ELSIE AT HOME

by

MARTHA FINLEY

Author of "Elsie Dinsmore, " "Elsie's Vacation, " etc. 

Special Authorized Edition

[Illustration]

M. A. Donohue & CoChicago New YorkCopyright, 1887. ByDodd, Mead and CompanyAll rights reserved. Made in U. S. A. 

ELSIE AT HOME. 

CHAPTER I. 

The shades of evening were closing in upon a stormy March day; rain andsleet falling fast while a blustering northeast wind sent them sweepingacross the desolate-looking fields and gardens, and over the wet roadwhere a hack was lumbering along, drawn by two weary-looking steeds; itssolitary passenger sighing and groaning with impatience over its slowprogress and her own fatigue. 

"Driver, " she called, "are we ever going to arrive at Fairview?"

"One o' these days, I reckon, ma'am, " drawled the man in reply. "It'sbeen a dreadful tedious ride for you, but a trifle worse for me, seein' Iget a lot more o' the wet out here than you do in thar. "

"Yes, " she returned in a tone of exasperation, "but I am a weak, ailingwoman and you a big, strong man, used to exertion and exposure. " Thesentence ended in a distressing fit of coughing that seemed to shake herwhole frame. 

"I'm right sorry fur ye, ma'am, " he said, turning a pitying glance uponher, "but just hold on a bit longer and we'll be there. We're e'n a'mostin sight o' the place now. Kin o' yourn and expecting ye, I s'pose?"

"It is the home of my daughter--my only child, " she returned, bridling, "and it will be strange indeed if she is not glad to see the mother whomshe has not seen for years. "

"Surely, ma'am; and yonder's the house. We'll be there in fiveminutes--more or less. "

His passenger looked eagerly in the direction indicated. 

"A large house, isn't it?" she queried. "One can't see much out of thislittle pane of glass and through the rain and mist. "

"It's a fine place, ma'am, and a good, big house, " he returned. "Iwouldn't mind ownin' such a place myself. It's grand in the summer time, and not so bad to look at even now through all this storm o' mist, hail, and rain. "

"Yes; I dare say, " she said, shivering; "and if it was little betterthan a hovel I'd be glad to reach it and get out of this chilling wind. It penetrates to one's very bones. "

She drew her cloak closer about her as she spoke, and as the hack turnedin at the avenue gates took up her satchel and umbrella in evident hasteto alight. 

In the home-like parlour of the mansion they were approaching sat alovely-looking lady of mature years, a little group of children gatheredabout her listening intently and with great interest to a story she wastelling them, while a sweet-faced young girl, sitting near with a bit oftatting in her hands, seemed an equally interested hearer, ready to joinin the outburst of merriment that now and again greeted something in thenarrative. 

"There is a hack coming up the avenue, Eva. Can we be going to have avisitor this stormy day?" suddenly exclaimed the eldest boy, glancingout of the window near where he stood. "Yes, it has come to a standstillat the foot of the veranda steps, and the driver seems to be gettingready to help someone out. "

"A lady! Why, who can she be?" cried Eric, the next in age, as the hackdoor was thrown open and the driver assisted his passenger to alight, while Evelyn laid down her work and hastened into the hall to greet andwelcome the guest, whoever she might be; for the Fairview family, likenearly every other in that region of country, was exceedinglyhospitable. 

A servant had already opened the outer door and now another steppedforward to take the lady's satchel and umbrella. 

"Who can she be?" Evelyn asked herself as she hastily crossed theveranda and held out a welcoming hand with a word or two of pleasantgreeting. 

"Is it you, Evelyn?" asked the stranger in tones that trembled withemotion. "And do you not know me--your own mother!"

"Mother; oh, mother, can it be you?" cried Evelyn, catching the strangerin her arms and holding her fast with sobs and tears and kisses. "I hadnot heard from you for so long, and have been feeling as if I shouldnever see you again. And oh, how thin and weak you look! You are sick, mother!" she added in tones of grief and anxiety, as she drew her intothe hall, where by this time the rest of the family--Grandma Elsie, andMr. And Mrs. Leland and their children--were gathered. 

"Sister Laura! is it possible! Welcome to Fairview, " was Mrs. Leland'sgreeting, accompanied by a warm embrace. 

"Laura! we did not even know you were in America!" Mr. Leland said, grasping her hand in brotherly fashion. "And how weary and ill you arelooking! Let me help you off with your bonnet and cloak and to a couchhere in the parlour. "

"Thank you; yes, I'll be very glad to lie down, for I'm worn out with myjourney and this troublesome cough, " she said, struggling with a renewedparoxysm and gasping for breath. "But my luggage and----"

"We'll attend to all that, " he said, half carrying her to the couchwhere his wife and her mother were arranging the pillows for hercomfort, and laying her gently down upon it. 

"Oh, mother; my poor dear mother!" sighed Evelyn, as she leaned overher, smoothing her hair with caressing hand, "it breaks my heart to seeyou looking so weary and ill. But we will soon nurse you back to healthand strength--uncle and aunt and I. "

"I hope so, indeed, " Mrs. Leland said in her sweet, gentle tones. "Youhave had most unpleasant weather for your journey, Laura, so that it isnot to be wondered at that you are exhausted. You must have somerefreshment at once, " and with the last word she hastened away in searchof it. 

"And here is something to relieve that dreadful cough, " said Mrs. Travilla, presenting herself with a delicate china cup in her hand. 

Evelyn introduced the two ladies, and her mother, being assured that thecup contained nothing unpleasant to the taste, quickly swallowed itscontents, then lay back quietly upon her pillows, still keeping fasthold of her daughter's hand, while Grandma Elsie, giving the cup to aservant to carry away, resumed her easy chair on the farther side of theroom--near enough to be ready to render assistance should it be needed, yet not so near as to interfere with any private talk between the longseparated mother and daughter--and her grandchildren again gatheredabout her. But they seemed awed into silence by the presence of thestranger invalid, whom they gazed upon with pitying curiosity, while herattention seemed equally occupied with them. 

"Your uncle's children?" she asked of Evelyn in a tone scarcely louderthan a whisper. 

"Yes, mamma. Edward, the eldest, you saw when he was a mere baby boy. Eric, the next, is papa's namesake. The eldest of the little girls--sheis in her fifth year--is Elsie Alicia, named for her two grandmothers;we call her Alie. And the youngest--that two-year-old darling--we callVi. She is named for her aunt, Mrs. Raymond. "

"And Mrs. Travilla lives here with her daughter?"

"No; she is paying a visit of a few days, as she often does since herdaughter-in-law, Aunt Zoe, has undertaken the most of the housekeepingat Ion. "

"She certainly looks very young to be mother and grandmother to somany, " sighed the invalid, catching sight of her own sallow, prematurelywrinkled face reflected in a large mirror on the opposite side of theroom. "But she has had an easy life, surrounded by kind, affectionate, sympathising friends, while I--miserable woman that I am--have beenworried, brow-beaten, robbed, till nothing is left me but ill-health andgrinding poverty. "

"Mother, mother dear, don't talk so while I am left you and have enoughto keep us both, with care and economy, " entreated Evelyn in a voicehalf choked with sobs. "It will be joy to me to share with you and doall I can to make your last days comfortable and happy. "

"Then you haven't lost all your love for your mother in our years ofseparation?"

"No, no indeed!" answered Evelyn earnestly. But there the conversationended for the time, Mrs. Leland returning with the promised refreshment. It seemed to give some strength to the invalid, and after taking it shewas, by her own request, assisted to her room, an apartment opening intothat of her daughter, with whose good help she was soon made ready forher bed, the most comfortable she had lain upon for weeks or months, sheremarked, as she stretched her tired limbs upon it. 

"I am very glad you find it so, mother dear, " said Evelyn. "And now, ifyou like, I will unpack your trunks and arrange their contents inwardrobe, bureau drawers, and closet. "

"There is no hurry about that, and isn't that your supper bell I hear?"

"Yes'm, suppah's on de table, an' I's come to set yere and 'tend to youuns while Miss Eva gwine eat wif de res' of de folks, " said a neatlydressed, pleasant-faced, elderly coloured woman, who had entered theroom just in time to hear the query in regard to the bell. "But, missus, Miss Elsie she tole me for to ax you could you take somethin' mo'?"

"She says Aunt Elsie wants to know could you eat something more, motherdear?" explained Eva, seeing a puzzled look on her mother's face. 

"Oh, no! that excellent broth fully satisfied my appetite, " repliedLaura. "Go and get your supper, Eva, child, but come back when you havefinished; for we have been so long separated that now I can hardly bearto have you out of my sight. "

"Oh, mother, how sweet to hear you say that!" exclaimed Evelyn, bendingdown to bestow another ardent caress upon her newly restored parent. "Indeed, I shall not stay away a moment longer than necessary. "

The new arrival and her sad condition were the principal topics ofconversation at the table. 

"I am so glad we have such a good doctor in Cousin Arthur, " said Evelyn. "I hope he can cure mamma's cough. I wish the weather was such that wecould reasonably ask him to come and see her to-night, " she added with asigh. 

"Yes, " said her uncle, "but as it is so bad I think we will just givehim a full account of her symptoms and ask his advice through thetelephone. Then he will tell us what would better be done to-night, andcall in to see her to-morrow morning. "

The ladies all agreed that that would be the better plan and it waspresently carried out. The doctor would have come at once, in spite ofthe storm, had it seemed necessary, but from the account given he deemedit not so. 

"I will come directly after breakfast to-morrow morning, " he concluded, after giving his advice in regard to what should be done immediately. 

"That is satisfactory; and now I will go at once to mamma and carry outhis directions for to-night, " said Evelyn. 

"Remembering that we are all ready to assist in any and every possibleway, " added her uncle, smiling kindly upon her. 

"Yes, indeed!" said Grandma Elsie; "and you must not hesitate to callupon me if you need help. "

"No, no, mother dear. I put my veto upon that!" exclaimed Mrs. Leland. "You are not a really old-looking woman yet, but are not as vigorous asyou were some years ago, and I cannot afford to let you run any risk ofdiminishing your stock of health and strength by loss of sleep orover-exertion. Call upon me, Eva, should you need any assistance. "

"Very well, daughter, I shall not insist upon the privilege of losingsleep, " returned Grandma Elsie with a smile, "but may perhaps bepermitted to make myself slightly useful during the day. "

"Yes, slightly, mother dear, and at such time as you would not beotherwise improving by taking needed rest or recreation, " Mrs. Lelandreplied as she hastened away with Eva, with the purpose to make surethat her newly arrived guest lacked for nothing which she could provide. 

"At last, Evelyn, child! I suppose you have not been long gone, but itseemed so to my impatience, " was Laura's salutation as Eva reentered herroom. 

"It is sweet to hear you say that, mother dear; sweet to know that youlove me so, " Evelyn said in moved tones, bending down to press a kiss onthe wan cheek, "and I mean to fairly surfeit you with my company in thedays and weeks that lie before us. "

"And she only waited with the rest of us to consult our good doctor foryou, Laura, " added Mrs. Leland. "He has prescribed a sleeping potion forto-night, and will call to see you and prescribe further in themorning. "

"I think I should have been consulted, " returned the invalid in a toneof irritation; "my money is all gone and he may never get his pay. "

"Oh, don't trouble about that!" exclaimed Mrs. Leland and Evelyn in abreath, the former adding, "His charges are not heavy and it will bestrange indeed if we cannot find a way to meet and defray them. "

"Of course we can and will, and you are not to concern yourself any moreabout it, mamma, " added Evelyn in a tone of playful authority. "Whatwould be the use when you have a tolerably rich, grown-up daughter, whose principal business and pleasure it will be to take care of andprovide for her long-lost, but now happily recovered mother. And herecomes uncle with your sleeping potion, " she added, as Mr. Leland at thatmoment appeared in the doorway, cup in hand. 

"Here is something which I hope will quiet your cough, Laura, " he said, coming to the bedside. "It is not bad to take, either, and will belikely to secure you a good night's rest. "

"I don't know, " she returned doubtfully, eyeing the cup with evidentdisfavour, "I was never good at dosing. "

"You prefer lying awake, racked with that distressing cough?"

"No, " she sighed, taking the cup from his hand, "even quite a bad dosewould be better than that. And it was not so bad after all, " sheconcluded as she returned the cup, after swallowing its contents. 

"Glad to hear you say so, " he said in reply. "And now take my furtheradvice--lie still and go to sleep, leaving all the talk with Eva tillto-morrow. Good-night to you both. " And he left the room, followedpresently by his wife, who lingered only until she had made sure thatall the wants of the invalid were fully supplied. 

Laura had already fallen into a sweet sleep, under the soothinginfluence of the draught, and Eva presently stretched herself besideher, and with a heart filled with contending emotions--love for this heronly remaining parent, joy in their reunion, sorrow and care in view ofher evident exhaustion and ill-health, and plans for making herremaining days happy--lay awake for a time silently asking for guidanceand help from on high, then fell into dreamless, refreshing sleep. 

CHAPTER II. 

Morning found the invalid somewhat refreshed by her night's rest, yettoo languid and feeble to leave her room, and her day was spentreclining upon a couch, with her daughter by her side. Dr. Conly made anearly call, prescribed, talked to her and Eva in a cheerful strain, saying he hoped that rest and a change of weather would soon bring herat least a measure of relief and strength; but in reply to the anxiousquestioning of Mr. And Mrs. Leland, he acknowledged that he found herfar gone in consumption, and did not think she could last many weeks. 

