +though they had scarcely doubted it, was gratifying to both. + +There were no declinations of the invitation to the family dinner-party, +and at the appointed time the whole connection gathered at Ion--a large +and goodly troop--the adults in drawing-room and parlors, the little +ones in the nursery. + +There was the Roselands branch, consisting of the old grandfather, with +his daughter, Mrs. Conly, and her numerous progeny. + +From the Oaks came Mr. Horace Dinsmore, Sr., and Mr. Horace Dinsmore, +Jr., with their wives and a bright, beautiful, rollicking year-old boy, +whom the proud young father styled Horace III.; also Molly's half +brother and sister, Bob and Betty Johnson, to whom their uncle and aunt +still gave a home and parental care and affection. + +All the Howards, of Pinegrove, were there too--three generations, two of +the sons bringing wives and little ones with them. + +The Carringtons, of Ashlands, were also present; for, though not +actually related to the Travillas, the old and close friendship, and the +fact that they were of Mrs. Rose Dinsmore's near kindred, seemed to +place them on the footing of relationship. + +But we are forgetting Mrs. Travilla's sister Rose. She was now Mrs. +Lacey, of the Laurels--a handsome place some four miles from Ion--and +mother of a fine son, whom she and her husband brought with them to the +family gathering and exhibited to the assembled company with no little +joy and pride. + +It remains only to mention Lester Leland and his relatives of Fairview, +who were all there, received and treated as honored guests by their +entertainers, with urbane politeness by all the others, except Mrs. +Conly and Virginia, who saw fit to appear almost oblivious of their +existence. + +They, however, took a sensible view of the situation, and were quite +indifferent as to the opinions and behavior toward them of the two +haughty women. + +No one else seemed to notice it; all was apparent harmony and good will, +and Lester felt himself welcomed into the family with at least a show of +cordiality from the most of the relatives of his betrothed. + +She behaved very sweetly, conducting herself with a half shy, modest +grace that disarmed even Aunt Conly's criticism. + +A few happy weeks followed, weeks rosy and blissful with love's young +dream, then Lester tore himself away and left his Elsie mourning; for +half the brightness and bloom of life seemed to have gone with him. + +Father and mother were very patient with her, very tender and +sympathizing, very solicitous to amuse and entertain and help her to +renew her old zest for simple home pleasures and employments, the old +enjoyment of their love and that of her brothers and sisters. + +Ah! in after days she recalled it all--especially the gentle, tender +persuasiveness of her father's looks and tones, the caressing touch of +his hand, the loving expression of his eye--with a strange mixture of +gladness and bitter sorrow, an unavailing, remorseful regret that she +had not responded more readily and heartily to these manifestations of +his strong fatherly affection. There came a time when a caress from him +was coveted far more than those of her absent lover. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + "Faith is exceedingly charitable and believeth no evil of God." + --_Rutherford._ + + +Delicious September days had come; the air was soft and balmy; a mellow +haze filled the woods, just beginning to show the touch of the Frost +King's fingers. + +The children could not content themselves within doors, and the wisely +indulgent mother had given them a holiday and spent the morning with +them on the banks of the lakelet and floating over its bright surface in +their pretty pleasure-boat. + +Returned to the house, she was now resting in her boudoir, lying back in +a large easy chair with a book in her hand. Suddenly it dropped into her +lap, she started up erect in her chair and seemed to listen intently. + +Was that her husband's step coming slowly along the hall? It was like +and yet unlike it, lacking the firm, elastic tread. + +The door opened and she sprang to her feet. "Edward! you are ill!" for +there was a deathly pallor on his face. + +"Do not be alarmed, little wife; it is nothing--a strange pain, a sudden +faintness," he said, trying to smile, but tottered and would have +fallen had she not hastened to give him the support of her arm. + +She helped him to a couch, placed a pillow beneath his head, rang for +assistance, brought him a glass of cold water, cologne and +smelling-salts from her dressing-table; doing all with a deft quickness +free from flurry, though her heart almost stood still with a terrible +fear and dread. + +What meant this sudden seizure, this anguish so great that it had bowed +in a moment the strength of a strong man? She had never known him to be +seriously ill before. He had seemed in usual health when he left her for +his accustomed round over the plantation only a few hours ago, and now +he was nearly helpless with suffering. + +Servants were instantly despatched in different directions: one to +Roselands to summon Dr. Arthur Conly, another to the Oaks for her +father, to whom she instinctively turned in every time of trouble, and +who was ever ready to obey the call. + +Both arrived speedily, to find Mr. Travilla in an agony of pain, bearing +it without a murmur, almost without a moan or groan, but with cold beads +of perspiration standing on his brow; Elsie beside him, calm, quiet, +alert to anticipate every wish, but pale as a marble statue and with a +look of anguish in her beautiful eyes. It was so hard to stand by and +see the suffering endured by him who was dearer than her own life. + +She watched Arthur's face as he examined and questioned his patient, and +saw it grow white to the very lips. + +Was her husband's doom then sealed? + +But Arthur drew her and Mr. Dinsmore aside. + +"The case is a bad one, but not hopeless," he said. "I am unwilling to +take the responsibility alone, but must call in Dr. Barton and also send +to the city for the best advice to be had there." + +"We have great confidence in your skill, Arthur," Elsie said, "but let +nothing be left undone. God alone can heal, but he works by means." + +"And in the multitude of counsellors there is safety," added Mr. +Dinsmore. "Dear daughter, 'be strong and of a good courage;' there shall +no evil befall you, for your heavenly Father knows, and will do what is +best." + +"Yes, papa, I know, I believe it," she answered with emotion. "Ah, pray +for me, that strength may be given me according to my day: and to him, +my dear, dear husband; no murmuring thoughts arise in either of our +hearts." + +The news had flown through the house that its master and head had been +stricken down with sudden, severe illness. Great were the consternation +and distress among both children and servants, so beloved was he, so +strange a thing did it seem for him to be ill, for he had seldom had a +day's sickness in all the years that they had known him. + +Elsie, Edward and Violet hastened to the door of the sick-room, begging +that they might be admitted, that they might share in the work of +nursing the dear invalid. + +Their mamma came to them, her sweet face very pale but calm. + +"No, darlings," she said in her gentle, tender tones, "it will not do to +have so many in the room while your dear father is suffering so much. +Your grandpa, mammy and I must be his only nurses for the present; +though after a time your services may be needed." + +"O mamma, it is very hard to have to stay away from him," sobbed Violet. + +"I know it, dearest," her mother said, "and my heart aches for you and +all my darlings; but I am sure you all love your dear father too well +not to willingly sacrifice your own feelings when to indulge them might +injure him or increase his pain." + +"O mamma, yes, yes indeed!" they all cried. + +"Well then, dears, go away now; look after the younger ones and the +servants--I trust them all to your care; and when the doctors say it +will do, you shall see and speak to your father, and do anything for him +that you can." + +So with a loving, motherly caress bestowed upon each, she dismissed them +to the duties she had pointed out, and returned to her station beside +her husband's couch. + +Mr. Dinsmore, Arthur Conly, and Aunt Chloe were gathered about it +engaged in efforts to relieve the torturing pain. His features were +convulsed with it, but his eyes wandered restlessly around the room as +if in search of something. As Elsie drew near they fixed themselves upon +her face, and his was lighted up with a faint smile. + +"Darling, precious little wife," he murmured, drawing her down to him +till their lips met in a long loving kiss, "don't leave me for a moment. +Nothing helps me to bear this agony like the sight of your sweet face." + +"Ah, beloved, if I might bear it for you!" she sighed, her eyes filling +with tears, while her soft white hand was laid tenderly upon his brow. + +"No, no!" he said, "that were far worse, far worse!" + +Her tears were falling fast. + +"Ah, do not be so distressed; it is not unendurable," he hastened to say +with a loving, tender look and an effort to smile in the midst of his +agony. "And He, He is with me; the Lord my Saviour! 'I know that my +Redeemer liveth,' and the sense of His love is very sweet, never so +sweet before." + +"Thank God that it is so! Ah, He is faithful to his promises!" she said. + +Then kneeling by his side she repeated one sweet and precious promise +after another, the blessed words and loved tones seeming to have a +greater power to soothe and relieve than anything else. + +The other physicians arrived, examined, consulted, used such remedies as +were known to them; everything was done that science and human skill +could do, but without avail; they could give temporary relief by the use +of opiates and anaesthetics, but were powerless to remove the disease +which was fast hurrying its victim to the grave. + +Both Mr. Travilla and Elsie desired to know the truth, and it was not +concealed from them. On Mr. Dinsmore devolved the sad task of imparting +it. + +It was in the afternoon of the second day. The doctors had held a final +consultation and communicated their verdict to him. Moved to his very +heart's core at the thought of parting with his lifelong bosom friend, +and more for the far sorer bereavement awaiting his almost idolized +child, he waited a little to recover his composure, then entered the +sick-room and drew silently near the bed. + +Elsie sat close at her husband's side, one hand clasped in his, while +with the other she gently fanned him or wiped the death damp from his +brow. Did she know it was that? Her face was colorless, but quite calm. + +Mr. Travilla was at that moment entirely conscious, and his eyes were +gazing full into hers with an expression of unutterable love and the +tenderest compassion. + +At length they turned from her face for an instant and were uplifted to +that of her father, as he stood close beside her, regarding them both +with features working with emotion. + +The dying man understood its cause. "Is it so, Dinsmore?" he said +feebly, but with perfect composure. "Elsie, little wife," and he drew +her to him, both tone and gesture full of exceeding tenderness. "O love, +darling, precious one, must we part? I go to the glory and bliss of +heaven, but you--" His voice broke. + +Her heart seemed riven in twain; but she must comfort him. One bursting +sob as she hid her face upon his breast, one silent agonized cry to +Heaven for help, and lifting her head, she gave him a long look of love, +then laid her cheek to his, put her arm about his neck. + +"My darling, my dear, dear husband," she said in her sweetest tones, "do +not fear for me, or for our children. The Lord, even Jesus, will be our +keeper. Do not let the thought of us disturb you now, or damp the glad +anticipation of the wondrous glory and bliss to which you go. Soon you +will be with Him, 'forever with the Lord.' And how glad our darling Lily +will be to see her beloved father; dear mother to recover her son; and +what a little, little while it will seem till we all shall join you +there, never, never to part again." + +"And neither she, my dear daughter, nor her children, shall want for a +father's love and care while I live, my dear friend," said Mr. Dinsmore, +his voice tremulous with emotion. + +"I know it, I know it, and God be thanked that I leave them in such good +and loving hands," Mr. Travilla answered, looking gratefully at his +friend. + +"You trusted your darling child to me," he went on low and feebly and +with frequent pauses for breath, "and I give her back to you. Oh she has +been a dear, dear wife to me!" he exclaimed, softly stroking her hair. +"God bless you, my darling! God bless you for your faithful, unselfish +love! You have been the sunshine of my heart and home." + +"And you, my beloved, oh what a husband you have been to me!" she +sobbed, covering his face with kisses; "never one unkind or impatient +word, or look, or tone, nothing but the tenderest love and care have I +had from you since the hour we gave ourselves to each other. And I +thought, oh I thought we had many more years to live and love together! +But God's will be done!" + +"Yes," he said, "His will be done with me and mine. Darling, he will +never leave nor forsake you; and though I am almost done with time, we +shall have all the ages of eternity to live and love together." + +Silent caresses were all that passed between them for some moments; then +Mr. Dinsmore inquired if his friend had any directions to give about his +affairs. + +"No," he said, "all that was attended to long since. Elsie knows where +to find all my papers, and understands everything in regard to the +property and my business matters as well as I do. + +"And my peace is made with God," he continued after a pause, speaking in +a sweetly solemn tone. "His presence is with me. I feel the everlasting +arms underneath and around me. All my hope and trust are in the blood +and righteousness of Christ, my crucified and risen Saviour. All is +peace. I am a sinner saved by grace. + +"Let me see my children and give them a father's blessing, and I shall +have nothing more to do but fall asleep in Jesus." + +Elsie and Vi were together in a room across the hall from that in which +their father lay, sitting clasped in each other's arms, waiting, hoping +for the promised summons to go to him when he should be sufficiently +relieved to bear their presence. + +Ah, there was in each young heart an unspoken fear that he would never +rise from that couch of pain, for they had seemed to read his doom in +the grave, anxious faces of grandfather and physicians; but oh it was +too terrible a fear for either to put into words even to her own +consciousness! How could life go on without the father who had thus far +constituted so large a part of it to them! + +A shuffling step drew near, and Aunt Chloe appeared before them, her +face swollen with weeping, her eyes filled with tears. + +"You's to come now, chillens." + +"Oh is papa better?" they cried, starting up in eager haste to obey the +summons. + +The old nurse shook her head, tears bursting forth afresh. "He's mos' +dar, chillens, mos' dar, whar dey don' hab no mo' pain, no mo' sickness, +no mo' dyin'. I see de glory shinin' in his face; he's mos' dar." + +Then as their sobs and tears burst forth, "Oh my mistis, my bressed +young mistis," she cried, throwing her apron over her head, "yo' ole +mammy'd die to keep massa here for yo' sake. But de Lord's will mus' be +done, an' He neber makes no mistakes." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + "Death is another life." + --_Bailey._ + + +"Oh Elsie, Elsie, what shall we do! But it can't, it can't be true!" +sobbed Violet, clinging to her sister in a heart-breaking paroxysm of +grief. "Oh it will kill mamma, and we shall lose her too!" + +"No, no, honey, not so," said Aunt Chloe; "my bressed young missus will +lib for yo' sake, for her chillens' sake. An' you ain't gwine to lose +massa: he's only gwine home a little while 'fore de rest." + +"Dear Vi, we must try to be composed for both their sakes," whispered +Elsie, scarcely able to speak for weeping. + +"Dear bressed Lord help dem, help dese po' chillens," ejaculated Aunt +Chloe. "Come, chillens, we's losin' precious time." + +They wiped away their tears, checked their sobs by a determined effort, +and hand in hand followed her to the sick-room. + +Perfect ease had taken the place of the agonizing pain which for many +hours had racked Mr. Travilla's frame, but it was the relief afforded +not by returning health, but by approaching dissolution; death's seal +was on his brow; even his children could read it as they gathered, +weeping, about his bed. + +He had a few words of fatherly counsel, of tender, loving farewell for +each--Elsie, Violet, Edward:--to the last saying, "My son, I commit your +mother to your tender care. You have almost reached man's estate; take +your father's place, and let her lean on your young, vigorous arm; yet +fail not in filial reverence and obedience; be ever ready to yield to +her wise, gentle guidance." + +"I will, father, I will," returned the lad in a choking voice. + +"And may not I too, and Herbert, papa?" sobbed Harold. + +"Yes, dear son, and all of you, love and cherish mamma and try to fill +my place to her. And love and obey your kind grandpa as you have always +loved and obeyed me." + +One after another had received a last caress, a special parting word, +till it had come to the turn of the youngest darling of all--little +four-year-old Walter. + +They lifted him on to the bed, and creeping close to his father, he +softly stroked the dying face, and kissing the lips, the cheeks, the +brow, cooed in sweet baby accents, "Me so glad to see my dear papa. Papa +doin' det well now. Isn't you, papa?" + +"Yes, papa's dear pet; I'm going where sickness and pain can never +come. My little boy must love the dear Saviour and trust in him, and +then one day he shall follow me to that blessed land. Ah, little son, +you are too young to remember your father. He will soon be forgotten!" + +"No, no, dearest," said his weeping wife, "not so; your pictured face +and our constant mention of you shall keep you in remembrance even with +him." + +"Thanks, dearest," he said, turning a loving gaze on her, "it is a +pleasant thought that my name will not be a forgotten sound among the +dear ones left behind. We shall meet again, beloved wife, meet again +beyond the river. I shall be waiting for you on the farther shore. I am +passing through the waters, but He is with me, He who hath washed me +from my sins in His own blood. And you, dearest wife--does He sustain +you in this hour?" + +"Yes," she said, "His grace is sufficient for me. Dear, dear husband, do +not fear to leave me to his care." + +Tears were coursing down her white cheeks, but the low, sweet tones of +her voice were calm and even. She was resolutely putting aside all +thought of self and the sore bereavement that awaited her and her +children, that she might smooth his passage to the tomb; she would not +that he should be disturbed by one anxious thought of them. + +He forgot none of his household. Molly and her mother were brought in +for a gentle, loving farewell word; then each of the servants. + +He lingered still for some hours, but his wife never left him for an +instant; her hand was clasped in his when the messenger came; his last +look of love was for her, his last whisper, "Precious little wife, +eternity is ours!" + +Friends carried him to his quiet resting place beside the little +daughter who had preceded him to the better land, and widow and children +returned without him to the home hitherto made so bright and happy by +his loved presence. + +Elsie, leaning on her father's arm, slowly ascended the steps of the +veranda, but on the threshold drew back with a shudder and a low, +gasping sob. + +Her father drew her to his breast. + +"My darling, do not go in. Come with me to the Oaks; let me take you all +there for a time." + +"No, dear papa; 'twould be but putting off the evil day--the trial that +must be borne sooner or later," she said in trembling, tearful tones. +"But--if you will stay with me--" + +"Surely, dearest, as long as you will. I could not leave you now, my +poor stricken one! Let me assist you to your room. You are completely +worn out, and must take some rest." + +"My poor children--" she faltered. + +"For their sakes you must take care of yourself," he said. "Your mamma +is here. She and I will take charge of everything until you are able to +resume your duties as mother and mistress." + +He led her to her apartments, made her lie down on a couch, darkened the +room, and sitting down beside her, took her hand in his. + +"Papa, papa!" she cried, starting up in a sudden burst of grief, "take +me in your arms, take me in your arms and hold me close as you used to +do, as he has done every day that he lived since you gave me to him!" + +"My poor darling, my poor darling!" he said, straining her to his +breast, "God comfort you! May He be the strength of your heart and your +portion forever! Remember that Jesus still lives, and that your beloved +one is with Him, rejoicing with joy unspeakable and full of glory." + +"Yes, yes, but oh, the learning to live without him!" she moaned. "How +can I! how can I!" + +"'When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through +the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the +fire, thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon +thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour,'" +he repeated in low, moved tones. "'Behold I have refined thee, but not +with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.' Dear +daughter, my heart bleeds for you, and yet I know that He who has sent +this sorrow loves you far better than I do, and He means it for good. +'Faith is the better of the free air and of the sharp winter storm in +its face. Grace withereth without adversity.'" + +"Yes, yes," she whispered, clinging to him. "Go on, dear papa, you bring +me comfort." + +"What so comforting as the love of Christ!" he went on; "the assurance +that 'in all our afflictions He is afflicted!' My darling, 'the +weightiest end of the cross of Christ, which is laid upon you, lieth +upon your strong Saviour!'" + +"And He will never let me sink," she said. "Oh what love is His! and how +unworthy am I!" + +Never very strong, Elsie was, as her father plainly perceived, greatly +exhausted by the combined influence of the fatigue of nursing, +overwhelming sorrow and the constraint she had put upon herself to +control its manifestations while her husband lived. + +She must have rest from every care and responsibility, must be shielded +from all annoyance, and as far as possible from every fresh reminder of +her loss. + +For several days he watched over her with unceasing care and solicitude, +doing all in his power to soothe, to comfort and console, allowing only +short interviews with Rose and the children, and keeping every one else +away except her old mammy. + +Never had father and daughter seemed nearer and dearer to each other +than in these sorrowful days. To lay her weary head upon his breast +while his arms folded her close to his heart, gave some relief--more +than could anything else--to the unutterable longing to feel the clasp +of those other arms whose loving embrace she could never know again on +earth. + +But her nature was too unselfish and affectionate to allow of long +indulgence in this life of inactivity and nursing of her grief. She +could not resist the anxious, pleading looks of her children. She, their +only remaining parent, must now devote herself to them even more +entirely than had been her wont. Grandma Rose was kind as kind could be, +but mamma's place could be filled by no one but herself. + +"Dear papa," she said when three days had passed, "I am rested now, and +you must please let me go back to my duties. My dear little ones need +me; the older ones too. I cannot deprive them of their mother any +longer." + +"Would it not be well to give yourself one more day of rest?" he asked, +gazing sadly at the wan cheeks and the mournful eyes that looked so +unnaturally large. "I do not think you are strong enough yet for +anything like exertion." + +"I think the sweet work of comforting and caring for my darlings--his +children as well as mine," she said with a tremble in her voice, "will +do me good." + +"It is partly for their sakes that I want you to take care of yourself," +he said, putting his arm about her, while her head dropped on his +shoulder. "Would it not have been _his_ wish? were you not always his +first care?" + +She gave a silent assent, the tears coursing down her cheeks. + +"And he gave you back to me, making you doubly mine--my own darling, +precious child! and your life, health and happiness must be my special +charge," he said, caressing her with exceeding tenderness. + +"My happiness? Then, papa, you will not try to keep me from my darlings. +My dear, dear father, do not think I am ungrateful for your loving care. +Ah, it is very sweet and restful to lean upon you and feel the strong +tender clasp of your arm! but I must rouse myself and become a prop for +others to lean upon." + +"Yes, to some extent--when you are quite rested. But you must bear no +burdens, dear daughter, that your father can bear for you." + +She looked her gratitude out of tear-dimmed eyes. + +"God has been very good to me, in sparing me, my father," she said. "And +my children, my seven darlings--all good and loving. How rich I ought +to feel! how rich I do feel, though so sorely bereaved." + +The tears burst forth afresh. + +"You will let me go to them?" she said when she could speak again. + +"To-morrow, if you will try to rest and gain strength to-day. I am quite +sure it is what he would have wished--that you should rest a little +longer. The children can come to you for an hour or two to-day." + +She yielded for that time, and the next day he withdrew his opposition +and himself led her down to the breakfast parlour, where all were +gathered to partake of the morning meal. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + "Weep not for him that dieth, + For he hath ceased from tears." + --_Mrs. Norton._ + + +There was much unselfish love for their mamma and for each other +displayed by the young Travillas in those sad days immediately following +the death of their dearly loved father. + +Every heart ached sorely with its own burden of grief--excepting that of +little Walter, who was too young to understand or realize his loss, yet +was most solicitous to assuage that of the brothers and sisters, but +especially to comfort and help "poor, dear, dear mamma." + +They were filled with alarm as they saw their grandfather almost carry +her to her room, then close the door upon them. + +"Oh," cried Violet, clinging to her older sister, and giving way to a +burst of terrified weeping, "I knew it would be so! mamma will die too. +Oh mamma, mamma!" + +"Dear child, no!" said Rose, laying a caressing hand on the young +weeper's arm; "do not be alarmed; your dear mother is worn out with +grief and nursing--she has scarcely slept for several days and +nights--but is not ill otherwise, and I trust that rest and the +consolations of God will still restore her to her wonted health and +cheerfulness." + +"O grandma," sobbed Elsie, "do you think mamma can ever be cheerful and +happy again? I am sure she can never forget papa." + +"No, she will never forget him, never cease to miss the delight of his +companionship; but she can learn to be happy in the thought of his +eternal blessedness and the sure reunion that awaits them when God shall +call her home; and in the love of Jesus and of her dear children." + +Rose had thrown one arm about Elsie's waist, the other round Violet, and +drawn them to a seat, while Edward and the younger children grouped +themselves about her, Rose and Walter leaning on her lap. + +They all loved her, and now hung upon her words, finding comfort in +them, though listening with many tears and sobs. + +She went on to speak at length of the glory and bliss of heaven, of the +joy of being with Christ and free from sin; done with sorrow and +sighing, pain and sickness and death; of the delight with which their +sister Lily, their Grandmother Travilla, and other dear ones gone +before, must have welcomed the coming of their father; and of the glad +greeting he would give to each of them when they too should reach the +gate of the Celestial City. + +"Yes, grandma, papa told us all to come," said little Rosie. + +"I know he did, dear child; and do you know the way?" + +"Yes, grandma, Jesus said, 'I am the way.' He died to save sinners, and +He will save all who love Him and trust in Him alone, not thinking +anything they can do is going to help to save them." + +"Save them from what, darling?" + +"From their sins, grandma, and from going to live with Satan and his +wicked angels, and wicked people that die and go there." + +"Yes, that is all so, and oh what love it was that led the dear Saviour +to suffer and die upon the cross that we might live! Dear children, it +was His death that bought eternal life for your beloved father and has +purchased it for us all if we will but take it as His free, unmerited +gift." + +"But, grandma," sobbed Harold, "why didn't He let our dear papa stay +with us a little longer? Oh I don't know how we can ever, ever live +without him!" + +This called forth a fresh burst of grief from all, even little Walter +crying piteously, "I want my papa! I want my own dear papa!" + +Rose lifted him to her lap and caressed him tenderly, her tears falling +fast. + +"Dear children," she said, as the storm of grief subsided a little, "we +must not be selfish in our sorrow; we must try to rejoice that your +beloved father is far, far happier than he could ever be here. I think +the dear Saviour took him home because He loved him so much that He +could no longer spare him out of heaven. And He, Jesus, will be your +Father now even more than He was before: 'A father of the fatherless and +a judge of the widows is God in his holy habitation.'" + +"I'm very glad the Bible tells us that," remarked Herbert, checking his +sobs. "I have heard and read the words often, but they never seemed half +so sweet before." + +"No," said Harold, putting an arm about him (the two were very strongly +attached and almost inseparable); "and we have grandpa too: papa said he +would be a father to us." + +"And he will, dear children," said Rose. "I do not think he could love +you much more than he does if he were really your own father, as he is +your dear mamma's." + +"And I am to try to fill papa's place," said Edward, with a strong but +vain effort to steady his voice. "I am far from competent, I know, but I +shall try to do my very best." + +"And God will help you if you ask Him," said Rose; "help you to be a +great comfort and assistance to your mother and younger brothers and +sisters." + +"Ah, if we might only go to mamma!" sighed Violet, when she and Elsie +had withdrawn to the privacy of their own apartment. "Do you think we +might venture now?" + +"Not yet awhile, I think--I hope she is resting; and grandpa will let us +know when it will not disturb her to see us." + +"O Elsie, can we ever be happy again?" cried Violet, throwing herself +into her sister's arms. "Where, where shall we go for comfort?" + +"To Jesus and His word, dear Vi. Let us kneel down together and ask Him +to bless us all and help us to say with our hearts 'Thy will be done,' +all of us children and our dear precious mamma." + +"Oh we can't pray for papa any more!" cried Vi, in an agony of grief. + +"No, dear Vi, but he no longer needs our prayers. He is so close to the +Master, so happy in being forever with Him, that nothing could add to +his bliss." + +Violet hushed her sobs, and with their arms about each other they knelt, +while in low, pleading tones Elsie poured out their grief and their +petitions into the ear of the ever compassionate, loving Saviour. + +Fortunately for them in this hour of sore affliction, they were no +strangers to prayer or to the Scriptures, and knew where to turn to find +the many sweet and precious promises suited to their needs. + +Some time was given to this, and then Elsie, mindful of the duty and +privilege of filling to the best of her ability her mother's place to +the little ones, went in search of them. + +The tea hour brought them all together again--all the children--but +father and mother were missing. Oh this gathering about the table was +almost the hardest thing of all! It had been wont to be a time of glad, +free, cheerful, often mirthful intercourse between parents and children; +no rude and noisy hilarity, but the most enjoyable social converse and +interchange of thought and feeling, in which the young people, while +showing the most perfect respect and deference to their parents, and +unselfish consideration for each other, were yet under no galling +constraint, but might ask questions and give free expression to their +opinions, if they wished; and were indeed encouraged to do so. + +But what a change had a few days brought! There was an empty chair that +would never again be filled by him to whom one and all had looked up +with the tenderest filial love and reverence. All eyes turned toward it, +then were suffused with tears, while one and another vainly strove to +suppress the bursting sobs. + +They could not sit down to the table. They drew close together in a +little weeping group. + +The grandparents came in, and Mr. Dinsmore, trying to gather them all +in his arms, caressed them in turn, saying in broken, tender tones, "My +dear children, my poor dear children! I will be a father to you. I +cannot supply his place, but will do so as nearly as I can. You know, my +darlings, my sweet Elsie's children, that I have a father's love for +you." + +"Yes, grandpa, we know it," "Dear grandpa, we're glad we have you left +to us," sobbed one and another. + +"And mamma, dear, precious mamma! O grandpa, is she sick?" + +"Not exactly sick, my darlings," he said, "but very much worn out. We +must let her rest." + +"Can't we see her? can't we go to her?" + +"Not now, not to-night, I think. I left her sleeping, and hope she will +not wake for some hours." + +At that the little ones seemed nearly heartbroken. "How could they go to +their beds without seeing mamma?" + +But Elsie comforted them. She would help mammy to put them to bed; and +oh it was the best of news that dear mamma was sleeping! because if she +did not she would soon be quite ill. + +Molly Percival, because of her crippled condition, making locomotion so +difficult, seldom joined the family at table, but took her meals in her +own room, a servant waiting upon her and her mother, who, in her new +devotion to poor Molly, preferred to eat with her. + +The appointments of their table were quite as dainty as those of the +other, the fare never less luxurious. + +A very tempting repast was spread before them to-night, but Molly could +not eat for weeping. + +Her mother, tasting one dish after another with evident enjoyment, at +length thought fit to expostulate with her. + +"Molly, why do you cry so? I do wish you would stop it and eat your +supper." + +"I'm not hungry, mother." + +"That's only because you're fretting so; and what's the use? Mr. +Travilla's better off; and besides he was nothing to you." + +"Nothing to me! O mother! he was so good, so kind to me, to Dick, to +everybody about him. He treated me like a daughter, and I loved him as +well as if he had been my own father. He did not forget you or me when +he was dying, mother." + +"No; and it was good of him. Still, crying doesn't do any good; and +you'll get weak and sick if you don't eat." + +Molly's only answer was a burst of grief. "Oh poor, poor Cousin Elsie! +her heart must be quite broken, for she idolized her husband. And the +girls and all of them; how they did love their father!" + +The servant came in with a plate of hot cakes, and a slender girlish +figure presently stole softly after, without knocking, for the door +stood open, and to the side of Molly's chair. It was Violet, looking, oh +so sad and sweet, so fair and spiritual in her deep mourning dress. + +In an instant she and Molly were locked in each other's arms, mingling +their sobs and tears together. + +"I'm afraid we have seemed to neglect you, Molly dear," Violet said when +she could speak, "but--" + +"No, no, you have _never_ done that!" cried Molly, weeping afresh. "And +how could I expect you to think of me at such a time! O Vi, Vi!" + +"Mamma cannot come up, for she is not--not able to leave her room, +and--and O Molly, I'm afraid she's going to be sick!" + +Molly tried to comfort and reassure her. "Aunt Rose was in for a while +this afternoon," she said, "and she thinks it is not really sickness, +only that she needs rest and--and comfort. And, Vi, the Lord will +comfort her. Don't you remember those sweet words in Isaiah?--'As one +whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be +comforted.'" + +Violet had come up to see Molly, lest the poor afflicted cousin should +feel neglected, while Elsie was engaged with the little ones--taking +mamma's place in seeing them to bed with a little loving talk on some +profitable theme. + +To-night it was the glory and bliss of heaven; leaving in their young +minds, instead of gloomy and dreadful thoughts of death and the cold, +dark grave, bright visions of angelic choirs, of white robes and palms +of victory, of golden crowns and harps, of the river of the water of +life, and the beautiful trees on its banks bearing twelve manner of +fruits; of papa with sweet Lily by his side, both casting their crowns +at Jesus' feet and singing with glad voices, "Worthy is the Lamb that +was slain." + +Leaving them at length to their slumbers, she joined Violet and Molly +for a few moments; then Edward came to say that their mother was awake +and grandpa had given permission for them to go to her and just bid her +good-night, if they could be quite composed. + +They thought they could; they would try very earnestly. + +She was in her dressing-room, reclining in an easy chair, looking, oh so +wan and sorrowful. + +She embraced each in turn, holding them to her heart with a whispered +word or two of tender mother love. "God bless you, my dear, dear +children! He will be a father to the fatherless and never leave nor +forsake you." + +Violet dared not trust herself to speak. Elsie only murmured, "Dear, +dearest mamma!" and Edward, "Darling, precious mother, don't grieve too +sorely." + +"The consolations of God are not small! my dear son," was all she said +in reply, and they withdrew softly and silently as they had come. + +The next morning and each following day they were all allowed a few +moments with her, until four days had passed. + +On the fifth, as we have said, she came down to the breakfast room +leaning on her father's arm. + +As they neared the door she paused, trembling like a leaf, and turning +to him a white, anguished face. + +He knew what it meant. She had not been in that room, had not taken her +place at that table, since the morning of the day on which her husband +was taken ill. He was with her then, in apparently perfect health; +now--the places which had known him on earth would know him no more +forever. + +Her head dropped on her father's shoulder, a low moan escaping her pale +lips. + +"Dear child," he said, drawing her closer to him, and tenderly kissing +her brow, "think how perfectly happy, how blest he is. You would not +call him back?" + +"Oh no, no!" came from the quivering lips. "'The spirit is willing, but +the flesh is weak!'" + +"Lean on your strong Saviour," he said, "and His grace will be +sufficient for you." + +She sent up a silent petition, then lifting her head, "I can bear it +now--He will help me," she said, and suffered him to lead her in. + +Her children gathered about her with a joy that was as a cordial to her +fainting spirit; their love was very sweet. + +But how her heart yearned over them because they were fatherless; all +the more so that she found her father's love so precious and sustaining +in this time of sorrow and bereavement. + +He led her to her accustomed seat, bent over her with a whispered word +of love and encouragement, then took the one opposite--once her +husband's, now his no more. + +Perhaps it was not quite so hard as to have seen it empty, but it cost a +heroic effort to restrain a burst of anguish. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + "Happy he + With such a mother! faith in womankind + Beats with his blood, and trust in all things high + Comes easy to him, and though he trip and fall + He shall not blind his soul with clay." + --_Tennyson._ + + +Life at Ion moved on in its accustomed quiet course, Mr. Travilla's +removal seeming, to outsiders, to have made very little change except +that Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore now took up their abode there for the greater +part of the time, leaving the younger Horace and his wife in charge at +the Oaks. + +An arrangement for which Elsie was very thankful, for her father's +presence and his love were as balm to her wounded spirit. + +Her strongest support in this, as in every trial of her life, was in her +almighty Saviour; on Him she leaned every hour with a simple childlike +faith and confidence in His unerring wisdom and infinite love; but it +was very sweet to lean somewhat upon the strength and wisdom of the +earthly father also, and to feel that the shield of his care and +protection was interposed between her and the cold world. + +Both his and Rose's companionship had ever been delightful to her, and +were now a great solace and pleasure. + +She gave no indulgence to a spirit of repining because her chief earthly +treasure had been taken from her for the remainder of her life in this +world, but was filled with gratitude for those blessings that were left, +ever deeming God's goodness to her far beyond her deserts. + +And her own sorrow was often half forgotten in tender compassion for her +fatherless children. For their sakes, as well as because such was her +Christian duty, she strove after a constant abiding cheerfulness; and +not without success. + +But it was not sought in forgetfulness of the dear one gone. They talked +freely and tenderly of him, his looks, his words, his ways; his present +happiness and the joy of the coming reunion with him. He was not dead to +them, but living in the blessed land where death could never enter, a +land that grew more real and attractive because he was there. + +Elsie found great comfort in her children--dear as her own offspring, +and dearer still because they were his also. They were very good and +obedient, loving her so devotedly that the very thought of grieving her +was pain. + +Her unselfish love seemed to call forth its counterpart in them: they +vied with each other in earnest efforts to make up to her the loss of +their father's love and ever watchful tender care. + +They were very fond of their grandfather too, and always yielded a ready +obedience to his commands or directions. + +He never had shown to them the sternness that had been one of the trials +of their mother's youthful days, but was patient and gentle, as well as +firm and decided. Mr. Travilla's example as a father had not been wasted +on him. + +He was wont to say "he had three reasons for loving them--that they were +the children of his friend, Elsie's children, and his own +grandchildren." + +It was very evident that they were very dear to him, and they loved him +dearly in return. + +Mr. Travilla had left no debts, no entanglements in his affairs; his +will was short, plainly expressed, and its conditions such as there was +no difficulty in carrying out. + +Elsie and her father were joint executors, and were associated in the +guardianship of the children also. The estate was left to her during her +natural life, to Edward after her death. + +Hitherto the education of all the sons and daughters had been carried on +at home, but now Edward was to go to college. + +It had been his father's decision, and his wishes and opinions were +sacred; so neither the lad nor any one else raised an objection, though +all felt the prospect of parting sorely just at this time. + +There had been some talk of sending Harold and Herbert away also to a +preparatory school; but to save them and their mother the pain of +separation, Mr. Dinsmore offered to prepare them to enter college. + +Elsie was in fact herself competent to the task, but gladly accepted her +father's offered assistance; desiring to increase as much as possible +his good influence over her boys, hoping that so they would learn to +emulate all that was admirable in his character. + +They were of course leading a very quiet and retired life at Ion; but +with her household cares and the superintendence of the education of her +younger children to attend to in addition to other and less pressing +duties, Elsie was in no danger of finding time hanging heavy on her +hands. + +One of the numerous demands upon her maternal responsibility and +affection was found in the call to cheer, comfort and console her +namesake daughter under the trial of separation from her betrothed, +delay in hearing from him, and a morbid remorse on account of having, as +she expressed it, "troubled poor, dear papa by grieving and fretting +over Lester's departure." + +"Dear child," the mother said, "he sympathized with but did not blame +you, and would not have you blame yourself so severely now and embitter +your life with unavailing regrets. He loved you very, very dearly, and +has often said to me, 'Elsie has been nothing but a blessing to us since +the hour of her birth.'" + +"O mamma, how sweet! Thank you for telling me," exclaimed the daughter, +tears of mingled joy and sorrow filling her eyes. "He said it once to +me, when I was quite a little girl--at the time grandpa--your +grandpa--and Aunt Enna were hurt, and you went to Roselands to nurse +her, leaving me at home to try to fill your place. Oh I shall never +forget how dear and kind he was when he came home from taking you there! +how he took me in his arms and kissed me and said those very words. +Mamma, I cannot recall one cross word ever spoken by him to me, or to +any one." + +"No, daughter, nor can I; he was most kind, patient, forbearing, loving, +as husband, father, master--in all the relations of life. What a +privilege to have been his cherished wife for so many years!" + +The sweet voice was very tremulous, and unbidden tears stole over the +fair cheeks that had not quite recovered their bloom; for scarce a month +had passed since the angel of death had come between her beloved and +herself. + +"Dear mamma, you made him very happy," whispered Elsie, clasping her +close with loving caresses. + +"Yes, we were as happy together, I believe, as it is possible for any +to be in this world of sin and sorrow. I bless God that he was spared to +me so long, and for the blessedness that now is his, and the sure hope +that this separation is but for a season." + +"Mamma, it is that sweet hope that keeps you from sinking." + +"Yes, dearest, that and the sweet love and sympathy of Jesus. My +father's and my dear children's love does greatly help me also. Ah how +great is the goodness of my heavenly Father in sparing me all these! And +keeping me from poverty too; how many a poor widow has the added pang of +seeing her children suffering sore privations or scattered among +strangers, because she lacks the ability to provide them with food and +clothing." + +"Mamma, how dreadful!" cried Elsie. "I had never thought of that. How +thankful we ought to be that we do not have to be separated from you or +from each other. To be sure Edward is going away for a time," she added, +with a sigh and a tear, "but it is not to toil for a livelihood or +endure privations." + +"No, but to avail himself of opportunities for mental culture for which +we should be grateful as still another of the many blessings God has +given us. He will be exposed to temptations such as would never assail +him at home: but these he must meet, and if he does so looking to God +for strength, he will overcome and be all the stronger for the conflict. +And we, daughter, must follow him constantly with our prayers. Thank God +that we can do that!" + +To Edward himself she spoke in the same strain in a last private talk +had with him the night before he went away. + +"I know that you have a very strong will of your own, my dear boy," she +added, "and are not easily led; and because I believe it to be your +earnest desire and purpose to walk in the way of God's commands, that is +a comfort to me." + +"You are right in regard to both, mother," he said with emotion: "and oh +I could sooner cut off my right hand than do aught to grieve you, and +dishonor the memory of--of my sainted father!" + +"I believe it, my son, but do not trust in your own strength. 