"Poor dear Eva! how very sad it will be for her to lose her mother sosoon after recovering her!" sighed Mrs. Leland. "I think we must let herremain in ignorance of the danger for a time at least. "

"Yes, " assented her husband; "though we must not neglect any effort inour power to prepare Laura for the great change which awaits her, " headded with a look of anxiety and care. 

"Nor fail to offer up earnest petitions for her at the Throne of Grace, "said Grandma Elsie, in her low, sweet tones. "Oh, what a blessing, whata comfort it is that we may take there all our fears, cares, andanxieties for ourselves and others! And how precious the Saviour'spromise, 'If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything thatyou shall ask, it shall be done for you of my Father which is inheaven'!"

"Yes, mother dear, " assented Mrs. Leland, "and we will claim and pleadit for our poor dear Laura, and for Eva, that she may be sustained underthe bereavement which awaits her. "

"Yes, " said Dr. Conly, "and there are many of our friends who will beready to join us in the petition. I am going now to Woodburn--thecaptain having telephoned me that one of the servants is ill--and we allknow that he and his will be full of sympathy for Eva and her sickmother. "

"No doubt they will, " said Grandma Elsie, "both as Christians and aswarm friends of Evelyn. And it will be quite the same with our otherfriends. "

With that the doctor bade good-morning and took his departure in thedirection of Woodburn. The family there were surprised and interested bythe news he had to tell of the arrival at Fairview, and of Laura'sfeeble and ailing condition. They were evidently full of sympathy forboth mother and daughter, and had any help been needed would have givenit gladly. But the doctor assured them that rest and quiet were atpresent the sick one's most pressing need. 

"Poor dear Eva! I am so sorry for her!" sighed Lucilla when the doctorhad gone. "Papa, don't you think I might make myself of use helping herwith the nursing?"

"Not at present, daughter; though I can testify to your ability in thatline, and your services may possibly be needed at some future time, " heanswered with an affectionate look and smile. 

"Yes, Lu is a capital nurse, I think, " said Violet, "but whatever shedoes is sure to be well done. "

"Thank you, Mamma Vi, " returned the young girl, blushing with pleasure;"it is most kind in you to say that; but if I am thorough in anything, most of the credit belongs to my father, who has never allowed me tocontent myself with a slovenly performance of my duties. "

"No, " he said, "what is worth doing at all is worth doing well; that isa lesson I have endeavoured to impress upon each one of my children, andone which I think they have all learned pretty thoroughly. "

"And they have always had the teaching of example as well as precept, from their father, " remarked Violet with a look of loving appreciationup into his face; "so that it would be strange indeed if they had notlearned it. "

"Indeed that is true, mamma, " said Grace. "It does seem to me that papadoes everything he undertakes as thoroughly well as anyone possiblycould. "

"A very good idea for one's children to cultivate, " laughed the captain. Then consulting his watch, "But it is high time we were in theschoolroom, daughters. Elsie and Ned have been there this half hour, andprobably have a lesson or two ready to recite. "

"And Eva will not be with us to-day; probably not for many more days, "remarked Lucilla with a slight sigh of disappointment and regret, as sheand Grace rose and gave prompt obedience to her father's implied order. 

"Yes, " he said, "I fear so; but her first duty is to her mother. "

So Evelyn herself felt, and nobly she discharged it; neglecting nothingin her power for the relief and enjoyment of the invalid who, thoughoften fretful, exacting, and unreasonable, was yet nearest and dearestto her of all earthly creatures. The young girl's loving patience seemednever to fail, and her heart was continually going up in earnest, silentpetitions that her beloved parent might be made meet for the inheritanceof the saints in light; that she might learn to love Him who had died toredeem her from death and the power of the grave, and to give her anabundant entrance into his kingdom and glory. 

The doubt of Laura's preparation for death and eternity, amounting toalmost certainty that it was lacking, made this nursing an even sadderone than had been that of Eric, Evelyn's father, years ago. To him talkof things heavenly and divine had ever seemed easy and natural, and withthe certainty that he was passing away from earth came the fullassurance that he was ready to depart and be with Christ in glory. 

But Laura hastily repelled the slightest allusion to eternity and apreparation for it. Evelyn's only consolation was in the knowledge thatothers were uniting their earnest petitions with hers, and that God isthe hearer and answerer of prayer. 

It was Grandma Elsie who at length succeeded in speaking a word inseason to the dying woman. 

"Oh, this racking cough! Shall I never be done with it?" gasped Laura, as she lay panting upon her pillow after an unusually severe andexhausting paroxysm. 

"Yes; when you reach the other side of Jordan; for there in that blessedland the inhabitant shall not say 'I am sick, '" returned Grandma Elsiein low, sympathising tones. "The Bible tells us that 'God shall wipeaway all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain. '"

"Oh, but I am not fit for that place yet!" exclaimed Laura with a lookof alarm, "and I don't want to die for years to come, though it is hardto suffer as I do. You don't think I'm a dying woman, Mrs. Travilla?"

"You know, dear friend, that no one of us is certain of life for a dayor an hour, " returned Grandma Elsie gently, taking the wasted hand inhers and gazing tenderly into the anxious, troubled face, "and surely itis the part of wisdom to make careful preparation for that which we mustinevitably meet, sooner or later. And if our peace is made with God--ifJesus is our Friend and Saviour--it will only be joy unspeakable to becalled into his immediate presence, there to dwell forevermore. "

"Yes, yes, if one is fitted for it, as Eric, Eva's father, was. Deathseemed only joy to him, except for leaving us. But oh, I am afraid ofdeath! Hard as life is in my weak, ailing condition, I don't want todie, I can't bear to think of it. "

"My poor friend, my heart bleeds for you, " said Grandma Elsie in low, tender tones. "'The sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is thelaw. ' But 'Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyonethat believeth. ' He fulfilled its conditions, he bore the penalty God'sjustice required against those who had broken it; and now salvation isoffered as his free gift to all who will accept it: 'Even therighteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and uponall them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his gracethrough the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forthto be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare hisrighteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through theforbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness:that he might be just and the justifier of him which believeth inJesus. '"

"Is that all? only to believe in Jesus?" Laura asked with a look ofmingled anxiety, hope, and fear. "But one must repent deeply, sincerely, and oh, I'm afraid I cannot!"

"He will help you, " returned Grandma Elsie in moved tones. "'Him hathGod exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for togive repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. ' Ask him, remembering his own gracious promise, 'Ask and it shall be given you;seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you. Foreveryone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to himthat knocketh it shall be opened. '"

"Ah, I see the way as I never did before, " said Laura, after a moment'ssilence in which she seemed in deep thought. "What wonderful love andcondescension it was for him, the God-man, to die that painful andshameful death that we--sinful worms of the dust--might live! Oh, I dobegin to love him and to hate and abhor my sins that helped nail him tothe tree. " With the last words tears coursed down her cheeks. "I want tobe his, whether I live or die, " she added; and from that hour a greatchange came over her; her sufferings were borne with patience andresignation; and when the end came she passed peacefully and quietlyaway, leaving her bereaved daughter mourning the separation, but not asthose without hope of a blessed reunion at some future day, in that landwhere sin and sorrow, sickness and pain are unknown. 

CHAPTER III. 

Through all the six long weeks of her mother's illness at FairviewEvelyn had been a most devoted, tender nurse, scarcely leaving the sickroom for an hour by day or by night. She bore up wonderfully until allwas over and the worn-out body laid to rest in the quiet grave; but thencame the reaction; strength and energy seemed suddenly to forsake her, and thin, pale, sad, and heavy-eyed, she was but the shadow of herformer self. 

Change of air and scene was the doctor's prescription. She was veryreluctant to leave home and friends for a sojourn in new scenes andamong strangers, but receiving an urgent invitation from Captain andMrs. Raymond to spend some weeks at Woodburn with her loved friendLucilla, and finding that her uncle and aunt--Dr. Conly also--highlyapproved, she gladly accepted; all the more so because she had learnedthat Grandma Elsie too, whom she loved even better than ever for herkindness to the dear departed, was about to spend some days or weekswith her daughter Violet. That was an added attraction to what Evelynesteemed one of the most delightful places, and inhabited by thedearest, kindest, most lovable people anywhere to be found. 

She was most heartily welcomed by the entire family, Lucilla and Gracebeing particularly joyful over her arrival. 

It was delightful spring weather, and family and guests, older andyounger, spent much of the time in the beautiful grounds or in drivingand riding about the country. 

The captain pronounced Eva hardly in a fit condition for study, and forher sake required his daughters Lucilla and Grace to pass only an houror two daily in the schoolroom; so that they were able to give to Eva asmuch of their society as he considered desirable for her under thecircumstances--seeing that she needed a good deal of quiet rest andsleep in order to regain the youthful vigour she had lost during theexhausting nursing of her invalid mother. 

His kindness was highly appreciated by all three, and under its benigninfluence Eva made rapid improvement in health and spirits, enjoyingevery day of her sojourn at Woodburn, the Sabbath even more than anyother, especially the afternoon study of the Bible in which all tookpart, from Grandma Elsie and Captain Raymond down to little Ned. 

The subject chosen for the first lesson after Eva's coming was theresurrection, probably selected especially for Eva's comfort in hersorrow over her mother's recent departure, to be with her no more inthis life. 

"Mother, " the captain said, addressing Grandma Elsie, when they were allseated, each with a Bible in hand, "as you are somewhat older andcertainly much wiser than I--especially as regards spiritualthings--will you not take the lead to-day?"

"Older I certainly am, " returned Mrs. Travilla, with her own sweetsmile, "but I think not wiser than yourself, captain; and certainly Ihave not made the preparation for this occasion which doubtless youhave. So please lead the exercises just as you would if I were notpresent. "

"You would prefer my doing so?" he asked. 

"Very much, " she replied. "The resurrection is the subject?"

"Yes; and what a glorious one! how full of comfort for all who believein Christ! 'For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall standat the latter day upon the earth; and though after my death my body isdestroyed, yet in my flesh shall I see God; whom I shall see for myselfand mine eyes shall behold, and not another, ' said the patriarch Job;comforting himself in his affliction with that blessed prospect. Thedoctrine of a general resurrection is expressly taught in both the OldTestament and the New, and I think we cannot spend our lesson hour moreprofitably than in looking up the texts on the subject. Can you give usone, mother?"

At that Grandma Elsie opened her Bible. 

"Beginning with the Old Testament, " she said, "here in Psalms xlix. 15we read: 'But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: forhe shall receive me. Selah. ' Then here in Isaiah; 'Thy dead men shalllive, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, yethat dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earthshall cast out the dead. '"

Then Violet, sitting next, read from her open Bible: "'The same day cameto him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and askedhim, saying, Master, Moses said, if a man die, having no children, hisbrother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Nowthere were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married awife, deceased, and having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:likewise the second also, and the third unto the seventh. And last ofall the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection, whose wife shallshe be? for they all had her. Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye doerr, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God. For in theresurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are asthe angels of God in heaven. But as touching the resurrection of thedead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, Iam the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? Godis not the God of the dead, but of the living. '"

Eva's turn came next and she read: "'And the graves were opened; andmany bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the gravesafter his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared untomany. '"

Then Lucilla: "'Women received their dead raised to life again: andothers were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtaina better resurrection. '"

"Will the resurrection be of all the dead, Grace? the wicked as well asthe righteous?" asked her father. 

"Yes, papa, " she answered; then read aloud: "'Marvel not at this: forthe hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hearhis voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto theresurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto theresurrection of damnation. '"

It was little Elsie's turn and she read a verse in Acts pointed out byher mother: "'And have hope toward God, which they themselves alsoallow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the justand unjust. '"

It was Ned's turn now and he read a passage selected for him by hismother: "'For I delivered unto you first of all that which I alsoreceived, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures;and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day accordingto the Scriptures. '"

It was the captain's turn again and he went on with the reading: "'Nowif Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among youthat there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be noresurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: and if Christ be notrisen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, andwe are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of Godthat he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the deadrise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised, and ifChrist be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Thenthey also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in thislife only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. Butnow is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of themthat slept. For since by man came death, by man came also theresurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christshall all be made alive. '"

"Yes, " said Grandma Elsie, "we needed a divine Saviour, and Christ'sresurrection proved his divinity; as Paul tells us here in the firstchapter of Romans, 'And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 'Peter too teaches us that the resurrection of Christ was necessary toour salvation. It seems plainly taught in this verse of the fifthchapter of his first Epistle. 'Blessed be the God and Father of our LordJesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten usagain unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from thedead. '"

"Yes, " said Violet, "Jesus said to his disciples, 'Because I live, yeshall live also. ' His resurrection is surely the pledge and assurance ofthat of his people. "

"Papa, does everybody have to die?" asked little Ned. 

"Everybody except those who are alive when Jesus comes again, as he willsome day in the clouds of heaven. This is what the Apostle Paul tells usabout it in the letter he wrote to the Thessalonians. 'Them also whichsleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by theword of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming ofthe Lord, shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himselfshall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; thenwe which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them inthe clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be withthe Lord. '"

"'Wherefore comfort one another with these words, '" added Evelyn softly, finishing the quotation; "and oh, what a comfort it is!"

"There could be none greater, " said Grandma Elsie. "Think of beingreunited with all the dear ones gone before, and in the immediatepresence of Jesus; never again to be parted from them or him or to knowsin or sorrow or pain. Oh, what joy to be permitted to look upon theface of our Redeemer, to kneel at his feet, to hear his voice speakingto each one of us. 'Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shallbehold and not another. '"

CHAPTER IV. 

"Oh, Rosie, you here? I'm delighted! I hope you have come to spend theday?" exclaimed Lucilla, as on Monday she and Grace, on leaving theschoolroom where they had been reciting to their father, passed out uponthe veranda in search of Evelyn and the older ladies and found RoseTravilla seated with the others. 

"Thank you; but suppose I have come intending to stay longer than that?as long as mamma does, for instance?" laughed Rose, giving and receivingan affectionate caress; for they had seen nothing of each other forseveral days. 

"The longer the better, " was Lucilla's hearty rejoinder. "Do you not sayso too, Mamma Vi?" turning to her. 

"Indeed I do, " said Violet. "She will certainly make a most pleasantaddition to our party. "

"I think you may as well accept the invitation, Rosie, " her mother saidwith a pleased smile; "and as I know you do not care to keep your erranda secret from any of your friends here, we can call a family council andtalk the matter over. "

"Yes, mamma; that sounds as though you accept Solomon's teaching that'In the multitude of counsellors there is safety. ' And since he was thewisest of men we may surely consider ourselves safe in so doing. So, ifyou like, you may tell Lu and Gracie on what errand I came. "

"Tell it yourself, child, " returned her mother with an amused look. 

At that Rosie held up a letter to the view of Lucilla and Grace, saying, with a smile and blush, "It is from Will Croly. He has grown tired ofwaiting and begs to have matters hurried up somewhat: proposes that Ichange my name next month, though the prescribed year of waiting wouldthereby be shortened by two months or more. "

"Oh, do let him have his way, then!" exclaimed Grace--"at least if hewill promise not to carry you off at once after the wedding--for therecould not be a lovelier month for it than beautiful June, the month ofroses. "

"So I should say, " chimed in Lucilla, then added hastily, "though Ithink I'd make him wait till June of next year, rather than leave such amother as Grandma Elsie so soon. "

At that Rosie glanced at her mother and her eyes filled with unbiddentears. 

"I can't bear to think of that, " she said with a tremble in her voice, "but perhaps I can coax Will to settle down somewhere in thisneighbourhood--bringing his father and mother along so that they won'tbe lonely. "

"A very nice plan, Rosie dear, if you can manage to carry it out, "remarked Violet. 

"And I have hope that Will, at least, will favour the plan; for heseemed much pleased with this neighbourhood when he was here, " saidRosie, adding with a laugh and blush, "and I know my wishes carry greatweight with him. "

"And we will hope that those of his parents may coincide with yours, "added her mother gently; "for I am sure my Rosie would not wish to bethe cause of unhappiness to them. "

"No, indeed, mamma; I can assure you it is my earnest desire to add totheir happiness; not to take from it. I am strongly in hopes, however, that when they come to know you and all the rest of my dear relativeshere, they will esteem it a delight to live in your midst. "

"And I don't believe they can help it, " said Grace. "I am sure everybodywho knows Grandma Elsie, mamma, and papa--not to mention all the otherdear people--loves them and their pleasant society. "

"In all of which I am sure you are quite right, Gracie, " said Evelyn. 

"I, too, " said Lulu. "But now let us hear the plans for the wedding. "

"They are yet to be made, " laughed Rosie. 

"You will want a grand one?" Lulu said in a tone of mingled assertionand inquiry. 

"Not so very, " Rosie answered with a slight shake of her pretty head. "Ithink only the relatives and most intimate friends. They alone will makequite a party, you know. I'll want some bridesmaids. You'll be one, Lu, won't you? Unless you fear the truth of the old saying, 'Twice abridesmaid never a bride. '"

"Pooh! what difference need that make?" returned Lulu; "since I don'tintend ever to marry. "

"You don't?" exclaimed Rosie. 

"No; for there is not another man in the world whom I could love half sodearly as I love my father. "

"Oh, well! that is only because you and the right one haven't happenedto meet yet. "

"Yes, Lulu, " said Grandma Elsie, "at your age I thought and felt just asyou do now, but some years later I found that another had gained thefirst place in my heart. "

"But my father is so much kinder and more lovable than ever yours was, "was the answering thought in Lucilla's mind, but unwilling to hurt thedear lady's feelings she refrained from expressing it, and only saidwith a little laugh of incredulity, "I suppose I should not be toocertain, but I am entirely willing to run the risk of again acting asbridesmaid. "

"So that much is settled, " returned Rosie in a tone of satisfaction. "Ihave always counted upon Eva as another, " she continued, "but----"

"Thank you, Rosie dear, but of course I cannot serve--under presentcircumstances, " returned Evelyn in a tone of gentle sadness. 

No one spoke again for a moment; then Violet broke the silence byasking, "How many do you think of having, Rosie?"

"Perhaps six, " was the reply, in a musing tone, "at least includingflower girls and maid of honour. Gracie, you will be one of thebridesmaids, will you not?"

"If papa does not object, as I hardly think he will. "

"Maud and Sydney Dinsmore I think will serve, " continued Rosie. "Andwouldn't it be a pretty idea to have Elsie Raymond and Uncle Horace'sElsie, who is about the same size, as either bridesmaids or flowergirls?"

Everyone approved of that idea. 

"Now, it will be in order, I suppose, to settle about the material andcolour of our dresses, " remarked Lucilla. 

"Perhaps it might be as well to first decide at what time of year theyare to be worn, " suggested Mrs. Travilla in her gentle tones. 

"Yes, mamma, but--you do not want to disappoint Will, do you? And Juneis really the prettiest month in the year for a wedding, I think, " saidRose. 

"None lovelier, daughter, " her mother responded with a slight sigh, "butOctober, my own wedding month, seems to me no less suitable. "

"Why, yes, to be sure! if only Will could be satisfied to wait tillthen. "

"It will be hardly longer than the time he was given to understand hemust expect to wait, " returned her mother pleasantly, "or than he oughtto think my Rose worth waiting for. But at all events, daughter, we mustconsult with your grandpa before deciding. Have you had any talk withhim on the subject?"

"No, mamma; I preferred coming to you first, and am almost sure grandpawill think it a matter for you to decide. "

"Probably; yet I shall want his opinion; and besides he is your guardianas well as your grandfather. "

"Along with you, mamma; and I love him as both, he is so dear and kind. "

"He is indeed, " assented her mother. "He has told me more than once ortwice that my children are scarcely less dear to him than his own. "

"Partly because our father was his dear friend as well as hisson-in-law, " added Violet softly. 

"Yes; they were bosom friends before I was born, " her mother said with afar-away look in her eyes. 

"Then you must have been very much younger than he, Grandma Elsie, "remarked Grace, half inquiringly. 

"Sixteen years younger. I was in my ninth year when I saw him first, andmore than twice that age before I thought of him as anything but a dear, kind friend--my father's friend and mine. "

"And after that he seemed to you to grow younger, did he not, mamma?"asked Rosie. 

"Yes; when he joined us in Europe I had not seen him for two years, andas regarded age he seemed to have been standing still while I grew upto him; and in the daily and intimate intercourse of those months Ilearned that his worth was far greater than that of any other man of myacquaintance--excepting my father. Ah, there was never a better man, atruer friend, a kinder, more devoted husband and father than he. "

The sweet voice trembled with emotion; she paused for a moment, thenwent on:

"He does not seem dead to me--he is not dead, but only gone before intothe immediate presence of the dear Master, where I hope one day to joinhim for an eternity of bliss. 

 "''Tis there we'll meet At Jesus' feet, When we meet to part no more. '"

Again there was a brief silence, presently broken by the coming of thecaptain and his two younger children. All three seemed pleased to findRosie there, greeted her affectionately, and then the captain remarked, glancing from one to another:

"It strikes me that you are all looking about as grave as if assembledto discuss the affairs of the nation. Can I have a voice in thesubject, whatever it is?"

"Yes, Brother Levis, " replied Rosie, "I am trying to make arrangementsfor--doing what you have done twice. And perhaps, since you have had somuch practice, you may be more capable than these other friends andrelatives of giving me advice. "

"Something that I have done twice? What can that be?"

"Will Croly wants to help me, " returned Rosie with a laugh and a blush. 

"Ah! now I understand. Is the vexing question as to the colour andmaterial of the wedding gown?"

"Mamma thinks the first thing is to settle when the ceremony is to beperformed. She does not seem to sympathise in Will's haste to have itover. "

"Which is not at all surprising, " returned the captain, glancing at histwo older daughters. "I can quite understand the feeling. But what isthe time proposed by Will?"

"June of this year. "

"June seems a very suitable month, but if you were my daughter I shouldsay not June of this year--since you are both young enough to wait forthat of next or the year after. "

"Ah, sir! that was not the way you talked when you wanted to rob mammaof one of her daughters. "

"No; but I was some years older than Mr. Croly is now, and your sisterViolet very womanly in her ways. "

"And I am not? Ah, well! perhaps it is fortunate for me that thedecision rest with mamma and grandpa. "

"So you, too, are in haste?" queried the captain, regarding her with alook of amusement. 

"Not at all, " she returned, drawing herself up with an air of pretendedindignation. "Who would be in haste to leave such a home and mother asmine? If I consulted only my own feelings I should be more than willingto wait another year. "

"Then why not decide to do so?" he asked with a quizzical look. 

"Because I really have some regard for the wishes of my betrothed. "

"And it makes it hard for you that the different ones you love cannotagree so that you might please them all, " remarked Grace, thenexclaimed, "Ah, here comes grandpa!" as at that moment the Ion carriageturned in at the great gates. 

Mr. Dinsmore seldom let a day pass without a more or less extendedinterview with his eldest daughter, and had now come for a call atWoodburn, bringing his wife with him. 

When the usual greetings had been exchanged the subject of Rosie'sapproaching marriage and the letter from Mr. Croly, urging that it takeplace speedily, were introduced, and after some discussion it wasdecided to let him have his own way. The day was not fixed upon anyfarther than that it should be near the end of the month of June, andwith that Rosie seemed satisfied. 

"Now, mamma, " she said, "I think we may go on and discuss minor details, such as dresses and ornaments for bride and attendants. "

"Very well, daughter; you may give us your views on the subject. Youwill want your own dress of some rich white material, I suppose?"

"Yes, mamma; of Bengaline silk, richly trimmed with lace; and I musthave a veil and orange blossoms; also a bouquet of bride roses andsmilax. Lu and Grace, you will want white silk dresses, won't you?"

"Yes, " they replied. "And bouquets of white flowers, " added Lucilla. 

"Oh, papa, you will let me act as one of the bridesmaids, will you not?"asked Grace, turning to him. 

"I have no objection, " he replied. "You may both serve, since Rosiewishes it and I see you are pleased with the idea. As for the matter ofdress you may settle that for yourselves. "

"Oh, thank you, sir!" both exclaimed joyously, Grace adding, "But won'tyou please tell us, papa, just how much we may spend?"

"Any amount which your mamma and Grandma Elsie do not consider toogreat, " he replied in an indulgent tone. "However, I think I should nothesitate to leave that matter to the judgment of my daughtersthemselves; for I know that neither of you is inclined to be at allextravagant. "

"No, indeed, " said Violet, "they are always very careful to make surethat papa is able to afford them what they want. "

"It would be strange if we weren't, Mamma Vi, " said Lucilla with a happylaugh, "for we know that papa loves us so dearly that he would gowithout things himself any time rather than deny us anything desirable. "

"And I expect to put him to the additional expense of dressing Elsiehandsomely for the occasion, " laughed Rosie. 

"Ah! is she also to be a bridesmaid?" asked the captain with a smilingglance at his little girl, who was turning her bright eyes from one toanother with a surprised, pleased, yet puzzled look. 

"Not just that, " replied Rosie; then went on to explain her plan forgiving the two little Elsies a part in the ceremony. 

"Should you like to do that, daughter?" asked the captain, taking thehand of the little girl and drawing her to his side. 

"I'm 'most afraid I would not know how to do it right, papa, " sheanswered with doubtful look and tone. 

"You can take lessons beforehand, " he said; "but you shall do just asyou please about it. "

"And the question need not be decided at once, " remarked Grandma Elsie. "We will let the matter rest till we learn what your cousin ElsieDinsmore thinks about joining you in it. "

"Yes, " said Rosie, "and fortunately we do not need to settle anythingmore to-day. Maud and Sydney must be consulted before we quite decide onthe colour and material of the bridesmaids' dresses. "

CHAPTER V. 

A pause in the conversation upon the veranda was broken by anexclamation from little Ned. "Cousin Arthur is coming!" he cried as acarriage turned in at the great gates and came swiftly up the driveway. 

"Yes, " said his father, stepping forward to meet and welcome Dr. Conly, "always a visitor we are delighted to see, whether we are sick or well. Good-morning, sir! We are all glad to see you as friend and guest, though fortunately not in need of your professional services at present. I hope the demands of other patients are not so pressing that we may notkeep you here till after dinner. "

"Thank you, but I can stay for only a hasty call, " replied the doctor, alighting and shaking hands with one after another as they crowded abouthim. 

"You look like the bringer of good news, cousin, " said Grandma Elsie, regarding him with a pleased smile. 

"Yes, " he said, "I feel myself a very fortunate and happy man to-day, and have come to tell my news and ask the sympathy and congratulationsof you my relatives and friends. My Marian and I have a son--a finehealthy babe, now some hours old--mother and child are doing as well aspossible. "

The congratulations were poured forth without stint. Then Mr. Dinsmoreasked, "What do you propose to call the lad?"