'Be strong +in the Lord, and in the power of his might.'" + +"Yes, mother, I know, I feel that otherwise I shall fail; but 'I can do +all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.' Mother," he added, +turning over the leaves of his Bible (they had been reading together), +"in storing my memory with the teachings of this blessed book, you have +given me the best possible preparation for meeting the temptations and +snares of life." + +"Yes," she said, "'Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my +path;' 'Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.' Let +them ever be yours, my son; in doubt and perplexity go ever to them for +direction--not forgetting prayer for the teachings of the Holy +Spirit--and you cannot go far astray. Make the Bible your rule of faith +and practice, bring everything to the test of Scripture. 'To the law and +to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is +because there is no light in them.'" + +"Mother," he said, "I think I have a pretty clear idea of some of the +temptations of college life: doubtless there are always a good many +idle, profane, drinking, dissolute fellows among the students, but it +does not seem possible that I shall ever find pleasure in the society of +such." + +"I hope not indeed!" she answered with emphasis. "It would be a sore +grief to me. But I hardly fear it; I believe my boy is a Christian and +loves purity: loves study too for its own sake. What I most fear for you +is that the pride of intellect may lead you to listen to the arguments +of sceptics and to examine their works. My son, if you should, you will +probably regret it to your dying day. It can do you nothing but harm. If +you fill your mind with such things your spiritual foes will take +advantage of it to harass you with doubts and fears. 'Blessed is the man +that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way +of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.' He who would rob +you of your faith in God and His holy word is your greatest enemy. Study +the evidences of Christianity and be ever ready to give a reason for the +hope that is in you." + +"Mother," he said, taking her hand in his, "I will heed your counsels, +but it seems to me that having seen Christianity so beautifully +exemplified in your life and my father's, I can never doubt its truth +and power." + +Then after a pause in which tears of mingled joy and sorrow fell freely +from her eyes, "Dear mother, you have given me a very liberal allowance. +Can you spare it? I do not know, I have never known the amount of your +income." + +"I can spare it perfectly well, my son," she answered, with a tender +smile, pleased at this proof of his thoughtful love. "It is the sum your +father thought best to give you--for we had consulted together about all +these matters. I do not wish you to feel stinted, but at the same time +would have you avoid waste and extravagance, remembering that they are +inconsistent with our Saviour's teachings, and that money is one of the +talents for whose use or abuse we must render an account at the last." + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + "But O! for the touch of a vanished hand, + And the sound of a voice that is still." + --_Tennyson._ + + +It was a chill November day, a day of lowering clouds, wind, rain, sleet +and snow. + +Arthur Conly coming into the drawing-room at Ion and finding its +mistress there alone, remarked as he shook hands with her, "The +beginning of winter, Cousin Elsie! It is setting in early. It froze hard +last night, and the wind to-day is cutting." + +"Yes," she said, "even papa and my two big, hardy boys found a short +walk quite sufficient to satisfy them to-day. But you poor doctors can +seldom consult your own comfort in regard to facing wind and storm. Take +this easy chair beside the fire." + +"Thank you, no; I shall find it quite warm enough on the sofa beside +you. I am glad to have found you alone, for I want to have a little +semi-confidential chat." + +She gave him an inquiring look. + +"I am a little uneasy about grandpa," he went on: "he seems feeble and +has a troublesome cough, and I think should have a warmer climate +through the coming winter. I think too, cousin, that such a change +would be by no means hurtful to you or your children," he continued, +regarding her with a grave, professional air: "you are a trifle thin and +pale, and need something to rouse and stimulate you." + +"What is it you wish, Arthur?" she asked, with a slight tremble in her +voice. + +"I should be glad if you would go to Viamede for the winter and take our +grandfather with you." + +He paused for an answer. + +Her face was turned toward a window looking out upon the grounds; her +eyes rested with mournful gaze upon a low mound of earth within a little +enclosure not many rods away. + +Arthur read her thoughts, and laying a gentle hand on hers, said in low +compassionate tones: + +"He is not there, cousin, and his spirit will be as near you in your +Lily's birthplace, and your own, as here. Is not that home also full of +pleasant memories of him?" + +She gave a silent assent. + +"And you can take all your other dear ones with you." + +"Except Edward." + +"Yes, but in his case it will only involve a little delay in receiving +letters. Your father and Aunt Rose I am certain will go with you. And +our old grandpa--" + +"Is a dear old grandpa, and must not suffer anything I can save him +from," she interrupted. "Yes, Arthur, I will go, if--if my father +approves and will accompany us, of which I have no doubt." + +He thanked her warmly. "It may be the saving of grandpa's life," he +said. + +"He is getting very old, Arthur." + +"Yes, past eighty, but with care he may live to be a hundred; he has a +naturally vigorous constitution. And how he mellows with age, Elsie! He +has become a very lovely Christian, as humble and simple-hearted as a +little child." + +"Yes," she said turning toward him eyes filled with glad tears, "and he +has become very dear to me. I think he loves us all--especially +papa--and that we shall have a happy winter together." + +"I don't doubt it; in fact, I quite envy you the prospect." + +"Oh could you not go with us to stay at least a few weeks? We should all +be so very glad to have you." + +"Quite impossible," he said, shaking his head rather ruefully. "I'm +greatly obliged, and should be delighted to accept your invitation, but +it isn't often a busy doctor can venture to take such a holiday." + +"I'm very sorry. But you think there is no doubt that grandpa will be +willing to go?" + +"He'll not hesitate a moment if he hears Uncle Horace is to go. He +clings to him now more than to any other earthly creature." + +"Papa is in the library; shall we join him and hear what he thinks of +your plan?" said Elsie, rising. + +"By all means," returned Arthur, and they did so. + +Mr. Dinsmore highly approved, as did Rose also on being called in to the +conference. + +"How soon do you think of starting?" she asked, looking at Elsie, then +at her husband. + +"Papa should decide that," Elsie answered, a slight tremble in her +voice, thinking of the absent one to whom that question should have been +referred were his dear presence still with them. + +She caught a look of tenderest love and sympathy from her father. How +well he understood her! How ever thoughtful of her feelings he was! + +"I think the decision should rest with you, daughter," he said; "though +I suppose the sooner the better." + +"Yes," said Arthur; "for grandpa especially." + +"I presume no great amount of preparation will be needful, since it is +but a change from one home to another," suggested Rose. + +"No," said Elsie, "and I think a week will suffice for mine. Papa, can +business matters be arranged in that time?" + +"Oh yes! so we will say this day week." + +The door had opened very quietly a few moments before, admitting little +Rose and Walter, and stealing softly to their mother's side they were +now leaning on her lap, looking from one to another of their elders and +listening with some curiosity to their conversation. + +"What is it, mamma?" asked Rosie. + +"We are talking of going to Viamede, dear." + +"Oh that will be nice!" + +"But we tan't doe wis-out papa," prattled Walter; "tan we, mamma? I wish +my dear papa tum back quick." + +Rosie saw the pain in mamma's dear face, the tears in her eyes as she +pressed a silent kiss on the brow of the innocent questioner, and with +ready, loving tact she seized the little fellow's hand, and, drawing him +away, "Come, Walter," she said, "let us go and tell the rest about it." + +They ran away together, and Arthur rose to take leave. + +"Am I imposing upon your unselfish kindness of heart, my dear cousin?" +he asked in an undertone, taking Elsie's hand in his; "is it too great a +sacrifice of your own feelings and inclinations?" + +She answered with a text, as was not unusual with her, "'Even Christ +pleased not himself.'" + +Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore were conversing apart at the moment. + +"Perhaps," returned Arthur musingly, "we might make some other +arrangement; grandpa might be willing to go without--" + +"No, no," she interrupted, "I could not think of giving him the pain of +separation from papa, nor could I bear that myself. But do not trouble +about me; there will be much pleasure mingled with the pain--pleasure in +ministering to the comfort and happiness of the dear old grandpa, and in +seeing Viamede and the old servants. I have always loved both the place +and them." + +Her father had caught a part of her words. + +"Separation from me?" he said, turning toward her, "who talks of that? +It shall not be with my consent." + +"No, papa, nor with mine, for either grandpa or myself," she said with a +look of affection and a slight smile. "Arthur, will you carry a message +from me to Isa?" + +"With pleasure." + +"Then tell her I should be very glad to have her spend the winter at +Viamede with us, if she feels that she would enjoy the trip and the +quiet life we shall lead there. There will, of course, be no gayeties to +tempt a young girl." + +"Thank you," he said, his eyes shining; "I have not the slightest doubt +that she will be delighted to accept the invitation. And, now I think of +it, Aunt Enna and Molly will of course find a home with us at Roselands +while you are away." + +"No, no, they will go with us," returned Elsie quickly, "unless indeed +they prefer to be left behind." + +Arthur suggested that they would be a great charge, especially upon the +journey, but the objection was promptly overruled by Mr. Dinsmore, Rose +and Elsie. + +Molly must go, they all said; she would be sure to enjoy the change +greatly: and the poor child had so few pleasures; and the same was true +of Enna also: she had never seen Viamede, and could not fail to be +delighted with its loveliness; nor would it do to part her from Molly, +who was now her chief happiness. + +"I trust they will appreciate your kindness; Molly will, I am sure," +Arthur said as he went away. + +As the door closed on him, Elsie glided to the window and stood in a +pensive attitude gazing out upon that lowly mound, only faintly +discernible now in the gathering darkness, for night was closing in +early by reason of the heavy clouds that obscured the sky. + +A yearning importunate cry was going up from her almost breaking heart. +"My husband, oh my husband, how can I live without you! Oh to hear once +more the sound of your voice, to feel once again the clasp of your arm, +the touch of your hand!" + +A sense of utter loneliness was upon her. + +But in another moment she felt herself enfolded in a strong yet tender +embrace, a gentle caressing hand smoothing her hair. + +"My darling, my precious one, my own beloved child!" murmured her +father's voice in its most endearing accents, as he drew her head to a +resting place on his breast. + +She let it lie there, her tears falling fast. + +"I fear this going away is to be too great a trial to you," he said. + +"No, papa, but I am very weak. Forgive my selfish indulgence of my +sorrow." + +"My darling, I can sympathize in it, at least to some extent. I remember +even yet the anguish of the first months of my mourning for your +mother." + +"Papa, I feel that my wound can never heal; it is too deep; deep as the +roots of my love for him, that had been striking farther and farther +into the soil with every one of the many days and years that we lived +and loved together." + +"I fear it may be so," he answered with tenderest compassion; "yet time +will dull the edge of your sorrow; you will learn to dwell less upon the +pain of the separation, and more upon his present happiness and the +bliss of the reunion that will be drawing nearer and nearer with each +revolving day. Dear one, this aching pain will not last forever; as +Rutherford says, 'Sorrow and the saints are not married together; or +suppose it were so, Heaven would make a divorce.'" + +"They are very sweet words," she murmured, "and sweeter still is the +assurance given us in the Scriptures that 'our light affliction, which +is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal +weight of glory.'" + +"Yes," said Rose, coming to her other side and speaking in low, tender +tones, "dear Elsie, let those words comfort you; and these others also, +'Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he +receiveth.' But for that and similar texts I should wonder much that +trial of any kind was ever permitted to come nigh one who has been a +loving disciple of Jesus since her very early years." + +"Was it that I loved my husband too well?" Elsie queried in tremulous +tones. "I do not think I made an idol of him; for inexpressibly dear as +he was, the Master was dearer still." + +"If that be so you did not love him--your husband--too well," her father +answered. + +"I hear my children's voices; I must not let them see their mother +giving way to grief like this," she said, lifting her head and wiping +away her tears. + +They came in--the whole six--preceded by a servant bearing lights. + +There was a subdued eagerness about the younger ones, as they hastened +to their mother asking, "Mamma, is it really so--that we are going to +Viamede?" + +"Yes, dears, I believe it is quite settled. Grandpa approves, and I hope +you are all pleased." + +"Oh yes, yes!" + +"If you are, mamma," the older girls said, noticing with affectionate +concern the traces of tears on her face; "if not, we prefer to stay +here." + +"Thank you, my darlings," she answered, smiling affectionately upon +them; "for several reasons I shall be glad to go, the principal being +that our poor old grandfather needs the warm climate he will find there; +and of course we could not think of letting him go alone." + +"Oh no!" they said; "he could not do without grandpa, and neither could +we." + +"And neither could grandpa do without his eldest daughter, or her +children," added Mr. Dinsmore playfully, sitting down and taking Walter +upon one knee, Rosie upon the other. "So we will all go together, and I +trust will have a happy time in that lovely land of fruits and flowers." + +They had not seen it for several years, not since Walter was a babe and +Rosie so young that she remembered but little about it. Both were +delighted with the prospect before them, and plied their grandpa with +many eager questions, while their mother looked on with growing +cheerfulness, resolutely putting aside her grief that she might not mar +their pleasure. + +The other four had gathered about her, Vi on a cushion at her feet, +Elsie seated close on one side, Herbert standing on the other, and +Harold at the back of her chair, leaning fondly over her, now touching +his lips to her cheek, now softly smoothing her shining hair. + +"Dear mamma, how beautiful you are!" he whispered. + +"You might as well say it out loud," remarked Herbert, overhearing the +words, "because everybody knows it and nobody would want to contradict +you." + +"We are very apt to think those beautiful whom we love," their mother +said with a pleased smile, "and the love of my children is very sweet to +me." + +"Yes, mamma, but you _are_ beautiful," insisted Harold; "it isn't only +my love that makes you look so to me, though I do love you +dearly--dearly." + +"Mamma knows we all do," said Violet; "we should be monsters of +ingratitude if we did not." + +"As I should be if I were not filled with thankfulness to God that he +has blessed me with such dutiful and affectionate children," added the +mother. + +"Mamma, how soon will we go to Viamede?" asked Violet; and that +question being answered, another quickly followed. "We will not leave +Molly behind?" + +"No, certainly not; nor Aunt Enna, if they will kindly consent to go +with us." + +"Consent, mamma! I'm sure they cannot help being delighted to go. May I +run and tell them?" + +"Yes, my child; I know you always enjoy being the bearer of pleasant +news." + +Molly heard it with great pleasure and gratitude to her cousin; Enna +with even childish delight. Neither had a thought of declining. + +Isadore Conly, also, was very much pleased, and sure she should vastly +enjoy the winter with her relations, spite of many an envious +prognostication to the contrary on the part of her mother and Virginia. +They would not go on any account, they averred, and were glad they had +been overlooked in the invitation--mean as it was in Elsie not to +include them--for life at Viamede could not fail to be a very dull +affair for that winter at least. + +But Elsie, of course, heard none of these unkind remarks, and seeing the +happiness she was conferring not only upon more distant relations but +upon her children also, who showed increasing pleasure in the thought of +the expected visit to their lovely southern home as the time drew near, +she felt fully repaid for the sacrifice of feeling she was making. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + "'Tis easier for the generous to forgive + Than for offence to ask it." + --_Thomson._ + + +The only noteworthy incident of the journey of our friends took place at +New Orleans, where they halted for a few days of rest to all, and +sight-seeing on the part of the young people. + +Mr. Horace Dinsmore, who had some business matters to attend to in +connection with Elsie's property in the city, was hurrying back to his +hotel one afternoon, when a beggar accosted him, asking for a little +help, holding out a very forlorn hat to receive it. + +There seemed something familiar in the voice, and Mr. Dinsmore stopped +and looked earnestly at its owner. + +A seamed, scarred face, thin, cadaverous, framed in with unkempt hair +and scraggy beard--an attenuated form clothed in rags--these were what +met his view, surely for the first time, for there was nothing familiar +about either. + +No, not for the first time; for, with a start of recognition and a +muttered curse, the mendicant dropped his hat, then stooped, hastily +snatched it from the ground, and rushed away down an alley. + +"Ah, I know you now!" cried Mr. Dinsmore, giving instant pursuit. + +He could not be mistaken in the peculiarly maimed hand stretched out to +regain the hat. + +Its owner fled as if for his life, but, weak from disease and famine, +could not distance his pursuer. + +At last, finding the latter close at his heels, he stopped and faced +him, leaning, panting and trembling, against a wall. + +"George Boyd, is it you? reduced to such a condition as this!" exclaimed +Mr. Dinsmore, eying him searchingly. + +"You've mistaken your man, sir," panted the fugitive. "My name's +Brown--Sam Brown at your service." + +"Then why did you run away from me?" coolly inquired the gentleman. "No, +I cannot mistake that hand," pointing to the maimed member. + +"And you'd like to hang me, I suppose," returned the other bitterly. +"But I don't believe you could do it here. Beside, what's the use? I'll +not cumber the ground much longer, can't you see that? Travilla +himself," he added, with a fierce oath, "can hardly wish me anything +worse than I've come to. I'm literally starving--can hardly get enough +food to keep soul and body together from one day to another." + +"Then come with me and I will feed you," Mr. Dinsmore said, his whole +soul moved with pity for the miserable wretch. "Yonder is a restaurant; +let us go there, and I will pay for all you can eat." + +"You don't mean it?" cried Boyd in incredulous surprise. + +"I do; every word of it. Will you come?" + +"A strange question to ask a starving man. Of course I will; only too +gladly." + +They crossed the street, entered the eating-house, and Mr. Dinsmore +ordered a substantial meal set before Boyd. He devoured it with wolfish +voracity, his entertainer watching him for a moment, then turning away +in pained disgust. + +Time after time plate and cup were filled and emptied, but at last he +declared his appetite fully satisfied. Mr. Dinsmore paid the reckoning, +and they passed out into the street together. + +"Well, sir," said Boyd, "I'm a thousand times obliged. Shall be more so +if you will accommodate me with a small loan--or gift if you like, for I +haven't a cent in the world." + +"How much do you think you deserve at my hands?" asked Mr. Dinsmore +somewhat severely, for the request seemed to him a bold one under the +circumstances. + +"I leave that to your generosity, sir," was the cool reply. + +"Which you expect to be great enough to allow you to escape the justice +that should have been meted out to you years ago?" + +"I've never harmed a hair of your head nor of any one belonging to you; +though I owe a heavy scare to both you and Travilla," was the insolent +rejoinder. + +"No, your imprisonment was the due reward of your lawless and cruel +deeds." + +"Whatever I may have done," retorted the wretch with savage ferocity, +"it was nothing compared to the injury inflicted upon me. I suffered +inconceivable torture. Look at me and judge if I do not speak the truth; +look at these fearful scars, these almost blinded eyes." He finished +with a torrent of oaths and curses directed at Travilla. + +"Stop!" said Mr. Dinsmore authoritatively, "you are speaking against the +sainted dead, and he entirely innocent of the cause of your sufferings." + +"What! is he dead? When? where? how did he die?" + +"At Ion, scarce two months ago, calmly, peacefully, trusting with +undoubting faith in the atoning blood of Christ." + +Boyd stood leaning against the outer wall of the restaurant; he was +evidently very weak; he seemed awe-struck, and did not speak again for +a moment; then, "I did not know it," he said in a subdued tone. "So he's +gone! And his wife? She was very fond of him." + +"She was indeed. She is in this city with her family, on her way to +Viamede." + +"I'm sorry for her; never had any grudge against her," said Boyd. "And +my aunt?" + +"Is still living and in good health, but beginning to feel the +infirmities of age. She has long mourned for you as worse than dead. You +look ill able to stand; let me help you to your home." + +"Home? I have none." There was a mixture of scorn and despair in the +tones. + +"But you must have some lodging place?" + +"Yes, sometimes it is a door-step, sometimes a pile of rotten straw in a +filthy cellar. On second thoughts, Dinsmore, I rather wish you'd have me +arrested and lodged in jail," he added with a bitter laugh. "I'd at +least have a bed to lay my weary limbs upon, and something to eat. And +before the trial was over I'd be beyond the reach of any heavier +penalty." + +"Of human law," added Mr. Dinsmore significantly, "but do not forget +that after death comes the judgment. No, Boyd; I feel no resentment +toward you, and since your future career in this world is evidently very +short, I do not feel called upon to deliver you up to human justice. +Also, for your aunt's sake especially, I am inclined to give you some +assistance. I will therefore give you the means to pay for a decent +lodging to-night, and to-morrow will see what further can be done, if +you will let me know where to find you." + +Time and place were fixed upon, money enough to pay for bed and +breakfast was given to Boyd, and they parted company, Mr. Dinsmore +hastening on his way to his hotel--the very best the city afforded--with +a light, free step, while Boyd slowly dragged himself to a very humble +lodging in a narrow, dirty street near at hand. + +Mr. Dinsmore found his whole party gathered in their private parlor and +anxiously awaiting his coming. As he entered there was a general +exclamation of relief and pleasure on the part of the ladies and his +father, and a joyous shout from Rosie and Walter as each hastened to +claim a seat upon his knee. + +"My dears, grandpa is tired," said their mother. + +"Not too tired for this," he said, caressing them with all a father's +fondness. + +"Are you not late, my dear?" asked his wife; "we were beginning to feel +a trifle anxious about you." + +"Rather, I believe. I will explain the cause at another time," he said +pleasantly. + +Tea was brought in, family worship followed the meal, and shortly after +that Elsie retired with her little ones to see them to bed; the others +drew round the table, each with book or work, Harold pushing Molly's +chair up near the light; and Mr. Dinsmore, seating himself beside his +wife, on a distant sofa, gave her in subdued tones an account of his +interview with Boyd. + +"Poor wretch!" she sighed, "what can we do for him? It is too dreadful +to think of his dying as he has lived." + +"It is, indeed! We will consult with Elsie as to what can be done." + +"The very mention of his name must be a pain to her; can she not be +spared it?" + +"I will consider that question. You know I would not willingly pain +her," he said, with a tenderly affectionate glance at his daughter as +she re-entered the room; then rising he paced the floor, as was his +habit when engaged in deep or perplexing thought. + +Elsie watched him a little anxiously, but without remark until all the +others had retired, leaving her alone with him and Rose. + +Then going to him where he sat, in a large easy chair beside the table, +looking over the evening paper, "Papa," she said, laying her hand +affectionately on his arm, "I fear you are finding my affairs +troublesome." + +"No, my dear child, not at all," he answered, throwing down the paper +and drawing her to a seat upon his knee. + +"It seems quite like old, old times," she said with a smile, gazing +lovingly into his eyes, then stealing an arm about his neck and laying +her cheek to his. + +"Yes," he said, fondling her; "why should I not have you here as I used +to twenty odd years ago? You are no larger or heavier nor I a whit less +strong and vigorous than we were then." + +"How thankful I am for that last," she returned, softly stroking his +face, "and it is very pleasant occasionally to imagine myself your own +little girl again. But something is giving you anxiety, my dear father. +Is it anything in which I can assist you?" + +"Yes; but I fear I can hardly explain without calling up painful +memories." + +He felt her start slightly, and a low-breathed sigh met his ear. + +"Still say on, dear papa," she whispered tremulously. + +"Can you bear it?" he asked; "not for me, but for another--an enemy." + +"Yes, the Lord will give me strength. Of whom do you speak?" + +"George Boyd." + +"The would-be murderer of my husband!" she exclaimed, with a start and +shiver, while the tears coursed freely down her cheeks. "I thought him +long since dead." + +"No, I met him this evening, but so worn and altered by disease and +famine, so seamed and scarred by Aunt Dicey's scalding shower, that I +recognized him only by the mutilated right hand. Elsie, the man is +reduced to the lowest depths of poverty and shame, and evidently very +near his end." + +"Papa, what would you have me do?" she asked in quivering tones. + +"Could you bear to have him removed to Viamede? could you endure his +presence there for the few weeks he has yet to live?" + +She seemed to have a short struggle with herself, then the answer came +in low, agitated tones. + +"Yes, if neither my children nor I need look upon him or hold any +communication with him." + +"That would not be at all necessary," her father answered, holding her +close to his heart. "And indeed I could not consent to it myself. He is +a loathsome creature both morally and physically; yet for his aunt's +sake, and still more for His sake who bids us 'Love your enemies, bless +them that curse you, do good to them that hate you,' I shall gladly do +all in my power for the wretched prodigal. And who can tell but there +may yet be mercy in store for him? God's mercy and power are infinite, +and He has 'no pleasure in the death of him that dieth,' but would +rather that he turn from his evil way and live." + +There was a little pause, then Elsie asked if her father had arranged +any plans in regard to Boyd's removal. + +"Yes," he said, "subject of course to your approval. I have thought it +would be well to send him on at once and let him be settled in his +quarters before the arrival of our own party. You must decide what room +he is to occupy." + +She named one situated in a wing of the mansion, and quite distant from +the apartments which would be used by the family. + +"What more, papa?" she asked. + +"He must have an attendant--a nurse. And shall we not write to his aunt, +inviting her to come and be with him while he lives? remain through the +winter with us, if she can find it convenient and agreeable to do so?" + +"Yes, oh yes! poor dear Mrs. Carrington; it will be but a melancholy +pleasure to her. But I think if any one can do him good it will be she. +I will write at once." + +"Not to-night; it is too late; you are looking weary, and I want you to +go at once to bed. To-morrow morning will be time enough for the +letter." + +"What, sending me to bed, papa!" she said with a slightly amused smile. +"I must be indeed your little girl again. Well, I will obey as I used +to in the olden time, for I still believe you know what is best for me. +So good-night, my dear, dear father!" + +"Good-night, my darling," he responded, caressing her with all the old, +fatherly tenderness. "May God bless and keep you and your dear +children." + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + "She led me first to God; + Her words and prayers were my young spirit's dew." + --_Pierpont._ + + +Elsie's letter to Mrs. Carrington was despatched by the first morning +mail, and directly after breakfast Mr. Dinsmore went in search of Boyd. + +Hardened as the man was, he showed some sense of gratitude toward the +new-made widow of his intended victim, when informed of her kind +intentions toward himself; some remorse for his attempt to injure him +whom she had so dearly loved. + +"It is really a great deal more than I had the least right to expect +even for my aunt's sake," he said. "Why, sir, it will be like getting +out of hell into heaven!" + +"It is not for Mrs. Carrington's sake alone, or principally--strong as +is the tie of friendship between them," replied Mr. Dinsmore, "but +rather for the sake of the Master she loves and serves, and who bids His +followers return good for evil." + +"Cant!" sneered Boyd to himself: then aloud, "Well, sir, I wish it were +in my power to make some suitable return to Mrs. Travilla; but that can +never be, and unfortunately I cannot even undo the past." + +"No; and that is a thought which might well deter us from evil deeds. +Now the next thing is to provide you with a bath, decent clothing, and +suitable attendant, and get you and him aboard the boat, which leaves a +few hours hence." + +All this was done and Mr. Dinsmore returned to his daughter with a +satisfactory report to that effect. + +Their party remained a few days longer in the Crescent City, then +embarked for Viamede, where they arrived in due season, having met with +no accident or detention by the way. + +As on former occasions, they were joyfully welcomed by the old servants; +but many tears mingled with the rejoicings, for Mr. Travilla had been +greatly beloved by all, and they wept for both their own loss and that +of their "dear bressed Missus," as they were wont to call her whom his +death had widowed. + +She was much overcome at the first, memory vividly recalling former +arrivals when he--her dearest earthly friend--was by her side, giving +her the support of his loved presence and sharing her happiness. + +Her thoughts dwelt particularly upon the glad days of their honeymoon; +and she seemed to see herself again a loved, loving, cherished bride, +now wandering with him through the beautiful orange groves or over the +velvety, flower-bespangled lawn, now seated by his side in the veranda, +the parlor, the library, or on some rustic seat under the grand old +trees, his arm encircling her waist, his eyes looking tenderly into +hers; or it might be gliding over the waters of the lakelet or galloping +or driving through the woods, everywhere and always the greatest delight +of each the love and companionship of the other. + +Ah, how often she now caught herself listening for the sound of his +voice, his step, waiting, longing to feel the touch of his hand! Could +she ever cease to do so?--ever lose that weary homesickness of heart +that at times seemed almost more than mortal strength could endure? + +But she had more than mortal strength to sustain her; the everlasting +arms were underneath and around her, the love that can never die, never +change, was her unfailing support and consolation. + +She indulged in no spirit of repining, no nursing of her grief, but gave +herself with cheerful earnestness to every good work: the careful, +prayerful instruction and training of her children as her first duty; +then kindly attentions to her old grandfather, to parents and guests; +after that the care of house servants, field hands, and the outside poor +of the vicinity, neglecting neither their bodies nor their souls; also +helping the cause of Christ in both her own and foreign lands, with +untiring efforts, earnest, believing prayer, and liberal gifts, striving +to be a faithful steward of the ample means God had committed to her +trust, and rejoicing in the ability to relieve the wants of His people, +and to assist in spreading abroad the glad news of salvation through +faith in Christ. + +There was no gayety at Viamede that winter, but the atmosphere of the +house was eminently cheerful, its walls often echoing to the blithe +voices and merry laughter of the children; never checked or reproved by +mamma; the days gliding peacefully by, in a varied round of useful and +pleasant employment and delightful recreation that left no room for +_ennui_--riding, driving, walking, boating for all, and healthful play +for the children. + +Lester Leland had been heard from, was well, and wrote in so hopeful a +strain that the heart of his affianced grew light and joyous. She was +almost ashamed to find she could be so happy without the dear father so +lately removed. + +Her mother reassured her on that point: it was right for her to be as +happy as she could; it was what her papa would have highly approved and +wished; and then in being so and allowing it to be perceived by those +around her, she would add to their enjoyment. + +"We are told to 'rejoice in the Lord always,'" concluded the mother, +"and a Christian's heart should never be the abode of gloom and +sadness." + +"Dear mamma, what an unfailing comfort and blessing you are to me and to +all your children," cried the young girl. "Oh, I do thank God every day +for my mother's dear love, my mother's wise counsels!" + +It was very true, and to mamma each one of the six--or we might say +seven, for Edward did the same by letter--carried every trouble, great +or small, every doubt, fear, and perplexity. + +No two of them were exactly alike in disposition--each required a little +different management from the others--but attentively studying each +character and asking wisdom from above, the mother succeeded wonderfully +well in guiding and controlling them. + +In this her father assisted her, and she was most careful and decided in +upholding his authority, never in any emergency opposing hers to it. + +"Mamma," said Harold, coming to her one day in her dressing-room, +"Herbie is in trouble with grandpa." + +"I am very sorry," she said with a look of concern, "but if so it must +be by his own fault; your grandpa's commands are never unreasonable." + +"No, I suppose not, mamma," Harold returned doubtfully, "but Herbie is +having a very hard time over his Latin lesson, and says he can't learn +it: it is too difficult. Mamma," with some hesitation, "if you would +speak to grandpa perhaps he would let him off this once." + +"Do you think that would be a good plan?" she asked with a slight smile. +"Herbert's great fault is lack of perseverance; he is too easily +discouraged, too ready to give up and say 'I can't.' Do you think it +would be really kind to indulge him in doing so?" + +"Perhaps not, mamma; but I feel very sorry to see him in such distress. +Grandpa has forbidden him to leave the school-room or to have anything +to eat but bread and milk till he can recite his lesson quite perfectly. +And we had planned to go fishing this afternoon, if you should give +permission, mamma." + +"My son," she said with an affectionate look into the earnest face of +the pleader, "I am glad to see your sympathy and love for your brother, +but I think your grandpa loves him quite as well and knows far better +what is for his good, and I cannot interfere between them; my children +must all be as obedient and submissive to my father as they are to me." + +"Yes, mamma, I know, and indeed we never disobey him. How could we when +papa bade us not? and made him our guardian, too?" + +Mrs. Travilla sat thinking for a moment after Harold had gone, then +rose and went to the school-room. + +Herbert sat there alone, idly drumming on his desk, the open book pushed +aside. His face was flushed and wore a very disconsolate and slightly +sullen expression. + +He looked up as his mother came in, but dropped his eyes instantly, +blushing and ashamed. + +"Mamma," he stammered, "I--I can't learn this lesson, it's so very hard, +and I'm so tired of being cooped up here. Mayn't I go out and have a +good run before I try any more?" + +"If your grandpa gives permission; not otherwise." + +"But he won't; and it's a hateful old lesson! and I _can't_ learn it!" +he cried with angry impatience. + +"My boy, you are grieving your mother very much," she said, sitting down +beside him and laying her cool hand on his heated brow. + +"O mamma, I didn't mean to do that!" he cried, throwing his arms about +her neck. "I do love you dearly, dearly." + +"I believe it, my son," she said, returning his caress, "but I want you +to prove it by being obedient to your kind grandpa as well as to me, and +by trying to conquer your faults." + +"Mamma, I haven't been naughty--only I can't learn such hard lessons as +grandpa gives." + +"My son, I know you do not mean to be untruthful, but to say that you +cannot learn your lesson is really not the truth; the difficulty is not +so much in the ability as in the will. And are you not indulging a +naughty temper?" + +"Mamma," he said, hanging his head, "you don't know how hard Latin is." + +"Why, what do you mean, my son?" she asked in surprise; "you certainly +know that I have studied Latin." + +"Yes, mamma, but wasn't it easier for you to learn than it is for me?" + +"I think not," she said with a smile, "though I believe I had more real +love for study and was less easily conquered by difficulties; and +yet--shall I tell you a little secret?" + +"Oh yes, ma'am, please do!" he answered, turning a bright, interested +face to hers. + +"Well, I disliked Latin at first, and did not want to study it. I should +have coaxed very hard to be excused from doing so, but that I dared not, +because my papa had strictly forbidden me to coax or tease after he had +given his decision; and he had said Latin was to be one of my studies. +There was one day, though, that I cried over my lesson and insisted that +I could not learn it." + +"And what did grandpa do to you?" he asked with great interest. + +"Treated me just as he does you--told me I _must_ learn it, and that I +could not dine with him and mamma or leave my room until I knew it. And, +my boy, I see now that he was wise and kind, and I have often been +thankful since that he was so firm and decided with me." + +"But did you learn it?" + +"Yes; nor did it take me long when once I gave my mind to it with +determination. That is exactly what you need to do. The great fault of +your disposition is lack of energy and perseverance, a fault grandpa and +I must help you to conquer, or you will never be of much use in the +world." + +"But, mamma, it seems to me I shall not need to do much when I'm a man," +he remarked a little shamefacedly; "haven't you a great deal of money to +give us all?" + +"It may be all gone before you are grown up," she said gravely. "I +shall be glad to lose it if its possession is to be the ruin of my sons. +But I do not intend to let any of you live in idleness, for that would +be a sin, because our talents must be improved to the utmost and used in +God's service, whether we have much or little money or none at all. +Therefore each of my boys must study a profession or learn some +handicraft by which he can earn his own living or make money to use in +doing good. + +"Now I am going to leave you," she added, rising, "and if you do not +want to give me a sad heart you will set to work at that lesson with a +will, and soon have it ready to recite to your grandpa." + +"Mamma, I will, to please you," he returned, drawing the book toward +him. + +"Do it to please God, your kind heavenly Father, even more than to make +me happy," she answered, laying her hand caressingly on his head. + +"Mamma, what is the text that says it will please Him?" he asked, +looking up inquiringly, for it had always been a habit with her to +enforce her teachings with a passage of Scripture. + +"There are a great many that teach it more or less directly," she said; +"we are to be diligent in business, to improve our talents and use them +in God's service; children are to obey their parents; and both your +grandpa and I have directed you to learn that lesson." + +"Mamma, I will do my very best," he said cheerfully, and she saw as she +left the room that he was really trying to redeem the promise. + +An hour later he came to her with a very bright face, to say that +grandpa had pronounced his recitation quite perfect and released him +from confinement. + +Her pleased look, her smile, her kiss were a sweet reward and a strong +incentive to continuance in well-doing. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according + to this word, it is because there is no light in them." + --_Isaiah_ 8:20. + + +Some years before this Elsie had built a little church on the +plantation, entirely at her own expense, for the use of her dependents +and of her own family when sojourning at Viamede. The membership was +composed principally of blacks. + +A few miles distant was another small church of the same denomination, +attended by the better class of whites; planters and their families. + +To these two congregations conjointly Mr. Mason had ministered for a +long while, preaching to the one in the morning, to the other in the +afternoon of each Sabbath. + +He had, however, been called to another field of labor, a few weeks +previous to the arrival of our friends, leaving the two congregations +pastorless, and the pretty cottage built for him at Viamede without a +tenant. + +Still they were not entirely without the preaching of the word, now one +and now another coming to supply the pulpits for a Sunday or two. + +At present they were filled by a young minister who came as a candidate, +and whose services had been engaged for several weeks. + +Elsie and her family were paying no visits now in this time of mourning, +but nothing but sickness, or a very severe storm, ever kept them from +church. They attended both services, and in the evening the older ones +gathered about the table in the library with their Bibles, and, with +Cruden's Concordance and other helps at hand, spent an hour or more in +the study of the word. + +"Mamma," said little Rosie, one Sunday as they were walking slowly +homeward from the nearer church, "why don't we have a minister that +believes the Bible?" + +"My child, don't you think Mr. Jones believes it?" + +"No, mamma," most emphatically, "because he contradicts it; he said +there's only one devil, and my Bible says Jesus cast out devils--seven +out of Mary Magdalen, and ever so many out of one man, besides other +ones out of other folks." + +"And last Sunday, when he was preaching about Jonah, he said it was a +wicked and foolish practice to cast lots," remarked Harold, "while the +Bible tells us that the Lord commanded the Israelites to divide their +land by lot, and that the apostles cast lots to choose a successor to +Judas." + +"Yes," said Violet, "and when Achan had sinned, didn't they cast lots to +find out who it was that troubled Israel?" + +"And to choose a king in the days of the prophet Samuel," added their +older sister. "How strange that any one should say it was a foolish and +wicked practice!" + +"I don't think his mother can have brought him up on the Bible as ours +does us," remarked Herbert. + +"Mamma, which are we to believe," asked Rosie, "the minister or the +Bible?" + +"Bring everything to the test of scripture," answered the mother's +gentle voice. "'To the law and the testimony: if they speak not +according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.' I want +you to have great respect for the ministry, yet never to receive any +man's teachings when you find them opposed to those of God's holy word." + +When the Bibles were brought out that evening, Isa proposed that they +should take up the question of the correctness of that assertion of Mr. +Jones which had led Rosie to doubt his belief in the inspiration of the +Scriptures. + +"Yes, let us do so," said her uncle. "It is an interesting subject." + +"Yes, I think it is," said Molly; "but do you consider it a question of +any importance, uncle?" + +"I do; no Bible truth can be unimportant. 