"Ronald. It is Marian's choice and I am well content, for it is a goodname, and I highly esteem the dear old cousin who has showed suchkindness to the mother. "

"Yes, he is worthy of it, " said Grandma Elsie. "I have always felt proudto own him as my kinsman. "

"And Ronald and Conly go well together, making a very pretty name, to mythinking, " said Rosie. 

"Have they heard the news at Beechwood yet?" asked Lucilla. 

"I think not, " replied the doctor; "but I shall take it in my way home, as it will make the drive only a little longer and I need delay therebut a moment. " Then with a hasty adieu he took his departure. 

"Art is a very happy man to-day, " Mr. Dinsmore remarked with a pleasedsmile, as they watched the doctor's gig on its way down the drive. 

"Yes; I know of no one more worthy of happiness, and it does me good tosee it, " said the captain. 

"And no doubt dear Marian's heart is overflowing with love andgratitude, " said Grandma Elsie in low, soft tones. "I quite want to seeher and her new treasure. "

"Both she and Art will be very proud to show it to their friends andrelatives, " remarked Violet with a smile, "though he will be careful notto admit even relatives for some days yet. He is very kind and carefulas both husband and physician. "

"Yes, " said Rosie; "he will take excellent care of Marian and have herwell in time to attend the wedding, I hope. "

"I think we can manage that, daughter, as we have not fixed upon theday, " her mother said with playful look and tone. 

"Oh, yes, mamma! and I do intend it to be at least six weeks before Ileave girlhood for married life, " returned Rosie, laughing and blushingas she spoke. 

"It is too serious a step to be taken hastily, my dear young sister, "remarked the captain in a tone between jest and earnest; "a step thatonce taken cannot be retraced--a venture involving the happiness ormisery of perhaps a lifetime; certainly the lifetime of one if not ofboth. "

"Oh, you frighten me!" cried Rosie, drawing a long breath and liftingher hands with a gesture of alarm and despair; "what shall I do? Wouldyou recommend single blessedness--you who have twice tried laying holdof the other horn of the dilemma?"

"Only for a time, " he said. "Look well before you leap, as I did, andthen you will be in little danger of wanting to leap back again. "

"You don't? you never do?" she queried in mock surprise and doubt. 

"Never!" he said with a smiling, admiring glance into Violet'sbeautiful eyes, watching him with not a shade of doubt or distrust intheir azure depths; "never for a moment have I been conscious of theslightest inclination to do so. "

"Thank you, my dear, " Violet said. "And, Rosie, let me tell you for yourencouragement that I have known no more regret than has he. I am verysure that if it were in our power to reconsider, the question would bedecided exactly as it was years ago. "

"I believe it, " responded Rosie heartily, "and that Will and I will beable to say the same when we too have lived together for years. He isgood as gold, I know, and I shall try to be worthy of him. "

The call to dinner here put an end to the conversation and the talk atthe table was upon other themes. 

Shortly after the conclusion of the meal Mr. And Mrs. Dinsmore returnedto Ion, while the others, some on horseback, the rest in the familycarriage, went over to the Oaks to call upon the relatives there andconsult with them on the arrangements for the wedding, particularly thedress of the bride and her attendants--a subject of great interest tothe ladies, especially such to the young girls, but one which the twogentlemen--Captain Raymond and young Mr. Dinsmore--were so entirelywilling to leave to their decision that they presently excusedthemselves and walked out into the grounds, Mr. Dinsmore wishing toconsult the captain in regard to some improvements that he had incontemplation. 

Then Rosie announced her errand and gave her invitation to Maud andSydney. It was accepted promptly and with evident pleasure by both. ThenRosie went on to speak of her idea of having the two little Elsies actas flower girls. 

"My niece and my cousin, and both bearing mamma's name; about the samesize, too; would it not be pretty?" she asked, and received a chorus ofapproving replies. 

"Oh, I'd like to!" cried Elsie Dinsmore, clapping her hands in delight. "It's ever so good in you, Cousin Rosie, to choose us! and I suppose wewill be dressed alike, won't we?"

"That is my idea, " said Rosie, "and I presume your mothers will notwithhold their consent. "

"Oh, you will let us, mamma--you and Cousin Vi--won't you?" cried thechild, turning to them. 

"I am entirely willing, if that suits Cousin Vi and her Elsie, " repliedher mother. 

"As it will, I am sure, " said Violet. 

"Yes, mamma, " said her Elsie, "I shall like it, for I am sure you andthe other ladies will choose a pretty dress for us. "

"Probably no prettier than some that you already own, " Violet returnedwith an amused look. "Try not to think or care too much for dress, daughter; there are so many things which are much more important. "

"But it isn't wrong to like to be tastefully dressed, is it, mamma?"asked the little girl with a slightly troubled look. 

"No, I think not, dear, " returned her mother with a loving smile intothe inquiring eyes; "if it were wrong to love pretty things, surely Godwould not have made so many for our eyes to look upon--the beautifulflowers and fruits, the sunset clouds, the stars, to mention only afew--but he--our kind Heavenly Father--loves to give us enjoyment. "

"And I do enjoy all the pretty things very much indeed, mamma, "responded the little girl with a look of relief and pleasure, "and I'mglad it isn't wrong; I like to see pretty clothes on you and my sistersquite as much as on myself. And don't you think papa likes to have usall nicely dressed?"

"I am sure he does; and you may feel very certain that papa approves ofnothing but what is right. "

"Those are exactly mine and my husband's sentiments upon the subject inquestion, " remarked Mrs. Dinsmore in a lively tone. "But now let us hearwhat those girls are talking about. "

"You will be married in church?" Maud was saying inquiringly. 

"No, " said Rosie in a tone of decision; "I mean to follow the goodexample of my mother and older sisters in having a home wedding. "

"And you will want ushers? I was just going to ask who were to serve inthat capacity. "

"I believe Mr. Croly has engaged my brothers Harold and Herbert, whoare his most intimate friends, " replied Rosie; "but of course there willbe plenty of time for all those arrangements. "

"I dare say he will ask Uncle Harold to be best man, " said Grace. 

"Very likely, " said Rosie, "and Herbert, Chester, and Frank for ushers. We may as well make it a family affair, " she added with a satisfiedlittle laugh. 

"And if either you or Will conclude that you would prefer a largernumber it will be an easy matter to think of, and invite them to serve alittle later, " remarked Violet. 

"Yes, there is plenty of time, " said their mother, smiling lovingly intoRosie's bright eyes. "I am in no hurry to give my youngest daughter toeven so entirely a good, worthy, and amiable young man as WilliamCroly. "

"Please do not look at it in that way, mother dear. Please remember thatyou are not to lose your daughter, but to gain another good son. "

"That is right, Rosie; I do believe it is going to prove a gain allround, " said Violet. 

"Why, of course it is, " said Maud; "that is settled; so now let usconsider and decide the important question what colours we are to wearon the grand occasion. Lu, you wore canary colour at Betty Norris'wedding; suppose I take that this time and you wear pink; it will becomeyou quite as well, I think. "

"I suppose so, " said Lucilla, "and am perfectly willing to wear it. "

"And pink beside my white will look very pretty, " said Rosie. "Lu is tobe maid of honor, you know, girls. "

"Yes; and I for one highly approve your choice, Rosie, " said Evelyn withan affectionate, admiring look at Lucilla. 

"Yes; and suppose we dress your little flower girls in pink, also, "suggested Mrs. Dinsmore. 

That idea seemed to suit everybody. 

"I like that colour, " remarked Elsie Dinsmore sagely, "but I shall beparticular about having very handsome material. "

"It shall be handsome enough to accord well with the others, " said hermother with an amused laugh. 

"I think straw colour becomes me, " remarked Maud; "so that is what Ishall wear, if the rest of the party approve. "

"And blue will be the thing for Gracie and me, " said Sydney. "What doyou say to that, Gracie?"

"I am satisfied if Rosie and the rest approve, " was Grace'spleasant-toned reply. 

"So that is settled, " said Sydney. "Wouldn't it be well for us all to gointo the city to-morrow, see what we can find there to suit us, andorder other things sent for?"

"What do you say to that, mamma?" asked Rosie. 

"I see no objection to it, " replied Grandma Elsie. "But we will consultthe captain in regard to that matter, " she added, as at that moment heand her brother came in. 

"Ah! upon what is my valuable opinion desired, mother?" he asked inplayful tones; then, in response to the explanation given, said that hethought it a very good plan, as it would surely do no harm to beginneeded preparations promptly. 

"Then, papa, won't you excuse Gracie and me from lessons for the nextfew days?" asked Lucilla. 

"I will; you may consider the remainder of the week a holiday, " hereplied. 

"For Ned and me too, papa?" asked Elsie. 

"Yes; if you think you can assist in the shopping. "

"I should like to help choose my own things if you and mamma arewilling, " she said with a persuasive look from one to the other. 

"I think you will be allowed a voice in the selection, " he replied, patting her cheek as she leaned upon his knee, looking up affectionatelyand pleadingly into his face. 

"Yes, " said Violet, "and I am sure we shall be able to find dress goodsand whatever else is needed, that will suit all three of us. "

"And it will be four days' holiday we'll have, " remarked Ned withsatisfaction. 

"You are planning to have your wedding a good deal after the pattern ofCousin Betty's, Rosie, " remarked Mrs. Dinsmore. 

"Yes; in some respects, for I thought it a very pretty wedding; but thatceremony took place in the church, while I mean to be married at home;also there will probably be a difference in the number of attendants andtheir dress, " replied Rosie. "And by the way, mamma, " she added, turningto her mother, "we must send Betty an invitation in good season for herto arrange matters so that she can come to my wedding. I was one of herbridesmaids, you remember, and should be sorry indeed to neglect her atthis time. "

"She shall not be forgotten, daughter, " was Grandma Elsie's readyresponse; "we will shortly make out a list of those you wish to invite, that none may be forgotten or overlooked. "

"Yes, mamma; if our list contains only relatives and very intimatefriends we will be quite a large party, should all accept. "

"Now about to-morrow's shopping, " said Sydney. "We need to settle whenwe will set out on our expedition, where we will meet, or whether wewill divide our forces and each division decide questions of taste andexpense independently of the others. "

"As there are so many of us I think the latter plan would be the betterone, " said Grandma Elsie. 

"And as regards dress goods, we can secure samples and hold aconsultation over them before making the purchases, " said Violet; addingwith a smiling glance at her Elsie, "that will be only fair where two ormore are to be dressed alike. "

"I like that plan, mamma, " said the little girl, "and I do intend to besatisfied with whatever you and papa choose for me. "

"With some help from my mamma and me, " said the other Elsie in a tonethat seemed to imply some fear that their choice might not be altogetherto her taste. 

"Tut! tut!" said her father. "You need not be in the least afraid thatsuch good judges will fail to select as handsome and suitable materialas could be desired. "

"But please, Uncle Horace, let her have a vote on the question, " saidViolet pleasantly. "There may be several pieces of goods of the chosencolour, equally desirable; nor is it necessary that the two dressesshould be off the same piece; only that they match in colour. "

"And I feel sure there will be no difficulty in settling upon which willbe satisfactory to all parties, " added Mrs. Dinsmore. 

With a little more chat all the arrangements for the morrow's shoppingexpedition were concluded. Then the Woodburn party bade good-bye andreturned to their home. 

CHAPTER VI. 

The weather the next morning proved all that could be desired, and theshopping expedition a grand success--everybody being not only satisfiedbut charmed with the results. 

Mrs. Travilla and Rosie returned to Ion that evening, but scarcely a daypassed while the preparations for the wedding were going on, withoutmore or less interchange of visits among the young people of that place, Woodburn, Fairview, and the Oaks and Pinegrove. 

Naturally the deepest interest was felt and shown by the ladies andyoung girls, but brothers and cousins were by no means indifferent. Harold and Herbert, though well pleased with the idea of taking theirfriend Croly into the family, were loath to part with Rosie, theiryoungest and only single sister, the only one now left in the Ionfamily. She had always been somewhat of a pet with them, and duringthese last weeks of her life with them they treated her as one for whomthey could not do enough; while her manner toward them showed fullappreciation of their kindness and affection. Much of her time andthoughts was necessarily taken up with the preparations for herapproaching marriage; but in leisure moments she had many sad thoughtsin regard to the coming separation from home and all there whom she soloved; especially the tender mother who had been, until within a fewmonths, her dearest earthly friend. 

"Mamma dear, dearest mamma, I can hardly endure the thought of leavingyou, " she sighed one day with starting tears, as they sat together overtheir needlework in Mrs. Travilla's dressing room. 

They were quite alone at the moment, Zoe, who had been with them, havingjust gone out with her little ones. 

"No one can ever take your place in my heart or home, " continued Rosiewith almost a sob, "and oh, how I shall miss you--your love, your sweetmotherly counsels, your tender sympathy in all my joys and sorrows--oh, mamma, mamma! at times the very thought of it all is almost unendurable, and I am tempted to say to Will that he may come to me if he likes, butthat I can never tear myself away from my dear home and the preciousmother who has been everything to me since I first drew the breath oflife!" and dropping her work she knelt at her mother's feet, lifting tohers eyes full of tears. 

"Dear child, " her mother responded in tones tremulous with emotion, andbending down to press a kiss on the quivering lips, "it gives me a sadand sore heart to think of it. And yet, daughter dear, we may hope tosee each other very often--to spend weeks and months of every year ineach other's society, and when we are apart to exchange letters daily;and best of all, to be in a few brief years together in the better land, never to part again. "

"Ah, mamma dear, that last seems a long look ahead. At least--oh, mamma, I cannot bear the thought of--of death coming between us; and yet we canhardly hope to go together. "

"No, daughter dear, but time is short, as you will realize when you haveseen as many years in this world as I have; and after it will come thenever-ending ages of eternity--eternity, which we are hoping to spendwith our dear ones in the immediate presence of our Redeemer--united, never to part again. "

"Yes, mamma; oh, that is indeed a sweet thought. But, " she added with aheavy sigh, "sometimes I fear I may miss heaven; I seem so far, so veryfar from fit for its employments and its joys--so often indulging inwrong thoughts and feelings--so taken up with earthly cares andinterests. "

"Dear daughter, look to God for help to fight against your sinfulnature, " replied her mother in moved tones. "He says 'In me is thinehelp'; 'He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might heincreaseth strength. ' 'They that wait upon the Lord shall renew theirstrength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, andnot be weary; they shall walk and not faint. ' 'Fear thou not; for I amwith thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee;yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of myrighteousness. ' These are some of his gracious promises. "

"Ah, mamma, but the question with me is, is he really my God? am Ihis?--truly one of his redeemed ones, his adopted children? How shall Imake sure of that?"

"By accepting his conditions and believing his word, 'Come unto me allye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. ' 'Him thatcometh unto me I will in no wise cast out. ' Come now and accept hisoffered salvation, whether you have done so before or not; come, believing his word; 'I will in no wise cast out, ' 'I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and as a cloud, thy sins: returnunto me; for I have redeemed thee. ' 'Surely shall one say, In the Lordhave I righteousness and strength; even to him shall all men come. ' 'Inthe Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory. ''The just shall live by faith, ' and faith is the gift of God, as we aretold again and again in his Holy Word; a gift that he will grant to allwho ask it of him. "

There was a sound of approaching footsteps and Rosie resumed her seat, taking up the work she had dropped. They recognised the step asHarold's, and the next moment he stood in the open doorway. 

"Mamma, " he said, "I am going over to Roselands and should like to takeyou along. You have not seen that youngest Conly yet, and Arthurconsiders Marian now quite well enough for a call from you. I know, too, that she is wanting to see you. "

"And I to see her, the dear girl, " responded his mother, laying asideher work. "Come in and sit down while I don my bonnet and mantle. "

"Let me get them out for you, mamma, " said Rosie, dropping herembroidery and hastening to do so. 

"I should include you in the invitation, Rosie, " said Harold, "but wethink it safer not to let Marian have the excitement of many callersuntil she gains more strength. "

"I thought she was doing finely, " returned Rosie, bringing her mother'smantle and putting it about her with loving care. 

"So she is, " replied Harold with a light laugh; "but we cannot be toocareful of her to satisfy her doting husband, and though eager toexhibit her new treasure to all her friends and relatives, she isentirely submissive to his will in the matter. "

"Oh, well, I can wait, " laughed Rosie. "Give her my love, mamma, andtell her I am not staying away from any indifference to her or thelittle newcomer. "

"No fear that she would ever suspect you of that, Rosie dear, " hermother said, with a slight smile; "but I will assure her of yourinterest in both herself and baby boy. Now good-bye till my return, which I presume will be in the course of an hour or two. "

"Don't hurry home on my account, mamma dear, " returned Rosie. "I shallnot be lonely. I have letters to write, and that will make the time passquickly. "

"It is a lovely day and the short drive with my son will be veryenjoyable, " Mrs. Travilla remarked, as Harold handed her into thevehicle. 

"To us both, I hope, mother, " he returned, giving her an affectionatelook and smile. "Yours is to me the best company in the world. The roadsare in fine condition, " he added as he took up the reins and theystarted down the avenue, "the fields and gardens along the way also, andthe air full of the fragrance of flower and shrub. Oh, on such a morningas this it seems a joy just to be alive and well!"

"Yes, " she responded, "oh, what cause for gratitude to the Giver of allgood that you and I, and all our nearest and dearest in this world, arealive and well. "

"Yes, mother; attendance upon the sick and suffering has given me ahigher appreciation of the greatness of the blessing of sound healththan I had in earlier days. It is saddening to witness suffering fromaccident and disease, but a great privilege to be able in many cases torelieve it. That last makes me thankful that I was led to choose themedical profession. "

"And you have often an opportunity to minister to souls as well asbodies; one which I hope you do not neglect. "

"I am afraid I have sometimes neglected it, mother, " he acknowledgedwith a sigh, "and at others performed it in a very halting and imperfectway. But as you know--for I could not keep from you such gladness asthe knowledge of that fact brought me--I have been privileged to winsome souls to Christ--smooth some dying pillows--and to lead somerecovering ones to devote their spared lives and restored health to theservice of the Master--the Physician of souls--in whose footsteps Iardently desire to tread. "

"I know it, my dear son, and it has filled me with joy and gratitude foryou, for them, and for myself--that I am the mother of one whom God hasso honoured and blessed. "

Then she inquired about the condition and needs of some of his poorerpatients; for she made it her business to provide for their necessitiesand to furnish many a little luxury that helped on convalescence orsmoothed the passage to the grave. 

As they drove up the avenue at Roselands Dr. Conly came out upon theveranda, his face beaming with smiles. 

"Ah, Cousin Elsie, " he said as he assisted her to alight, "this is kind. Marian has been looking forward to your visit with longing, both to seeyou and to exhibit to your appreciative eyes the little one who seemsto her the greatest and loveliest darling the world ever saw. "

"Ah, I can understand that, " she returned with a low, pleased laugh. "Ihave not forgotten how lovely and what an inestimable treasure my firstbaby seemed to me; though I am by no means sure that each one whofollowed was not an equal joy and delight. "

"Your second son among the rest, I hope, mother, " laughed Harold. 

She gave him a loving smile in response. 

"Will you go up with us, Harold?" asked Arthur. 

"No, thank you, " he said. "I will busy myself here with the morningpaper while mother makes her little call. "

It was a most inviting looking apartment into which the doctor conductedhis cousin, tastefully furnished and redolent of the breath of flowers;in pretty vases set here and there on bureau, mantel, and table, andblooming in the garden beneath the open windows whence the soft, warmair came stealing in through the lace curtains. But the chief ornamentsof the room were its living occupants--the young mother lying amid hersnowy pillows and the little one sleeping in its dainty crib close ather side. 

"Dear Cousin Elsie, you have come at last, and I am, oh, so glad to seeyou!" Marian exclaimed with a look of eager delight, and holding out herhand in joyous welcome. "I have hardly known how to wait to show you ourtreasure and receive your congratulations. "

"Dear girl, I can quite understand that, " Mrs. Travilla said with asmile and a tender caress, "and I wanted to come sooner; should havedone so had your good husband deemed it entirely safe for you. "

"Ah, he is very careful of me, " returned Marian, giving him a glance ofardent affection. "But, oh, look at our darling! His father and motherthink him the sweetest creature that ever was made, " she added with ahappy laugh, laying a hand on the edge of the crib and gazing with eyesfull of mother love at the tiny pink face nestling among the pillowsthere. 

Elsie bent over it too in tender motherly fashion. 

"He is a dear little fellow, " she said softly. "I congratulate you bothon this good gift from our Heavenly Father, and wish for you that he maygrow up into a God-fearing man, a blessing to his parents, to the Churchand the world. "

"I hope he may indeed, cousin, and I want you to join your prayers toours that we may have grace and wisdom to train him up aright, should itplease the Lord to spare him to us, " said the doctor with emotion. 

"I think his mother needs those prayers the most, " said Marian low andsoftly. "I am but a foolish young thing; scarcely fit for so great aresponsibility; but I am more glad and thankful than words can tell thatthe darling has a good, wise, Christian father to both train him and sethim a good example. "

"It is a cause for great thankfulness, " Elsie said, "but never forget, dear girl, how very great and important is a mother's influence;especially in the early years when the strongest and most lastingimpressions are apt to be made. No doubt you feel--as I often have, often do--like crying out in the midst of it all, 'Alas, who issufficient for these things!' but what a blessing, what a comfort isthe promise, 'If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God that givethto all men liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. '"

"Oh, those are comforting texts!" Marian said with a look of relief. "Iwish I were as well acquainted with the Bible as you are, cousin. "

"I know more of it now than I did at your age, " Elsie returned in areassuring tone, "and you, as well as I, have it at hand to turn to inevery perplexity; and if you do so you will find the truth of the wordsof the Psalmist, 'Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light unto mypath. '"

"Ah, yes! an open Bible is an inestimable blessing, " said Arthur, "andmy Marian and I will endeavour to make it the rule of our life, the manof our counsel. "

At that moment the babe stirred and opened its eyes. 

"Ah, he is awake, the darling!" said Marian. "Don't you want to take himup, papa, and let Cousin Elsie have a better look at him?"

"Yes, mamma; as you know, I am very proud to exhibit my son and heir, "laughed the doctor, bending over the crib, gently lifting the babe andplacing it in Elsie's arms, smilingly outstretched to receive it. 

"He is indeed a lovely little darling, " she said, gazing on it withadmiring eyes, then softly pressing her lips to the velvet cheek. "Thereis nothing sweeter to me than a little helpless babe. I hope he may liveto grow up if the will of God be so, and I think he is going to resemblehis father, " she added with a most affectionate look up into thedoctor's face. 

"If he equals his father in all respects, his mother will be fullysatisfied, " Marian said with a happy little laugh. 

"Ah, love is blind, dearest, " was Arthur's smiling response. 

"And well for me that it is in your case, as I have often thought, " shesaid in sportive tone, "for it seems to hide all my imperfections andshow you virtues that are wholly imaginary. "

"Then it is a very good and desirable kind of blindness, I think, "remarked Grandma Elsie with her pleasant smile. 

"Now, Cousin Elsie, please tell me about Rosie, " Marian requested with alook of keen interest. "I suppose she is both very busy and very happy. "

"Quite busy and happy too, I think, except when her thoughts turn uponthe approaching separation--partial at least--from home and its lovedones. "

"And doubtless that thought makes you sad too, cousin, " sighed Marian. "Ah, what a world of partings it is! and how sudden and unexpected manyof them are. "

"Yes; but there are none in that happy land to which we are journeying. Ah, what a blessed land it must be! no sin, no sorrow, pain or care, nodeath, but eternal life at the foot of the dear Master whose love forhis redeemed ones is greater, tenderer than that of a mother for her ownlittle helpless child. "

"How intense it must be!" said Marian musingly. "I can realise that nowas I never could before my little darling came. But now, about Rosie andher betrothed. Do they not expect to settle somewhere in this region, cousin?"

"I think that question remains yet to be fully discussed; it iscertainly still undecided. Probably they will not for some time settlepermanently in any one spot. Mrs. Croly is an invalid, almost constantlybeing taken from place to place in search of health, and never satisfiedto be long separated from either husband or son--her only child. "

"Ah, I'm afraid that will make it hard for Rosie, " said Marian. "By theway, I think they would better bring her here and put her in ourdoctor's care, " she added with a smiling and arch look up into herhusband's face. 

"Ah, my dear!" he said with a slight smile and a warning shake of thehead, "don't allow yourself to take to the business of hunting up casesfor me; especially chronic and incurable ones. "

"But is she so bad as that?" asked Marian, turning to her cousin Elsieagain. 

"I suppose so, " Elsie replied. "I have never been told that her case wasconsidered incurable, but I know that she has been an invalid for manyyears. "

"And with no daughter to nurse and care for her! She may well deemherself fortunate in getting one so sweet and bright as Rosie. "

"Rosie has had no experience as a nurse, " said her mother, "but she iskind-hearted and I hope will prove a pleasant and helpful daughter toher husband's mother; as she has been to her own. "

"I haven't a doubt of it. And is the wedding to come off soon, cousin?"

"The day has not yet been set, " replied Mrs. Travilla, with a slightsigh at thought of the parting that must follow, "but we expect to fixupon one in the latter part of June; which I hope will give you time togrow strong enough to make one of our party. But I fear I am keeping youtalking too long, " she added, rising and laying the babe, who had fallenasleep again, gently back among its pillows. 

"I am sure your call has done me good, and I hope you will come againsoon, dear cousin, " Marian said, receiving and returning a farewellcaress. 

"Sometime when your doctor gives permission, " was Elsie's smiling reply. "Never mind coming down with me, Arthur, " she added, "I know the wayand have a son waiting there on the veranda to hand me into thecarriage. So good-bye, and don't consider it necessary to wait forsickness among us to call you to Ion. "

CHAPTER VII. 

Left alone upon the veranda, Harold sat scanning the columns of themorning paper, when a light step drew near, a pleasant voice said, "Good-morning, " and looking up he found Mrs. Calhoun Conly, with a babein her arms, close by his side. 

"Oh! good-morning to you, Cousin Mary, " he returned, hastily rising andgallantly handing her to a seat. "I am glad to see you and the littleone looking so well. "

"Thank you, " she returned merrily, "it would be a pity if we failed tokeep well with so many doctors about. Were you waiting to see Arthur? Ibelieve he is in the house--probably up in his wife's room--though Ihave not seen him since breakfast. "

"Yes, he is there, sharing with Marian a call from my mother. "

"Ah! that is nice for Marian; she has been wanting to see Cousin Elsiebadly. I want a call from her too, and hope she will not forget me whenthrough with my sister-in-law. "

"Hardly, I think; it is not mother's way to forget anyone; especially sonear and dear a relative as yourself, Cousin Mary. But don't set yourheart on a long call this morning, for some other folks want the doctorif you don't. "

"Ah! and your mother has taken up the practice of medicine, has she?"