'All scripture is by +inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for +correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may +be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.' And if we have +spiritual foes we surely need to know it, that we may be on our guard +against them." + +"And we have not been left without warning against them," observed old +Mr. Dinsmore. "'Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to +stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh +and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the +rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in +high places.' How absurd the idea that principalities and powers can +mean but one creature!" + +"David prays, 'Lead me in a plain path because of mine enemies'; and +again, 'Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies, +make thy way straight before my face,'" said Mrs. Travilla. "It seems +evident to me that it was spiritual foes he meant; that he feared to be +left a prey to their temptations, their deceit, the snares and traps +they would set for his soul." + +"Undoubtedly," returned her father. "On any other supposition some of +the psalms would seem to be very bloodthirsty and unchristian." + +"I rather took Mr. Jones to task about it as we came out of church," +said old Mr. Dinsmore, "and he maintained that he was in the right on +the ground that the name devil comes from the Greek Diabolos, which is +applied only to the prince of the devils." + +"And what of that?" said his son; "the Hebrew name, Satan, has the very +same signification--an adversary, an accuser, calumniator or +slanderer--and Christ called the devils he had just cast out, Satan: +'How can Satan cast out Satan? If Satan rise up against himself, and be +divided, he cannot stand.' If they are so like him, so entirely one with +him, as to be called himself--and that by Him who has all knowledge and +who is the Truth--I cannot see that there is any occasion to deny them +the name of devil, or anything to be gained by doing so; while on the +other hand there is danger of positive harm, as it seems to throw doubt +and discredit upon our English translation." + +"A very serious responsibility to assume, since the vast majority of the +people must depend upon it," remarked Mrs. Travilla. "I think any one +who makes the assertion we are discussing should give a very full +explanation and strong warning against the lesser evil spirits we call +devils. 'If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?'" + +"Yes," said her father, "and I have very strong faith in the learning, +wisdom and piety of the translators." + +"Is Satan a real person? and were the devils whom Christ and his +disciples cast out, real persons?" asked Isadore. "I have heard people +talk of Satan as if he were an imaginary creature, a myth; and of the +others, with which persons were possessed in those days, as probably +nothing more than bad tempers." + +"'To the law and to the testimony,'" replied her uncle, opening his +Bible. "We will consider your questions in the order in which they were +asked. 'Is Satan a real person?' There can be no difficulty in proving +it to any one who believes the Bible to be the inspired word of God; the +difficulty is rather in selecting from the multitude of texts that teach +it." + +Some time was now spent in searching out, with the help of Bible Text +Book and Concordance, a very long list of texts bearing on the +question--giving the titles, the character and the doings of Satan; +showing that he sinned against God, was cast out of heaven; down to +hell; that he was the author of the fall; that he perverts scripture; +opposes God's work; hinders the Gospel; works lying wonders; that he +tempted Christ; is a liar and the father of lies; is a murderer; yet +appears as an angel of light. + +"Here," said Mr. Dinsmore, "is a summing-up of what he is, by Cruden, +who was without question a thorough Bible scholar; and remember, as I +read it, that the description applies not to Satan alone, but also to +those wicked spirits under him. 'He is surprisingly subtile; his +strength is superior to ours, his malice is deadly; his activity and +diligence are equal to his malice; and he has a mighty number of +principalities and powers under his command!'" + +"Yes," said old Mr. Dinsmore, meditatively, "'the rulers of the darkness +of this world,' the word is plural: it seems there must be several +orders of them, composing a mighty host." + +"I find both my queries already fully answered," said Isa. + +"Nevertheless, let us look a little farther into that second question," +her uncle answered. "I will give the references as before, while the +rest of you turn to and read them." + +When this had been done, "Now," said he, "let us sum up the evidence as +to their personality, character, works, and right to the name of devil." + +"As to the first they sinned: hell is prepared for them: they believe +and tremble: they spoke: knew Christ and testified to his divinity, +'Jesus, thou son of God.' 'I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of +God.' Wicked tempers could not do any of these things. As to the second, +their character, they are called in the Bible 'unclean spirits,' foul +spirits; and since Christ called them Satan himself, the description of +his character, as I have before remarked, is a faithful description of +theirs also. This last proves also their right to the title of devil. +The scripture--Christ himself--calls them the devil's angels, his +messengers; for that is the meaning of angel, they do Satan's behests, +go on his errands and help him in the work of destroying souls and +tempting and tormenting those whom they cannot destroy.--Well, Vi, what +is it?" For she had given him a perplexed, troubled look. + +"There is just one difficulty that I see, grandpa. Here in Jude we are +told, 'And the Angels which kept not their first estate, but left their +own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness +unto the judgment of the great day.' The apostle Peter says the same +thing. My difficulty is to reconcile this statement with the other +teaching--that they are going about the world on their wicked, cruel +errands." + +"To the law and to the testimony," repeated Mr. Dinsmore. "Since the +infallible word of God makes both statements, we must believe both, +whether we can reconcile them or not; but I doubt not we shall be able +to do so if we diligently search the word with prayer for the teachings +of the Holy Spirit." + +He then offered a short, fervent petition to that end; after which they +resumed their investigation. + +"Let us remember," he said, "that the same word often has many +significations, and that hell may be a state or condition rather than a +place--I mean that the word may be sometimes used in that sense: so with +chains and with darkness." + +"We use the expression, 'the chains of habit,'" suggested his daughter; +"a spirit could not be bound with a material chain; but in Proverbs we +are told, 'His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he +shall be holden with the cords of his sins.' Think of the awful +wickedness and utter despair of those lost spirits--no space for +repentance, no hope or possibility of salvation--and I think we have +chains on them of fearful weight and strength." + +"The cords of sin are the consequences of crimes and bad habits. Sin +never goes unpunished, and the bad habits contracted are, as it were, +indissoluble bands from which it is impossible to get free," read Mr. +Dinsmore from the Concordance, adding, "and to those lost spirits it is +_utterly_ impossible; yes, here in their wicked tempers, malignant +desires and utter despair, we have, I think, the chains that bind them." + +"But the darkness, grandpa?" queried Harold. + +"We are coming to that. Cruden tells us here that darkness sometimes +signifies great distress, perplexity and calamity; as in Isa. 8:22, Joel +2:2. Sometimes sin or impurity, 1 John 1:5. The devil have all these; +how great is their sin, how great must be their distress and anguish in +the sure prospect of eternal destruction from the presence of God, +eternal torment! dense and fearful must it be beyond the power of words +to express! They are darkness, for our Saviour calls the exercise of +Satan's power 'the power of darkness.' 'This is your hour and the power +of darkness.' By the gates of hell, Matt. 16:18, is meant the power and +policy of the devil and his instruments. It would seem that they carry +their chains, their darkness, their hell with them wherever they go. And +now for the application, the lesson we should learn from all this: what +do you think it is, Harold?" + +"That we should be constantly on our guard against the wiles of these +adversaries, is it not, sir?" + +"Yes, and ever looking to the captain of our salvation for strength and +wisdom to do so effectually." + +"Putting on the whole armor of God," added old Mr. Dinsmore; "the shield +of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the spirit which is the +word of God. What else, Herbert?" + +"The breast-plate of righteousness, sir; and the loins are to be girt +about with truth, the feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of +peace." + +"There is yet another lesson," said Mrs. Travilla, her face all aglow +with holy joy and love, "how it should quicken our zeal for the Master, +our gratitude, our joy and love, when we think of his salvation offered +to us as his free gift the purchase of his own blood, when he might +justly have left us in the same awful state of horror and despair that +is the portion of the angels that sinned. And how should we cling to him +who alone is able to keep us from falling into the traps and snares they +are constantly spreading for our unwary feet. Ah, my dear children, +there is no safety but in keeping close to Christ!" + +"But there we are safe," added her father: "'he is able also to save +them to the uttermost that come unto God by him.' He says of his sheep, +'I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither +shall any man pluck them out of my hand.' He saves his people from sin, +from hell and destruction." + +"Can't we find some texts about the good angels?" asked little Rosie, +who had been permitted to sit up beyond her usual bedtime to share in +the Bible lesson. + +"Yes," said her grandpa, "we may be thankful for them, because they are +kind and good and loving, taking delight in our salvation and in +ministering to God's people, as they did to the Master when on earth. +Which of you can name some instances given in the Bible?" + +"One fed Elijah when he fled from wicked Jezebel," answered Rosie, +promptly. + +"They carried Lazarus to heaven," said Herbert. + +"And stopped the lions' mouths when they would have eaten Daniel," added +Harold. + +The others went on, "One comforted Paul when he was in danger of +shipwreck." + +"One delivered Peter from prison." + +"Now who can quote a promise or assurance that we, if the true children +of God, shall have help or protection from them?" + +"'He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy +ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot +against a stone!'" repeated the younger Elsie, and her mother added in +low, sweet tones, full of joy and thankfulness, "'The angel of the Lord +encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.' Is it +not a sweet assurance?" she exclaimed: "he is not a transient visitor, +but encamps as intending to remain; and not upon one side alone, leaving +the others exposed to the enemy, but round about. Blessed are they who +have the Lord of hosts for their Keeper!" + +They united in a song of praise, old Mr. Dinsmore led in prayer, then +with an exchange of affectionate good-nights they separated. + +"Mamma," said the younger Elsie, lingering for a little in her mother's +boudoir, "to-night's study of the word has done me good. I want to live +nearer to Jesus, to love him more, to serve him better." + +"I too," said Violet. "I want to give him the service of my whole heart +and life, time, talents, money, everything!" + +"It rejoices my heart to hear it, my darlings," the mother answered, +folding them in her arms, while glad tears shone in her eyes; "it is +what I desire above all things for you, for all my dear ones, and for +myself." + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + "'Tis not the whole of life to live, + Nor all of death to die." + --_Montgomery._ + + +Mrs. Carrington obeyed with all speed the call to come to the aid of her +unworthy nephew, and her arrival was not delayed many days after that of +their kind entertainers. + +She received a cordial welcome; but since that first day the ladies and +children of the family had seen very little of her, for Boyd had taken +to his bed, and she devoted herself to him. + +The gentlemen frequently spent a little time in his room, induced +thereto by motives of kindness, but the others never approached it. + +Elsie looked upon him as the would-be murderer of her husband, and could +scarcely think of him without a shudder. + +She was willing, even anxious to give him every comfort that money could +buy, and that every effort should be made by her father and others to +lead him to repentance and faith in Christ to the saving of his soul; +but she shrank from seeing him, though she made kind inquiries, sent +messages, and offered many sincere and fervent prayers on his behalf. + +Strolling about the grounds one afternoon with her little ones, she saw +her father coming towards her. + +Something in the expression of his countenance as he drew rapidly nearer +startled her with a vague fear. + +"What is it, papa?" she asked tremulously. + +"Take my arm," he said, offering it. "I have something to say to you. +Rosie, do you and Walter go to your mammy." + +The children obeyed, while he and their mother turned into another path. + +Elsie's heart was beating very fast. "Papa, is--is anything wrong +with--" + +"With any of your loved ones? No, daughter: they are all safe and well +so far as I know. But I have a message for you--a request which it will +not be easy or pleasant for you to grant, or to refuse. Boyd is drawing +very near his end, and with a mind full of horror and despair. He says +there is no hope, no mercy for him--nothing but the blackness of +darkness forever." + +Elsie's eyes overflowed. "Poor, poor fellow! Papa, can nothing be done +for him?" + +"Could you bear to go to him?" he asked tenderly. "Forgive me, dear +child, for paining you with such a suggestion; but the poor wretch +thinks he could die easier if he heard you say that you forgive him." + +There was a shudder, a moment's struggle with herself; then she said, +very low and sadly, "Yes, papa, I will go at once. How selfish I have +been in staying away so long. But--O Edward! my husband, my husband!" + +He soothed her very tenderly for a moment, then asked gently, "Would he +not have bidden you go?" + +"Oh, yes, yes: he would have forgiven, he did forgive him with all his +great, generous heart. And, God helping me, so will I. I am ready to +go." + +"Lost, lost, lost! no hope, no help, the blackness of darkness forever!" +were the words, uttered in piercing tones, full of anguish and despair, +that greeted Elsie's ears as her father softly opened the door of Boyd's +room and led her in. + +At those sounds, at the sight that met her view--the wretched man with +the seal of death on his haggard, emaciated face, seamed and scarred +beyond all recognition, tossing restlessly from side to side, while he +rent the air with his cries--she turned so sick and faint that she +staggered, and but for the support of her father's arm would have fallen +to the floor. + +"Call up all your courage, my dear child," he whispered, leaning over +her, "look to the Lord for strength, and who shall say you may not he +able to do the poor dying wretch some good?" + +She struggled determinately with her faintness, and they drew near the +bed. + +Boyd started up at sight of her, thrusting the maimed hand under the +bedclothes, and holding out the other with a ghastly smile. + +"You're an angel, Mrs. Travilla!" he gasped, "an angel of mercy to a +miserable wretch whom you've a good right to hate." + +"No," she said, taking the hand in a kindly grasp, "I have no right to +hate you, or any one--I whose sins against my Lord are far, far greater +than yours against me or mine. I forgive you, as I hope to be forgiven. +May God forgive you also." + +"No, no, it is too late, too late for that!" he groaned. "I have sinned +against light and knowledge. He has called and I refused many, many +times; and now the door is shut." + +"It is your adversary the devil who tells you that," she said, tears +streaming from her eyes; "he would destroy your soul: but the words of +Jesus are, 'Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out?' +'Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.'" + +"Ah, but he also says, 'Because I have called and ye refused; I have +stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; but ye have set at naught +all my counsel, and would none of my reproof; I also will laugh at your +calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; when your fear cometh as +desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress +and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will +not answer.' Oh it's all true, every word of it!" he cried, with a look +of horror and despair that none who saw it could ever forget, "I feel it +in my inmost soul. There was a time when mercy's door was open to me, +but it's shut now, shut forever." + +"O George, George!" sobbed his aunt, "the invitation is without +limit--'whosoever will;' if you have a will to come, it cannot be that +it is even now too late." + +"But those words--those dreadful words," he said, turning eagerly toward +her, "Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer.'" + +"Are addressed to those who desire deliverance, not from sin itself, but +only from its punishment," said Mr. Dinsmore. "If you have any desire to +be saved from your sins, to be cleansed from their pollution, to be made +holy, it is not too late--the 'whosoever will' is for you." + +He shook his head sadly. "I don't know, I don't know, a death-bed is a +poor place to analyze one's feelings. Oh! warn men everywhere not to put +it off, not to put it off! Tell them it is running a fearful risk." + +"We will, we will," said his aunt; "but, O George, think of yourself: +'cry to Jesus, he is able to save to the uttermost,' and he has no +pleasure in the death of any soul; he would have you turn now and live: +oh cry to him for mercy!" + +"Too late, too late!" he muttered faintly, "the door is shut." + +They knelt about his bed and poured out fervent prayers for him; they +repeated promise after promise, invitations and assurances from the +word, of God's willingness to save. + +At last, "I'm going, going!" he gasped. "Oh God be merciful to me a +sinner!" And with the last word the spirit took its flight. + +Mrs. Carrington sank, half fainting, into Elsie's arms, and Mr. Dinsmore +and the doctor bore her from the room. + +It was Elsie's sad task to try to comfort and console where there was +little to build hope upon: she could but dwell upon God's great mercy, +his willingness to save, and the possibility that that last dying cry +came from a truly penitent heart. + +"I must try to believe it, else my heart would break!" cried the old +lady. "O Elsie, my heart has bled for you, but your sorrow is not like +unto my sorrow! You can rest in the sure and certain hope of a blissful +reunion, you know that your beloved is rejoicing before the throne; +while I--alas, alas! I know not where my poor boy is. And I am tortured +with the fear that some of his blood may be found in my skirts--that I +did not guide and instruct, warn and entreat him as I might; that my +prayers were not frequent and fervent enough, my example all that it +should have been." + +"My dear friend, 'who is sufficient for these things?'" Elsie answered, +weeping; "who has not reason for such self reproach? I think not you +more than the rest of us." + +"Ah!" sighed the old lady, "I wish that were so: had I but been to him, +and to my own children, the mother you are to yours, my conscience would +not now trouble me as it does." + +Mrs. Travilla had caused a room to be fitted up as a studio for her +older daughters, and here they were spending their afternoon--Vi +painting, Elsie modelling and thinking, the while, of her absent lover, +perchance busy in his studio with hammer and chisel. + +"The sun is setting," exclaimed Violet at length, throwing down her +brush. "What can have become of mamma that she has not been in to watch +our progress?" + +"I hope she has been taking a drive," Elsie answered, ceasing work also. +"Come, let us go and dress for tea, Vi; it is high time." + +They hastened to do so, and had scarcely completed their toilet when +Harold rapped and asked if mamma were there. + +"No? Where can she have gone?" he said. "Herbie and I came in from +fishing a little while ago, and we have hunted for her almost +everywhere." + +"Except in the nursery," suggested Herbert. "Let's go and see if she's +there." + +"The carriage is driving up," said Vi, glancing through the window; +"probably mamma is in it," and all four hurried down to the front +veranda eager to meet and welcome her. + +Their old grandfather alighted, handed out Grandma Rose, Aunt Enna, Isa, +and then, with the help of one of the servant men, Molly. + +The carriage door closed. Mamma was not there. Indeed their grandma and +Isa were asking for her as they came up the steps. + +And childish voices were now heard in their rear making the same +inquiry--Rosie and Walter coming from the nursery in search of the +mother they never willingly lost sight of for an hour. + +"Why, what can have become of mamma? Rosie, when did you see her last?" +asked Harold. + +"Out on the lawn. She was walking with us, and grandpa came and took her +away." + +"Where to?" + +"I don't know," answered the child, bursting into tears. + +"There, there, don't cry; dear mamma's sure to be safe along with +grandpa," Harold said, putting his arms around his little sister. "And +here he comes to tell us about her," he added joyously, as Mr. Dinsmore +was seen coming down the hall. + +They crowded about him, the same question on every tongue. + +"She is with Mrs. Carrington," he said, patting the heads of the weeping +Rosie and Walter. "Don't cry, my children. She may not be able to join +us at tea, but you shall see her before you go to your beds." + +Then to the older ones, speaking in a subdued tone, "Boyd is gone, and +his aunt is much overcome." + +"Gone, Horace!" exclaimed his wife, looking shocked and awe-struck: "how +did he die? was there any ground for hope?" + +"Very little," he sighed, "that is the saddest part of it. The body will +be sent away to-night," he added, in answer to a question from his +father; "he is to be buried with the rest of his family. Mrs. Carrington +will not go with it, will probably remain here through the winter." + +All felt it a relief that the burial was not to be near at hand, or the +corpse to remain many hours in the house--"a wicked man's corpse," as +Harold said with a shudder, but all were saddened and horror-struck at +the thought that he had gone leaving so little reason for hope of his +salvation. + +They gathered at the supper-table a very quiet, solemn company; few +words were spoken; the little ones missed their mother and were glad to +get away to the nursery, where she presently came to them, looking sad +and with traces of recent tears about her eyes. + +But she smiled very sweetly upon them, kissed them tenderly, and sitting +down, took Walter on her lap and put an arm round Rosie as she stood by +her side. + +They were curious to know about Mr. Boyd, asking if he had gone to +heaven where dear papa and Lily were. + +"I do not know, my darlings," she answered, the tears coming into her +eyes again; "he is there if he repented of his sins against God, and +trusted in Jesus." + +Then she talked to them, as often before, of the dear Saviour--the great +love wherewith he loves his people, and the many mansions he is +preparing for them. + +She spoke to them, too, of God's hatred of sin, and the need of +watchfulness and prayer. + +"The devil hates us, my darlings," she said; "he goes about like a +roaring lion, seeking to kill our souls; but Jesus loves us, he is +stronger than Satan, and if we keep close to him we are safe." + +Having seen them safe in bed, she went to her dressing-room, to find the +other four there waiting for her. + +They gathered about her with glad, loving looks and words, each eager to +anticipate her wishes and to be the first to wait upon her. + +"My dear children," she said, smiling through glistening tears, "your +love is very sweet to me!" + +"And what do you think yours is to us, mamma?" exclaimed Violet, +kneeling at her mother's feet and clasping her arms about her waist, +while she lifted to hers a face glowing with ardent affection and +admiration. + +"Just the same, I hope and believe;" and with the words the mother's +hand passed caressingly over the golden curls. + +"Mamma, you have been crying very much," remarked Harold sorrowfully. "I +wish--" + +"Well, my son?" as he paused, leaving his sentence unfinished. + +"I wish I could make you so happy that you would never want to shed a +tear." + +"When I get to heaven, my dear boy, it will be so with me. '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.' And +that is where your dear papa is now. Oh how glad we ought to be for +him!" she said with mingled smiles and tears. "'Blessed are the dead +which die in the Lord:' but oh, it is not so, my children, with those +who have not chosen him for their portion! 'for to them is reserved the +blackness of darkness for ever.'" + +There was a slight solemn pause, all thinking of the wretched man who +had passed away from earth that afternoon. + +"Mamma," asked Harold at last, speaking in a subdued tone, "do you think +it is so with Mr. Boyd?" + +"My son," she said gently, "that is a question we are not called upon to +decide; we can only leave him in the hands of God, in full confidence +that the Judge of all the earth will do right." + +"Mamma, would you like to tell us about it?" asked Herbert. + +"It is a painful subject," she sighed, "but--yes, I will tell you, that +it may be a warning to you all your lives." + +They listened with awe-struck faces, and with tears of pity, as she went +on to give a graphic picture of that death scene so different from the +one they had witnessed a few short months ago. + +"Oh my children," she said, "live not for time, but for eternity! +remembering that this life is but a preparation for another and endless +existence. 'Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.' +'Count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ +Jesus our Lord.' Choose his service now while youth and health are +yours, and when death comes you will have nothing to fear. 'The wicked +is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his +death.' 'Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man +soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh, shall +of the flesh reap corruption: but he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of +the Spirit reap life everlasting.'" + +"Yes, mamma," Elsie said in a half-whisper, the tears stealing down her +cheeks, "surely we have seen it fulfilled in these last few months. Our +beloved father sowed to the Spirit, and what a joyous reaping is his! +How calmly and sweetly he fell asleep in Jesus." + +"Yes," the mother said, mingling her tears with theirs--for all were +weeping now--yet with a light shining in her eyes, "I am full of joy and +thankfulness to-night in the midst of my grief. Oh how should we love +and rejoice in this dear Saviour, who through his own death has given +eternal life to him and to us; and to as many as God has given him--to +all that will come to him for it." + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God." + --_1 Peter_, 4:11. + + +"Mamma, can we--Elsie and I--have a little private talk with you?" asked +Violet as they left the dinner-table the next Sunday. + +"Certainly, daughter, if it be suited to the sacredness of the day." + +"Quite so, mamma," answered Elsie: "it is, at least in part, a question +of conscience." + +"Then we shall want our Bibles to help us decide it. Let us take them +and go out upon the lawn, to the inviting shade of yonder group of +magnolias." + +"Do you intend to be so selfish as to monopolize your mother's society?" +asked her father playfully. + +"Just for a little while, grandpa," Vi answered with coaxing look and +tone. "Please, all of you, let us two have mamma quite to ourselves for +a few minutes." + +"Well, daughters, what is it?" Mrs. Travilla asked, as she seated +herself under the trees with one on each side. + +"Mamma," Elsie began, "you saw a young lady talking with us after +church? She is Miss Miriam Pettit. She says she and several other young +girls belonging to the church used to hold a weekly prayer-meeting in +Mrs. Mason's parlor. It is the most central place they can find, and she +will be very glad, very much obliged, if you will let them use it still. +She has understood that nearly all the furniture of the cottage belongs +to you and is still there." + +"Yes, that is so; and they are very welcome to the use of any of the +rooms. But that is not all you and Vi had to say?" + +"Oh no, mamma! she wants us to join them and take part in the +meetings--I mean not only to sing and read, but also to lead in prayer." + +"Well, my dears, I should be glad to have you do so; and you surely +cannot doubt that it would be right?" + +"No, mamma," Violet said in her sprightly way, "but we should like to +have you tell us--at least I should--that it would not be wrong to +refuse." + +"My child, do you not believe in prayer as both a duty and a privilege? +social and public as well as private prayer?" + +"O mamma, yes! but is it not enough for me to pray at home in my closet, +and to unite silently with the prayers offered by ministers and others +in public?" + +"Are we not told to pray without ceasing?" + +"Oh yes, mamma! and I did not mean to omit silent, ejaculatory prayer; +but is it my duty to lead the devotions of others?" + +"Our Saviour gave a precious assurance to those who unite in presenting +their petitions at a throne of grace. 'Where two or three are gathered +together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.' Some one must +lead--there ought always to be several to do so--and why should you be +excused more than another?" + +"Elsie is willing, mamma, and Miss Pettit too." + +"I am glad to hear it," the mother said, with an affectionate look at +her eldest daughter. "I know it will be something of a trial to Elsie, +and doubtless it is to Miss Pettit too--it is to almost every one: but +what a light cross to bear for Jesus compared to that he bore for us--or +those borne by the martyrs of old; or even by the missionaries who leave +home and dear ones to go far away to teach the heathen! I had hoped my +Vi was ready to follow her Master wherever his providence called her: +that she would not keep back any part of the price, but give him all." + +"Oh yes, yes, mamma!" she cried, the tears starting to her eyes, "I want +to be altogether his. I have given him all, and don't want to keep back +anything. I will try to do this if you think he calls me to it; though +it seems almost impossible." + +"My child, he will help you if you ask him; will give his Holy Spirit to +teach you how to pray and what to pray for. Try to get your mind and +heart full of your own and others' needs, to forget their presence and +remember his: then words will come, and you will find that in trying to +do the Master's work and will, you have brought down a rich blessing +upon your own soul. And why should we feel it a trial to speak aloud to +our Father in the presence of others of his children, or of those who +are not?" + +"I don't know, mamma; it does seem very strange that we should." + +"I should like to attend your meetings, but hardly suppose I should be +welcome," Mrs. Travilla said with a smile. + +"To us, mamma," both answered, "but perhaps not to the others. Miss +Pettit said there were to be none but young girls." + +"Isa is invited, I presume?" + +"Yes, mamma, and says she will attend; but can't promise anything more. +I think she will, though, if you will talk to her as you have to us," +Violet added, as they rose to return to the veranda, where the rest of +the family still lingered. + +And she was not mistaken. Isa was too true and earnest a Christian, too +full of love for the Master and zeal for the upbuilding of his cause +and kingdom, to refuse to do anything that she saw would tend to that, +however much it might cost her to attempt it. + +"Well, cricket," Mr. Dinsmore said, giving Violet a pet name he had +bestowed upon her when she was a very little girl, "come sit on my knee +and tell me if we are all to be kept in the dark in regard to the object +of this secret conference with mamma?" + +"Oh, grandpa," she said, taking the offered seat, and giving him a hug +and kiss, "gentlemen have no curiosity, you know. Still, now it's +settled, we don't care if you do hear all about it." + +Both he and his wife highly approved, and the latter, seeing an +interested yet regretful look on poor Molly's face, asked, "Why should +we not have, in addition, a female prayer-meeting of our own? We have +more than twice the number necessary to claim the promise." + +The suggestion was received with favor by all the ladies present, time +and place were fixed upon, and then, that they might be the better +prepared to engage in this new effort to serve the Master, they agreed +to take the subject of prayer for that evening's Bible study. + +But once entered upon, they found it so interesting, comprehensive and +profitable a theme that they devoted several evenings to it. + +The children as well as their elders were continually finding +discrepancies between the teachings of the Bible and those of Mr. Jones, +and Elsie was not a little relieved to learn that the time for which his +services had been engaged had now nearly expired. She hoped there was no +danger that he would be requested to remain. + +One day as she was leaving the quarter, where she had been visiting the +sick, Uncle Ben, now very old and feeble, accosted her respectfully. + +"Missus, I'se be bery thankful to hab a little conversation wid you when +it suits yo' convenience to talk to dis chile." + +"What is it, Uncle Ben?" she asked. + +"May I walk 'longside ob de Missus up to de house?" he returned. + +"Certainly, Uncle Ben, if you feel strong enough to do so." + +"Tank you, Missus; do dese ole limbs good to stretch 'em 'bout dat much. +It's 'bout Massa Jones I'se want to converse wid you, Missus. I hear +dey's talkin' 'bout invitin' him to stay, and I want to ascertain if you +intends to put him ober dis church." + +"I, Uncle Ben!" she exclaimed, "I put a minister over your church? I +have no right and certainly no wish to do any such thing. It is for the +members to choose whom they will have." + +"But you pays de money and provides de house for him, Missus." + +"That is true; but it does not give me the right to say who he shall be. +Only if you should choose one whose teachings I could not approve--one +who was not careful to teach according to God's word--I should feel that +I could not take the responsibility of supporting him." + +"I'se glad of dat, Missus," he said with a gleam of satisfaction in his +eyes; "'cause I'se want de Bible truff and nuffin else. And young Massa +Jones, he preach bery nice sometimes, but sometimes it 'pears like he +disremembers what's in de bressed book, and contradicts it wid some of +his own notions." + +"Then you don't wish him to stay?" + +"No, Missus, dat I don't! hopin' you won't be displeased wid me for +sayin' it." + +"Not at all, Uncle Ben: I find the very same objection to him that you +do." + +On reaching the house she bade the old man a kindly good-bye, and +directed him to go to the kitchen and tell the cook, from her, to give +him a good dinner, with plenty of hot, strong coffee. + +Rosie and Walter were on the back veranda looking out for mamma. + +"Oh we're so glad you've tum home, mamma!" cried Walter, running to meet +her and claim a kiss. + +"Yes, mamma, it seemed so long to wait," said Rosie, "and now there is a +strange gentleman in the drawing-room, waiting to see you. He's been +here a good while, and both grandpas are out." + +"Then I must go to him at once. But I think he is not likely to detain +me long away from you, darlings," the mother said. + +She found the gentleman--a handsome man of middle age--looking not at +all annoyed or impatient, but seemingly well entertained by Isa and +Violet, who were there, chatting sociably together over some pretty +fancy work, when he was shown in by the servant. + +They withdrew after Isa had introduced Mrs. Travilla and Mr. Embury. + +The former thought it a little singular when she learned that her +caller's errand was the same with that of Uncle Ben, _i.e._, to talk +about Mr. Jones and the propriety of asking him to take permanent charge +of the two churches: yet with this difference--that he was personally +not unfavorable to the idea. + +"I like him very well, though he is not by any means Mr. Mason's equal +as a preacher," he said, "and I think our little congregation can be +induced to give him a call; but we are too few to support him unless by +continuing the union with this church, so that the small salary we can +give will still be supplemented by the very generous one you pay, and +the use of the cottage you built for Mr. Mason. I am taking for +granted, my dear Madame, that you intend to go on doing for your +retainers here as you have hitherto." + +"I do," she said, "in case they choose a minister whose teachings accord +with those of the inspired word. I cannot be responsible for any other." + +"And do those of Mr. Jones not come up to the standard?" + +"I regret to have to say that they do not; his preaching is far from +satisfactory to me; he makes nothing of the work of the Spirit, or the +danger of grieving Him away forever; nothing of the danger of +self-deception; instructing those who are in doubt about the genuineness +of their conversion that they must not be discouraged, instead of +advising them to go to Christ now and be saved, just as any other sinner +must. I fear his teaching may lead some to be content with a false hope. +Then he often speaks in a half hesitating way, which shows doubt and +uncertainty, on his part, of truths which are taught most plainly and +forcibly in scripture. In a word, his preaching leaves the impression +upon me that he has no very thorough acquaintance with the Bible, and no +very strong confidence in the infallibility of its teachings. Indeed so +glaring are his contradictions of scripture, that even my young children +have noticed them more than once or twice." + +"Really, Mrs. Travilla, you make out a strong case against him," +remarked her interlocutor, after a moment's thoughtful silence, "and +upon reflection I believe a true one. I am surprised at myself that I +have listened with so little realization of the important defects in his +system of theology. I was not ardently in favor of calling him before; +now I am decidedly opposed to it." + +He was about to take leave, but, the two Mr. Dinsmores coming in at that +moment, resumed his seat, and the subject was reopened. + +They soon learned that they were all of substantially the same opinion +in regard to it. + +In the course of the conversation some account was given Mr. Embury of +the Sunday evening Bible study at Viamede. + +He seemed much interested, and at length asked if he might be permitted +to join them occasionally. + +"My boys are away at school," he said, "my two little girls go early to +bed, and my evenings are often lonely--since my dear Mary left me, now +two years ago," he added with a sigh. "May I come, Mrs. Travilla?" + +"Yes," she said, reading approval in the eyes of her father and +grandfather, while her own tender heart sympathized with the bereaved +husband, though at the same time her sensitive nature shrank from the +invasion of their family circle by a stranger. + +He read it all in her speaking countenance, but could not deny himself +the anticipated pleasure of making the acquaintance of so lovely a +family group--to say nothing of the intellectual or spiritual profit to +be expected from sharing in their searching of the scriptures. + +Mr. Embury was a man of liberal education and much general +information--one who read and thought a good deal and talked well. + +The conversation turned upon literature, and Mr. Dinsmore presently +carried him off to the library to show him some valuable books recently +purchased by himself and his daughter. + +They were still there when the tea-bell rang, and being hospitably urged +to remain and partake of the meal with the family, Mr. Embury accepted +the invitation with unfeigned pleasure. + +All were present even down to little Walter, and not excepting poor +Molly. + +Her apartments at Viamede being on the same floor with dining-room, +library and parlors, she joined the family gatherings almost as +frequently as any one else--indeed whenever she preferred the society of +her relatives to the seclusion of her own room. + +Mr. Embury had occasionally seen her at church. Her bright, intellectual +face and crippled condition had excited his interest and curiosity, and +in one way and another he had learned her story. + +Truth to tell, one thing that had brought him to Viamede was the desire +to make her acquaintance--though Molly and the rest were far from +suspecting it at the time. + +He had no definite motive for seeking to know her, except that his +large, generous heart was drawn out in pity for her physical infirmity, +and filled with admiration of her cheerfulness under it, and the energy +and determination she had shown in carving out a career for herself, and +steadily pursuing it spite of difficulties and discouragements that +would have daunted many a weaker spirit. + +She had less of purely physical beauty than any other lady present, her +mother excepted, yet there was something in her face that would have +attracted attention anywhere; and her conversational powers were +enviable, as Mr. Embury discovered in the course of the evening, for so +delightful did he find the society of these new friends, both ladies and +gentlemen, that he lingered among them until nearly ten o'clock, quite +oblivious of the flight of time until reminded of it by the striking of +the clock. + +"Really, Mrs. Travilla," he said, rising to take leave, "I owe you an +apology for this lengthened visit, which has somehow taken the place of +my intended call; but I must beg you to lay the blame where it should +fall, on the very great attractiveness of your family circle." + +"The apology is quite out of proportion to the offence, sir," she +returned, with a kindly smile; "so we grant you pardon, and shall not +refuse it for a repetition of the misdeed." + +"I wish," he said, glancing round from one to another, "that you would +all make me a return in kind. I will not say that Magnolia Hall is equal +to Viamede, but it is called a fine place, and I can assure you of at +least a hearty welcome to its hospitalities." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + "I preached as never sure to preach again, + And as a dying man to dying men." + --_Richard Baxter._ + + +There was a stranger in the pulpit the next Sunday morning; one whose +countenance, though youthful, by its intellectuality, its earnest +thoughtfulness, and a nameless something that told of communion with God +and a strong sense of the solemn responsibility of thus standing as an +ambassador for Christ to expound his word and will to sinful, dying men, +gave promise of a discourse that should send empty away no attentive +hearer hungering and thirsting for the bread and the water of life. + +Nor was the promise unfulfilled. Taking as his text the Master's own +words, "They hated me without a cause," he dwelt first upon the utter +helplessness, hopelessness and wretchedness of that estate of sin and +misery into which all mankind were plunged by Adam's fall; then upon +God's offered mercy through a Redeemer, even his only begotten and +well-beloved Son; upon the wondrous love of Christ "in offering himself +a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice and reconcile us to God," as shown +first in what he resigned--the joy and bliss of heaven, "the glory +which he had with the Father before the world was"--secondly in his +birth and life on earth, of which he gave a rapid but vivid sketch from +the manger to the cross--showing the meekness, patience, gentleness, +benevolence, self-denial, humility and resignation of Jesus--how true, +guileless, innocent, loving and compassionate he was; describing the +miracles he wrought--every one an act of kindness to some poor sufferer +from bereavement, accident, disease, or Satan's power; then the closing +scenes of that wondrous life--the agony in the garden, the cruel mockery +of a trial, the scourging, the crucifixion, the expiring agonies upon +the cross. + +He paused; the audience almost held their breath for the next words, the +silent tears were stealing down many a cheek. + +Leaning over the pulpit with outstretched hand, with features working +with emotion, "I have set before you," he said in tones thrilling with +pathos, "this Jesus in his life and in his death. He lived not for +himself, but for you; he died not for his own sins, but for yours and +mine: he offers you this salvation as a free gift purchased with his own +blood. Yea, risen again, and ever at the right hand of God, he maketh +intercession for you. If you hate him, is it not without a cause?" + +The preacher had wholly forgotten himself in his subject; nor did self +intrude into the prayer that followed the sermon. Truly he seemed to +stand in the immediate presence of Him who died on Calvary and rose +again, as he poured out his confessions of sins, his gratitude for +redeeming love, his earnest petitions for perishing souls, blindly, +wickedly hating without a cause this matchless, this loving, +compassionate Saviour. And for Christ's own people, that their faith +might be strengthened, their love increased, that they might be very +zealous for the Master, abounding in gifts and prayers and labors for +the upbuilding of his cause and kingdom. + +"The very man we should have here, if he can be induced to come," Mr. +Dinsmore said in a quiet aside to his daughter as the congregation began +to disperse, going out silently or conversing in subdued tones; for the +earnest, solemn discourse had made a deep impression. + +"Yes, papa. Oh, I should rejoice to hear such preaching every Sabbath!" +was Elsie's answer. + +"And I," Mr. Embury said, overhearing her remark. "But Mr. Keith gave us +expressly to understand that he did not come as a candidate; he is here +for his health or recreation, being worn out with study and pastoral +work, as I understand." + +"Keith?" exclaimed Mr. Dinsmore. "I thought there was something +familiar in his face. Elsie, I think he must belong to our Keiths." + +"We must find out, papa," she said. "Oh, I shall be glad if he does!" + +"Shall I bring him up and introduce him?" Mr. Embury asked. "Ah, here he +is!" as, turning about, he perceived the young minister close at hand. + +"Dinsmore! Travilla! those are family names with us!" the latter said, +with an earnest, interested look from one to the other as the +introductions were made. + +"As Keith is with us," Mr. Dinsmore answered, grasping his hand. "I +opine that I am speaking to a grandson of my cousin Marcia Keith and her +husband, Stuart Keith, of Pleasant Plains, Indiana?" + +"Yes, sir; I am the son of Cyril, their second son, and bear the same +name. And you, sir, are the Cousin Horace of whom I have so often heard +my grandmother and Aunt Mildred speak?" + +"The same." + +"And Mrs. Travilla is Cousin Elsie?" turning to her with a look of great +interest and pleasure mingled with admiration; but which quickly changed +to one of intense, sorrowful sympathy as he noticed her widow's weeds. +He had often heard of the strong attachment between herself and +husband, and this was the first intimation he had had of her +bereavement. + +She read his look and gave him her hand silently, her heart too full for +speech. + +"You will go home with us, of course," said Mr. Dinsmore, after +introducing his wife and the other ladies of the family. + +"And stay as long as you possibly can," added Elsie, finding her voice. +"Papa and I shall have a great many questions to ask about our cousins." + +"I shall be most happy to accept your kind invitation, if Mr. Embury +will excuse me from a prior engagement to dine and lodge with him," +replied Mr. Keith, turning with a smile to the proprietor of Magnolia +Hall, who was still standing near in a waiting attitude. + +"I am loath to do so," he said, pleasantly, "but relatives have the +first claim. I will waive mine for the present, in your favor, Mrs. +Travilla, if you will indemnify me by permission to call frequently at +Viamede while Mr. Keith stays; and afterward, if you don't find me a +bore. I might as well make large demands while I am about it." + +"Being in a gracious mood, I grant them, large as they are," she +responded, in the same playful tone that he had used. "Come whenever it +suits your convenience and pleasure, Mr. February." + +"Viamede!" said Mr. Keith, meditatively, as they drove homeward. "I +remember hearing Aunt Mildred talk of a visit she paid there many years +ago, when she was quite a young girl, and you, Cousin Elsie, were a mere +baby." + +"Yes," said old Mr. Dinsmore. "It was I who brought her. Horace was away +in Europe at the time, and the death of Cameron, Elsie's guardian, made +it necessary for me to come on and attend to matters. Mildred was +visiting us at Roselands that winter, and I was very glad to secure her +as travelling companion. Do you remember anything about it, Elsie?" + +"Not very much, grandpa," she said: "a little of Cousin Mildred's +kindness and affection; something of the pain of parting from my dear +home and the old servants. But I have a very vivid recollection of a +visit paid to Pleasant Plains with papa," and she turned to him with a +deeply affectionate look, "shortly before his marriage. I then saw Aunt +Marcia, as both she and papa bade me call her, and Cousin Mildred and +all the others, not forgetting Uncle Stewart. We had a delightful visit, +had we not, papa?" + +"Yes, I remember we enjoyed it greatly." + +"I was just then very happy in the prospect of a new mamma," Elsie went +on, with a smiling glance at her loved stepmother, "and papa was so very +good as to allow me to tell of my happiness to the cousins. Your father +was quite a tall lad at that time, Cousin Cyril, and very kind to his +little cousin, who considered him a very fine young gentleman." + +"He is an elderly man now," remarked his son. "You have seen Aunt +Mildred and some others of the family since then?" + +"Yes, several times; she and a good many of the others were with us at +different times during the Centennial. But why did you not let us know +of your coming, Cousin Cyril? why not come directly to us?" + +"It was a sudden move on my part," he said, "and indeed I was not aware +that I was coming into the neighborhood of Viamede, or that you were +there. But I am delighted that it is so--that I have the opportunity to +become acquainted with you and to see the place, which Aunt Mildred +described as a paradise upon earth." + +"We think it almost that, but you shall judge for yourself," she said, +with a pleased smile. + +"Beautiful! enchanting! the half had not been told me!" he exclaimed in +delight, as, a few moments later, he stood upon the veranda gazing out +over the emerald velvet of the lawn, bespangled with its many hued and +lovely flowers, and dotted here and there with giant oaks, graceful +magnolias, and clusters of orange trees laden with their delicate, +sweet-scented blossoms and golden fruit, to the lakelet whose waters +glittered in the sunlight, and the fields, the groves and hills beyond. + +"Ah, if earthly scenes are so lovely, what must heaven be!" he added, +turning to Elsie a face full of joyful anticipation. + +"Yes," she responded in low, moved tones, "how great is their +blessedness who walk the streets of the Celestial City! How their eyes +must feast upon its beauties! And yet--ah, methinks it must be long ere +they can see them, for gazing upon the lovely face of Him whose blood +has purchased their right to enter there." + +"Even so," he said. "Oh, for one glimpse of His face! Dear cousin," and +he took her hand in his, "let the thought of the 'exceeding and eternal +weight of glory' your loved one is now enjoying, and which you will one +day share with him, comfort you in your loneliness and sorrow." + +"It does, it does!" she said tremulously, "that and the sweet sense of +His abiding love, and presence who can never die and never change. I am +far from unhappy, Cousin Cyril. I have found truth in those beautiful +words, + + 'Then sorrow touched by Thee, grows bright + With more than rapture's ray, + As darkness shows us worlds of light + We never saw by day.'" + +They had been comparatively alone for the moment, no one near enough to +overhear the low-toned talk between them. + +The young minister was greatly pleased with Viamede--the more so the +more he saw of it--and with his new-found relatives, the more and better +he became acquainted with them; while they found him all his earnest, +scriptural preaching had led them to expect. + +His religion was not a mask, or a garment to be worn only in the pulpit +or on the Sabbath, but permeated his whole life and conversation; as was +the case with most if not all of those with whom he now sojourned; and +like them, he was a happy Christian; content with the allotments of +God's providence, walking joyously in the light of his countenance, +making it the one purpose and effort of his life to live to God's glory +and bring others to share in the blessed service. + +He was strongly urged to spend the Winter at Viamede as his cousin's +guest, and preacher to the two churches. + +He took a day or two to consider the matter, then, to the great +satisfaction of all concerned, consented to remain, thanking his cousins +warmly for their kindness in giving him so sweet a home; for they made +him feel that he was entirely one of themselves, always welcome in their +midst, yet at perfect liberty to withdraw into the seclusion of his own +apartments whenever duty or inclination called him to do so. + +The well-stocked library supplied him with all needed books, there were +servants to wait upon him, horses at his disposal, in short, nothing +wanting for purposes of work or of recreation. Again and again he said +to himself, or in his letters to those in the home he had left, that +"the lines had fallen to him in pleasant places." + +In the meantime Elsie found the truth as expounded by him from Sabbath +to Sabbath, and in the week-day evening service and the family worship, +most comforting and sustaining; while his intelligent, agreeable +conversation and cheerful companionship were most enjoyable at other +times. + +"Cousin Cyril" soon became a great favorite with those who claimed the +right to call him so, and very much liked and looked up to by Isadore, +Molly, and the rest to whom he was simply Mr. Keith. + +In common with all others who knew them, he admired his young cousins, +Elsie and Violet, extremely, and found their society delightful. + +Molly's sad affliction called forth, from the first, his deepest +commiseration; her brave endurance of it, her uniform cheerfulness under +it, his strong admiration and respect. + +Yet he presently discovered that Isadore Conly had stronger attractions +for him than any other woman he had ever met. It was not her beauty +alone, her refinement, her many accomplishments, but principally her +noble qualities of mind and heart, gradually opening themselves to his +view as day after day they met in the unrestrained familiar intercourse +of the home circle, or walked or rode out together, sometimes in the +company of others, sometimes alone. + +Mr. Embury made good use of the permission Mrs. Travilla had granted +him, and occasionally forestalling Cyril's attentions, led the latter to +look upon him as a rival. + +Molly watched it all, and though now one and now the other devoted an +hour to her, sitting by her side in the house doing his best to +entertain her with conversation, or pushing her wheeled chair about the +walks in the beautiful grounds, or taking her out for a drive, thought +both were in pursuit of Isa. + +It was their pleasure to wait upon Isa, Elsie and Vi, while pity and +benevolence alone led them to bestow some time and effort upon +herself--a poor cripple whom no one could really enjoy taking about. + +She had but a modest opinion of her own attractions, and would have +been surprised to learn how greatly she was really admired by both +gentlemen, for her good sense, her talent, energy and perseverance +in her chosen line of work, and her constant cheerfulness; how +brilliant and entertaining they often found her talk, pronouncing +it "bright, sparkling, witty;" how attractive her intellectual +countenance, and her bright, dark, expressive eyes. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + "Something the heart must have to cherish, + Must love and joy, and sorrow learn; + Something with passion clasp or perish, + And in itself to ashes burn." + --_Longfellow._ + +"Molly, how you do work! a great deal too hard, I am sure," said the +younger Elsie, coming into her cousin's room, to find her at her writing +desk, pen in hand, as usual, an unfinished manuscript before her, and +books and papers scattered about. + +Molly looked up with a forced smile: she was not in mirthful mood. + +"It is because I am so slow that I must keep at it or I get nothing +done." + +"Well, there's no need," said Elsie, "and really, Molly dear, I do +believe you would gain time by resting more and oftener than you do. Who +can work fast and well when brain and body are both weary? I have come +to ask if you will take a drive with our two grandpas, grandma and Mrs. +Carrington?" + +"Thank you kindly, but I can't spare the time to-day." + +"But don't you think you ought? Your health is of more importance than +that manuscript. I am sure, Molly, you need the rest. I have noticed +that you are growing thin and pale of late, and look tired almost all +the time." + +"I was out for an hour this morning." + +"An hour! and the weather is so delightful, everything out of doors +looking so lovely, that the rest of us find it next to impossible to +content ourselves within doors for an hour. Some of us are going to play +croquet. If you will not drive, won't you let one of the servants wheel +you out there--near enough to enable you to watch the game?" + +"Please don't think me ungracious," Molly answered, coloring, "but I +really should prefer to stay here and work." + +"I think Aunt Enna is going with us, and you will be left quite alone, +unless you will let me stay, or send a servant to sit with you," Elsie +suggested. + +But Molly insisted that she would rather be alone. "And you know," she +added, pointing to a silver hand bell on the table before her, "I can +ring if I need anything." + +So Elsie went rather sadly away, more than half suspecting that Molly +was grieving over her inability to move about as others did, and take +part in the active sports they found so enjoyable and healthful. + +And indeed she had hardly closed the door between them when the tears +began to roll down Molly's cheeks. She wiped them away and tried to go +on with her work; but they came faster and faster, till throwing down +her pen she hid her face in her hands, and burst into passionate +weeping, sobs shaking her whole frame. + +A longing so intense had come over her to leave that chair, to walk, to +run, to leap and dance, as she had delighted to do in the old days +before that terrible fall. She wanted to wander over the velvety lawn +beneath her windows, to pluck for herself the many-hued, sweet-scented +flowers, growing here and there in the grass. Kind hands were always +ready to gather and bring them to her, but it was not like walking about +among them, stooping down and plucking them with her own fingers. + +Oh to feel her feet under her and wander at her own sweet will about the +beautiful grounds, over the hills and through the woods! Oh to feel that +she was a fit mate for some one who might some day love and cherish her +as Mr. Travilla had loved and cherished her whom he so fondly called his +"little wife!" + +She pitied her cousin for her sad bereavement; her heart had often, +often bled for her because of her loss; but ah! it were "better to have +loved and lost, than never to have loved at all." + +Never to love, never to be loved, that was the hardest part of it all. + +There was Dick, to be sure, the dear fellow! how she did love him! and +she believed he loved her almost as well; but the time would come when +another would have the first place in his heart; perhaps it had already +come. + +Her mother's affection was something, but it was the love of a stronger +nature than her own that she craved, a staff to lean upon, a guiding, +protecting love, a support such as is the strong, stately oak to the +delicate, clinging vine. + +There were times when she keenly enjoyed her independence, perfect +liberty to control her own actions and choose her own work; her ability +to earn a livelihood for herself; but at this moment all that was as +nothing. + +Usually she was submissive under her affliction; now her heart rebelled +fiercely against it. She called it a hard and cruel fate, to which she +could not, would not be resigned. + +She was frightened at herself as she felt that she was so rebellious, +and that she was envying the happiness of the cousins who had for years +treated her with unvarying kindness; that her lot seemed the harder by +contrast with theirs. + +And yet how well she knew that theirs was not perfect happiness--that +the death of the husband and father had been a sore trial to them all. + +Through the open window she saw the handsome, easy-rolling family +carriage drive away and disappear among the trees on the farther side of +the lawn; then the croquet party setting out for the scene of their +proposed game, which was at some little distance from the mansion, +though within the grounds. + +She noticed that Isa and Mr. Keith walked first--very close together, +and looking very like a pair of lovers, she thought--then Mr. Embury +with Violet's graceful, girlish figure by his side, she walking with a +free, springing step that once poor Molly might have emulated, as she +called to mind with a bitter groan and an almost frantic effort to rise +from her chair. + +Ah, what was it that so sharpened the sting brought by the thought of +her own impotence, as she saw Vi's bright, beautiful face uplifted to +that of her companion? A sudden glimpse into her own heart sent a +crimson tide all over the poor girl's face. + +"O Molly Percival, what a fool you are!" she exclaimed half aloud, then +burst into hysterical weeping; but calming herself almost instantly. +"No, I will not, will _not_ be so weak!" she said, turning resolutely +from the window. "I have been happy in my work, happy and content, and +so will I be again. No foolish impossible dreams for you, Molly +Percival! no dog in the manger feelings either; you shall not indulge +them." + +But the thread of thought was broken and lost, and she tried in vain to +recover it; a distant hum of blithe voices came now and again to her ear +with disturbing influence. + +She could not rise and go away from it. + +Again the pen was laid aside, and lying back in her chair with her head +against its cushions, she closed her eyes with a weary sigh, a tear +trickling slowly down her cheek. + +"I cannot work," she murmured. "Ah, if I could only stop thinking these +miserable, wicked thoughts!" + +Mrs. Travilla, returning from a visit to the quarter, stopped a moment +to watch the croquet players. + +"Where is Molly?" she asked of her eldest daughter; "did she go with +your grandpa and the others?" + +"No, mamma, she is in her room, hard at work as usual, poor thing!" + +"She is altogether too devoted to her work; she ought to be out enjoying +this delicious weather. Surely you did not neglect to invite her to join +you here, Elsie?" + +"No, mamma, I did my best to persuade her. I can hardly bear to think +she is shut up there alone, while all the rest of us are having so +pleasant an afternoon." + +"It is too bad," Mr. Embury remarked, "and I was strongly tempted to +venture into her sanctum and try my powers of persuasion; but refrained +lest I should but disturb the flow of thought and get myself into +disgrace without accomplishing my end. Have you the courage to attempt +the thing, Mrs. Travilla?" + +"I think I must try," she answered, with a smile, as she turned away in +the direction of the house. + +She found Molly at work, busied over a translation for which she had +laid aside the unfinished story interrupted by the younger Elsie's +visit. + +She welcomed her cousin with a smile, but not a very bright or mirthful +one, and traces of tears about her eyes were very evident. + +"My dear child," Elsie said, in tones as tender and compassionate as she +would have used to one of her own darlings, and laying her hand +affectionately on the young girl's shoulder, "I do not like to see you +so hard at work while every one else is out enjoying this delightful +weather. How can you resist the call of all the bloom and beauty you can +see from your window there?" + +"It is attractive, cousin," Molly answered; "I could not resist it +if--if I could run about as others do," she added, with a tremble in her +voice. + +"My poor, poor child!" Elsie said with emotion, bending down to press a +kiss on the girl's forehead. + +Molly threw her arms about her, and burst into tears and sobs. + +"Oh it is so hard, so hard! so cruel that I must sit here a helpless +cripple all my days! How can I bear it, for years and years, it may +be!" + +"Dear child, 'sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.' Let us live +one day at a time, leaving the future with our heavenly Father, trusting +in His promise that as our day our strength shall be. Rutherford says, +'These many days I have had no morrow at all.' If it were so with all of +us, how the burdens would be lightened! for a very large part of them is +apprehension for the future. Is it not?" + +"Yes, and I am ashamed of my weakness and cowardice." + +"Dear child, I have often admired your strength and courage under a +trial I fear I should not bear half so well." + +Molly lifted to her cousin's a face full of wonder, surprise and +gratitude; then it clouded again and tears trembled in her eyes and in +her voice, as she said, "But, Cousin Elsie, you must let me work; it is +my life, my happiness; the only kind I can ever hope for, ever have. +Others may busy themselves with household cares, may fill their hearts +with the sweet loves of kind husbands and dear little children; but +these things are not for me. O cousin, forgive me!" she cried, as she +saw the pained look in Elsie's face. "I did not mean--I did not +intend--" + +"To remind me of the past," Elsie whispered, struggling with her tears. +"It is full of sweet memories, that I would not be without for anything. +Oh true indeed is it that + + 'Tis better to have loved and lost, + Than never to have loved at all." + +"O Cousin Elsie, your faith and patience are beautiful!" cried Molly, +impulsively. "You never murmur at your cross, you are satisfied with all +God sends. I wish it were so with me, but--O cousin, cousin, my very +worst trouble is that I am afraid I am not a Christian! that I have been +deceiving myself all these years!" she ended with a burst of bitter +weeping. + +"Molly dear," Elsie said, folding her in her arms and striving to soothe +her with caresses, "you surprise me very much, for I have long seen the +lovely fruit of the Spirit in your life and conversation. Do you not +love Jesus and trust in him alone for salvation?" + +"I thought I did, and oh I cannot bear to think of not belonging to him! +it breaks my heart!" + +"Then why should you think so?" + +"Because I find so much of evil in myself. If you knew the rebellious +thoughts and feelings I have had this very day you would not think me a +Christian. I have hated myself because of them." + +"You have struggled to cast them out, you have not encouraged or loved +them. Is that what they do who have no love to Christ? no desire after +conformity to his will? It is the child of God who hates sin and +struggles against it. But it is not necessary to decide whether you +have or have not been mistaken in your past experience, since you may +come to Jesus now just as if you had never come before: give yourself to +him and accept his offered salvation without stopping to ask whether it +is for the first or the ten thousandth time. Oh that is always my +comfort when assailed by doubts and fears! 'Behold, now is the accepted +time; behold, now is the day of salvation.' Jesus says, to-day and every +day, 'Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will +give you rest.' 'Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out.'" + +Glad tears glistened in Molly's eyes. "And he will pardon my iniquity +though it is so great," she murmured, with trembling lip and half +averted face: "he will forgive all my transgressions and my sins, +cleanse me from them and love me freely." + +"Yes, dear child, he will. And now put away your work for the rest of +this day and come out into the pure, sweet air. If we weary our poor, +weak bodies too much, Satan is but too ready to take advantage of our +physical condition to assault us with temptations, doubts and fears." + +"I will do as you think best, cousin," was the submissive reply. + +Elsie at once summoned a servant, and in a few moments Molly's chair was +rolling along the gravelled walks, underneath the grand old trees, a +gentle breeze from the lakelet, laden with the scent of magnolias and +orange blossoms, gathered in its passage across the lawn, softly fanning +her cheek, her cousin walking by her side and entertaining her with +pleasant chat. + +Rosie and Walter came running to meet them. They were glad to see Molly +out: they filled her lap with flowers and her ears with their sweet +innocent prattle, her heart growing lighter as she listened and drank in +beside all the sweet sights and scents and sounds of nature in her most +bountiful mood. + +They made a partial circuit of the grounds that at last brought them to +the croquet players, who, one and all, greeted Molly's arrival with +expressions of satisfaction or delight. + +Each brought an offering of bud or blossom, the loveliest and sweetest +of flowers were scattered so profusely on every hand. + +Mr. Embury's was a half blown rose, and Elsie, furtively watching her +charge, noted the quick blush with which it was received, the care with +which it was stealthily treasured afterward. + +A suspicion stirred in her breast, a fear that made her heart tremble +and ache for the poor girl. + +Mr. Embury spent the evening at Viamede. Molly was in the parlor with +the rest, and the greater part of the time he was close at her side. + +Both talked more than usual, often addressing each other, and seemed to +outdo themselves in sparkling wit and brilliant repartee. + +Molly's cheeks glowed and her eyes shone: she had never been so handsome +or fascinating before, and Mr. Embury hung upon her words. + +Elsie's heart sank as she saw it all. "My poor child!" she sighed to +herself. "I must warn him that her affections are not to be trifled +with. He may think her sad affliction is her shield--raising a barrier +that she herself must know to be impassable--but when was heart +controlled by reason?" + +The next morning Enna, putting her head in at the door of the +dressing-room where her niece was busy with her little ones, said: +"Elsie, I wish you'd come and speak a word to Molly. She'll hear reason +from you, maybe, though she thinks I haven't sense enough to give her +any advice." + +"What is it?" Elsie asked, obeying the summons at once, leaving Rosie +and Walter in Aunt Chloe's charge. + +"Just come to her room, won't you?" Enna said, leading the way. "I don't +see what possesses the child to act so. He's handsome and rich and +everything a reasonable woman could ask. I want you to--But there! he's +gone, and it's too late!" + +Elsie following her glance through a window they were passing, saw Mr. +Embury's carriage driving away. + +"Did he ask Molly to go with him?" she inquired. + +"Yes, and she wouldn't do it; though I did all I could to make her. Come +and speak to her though, so she'll know better next time." + +Molly sat in an attitude of dejection, her face hidden in her hands, and +did not seem conscious of their entrance until Elsie's hand was softly +laid on her shoulder, while the pitying voice asked, "What is the +matter, Molly dear?" + +Then the bowed head was lifted, and Elsie saw that her eyes were full of +tears, her cheeks wet with them. + +"Oh, Cousin Elsie," she sobbed, "don't ask me to go with him. I must +not. I must try to keep away from him. Oh, why did we ever meet? Shall I +ever be rid of this weary pain in my heart?" + +"Yes, dear child, it will pass away in time," her cousin whispered, +putting kind arms about her. "He must stay away, and you will learn to +be happy again in your work, and, better still, in the one love that can +never fail you in this world or the next." + +"He is a good man, don't blame him," murmured the poor girl, hiding her +blushing face on her cousin's shoulder. + +"I will try not; but such selfish thoughtlessness is almost +unpardonable. He must not come here any more." + +"No, no: don't tell him that! don't let him suspect that I--care +whether he does or not. And he enjoys it so much, he is so lonely in his +own house." + +"Do not fear that I will betray you, poor, dear, unselfish child," Elsie +said; "but I must protect you somehow. And, Molly dear, though I believe +married life is the happiest, where there is deep, true love, founded on +respect and perfect confidence, I am quite sure that it is possible for +a woman to be very happy though she live single all her days. There is +my dear old Aunt Wealthy, for example; she must be now nearly ninety. I +have known her for more than twenty years, and always as one of the +cheeriest and happiest people I ever saw." + +"Did she ever meet any one she cared for?" Molly asked, still hiding her +face. + +"Yes: she had a sore disappointment in her young days, as she told me +herself; but the wound healed in time." + +Enna had seated herself in a low rocking-chair by a window, and with +hands folded in her lap was keenly eying her daughter and niece. + +"What are you two saying to each other?" she demanded. "You talk so low +I can only catch a word now and then; but I don't believe, Elsie, that +you are coaxing Molly to behave as I want her to." + +"Poor mother!" sighed Molly; "she can't understand it." + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + "Man's love is of man's life a thing apart, + 'Tis woman's whole existence." + --_Byron._ + + +Finding her own thoughts full of Molly and her troubles to the exclusion +of everything else, Elsie presently dismissed her little ones to their +play, spent a few moments in consulting her best Friend, then went in +search of her father. + +She would not betray Molly even to him, but it would be safe, helpful, +comforting to confide her own doubts, fears and anxieties. + +She found him in the library, and alone. He was standing before a window +with his back toward her as she entered, and did not seem to hear her +light footsteps till she was close at his side; then turning hastily, he +caught her in his arms, strained her to his breast, and kissed her again +and again with passionate fondness. + +"What is it, papa?" she asked in surprise, looking up into his face and +seeing it full of emotion that seemed a strange blending of pain and +pleasure. + +"My darling, my darling!" he said in low, tremulous tones, holding her +close, and repeating his caresses, "how shall I ever make up to you for +the sorrows of your infancy? the culpable, heartless neglect with which +your father treated you then? I see I surprise you by referring to it +now, but I have been talking with one of the old servants who retains a +vivid remembrance of your babyhood here, and your heart-rending grief +when forced away from your home and almost all you had learned to love. +Such a picture of it has she given me that I fairly long to go back to +that time and take my baby girl to my heart and comfort her." + +"Dear papa, I hardly remember it now," she said, laying her head down on +his breast; "and oh I have the sweetest memories of years and years of +the tenderest fatherly love and care!--love and care that surround me +still and form one of my best and dearest earthly blessings. If the Lord +will, may we long be spared to each other, my dear, dear father!" + +His response was a fervent "Amen," and sitting down upon a sofa, he drew +her to a seat by his side. + +"I have come to you for help and advice in a new difficulty, papa," she +said. "I fear I have made a sad mistake in allowing Mr. Embury's visits +here; and yet--I cannot exclude from my house gentlemen visitors of +unexceptionable character." + +"No; and he appears to be all that, and more--a sincere, earnest +Christian. But what is it that you regret or fear? Elsie is engaged, +Violet very young, and for Isa--supposing there were any such +prospect--it would be a most suitable match." + +"But Molly?" + +"Molly!" he exclaimed with a start. "Poor child! she could never think +of marriage!" + +"No, papa, but hearts don't reason and love comes unbidden." + +"And you think she cares for him?" + +"It would not be strange if she should; he is a very agreeable man, +and--Did you notice them last night? I thought his actions decidedly +loverlike, and there was something in her face that made me tremble for +the poor child's future peace of mind." + +"Poor child!" he echoed; "poor, poor child! I am glad you called my +attention to it. I must give Embury a hint: he cannot, of course, be +thinking what he is about: for I am sure he is not the heartless wretch +he would be if he could wreck her happiness intentionally." + +"Thank you, dear papa. You will know exactly how to do it without the +least compromise of the dear girl's womanly pride and delicacy of +feeling, or offending or hurting him. + +"You spoke just now of Isa," she went on presently. "I should be glad if +she and Mr. Embury fancied each other; such a match would be very +pleasing to Aunt Louise on account of his wealth and social position, +little as she would like his piety, but--" + +"Well, daughter?" + +"Have you noticed how constantly Cyril seeks her companionship? how +naturally the others leave those two to pair off together? They sit and +read or chat together by the hour out yonder under the trees; scarce a +day passes without its long, lonely ramble or ride. He talks to her of +his work too, in which his whole heart is engaged; listens attentively +to all she says--turning in the most interested way to her for an +opinion, no matter what subject is broached; listens with delight to her +music too, and sometimes reads his sermons to her for the benefit of her +criticism, or consults her in regard to his choice of a text." + +Mr. Dinsmore's countenance expressed extreme satisfaction. "I am glad of +it," he said; "they seem made for each other." + +"But Aunt Louise, papa?" + +"Will not fancy a poor clergyman for a son-in-law, yet will consider +even that better than not seeing her daughter married at all. And if the +two most intimately concerned are happy and content, what matter for the +rest?" + +"Oh papa!" Elsie returned with a smile that had something of old-time +archness in it, "have not your opinions in regard to the rights of +parents and the duties of children changed somewhat since my early +girlhood?" + +"Circumstances alter cases," he answered with a playful caress. "I +should never have objected to so wise a choice as Isa's--always +supposing that she has made the one we are talking of." + +"And you will not mind if Aunt Louise blames you? or me?" + +"I shall take all the blame and not mind it in the least." + +Yes, Cyril Keith and Isadore Conly were made for each other, and had +become conscious of the fact, though no word of love had yet been +spoken. + +To him she was the sweetest and loveliest of her sex, in whom he found a +stronger union of beauty, grace, accomplishments, sound sense and +earnest piety than in any other young lady of his acquaintance; while to +her he was the impersonation of all that was truly noble, manly and +Christian. + +They were dreaming love's young dream, and found intense enjoyment each +in the other's society, especially amid all the loveliness of nature +that surrounded them. + +Cyril's was a whole-hearted consecration to his divine Master and that +loved Master's work, but this human love interfered not in any way with +that, for it is of God's appointment. + +"'And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I +will make him an help meet for him.' 'Whoso findeth a wife findeth a +good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.'" + +"How like you that is, papa dear," Elsie said; "but it would be easier +to me to bear blame myself than to have it heaped upon you. I suppose, +though, that it would be useless to attempt any interference with the +course of true love?" + +"Yes; we will simply let them alone." + +Mr. Dinsmore rode over to Magnolia Hall that afternoon to seek an +interview with its owner; but learned that he was not at home, and might +not be for a day or two. No one knew just when he would return. So the +only course now left seemed to be to wait till he should call again at +Viamede. + +He had been an almost daily visitor of late, and often sent some token +of remembrance by a servant--fruit, flowers, game or fish, or it might +be a book from his library which was not found in theirs. + +But now one, two, three days passed and nothing was seen or heard of +him. + +Sad, wearisome days they were to Molly: mental labor was next to +impossible; she could not even read with any enjoyment; her heart was +heavy with grief and unsatisfied longing, intensified by her mother's +constant reiteration, "You've offended him, and he'll never come again; +you've thrown away the best chance a girl ever had; and you'll never +see another like it." + +Then it was unusually long since she had heard from Dick; and she had +waited for news from a manuscript which had cost her months of hard +work, and on which great expectations were based, till her heart was +sick with hope deferred. + +It was on the morning of the fourth day that Molly, having persuaded her +mother to go for a walk with her grandfather and Mrs. Carrington, +summoned a servant and desired to be taken out into the grounds. + +She sat motionless in her chair gazing in mournful silence on all the +luxuriant beauty that surrounded her, while the man wheeled her up one +walk and down another. + +At length, "That will do, Joe," she said; "you may stop the chair under +that magnolia yonder, and leave me there for an hour." + +"I'se 'fraid you git tired, Miss Molly, and nobody roun' for to wait on +you," he remarked when he had placed her in the desired spot. + +"No; I have the bell here, and it can be heard at the house. I have a +book, too, to amuse myself with: and the gardener yonder is within +sight. You need not fear to leave me." + +He walked away and she opened her book. But she scarcely looked at it. +Her thoughts were busying themselves with something else, and her eyes +were full of tears. + +A quick, manly step on the gravel walk behind her startled her and sent +a vivid color over face and neck. + +"Good morning, Miss Percival; I am fortunate indeed in finding you here +alone," a voice said, close at her side. + +"Good morning, Mr. Embury," she returned, with a vain effort to steady +her tones, and without looking up. + +He took possession of a rustic seat close to which her chair was +standing. "Molly, my dear Miss Molly," he said, in some agitation, "I +fear I have unwittingly offended." + +"No, no, no!" she answered, bursting into tears in spite of herself. +"There, what a baby I am!" dashing them angrily away. "I wish you +wouldn't come here and set me to crying." + +"Let me tell you something, let me ask you one question; and then if you +bid me, I will go away and never come near you again," he said, taking +her hand and holding it fast. "Molly, I love you. I want you to be my +wife. Will you?" + +"Oh you don't mean it! you can't mean it! no man in his senses would +want to marry me--a poor helpless cripple!" she cried, trying to pull +the hand away, "and it's a cruel, cruel jest! Oh how can you!" and +covering her face with the free hand, she sobbed as if her heart would +break. + +"Don't, don't, dear Molly," he entreated. "I am not jesting, nor am I +rushing into this thing hastily or thoughtlessly. Your very helplessness +draws me to you and makes you doubly dear. I want to take care of you, +my poor child. I want to make up your loss to you as far as my love and +sympathy can; to make your life bright and happy in spite of your +terrible trial." + +"You are the noblest, most unselfish man I ever heard of," she said, +wiping away her tears to give him a look of amazement and admiration; +"but I cannot be so selfish as to take all when I can give nothing in +return." + +"Do you call yourself--with your sweet face, cheery disposition, +brilliant talents, and conversational powers that render you the most +entertaining and charming of companions--nothing? I think you a greater +prize than half the women who have the free use of all their limbs." + +"You are very kind to say it." + +"No, I am not, for it is the simple, unvarnished truth. Molly, if you +can love me, I should rather have you than any other woman on earth. How +your presence would brighten my home! I give all indeed! you will be +worth more to me than all I have to give in return. O Molly, have you no +love to bestow upon poor me?" + +She had ceased the struggle to free her hand from the strong yet tender +clasp in which it was held, but her face was averted and tears were +falling fast. His words had sent a thrill of exquisite joy to her heart, +but instantly it changed to bitter sorrow. + +"You cannot have counted the cost," she said. "I am poor; I have nothing +at all but the pittance I earn by my pen. And think: I can never walk by +your side: I cannot go about your house and see that your comfort is not +neglected, or your substance wasted. I cannot nurse you in sickness or +wait upon you in health as another woman might. Oh cannot you see that I +have nothing to give you in return for all you--in your wonderful +generosity--are offering to me?" + +"Your love, dear girl, and the blessed privilege of taking care of you, +are all I ask, all I want--can you not give me these?" + +"Oh, why do you tempt me so?" she cried. + +"Tempt you? would it be a sin to love me? to give yourself to me when I +want you so much, so very much?" + +"It seems to me it would be taking advantage of the most unheard-of +generosity. What woman's heart could stand out against it?" + +"Ah, then you do love me!" he exclaimed, in accents of joy, and lifting +her hand to his lips. "You will be mine? my own dear wife? a sweet +mother to my darlings. I have brought them with me, that their beauty +and sweetness, their pretty innocent ways, may plead my cause with you, +for I know that you love little children." He was gone before she could +reply, and the next moment was at her side again, bearing in his arms +two lovely little creatures of three and five. + +"These are my babies," he said, sitting down with one upon each knee. +"Corinna," to the eldest, "don't you want this sweet lady to come and +live with us and be your dear mamma?" + +The child took a long, searching look into Molly's face before she +answered; then, with a bright, glad smile breaking like sunlight over +her own, "Yes, papa, I _do_!" she said, emphatically. "Won't you come, +pretty lady? Madie and I will be good children, and love you ever so +much." And she held up her rosebud mouth for a kiss. + +Molly gave it very heartily. + +"Me, too--you mustn't fordet to tiss Madie," the little one said. + +Molly motioned the father to set the child in her lap, and, putting an +arm about Corinna, petted and fondled them both for a little, the mother +instinct stirring strongly within her the while. + +"There, that will do, my pets; we must not tire the dear lady," Mr. +Embury said presently, lifting his youngest and setting her on her feet +beside her sister. "Go back now to your mammy. See, yonder she is, +waiting for you." + +"What darlings they are," Molly said, following them with wistful, +longing eyes. + +"Yes. Ah, can your heart resist their appeal?" + +"How could I, chained to my chair, do a mother's part by them?" she +asked mournfully, and with a heavy sigh. + +"Their physical needs are well attended to," he said, again taking her +hand, while his eyes sought hers with wistful, pleading tenderness; "it +is motherly counsels, sympathy, love they want. Is it not in your power +to give them all these? I would throw no burdens on you, love; I only +aim to show you that the giving need not necessarily be all on my side, +the receiving all on yours." + +"How kind, how noble you are," she said, in moved tones. "But your +relatives? your other children? how would they feel to see you joined +for life to a--" + +"Don't say it," he interrupted, in tones of tenderest compassion. "My +boys will be drawn to you by your helplessness, while they will be very +proud of your talents and your sweetness. I have no other near relatives +but two brothers, who have no right to concern themselves in the matter, +nor will be likely to care to do so. But, O, dearest girl, what shall I, +what can I say to convince you that you are my heart's desire? that I +want you, your love, your dear companionship, more than tongue can tell? +Will you refuse them to me?" + +She answered only with a look, but it said all he wished. + +"Bless you, darling!" he whispered, putting his arm about her, while her +head dropped upon his shoulder, "you have made me very happy." + +Molly was silent, was weeping, but for very gladness; her heart sang for +joy; not that a beautiful home, wealth, and all the luxury and ease it +could purchase, would now be hers, but that she was loved by one so +noble and generous, so altogether worthy of her highest respect, her +warmest affection, the devotion of her whole life, which she inwardly +vowed should be his. She would strive to be to him such a wife as Elsie +had been to her husband, such a mother to his children as her sweet +cousin was to hers. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + "I saw her, and I loved her-- + I sought her, and I won." + + "Across the threshold led, + And every tear kiss'd off as soon as shed, + His house she enters, there to be a light + Shining within, when all without is night; + A guardian angel, o'er his life presiding, + Doubling his pleasure, and his cares dividing." + --_Roger._ + + +"You declined a drive with me the last time I asked you," Mr. Embury +remarked, breaking a momentary silence that had fallen between them, +"but will you not be more gracious to-day? My carriage is near at hand, +and I have a great desire to take you for an airing--you and the +babies." + +Blushing deeply, Molly said, "Yes, if you wish it, and will bring me +back before I am missed." + +"I shall take good care of you, as who would not of his own?" he said, +bending down to look into her face with a proud, fond smile; "yes, you +are mine now, dearest, and I shall never resign my claim. Ah," as he +lifted his head again, "here comes your uncle, and I fancy he eyes me +with distrust. Mr. Dinsmore," and he stepped forward with outstretched +hand, "how do you do, sir? What do you say to receiving me into the +family? I trust you will not object, for this dear girl intends to give +me the right to call you uncle." + +Mr. Dinsmore grasped the hand, looking in silent astonishment from one +to the other. He read the story of their love in both faces--Molly's +downcast and blushing, yet happy; Mr. Embury's overflowing with +unfeigned delight. + +"I assure you, sir," he went on, "I am fully aware that she is a prize +any man might be proud to win. Your niece is no ordinary woman: her +gifts and graces are many and great." + +"She is all that you have said, and even more," her uncle returned, +finding his voice. "And yet--you are quite sure that this is not a +sudden impulse for which you may some day be sorry?" + +He had stepped to Molly's other side and taken her hand in his, in a +protecting, fatherly way. "It would wreck her happiness," he added, in +moved tones, "and that is very dear to me." + +"It cannot be dearer to you, sir, than it is to me," the lover answered; +"and rest assured your fears are groundless. It is no sudden impulse on +my part, but deliberate action taken after weeks of careful and +prayerful consideration. You seem to stand in the place of a father to +her; will you give her to me?" + +"Mr. Embury, you are the noblest of men, and must forgive me that I had +some suspicion that you were thoughtlessly trifling with the child's +affections. I see you have won her heart, and may you be very happy +together." + +Mr. Dinsmore was turning away, but Mr. Embury stopped him. + +"Let me thank you, sir," he said, again holding out his hand. "We are +going for a little drive," he added, "and please let no one be anxious +about Miss Percival. I am responsible for her safe return." + +Molly's chair rolled on with rapid, steady movement to the entrance to +the grounds, where Mr. Embury's carriage stood; then she felt herself +carefully, tenderly lifted from one to the other and comfortably +established on a softly cushioned seat. + +How like a delightful dream it all seemed--the swift, pleasant motion +through the pure, sweet, fragrant air; beautiful scenery on every hand; +the prattle of infant voices and the whispers of love in her ear. Should +she not awake presently to its unreality? awake to find herself still +the lonely, unloved woman she was in her own esteem but an hour ago, and +who by reason of her sad infirmity could look forward to nothing else +through life? + +They turned in at an open gateway, and Molly, suddenly rousing herself, +said, in surprise, "We are entering some one's private grounds, are we +not?" + +"Yes," was the quiet reply, "but there is no objection. The owner and I +are on the most intimate terms. I admire the place very much, and want +you to see it, so we will drive all around the grounds." And he gave the +order to the coachman. + +Molly looked and admired. "Charming! almost if not quite equal to +Viamede." + +His eyes shone. "Your taste agrees with mine," he said. "Look this way. +We have a good view of the house from here. What do you think of it?" + +"That it is just suited to its surroundings, and must be a delightful +residence." + +"So it is; and I want to show you the inside too. There's no objection," +as he read hesitation and disapproval in her face; "the master and +mistress are not there, and--in fact I have charge of the place just +now, and am quite at liberty to show it to strangers." + +The next moment they drew up before the front entrance. Mr. Embury +hastily alighted and lifted out the little ones, saying in a low tone +something which Molly did not hear as he set them down. + +They ran in at the open door, and turning to her again he took her in +his strong arms and bore her into a lordly entrance hall; then on +through, one spacious, elegantly furnished room after another--parlors, +library, dining and drawing-rooms--moving slowly that she might have +time so gaze and admire, and now and then setting her down for a few +moments in an easy chair or on a luxurious sofa, usually before a rare +painting or some other beautiful work of art which he thought she would +particularly enjoy. + +The children had disappeared, and they were quite alone. + +He had reserved a charming boudoir for the last. Open doors gave +tempting glimpses of dressing and bedrooms beyond. + +"These," he said, placing her in a delightfully easy, velvet cushioned +chair, and standing by her side, "are the apartments of the mistress of +the mansion, as you have doubtless already conjectured. What do you +think of them?" + +"That they are very beautiful, very luxurious. And oh what a lovely view +from yonder window!" + +"And from this, is it not?" he said, stepping aside and turning her +chair a little that she might see, through a vista of grand old trees, +the lagoon beyond sparkling in the sunlight. + +"Oh that is finer still!" she cried. "I should think one might almost be +content to live a close prisoner here." + +"Then I may hope my dear wife will not be unhappy here? will not regret +leaving the beauties of Viamede and the charming society there for this +place and the companionship of its owner? Molly, dearest, this is +Magnolia Hall; you are its mistress, and these are your own rooms," he +said, kneeling by her side to fold her to his heart with tenderest +caresses. + +"It is too much, oh you are too good to me!" she sobbed, as her head +dropped upon his shoulder. + +On leaving Mr. Embury and Molly, Mr. Dinsmore hastened to join his wife +and daughter, who were sitting together on the lawn. The interview +between the lovers having taken place in a part of the grounds not +visible from where they sat, they had seen nothing of it. + +"You look like the bearer of glad tidings, my dear," Rose remarked, +glancing inquiringly at her husband as he seated himself at her side. + +"And so I am, wife," he answered joyously. "Elsie, you may spare +yourself any further regrets because of your kindness to Mr. Embury. He +is a noble, generous-hearted fellow, and very much in love with our +poor, dear Molly. They are engaged." + +"Engaged?" echoed both ladies simultaneously, as much surprised and +pleased as he had hoped to see them. + +"Yes," he said, and went on to repeat what had passed between himself +and the newly-affianced pair. + +"Dear Molly," Elsie said with tears trembling in her eyes, "I trust +there are many very happy days in store for her. And how pleased Aunt +Enna will be, she was so desirous to bring about the match." + +"Molly herself should have the pleasure of telling her." + +"Yes, indeed, papa." + +"There is something else," Mr. Dinsmore said. "At Mr. Embury's +suggestion I wrote to Dick two or three weeks ago, telling him that +there was a good opening for a physician here, and asking if he would +not like to come and settle if pleased with the country. His answer came +this morning, and he will be with us in a few days." + +"How glad I am!" was Elsie's exclamation. "Molly's cup of happiness will +be full to overflowing." + +Rose, too, was rejoiced; but she had heard before of the invitation to +Dick, and was less surprised at this news than Elsie was. + +The ladies had their work, Mr. Dinsmore the morning paper, and the three +were still sitting there when Mr. Embury's carriage returned. + +Molly's face was radiant with happiness; Mr. Embury's also; and the +faces of the friends who gathered about them in the library, whither he +carried her, seemed to reflect the glad light in theirs. + +Everybody was rejoiced at Molly's good fortune, and pleased to receive +Mr. Embury into the family, for they all respected and liked him. + +Enna's delight on hearing the news was unbounded; she half smothered her +daughter with kisses, and exclaimed over and over again, "I knew he +wanted you! And didn't I tell you there'd be somebody better worth +having than Elsie's lover coming after you some day? And I'm as glad as +can be that my girl's going to be married the first of all--before +Louise's girls, or Elsie's either!" + +"I can't see that that makes the least difference, mother," Molly said, +laughing for very gladness. "But oh what a good and kind man he is! and +what a lovely home we are to have! for, mother, he says you are to live +with us always if you like." + +"Now that is nice!" Enna said, much gratified. "And is it as pretty as +Viamede?" + +"It is almost if not quite as beautiful as Viamede, though not quite so +large; both house and grounds are, I believe, a little smaller." + +"How soon are you going to be married?" + +"I don't know just when, mother; the day has not been set." + +"I hope it will be soon, just as soon as we can get you ready." + +This was a little private chat in Molly's room after Mr. Embury had +gone away. She had asked to have her chair wheeled in there, and to be +left alone with her mother while she told her the news of her +engagement. + +"I must consult with uncle and aunt and Cousin Elsie about that," she +said in answer to her mother's last remark. "Will you please open the +door now and ask them to come in? I don't care if the rest come too." + +"Well, Molly, when, where, and by whom is the knot to be tied?" asked +Mr. Dinsmore playfully, as he stood by her side looking down with a +kindly smile at her blushing, happy face. + +"O uncle, so many questions at once!" + +"Well, one at a time then: When?" + +"That foolishly impatient man wanted me to say to-night," she answered, +laughing, "and when I told him how absurd an idea that was, he insisted +that a week was quite long enough for him to go on living alone." + +"A week!" exclaimed her aunt. "You surely did not consent to that?" + +"No," Aunt Rose, "but I believe I half consented to try to make my +preparations in two weeks. I doubt if we can quite settle that question +now." + +"There must be time allowed for furnishing you with a handsome +trousseau, my dear child," Elsie said, "but possibly it can be +accomplished in a fortnight. As to the next question--where?--you +surely will let it be here, in my house?" + +"Gladly, cousin, if pleasing to you," Molly answered with a grateful, +loving look. "And Mr. Keith shall officiate, if he will. Of course it +must be a very quiet affair; I should prefer that under any +circumstances." + +"You will invite Dick, will you not?" her uncle asked with a twinkle in +his eye. + +"Dick! oh the dear fellow! I ought to have him. I wonder if I could +persuade him to leave his practice long enough to come. Two weeks would +give him time to get here if I write at once." + +"No need," her uncle replied. "Providence permitting, he will be here in +less than half that time." + +Then the whole story came out in answer to Molly's look of astonished +inquiry, and her cup of happiness was indeed full to overflowing. + +"Where did you drive, Molly?" asked Isa. "But I suppose you hardly know; +you could see nothing but--your companion?" + +"Ah, Isa, do you judge of me by yourself?" queried Molly gleefully. "By +the way, though, I had three companions. But _don't_ I know where I +went?" + +Then smiling, laughing, blushing, rosy and happy as they had never seen +her before, she described the darling baby girls and the beautiful +home. + +But the sweet words of love that had been as music to her ear were too +sacred for any other. + +She had quite a large and certainly very attentive and interested +audience, the whole family having gathered in the room. Enna and the +young girls were especially delighted with the tale she had to tell. + +"It's just like a story--the very nicest kind of a story!" cried Vi, +clapping her hands in an ecstasy of delight when Molly came to that part +of her narrative where she learned that she herself was to be the +mistress of the lordly mansion she had entered as a stranger visitor, +with all its wealth of luxury and beauty. + +The next two or three weeks were full of pleasant bustle and excitement, +preparations for the wedding being pushed forward with all possible +dispatch, Mr. Embury pleading his loneliness and that he wanted Molly's +relatives and friends to see her fairly settled in her new home before +they left Viamede for the North. + +Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore, with Enna, Isa, the younger Elsie and Violet, +took a trip to New Orleans and spent several days in shopping there, +laying in great store of rich, costly and beautiful things for Molly's +adornment. + +Mr. Embury, too, paid a flying visit to the city, which resulted in an +elegant set of jewels for his bride and some new articles of furniture +for her apartments. + +Dick arrived at about the expected time and was joyfully welcomed. His +surprise and delight in view of Molly's prospects were quite sufficient +to satisfy her, and so greatly was he pleased with the country that in a +few days he announced his purpose to remain. + +Cyril had received a unanimous call from the two churches, and after +mature deliberation accepted it, upon which Elsie doubled the salary she +had formerly paid, and told him playfully and in private that if he +would get a wife whom she could approve she would repair, enlarge, and +refurnish the cottage. + +"You are extremely kind and generous cousin," he stammered, coloring +deeply, "and I--I would be only too glad to follow out your suggestion." + +"Well," she returned in the same playful tone, "what is there to +hinder?" + +"The only woman I could fancy, could love, is so beautiful, fascinating, +accomplished, so altogether attractive in every way, that--I fear she +could hardly be expected to content herself with a poor minister." + +"I cannot say how that is," Elsie answered with a smile, "but judging by +myself I should think she would give her hand wherever her heart has +gone; and if I were a man I should not despair until I had asked and +been refused. And, Cyril, though not rich in this world's goods, I +consider you a fit match for the highest--you who are a son of the +King." + +"That sonship is more to me than all the world has to give," he said, +looking at her with glistening eyes, "but to others it may seem of +little worth." + +"Not to any one who is of the right spirit to be truly an helpmeet to +you. I think I know where your affections are set, my dear cousin, and +that by her the true riches are esteemed as by you and me." + +He thanked her warmly by word and look for her kind sympathy and +encouragement, and there the interview ended. + +But that night, when Elsie was about retiring, Isa came to her, all +smiles, tears and blushes, to tell the story of love given and returned. +She and Cyril had spent the evening wandering about the grounds alone +together in the moonlight, and he had wooed and won his heart's choice. + +"Dear Isa, I am very, very glad for you and for Cyril," Elsie whispered, +clasping her cousin close, and kissing again and again the blushing +cheek. "I cannot wish anything better for you than that you may be as +happy in your wedded life as my dear husband and I were." + +"Nor could I ask a better wish," Isa returned with emotion; "but ah! I +fear I can never be the perfect wife you were! And, cousin, I can +hardly hope for mamma's approval of my choice." + +"Do not trouble about that now; I think we shall find means to win her +consent." + +"I think grandpa and uncle are sure to approve." + +"Yes; and they will be powerful advocates with Aunt Louise; so I think +you need not hesitate to be as happy as you can," Elsie answered with a +smile. "Do you wish the matter kept secret?" + +"Mr. Keith is with grandpa and uncle now," Isa said, blushing, "and I +don't care how soon Aunt Rose and the girls and Dick know it; but if you +please, the rest may wait until mamma is heard from." + +Molly was delighted, though not greatly astonished, when Isa told her +the next morning. + +"How nice that we shall be near neighbors," she exclaimed. "I wish you +would just decide to make it a double wedding." + +"Thank you," laughed Isa; "do you forget that it is now just one week +from your appointed day? or do you think my trousseau could be gotten up +in a week, though it takes three for yours?" + +"I really didn't stop to think," Molly acknowledged with a happy laugh; +"but, Isa, you are so beautiful that you need no finery to add to your +attractions, while my plainness requires a good deal." + +"Molly," Isa said, standing before her and gazing fixedly and admiringly +into the glad, blooming face, "I think you have neglected your mirror of +late or you wouldn't talk so." + +A great surprise came to Molly on the morning of her wedding day. Her +cousin Elsie gave her ten thousand dollars, and Mr. Embury settled fifty +thousand upon her, beside presenting her with the jewels he had +purchased--a set of diamonds and pearls. + +Also she received many handsome presents from uncle, aunt, brother and +cousins, and from Mr. Embury's children. + +He had sent for his two boys, fine manly fellows of ten and twelve, to +be present at the marriage, which was to take place in the evening, and +had brought them that morning for a short call upon his chosen bride. + +She and they seemed mutually pleased, and Molly, who had been somewhat +apprehensive lest they should dislike the match, felt as if the last +stone were removed from her path. + +She gratified Mr. Embury greatly by a request that the baby girls and +all the servants from Magnolia Hall might be present, and that he would +let Louis, his eldest son, stand up with them as third groomsman, Dick +and Harold Travilla being first and second. + +Isa, the younger Elsie and Violet were the bridesmaids, all wearing +white for the occasion. + +It was a very quiet wedding indeed, no one at all present but the +members of the two families, servants included--these last grouping +themselves about the open door into the hall. + +Molly sat in her chair looking very sweet and pretty in white silk, +point lace, and abundance of orange blossoms freshly gathered from the +trees on the lawn. + +The bridesmaids looked very lovely also; groom and groomsmen handsome +and happy. + +Mr. Keith made the ceremony short but solemn and impressive. The usual +greetings and congratulations followed; Elsie's to the bride a whispered +hope, accompanied with tears and smiles, that every year might find +herself and husband nearer and dearer to each other. + +An elegant banquet succeeded, and shortly after the happy bridegroom +bore his new-made wife away to her future home. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + "But happy they! the happiest of their kind! + Whom gentler stars unite, and in one fate + Their hearts, their fortunes, and their beings blend. + . . . . . for naught but love + Can answer love, and render bliss secure." + --_Thomson's Seasons._ + + +As no invitations to the wedding were to be sent to relatives at a +distance, it was thought quite as well not to inform them of Molly's +engagement until after the marriage had taken place; beside, as the +preparations were so hurried, no one had much time for correspondence. + +Isadore Conly did not once during the three weeks write to Roselands, +excusing herself on the double plea that her last letter remained +unanswered, and that she was particularly busy about the trousseau. + +She found little time to spare from that which was not taken up in +walking or riding with Cyril. + +He proposed writing to her mother immediately after declaring his love; +but she begged him to delay a little till her grandfather and uncle +should have time to consider how to bring their influence to bear upon +Mrs. Conly in the way most likely to win her approval of his suit. + +The day after the wedding saw a number of letters directed to +Roselands, dropped into the Viamede mail-bag, and a few days later they +reached their destination. + +The family--consisting of Mrs. Conly, Calhoun, Arthur, Virginia, Walter +(who was at home for a few days on a furlough, being now a lieutenant in +the U. S. Army), and several younger ones--were at breakfast when Pomp +came in with the mail-bag. + +Calhoun opened it and distributed the contents. + +"Letters from Viamede at last," he remarked; "three for you, mother, +from grandpa, uncle and--somebody else; one for Walter (Dick's +handwriting! I didn't know he was there) and one for Virginia." + +"From Isa," Virginia said as she glanced at the superscription; then +tearing open the envelope, and glancing down the first page, "Molly is +married! to a rich planter, too! Will wonders never cease!" + +A simultaneous exclamation of surprise from all present. + +"Nonsense, Isa's hoaxing you," said Walter, stirring his coffee. "Here, +let me see the letter." + +"No. Open your own." + +"That's not in Isa's line," remarked Arthur, "but really it is very +astonishing news. What does Dick say, Wal? He went down there to attend +the wedding, I presume?" + +"No; didn't know a word about it till he got there," Walter said, giving +a hasty perusal to the not very lengthy epistle; "went to settle; good +opening for a doctor; splendid country, everything lovely, likes +brother-in-law immensely, is overjoyed at Molly's good luck, says she's +as happy as a queen." + +"Which may mean much or little," remarked Conly. + +His mother cleared her throat emphatically, and all eyes turned to her. +She held an open letter in her hand, and her face looked flushed and +angry. + +"Isa, too, it seems, has lost her heart," she said in a bitter, +sarcastic tone; "and with her usual good sense, has bestowed it upon a +poor clergyman. Doubtless he has heard of her Aunt Delaford's +intentions--Elsie perhaps has given him the hint, he being a relative of +hers--and thinks he is securing a fortune. But if Isa throws herself +away in such fashion, Sister Delaford may change her mind." + +Calhoun and Arthur both repelled with warmth the insinuation against +Elsie; the latter adding that he thought Isa's personal charms were +quite sufficient of themselves to captivate a man who was not in pursuit +of wealth. + +"And Isa," remarked Calhoun, "is so unworldly that wealth would be a +matter of small consideration to her where her heart was concerned." + +"A fact that should make her friends the more careful how they encourage +her in taking a poor man," said the mother; "but my father and brother +are both strongly in favor of this adventurer's suit." + +"Adventurer, mother! I thought you said he was a clergyman!" + +"Well, Calhoun, I don't see any contradiction there. But his name is +Keith, and that explains it all, for my father was always very partial +to those relatives of his first wife. Horace, too, of course." + +"But as Isa is a good deal more nearly related to them, they are very +fond of her, and, men not easily deceived or taken in, I think we may +safely trust to their judgment. You won't oppose what they so highly +approve, mother?" + +"I don't know; must take time to think it over. Do you and Arthur come +with me to the library," she said, rising with the letter in her hand. +"I see you have both finished your breakfast." + +They rose instantly, and followed her from the room, Walter looking +after them and muttering discontentedly, "I think mother might take me +into her counsels, too." + +"You are too young and foolish," said Virginia. + +"The first objection doesn't lie against you, though the second may," he +retorted. "You'd better look to your laurels. Isa and Molly are both +well ahead of you." + +"What of that?" she said, reddening with vexation. "Isa's two years +older than I, and taking a poor minister whom I wouldn't look at." + +"Sour grapes," suggested her brother, teasingly. "And Molly's not a year +older than you, and has married rich." + +"A second-hand husband!" sneered Virginia; at which Walter laughed +uproariously. + +"O Virgie, Virgie, those grapes are terribly sour!" he said. "But do let +us hear what Isa has to say about it." + +"I haven't finished the letter; but there, take it; what do I care about +her fine dresses and presents, and the splendors of Magnolia Hall?" + +"Well," he cried presently, "Cousin Elsie did the thing handsomely! and +he's a splendid fellow, if he is second-hand. No wonder Dick's pleased. +I only wish my sisters might all do as well." + +In the library Calhoun was saying, as he laid down his uncle's letter, +which he had just read aloud, "Cousin Elsie is certainly the most +generous of women! Mother, you could not have read this when you uttered +that insinuation against her a few moments since?" + +Mrs. Conly colored violently under her son's searching gaze. + +"Twenty-five thousand is a mere trifle to her," she said, bridling, "and +you perceive she promises Isa that dower in the event of her marrying +that poor relation of her own." + +"It is extremely generous, nevertheless!" exclaimed both her sons in a +breath. + +"And I do not think it by any means a bad match for Isa," Arthur went +on--"a good man, of fine talent, receiving a very comfortable salary, a +lovely home rent free, very little expense except for clothing, seeing +they are--as uncle says--to have all the fruit, vegetables, nearly their +whole living, in fact, from the Viamede fields and orchards; use of +carriages and horses too, whenever they like." + +"No, it isn't so bad," their mother acknowledged, "and if she gets her +Aunt Delaford's money, she will really be very far from poor. But I +dislike the thought of having her, with her beauty and talents, buried, +as one may say, in that out-of-the-way corner of the world." + +"But she chooses for herself, and ought to be the best judge of what is +for her own happiness," Calhoun said. "So you will consent, mother?" + +"Oh yes, yes, of course! But I'll take no blame from your Aunt Delaford; +nor from Isa either, if ever she sees cause to repent." + +So a letter was sent that made glad the hearts of the lovers, spite of +some ungraciousness of tone. + +Isa's letter, giving, as it did, a minute description of the trousseau, +the wedding, Magnolia Hall, Mr. Embury and his children, and telling of +the generous settlements upon the bride made by him and her cousin +Elsie, was read and re-read by Mrs. Conly and Virginia with great +interest, which was yet not altogether pleasurable. + +They were glad that Molly had now a good home of her own, and +particularly that her mother was to share it--a home so far away from +Roselands that Enna was not likely to trouble them any more, for her +feebleness of intellect made her something of a mortification to them of +late years--yet the good fortune of the poor crippled niece and cousin +was too great, too strongly in contrast with their own rather straitened +circumstances, not to arouse some feelings of envy and jealousy in +persons of their haughty and overbearing disposition. + +"Dear me, I wonder why some people have all the good fortune and others +none!" exclaimed Virginia angrily. "I should say fifty thousand was +quite enough for Molly--especially in addition to the rich husband and +loads of handsome presents--and that ten thousand would have been much +better bestowed upon you or me, mamma." + +"You've only to get married, sis, and probably she'll do the same +handsome thing by you," remarked Walter, who happened to be within +hearing. + +"Not she! I never had the good fortune to be one of her favorites." + +"Well, Isa can't say that, for she's certainly doing the handsome thing +by her." + +"What?" + +"So mother hasn't told you? She's promised that the day Isa marries her +cousin, Cyril Keith, she'll hand over twenty-five thousand dollars to +them." + +"That was to get mamma's consent. Mamma, I wouldn't be bought if I were +you," Virginia said scornfully. + +"You wouldn't?" laughed Walter. "I tell you you'd sell yourself to-day +to any man worth half a million, or even something less." + +"Walter, you are perfectly insulting," cried Virginia, her eyes flashing +and her cheek flushing hotly. "I wish your furlough ended to-day." + +"Thank you, my very affectionate sister," he said, bowing low as he +stood before her. "Why don't you wish I'd get shot in the next fight +with the Indians? Well, I'll tell you what it is," he went on presently, +"if I were one of Cousin Elsie's children--Ed, for instance--I'd enter a +pretty strong protest against these wholesale acts of benevolence toward +poor relations." + +"She can afford it," said his mother loftily, "and I must say I should +have a much higher appreciation of her generosity if she had given Isa +the money without any conditions attached." + +"But Isa wouldn't, or I greatly mistake." + +"Do you mean to say you think there has been a conspiracy between them?" +demanded his mother, growing very red and angry. + +"No, no, mother, nothing of the kind! but Cousin Elsie is a woman of +keen observation, delicate tact and great discernment; and she had Isa's +happiness much at heart." + +"Really," she sneered, "I have but just made the delightful discovery +that I have a Solomon among my sons!" + +"I think it was mean not to invite us to the wedding," said Virginia. + +"No; that was right enough," corrected her mother; "being in deep +mourning for her husband, she could not, of course, give Molly anything +but the quietest sort of wedding." + +"Well, Isa will come home to be married?" + +"Of course; and I shall insist upon time to have everything done +properly and without any one being hurried to death." + +Immediately upon the reception of Mrs. Conly's letter giving consent to +the match between her daughter and Cyril Keith, the work of adding to, +repairing and improving the cottage destined to be the future home of +the young couple was begun. + +It was a matter of great interest, not to Cyril and Isa alone, but to +the whole family of Dinsmores and Travillas; and their departure from +Viamede was delayed some weeks that Elsie and her father and grandfather +might oversee and direct the workmen. + +It was going to be a really commodious and beautiful residence when +completed. Elsie determined that it should be prettily furnished, too, +and found great pleasure in planning for the comfort and enjoyment of +these cousins. + +And Molly's happiness was a constant delight to her. There was daily +intercourse between Viamede and Magnolia Hall, Mr. Embury driving Molly +over almost every day to see her relatives, and Dick bringing his +mother, usually on horseback. + +Dick was making his home with his sister for the present, at Mr. +Embury's urgent request, and was showing himself a good and affectionate +son to Enna. + +The visits were returned, too, even Elsie going over frequently for a +short call, because she saw that Molly very keenly enjoyed being in a +position to extend hospitality to all her friends, and especially +herself, as one to whom she had long been indebted for a happy home. + +"Oh, cousin," Molly said to her one day when they were alone together in +her beautiful boudoir, "I am so happy! my husband is so kind, so +affectionate! I cannot understand how it is that he is so fond and even +proud of me--helpless cripple that I am. But I have learned to be +thankful even for that," she added, tears springing to her eyes, +"because he says it was that that first drew his attention to me; and, +strangely enough, his pity soon turned to admiration and love. Oh he has +such a big, generous heart!" + +"He has indeed!" Elsie said. "But, Molly dear, you underrate yourself. I +do not wonder that he admires and is proud of your brave, cheerful +courage under your hard trial, and of your talents and the name you are +making for yourself as both a translator and original writer; I hope you +will not give up your work entirely now that there is no pecuniary +necessity for it, for I think it is bringing a blessing to yourself and +to others." + +"No, oh no; I shall not give it up while I can believe it is doing +something for the Master's cause. Louis does not wish me to while I +enjoy it, and I find he is just the critic I need to help me to improve. +I had a letter from Virgie yesterday," she went on with a happy laugh, +"congratulating me on being no longer compelled to work, yet pitying me +because I am a stepmother." + +"That does not trouble you?" Elsie said, inquiringly. + +"Oh no! The boys, Louis and Fred, are so much like their father--seeming +to love me all the better for my helplessness (by the way, Louis, my +husband, says it is a positive delight to him to take me in his arms and +lift me about)--and the baby girls are as lovely and dear as they can +be. I wouldn't for anything part with one of the whole four." + +"Dear child!" Elsie said, embracing her with full heart and eyes, "I am +so glad, so happy for you that it is so! And how your mother and brother +seem to enjoy your good fortunes!" + +"Yes; Dick is such a dear fellow! and mother--really it is just a +pleasure to see how she delights in it all. And I think she couldn't be +fonder of the children if she were their own grandmother." + +"How glad, how thankful I am that we came to Viamede this winter," Elsie +said, after a moment's silent musing; "grandpa has so entirely recovered +his health in consequence, a favorable opening has been found for Dick, +and four other people are made happy in mutual love who might, perhaps, +never have met otherwise--all this, beside dear Mrs. Carrington having +the melancholy pleasure of nursing her poor nephew through his last +illness. How true is the promise, 'In all thy ways acknowledge him, and +he shall direct thy paths.'" + +"You take a very unselfish delight in other people's happiness, +cousin," Molly remarked. "And Isa is very happy." + +"Yes, and Cyril too," Elsie answered with a smile. "I sometimes think my +Elsie half envies them--thinking of Lester so far away. But her turn +will come too, I trust, poor, dear child!" + +May was well advanced, the weather already very warm in the Teche +country when at last our friends set out upon their return to their more +northern homes. + +Everything there was looking very lovely on their arrival. Friends, +kindred and servants rejoiced over their return, all in good health. + +Elsie and her children took up again the old, quiet life at Ion, missing +Molly not a little, and feeling afresh, for a time, the absence of one +far nearer and dearer. + +Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore spent some weeks with their other children, then +again made their home at Ion, at Elsie's urgent solicitation. In the +loneliness of her widowhood she knew not how to do without her father. + +In order to secure her cousin Elsie's presence at her wedding, Isa +insisted upon a very quiet one, only relatives and very intimate friends +to be invited to witness the ceremony; but to please her mother and +Virginia, there was afterward a brilliant reception. The marriage took +place the last of June, and the next two months were spent principally +among Cyril's relatives at the North. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + "The sea! the sea! the open sea! + The blue, the fresh, the ever free!" + --_Proctor._ + + +The summer vacation brought Edward Travilla home just in time for his +cousin Isa's wedding. He had grown so manly and so like his father in +appearance that at sight of him his mother was much overcome. + +His first, his warmest, tenderest greeting was for her. He held her to +his heart, his own too full for speech, while she wept upon his +shoulder. + +But only for a moment; lifting her head, she gazed long and searchingly +into his face, then, with a sigh of relief, "Thank God," she whispered, +"that I can believe my boy has come back to me as pure and innocent as +he went!" + +"I hope so, mother; your love, your teachings and my father's have been +my safeguard in many an hour of temptation," he answered with emotion. + +"Did you not seek help from above, my son?" she asked gently. + +"Yes, mother; you had taught me to do so, and I knew that you, too, were +daily seeking it for me." + +"Yes, my dear boy; I think there was scarce a waking hour in which I did +not ask a blessing on my absent son." + +The mother dried her tears; grandparents, brothers and sisters drew near +and embraced the lad, servants shook him by the hand, and Ion was filled +with rejoicing as never before since the removal of its master and head. + +Tongues ran nimbly as they sat about the tea-table and on the veranda +afterward; so much had happened to the young collegian, so many changes +had taken place in the family connection since he went away, that there +was a great deal to tell and to hear on both sides. + +The voices were blithe, and there was many a silvery peal of laughter +mingled with the pleasant, cheery talk. + +Isa's and Molly's matches were discussed in a most kindly way, for +Edward was quite curious to hear all about them and the preparations for +the approaching wedding. + +Cyril had arrived earlier in the day, was taking tea at Roselands, but +would pass the night at Ion, which Edward was glad to hear, as he wished +to make his acquaintance. + +A summer at the sea-shore had been decided upon some weeks ago, and +Edward, to his great gratification, had been empowered to select a +cottage for the family to occupy during the season, his Aunt Adelaide +and her husband assisting him with their advice. + +He announced with much satisfaction that he had secured one that he +thought would accommodate them well--several guests in addition, if +mamma cared to invite any of her friends--and please every one. + +"It is large, convenient, well--even handsomely furnished--and but a few +yards from the shore," he said. "The country is pretty about there, +too--pleasant walks and drives through green lanes, fields and woods." + +"But where is it, Edward?" asked Violet. + +"Not far from Long Branch; and there are some half-dozen other sea-side +places within easy driving distance." + +There were exclamations of delight and impatience to be there from the +younger ones, while the mother covered up with a smile and a few words +of commendation to Edward the pain in her heart at the thought that her +best beloved would not be with his wife and children beside the sea this +summer, as in former years. + +Her father and Rose were thinking of that, too, with deep sympathy for +her. + +In a moment the same thought presented itself to Edward and Violet, and +they drew closer to their mother with loving, caressing looks and words. +But memories of Lester, and their walks and talks together when last she +was at the sea-shore, were filling the mind of the younger Elsie with +emotions, half of pleasure, half of pain. When should they meet again? +Then the sudden silence that had fallen upon the group about her mother, +and a glance at that loved mother's face, reminded her also of the +father who would return no more, and whose companionship had been so +dear a delight to her and to them all. + +It was Rosie who broke the silence at length; "Mamma, can we not go +pretty soon?" + +"Yes, daughter, in about a week." + +The journey was made without accident, the cottage and its vicinity +found to be all that Edward had represented. + +They had brought some of their own servants with them, and had nothing +to do with hotel or boarding-house life. Elsie had always loved the +quiet and seclusion of home, and clung to it now, more than ever; yet +for her children's sake she would not shut out society entirely; both +Edward and his sisters were free to invite their young friends to +partake of the hospitalities of their mother's house, but without noise +or revelry, for which indeed, they themselves had no heart. + +For a while the society of his mother and sisters was quite sufficient +for Edward and his for them--they were all so strongly attached to each +other and he had been so long away from home that it was very delightful +to be together once more. + +Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore were at that time visiting relatives in +Philadelphia and its vicinity, and his grandfather's absence gave Edward +the long coveted opportunity to try how nearly he could fill his +father's place as his mother's earthly prop. It was a dear delight to +have her lean upon his arm, rely upon his strength, consult him about +business or family matters. + +He was very proud and fond of his lovely sisters; prouder and fonder +still of his sweet and beautiful mother. He quite longed to show her to +all his college friends, yet would not for the world have her grief +intruded upon by them with their thoughtless gayety. + +During these weeks that they were entirely alone she gave herself up +wholly to her children, seeking to secure to them the greatest possible +amount of innocent enjoyment. No tasks were set, there was no attempt at +regular employment, and almost the whole day was spent in the open air; +together they sported in the surf, strolled on the beach, or sat in the +sand revelling in the delicious sea breeze and the sight of the ever +restless, ever changing, beautiful ocean, with its rolling, tumbling, +dashing waves. They were there early in the morning, sometimes in season +to watch the sun rise out of the water; and often again when the silvery +moonlight lent its witchery to the scene. + +But there came a day when the rain poured down so continuously and +heavily that they were glad to take refuge from it in the house. + +They gathered in a room overlooking the sea, the ladies with their fancy +work, Rosie with her doll, while Harold and Herbert helped little Walter +to build block houses, and Edward read aloud a story selected by the +mother, as entertaining and at the same time pure and wholesome. + +She was careful in choosing their mental food; she would no sooner have +suffered her children's minds to be poisoned than their bodies. + +As Edward closed the book upon the completion of the story, "Mamma," +said the younger Elsie, "do you quite approve of all the teachings the +author has given there? or perhaps I should rather say the sentiments +she has expressed." + +"Not quite, but what is it you do not approve?" the mother answered with +an affectionate and pleased look at the earnest face of the questioner. +"I am glad to see that you are not ready to be carried about with every +wind of doctrine." + +"It is her comment upon her heroine's effort to escape from her trouble +by asking help from God. She speaks as if, had the girl been older and +wiser, she would have known that God had the welfare and happiness of +other people to consult as well as hers, and couldn't be expected to +sacrifice them for her sake." + +"Well, daughter?" + +"It seems to me to show a very low estimate of God's power and wisdom. +Since he is infinite in both, can he not so order events as to secure +the best good to all his creatures?" + +"Yes, my child, I am sure he can, and we need never fear that he is not +able and willing to help his people in every time of trouble. 'The name +of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is +safe.' 'The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them +out of all their troubles.' He does not always answer just as we +desire, it is true, but often in a better way, for we, in our folly +and short-sightedness, sometimes ask what would prove in the end a +curse instead of a blessing." + +"Mamma, how happy we should be if we had perfect faith and trust," said +Violet. + +"Yes; if we fully believed the inspired assurance, 'We know that all +things work together for good to them that love God,' we should not fret +or grieve over losses, crosses or disappointments. Strive after such +faith, my children, and pray constantly for it, for it is the gift of +God." + +There was a little pause, broken only by Walter's prattle, the plash of +the rain and the murmur of the sea. + +Edward seemed in deep thought. Taking a low seat at his mother's knee, +"Mamma," he said, "I want to have a talk with you, and perhaps this is +as good a time as any." + +"Well, my dear boy, what is it?" + +"Do you think, mamma, that I ought to go into the ministry?" + +"My son," she said, looking at him in some surprise, "that is not a +question to be decided in a moment, or without asking God's guidance." + +"You would be willing, mother?" + +"More than willing--glad and thankful--if I saw reason to believe that +you were called of God to that work. To be truly an ambassador of Christ +is, in my esteem, to stand higher than any of earth's potentates, yet if +your talents do not lie in that direction I would not have you there. It +is every man's duty to serve God to the utmost of his ability, but all +are not called to the ministry; some can do far better service in other +walks of life, and I should prefer to have a son of mine a good +carpenter, mason or shoemaker, rather than a poor preacher." + +"You do not mean poor in purse, mamma?" queried Harold, joining the +little group. + +"No; a poor sermonizer--one lacking the requisite talents, diligence or +piety to proclaim God's truth with faithfulness and power." + +"How can one tell to what work he is called, mamma?" Edward asked, with +an anxious, perplexed look. + +"By watching the leadings of God's providence and by earnest prayer for +his direction. Also I think if a lad has a decided bias for any one +profession or employment it is a pretty sure indication that that is +what he is called to; for we can almost always do best what we most +enjoy doing." + +"Then I think I should study medicine," said Harold, "for I should very +greatly prefer that to anything else. And don't you think, mamma, that a +doctor may do really as much good as a minister?" + +"Quite as much if he be a devoted, earnest Christian, ready to do good +as he has opportunity: therefore I entirely approve your choice." + +"Thank you, mamma. So I consider it quite settled," Harold returned with +a look of great satisfaction. "Now, Ed and Herbie, what will you be?" + +"As Herbert never likes to be separated from you, I presume he too will +choose medicine," the mother remarked, with a smiling glance at her +third son, as he too came and stood at her side. + +"I don't know, mamma; it seems to me doctors have a dreadfully hard +life." + +"Ah! I fancy a life of elegant leisure would suit you best, my laddie," +laughed his eldest brother. + +But the mother's look was grave and a little anxious. + +Herbert saw it. "Don't be troubled about me, mamma dear," he said, +putting his arms round her neck and gazing lovingly into her eyes. "I do +mean to fight against my natural laziness. But do you think I ought to +choose so very hard a life as Harold means to?" + +"Not if you have talent for something useful which would better suit +your inclinations. Can you think of any such thing?" + +"Couldn't I be a lawyer?" + +"You could never rise to eminence in that profession without a great +deal of hard work." + +"An author then?" + +"The same answer will fit again," his mother returned with a slight +smile. "Has not your Cousin Molly worked very hard for a number of +years?" + +Herbert drew a long, deep sigh, then brightening, "I might be a +publisher," he said. "I don't suppose they work very hard, and they can +have all the new books to read." + +"Oh, Herbie," said Violet, "think of the great number of letters they +must have to write, and manuscripts to read, beside many other things." + +"No, my boy, you cannot do or be anything worth while without work, and +a good deal of it," said his mother. "So I hope you will make it your +earnest, constant prayer that you may have grace to overcome your +besetting sin of indolence, and to 'be not slothful in business; +fervent in spirit; serving the Lord'. The Bible bids us, 'Whatsoever thy +hand findeth to do, do it with thy might. Whatsoever ye do, do it +heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.'" + +"Edward, you have not told us yet what you wish to be," said his sister +Elsie. + +"My inclination," he answered in grave, earnest tones, "is to take my +father's place in every way possible, first in the care of my darling, +precious mother," taking her hand and lifting it to his lips, "after +that in cultivating the Ion plantation and making myself a good, +upright, useful church-member and citizen." + +"A worthy ambition, my boy," the mother said with emotion; "my strong +desire is that you may follow as closely as possible in the footsteps of +your honored father. I never knew a better man, in the pulpit or out of +it. His was a truly Christian manhood, and, like his Master, he went +about doing good." + +"Then, mother, with your approval my choice is made; and with your +permission I shall spend some time in an agricultural college, after +finishing the course where I am." + +"You shall do as you wish; you shall have every advantage I can give +you. My other boys also, if they will improve them." + +"Your girls, too, mamma?" asked Rosie. + +"Yes, indeed," mamma answered, bestowing a smile and a kiss upon the +young questioner. + +At that moment the tea-bell summoned them to their evening meal. Edward +took his father's seat at the table, his father's place in asking a +blessing upon the food. + +As they left the table they perceived that the rain had ceased; the +clouds had broken away from the setting sun, and its red light streamed +over the dark waters like a pathway of fire. + +They were all gathered on the porch, watching, as usual, the changing +beauty of the sea and the clouds, when a young man, in the undress +uniform of a lieutenant in the army, opened their gate, and came with a +brisk, manly step up the walk leading to the house. + +As he drew near, he lifted his military cap, bowed low to the ladies, +then, stepping upon the porch, handed a card to Mrs. Travilla. + +"Donald Keith," she read aloud, and holding out her hand with a sweet, +welcoming smile, "How do you do, cousin?" she said; "I am very glad to +see you. But to which branch do you belong?" + +"I am a younger brother of the Reverend Cyril Keith, lately married to a +Miss Conly," the young officer answered, as he took the offered hand. +"He wrote me of your great kindness to him, and when I learned, a few +hours since, who were the occupants of this cottage, I felt that I must +come and thank you. I hope I do not intrude, cousin?" + +"No, indeed; we are always ready to welcome relatives. Now let me +introduce these other cousins--my boys and girls." + +The young man spent the whole evening in the company of these new-found +relatives, and went away highly delighted with them all. + +He had several weeks' furlough, was staying at a hotel near by, and +promised himself great enjoyment in the society of the dwellers in the +cottage. + +And they were pleased with him. + +"He seems a very nice, clever fellow, mother," Edward remarked. + +"Yes," she said, "he has very agreeable manners and talks well; and +knowing that he comes of a godly race, I hope we shall find him in all +respects a suitable companion for you and your sisters. I am glad of his +coming for your sakes, for I fear you may have felt the want of young +society." + +"Oh, no, mamma," they all protested, "we could not have enjoyed +ourselves better. It has been so nice to have you quite to ourselves." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + "A mother is a mother still, + The holiest thing alive." + --_Coleridge._ + + +The next morning's mail brought a letter from Mr. Dinsmore, announcing +his speedy coming with his wife, father, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Allison, +and several of their children. + +"There's an end to our good times!" sighed Violet. + +"Shall you be so very sorry to see your grandpa?" her mother asked with +a slight smile, knowing that her father was dearly loved by all her +children, and by none more than by Violet herself. + +"Oh no, mamma; nor grandma, nor any of them," was the quick reply; "only +it was so nice to have you so entirely to ourselves." + +"Haven't you enjoyed it too, mamma?" asked several voices, while every +face turned eagerly and inquiringly to hers. + +"Yes, indeed, my darlings," she said; "and yet so dearly do I love my +father that my heart bounds at the very thought that he will be with me +again in a few hours." + +"Then, mamma, we are all glad for you," Elsie said: Violet adding, "and +for ourselves, too; for it is nice to have grandpa and grandma with us; +and Aunt Adelaide also; she is always so kind." + +"Very different from Aunt Louise," remarked Edward. "Who would ever +think they were sisters! Isa and Virginia are quite as unlike, too, +though they are sisters. I hope Aunt Louise and her old-maid daughter +won't visit us this summer!" + +"Edward!" his mother said in a tone of reproof. + +"Excuse me, mother," he said; "but if I dislike them, it is because they +have always treated you so badly." + +"They have never done me any injury, my son," she answered, with gentle +gravity, "and I would not have you feel unkindly toward them; much less +am I willing to hear you speak of them as you did just now. Virginia is +not an old maid, and if she were I should be sorry to have you apply +that epithet to her." + +"She is several years older than I am, mother," he said, blushing. + +"About three; and you are only a boy." + +Edward felt this as the most cutting rebuke his gentle mother had ever +administered to him, for he had begun to think of himself as a man, old +enough and strong enough to be his mother's stay and support, and a +guide to his younger brothers and sisters. + +But sensible that he had deserved the reproof, he bore it in silence; +yet could not rest until seizing an opportunity to speak to her without +being overheard by others, "Dear mamma," he whispered, looking +beseechingly into her eyes, "will you not forgive my thoughtless, +uncharitable speech of this morning?" + +"Certainly, my dear boy," she answered with one of her sweetest smiles, +"and I trust you will try to cultivate more kindly feelings toward your +grandpa's sister and niece, for his sake, and because it is a Christian +duty." + +Mr. Dinsmore and his party arrived that afternoon, and the next day were +followed by Mrs. Conly and Virginia. + +"We thought we would give you a surprise," was the greeting of the +former: "the heat and threats of yellow fever drove us North. I +scattered the younger children about among other relatives, leaving +several at your house, Adelaide, then came on here with Virgie, knowing +that Elsie would of course have room enough for us two." + +"We will find room for you, Aunt Louise," Elsie said with pleasant +cordiality, and trying hard to feel rejoiced at their coming. + +A very difficult task, as they never were at the slightest pains to make +themselves agreeable, and the house was already comfortably filled. + +Edward waited only to shake hands hastily with his aunt and cousin, +then slipped away for a solitary stroll on the beach while he should +fight down his feelings of disgust and irritation at this unwelcome and +unwarrantable invasion of his mother's dwelling. + +He had asked that morning if he might invite his college chum, Charlie +Perrine, to spend a week or two with him, and had received a prompt and +kind permission to do so. It seemed hard enough to have to entertain, +instead, these relatives, between whom and himself there had always been +a cordial dislike; for from early childhood he had perceived and +strongly resented the envy, jealousy and ill-will indulged in by them +toward his mother. + +He paced hurriedly to and fro for some minutes, striving, with but +indifferent success, to recover his equanimity, then stood still, gazing +out to sea, half inclined to wish himself on board an outward-bound +vessel in the offing. + +Presently a hand took quiet possession of his arm, and turning his head +he found his mother standing by his side. + +"I am grieved to see my boy's face so clouded," she said in her sweet +and gentle tones. + +"Then, mother, it shall not be so any longer," he answered, resolutely +forcing a smile. "I have been really trying to feel good-natured, but it +is not easy under the circumstances. Not to me, I mean. I wish I had +inherited your sweet disposition." + +"Ah, you can judge only from outside appearances," she said with a sigh +and a smile; "no one knows what a battle his neighbor may be fighting in +his own heart, while outwardly calm and serene. I know you are +disappointed because you fear you must give up inviting your friend for +the present, but that will not be necessary, my dear boy. We can still +manage to make room for him by a little crowding which will hurt no one. +My room is so large that I can easily take Walter and all your sisters +in with me, and if necessary we will pitch a tent for the servants." + +"Or for Charlie and me, mother," he exclaimed in delight; "we should not +mind it in the least; indeed it would be good fun to live so for a +while." + +At this moment they were joined by Elsie and Violet, both full of +sympathy for Edward, and anxious to consult mamma as to the possibility +of still making room for the comfortable accommodation of his friend. + +They listened with delight to her proposed arrangement: it would be a +great pleasure to them to share her room, if it would not inconvenience +her, and she assured them it would not. + +"I was afraid," said Elsie, "that Aunt Adelaide might hurry away to make +room for the others, but now I hope she will not, for we all enjoy +having her with us." + +"No," Mrs. Travilla said, "we will keep her as long as we can. Ah, here +come my father and grandfather. I think we shall astonish them with the +news of the arrival." + +"Cousin Donald is with them too," remarked Elsie. "Mamma, I think +Virginia will be rather pleased to see so fine looking a gentleman +haunting the house." + +"Her sister's brother-in-law," said Vi. "Perhaps she will claim him as +more nearly related to her than to us." + +The young man had found favor with both Mr. Dinsmores, and the three +were just returning from a pretty long tramp together which had caused +them to miss seeing the arrival of Mrs. and Miss Conly. + +The news seemed to give more surprise than pleasure. + +"It was very thoughtless in Louise," the old gentleman said with some +vexation, "but it is just like her. I think we must find rooms for them +at one of the hotels, Elsie; for I don't see how your house is to +accommodate us all." + +"I do, grandpa," was her smiling rejoinder, "so make yourself perfectly +easy on that score." + +"I hope our excursion is not to be interfered with, cousin?" Donald said +inquiringly: for arrangements had been made for a long drive that +afternoon, taking in several of the neighboring sea-side resorts, and as +his three lady cousins had promised to be of the party, he was loath to +give it up. + +"No," she said, "Aunt Adelaide and Aunt Louise will doubtless be well +pleased to be left alone together for a few hours, after a separation of +several years." + +"Besides, both my aunt and cousin will need a long nap to refresh them +after the fatigue of their journey," remarked Edward. + +The young people exchanged congratulatory glances. They were all eager +for the drive. It was just the day for it, they had all decided--the +roads in excellent condition after the late rain, a delicious sea-breeze +blowing, and light fleecy clouds tempering the heat of the July sun. + +They set off directly after an early dinner--all the Dinsmores and +Travillas, Mr. Allison and his children and Mr. Keith--in two covered +carriages, and well provided with waterproofs for protection against a +possible shower. + +They were a pleasant, congenial party, the older people cheerful and +companionable, the children full of life and spirits. + +They had visited Seagirt, Spring Lake and Asbury Park, and were passing +through Ocean Beach, when Edward, catching sight of a young couple +sauntering leisurely along on the sidewalk, uttered an exclamation, +"Why, there's Charlie Perrine!" then calling to the driver to stop, he +sprang out and hurried toward them. + +"His college chum--and how glad they are to meet," Violet said as the +two were seen shaking hands in the most cordial manner. + +Then Perrine introduced Edward to his companion, and the lad's sisters +noticed that his face lighted up with pleased surprise as he grasped her +hand. + +"Why, I know her!" cried Donald. "Excuse me one moment, ladies;" and he +too sprang out and hastened to join the little group on the sidewalk. + +He and the lady met like very intimate friends, greeting each other as +"Donald" and "Mary:" then he led her to the side of the carriage and +introduced her. "My cousin Mary Keith, Uncle Donald's daughter; our +cousins, Miss Elsie and Miss Violet Travilla." + +The girls shook hands and exchanged glances of mutual interest and +admiration. Mary had a very bright, pleasant face, dark eyes and hair, +plenty of color, lady-like manners, and a stylish figure well set off by +inexpensive but tasteful attire. + +The other carriage, containing the older people, had now come up and +halted beside the first. + +There were more introductions, then Mary was persuaded to take Edward's +place in the carriage with her young cousins, and drive with them to the +Colorado House, where she was staying, while he and his friend followed +on foot. + +Here the whole party alighted, seated themselves on the porch and +chatted together for a half hour. + +"How long do you stay here, Cousin Mary?" Mrs. Travilla asked. + +"Another week, Cousin Elsie; I have engaged my room for that length of +time: and I wish you would let one of your girls stay with me, or both +if they will, though I'm afraid that would crowd them. I should be so +glad if you would. I want to become acquainted with them: and besides I +have just lost my roommate, and don't like to be left alone." + +After a little consultation between the elders of the party, it was +decided that Violet should accept the invitation, her mother promising +to send her a trunk in the morning, and Mary agreeing to return the +visit later in the season, when her cousin's cottage would have parted +with some of its present occupants. + +Edward, too, would remain and room with Charlie Perrine, on the same +floor with the girls, so that Violet would feel that she had a +protector. + +"I hope it will be a pleasant change for you, dear child," the mother +whispered in parting from Violet, "and if you grow tired of it, you know +you can come home at any time. And Edward," she added, turning to him, +"I trust your sister to your care, particularly in bathing: don't let +her go in without you, and don't either of you venture far out or into +any dangerous spot." + +"We will be very careful, mamma," they both replied, "so do not feel in +the least uneasy." + +"I shall owe you a grudge for this." Donald was saying in a rueful aside +to Mary. + +"Why, you needn't," she returned; "you can come too, if you wish, unless +you object to my society." + +"That wouldn't mend matters," he answered, with a glance at the younger +Elsie. + +"Nonsense! I've found out already that she's engaged. Didn't you know +it?" + +"Not I. Well, it takes a woman to find out the secrets of her sex!" + +"Then you own that a woman can keep a secret?" was her laughing +rejoinder. "But do tell me," in a still lower tone, "has cousin lost her +husband lately?" + +"Within a year, and they were devotedly attached." + +"Oh poor thing! But isn't she sweet?" + +"Yes, indeed! it didn't take even me long to find that out." + +The carriages rolled away amid much waving of handkerchiefs by the +travellers and the little party left behind; then Mary carried Violet +off to her room for a long talk before it should be time to dress for +tea, while the lads strolled away together along the beach, their +tongues quite as busy as the other two: for there were various college +matters to discuss, beside plans for fishing, boating, riding, and +driving. + +And Edward must sound his mother's praises and learn whether Charlie did +not think her the very loveliest woman he ever saw. + +"Yes," Charlie said with a sigh, "you are a lucky fellow, Ned. I hardly +remember my mother--was only five years old when she died." + +"Then I pity you with all my heart!" Edward exclaimed; "for there's +nothing like a mother to love you and stand by you through thick and +thin." + +He turned his head away to hide the tears that sprang unbidden to his +eyes, for along with his pity for his friend came a sudden recollection +of that dreadful event in his childhood when by an act of disobedience +he had come very near killing his dearly loved father. Ah, he should +never forget his agony of terror and remorse, his fear that his mother +could never love him again, or the tenderness with which she had +embraced him, assuring him of her forgiveness and continued affection. + +Meantime Donald was speaking in glowing terms of Cousin Mary. "One of +the best girls in the world," he pronounced her--"so kind-hearted, so +helpful and industrious. Uncle's circumstances are moderate," he said; +"Aunt's health has been delicate for years, and Mary, as the eldest of +eight or nine children, has had her hands full. I am very glad she is +taking a rest now, for she needs it. A maiden sister of her mother's is +filling her place for a few weeks, she told me: else she could not have +been spared from home." + +"You make me glad that I left Violet with her," Mrs. Travilla said, with +a look of pleased content. + +Edward and his chum returned from their walk, made themselves neat, and +were waiting on the piazza before the open door, as Mary and Violet came +down at the call to tea. + +The dining-room was furnished with small tables each accommodating eight +persons. Our four young friends found seats together. The other four +places at their table were occupied by two couples--a tall, gaunt, +sour-visaged elderly man in green spectacles, and his meek little wife, +and a small, thin, invalid old gentleman, who wore a look of patient +resignation, and his wife, taller than himself by half a head. + +A fine head of beautiful grey hair was the only attractive thing about +her, her features were coarse and her countenance was fretful. She +occupied herself in filling and emptying her plate with astonishing +rapidity, and paid little or no attention to her husband, who was so +crippled by rheumatism as to be almost helpless, having entirely lost +the use of one hand, and so nearly that of his lower limbs that he could +not walk without assistance. + +He had a nurse, a young German, who was with him constantly day and +night, helped him about and waited upon him, but in a very awkward +fashion. The man's clumsiness was, however, borne with patience by the +sufferer, and did not seem to trouble the wife. + +She eyed Violet curiously between her immense mouthfuls, and whispered +to her husband, loud enough for the child to hear, "Isn't that a pretty +girl, William? such a handsome complexion! I reckon she paints." + +The sudden crimsoning of Vi's cheek contradicted that suspicion +instantly, and the woman corrected herself. "No, she don't, I see. I +wonder who she is?" + +"Hush, hush, Maria!" whispered her husband, "don't you see she hears +you?" and he gave the young girl such a fatherly look, gentle and +tender, that quick tears sprang to her eyes: it was so strong a reminder +of one whose look of parental love she should never meet again on earth. + +People at other tables were noticing her too, remarking upon her beauty +and grace, and asking each other who she was. + +"We'll soon find out, mamma; don't you see she is with Miss Keith? and +she will be sure to introduce her to us," said a nice looking girl about +Vi's age, addressing a sweet faced lady by whose side she sat. + +They all met in the parlor shortly afterward, and Vi, Mrs. Perkins, her +daughter Susie, and her son Fred, a lad of nineteen or twenty, were +formally presented to each other. + +"I don't want to get into a crowd; I don't care to make acquaintances," +Vi had said, half tearfully. + +Mary understood and respected the feeling, but answered, "Yes, dear +cousin, I know: but do let me introduce Mrs. Perkins and her children. +She is so sweet and lovely, a real Christian lady; and her son and +daughter are very nice. We have been together a great deal, and I feel +as if they were old friends." + +Vi did not wonder at it after talking a little with Mrs. Perkins, who +had made room for her on the sofa by her side; her thought was, "She is +a little like mamma; not quite so sweet nor half so beautiful; though +she is very pretty." + +Several other ladies had come in by this time, the invalid gentleman's +wife among the rest. "Mrs. Moses," Vi heard some one call her. + +"How do you do, Miss?" she said, drawing forward an arm chair and +seating herself directly in front of Violet. "You're a new-comer, +ain't you?" + +"I came this afternoon," Vi answered, and turned to Mrs. Perkins with a +remark about the changing beauty of the sea and clouds; for they were +near an open window that gave them a view of old ocean. + +"Where are you from?" asked Mrs. Moses. + +"The South, Madame." + +"Ah! I should hardly have suspected it: you've such a lovely complexion, +and how beautiful your hair is! like spun gold." + +The German servant-man appeared in the doorway. + +"Mrs. Moshes, Herr wants to see you." + +"Yes, I hear." Turning to Vi again, "Well, you must have had a long, +tiresome journey; and I suppose you didn't come all alone?" + +Vi let the inquiry pass unnoticed, but the woman went on, "I've never +been South, but I'd like to go; perhaps I shall next winter. It might +help William's rheumatism." + +"Your husband wants you, Mrs. Moses," remarked Mary Keith. + +"Oh yes; he's always wanting me. I'll go presently." + +"Cousin," said Mary, "shall we take a stroll on the beach?" + +Violet caught at the suggestion with alacrity, and they went at once, +the rest of their party, and Mrs. Perkins and hers, accompanying them. + +"That poor man!" sighed Mary. "I thought if we all left her, perhaps she +would go to him." + +"Isn't it strange?" said Susie, "he seems to love her dearly, and she to +care nothing about him. And he is so nice and good and patient, and she +so disagreeable." + +"A very poor sort of wife, I think," pursued Mary. "She will not even +sleep on the same floor with him, for fear of being disturbed when pain +keeps him awake. Day and night he is left to the care of that awkward, +blundering German. But there! I ought to be ashamed of myself for +talking about an absent neighbor." + +"I don't think you are doing any harm, Cousin Mary," said Charlie, "for +we can all see how utterly selfish the woman is." + +"What! are you two cousins?" asked Edward in surprise. + +"First cousins, sir," returned Charlie, laughing, "sisters' children. +Can't you and I claim kin, seeing she's cousin to both of us?" + +A sudden dash of rain prevented Edward's reply, and sent them all +scurrying into the house. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + "A little more than kin and a little less than kind." + --_Shakespeare._ + + +Our little party had scarcely seated themselves in the parlor, where a +number of the guests of the house were already gathered, when the +invalid gentleman was assisted in by his servant and took possession of +an easy chair which Mrs. Perkins hastened to offer him. + +He thanked her courteously as he sank back in it with a slight sigh as +of one in pain. + +Violet, close at his side, regarded him with pitying eyes. "I fear you +suffer a great deal, sir," she said, low and feelingly, when Mary, her +next neighbor, had introduced them. + +"Yes, a good deal, but less than when I came." + +"Then the sea air is doing you good, I hope." + +"I'm thankful to say I think it is. There's an increase of pain +to-night, but that is always to be expected in rainy weather." + +"You are very patient, Mr. Moses," Mary remarked. + +"And why shouldn't I be patient?" he returned; "didn't Christ suffer far +more than I do?" + +"And he comforts you in the midst of it all, does he not?" asked Mrs. +Perkins. + +"He does, indeed, ma'am." + +"I have always found him faithful to his promises," she said. + +"And I," remarked another lady sitting near; "strength has always been +given me according to my day, in the past, and I am glad to leave the +future with him." + +"Humph! it's plain to be seen that you two don't know what trouble is," +put in Mrs. Moses, glancing fretfully at her crippled spouse; whereat +the poor man burst into tears. + +Vi's tender heart ached for him, and the countenances of all within +hearing of the remark expressed sincere pity and sympathy. + +A child began drumming on the piano, and Mr. Moses sent a helpless, half +despairing glance in that direction that spoke of tortured nerves. + +Vi saw it, and, as he turned to her with, "Don't you play and sing, my +dear? You look like it, and I should be much gratified to hear you," she +rose and went at once to the instrument, thinking of nothing but trying +to bring help and comfort to the poor sufferer. + +"Will you let me play a little?" she said to the child, with look and +tone of winning sweetness, and the piano-stool was promptly vacated. + +Seating herself, she touched a few chords, and instantly a hush fell +upon the room. + +She played a short prelude; then, in a voice full, rich and sweet, +sang-- + + "'O Jesus! Friend unfailing, + How dear art thou to me! + And cares or fears assailing, + I find my rest in thee! + Why should my feet grow weary + Of this my pilgrim way; + Rough though the path and dreary + It ends in perfect day. + + "'Naught, naught I count as treasure, + Compared, O Christ, with thee; + Thy sorrow without measure + Earned peace and joy for me. + I love to own, Lord Jesus, + Thy claims o'er me and mine, + Bought with thy blood most precious, + Whose can I be but thine! + + "'For every tribulation, + For every sore distress. + In Christ I've full salvation, + Sure help and quiet rest. + No fear of foes prevailing, + I triumph, Lord, in thee. + O Jesus, Friend unfailing! + How dear art thou to me!'"* + + * I know not who is the author of these beautiful lines. + +Edward had made his way to her side as soon as he perceived her purpose. + +"You have left out half," he whispered, leaning over her, "and the words +are all so sweet." + +"Yes, I know, but I feared it was too long." + +There were murmurs of admiration as he led her back to her seat. "How +well she plays! such an exquisite touch!" "What a sweet voice! highly +cultivated, and every word distinct." "Yes, and what a beauty she is!" + +Some of these remarks reached Violet's ears and deepened the color on +her cheek, but she forgot them all in the delight of having given +pleasure to the invalid. He thanked her with tears in his eyes. + +"The words are very sweet and comforting," he said. "Are they your own?" + +"Oh no, sir!" she answered. "I do not know whose they are, but I have +found comfort in them, and hoped that you might also." + +Edward and Mary were conversing in low, earnest tones. + +"I am delighted!" Mary said. + +"With what?" + +"Words, music, voice, everything." + +"The music is her own, composed expressly for the words, which she found +in a religious newspaper." + +"Indeed! she is a genius then! the tune is lovely." + +"Yes, she is thought to have a decided genius for both music and +painting; I must show you some of her pictures when you pay us that +promised visit." + +Mr. Moses presently found himself in too much pain to remain where he +was, and summoning his servant, retired to his own room. + +His wife, paying no regard to a wistful, longing look he gave her as he +moved painfully away, remained where she was and entertained the other +ladies with an account of the family pedigree. + +"We are lineal descendants of Moses, the Hebrew Lawgiver," she +announced. "But don't suppose we are Jews, for we are not at all." + +"Belong to the lost ten tribes, I suppose," remarked Charles Perrine +dryly. + +The morning's sun shone brightly in a clear sky, and on leaving the +breakfast table our little party went down to the beach and sat in the +sand, watching the incoming tide, before which they were now and then +obliged to retreat, sometimes in scrambling haste that gave occasion for +much mirth and laughter. + +Mrs. Moses came down presently and joined them, an uninvited and not +over-welcome companion, but of course the beach was as free to her as to +them. + +"How is your husband this morning?" inquired Mrs. Perkins. + +"Oh about as usual." + +"I do believe it would do him good to sit here awhile with us, sunning +himself." + +"Too damp." + +"No; the dampness here is from the salt water, and will harm nobody." + +"Where is he?" asked Fred, getting on his feet. + +"On the porch yonder," the wife answered, in a tone of indifference. + +"Come, boys, let's go and bring him!" said Fred, and at the word the +other two rose with alacrity, and all three hurried to the house. + +They found the poor old gentleman sitting alone, save for the presence +of the uncouth servant standing in silence at the back of his chair, and +watching with wistful, longing eyes the merry groups moving hither and +thither, to and fro, between the houses and the ocean, some going down +to bathe, others coming dripping from the water, some sporting among the +waves, and others still, like our own party, sunning themselves on the +beach. + +"We have come to ask you to join us, sir," Fred said in respectful but +hearty tones. "Won't you let us help you down to the beach? the ladies +are anxious to have you there." + +The poor man's face lighted up with pleased surprise, then clouded +slightly. "I should like to go indeed," he said, "if I could do so +without troubling others; but that is impossible." + +"We should not feel it any trouble, sir." the lads returned, "but a +pleasure rather, if you will let us help you there." + +"I ought not to ask it of you: Jacob here can give me an arm." + +"No," said Edward, "let Jacob take this opportunity for a bath, and we +will fill his place in waiting upon you." + +The invalid yielded, and found himself moved with far more ease and +comfort than he had believed possible. + +The ladies--his wife, perhaps, excepted, greeted him with smiles and +pleasant words of welcome. They had arranged a couch with their +waterproofs and shawls, far enough from the water's edge to be secure +from the waves, and here the lads laid him down with gentle carefulness. + +Mrs. Perkins seated herself at his head and shaded his face from the sun +with her umbrella, while the others grouped themselves about, near +enough to carry on a somewhat disjointed conversation in spite of the +noise of the waters. + +"I think a sunbath will really be good for you, Mr. Moses," said Miss +Keith. + +"It's worth trying anyhow," he answered, with a patient smile. "And it's +a real treat to do so in such pleasant company. But don't any of you +lose your bath for me. I've seen a number go in, and I suppose this is +about the best time." + +"Just as the ladies say," was the gallant rejoinder of the young men. + +"I do not care to bathe to-day," Violet said with decision. "The rest of +you may go, and I will stay and take are of Mr. Moses." + +"Well, I'll go then. He'll not be wanting anything." said his wife. +"Ain't the rest of you coming, ladies and gentlemen?" + +After some discussion, all went but Mrs. Perkins and Violet, and they +were left alone with the invalid. + +Vi had conceived a great pity for him, great disgust for the selfish, +unsympathizing wife. + +"How different from mamma!" she said to herself. "She never would have +wearied of waiting upon papa if he had been so afflicted; she would have +wanted to be beside him, comforting him every moment. And how sweetly it +would have been done." + +"Little lady," the old man said, with a longing look into the sweet +girlish face, "will you sing me that song again? It was the most +delightful, consoling thing I've heard for many a day." + +"Yes, indeed, sir; I would do anything in my power to help you to forget +your pain," she said, coloring with pleasure. + +She sang the whole of the one he had asked for, then perceiving how +greatly he enjoyed it, several others of like character. + +He listened intently, sometimes with tears in his eyes, and thanking her +warmly again and again. + +Finding that the old gentleman felt brighter and more free from pain +during the rest of the day, and thought he had received benefit from +his visit to the beach, the lads helped him there again the next day. + +They set him down, then wandered away, leaving him in the care of the +same group of ladies who had gathered round him the day before. + +Each one was anxious to do something for his relief or entertainment, +and he seemed both pleased with their society and grateful for their +attentions. + +Mrs. Perkins suggested that the lame hand might be benefited by burying +it in the sand while he sat there. + +"No harm in trying it, anyhow," he said. "Just turn me round a little, +Maria, if you please." + +His wife complied promptly with the request, but in a way which the +other ladies thought rough and unfeeling, seizing him by the collar of +his coat and jerking him round to the desired position. + +But he made no complaint. + +"I think it does ease the pain," he said after a little. "I'm only sorry +I can't try it every day for a while." + +"What is there to hinder?" asked Mrs. Perkins. + +"Why, we're going to-morrow," replied Mrs. Moses, shortly. + +"Oh, why not stay longer? You have been here but a week, and Mr. Moses +has improved quite a good deal in that time." + +"Well, he can stay as long as he chooses, but I'm going to New York +to-morrow to visit my sister." + +The ladies urged her to stay for her poor husband's sake, but she was +not to be persuaded, and he was unwilling to remain without her. + +"Take some sand with you, then, to bury his hand in, won't you?" said +Mrs. Perkins. + +"I haven't anything to carry it in," was the ungracious reply. + +"Those newspapers." + +"I want to read them." + +"Well, if we find something to put it in, and get it all ready for you, +will you take it in your trunk?" + +"Yes, I'll do that." + +"I have a good sized paper box which will answer the purpose, I think," +said Mary Keith. "I'll get it." + +She hastened to the house, returned again in a few moments with the box, +and they proceeded to fill it, sifting the sand carefully through their +fingers to remove every pebble. + +"You are taking a great deal of trouble for me, ladies," the old +gentleman remarked. + +"No trouble at all, sir," said Mary; "it's a real pleasure to do +anything we can for you: especially remembering the Master's words, +'Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my +brethren, you have done it unto me.'" + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + "How happy they + Who, from the toil and tumult of their lives, + Steal to look down where nought but ocean strives." + --_Byron._ + + +Violet was alone, lying on the bed, resting after her bath, not asleep, +but thinking dreamily of home and mother. + +"Only one more day and my week here will be up," she was saying to +herself. "I've had a delightful time, but oh I want to see mamma and the +rest!" + +Just then the door opened and Mary came in with a face all smiles. "O +Vi, I'm so glad!" she exclaimed, seating herself on the side of the bed. + +"What about, cousin?" Violet asked, rousing herself, and with a keen +look of interest. + +"I have just had the offer of a furnished cottage for two or three +weeks--to keep house in, you understand--and I can invite several +friends to stay with me, and it won't cost half so much as boarding +here, beside being great fun," Mary answered, talking very fast in her +excitement and delight. "Charlie will stay with me, I think, and I hope +you and Edward will, and I have two girl friends at home whom I shall +invite. One is an invalid, and needs the change, oh so badly; but +though they are not exactly poor people, not the kind one would dare +offer charity to, her father couldn't afford to give her even a week at +any of these hotels or boarding-houses: and she did look so wistful and +sad when I bade her good-bye. 'I can hardly help envying you, Mary,' she +said, 'though I am ever so glad you are going. But I have such a longing +to get away from home for a while--to go somewhere, anywhere, for a +change. I'm so weak and miserable, and it seems to me that if I could +only go away I should get well. I haven't been outside of this town for +years.'" + +Violet's eyes filled with tears. "Poor thing!" she said. "I have always +travelled about so much, and enjoyed it greatly. I wonder why it is I +have so many more pleasures and blessings than other people." + +"I hope they may never be fewer," Mary said, caressing her. "But isn't +it nice that now I can give poor Amy Fletcher--for that is her name--two +or three weeks here at the sea-shore?" + +"Yes, indeed! But you haven't told me how it happens." + +In reply to this Mary went on to say that a married friend who had +rented the cottage she had spoken of for the year, now found that he +must take his family away for a short time, mountain air being +recommended for his wife, who was in poor health, and as it would cost +no more to have the cottage occupied in their absence than to leave it +empty, he had offered her the use of it rent free. + +"He saw father and mother last week," she added in conclusion, "and +talked it over with them, and they have written me to accept his offer +by all means, and stay as long at the shore as I can." + +"But you are to visit us, you know." + +"Yes, afterward, if that will do. I don't intend to miss that pleasure +if I can help it," Mary answered gleefully. "Now about my other friend, +Ella Neff. She is not an invalid, but she teaches for her support, and I +know such a change would do her a world of good. She wanted to come with +me, but couldn't afford it; yet I'm sure she can in this way: for beside +the difference of board there will not be the same necessity for fine +dress." + +"I should never have thought of that," said Vi. + +"No, of course not, you fortunate little lassie; you have never known +anything about the pinchings of poverty--or the pleasures of economy," +she added merrily, "for I do assure you there is often real enjoyment in +finding how nicely you can contrive to make one dollar do the work of +two--or 'auld claes look amaist as weel's the new.' But oh, don't you +think it will be fun to keep house, do our own cooking and all?" + +"Yes," Violet said; "yes, indeed." + +"And you'll stay, won't you? Don't you think you'd enjoy it?" + +"Oh, ever so much! but I don't believe I can wait any longer than till +to-morrow to see mamma. Besides, I don't know whether she would +approve." + +"Well, if you should spend a day at home and get her consent to come +back; how would that do?" + +Vi thought that plan might answer, if Edward were willing to make one of +the party at the cottage. + +"We must consult the lads at once," said Mary. "Let me help you dress, +and we'll go in search of them." + +Vi sprang up, and with her cousin's assistance made a rapid toilet. + +They found Edward and Charlie in the summer-house, just across the road, +waiting for the call to dinner. Fortunately no one was within hearing, +and Mary quickly unfolded her plan. + +It was heard with delight. "Splendid! Capital! Of course we'll be glad +to accept your invitation," they said: Edward, however, putting in the +provision, "If mamma sees no objection." + +"Or grandpa," added Violet. + +"All the same," said Edward; "mamma never approves of anything that he +does not." + +"Where is the cottage? Can we look at it?" asked Charles. + +"Yes; the family left this morning, and I have the key," Mary answered. +"We could take possession to-night if we chose; but I must lay in some +provisions first." + +"Let's walk up (or down, whichever it is) after dinner and look at it." + +"Yes, Charlie, if Edward and Vi are agreed. It is up, on this street, +about two blocks from here." + +"Directly in front of the ocean? That's all right." + +"Or the ocean directly in front of it," Mary returned laughingly. + +"All the same; don't be too critical, Miss Keith," said Charlie. + +They did not linger long over dinner or dessert, but made haste to the +cottage, eager to see what accommodations it afforded. + +It was small, the rooms few in number, and mere boxes compared to those +Edward and Violet had been accustomed to at Ion and Viamede; and very +much more contracted than those of the cottage their mother was +occupying, yet all four were quite satisfied to take up their residence +in it for a season. + +"Four bedrooms," remarked Mary reflectively: "two will do for the lads +and two for the lasses. Parlor and dining-room are not very spacious, +but will hold us all when necessary; I don't suppose we'll spend much of +the daytime within doors. By the way, I think we must add Don Keith to +our party--if he'll come." + +The boys said "By all means," and Vi raised no objection. + +"When do you expect Ella and Amy?" asked Charles, who was well +acquainted with both. + +"I telegraphed to mother at once to invite them, and shall expect to see +them about day after to-morrow." + +"What sort of provisions do you propose to lay in, Miss Keith?" inquired +Charlie. "I am personally interested in that." + +"I do not doubt that in the least, Mr. Perrine," she answered demurely. +"I intend to buy some of the best flour and groceries that I can find." + +"Flour? can't you buy bread here?" + +"Yes, but perhaps I may choose to exhibit my skill in its manufacture; +also in that of cake and pastry." + +"Ah! Well, no objection to that except that we don't want you shut up +in the kitchen when the rest of us are off pleasuring. What about other +supplies?" + +"I see you have some idea of what is necessary in housekeeping, Charlie, +and I'll give you a good recommendation to--the first nice girl who asks +me if you'll make a good husband," Mary returned, looking at her cousin +with laughing eyes. + +"Am I to have an answer to my question, Miss Keith?" he inquired with +dignity. + +"Yes, when I see fit to give it. The Marstons were, of course, served +with butter, eggs, milk and cream, fish, flesh, and fowl, and Mr. +Marston told me he had spoken to the persons thus serving him and his to +do likewise by me and mine: does this explanation relieve your mind, Mr. +Perrine?" + +"Entirely. I am satisfied that we are not invited to share starving +rations, which I am morally certain would give me the dyspepsia." + +"I think we are very fortunate," Mary remarked, resuming her ordinary +tone; "they have left us bedding, table and kitchen furniture, and we +have nothing whatever to provide except our food, drink and clothing." + +"I shall order a carriage for an early hour to-morrow morning," said +Edward, "and drive over to see my mother. Vi will, of course, go along, +and I wish, Cousin Mary, that you and Charlie would go too." + +"Thank you very much," Mary said. "I should enjoy it extremely, but +there are some few arrangements to be made here. The girls may come +to-morrow evening, and I must be here and ready to receive them." + +Then Charlie decided that he must stay and take care of Mary; so it was +finally arranged that Edward and Violet should go alone, and the former +attend to the ordering of the groceries, and anything else he could +think of that was desirable and did not require to be fresh. + +When the carriage containing Edward and Violet drove up to their +mother's door, nearly all the family and their guests were out upon the +beach. + +There was instantly a glad shout from Harold, Herbert and Walter, "There +they are!" and they, their sisters and grandfather started at once for +the house, while Mrs. Dinsmore and Mrs. Travilla, who were within, +hastened to the door. + +Mrs. Conly and Virginia, slowly sauntering along within sight of the +cottage, looked after those who were hurrying towards it, with smiles of +contempt. + +"Such a hugging and kissing as there will be now!" sneered Virginia; +"they will make as much fuss as if they hadn't seen each other for five +years." + +"Yes," returned her mother, "and I don't wish to be a spectator of the +sickening scene. Thank fortune I'm not of the overly affectionate kind." + +"Mamma, mamma!" cried Violet, springing into the dear arms so joyfully +opened to receive her, "oh, I am so glad, so glad to see you again!" + +"Not more glad than mamma is, darling," Elsie said, clasping her close +with tender caresses. + +"And you've come home a day sooner than you were expected! how good in +you!" the younger Elsie exclaimed, taking her turn. + +"Yes, but not to stay; that is, I mean if mamma consents to--" + +But the sentence remained unfinished for awhile, there were so many +claiming a hug and kiss from both herself and Edward; indeed I am afraid +Virginia was so far correct in her prediction that there was as much +embracing and rejoicing, perhaps even more, than there would have been +in the Conly family in receiving a brother and sister who had been +absent for years. + +But when all that had been attended to, and the pleasant little +excitement began to subside, it did not take many minutes for mamma and +grandpa and grandma to learn all about the proposed essay in +housekeeping on the part of the young folks. + +"What! does my Vi want to leave her mother again so soon?" Mrs. Travilla +said with half reproachful tenderness, putting an arm about the +slender, girlish waist, and pressing another kiss on the softly rounded, +blooming cheek. + +"No, mamma dearest," Vi said, blushing and laying her head down on her +mother's shoulder, "but the house here is as full as ever, isn't it?" + +"Yes, but that makes no difference; there is plenty of room." + +"Well, mamma, I don't like to be away from you, or any of the dear ones, +but I do think it would be great fun for a little while. Don't you? +wouldn't you have liked it when you were my age?" + +"Yes, I daresay I should, and I see no great objection, if you and +Edward wish to try it. What do you say, papa?" + +"That I think their mother is the right person to decide the question, +and that I do not suppose they can come to any harm," Mr. Dinsmore +answered, with a kindly look and smile directed to Edward and Violet. "I +doubt if I should have allowed you to do such a thing at Vi's age, +Elsie," he added, "but I believe I grow more indulgent with advancing +years--perhaps more foolish." + +"No, papa, I cannot think that," she said, lifting her soft eyes to his +with a world of filial tenderness and reverence in their brown depths; +"I lean very much upon the wisdom of your decisions. Well, dears, since +grandpa does not disapprove, you have my full consent to do as you +please in this matter." + +They thanked her warmly. + +"Cousin Mary would be delighted if Elsie would come too," said Violet, +looking wishfully at her sister, "and so would I. I don't suppose, +mamma, you could spare us both at once, but if Elsie would like to go, I +will stay, and not feel it the least bit of a hardship either," she +added, turning to her mother with a bright, affectionate smile. + +"I should be lonely with both my older daughters away," the mother said, +"but I will not be selfish in my love. Elsie may go, too, if she +wishes." + +"Dear, kind mamma, selfishness is no part of your nature," her namesake +daughter responded promptly, "but Elsie has not the slightest desire to +go. Yet I thank my sweet sister all the same for her very kind and +unselfish offer," she added, giving Violet a look of strong affection. + +"But what is grandpa to do without his merry little cricket?" asked Mr. +Dinsmore, drawing Vi down upon his knee. "For how long is it? one, two, +or three weeks?" + +"I don't know, grandpa; perhaps I shall grow tired and homesick, and +want to come back directly." + +"Well, no one will be sorry to see you, come when you may." + +"You will always be joyfully welcomed," added mamma; "nor Edward less +so. Now let us consider what you will need, and how best to provide it. +I claim the privilege of furnishing all the groceries and everything +else for the larder that need not be procured upon the spot." + +"Oh, thank you, mamma!" said Edward; "but I knew you would." + +Violet asked and obtained permission to sleep with her mother that +night, and all day long was scarcely absent from her side. Evidently the +child had a divided heart, and was at times more than half inclined to +stay at home. + +But Edward urged that he would not half enjoy himself without her, that +she had promised to go if mamma did not withhold consent, and that Mary +would be sadly disappointed if she failed to return with him. Donald +Keith, too, who was still there, and had accepted Mary's invitation, +added his persuasions. "He was sure they would have a very pleasant +time, and if she grew homesick she could drive home any day in a couple +of hours; he would be glad to bring her over himself if she would let +him, or she could come in less time by the cars." + +Then her mother came to her help. "I think it will be best for you to +go, dear, even if you should stay but a day or two," she said. "And if +your grandpa likes, he and I will drive over with you, and see your snug +little cottage, and whether there is anything we can do to add to the +comfort or enjoyment of those who are to occupy it for a season." + +"A very good idea, daughter," Mr. Dinsmore said, and Vi's rather +troubled face grew bright. + +"Oh how nice, mamma!" she exclaimed. "I will go without any more foolish +hesitation, although I do not think Edward is quite correct in saying I +promised." + +"Foolish enough!" sneered Virginia, who prided herself on her audacity +in making disagreeable remarks. "I should be very much ashamed of myself +if I were half the mother baby you are." + +"And I," remarked Mr. Dinsmore severely, irritated out of all patience +by the pained look in Vi's face, "should be more ashamed of my sweet +little granddaughter if she were as heartless and ready to wound the +feelings of others as a certain niece of mine seems to be." + +"Will you come to my house-warming, Mrs. Perkins, you and Fred and +Susie?" asked Mary Keith as they left the breakfast-table of the +Colorado House the next morning. "I expect my cousins the Travillas +about dinner-time, and the morning train may bring the other guests. I +mean to be all ready for them at any rate. The dinner is to be prepared +with my own hands, and though it will be on a small scale compared with +those served here, you shall at least have a hearty welcome." + +"Thank you, we would be delighted, but are already engaged for the +picnic," Mrs. Perkins said. + +So they parted with mutual good wishes, each hoping the other would have +an enjoyable day. + +Charles and Mary made themselves busy in seeing to the removal to the +cottage of their own and cousin's luggage, making some purchases at the +provision stores, and some rearrangements of furniture; then about the +dinner, Mary pressing Charlie into her service as sheller of peas, +husker of corn, and beater of eggs. + +They had a very merry time over their work, though Charlie protested +vigorously against being set at such menial tasks, and declared that +"Ed" should be made to do a fair share of them in future. + +Mary sent him to the train to meet the girls, while she stayed behind to +watch over the dinner. + +He had scarcely gone when a carriage drew up at the door, and Mr. and +Mrs. Dinsmore, Mrs. Travilla, Edward and Violet, and Donald Keith +alighted therefrom and came trooping in, most of them laden with +parcels, while the driver brought up the rear, carrying a large hamper +that seemed to be well filled and heavy. + +Mary's first emotion on seeing the arrival was delight, the second a +sudden fear that her dinner would not suffice for so many. + +But that fear was relieved at sight of the hamper and a whisper from Vi, +who headed the procession, that it contained such store of provision as +would obviate the necessity of much cooking for several days to come. + +"Oh how good and kind in your mother!" Mary exclaimed in a like low +tone, then hastened to welcome her guests with unmixed pleasure. + +"O Cousin Elsie, how nice in you to come and to bring Edward and Violet! +You are going to let them stay, I am sure, and I am so glad. So glad to +see you, too, Cousin Rose and Cousin Horace: it seems as if I ought to +call you aunt and uncle, though." + +"Then suppose you do," Mr. Dinsmore said, shaking hands with her, and +kissing her rosy cheek. "You have my permission." + +"I shall, then, and thank you," she returned in her bright merry tones. +"O Don," turning to Mr. Keith with outstretched hands, "so here you are! +that's a good boy." + +"Yes, and so good a boy must not be put off with less than others get," +he said, following Mr. Dinsmore's example. + +"Well, as you are only a cousin it doesn't matter," she remarked +indifferently. "Please all make yourselves at home. Oh there's the +stage stopping at the gate! the girls have come!" and she flew out to +welcome them. + +The little parlor was quite inconveniently crowded, but that afforded +subject for mirth, as Mary introduced her friends and bustled about +trying to find seats for them all. + +"We shall have to take dinner in relays or else set a table in here, +besides the one in the dining-room," she said, laughing. + +"Let Amy and me go to our room and dress while your first set eat, and +give us our dinner afterwards," suggested Ella Neff. + +"Yes, I should much prefer it," Miss Fletcher said, "for we are really +too dusty and dirty to sit down to your table now." + +"And I shall act as waiter to the first table and eat with these ladies +at the second," said Charlie. + +"Very well, I can manage to seat the rest," Mary said; and so it was +arranged. + +The dinner proved very nice and very abundant with the help of the +contents of the hamper. Mary's cooking received many praises, in which +Charlie claimed a share, because, as he said, he had assisted largely. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + "O spirits gay, and kindly heart! + Precious the blessings ye impart!" + --_Joanna Baillie._ + + +"Well, cricket, are we to carry you back with us?" Mr. Dinsmore asked, +with a smiling look at Violet. "If so, 'tis time to be tying on your +hat, for the carriage is at the door." + +"No, grandpa, I am going to stay," she answered, holding up her face for +a parting kiss. + +"I am well satisfied with your decision, dear child," her mother said +when bidding her good-bye, as they and Edward stood alone together for a +moment on the little porch. "I think these young people are all safe +associates for you and your brother," turning to him and taking a hand +of each, "and that you will enjoy yourselves very much with them. But, +my darlings, never forget in the midst of your mirth and gayety--or in +trouble, if that should come--that God's eye is upon you, and that you +have a Christian character to maintain before men. Let me give you a +parting text, 'Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, +do all to the glory of God.' And yet another for your joy and comfort, +'The Lord God is a sun and shields the Lord will give grace and glory: +no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.'" + +"Was there ever such another dear, good mother as ours?" Violet said to +her brother, as together they watched the carriage out of sight. + +"I wish there were thousands like her," he answered. "Ever since I can +remember it has been plain to me that what she most desired for all her +children was that they might be real, true, earnest Christians. Vi, if +we are not all that, we can never lay the blame at our mother's door." + +"Nor papa's either," Violet said with a sigh and a tear to his memory, +"for he was just as careful as she is to train us up for God and +heaven." + +"Yes," Edward assented with emotion. "O Vi, if I could but be the man he +was!" + +They went into the house. In the little parlor Amy Fletcher reclined on +a sofa gazing out through the open door upon the sea. + +"I have had my first sight of old ocean to-day," she said, glancing up +at them as they came in, "and oh how beautiful it is! how delicious this +breeze coming from it! it surely must bring health and strength to any +one who is not very ill indeed!" + +"I hope it will to you," Violet said, sitting down by her side. + +"I hope so," she returned with a cheerful look and smile, "for the +doctors tell me I have no organic disease, and that nothing is more +likely to build me up than sea air and sea-bathing." + +Amy was small and fragile in appearance, but not painfully thin; she had +large dark grey eyes, brown hair, a sweet patient expression, a clear +complexion, and though usually rather too pale and quiet, when excited +or greatly interested the color would come and go on her cheek, her eyes +shine, and her whole face light up in a way that made her decidedly +pretty. + +She was weary now with her journey and a visit to the beach, though she +had only walked to a summer house near by and sat there while the rest +strolled about. + +Merry sounds of jest and laughter were coming from the kitchen. + +"The girls are washing the dishes," Amy said with a smile, "and the lads +helping or hindering, I don't know which." + +"The dinner dishes?" asked Violet. + +"Yes, Mary set them aside for the time, that she might enjoy the company +of your friends while they stayed." + +"Do you think I could be of any assistance out there?" queried Edward, +with gravity. + +"I have an idea that the place is quite full now," Amy said, with a +merry glance up into his face. "I wish there was room for us all, for +they seem to be having a great deal of sport. Just hark how they are +laughing! Well, our turn will come. Don't you think we are going to have +a jolly time here?" + +The door opened and the two young men came in. + +"You don't know what you've missed, Ed," said Charlie helping himself to +a chair near Amy's couch; "housework's jolly good fun." + +"When you don't have too much of it," remarked Amy. + +"And do it in pleasant company," added Donald. + +"And under a capable and kind instructress," supplemented Mary, speaking +from the kitchen. + +"What are your terms for tuition, Miss Keith?" inquired Edward, as she +and Ella Neff joined the circle in the parlor. + +"Beginners get their board, which is sometimes more than they earn." + +"Is that all?" said Donald. "Then I think I shall retire from the +service." + +"I advise you to do no such thing," said Ella, "the knowledge you gain +may prove invaluable in some future emergency: some time when you find +yourself out on the plains or buried in the forests of the Far West, +with no gentle, loving woman at hand to prepare your meals." + +"In that case there would doubtless be an ungentle and obedient +orderly to do so," rejoined Donald with gravity. + +"Well, women are often lectured by newspaper writers and others on the +paramount duty of making themselves acquainted with the culinary art, as +well as everything else pertaining to housewifery, in order that they +may be fully capable of directing the labors of their servants, and I +see no reason why the rule shouldn't hold good for men," remarked Ella. + +"There, sir, you're cornered, Donald!" laughed Charlie. + +"Now that we are all here together, suppose we make such arrangements as +are necessary to constitute ourselves a tolerably orderly household," +said Mary. + +"I understood that you were commanding officer, and the rest of us had +nothing to do but obey orders," said Donald. + +"Quite a mistake. This is not an army, but a democracy, in which the +majority rules. All important questions, therefore--" + +"Such as the bill of fare for dinner," suggested Charlie. "Excuse the +hint, ma'am." + +"Are to be put to vote," Mary went on, not deigning to notice the +interruption. "Mr. Keith, I propose that you, as the eldest of the +party, take the chair." + +"Which?" he asked with serious air. + +"That large, easy one, which each of us is politely leaving for somebody +else." + +Donald promptly took possession. "Is the meeting ready for business?" he +asked. + +"Ready!" responded Charles and Edward. + +"Somebody make a motion, then." + +"I move that Miss Mary Keith be elected housekeeper extraordinary and +cook plenipotentiary," said Ella. + +"I second the motion," said Edward. + +"You have all heard the motion, and to save useless repetition I put it +to vote. All in favor--" + +A simultaneous "Aye!" from all present, Mary excepted. + +"Who are to be my assistants?" she asked. + +"All of us, I suppose," said Charles. "No, not Amy: she's the invalid, +and must be taken care of by the heartiest and strongest, which is +probably your humble servant, ladies and gentlemen." + +"Doubtful that!" said Edward, with a downward glance at his own stout +limbs. + +"I think we should all help in that and with the housework," remarked Vi +modestly. "Cousin Mary, I can make beds, sweep and dust very nicely, +mamma says. It was her wish that I should learn, and I did." + +"So can I," said Ella, "and we'll undertake that part of the work +together, if you like, Miss--" + +"Call me Violet or Vi." + +"Yes," said Charlie. "I move that everybody be called by the Christian +name--or some abbreviation thereof--as a saving of trouble, and showing +a friendly disposition toward each other." + +"Agreed," said Donald, "but let it be understood that there's no +objection to the prefix of cousin." + +"At what hours shall we take our meals?" asked Mary. + +"Make a motion," said Donald. + +"Breakfast at eight, dinner at one, tea at six; will these hours suit +all? If not, let us have objections." + +"Speak now, or forever hold your peace," said Charlie. "They suit me +well enough if the rule be not too rigidly enforced, so as to interfere +with pleasuring." + +"I didn't mean they should do that," said Mary; "they are only to be a +general guide." + +"And if anybody happens to indulge in an extra morning nap, what's to be +the penalty?" + +"A cold and lonely breakfast, I suppose. Perhaps to wash his own dishes +besides." + +"All in favor of the hours named for meals please signify it by saying +aye," said Donald. + +"Aye!" from every tongue. + +"Anything else, Miss Keith?" he asked. + +"Just one thing more," she answered, speaking with a sudden seriousness, +and in a low, almost tremulous tone that sobered them all instantly. + +She went on with an effort. "We all profess to be Christians: shall we +live together, even for the short space of two or three weeks, like +heathen or mere worldings?" + +A moment's silence, then Donald said with quiet gravity, "Surely not, +Mary." + +"We will not partake of the food God provides for our nourishment and +enjoyment without asking his blessing upon it, or begin or end the day +without prayer and praise, will we?" she asked. + +"Oh no!" came softly from the lips of Amy and Violet, and was echoed by +the other voices. + +"Then which of you, my three cousins, Don, Edward, and Charlie, will +take the lead in these acts of worship?" + +A longer silence than before; then Vi turned a wistful, pleading look +upon her brother. + +There was no mistaking its meaning; and his mother's parting words were +ringing in his ears. + +"If no one else is willing," he said, "I will do it." + +"Thank you, Edward," said Charlie, rising and grasping his hand; "but it +would be too selfish to leave you to do it alone; so I will take my +turn." + +"I too," said Donald. "It should never be said of a soldier that he +refused to stand by his colors." + +"Or of a follower of Christ that he was shamed of his Master's service," +added Edward. + +So it was arranged that they should take turns, day about, according to +their age. + +"Five o'clock--just an hour to tea-time," Charlie said, consulting his +watch: "what shall we do with it? Amy, do you feel equal to a stroll on +the beach, with the support of my arm?" + +"Thank you, it would be very nice, but I am tired enough to think it +still nicer just to lie here and look at the sea," she said. "I shall +not mind being left alone, though; so, please, all the rest of you go. +And to-morrow I shall be able to join you, I hope." + +"Ah no, we won't leave you here all alone," said several voices. + +"No," said Mary, "for I am going to stay with her. I am weary enough +just now to prefer resting in this easy chair to a ramble on the beach +or anywhere else; and beside, I want a chat with Amy." + +"Secrets to tell, eh?" said Charlie, picking up his hat. "Good-bye, +then. Don't forget to speak well of the absent." + +"Oh I am so glad to be alone with you for a little while, Mary," Amy +said, when the others had all gone. "I want to thank you for your +kindness in asking me to come here; such a blessed relief as it was! +for it seemed to me the very monotony of my life was killing me." + +"The thanks hardly belong to me," Mary said, between a smile and a tear, +as she leaned over Amy, gently smoothing back the hair from her +forehead. "I think they should be given first to our heavenly Father, +and second to Mr. Marston." + +"Yes, and third to you, Mary. I used to wonder over that text in +Isaiah--'He that believeth shall not make haste.' I didn't know what it +meant, but I believe I do now." + +"Well, dear, what is your explanation?" + +"I think it means he that is strong in faith will patiently and calmly +wait God's time for the fulfilment of his promises, and for relief from +trouble and trial. Oh if I could but do it always!" + +"And I," sighed Mary; "but oh how often I am guilty of making haste for +myself or for others--my dear ones especially. There is poor mother so +often sick, and it is so hard to see her suffer, when she is so good, +too, so patient and cheerful and resigned." + +"Yes, I know that must be far harder than suffering yourself." + +"Amy," Mary said after a pause, "you must not forget that it is a very +great pleasure to me to have you here, and that if you and the others +had refused to come and stay with me I could not have accepted Mr. +Marston's offer." + +"It is very generous in you to set it in that light," Amy answered, with +a grateful look and smile. + +They found so much to talk about that time flew very fast, and they were +greatly surprised on seeing Ella and Violet coming up the path from the +gate to the house. + +"Surely it is not six yet!" Mary exclaimed. + +"No, only half-past five," Vi said, taking out her watch; "but you are +tired, and Ella and I want you to let us get the tea." + +"Good girls!" returned Mary gayly. "I feel quite rested now, but you may +help if you like. I'm not going to cook much, though--only to make tea +and stew a few oysters." + +Tea and the clearing up after it well over, they all gathered on the +porch, where they had the full benefit of the breeze and could get a +glimpse of the sea by the light of the stars, and listen to its +ceaseless murmur, while amusing themselves with cheerful chat and in +making arrangements for various pleasure excursions about the vicinity. + +It was unanimously decided to reserve the long walks until Amy should +grow stronger, in order that she might share the enjoyment. + +In the meanwhile they would fill up the time with bathing, lounging, +short strolls, driving, and boating. + +They finished the evening with the singing of hymns, a chapter of the +Bible read aloud by Donald, and a short, earnest prayer, well suited to +their needs, offered by him. + +The next day their plans were interfered with by a constant, steady +rainfall, but no one fretted or looked dull. Most of them took their +bath in spite of it, and there were books and games with which to while +away the time within doors. + +The second day was bright and clear. Amy felt herself already so greatly +improved that she was eager for a proposed boating excursion on Shark +River. Breakfast was prepared, eaten, and cleared away in good season. +Mary was an excellent manager, working rapidly and well herself and +skilfully directing the labors of others. + +They took the stage down to the river, hired a boat large enough to +carry the whole party, spent a couple of hours in rowing back and forth, +up and down, then returned home as they had come, reaching there in +season for their bath and the preparation of a good though not very +elaborate dinner, Mary pressing Ella and the lads into her service, +while Amy and Violet were ordered to lie down and rest after their bath. + +"What's the programme for this afternoon?" asked Charlie, finishing his +dessert and pushing his plate aside. + +"Dish-washing, a long lounge on beds and couches, then tea and a second +chapter of cleansing of utensils, followed by an evening stroll on the +beach," answered Mary. + +"And what for to-morrow?" queried Donald. + +"Ah, that reminds me," said Edward, "that Mrs. Perkins told me she +expects her husband by the evening train, and wants us to join them +to-morrow in getting up a fishing party. The plan is to drive over to +Manasquan, hire a boat there and go out on the ocean. What do you all +say about it?" + +The young men were highly in favor of the trip; Amy would see how she +felt in the morning; Violet demurred, lest there might be danger in +going upon the ocean, and "because she could not see any pleasure in +catching fish; it seemed so cruel." + +"But you eat them," reasoned her brother. + +"Yes, I know, and I suppose it is very inconsistent to object to +catching them, but I do. I could not enjoy seeing them suffer." + +"You can go with us without feeling obliged to share in that, can you +not?" asked Donald. + +"Needn't even go out in the boat unless you choose," put in Charlie. +"We'll find a shady spot under the trees near the shore where you can +sit and watch us." + +Violet thought that plan would do very well; she could take a book +along, and the time would not seem tedious. + +"But Mary has not spoken," said Donald, turning to her. + +"I see no objection to your going, any or all of you," she answered +brightly, "but I must be excused." + +"But why?" they all asked in various tones of disappointment and +inquiry. + +"Because to-morrow is Saturday, and the cook and housekeeper must make +ready for the Sabbath rest by doing two days' work in one." + +"Can't we manage that somehow?" asked Donald. + +Mary shook her head. "No; but I shan't mind it at all. Go and enjoy +yourselves, my children, and leave me to attend to my duties at home." + +"The rest can go if they choose, but if you stay at home, cousin, I +shall stay with you," announced Violet with decision. + +They rose from the table. + +"Mary," said Charlie, "let the dishes stand a bit. I'm going to the +post-office," and seizing his hat he disappeared, followed by the +laughter of the others. + +"Quick, now, lads and lasses, let's have them all out of the way before +he gets back," said Ella, beginning to clear the table in hot haste. + +The heat of the sun was too great to allow of very fast walking, and +Charlie was gone a full half hour; when he returned he found them all +sitting at their ease in the parlor. + +"I think we'll leave those dishes till the cool of the evening, Mary," +he said, wiping the perspiration from his forehead. + +"No, I can't consent to that--not on ordinary occasions," she answered +demurely. + +"Then back to the post-office goes this letter!" he cried threateningly, +holding aloft one with her address upon it. + +"Silly boy, the dishes are done without your help; give it to me!" she +cried, springing up and catching it out of his hand. + +"A fortunate day; nobody neglected by Uncle Sam's messengers," he said, +pulling several more from his pocket and distributing them. + +The tongues were silent for a moment; then Vi uttered a joyous +exclamation. "O Mary, you needn't stay at home to-morrow! mamma says she +will send a hamper by the evening train to-morrow, with provision to +last us over Sunday, so that you need not be troubled with Saturday +cooking." + +Everybody was glad, everybody thankful. + +"But to-morrow's dinner," said Mary, presently; "shall we get back in +time for me to cook it?" + +"I don't know," said Edward; "but there are hotels where we can dine, +and I invite you all to be my guests at whichever one the party may +select. Now, Cousin Mary," as he read hesitation in her face, "I shall +be hurt if anybody refuses my invitation." + +So no one ventured an objection. + +The day proved auspicious. Amy was unusually well, everybody else in +good health and spirits, no excuse for staying at home: so all went and +spent the entire day, taking an early start and not returning till late +in the afternoon. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + + "_Macbeth._ If we should fail-- + + "_Lady M._ We fail! + But screw your courage to the sticking place, + And we'll not fail." + --_Shakespeare._ + + +Sunday morning came and our young friends met at the breakfast table, +not in their usual jesting, mirthful mood, but with cheerful gravity of +demeanor, suited to the sacredness of the day. + +"There is no preaching, no sort of religious service within our reach +to-day," Edward remarked. + +"Then shall we not have one of our own?" asked Mary. "I have a book of +sermons: one might be read aloud; then we can have three prayers and as +many hymns as we please; we all sing." + +"And we might have a Bible reading also," suggested Ella. "And suppose +we take up the International Sunday-school Lesson and study it." + +All these propositions were received with favor and eventually carried +out. + +They did not think it wrong to stroll quietly along the shore, or to sit +there watching the play of the billows, and thus they ended their +afternoon. + +The evening was pleasantly spent in serious talk and the singing of +hymns on the front porch, where they could feel the breeze and see the +foam-crested waves by the light of a young moon. + +They retired early, feeling that they had had an enjoyable, restful day, +and rose betimes, full of life and vigor--except Amy; and even she felt +equal to a longer stroll than she had yet taken. + +The days flew by on swift wings, each bringing its duties and enjoyments +with it, and so pleasant was the gay, free life they led that at times +they half regretted that it must come to an end. + +Yet there were other times when some, if not all of them, anticipated, +with real satisfaction, the return to the more serious business of life. + +There was a very frequent exchange of visits between their party and the +one to which Edward and Violet more properly belonged; sometimes by way +of the cars, at others by riding or driving; so that Violet was never +many days without sight and speech of her mother and some of the other +dear ones at home; and that reconciled her to a longer absence from it. + +At length the younger Elsie was persuaded to come and spend a few days +with Mary and her party, the mother consenting to spare both daughters +for that length of time. The sweet girl's presence added much to the +enjoyment of all, especially her sister, for their mutual attachment had +always been very strong. + +One day there was a large fishing party, composed principally of guests +from other houses, which both Elsie and Violet declined to attend; but +Vi, fired with a laudable ambition to emulate her cousin Mary's skill in +the culinary art, volunteered to get dinner, and have it ready by the +time the others returned. + +Each one of them offered to stay and assist, but she would not hear of +it; laughingly asserting that "she wanted all the honor and glory, and +wouldn't have anybody with her but Elsie, who knew nothing about +cooking, but would keep her from being 'lone and lorn,' and perhaps help +a little in those things which were so easy that even the lads could do +them," she concluded, with a merry glance from one to the other. + +Edward was not there, some errand having taken him home by the morning +train. + +"Can you stand that insinuation, Donald?" asked Charlie. "I vote that +you and I stay at home to-morrow and get dinner, just to prove our skill +in that line." + +"Agreed," said Donald; "but what's to be done with the lasses in the +meantime? We can't let them go off pleasuring alone." + +"Oh, Edward can take care of them all for once; he's to be back by +dinner-time to-day, you know, so will be on hand here to-morrow." + +"Thank you," said Ella, laughing, and with a mock courtesy, "but we are +entirely capable of taking care of ourselves, as perhaps we may prove to +you one of these days. But here's the carriage at the gate. Come, Amy, +I'll help you in. Let us show these lords of creation that they are of +not quite so great importance as they are pleased to imagine." + +She ran gayly out, Amy following a little more slowly, with a regretful +good-bye to the two who were to remain at home. + +The lads hurried after, in season to forestall Ella in assisting Amy +into the vehicle, which the former had hastily entered unaided, before +they could reach it. + +Mary lingered behind a moment to say to Elsie and Violet that she did +not in the least care to go, indeed would prefer to stay with them. + +"No, no, cousin Mary," they both said, "we would not have you miss the +sport, or deprive the rest of the pleasure of your society." + +"Besides," added Violet, with a merry look and smile, "if you were here +I know very well I should miss the opportunity to distinguish myself as +a capable and accomplished cook. So away with you, fair lady! See, the +lads are waiting to hand you into the carriage." + +"Good-bye then, but don't attempt an elaborate dinner," Mary returned, +as she hastened away. + +The sisters stood on the little porch watching the departure till the +carriage was out of sight. + +Just then a boy carrying a large basket opened the gate and came in. + +"That's right, you are just in good time," was Vi's greeting. "Please +carry them into the kitchen. Have you brought all I ordered?" + +"Yes'm; potatoes, corn, beans, tomats, cabbage, lettuce, and young +beets. All right fresh and nice." + +Violet paid him and he left. + +"There, I shall have a sufficient variety of vegetables," she remarked, +viewing her purchase with satisfaction. + +"O Vi," sighed Elsie, with a look of apprehension, "do you in the least +know what you are about?" + +"Why of course, you dear old goosie! haven't I watched Cousin Mary's +cooking operations for over two weeks? Oh I assure you I'm going to have +a fine dinner! There's a chicken all ready for the oven--cousin showed +me how to make the stuffing and all that. I've engaged fresh fish and +oysters--they'll be coming in directly. I shall make an oyster pie and +broil the fish. I mean to make a boiled pudding and sauce for dessert, +and have bought nuts, raisins and almonds, oranges, bananas and candies +besides, and engaged ice cream and cake." + +"Your bill of fare sounds very good, but what if you should fail in the +cooking?" + +"Oh, no such word as fail for me!" laughed Vi. "I've screwed my courage +to the sticking place, and don't intend to fail. Now we must don our big +aprons and to work; you'll help me with the vegetables, I know." + +"Willingly, if you'll show me how." + +Violet felt very wise and important as she gave her older sister the +requested instruction, then went bustling about making her pudding and +pastry: for she decided to add tarts to her bill of fare, and the oyster +pie must have a very nice crust. + +But as she proceeded with her preparations she discovered that her +knowledge was deficient in regard to many of the details of the business +in hand; she did not know exactly how much time to allow for the cooking +of each dish--how long it would take the chicken to roast, pie and tarts +to bake, pudding and vegetables to boil. + +She grew anxious and nervous in her perplexity; there was no one to give +her the needed information, the cookery books did not supply it, and in +sheer desperation she filled her oven, her pots and kettles as fast as +possible, saying to Elsie it would surely be better to have food a +little overdone than not sufficiently cooked. + +It proved an unfortunate decision, especially as the fishing party were +an hour later in returning than had been expected. + +Poor Violet was too much mortified to eat when she discovered that there +was no sweetness left in the corn, that her potatoes were water-soaked, +her oysters tough as leather, the chicken scorched and very much +overdone, the fish burnt almost to a cinder, and--oh worst of all! +cooked with the scales on. She had forgotten they had any. + +Her friends all comforted her, however, taking the blame on themselves. +"If they had not been so late, things would not have been so overdone; +it was their fault. And the lettuce, the cold-slaw, and bread and butter +were all very nice. The tarts too." + +But as soon as she tasted them Violet knew she had forgotten the salt in +her crust and that it was tough compared to her Cousin Mary's. + +And then the pudding! oh why did it turn out so heavy? Ah, she had made +it with sour milk and put in no soda. + +"Oh what shall I do?" she said despairingly to Mary, who was helping her +to dish it up. "There's hardly anything fit to eat, and I know you are +all very hungry." + +"Indeed, dear little coz, there is a great deal that's fit to eat," +Mary said, glancing toward he table on which the last course was set +out--except the ice cream, which had not yet been taken out of the +freezer. + +"Yes, those are nice, but the substantial of the meal--just what are +most needed--are all spoiled. Oh what's that?" with a sudden change of +tone as a man bearing a large hamper appeared at the open door; +"something from mamma, I do believe." + +"Yes," said Edward, stepping in after the man as the latter set the +hamper down; "and as it's more than an hour past dinner time, I suppose +it's very well I didn't come empty handed." + +"O Ned, Ned, you dear, good fellow!" cried Violet, springing to his side +and throwing her arms around his neck. + +"Yes, you may well say that!" he returned, laughing, as he gave her a +kiss, then put her aside and stooped to open the basket, "for I told +mother what you were attempting to-day, and she said 'The poor, dear +child! she will surely fail, so I'll send some provisions with you when +you go.' And here they are, all of the best, of course, for mamma never +does anything by halves," he added, beginning to hand out the viands--a +pair of cold roast fowls, a boiled tongue, pickles, jellies, pies and +cakes in variety,--Mary and Vi receiving them with exclamations of +satisfaction, delight and thankfulness which quickly brought the others +upon the scene, just as the bearer of the hamper, who had gone out on +setting it down, re-entered with a basket of of beautiful, luscious +looking peaches and grapes. + +"Hello!" exclaimed Charlie, in high glee, "what's all this? a second +dinner?" + +"Yes," returned Violet, "my dear, good mother's atonement for her +conceited daughter's failure." + +"No, no, we don't call it a failure, nor the cook conceited," cried a +chorus of voices; "some things are very nice, and others were spoiled by +our fault in coming home so late." + +"Well, please come back to the table and we'll begin again," said +Violet, carrying the fowls into the dining-room, Mary following with the +tongue, Elsie and Ella with other edibles. + +"Please, some of you, help me carry away dinner number one, to make room +for dinner number two," said Vi, replacing the dish containing her +unfortunate chicken with the one on which she had put the new arrivals. + +Upon that everybody seized one or more of the dishes and hurried back to +the kitchen; and so with a great rushing to and fro and amid much +laughter and many merry jests they respread the board. + +Violet's spirits and appetite had returned, and she joined the others in +making a hearty meal. + +The next morning was cloudy and cool for the season. All agreed it was +just the day for a long stroll inland, and shortly after breakfast they +set out in a body--Mary, Ella and Edward leading the van, Donald and +Edward's two sisters coming next, Charlie and Amy bringing up the rear. + +There seemed to be a tacit understanding that those two were always to +be together and no remark was ever made about it, but Charlie always +quietly took possession of the fragile little lady, just as if he had +entered into bonds to be her care-taker and entertainer, accommodating +his pace to hers, which was so much slower than that most natural to the +others that they often unintentionally left her far behind. + +They presently met Mrs. Perkins, Fred and Susie, who were also starting +out for a walk, and the two parties joined their forces. + +They passed through the village, and sat down for a little while on some +rustic benches under the trees on the river bank, to rest and enjoy the +pleasing prospect. + +The village lay behind them; before, green slopes dotted here and there +with trees standing singly or in groups; then the sparkling river, to +the left, beyond the bridge, widening into a lake-like expanse, to the +right pouring its waters into the great ocean, on whose broad bosom many +ships, steamers and smaller craft could be seen, some near, others far +away in the distance. + +The surface of the river too was enlivened by a number of small +sail-boats slowly moving before the wind, and skiffs that darted hither +and thither. On the further bank the scene was diversified by woods and +fields, with here and there a farm-house, then the sandy beach bordering +the wide blue sea. + +"Are you quite tired out, Amy?" Charlie asked after a little. + +"Oh no, I'm quite rested," she answered gayly, "and feel able to walk a +good deal farther. I am really surprised to find how strong and well I +am." + +"The sea-shore's the place for you evidently," he said; then as she +sprang up nimbly to join the others as they rose and moved on again, +"But I don't know that it would be best to keep you here too long; you +might grow so strong as to feel capable of dispensing with any help from +other folks." + +"Which would be very delightful indeed," she returned with an arch look +and smile as she accepted his offered arm. + +They hastened on after the rest of their party, over a bridge and along +the roadside for some distance, then they all struck into a narrow +footpath on the farther side of the fence, the young men letting down +the bars to give the ladies easy ingress, and followed that through a +bit of woods, crossing a little stream by a broken bridge, where again +the lads had the pleasure of giving assistance to their companions of +the weaker sex; then across some cornfields; making a circuit that +brought them back to the river. + +The path now ran along its bank, and still pursuing it they came at +length to a little inlet where was neither bridge nor boat. + +There they stopped and held a consultation. No one wanted to go back by +the way they had come, it was too long and roundabout; if they could but +cross this inlet they could soon reach one of the life-saving stations +on the other side, and there probably find some one who would carry them +across the river in a boat, when a short walk along the beach would take +them to their temporary homes. + +"The water is not deep, I think," said Donald. "I propose that we lads +strip off boots and stockings, wade through and carry the ladies over. I +will wade across first and try its depth." + +He did so, spite of some protests from the more timid of the ladies, and +found it hardly knee-deep. All then agreed to his proposition. + +"Edward and I will make a chair by clasping hands," he said gayly, "and +Fred and Charlie can do likewise if they will, and we will divide the +honor of carrying the ladies over dryshod." + +Donald had a purpose in selecting Edward as his companion and helper in +the undertaking; feeling pretty certain that Elsie and Violet would +choose to be carried by their brother, which they did. + +"I see through you, young man," Charlie said to Donald in a laughing +aside while making ready for the trip, "but I don't care very much, if +you leave Miss Fletcher for me." + +"All right," returned Donald, "I intended to, for I see which way the +wind blows. She's light too, my lad, and will be the better suited to +your strength." + +"Strength, man! I'm as able to lift and carry as Lieutenant Keith, if +I'm not greatly mistaken," Charlie said with pretended wrath, "and to +prove it I speak for the carrying of Mrs. Perkins and Miss Neff, who +must be a trifle heavier than any of the other ladies." + +"All right; but fortunately there isn't one in the party heavy enough to +be any great burden to either of us." + +So amid a good deal of mirth and laughter and some timidity and +shrinking on the part of the younger girls, the short journey was made, +and that without mishap or loss. + +Then a short, though toilsome walk through the soft yielding sand +brought them to the life-saving station, a small two-story frame +building standing high on the sandy beach, the restless billows of old +ocean tossing and tumbling not many rods away. + +They were courteously treated by the brave fellows who make this their +abode during eight months of the year, were shown the room on the lower +floor where they cook and eat, the two above where they sleep, and also +all the apparatus for saving the shipwrecked and any others who may be +in danger of drowning within reach of their aid. + +Our friends were all greatly interested in looking at these things--the +colored lamps and flags for signalling, the life-boat, the breeches-buoy +and the life-car--this last especially: it was of metal, shaped like a +row-boat, but covered in over the top, except a square opening large +enough to admit one passenger at a time, and having a sliding door, the +closing of which, after the passengers are in, makes the car completely +water-tight. + +"How many will it hold?" asked Edward. + +"Six or seven grown folks, if they are not very large sized." + +"Oh, I should think they would smother!" cried Violet. + +"It is only about three or four minutes they'd have to stay in it," said +the exhibitor. + +Then he showed them the thick, strong rope or hawser on which it +runs, and the mortar by means of which they send a line to the +distressed vessel with a tally-board attached on which are printed +directions--English on one side, French on the other--for the proper +securing of the hawser to the wreck. + +"The other end is made fast on shore, I suppose?" said Amy inquiringly. + +"Yes, Miss." + +"And when they have made their end fast and got into the car--" + +"Then we pull 'em ashore." + +"Not a particularly pleasant ride to take, I imagine," remarked Donald. + +"Not so very sir; she's apt to be tossed about pretty roughly by the big +waves; turn over several times, liker than not." + +"Yes, I suppose so." + +"Oh," cried Amy, with a shudder, "I think I'd almost rather drown." + +"No, Miss," said the man, "I guess you'd find even that better'n +drowning." + +Having fully satisfied their curiosity, our friends inquired if there +was anybody about there who would take them across the river. + +"Yes, sir, I'll row you across, half of you at a time," answered the +man, addressing Donald, who had acted as spokesman for the party. "All +of you at once would be too big a load for the boat." + +It was but a short walk to the river, a few minutes' row across it, and +soon they were all on the farther side and walking along the beach +toward home. + +"Dinner time!" exclaimed Ella, looking at her watch. "What's to be done +about it?" + +Her question seemed to be addressed to Mary. + +"Don't ask me," was the demure reply. "It's none of my concern to-day. +Didn't you hear the agreement between Charlie and Don yesterday?" + +"There! Mr. Charles Perrine, see the scrape you have got yourself and me +into!" exclaimed Donald with a perplexed and rueful look. + +"What in the world are we to do!" cried Charlie, stopping short with his +hand upon the gate and turning so as to face the others. + +"Get in out of the sun for the first thing," replied his cousin. + +"Yes, yes, of course!" and he stepped back and held the gate open for +the ladies to pass in. + +"We are all hungry as bears, I suppose," he said when they were fairly +in the house. "Come, Mary, be good and tell us what to do. Shall we go +to one of the hotels?" + +"No, make the fire, set the table, and grind some coffee," she answered, +laughing. "I foresaw that I'd have to come to the rescue, and am +prepared. We'll have coffee, stewed oysters, cold fowl left from +yesterday, plenty of good bread, rolls and butter, fruits and cake, and +it won't take many minutes to get it ready." + +"Mary, you're a jewel!" Charlie returned, catching her about the waist +and kissing her on both cheeks. + +"Begone, you impertinent fellow!" she said laughingly as she released +herself and pushed him away. "Even a cousin shouldn't take such +liberties." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + + "O pilot! 