"Well, I don't say that exactly, but certainly her advice andsuggestions are sometimes more beneficial to the patient than those ofher doctor son; then think of the enviable condition of the patient whocan have both, " returned Harold laughingly. "Ah, here comes Cousin Cal!"as a horseman came galloping up the avenue. 

"Good-morning, Harold!" Calhoun said, as he alighted, giving his steedin charge to a servant, and came up the veranda steps. "I have been outin the field for some hours, overseeing the work of my men, saw youpassing a few moments since with your mother, and could not resist thetemptation to leave them and come in for a bit of chat with her andyourself. "

"Especially with me, of course, " laughed Harold as the two shook handsand Calhoun, seating himself near his wife, took the babe, which wasstretching out its arms to him with a cooing invitation not to beresisted by the doting father. 

"Mother's particular errand this morning was a call upon Marian; she ispaying it now, and I presume will be down in the course of ten orfifteen minutes, " added Harold. 

"You will both stay to dinner, won't you?" queried Calhoun hospitably. "We'd be delighted to have you do so. "

"That we would, " added his wife heartily. 

"Thank you, " returned Harold, "but I have some rather urgent calls tomake and hope to get mother to accompany me. I know of no one else whocan say such comforting things to the sick and depressed. "

"Nor do I, " responded Mrs. Conly. "If I am in the least depressed, acall from her, or a chat with her, always raises my spirits; she canalways show you a silver lining to the cloud, however dark it may be. "

"Yes, " said Harold, "her faith in the goodness and love of God is sostrong and unwavering, and she realizes so perfectly that life in thisworld is short and fleeting, that which follows unending and full ofbliss to all who believe in the Lord Jesus, that she is ever contentwith whatever Providence sends her. I never knew a happier Christian. "

"Nor I, " said Mary. "I only wish we were all more like her in thatrespect. "

"Yes, " said Calhoun, "and I believe we are every one of us the happierand better for knowing her. I have been thinking that it will be hardfor Rosie to leave such a mother. "

"That it will, " sighed Harold; "and hard for mother, and all of usindeed, to part with Rosie. But of course the members of so large afamily as ours cannot expect to remain together all through life. "

"Yes; weddings are apt to bring both joy and sorrow, " remarked Mrs. Conly reflectively; "the forming of new ties and the breaking of oldones. One cannot altogether forget the old loves, however sweet the newmay be; but when we get to the better land we may hope to have themall, " she added with an appreciative glance at her husband. "Ah, howdelightful that will be!"

There was a moment's silence; then Harold said, "The wedding day havingnot been fixed yet the invitations have not been sent out, but I knowmother is hoping to see your parents here at that time, Cousin Mary. "

"That is kind, " she returned with a pleased smile; "I supposed theywould be invited, and that so I should have the better prospect ofgetting a long promised visit from them myself. But if you invite allthe relatives you will have a great many guests to entertain--that isshould all, or nearly all, accept. However, it is more than likely thatby far the larger number will feel constrained to content themselveswith sending regrets, congratulations, and gifts. "

"I hope, " said Harold quickly and earnestly, "I am sure we all do--thatno one will feel called upon for that last. I trust that will be fullyunderstood. The parents of both bride and groom being abundantly able toprovide everything necessary or desirable, why should distant relativesand friends assist in it, perhaps at the cost of embarrassment orself-denial?"

"But you should not deny the privilege to those who are abundantly ableand would feel it a pleasure, " returned Mary with playful look and tone;"which I am sure is the case with some of the relatives, " she added. 

"No, " said Harold, "I should not deny it, but would have a distinctunderstanding that it was not expected or desired, at the cost ofhardship or self-denial to the giver, or his or her nearer and dearerones. "

At that moment his mother stepped from the doorway into the veranda. Very warmly affectionate greetings were exchanged, she was quicklyinstalled in an easy-chair, and some moments were spent in lively chat. 

"Do take off your bonnet, Cousin Elsie, and stay and dine with us, "urged Calhoun hospitably. "Our young doctor here insists that he cannot;but let him go on and visit the patients he thinks need his services, and call here again for you; unless you will allow me the pleasure ofseeing you safely home later in the day. "

"Thank you, Cal, " she said in reply, "but Rosie will be looking out forher mother--as I promised her I would not be gone very long--and I wantto see some of my boy's patients myself, and to make a little call atBeechwood. You know they are all relatives there, and Annis and I veryold and dear friends. "

"Yes; and it is growing late, " said Harold, consulting his watch; "so, whenever you are ready, mother, we will start. "

"I am that now, " she answered, rising with the words. "Good-bye, CousinMary. Come over to Ion whenever you can make it convenient. And when youwrite home be as urgent as possible in your entreaties that your parentswill come to the wedding and be prepared to remain in the neighbourhoodfor a long visit after it is over. "

"You may rest assured that I will do my very best to bring them here andfor as long a stay as possible, " was Mary's smiling and earnest reply. 

"And never doubt, cousin, that I will do my best to second her efforts, "said Calhoun, handing her into the carriage as he spoke. 

"Will there be time for a call at Beechwood, Harold?" she asked as theydrove down the avenue. 

"Oh, yes, mother! I think so, " he replied. "I have but two calls to makeon the way, and it is not likely either need be very long. "

"I would not have anyone neglected for my convenience, " she remarked ina cheery tone, "but should be glad to spend a half hour with Annis if Ican do so without loss or inconvenience to anyone else. "

"Always thoughtful for others, mother dear, " Harold said, giving her amost affectionate look and smile. "I think you may trust me not toneglect my patients. "

"I hope so, indeed, " she responded; "and that you will never be lesscareful and considerate of the poor than of the rich. "

Fortunately they found all doing so well that no lengthened call wasnecessary, and they reached Beechwood in season to allow quite a longchat between the lady cousins before it would be time for Mrs. Travillaand her son to set out on their return to Ion. 

They found Mr. Lilburn and Annis seated upon the front veranda, shewith a bit of needlework in her hands, he reading aloud to her. Heclosed his book as the carriage drove up, and laying it aside, hastenedto assist his Cousin Elsie to alight, greeting her with warmth ofaffection as he did so. Annis dropped her work and hastened to meet andembrace her, saying:

"Oh, but I am glad to see you, Elsie! I had letters this morning fromMildred and Zilla, both bringing a great deal of love to you and acordial invitation to you and yours--as well as my husband andmyself--to pay them a visit this summer. They have not yet heard ofRosie's approaching marriage, I find. "

"But must hear of it very soon, " Elsie said with a smile. "As soon asthe important day is fixed upon I must send out my invitations; and youmay rest assured that none of our relatives will be forgotten orneglected; certainly not one of your sisters or brothers. "

"No, my dear cousin, it would not be at all like you to neglect any ofthem, " returned Annis with a smile of loving appreciation. "Ah, Harold!"turning to him as, having secured his horse, he came up the verandasteps and joined their little group, "I am glad to see you; especiallyas, like a dear, good boy, you have brought your mother along. "

"Yes, " he said, grasping cordially the hand she held out, "I find I amsure of a welcome anywhere when I am fortunate enough to induce motherto accompany me. Sick or well, everybody is glad to see her. "

"You also, I presume; especially if they are sick. "

"And can't get Cousin Arthur, " he added. "A young doctor is better thannone; though an old and tried physician is deemed the best--by sensiblepeople. "

"Ah, ha; ah, ha; um, hm! so it would seem, laddie, yet sometimes theyoung fellows hae a new trick the auld hardly ken aboot, " remarkedCousin Ronald with a good-humoured smile. "And for my ain sel' I shouldcare little--were I ill--whether it were Doctor Arthur or Doctor Haroldthat prescribed the remedies to be used. "

"Or Doctor Herbert; Herbert might do just as well as either of the two, I presume, " added Annis. 

"We have just come from a call at Roselands to see Marian and yourlittle namesake, Cousin Ronald, " said Mrs. Travilla. "He is a dearlittle fellow, and I hope will grow up in a way to do honour to thename. "

"I hope he may, and to be a great comfort and blessing to the parentswho have done me the honour to call their firstborn for me, " returnedthe old gentleman, a gleam of pleasure lighting up his face. "I want tosee the bit bairn myself when the mother is well enough to enjoy a callfrom her auld kinsman. And how soon do you think that may be, doctor?"he asked, turning to Harold. 

"In a few days, sir, should she continue to gain strength as she seemsto be doing now. I have no doubt she will be very glad to see both youand Cousin Annis. "

"Yes; I must go along, for I want to see both the boy and his mother. Marian will make a sweet mother, I think; and Arthur an excellentfather, " said Annis. 

"I quite agree with you in that idea, " Elsie said, "and their joy in thepossession of the little fellow is a pleasant thing to see. By the way, where are Cousin Ella and her little ones?"

"Hugh has taken them out driving, " replied Mr. Lilburn. "There isnothing the bit bairnies like better than that. "

"I am sorry to miss seeing them, but it is time we were on our homewardroute, " Elsie said, consulting her watch. 

They were kindly urged to remain longer, but declined, bade adieu, andwere presently driving on toward Ion. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

At Ion Rosie was pacing the veranda as her mother and Harold drove up. She hailed them eagerly as they alighted. 

"At last! I began to think you must have yielded to a most urgentinvitation to stay to dinner at Roselands, Beechwood, or Woodburn. "

"No, " said her mother; "invitations were not lacking, but were steadilydeclined for the sake of my daughter Rosie, who I knew would be sadlydisappointed if her mother failed to keep her promise not to remain longaway from her to-day. So here we are; and I see you have news toimpart, " she added with a smiling glance at a letter in Rosie's hand. 

"Yes, mamma, " returned the young girl, smiling and blushing as shespoke. "It is from Will, and incloses a little note from hismother--such a nice, kind, affectionate one--saying she is glad she isto have a daughter at last, and she wants to make my acquaintance assoon as possible. "

They had seated themselves, and Harold, having given his horse into thecare of a stable boy, now followed them, asking in a gay, banteringtone:

"Am I intruding upon a private conference, Rosie? I know mother may beintrusted with secrets which you might prefer not to give into mykeeping. "

"Certainly that is so, but this is not one of that kind, and you maylisten if you care to, " returned Rosie with a light laugh; then sherepeated the item of news just given her mother. 

"Ah! I wonder if she does not want an invitation to pay us a visit, "said Harold. 

"Wait, " laughed Rosie; "I have not told you all yet. She goes on tospeak of Cousin Arthur as a physician in whom she has great confidence, and to say that she would like to be in his care for at least a time; soif we can recommend a good boarding place somewhere in thisneighbourhood she, her husband, and son will come and take possessionfor weeks or months; at least until after the wedding. "

"By the way, " said Harold, "I thought I had heard that Mrs. Croly hadnearly or quite recovered her health while in Europe a few years ago. You know at the time Will was so nearly drowned they had just returnedfrom a visit there. "

"Yes, " replied Rosie; "she had been greatly benefited, but her healthhas failed again within the last year or two--so Will has told me. I dohope she may come here--into this neighbourhood--and that Cousin Arthurmay succeed in helping her very much. "

"Yes, I hope so, " said Harold. "He will be glad indeed of an opportunityto make some return for their very liberal treatment of him inacknowledgment of his service to their son. They feel that they owe thatson's life to Arthur's persistent efforts to resuscitate him when he wastaken from the sea apparently dead. "

"Will himself is very grateful to him, " said Rosie. "He has told me thathe feels he owes his life to Doctor Arthur and that nothing can everfully repay the obligation. "

"Yes; he has talked to me in the same strain more than once or twice, "said Harold. "Now I think of it, I should not be at all surprised ifthey would be willing to take the Crolys in at Roselands for a time. There is a good deal of unoccupied room in the house, and having herthere would enable Arthur to watch the case closely and do everythingpossible for her restoration to health. "

"Oh, that would be a grand plan!" exclaimed Rosie. "Though perhaps itwould make too much care for our lady cousins--Mary and Marian. "

"Well, we won't suggest it, " returned Harold, "but just tell Arthur herwishes--Mrs. Croly's, I mean--and let him give his opinion in regard topossible boarding places. Would not that be the better plan, mother?"

"I think so, " she said, taking out her watch, as she spoke. "Ah! itwants but five minutes of the dinner hour. I must go at once to my roomsand make ready for the summons to the table. "

It was not thought worth while to make Mrs. Croly's request a secretfrom any member of the family, so the matter was talked over among themas they sat together on the veranda that evening, and the differentboarding places in the vicinity were considered. It was feared none ofthem could furnish quite such accommodations as might be desired withoutplacing the invalid farther from her physician than would be convenientfor the constant oversight of the case which they supposed he would wantto exercise. 

"Well, evidently, " remarked Herbert at length, "we will have to referthe question to Cousin Arthur himself. And here he comes, mostopportunely, " as a horseman turned in at the avenue gates. 

He was greeted with warmth of cordiality and speedily installed in aluxuriously easy chair. 

"I was passing, " he said, "and though I don't like to be long away frommy wife and boy, I felt an irresistible inclination to give my Ionrelatives and friends a brief call. "

"And omitting that ugly word brief, it is just exactly what we are alldelighted to receive, " laughed Zoe. 

"Yes, " said Mr. Dinsmore, "we were talking of you and wanting youropinion on a certain matter under discussion. "

"Ah, what was that?" Arthur asked in return, and Mr. Dinsmore went on toexplain, telling of the desire of Mrs. Croly to put herself under hiscare for at least a time, and asking his opinion of the various boardingplaces in the vicinity. 

"Boarding places!" he exclaimed. "We would be only too glad to receiveher as a guest at Roselands; for as you all know I feel under greatobligation to Mr. Croly, her husband; besides, it would make it mucheasier for me to take charge of her case. Poor dear woman! I hope shemay be at least partially, if not entirely, restored to health. "

"That proposal is just what one might expect of you, Cousin Arthur, "said Grandma Elsie, giving him a look of affectionate appreciation; "butare you quite sure it would suit Cal's convenience, and that of yourwife and his?"

"Knowing all three as I do, I can scarcely doubt it, " replied Arthur;"but perhaps I would better consult them before sending the invitationto the Crolys. I will do so, and you shall hear from me early to-morrowor possibly to-night, " he added. "Marian, I am sure, will feel verymuch as I do about it, " he went on presently, "but just now the burdenwould fall more upon Sister Mary; so that I think I must not give theinvitation unless she is entirely willing. "

"Which I feel almost certain she will be, " said Rosie. "But I will waitto hear from you, Cousin Arthur, before answering my letters. "

"You shall hear at an early hour, " he returned. 

"Mary is hoping to have her parents here for the wedding and for a longvisit afterward, " remarked Grandma Elsie, "but you have room enough toaccommodate both them and the Crolys, I think. "

"Oh, yes!" replied Arthur, "there need be no difficulty about that. Ourhouse is large and the regular dwellers in it are far less numerous thanthey were in my young days. Ah, how widely scattered they are, " hecontinued half musingly--"my sisters Isadore and Virginia inLouisiana--Molly and Dick Percival there too, with Betty and BobJohnson; my brothers Walter and Ralph--the one in the army, the otherin California. Sister Ella, the only one near at hand, living atBeechwood; Cal and I the only ones left in the old home. "

"Where you are very happy; are you not?" asked his cousin Elsie in acheery tone and with an affectionate smile into his eyes. 

"Yes, " he answered, returning the smile; "Cal with his charming wife andtwo dear little children, I with my sweet Marian and a baby boy of whomany father might well be proud and fond. And I must be going back tothem, " he added, rising, and with a hasty good-night to all, he took hisdeparture. 

He was scarcely out of sight when the Beechwood and Woodburn carriagesturned in at the gates, the one bringing Mr. And Mrs. Ronald Lilburn, the other Captain Raymond, his wife, and his daughters Lucilla andGrace. 

All were received with warm and joyous greetings. They had started outfor a drive, met and exchanged salutations, had then decided to calltogether upon their Ion relatives; a not very unusual proceeding. 

And scarcely were they seated when Mr. And Mrs. Leland and Evelyn wereseen coming up the drive, having walked over from Fairview, tempted todo so by the beauty of the evening and the prospect of the pleasure of achat with the very near and dear dwellers in the old home at Ion, whonever seemed weary of their companionship, though scarcely a day passedin which they had not more or less of it. 

Nor was the communication with Woodburn much less frequent, though itwas farther away by a mile or more; for with their abundance of steedsand conveyances of various sorts, it could be traversed with such ease, expedition, and comfort that it seemed little or no inconvenience; theshort ride or drive was really a pleasure; though not infrequently itwas made a walk when roads were in good condition and the weather waspropitious. 

The welcome of the Fairview party was not less cordial than had beenthat of the others, and presently all were seated and a buzz ofconversation ensued. 

The young girls made a little group by themselves and of course theapproaching wedding, with the preparations for it, was the principaltheme of their talk. Rosie, not caring to have secrets from these verynear and dear young friends, told of the letters received that morningand the talk just held with Dr. Conly. 

"Oh, that was noble in Cousin Arthur!" exclaimed Lucilla. "The Crolyswere very generous to him, to be sure, but not at all more so than hedeserved. "

"No, " said Rosie; "they were quite able to pay him what they did; but itisn't everyone who would have done so, and I have always thought well ofthem for it; and I am glad Cousin Arthur can make them some smallreturn. "

"But should he succeed in restoring Mrs. Croly to health, that will notbe a very small return, I think, " said Evelyn with a smile. 

"No; for good health is the greatest of earthly blessings, " said Grace. "One can hardly fully enjoy anything without it. "

"As you know by experience, you poor thing!" said Rosie. 

"Oh, no! not now. "

"Have you fixed upon the wedding day yet, Rosie?" asked Lucilla. 

"No, not definitely; we have only decided that it shall be somewhereabout the middle of June; or perhaps a little later. I want to make sureof having Walter here; for it would be too bad to have him miss hisyoungest sister's wedding. "

"And you want Marian to have time to get well, too, don't you?" saidGrace. 

"Oh, yes, indeed! and she will be by that time; at least she seemsaltogether likely to be. Mamma was there to-day and found her doingnicely. "

"Hark! What is that Cousin Ronald is saying?" exclaimed Lucilla, andthey paused in their talk to listen. 

"I want you all, old and young, " he said in his blithe, cordial tones, "to come and have as good and merry a time as possible, to celebrate thethird birthday of my little namesake grandson. We talked the thing overat the dinner table and all agreed that there could be no better way ofcelebrating that most important event. "

"It certainly is a delightful time of year for an outdoor party in thisregion of country, " remarked Mrs. Dinsmore, "and I, for one, accept theinvitation with pleasure. "

"As I do, " said her husband. 

"And I!" "And I!" "And I!" added the others in turn. 

The young girls were highly pleased: it was by no means their firstinvitation to Beechwood, and they felt sure of being hospitably and wellentertained. Ella, Hugh's wife, had been mistress of the mansion beforethe marriage of the old gentleman and Annis, and so continued to be, with Annis' full consent, but there was no jarring between them; theywere congenial spirits, and enjoyed each other's society. Ella was fondof the old gentleman, too, --the only father she had ever known, --and herlittle ones, Ronald and his baby sister, were to all a strong bond ofunion. 

"It is to be an afternoon party, I suppose?" remarked Mrs. Dinsmore in atone of inquiry. 

"Yes, " said Mr. Lilburn. "Come as early as you please, bringing all thelittle folks as the guests of our bit laddie. We will have an earlysupper for their sakes, and after that the parents can carry them homeand see them in their nests as early as they like. "

"And both parents and little folks may stay as late as they like, " addedAnnis with a smile. 

"Yes, " said her husband, "each and every guest may feel free to dothat. "

"I hope you are not too busy to come, Rosie?" said Annis, turning toher. 

"Thank you, no; I should not like to miss the fun of attending littleRonald's birthday party, " returned Rosie in a sprightly tone, "and youmust be sure to bring him to the party I am to have some weeks later. "

"That, of course, will have to be as his father and mother say, " laughedAnnis. 

"Well, he shall not lack an invitation, " said Rosie. "I do not intendthat any of my relatives shall. By the way, I hope your nephew, CousinDonald Keith, will be able to get a furlough, so that he can come. Hehas visited us several times, here and at the seashore, and I like himvery much indeed. "

"Yes, so do I, " said Annis, "and I hope he may be able to come. I shouldenjoy showing him my new home and entertaining him there. "

"He will be in demand if he comes, " said Captain Raymond. "I shall wanthim as my guest; for he and I are old attached friends. "

"Ah, yes, I remember, " said Annis. "No doubt he will want to be with youa part of his time. "

"Yes, " said Grandma Elsie; "and as we will all want him we will have todivide the pleasure of his visit among us--if he will allow it. "

"I have always liked and admired Cousin Donald, " said Violet, "and oftenwondered that he has remained single all these years. "

"He has not happened to meet the right one yet, I suppose, my dear, " thecaptain said with a smile. "Or, if he has met her, has failed to secureher. "

"And in doing so has caused her to miss securing an excellent husband, I think, " said Violet. 

"In which I certainly agree with you, " Annis said. "All my marriednephews seem to me to be admirable husbands. I hope, Elsie, that CyrilKeith and his Isadore may be able to come to the wedding. "

"So do I, " responded Mrs. Travilla heartily; "and if they fail to comeyou may be assured it was not for lack of a warm invitation. "

"I hope they and all the other cousins from that region will come, "remarked Mrs. Leland. 

Just then the telephone bell rang. 

"There! that is Cousin Arthur, I presume, " said Edward Travilla, hastening to the instrument. 

His answering ring and "Hello!" were quickly replied to, and the nextmoment he announced to the company, "It was Arthur. He says all isright, and Rosie may send as warm an invitation as possible. They willbe only too glad to receive the three Crolys as their guests. "

"Oh, that is good!" cried Rosie. "Now I shall be able to send my replyby to-morrow's early mail. "

"Yes, Cousin Arthur was very kindly prompt; as indeed he always is, "said her mother. 

"Quite true, mother, " said Harold; "and Herbert and I try to copy him inthat, feeling that it is very necessary in a physician to be ready, able, and willing to answer a call for his services with expedition. "

"That it is, laddie, " responded Cousin Ronald, "for a life sometimesdepends on getting quick help frae the doctor. The life of a faithfu'medical mon is one of toil and self-denial; a fact that has made mewonder that you and your Cousin Herbert, here, chose it rather than avocation that wad be somewhat easier. "

"It is a hard life in some respects, " Harold answered; "but there issomething very delightful in having and using the ability to relievesuffering, and surely one who professes to be a follower of Christshould be seeking to do good to others rather than courting his own easeand enjoyment. "

"Yes; copying the dear Master's own example, " returned the old gentlemanwith a smile. "The dear Master who should be our pattern in all things. "

"Yes, " said Herbert, low and feelingly, "that is what we both sincerelydesire to do. "

It was still early when the callers bade good-night and took theirdeparture; the Lilburns going first, then the Raymonds, and lastly theLelands. 

All met again the next day at Beechwood, where they were joined by theother members of the family connexion and had a very pleasant afternoon, mostly taken up with sports suited to the entertainment of the littleones--three-year-old Ronald and his baby cousins. 

The invitations had been sent out too late to allow time for thepurchase of many gifts, but there were fruits and flowers, and some fewtoys; among these last, animals which ventriloquism caused apparently tosay very amusing things, to the surprise and merriment of the littlefolks. 

Then, when they began to tire of fun and frolic, they were seated abouta table under the trees on the lawn, and regaled with toothsome viands, not too rich for their powers of digestion. After that they were allowedto sport upon the verandas and the grass, while the elder peoplegathered about the table and satisfied their appetites with somewhatricher and more elaborate viands. 

They had finished their meal and were gathered in groups under the treesor on the verandas, when the sound of a banjo caused a sudden hush ofexpectancy. Glances were sent here and there in search of the musician, yet no one was greatly surprised that he was not visible. Several tuneswere played; then followed a song in the negro dialect, which madeeverybody laugh. 

That was the winding up of the entertainment, and, as it was nearing thebedtime of the little ones, all presently bade good-bye, with truthfulassurances of having greatly enjoyed themselves, and returned to theirhomes. 

CHAPTER IX. 

The Woodburn carriage was quite full with the captain and his entirefamily, excepting, of course, his eldest son, Max, who was far away onboard a man-of-war. 

"Well, " said Violet, as they drove out of Beechwood Avenue into thehighway, "I have enjoyed little Ronald's birthday party very much, andhope you can all say the same. "

"Oh, yes, mamma! I think we had good fun, " exclaimed Neddie. "To be sureRonald is only a baby boy--just about half as old as I am--but he's avery dear little fellow; and then his grandpa made a great deal of funfor us. "

"Sometimes it was his papa who did it, I think, " said Elsie. 

"Oh, yes!" said Ned. "Papa, why don't you do such things for ussometimes?"

"Really, my son, I do not seem to have any talent in that line, "returned the captain with a smile. "Your brother Max has, however, andI hope that, some of these days, he will come home and make the fun foryou that you are so eager for. "

"Oh, I'll be so glad! And will he teach me how to do it, too?"

"I hardly think he can, " his father answered, with an amused look; "atleast, not till you are a good deal older than you are now. "

"Well, I'm getting older every day; mamma tells me so when she wants meto behave like a little gentleman. "

"Which is always, Neddie boy, " Violet said, with an amused look. 

"Yes, my son, both mamma and papa want their little boy to be always alittle gentleman--kind, courteous, and thoughtful for others, " thecaptain said, softly patting the little hand laid confidingly on hisknee. 

"Lu, do you know if Rosie sent off those important letters thismorning?" asked Violet. 

"Yes, she told me she did; also that she had learned from Cousin Marythat Cousin Arthur had written a warm invitation from himself and hiswife, and from her and Cousin Cal, and sent it by the early morningmail. I presume they will be received by the Crolys to-morrow and thattwo or three days later the reply will come. "

"I think it can hardly fail to be an acceptance, " said Violet. "I shallbe glad of the opportunity to make the acquaintance of Rosie's futuremother-in-law, --the father-in-law too, --and I dare say Will is anxiousto have them know mamma, and perhaps the rest of us. "

"And, having done so they will be all the more pleased with the match, "added the captain. "By the way, my dear, we must keep open house for theentertainment of family connections when they are here to attend thewedding. "

"I am entirely willing, " Violet answered with a smile; "as well I may bewhen my husband bears all the expense and does the planning, with thehousekeeper's assistance, and she directs the servants, who do all thework. Really I do not know where a more fortunate woman than I can befound. "

"Nor I where a more appreciative wife could be discovered, " returned thecaptain, regarding her with a smile of profound affection. 

"I hope Captain Keith will be one of our guests, " said Grace. "I likedhim very much when he visited us that time at the seashore. Didn't you, Lu?"

As the question was asked the captain turned a quick, inquiring lookupon his eldest daughter, which, however, she did not seem to notice. 