'tis a fearful night, + There's danger on the deep." + --_Bayly._ + + +Elsie had gone home, and in a few days our little party would break up +entirely, Ella and Amy return to their homes, Mary, Donald and Charlie +go with Edward and Violet to their mother's cottage to spend some time +as Mrs. Travilla's guests. + +The Allisons had gone, and there was now abundance of room, though the +Conlys, mother and daughter, still lingered, loath to leave the +delightful sea breezes. + +The quiet life led under her cousin Elsie's roof was not much to +Virginia's taste, but nothing better had offered as yet. + +Breakfast was over, the morning tasks the girls had set themselves were +all done, and the whole four came trooping out upon the porch where the +three lads were standing apparently very intent upon some object out at +sea. + +Edward was looking through a spy-glass, which he handed to Donald just +as the girls joined them, saying, "See if you can make out the name." + +"Not quite, but she is certainly a yacht," was Donald's reply, after a +moment's steady gaze at one of the many vessels within sight; for they +had counted more than forty of various sorts and sizes, some outward +bound, others coming in. The one which so excited their interest was +drawing nearer. + +"Let me look," said Mary. "I have the reputation of being very +far-sighted." + +Donald handed her the glass and pointed out the vessel. + +She sighted it, and in another moment said, "Yes, I can read the +name--'The Curlew.'" + +"Ah, ha!" cried Edward in a very pleased tone, "I was correct; it is +Will Tallis's yacht." + +"And really it looks as if he meant to call at Ocean Beach," added +Charlie. "Must have heard, Ned, that you and I are here." + +"Doubtless," laughed Edward. + +"Will Tallis?" repeated Violet inquiringly. "Is he a friend of yours, +Edward?" + +"Why, yes; have you never heard me speak of him? He's a splendid fellow, +one whom I should very willingly introduce to my mother and sisters." + +"And has a yacht of his own?" + +"Yes; he's very rich, and delights in being on the sea. Inherits the +taste, I suppose; his father was a sea-captain. He told us--Charlie and +me--that he meant to go yachting this season, and wished he could +persuade us to go with him." + +"And I, for one, should like nothing better," said Charlie. "Why, Ned, +he is coming ashore! See, they have dropped anchor and are putting off +from the yacht in a boat! Yes, here they come, pulling straight for this +beach. Where's my hat? Let's run down, boys, and meet them as they +land!" cried the lad, greatly excited. + +Amy had found his hat and silently handed it to him. Edward and Donald +seized theirs, and all three rushed to the beach. + +"Come, girls," said Ella, "let us go too; why should we miss the fun, if +there is to be any?" + +They put on their hats, took their sun-umbrellas, and started. They +however went only as far as to the sidewalk in front of the Colorado +House--so many people were thronging the beach to witness the landing, +which was now evidently to take place just below there, and our modest, +refined young ladies did not like to be in a crowd. + +Mrs. Perkins and Susie joined them. Fred was away; had gone over to New +York, expecting to return by the evening train. + +"Not much to be seen by us but the waves and the crowd," remarked Ella, +a little impatiently. "Nor much to be heard but the murmur of their +voices." + +"They must have landed, I think," Mrs. Perkins said. "Yes, here they +come; our lads, I mean, and a stranger with them. A very nice looking +fellow he is, too." + +The four young men drew near, and Edward introduced "My friend, Mr. +Tallis," to the ladies. + +He was very gentlemanly in appearance, and had a pleasant, open +countenance, a cordial, hearty manner as he shook hands with the +matronly married lady and lifted his hat to the younger ones. + +"I am happy to make your acquaintance, ladies," he said, with a genial +smile and an admiring glance at Violet, "and have come to ask the +pleasure of your company on board my yacht. I am bound for Boston and +the coasts of New Hampshire and Maine--a short sea-voyage which I trust +you will find enjoyable if I can but persuade you to try it." + +Mrs. Perkins declined, with thanks, for herself and Susie. Violet did +likewise. The other three hesitated, but finally yielded to the +persuasions of the lads. + +"O Edward, you will not go, surely?" whispered Violet, drawing her +brother aside. + +"And why not?" he returned with some impatience. + +"Because you haven't mamma's consent, or grandpa's either." + +"No, but that's only because they are not here to give it. I'm sure +there's nothing objectionable. Will's the very sort of fellow they would +approve, the vessel is new and strong, and the captain and crew +understand their business." + +"But a storm might come up." + +"Why, Vi, how silly! there's no appearance of a storm, and we are not +intending to go far out to sea. Besides, you might just as well bring +that objection to any trip by sea." + +"Yes; but if you had mamma's consent it would be different." + +"I don't see that. I'd ask it, of course, if I could--and be sure to get +it, too, I think--but there isn't time; they don't want to lose this +favorable wind and fine weather, and will be off again within an hour. +Come, make up your mind to go with us: I want you along, for I think it +will be a delightful little voyage." + +"Thank you, brother, but I don't wish to go, and couldn't enjoy it if I +went without mamma's knowledge and consent: and I do wish you would not +go." + +"Vi, I never knew you so absurd and unreasonable! But if you will not go +along, perhaps I ought to stay to take care of you. I had not thought of +that before. Mother left you in my charge, but I am sure she would not +want me to lose this pleasure, and it strikes me as a trifle selfish in +you to make it necessary for me to do so." + +"I don't want you to stay on my account," she said, tears springing to +her eyes, "and I don't think you need. I can go home this afternoon by +the cars. Probably mamma would not mind my taking so short a ride +alone." + +"I don't know: but I should enjoy the voyage far more with you along." + +"What is the matter?" asked Mrs. Perkins, overhearing a part of the +talk. "I will take charge of your sister, Mr. Travilla, if she prefers +to stay behind." + +"Thank you," Edward responded with brightening countenance. "But--Vi, +you will not care to bathe while we are gone?" + +"No, Ned, I shall not go in without you, as mamma desired me not." + +"And you are willing for me to go?" + +"Not quite; I wish you wouldn't; only don't stay to take care of me." + +Edward looked a good deal vexed and annoyed. + +"Mrs. Perkins," he said, turning to her, "if Fred were here, would you +object to his going?" + +"No, not at all. I should leave him to follow his own inclination. But," +as Edward turned triumphantly to Violet, "I am not meaning to encourage +you to go, if your sister thinks your mother might object: all mothers +do not see alike, you know." + +"Well," he said, "I imagine I am as competent a judge of that as Violet +is. I feel well-nigh certain that she would bid me go and enjoy myself. +She's not one of the fussy kind of mothers who are afraid to let their +children stir out of their sight." + +"Then you will go?" said Mr. Tallis. + +"Yes," Edward answered, resolutely avoiding Violet's pleading looks. + +"I wish we could persuade your sister," Mr. Tallis said, turning to her. +"Are you timid about venturing on the sea, Miss Travilla?" + +"Not particularly," she said, coloring slightly. + +"Then do come with us! the more the merrier, you know, and I should be +so happy. I do not feel quite comfortable to carry off all the rest of +your party and leave you alone." + +The girls joined their entreaties to his, but Violet was firm in her +resolution to remain on shore. + +Then Mary offered to stay with her, but as Violet felt convinced that it +would involve a sacrifice on her cousin's part, she would not consent. + +They now all hastened back to the cottage to make such preparations as +might be needful. It was not much to any of them, as they expected to +return the next day or the one following. + +"Edward, can I be of any assistance to you?" Violet asked, going to the +door of his room. + +"Yes, if you like to pack this valise. Maybe you would do it better than +I. I'm alone, so come in." + +Violet accepted the invitation, and did the little service quite to his +satisfaction. + +"You are a nice, handy girl, if I do say it that shouldn't," he remarked +laughingly. "But what's the matter?" as he saw that her eyes were full +of tears. + +"O Edward, don't go away vexed with me!" she exclaimed, putting an arm +around his neck. "Suppose a storm should come up, and--and we should +never see each other again." + +The last words came with an irrepressible burst of tears and sobs. The +loving young heart was sore from recent bereavement, and ready to fear +for all its dear ones. + +"Come, don't fret about possibilities," he said, kindly. "I'm not vexed +now, and you must forgive me for calling you selfish." + +"You don't think I am?" + +"No, indeed! but just the darlingest little sister ever a fellow had. I +shouldn't like--if anything should happen--to have you remember that as +one of the last things I had said to you. No, I was the selfish one. Now +good-bye, and don't worry about me," he said, holding her close, and +kissing her several times; "you know, Vi dear, that we are under the +same protecting care on sea and on land." + +"Yes," she whispered, but with some hesitation, and drawing a deep sigh. + +"Ah!" he said, "you doubt whether I shall be taken care of because I'm +going without permission. Are you not forgetting that we have always +been trained to think and decide for ourselves in all cases where it is +right and proper for us to do so? And why should I need permission to go +on the sea in a yacht any more than in a fishing-boat? Can you answer me +that?" he concluded, half laughingly. + +"No," she said, with a slight smile, "and I daresay you are in the right +about it." + +"Then you won't change your mind ('tis a woman's privilege, you know) +and go along? It's not yet too late." + +"No, thank you; I do not care to claim all the woman's privileges yet," +she answered with playful look and tone. + +"Hello, Ned! 'most ready?" shouted Charlie from below. "Time's about +up." + +They went down at once. + +The other girls were on the porch quite ready to start, Donald standing +with them. Mrs. Perkins and Susie could be descried down on the beach +waiting to see them off; Mr. Tallis too, chatting with the ladies. + +The young men gathered up the ladies' satchels and their own. Charlie +offered his arm to Amy, but she declined it with a laughing assurance +that she was now strong enough to walk without support. + +"Miss Neff," he sighed, turning to Ella, "I've lost my situation: will +you?" + +"And you and the rest of us will, maybe, lose something else if we don't +hurry," she answered lightly. "'Time and tide wait for no man,' so let +us make haste before they fail us." + +These three were very merry, the other three sober almost to absolute +quietness as they made their way to the waiting boat. + +Edward kissed his sister again as he was about to step into it, and she +clung to his neck for a moment whispering, "Ah, I shall pray that you +may come back safely!" + +"Don't borrow trouble, you dear little goose," he said, as he let her +go. + +At the last moment it appeared that Donald was not going. + +There were various exclamations of surprise and disappointment from the +voyagers when his purpose to remain behind became apparent, "They had +understood he was going--why did he change his mind?" + +"Well," he said, with a quiet smile, "a man is not bound to give all his +reasons, but the fact is Mrs. Perkins has held out strong inducements to +me to stay where I am." + +"And he couldn't be in better company, could he?" was her laughing +addition. + +Violet was as much taken by surprise as the others, but in her secret +heart not at all sorry--"It would be so much less lonely with Cousin +Donald there." + +They stood on the beach, waving their handkerchiefs to their departing +friends until the latter had reached the deck of the yacht. Nor did they +cease to watch the vessel so long as the smallest portion of it was +visible, as it faded quite out of sight. + +Violet felt a strong inclination to indulge in a hearty cry, but putting +a determined restraint upon herself, chatted cheerfully instead. Yet her +friends perceived her depression and exerted themselves for her +entertainment. + +"It seems to me," Donald said, with a glance at Violet, but addressing +Mrs. Perkins, as they went into a summer house near by and sat down, +"that this little lady has less of inquisitiveness than most people--(I +will not say most of her sex, for I think my own is by no means +deficient in the characteristic)--or she would have made some inquiry in +regard to the strong inducements I spoke of." + +"What were they?" Violet asked. "You have roused my sleeping curiosity." + +"Mrs. Perkins has kindly offered to come to the cottage and help us with +our housekeeping while the rest of the lads and lassies are away, and +to bring Miss Susie and her brother with her." + +Vi's face lighted up with pleasure. "It is very kind," she said. "Now I +shall not mind the absence of the others half so much as I had expected. +I like my little room at the cottage, and do not fancy living in a crowd +as I must anywhere else." + +"Then you will not go home?" Donald said, inquiringly. + +"No; upon second thought I have decided against that plan, because if I +did go I must tell mamma how it happened, and then if a storm should +come up she would be tortured with useless anxiety about my brother." + +"You are very thoughtful of your mother." + +"As any one would be who had such a mother as ours, Cousin Donald." + +"She is certainly very lovely and lovable," he said. "Now about our +meals, cousin. Do you object to taking them in a crowd? at one of the +public houses here?" + +"No; I think it the least of two evils," she answered, with a smile, +"for I own to being somewhat tired of the fun of housework and cooking." + +"Then we will settle upon that plan," Mrs. Perkins said; "sleep and live +at the cottage, breakfast, dine and sup elsewhere." + +Mrs. Perkins was a very good talker, full of general information, +anecdote and entertaining reminiscences, a delightful companion even to +one as young as Violet. + +Time passed swiftly to them all. Life at the cottage, because it took +them out of the crowd, was more enjoyable than that at the hotels, which +were all very full at this season, and as a consequence, very noisy. + +The cottage seemed very peaceful and quiet by contrast. Indeed it was +far quieter now than it had been at any time in the past two or three +weeks, and Violet, who was beginning to weary of so much sport and +mirthfulness, really found the change agreeable. + +By the middle of the afternoon of the next day they began to watch for +the reappearance of the Curlew; but night closed in again without the +sight. + +There was a very fresh and stormy breeze from the north-east when they +went to bed. In the morning it blew almost a gale, and as Violet's eyes +turned seaward her face wore a very anxious expression. + +"No sign of the Curlew yet," she sighed, as she stood at the parlor +window gazing out upon the wind-tossed billows, plunging, leaping, +roaring, foaming as if in furious passion. + +"No; and we may well thank God that we do not," said Donald's voice +close at her side, "for the wind is just in the quarter to drive them +ashore: I hope they are giving the land a wide berth." + +She looked up into his face with frightened eyes. + +"Do not be alarmed," he said; "let us not anticipate evil. They may be +safe in port somewhere; and at all events we know who rules the winds +and waves." + +"Yes," she murmured, in low tremulous tones, "the stormy wind fulfils +His word: and no real evil shall befall any of His children." + +There was a moment of silence; then, "It is about breakfast time now," +he said, "but you will not venture out in this gale, surely? Shall I not +have your meal sent in to you?" + +"Thank you, but I prefer to make the effort to go," she said; "I want to +get a nearer view of the sea." + +The others felt the same desire, and presently they all started out +together. + +The ladies found it as much as they could do to keep their feet even +with the assistance of their stronger companions, and the great, +wind-driven waves sometimes swept across the sidewalk. + +It was clearly dangerous, if not impossible, to approach nearer to the +surging waters. The gale was increasing every moment, the sky had grown +black with clouds and distant mutterings of thunder, and an occasional +lightning flash gave warning that the worst was yet to come. Evidently +it would be no day for outdoor exercise or amusement. + +Regaining the cottage with difficulty, after eating their breakfast they +brought out books, games and fancy work, resolved to make the best of +circumstances. Yet anxious as they were for the fate of their friends, +the voyagers in the yacht, they did little but gaze out upon the sea, +looking for the Curlew, but glad that neither she nor any other vessel +was in sight. + +The Curlew's cabin was comfortably, even luxuriously furnished, her +larder well supplied with all the delicacies of the season. Favored with +beautiful weather and propitious winds, our friends found their first +day out from Ocean Beach most enjoyable. + +They passed the greater part of their time on deck, now promenading, now +reclining in extension chairs, chatting, laughing, singing to the +accompaniment of flute and violin; the one played by Edward, the other +by Charlie. + +The yacht was a swift sailer, her motion easy, and until the afternoon +of the second day they were scarcely troubled with sea-sickness. Most of +the time they kept within sight of land, touching at Boston, Portsmouth, +and several other of the New England seaports, and continuing on their +course until the wind changed, when they turned, with the purpose of +going directly back to Ocean Beach. + +For some hours all went well, a stiff breeze carrying them rapidly in +the desired direction; but it grew stronger and shifted to a dangerous +quarter, while the rough and unsteady motion of the vessel made all the +passengers so sea-sick that they began to heartily wish themselves safe +on land. + +The ladies grew frightened, but the captain assured them there was as +yet little cause for alarm. He had shortened sail and put out to sea, +fearing the dangers of the coast. + +But the wind increased constantly until by night it was blowing a gale, +and though every stitch of canvas had been taken in and furled, they +were being driven landward. + +All night long the seamen fought against the storm, striving to keep out +to sea, but conscious that their efforts were nearly futile. There was +little sleep that night for passengers or crew. + +Morning broke amid a heavy storm of rain, accompanied by thunder and +lightning, while the wind seemed to have redoubled its fury, blowing +directly toward the shore. + +The girls, conscious that they were in peril of shipwreck, had gone to +their berths without undressing. Amy had been very sick all night, and +the other two, who stood it better, had done their best to wait upon +her, though it was little that could be done for her relief, and the +pitching and rolling of the vessel frequently threw them with violence +against each other or the furniture. + +"It is morning," said Ella at length; "see, it grows light in spite of +the storm; and I hear voices in the saloon. Shall I open the door?" + +"Yes," said Mary, "let us learn the worst, and try to be prepared for +it." + +The three young men were in the saloon, and the girls joined them, Amy +looking like the ghost of herself. + +Charlie, who had stationed himself near her door, instantly gave her the +support of his arm, putting it about her waist, while he held fast to +the furniture with the other hand, and her head dropped on his shoulder. + +With death staring them in the face they did not care for the eyes of +their companions in peril: who, indeed, were too full of the danger and +solemnity of their own position to pay any attention to the matter. + +"O darling," Charlie said hoarsely, "if I could only put you safe on +shore!" + +"Never mind," she answered, looking lovingly into his eyes, "if we die, +we shall die together; and O Charlie, as we both trust in Jesus, it will +only be going home together to be 'forever with the Lord,' never, never +to part again!" + +"Yes, there's comfort in that," he said; "and if you are to go, I'm glad +I'm here to go with you. But life is sweet, Amy, and we will not give up +hope yet." + +Mary and Edward had clasped hands, each gazing silently into the sad and +anxious face of the other. + +She was thinking of her invalid mother, her father, brothers and +sisters, and how they would miss her loving ministrations. + +He too thought of his tender mother so lately widowed, her sorrow over +the loss of her first-born son; and of other dear ones, especially +Violet, away from all the rest, the only one conscious of his danger. He +was glad now that she had refused to come with them, but he knew the +terrible anxiety she must feel, the almost heart-breaking sorrow his +loss and the sight of their mother's grief would be to her. + +"Mr. Tallis, I know we must be in great danger," Ella said, as he took +her hand to help her to a seat. "Is there any hope at all?" + +"Oh surely, Miss Neff!" he replied; "we will not give up hope yet, +though we are indeed in fearful peril. The greatest danger is that we +shall be driven ashore; but we are still some distance off the coast, +and the wind may change or lull sufficiently for an anchor to hold when +we are in water shallow enough for trying that expedient. And even +should we be wrecked, there will be still a chance for us in the good +offices of the members of the life-saving service." + +"Ah, yes," she said, a gleam of hope shining in her eyes, "the brave +fellows will not leave us to perish if they can help us." + +"And we will put our trust in God," added Mary. + +What a day it was to them all, the storm raging throughout the whole of +it with unabated fury, and their hope of escape from the dangers of the +deep growing less and less. + +The patrolmen were out, and toward sundown one of them descried the +masts of a vessel far away in the distance. It was seen by others also, +for all day long many glasses had been, at frequent intervals, sweeping +the whole field of vision seaward. + +The news spread like wildfire, creating a great excitement among the +multitude of people gathered in the hotels and boarding-houses, as well +as among the dwellers by the sea, not excepting the brave surfmen whose +aid was likely to be in speedy requisition. + +Hundreds of pairs of eyes watched the vessel battling with the storm, +yet spite of every effort sweeping nearer and nearer the dreadful +breakers. She seemed doomed to destruction, but darkness fell while yet +she was too far away for recognition. + +Violet and her companions had gazed upon her with fast beating hearts +from the time of her appearance until they could no longer catch the +faintest outline of her figure in the gathering gloom. + +Donald had nearly satisfied himself of her identity, but would not for +any consideration have had Violet know that he believed her to be the +Curlew. Even without that confirmation of her fears, the anxiety of the +poor child was such that it was painful to witness. + +It was indeed the Curlew, and about the time she was descried by those +on land the captain remarked aside to her owner, "The Jersey shore is in +sight, Mr. Tallis, and nothing short of a miracle can save us from +wreck, for we are driving right on to it in spite of all that can be +done. The Curlew is doomed, she has dragged her anchor, and will be in +the breakers before many hours." + +"It will be a heavy loss to me, captain," was the reply, "but if all our +lives are saved I shall not grumble; shall on the contrary be filled +with thankfulness." + +"Well, sir, we'll hope for the best," was the cheerful rejoinder. + +Soon all on board knew the full extent of the danger, and our young +friends gave themselves to solemn preparation for eternity; also, in +view of the possibility of some being saved while others were lost, +made an exchange of parting messages to absent loved ones. + +It was again a sleepless night to them; sleepless to our Ocean Beach +friends at the cottage also, and to many others whose hearts were filled +with sympathy for those in the doomed vessel. + +About midnight the report of a signal gun of distress sent all rushing +to the beach. She had struck, not a quarter of a mile from the shore; +and as the clouds broke away the dark outline of her hull could be +distinctly discerned among the foam-tipped breakers. + +The rain had ceased, and there was a slight lull in the tempest of wind, +so that it was possible to stand on the beach; but so furious still was +the action of the waves that the patrolman, having instantly answered +the gun by burning his signal-light, and now rushing in among his mates, +reported that the surf-boat could not be used. + +So the mortar-car was ordered out. + +There was not an instant's delay. Gallantly the men bent to their work, +dragged the car toilsomely over the low sand-hills to a spot directly +opposite the wreck, and by the light of a lantern placed it and every +part of the apparatus--the shot-line box, hauling lines and hawser for +running, with the breeches-buoy attached--in position, put the tackles +in place ready for hauling, and with pick and spade dug a trench for +the sand anchor. + +Each man having his particular part of the work assigned him, and +knowing exactly what he was to do and how to do it, and all acting +simultaneously, the whole thing was accomplished in a short space of +time after reaching the desired spot. + +An anxious, excited crowd was looking on. Apart from the throng and a +little higher up the beach were our friends, Fred in charge of his +mother and Susie, Donald with Violet under his protection. + +She had begged so hard to come, "because it might be the Curlew, so how +could she stay away?" that he had no heart to resist her entreaties. And +he felt that she would be safe in his care, while Mrs. Perkins' presence +made it perfectly proper. + +All being in readiness the gun was fired, and the shot flew through the +rigging of the ill-fated vessel. + +Edward, now standing on her deck, understood just what was to be done, +and no time was lost. With a glad shout, heard by those on shore, the +line was seized by the sailors and rapidly hauled in. + +Ere long the hawser was stretched straight and taut between the beach +and the wreck--the shore end being raised several feet in the air by +the erection of a wooden crotch--and the breeches-buoy was ready to be +drawn to and fro upon it. + +"Will you try it first, sir?" the captain of the Curlew said to Mr. +Tallis. + +"No, I should be the last man to leave the wreck." + +"Go, go, Will!" cried Edward imperatively; "go and tell them to send the +life-car, for there are ladies to be saved." + +"Yes, go sir; don't waste precious time in disputing," cried the +captain; and thus urged the young man went. + +He reached the shore in safety, was welcomed with a glad shout, and +instantly the word circulated among the crowd, "The owner of the Curlew. +It is she." + +Violet had nearly fallen fainting to the ground, but Donald, supporting +her with his arm said in her ear, "Courage, my brave lassie! and they +shall all be saved." + +"Take care of my mother and sister for a moment, Keith!" exclaimed Fred, +and plunging into the crowd he quickly made his way to the side of the +rescued man. + +"This way, if you please," he said, touching him on the shoulder; "a +lady, Miss Travilla, would be glad to speak to you." + +"Oh, yes! I know!" and all dripping and panting as he was, but having +already delivered his message, and seen the men on the way for the +safety-car, he went to her. + +"It is Mr. Tallis," Fred said; "Miss Travilla, my mother and sister, and +Mr. Keith," for it was too dark for a distinct view of each other's +faces. + +"My brother?" faltered Violet, holding out her hand. + +"Is uninjured thus far, my dear young lady, and I trust will be with you +in a few minutes. The vessel must, I presume, go to pieces finally, but +will undoubtedly hold together long enough for all on board to be +brought safely to shore." + +Men from among the crowd had volunteered to assist in bringing the car, +and while awaiting its coming the breeches-buoy travelled back and +forth, bringing the sailors; for neither Edward nor Charlie would leave +the ladies, and the captain insisted that he should be the last man to +be rescued. + +From the hour of their early morning meeting in the saloon the Curlew's +passengers were almost constantly together, a very sober, solemn, and +nearly silent company. Mary, in speaking of it afterward, said she felt +as if she were attending her own funeral and listening to the sighs and +sobs of her bereaved friends. + +"And yet," she added with a bright, glad smile, "it was not all sadness +and gloom; for the consolations of God were not small with me, and the +thought of soon being with Christ in glory was at times very sweet." + +When the vessel struck, Charlie started up with a sharp cry, "We are +lost!" + +Then all immediately fell on their knees while Edward poured out a +fervent prayer, that they might be saved from a watery grave, if such +were the will of God, if not, prepared for death and a glorious +immortality; adding a final petition for the dear ones who would grieve +for their loss. + +Just as they rose from their knees the signal gun was fired. + +Then the captain came down the companionway and looking in upon them, +said. "Don't despair ladies and gentlemen; things are not quite so bad +as they might be; we have grounded very near the shore and a life-saving +station, and my signal gun was immediately replied to by the patrolman +with his red signal light. So we may feel assured that prompt and +efficient help is near at hand." + +Hope revived in their breasts, as they listened; then Will Tallis and +Edward ventured upon deck, leaving the girls in Charlie's charge. + +The warning lights on shore gave to the anxious watchers on the deck an +inkling of what was being done for their relief, and when the shot was +fired from the mortar and came whizzing through the rigging, Edward +cried out in delight. "The line, the line! Now we shall be helped +ashore!" + +As the vessel was now without motion, save a shiver as now and again a +great wave struck her, the girls were pretty comfortable and in no +immediate danger, and as they urged it, Charlie, too, at length ventured +upon deck. + +He soon returned with an encouraging report, the better understood by +the girls because of their late visit to the life-saving station. "The +sailors were hauling in the line," he said, and soon the work of +transporting them all to land would begin. + +Amy shuddered at the thought of a ride in the life-car, yet, as the +surfman had predicted, felt that even that would be far preferable to +drowning. + +The next report brought them was of Mr. Tallis's safe landing, and the +next that the life-car waited for them. + +Edward, the captain, and two sailors helped Mary and Ella across the +wind-swept deck and into the car, Charlie and another sailor following +with Amy. + +They put her in after the other two and Charlie stepped in next, calling +to Edward to come also. + +"No," was the quiet reply. "I go by the breeches-buoy." + +The sliding door was hastily shut, and Amy gasped for breath as she +felt the car gliding swiftly along the hawser, while the great waves +dashed over it, rocking it from side to side. + +Charlie's arm was round her, holding her close, but she grew deathly +sick and fainted quite away. + +The minutes seemed hours, but at last they heard, above the thunder of +the breaking waves, a great shout, and at the same instant felt the car +grate upon the sand. + +The door was pushed open, Charlie, the nearest to it, stepped out, drew +Amy after him, apparently more dead than alive, and leaving it to others +to assist Mary and Ella, bore her in his arms, in almost frantic haste, +to the nearest house. + +Mary was in Vi's arms almost before she knew that she had actually +reached shore; Vi kissing her with tears and sobs, and crying, "Edward, +Edward, where is he?" + +"Coming," Mary said, "the brave, generous fellow would see us all safe +first." + +It was not long now till Violet's anxiety was fully relieved and her +heart sending up glad thanksgivings as she found herself clasped to her +brother's breast, all dripping wet though he was. + +And great was the joy of the young owner of the Curlew when he learned +that though she was a total wreck, not a single soul had been lost in +her. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + + "Those that he loved so long and sees no more, + Loved and still loves,--not dead, but gone before,-- + He gathers round him." + --_Rogers._ + + +The morning was but dull and dreary, for though the storm had spent +itself, the sky was obscured with clouds and the sea still wrought +tempestuously; but its sullen roar may, perchance, have been as +favorable to the prolonged slumbers of our worn-out friends, whom the +tempest had robbed of so many hours of their accustomed sleep, as the +lack of brightness in the sky and atmosphere. + +However that may have been, most of them, retiring about dawn of day, +slept on till noon, or near it. + +In Mrs. Travilla's cottage the family gathered round the breakfast table +at the usual hour. + +The meal was nearly concluded when a servant brought in the morning +paper and handed it to Mr. Dinsmore. + +"I fear that brings news of many disasters caused by the storm, +especially on the Atlantic seaboard," remarked his daughter as he took +it up. + +"Altogether likely," was his rejoinder. Then as he ran his eye down the +long list of casualties, "Why, what is this?" he exclaimed, and went on +to read aloud. + +"Went ashore last night at Ocean Beach, the Curlew, a pleasure yacht +belonging to W. V. Tallis; Captain Collins. She is a total wreck, but no +lives were lost, passengers and crew being taken off by the men of +Life-Saving Station No. --. List of passengers, Mr. W. V. Tallis, Mr. +Edward Travilla, Mr. Charles Perrine, Miss Mary Keith, Miss Amy +Fletcher, and Miss Ella Neff." + +There was a moment of astonished silence, then "Violet!" gasped the +mother, turning deathly pale. + +"She was evidently not on board," Mr. Dinsmore hastened to reply, "or +else her name was carelessly omitted in the list, for it says +distinctly, 'No lives were lost.'" + +"I hope you are right, Horace," Mrs. Conly remarked, "but if she were my +child I shouldn't have any peace till I knew all about it." + +"There isn't the least probability that if a life had been lost the +reporter would have failed to say so," returned Mr. Dinsmore with some +severity of tone. + +"Of course you are in the right, Horace, you always are," she said, +bridling. + +"Well," remarked Virginia, "I'm astonished, I must own, that such +pattern good children should go off on such an expedition without so +much as saying by your leave to either mother or guardian." + +"I have just said that I am morally certain Violet did not go," said Mr. +Dinsmore. + +"And I do not blame Edward that he did," added the mother in her sweet, +gentle tones; "he is old enough now to decide such matters for himself +in the absence of his natural guardians. Also he knows me well enough to +judge pretty correctly whether I would approve or not, and I should not +have objected had I been there." + +"Shall we drive over and see about the children?" asked her father. + +"Yes, papa, if you please, and let us start as soon as the necessary +arrangements can be made." + +Violet had scarcely completed her morning toilet, though it was a little +past noon, when glancing from the window she saw a carriage at the gate +and her grandfather in the act of assisting her mother to alight from +it. + +With a low, joyous exclamation, she flew to meet and welcome them. + +"Mamma, mamma! I am so glad, so glad you have come!" + +"My darling, my darling! Thank God that I have you safe in my arms!" the +mother said, holding her close with kisses and tears. "What is this I +hear of danger and shipwreck?" + +"It is a long story, mamma; but we are all safe. Edward, Charlie, and +the girls are still sleeping, I believe, for they were worn out with +anxiety and the loss of two nights' rest." + +"And you, dear child?" + +"Was not with them, but of course slept but little last night--indeed +not at all until after daybreak, when they were all safe on shore--and +have only just risen." + +"Then we will hear the story after you have breakfasted," her +grandfather said. + +They did not get the whole of it, however, until Edward joined them, an +hour or two later. It was to them a deeply interesting and thrilling +account that he gave. He had also much to say in Violet's praise, but +was relieved and gratified to learn that neither mother nor grandfather +blamed him for the course he had taken. He brought in his friend Tallis +and introduced him, and was glad to see that the impression on both +sides was favorable. + +Edward had already urged Tallis to pay him a visit, and Mr. Dinsmore and +Elsie repeated the invitation. But the young man declined it for the +present, on the plea that the loss of his vessel made it necessary for +him to give his attention to some pressing business matters. + +Elsie proposed taking her son and daughter home with her, and they were +nothing loath. She would have had all the rest of the young party come +at once to her cottage and remain as long as they found it agreeable to +do so, but all declined with thanks however, except Donald, Mary and +Charlie, who promised to come in a few days. Amy was not quite able to +travel; they would stay with her until she was sufficiently recruited to +undertake the journey to her own home. Charlie would see her and Ella +safely there, and follow Mary to the cottage home of the Travillas. + +Before leaving Ocean Beach, Elsie and her father visited the life-saving +station, and the latter insisted upon bestowing a generous reward upon +each of the brave surfmen. Also he contributed largely to the making +good their losses to the poor shipwrecked sailors. + +Most joyously was the return of Edward and Violet welcomed by +grandmother, brothers and sisters. Edward was the hero of the hour, +especially with Harold and Herbert, who in fact quite envied him his +adventure now that it was safely over. + +Violet found home and its beloved occupants dearer and more delightful +than ever. The presence there of her aunt and cousin seemed the only +drawback upon her felicity; yet that occasionally proved a serious one +to both herself and "Cousin Donald," with whom Virginia was determined +to get up a flirtation. + +He did not admire her and would not fall in with her plans, perceiving +which she turned against him, became his bitter foe, and made him and +Violet both uncomfortable by sly hints that he was seeking her; and that +simply because she was an heiress. + +Old Mr. Dinsmore had gone to visit his daughter Adeline and most +sincerely did Violet wish that "Aunt Louise" and Virginia would follow. + +Mrs. Travilla was, as we have said, living a very retired life, not +mingling in general society at all, but an old friend of her husband and +father, who had been a frequent and welcome guest at the Oaks and Ion, +had taken up his temporary residence at a hotel near by, and now and +then joined their party on the beach or dropped in at the cottage for a +friendly chat with Mr. Dinsmore. + +Sometimes Mrs. Travilla was present and took part in the conversation; +once or twice it had happened that they had been alone together for a +few moments. She neither avoided intercourse with the gentleman nor +sought it; though he was a widower and much admired by many of her sex. + +Perhaps Mrs. Conly and Virginia were the only persons who had any +sinister thoughts in connection with the matter; but they, after the +manner of the human race, judged others by themselves. + +One day Violet accidentally overheard a little talk between them that +struck her first with indignation and astonishment, then with grief and +dismay. + +"What brings Mr. Ford here, do you suppose, mamma?" inquired Virginia, +in a sneering tone. + +"What a question, Virginia, for a girl of your sense!" replied her +mother, "he's courting Elsie, of course. Isn't she a rich and beautiful +widow? I had almost added young, for she really looks hardly older than +her eldest daughter." + +"Well, do you think he'll succeed?" + +"Yes, I do; sooner or later. He is certainly a very attractive man, and +she can't be expected to live single all the rest of her days. But what +a foolish will that was of Travilla's--leaving everything in her hands!" + +"Why, mamma?" + +"Because Ford may get it all into his possession and make way with it by +some rash speculation. Men often do those things." + +Violet was alone in a little summer-house in the garden, back of the +cottage, with a book. She had been very intent upon it until roused by +the sound of the voices of her aunt and cousin, who had been pacing up +and down the walk and now paused for an instant close to her, though a +thick growth of vines hid her from sight. + +They moved on with Mrs. Conly's last word, and the young girl sprang to +her feet, her cheeks aflame, her eyes glittering, her small hand +clenched till the nails sank into the soft flesh. "How dare they talk so +of mamma! and papa too, dear, dear papa!" she exclaimed half aloud; then +her anger and grief found vent in a burst of bitter weeping as she cast +herself down upon the seat from which she had risen, and bowed her head +upon her hands. + +The storm of feeling was so violent that she did not hear a light, +approaching footstep, did not know that any one was near until she felt +herself taken into loving arms that clasped her close, while her mamma's +sweet voice asked in tenderest tones, "my poor darling, what can have +caused you such distress?" + +"Mamma, mamma, don't ask me! please don't ask me!" she cried, hiding her +blushing, tearful face on her mother's bosom. + +"Has my dear Vi then secrets from her mother?" Elsie asked in tones of +half reproachful tenderness. + +"Only because it would distress you to know, dearest mamma. Oh I could +not bear to hurt you so!" sobbed the poor girl. + +"Still tell me, dearest" urged the mother. "Nothing could hurt me so +sorely as the loss of my child's confidence." + +"Then mamma, I will; but oh don't think that I believe one word of it +all." Then with a little hesitation. "I think mamma, that I am not +doing wrong to tell you, though the words were not meant for my ear?" + +"I think not, my dear child, since it seems it is something that +concerns both you and me." + +The short colloquy had burnt itself into Violet's brain and she repeated +it verbatim. + +It caused her loved listener a sharper pang than she knew or supposed. +Elsie was deeply hurt and for a moment her indignation waxed hot against +her ungrateful, heartless relations. + +Then her heart sent up a strong cry for help to forgive even as she +would be forgiven. + +But she must comfort Vi, and how vividly at this moment did memory +recall a little scene in her own early childhood when she was in like +sore distress from a similar fear, roused in very nearly the same +manner; and her father comforted her. + +"Vi, darling," she said in quivering tones, and with a tender caress, +"it is altogether a mistake. And you need never fear anything of the +kind. Your beloved father is no more dead to me than though he were but +in the next room. His place is not now--can never be, vacant in either +my home or my heart. We are separated for time by 'the stream--the +narrow stream of death,' but when I, too, have crossed it, we shall be +together, never to part again." + + +THE END. + + + + + A LIST OF THE ELSIE BOOKS AND OTHER POPULAR BOOKS + BY MARTHA FINLEY + + _ELSIE DINSMORE._ + _ELSIE'S HOLIDAYS AT ROSELANDS._ + _ELSIE'S GIRLHOOD._ + _ELSIE'S WOMANHOOD._ + _ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD._ + _ELSIE'S CHILDREN._ + _ELSIE'S WIDOWHOOD._ + _GRANDMOTHER ELSIE._ + _ELSIE'S NEW RELATIONS._ + _ELSIE AT NANTUCKET._ + _THE TWO ELSIES._ + _ELSIE'S KITH AND KIN._ + _ELSIE'S FRIENDS AT WOODBURN._ + _CHRISTMAS WITH GRANDMA ELSIE._ + _ELSIE AND THE RAYMONDS._ + _ELSIE YACHTING WITH THE RAYMONDS._ + _ELSIE'S VACATION._ + _ELSIE AT VIAMEDE._ + _ELSIE AT ION._ + _ELSIE AT THE WORLD'S FAIR._ + _ELSIE'S JOURNEY ON INLAND WATERS._ + _ELSIE AT HOME._ + _ELSIE ON THE HUDSON._ + _ELSIE IN THE SOUTH._ + _ELSIE'S YOUNG FOLKS._ + _ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP._ + _ELSIE AND HER LOVED ONES._ + + _MILDRED KEITH._ + _MILDRED AT ROSELANDS._ + _MILDRED'S MARRIED LIFE._ + _MILDRED AND ELSIE._ + _MILDRED AT HOME._ + _MILDRED'S BOYS AND GIRLS._ + _MILDRED'S NEW DAUGHTER._ + + _CASELLA._ + _SIGNING THE CONTRACT AND WHAT IT COST._ + _THE TRAGEDY OF WILD RIVER VALLEY._ + _OUR FRED._ + _AN OLD-FASHIONED BOY._ + _WANTED, A PEDIGREE._ + _THE THORN IN THE NEST._ + + + + + * * * * * * + + + + +Transcriber's note: + +Punctuation has been made consistent. Spelling, grammar and +hyphenation have been retained as they appear in the original +publication except as follows: + + Page 9 + here can't be another one, I'm very, evry _changed to_ + there can't be another one, I'm very, very + + Page 11 + so useful and sinful a thing _changed to_ + so useless and sinful a thing + + Page 15 + generous master and mistresss _changed to_ + generous master and mistress + + Page 55 + so fair and spirituel _changed to_ + so fair and spiritual + + Page 98 + pared not, because my papa _changed to_ + dared not, because my papa + + Page 102 + Crudens' Concordance and other _changed to_ + Cruden's Concordance and other + + Page 144 + strong attachment beween herself _changed to_ + strong attachment between herself + + Page 150 + countanence, and her bright _changed to_ + countenance, and her bright + + Page 213 + of the Lord is as trong _changed to_ + of the Lord is a strong + + Page 214 + embassador of Christ is _changed to_ + ambassador of Christ is + + Page 233 + gentlemen's wife among the rest _changed to_ + gentleman's wife among the rest + + Page 234 + aint you _changed to_ + ain't you + + Page 244 + enefit from his visit _changed to_ + benefit from his visit + + Page 264 + al together they watched _changed to_ + as together they watched + + Page 284 + Your bill of fair sounds _changed to_ + Your bill of fare sounds + + Page 285 + which had not yet been freezer _changed to_ + which had not yet been taken out of the freezer + + Page 286 + and as its more ... suppose its very _changed to_ + and as it's more ... suppose it's very + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELSIE'S WIDOWHOOD*** + + +******* This file should be named 38353.txt or 38353.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/8/3/5/38353 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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