"Yes, " she said rather indifferently, "I liked him well enough; and Iremember he was pleasant and kind at West Point--showing us about andexplaining things. But even if he hadn't been so kind and obliging Ishould be glad to entertain him as papa's friend, " she added. "Were youboys together, father?"

"No, " laughed the captain; "if I am not mistaken I am fully ten yearsolder than Captain Keith. "

"Why, papa, I don't think you look like it. And you are such greatfriends, " exclaimed Lucilla. 

"Well, my child, people may be great friends without being very near ofan age, " laughed her father. "For instance, are not you and I greatfriends?"

"Oh, we are lovers, " she answered with a bright smile up into his eyes. "But then we are not of the same sex. "

"And that, you think, makes a difference, eh?" he laughed. "But Max andNed seem to love me nearly as well as my daughters do. "

"Every bit as much, papa!" exclaimed Ned earnestly. "I do, I'm sure. "

"That is pleasant to hear, my boy, " his father said, smiling fondly uponthe little fellow. "And I presume brother Max would say the same if hewere here. Ah, we have reached home"; for at that moment the carriageturned in at the great gates. 

"Our own sweet, lovely home!" said Grace, looking out upon the beautifulgrounds with shining eyes. "I am always glad to get back to it, nomatter where I have been. "

"I too, " said Lucilla; "unless my father is somewhere else, " she added, giving him a most loving look. 

"Ah, I wasn't thinking of being in it without papa, " said Grace. "I'drather live in a hovel with him than in a palace without him. "

"I don't doubt it, my darling, " he returned. "I am entirely sure of thelove of both of you, and of all my children. "

"And of your wife, I hope, " added Violet in a sprightly tone. 

"Yes, indeed, my love, or I should not be the happy man I am, " heresponded; then, as the carriage drew up before the entrance to themansion, he threw open the door, alighted, and handed them out in turn. 

"The children seem to be tired, " remarked Violet; "do you not think theymight as well go at once to their beds, my dear?"

"Yes, " he said. "Grace also; for she looks as weary as they. "

"Thank you, papa, " she said. "I am tired enough to be glad to do so. Butdon't be anxious, " she added with a smile, as he gave her a troubledlook; "I am not at all sick; it is only weariness. " And she held up herface for a kiss, which he gave heartily and with a look of tenderestfatherly affection. 

The two little ones claimed their turn; then Violet and the three wentupstairs, leaving the captain and Lucilla alone together. 

"Didn't you say you had some letters to write when you came home, papa?" she asked; "and can't I help you?"

"I say yes to both questions, " he answered pleasantly. "Take off yourhat and come with me into the library. But perhaps you are too tired, "he added hastily, as if just struck by the thought. "If so, daughter, Iwould not have you exert yourself to do the work now. It can wait tillto-morrow morning. Or, if I find anything needing an immediate reply, Ican attend to it myself, without my little girl's assistance. "

"But I am not tired, papa, and I dearly love to help you in any andevery way that I can, " she answered, smiling up into his eyes. 

"I do not doubt it in the least, my child, " he said, laying his hand onher head in tender, fatherly fashion; "and you are a very great help andcomfort to me; so much so that I shall be extremely loath ever to letanybody rob me of my dear eldest daughter. "

"I hardly think anybody wants to yet, papa, " she laughed; "nobody seemsto set anything like the value upon me that you do. So you needn't be inthe least afraid of ever being robbed of this one of your treasures. Ah, papa, it is so nice--such a happiness to have you esteem me atreasure, and to know that I belong to you. "

"A happiness to me as well as to you, dear child, " he said. "Well, wewill look at the letters and decide whether it is necessary to answerany of them to-night. "

They had entered the library and drawn near the table while they talked. A pile of letters lay upon it. He took them up and glanced at thesuperscription upon each. 

"Ah! here is one directed to you, daughter, " he said, "and from someonein this neighborhood; for it is without a stamp. "

"Probably from Maud or Sydney, " she remarked. 

"No, " said her father, "the handwriting is evidently that of a man. Well, you may open it and see who the writer is, " handing it to her ashe spoke. 

"If you would rather I did not, papa, I do not want to, " she said, notoffering to take it. "Please read it first. "

"I can trust you, daughter, and you have my full permission to readit, " he said in a kindly indulgent tone. 

"Thank you, papa; but I really prefer to have you read it first, " shereplied. 

He smiled approval, broke the seal, and glanced over the missive. 

"It is from Chester Dinsmore, " he said; "merely an invitation to you togo with him to a boating party on the river, if your father givesconsent. "

"Which I don't believe my father will, " laughed Lucilla. 

"And you are not anxious that he should?" he queried with a smile. 

"Not unless he is entirely willing to have me go; and hardly even then, as he is not to be one of the party. "

"That is my own good little girl, " he said, putting an arm about her, drawing her close to his side, and kissing her several times. "I am notwilling to have you a young lady yet, --as I think you know, --but I wantto keep you my own little girl for some time longer. "

"I am very glad that you do, papa, " she returned, laying her headagainst his breast and putting her arms about his neck, "and I hope youwon't ever, ever grow tired of keeping me for your own, altogetheryours, with no partner in the concern, " she added with a low, gleefullaugh. 

"You need have no fear that I will grow tired of it until you do, " hesaid with a smile, and repeating his caresses. "But when that time comesdo not hesitate to tell me: for, rest assured, your happiness is verydear to your father's heart. And if you would like to accept thisinvitation, you may do so with my full consent. "

"Thank you, father dear, but I really do not care to go; I should muchprefer to keep the engagement already made for that day. "

"Ah! what is that?"

"Now, papa, have you forgotten that you are to take Mamma Vi, Gracie, and me into the city to do some shopping?"

"Ah, yes; I had forgotten it for the moment. But I dare say both yourmamma and Grace would be willing to defer that for a day or two. "

"But I wouldn't, because my father has taught me not to breakengagements without very strong reasons; which I don't think I have inthis case. "

He laughed a little at that. "Well, daughter, " he said, "you shall do asyou please about it, and I am glad to see that you are so good atremembering your father's instructions and so ready to obey them. "

"Thank you, sir. And now must I answer Chester's note--or will you do itfor me?"

"That shall be just as you please, daughter. Perhaps it would be as wellfor you to write the answer; but, if you greatly prefer to have me doso, I shall not refuse. "

"May I do it on the typewriter?"

"If you prefer it, I see no objection. "

"I do prefer it; it is so much easier and quicker than working with apen, " she said. 

"Perhaps you would better wait until to-morrow morning, however, " hesuggested; "for, on thinking the matter over, you may find that youprefer to accept the invitation after all. "

He was examining the rest of his mail, and she considered hisproposition for a moment before replying to it. 

"Yes, papa, " she said at length, "I will wait a little--perhaps tillto-morrow morning--before writing my answer. And now I will get ready towrite replies to those letters at your dictation. "

"Yes, daughter; fortunately there are but few that call for a reply, andit need not be long in any case. " He laid down the letters and took thecover from the machine as he spoke, then supplied her with paper andenvelopes, put a sheet into the machine, and began dictating. They madequick work of it, and had finished in about half an hour. 

Violet joined them just as Lulu took the last sheet from the machine. 

"Oh, " she said, "I see you are busy; but I will not interrupt. "

"We are just done, my dear, and very glad to have you with us, " said herhusband. 

"Yes, Mamma Vi, this is the last letter papa wants written for him, andyou are just in time to help me decide on a reply to one of my own. "

"Willingly, if you wish it; but I should say your father's advice wouldbe worth far more than mine, " returned Violet in a sprightly tone. "Levis, my dear, do you refuse to tell her what to do or say?"

"I only advise her to follow her own inclination--if she can find outwhat that is, " he answered, regarding Lucilla with a smile that seemed amixture of fatherly affection and amusement. 

"Yes, papa is so dear and kind he won't give me any order at all, and Iam so used to being directed and controlled by him that it really seemshard work to decide for myself, " laughed Lucilla. 

"But what about? My curiosity is keenly aroused, " said Violet, glancingfrom one to the other. 

"An invitation for me to go boating and picnicking day after to-morrow, "returned Lucilla. "You may read it, " handing Chester's note to Violet. "I have no very strong inclination to accept, --especially as we areexpecting to take that day for our shopping expedition to the city, --butpapa seems to think I should hardly decline on that account. Still heleaves me free to decline or accept as I please, and though I have oftenwished he would, when he wouldn't, this time I wish he wouldn't when hewill"; she ended with a hearty laugh. 

"And I suppose your conclusion is that fathers are sometimes verydoubtful blessings, " the captain said, assuming a grave and troubledair. 

She gave him a startled look. "Oh, papa! surely you are not in earnest?surely you know that I was not?" she exclaimed beseechingly. 

He smiled and held out his hand. She sprang to his side and he drew herto a seat upon his knee. 

"Yes, daughter, dear, I do, " he said, caressing her hair and cheek withhis hand, "and I, too, was but jesting; I am troubled with no doubts ofthe sincere, ardent affection of my eldest daughter. "

"Yes, " said Violet with a smile, "I think she very nearly makes an idolof her father--which is not surprising considering what a dear, goodfather he is. Well, I have read the note, Lu, and I think, if I wereyou, I would accept the invitation. Don't you think, my dear, that wemight do the shopping to-morrow?"

"Certainly, if it suits you, my love, " he replied. "I do not know whyto-morrow would not suit for that business as well as the next day. "

"And that leaves you free to accept Chester's invitation, Lu. "

"Yes, and I begin to feel as if I might enjoy it right well if----"

"If what, daughter?" her father asked, as she paused, leaving hersentence unfinished. 

"If I were perfectly sure you would not rather I did not go, papa. "

"I think I can trust you to behave well, even out of my sight, " hereturned with a smile, and in a jesting tone; "and though I still callyou my little girl, that is more as a term of endearment than anythingelse; and I really think you are large enough, old enough, and goodenough to be trusted, occasionally, out of my sight--away from my side. "

"Thank you, papa dear, " she said, her eyes shining; "it is a greatpleasure to hear you say that, and I certainly do intend to conductmyself exactly as I think you would wish; so now I will answerChester's note with an acceptance of his invitation, " she added, leavingher father's knee and seating herself before the typewriter. "I'll makeit short and submit it to you, papa, for approval. "

"About that, too, you may do exactly as you please, " he responded, stepping to her side and putting the paper in for her, as when she wasabout to write for him. 

She made quick work, saying only what seemed necessary, submitted it toher father's and Violet's verdict, which was altogether favourable, thendirected an envelope, placed the note in it, and sealed it, saying, "There! it is all ready to go early to-morrow morning, and will be nohindrance to me in getting ready for the shopping expedition. "

"Which, perhaps, you will enjoy nearly as much as the boating party, "remarked Violet in a jesting tone. 

"Probably more, " responded Lucilla; "at least if we are successful infinding very suitable and handsome wedding gifts for Rosie. Father, howmuch may I spend on one?"

"I think not more than a hundred dollars. "

"Oh! may I have so much as that for it? You dear, good papa!" sheexclaimed. 

"I am well able to afford it, " he returned pleasantly, "and should besorry to let my daughters give other than valuable wedding gifts to mywife's sister. "

"Thank you, my dear, " said Violet with a gratified look. "I have nodoubt Rosie will appreciate your and your daughter's kindness, as shecertainly ought to. "

"Grandma Elsie has been very, very kind to us, " said Lucilla, and herfather added:

"She has, indeed! I can never forget how kindly she took my children inwhen I was unable to provide them with a good and happy home. "

"Hark! I hear carriage wheels on the drive; we are going to havecallers, " exclaimed Lucilla, and, as she spoke, they all rose and wentout upon the veranda to receive their guests. 

They proved to be Maud, Sydney, and Frank Dinsmore, from the Oaks; and, when greetings had been exchanged, they said their errand was to speakof the boating party, and ask if Grace could go; also if Lucilla hadreceived Chester's invitation and meant to accept it. Chester would havecome himself but had an unavoidable business engagement for the evening. 

"I have given Lucilla permission to go, " the captain replied, "but Graceis not strong enough for the exertion she would be likely to makewithout her father at hand to caution and care for her. "

"Oh, I am sorry!" said Maud. "I hoped Gracie could go and would enjoyit. But I am glad we may tell Chester that Lu can. "

"I have written my acceptance of his kind invitation, " Lulu said, "andwill send it in the morning. "

"Captain, " said Frank, "if you will let Miss Grace go I promise to takeall possible care of her. Won't it seem a trifle hard to her to have tostay at home while her sister and the rest of us are having such a goodtime?"

"I think not, " the captain answered. "Grace is the best and most dutifulof daughters, always satisfied with her father's decisions; thinking heknows what is best for her. Also she loves her home and home pleasures;indeed thinks there is no other place quite equal to home. "

"It is a lovely place, that's a fact, " Frank returned with a slightlaugh, "but variety is the spice of life, and possibly Miss Grace'shealth might be better if she tried more of that spice. "

"I think that if you ask her you will learn that a pleasant variety isnot, and has not been, lacking in her experience of life, " was thecaptain's pleasant-toned rejoinder. 

"I am sure of it, " remarked Maud. "I never knew anybody who seemed to mehappier or more light-hearted than Gracie. And, oh, but she dotes uponher father!"

"As all his children do, " said Lucilla, giving him a look of ardentaffection. 

"You will not keep my daughter out very late?" the captain said, addressing Frank in a tone of inquiry. 

"No, sir; we expect to get home before dark. But if anything shouldhappen to detain us you need not be uneasy. We will take good care ofher and return her to you in safety. "

"We are staying out rather late now ourselves, Frank, and I thinkshould be starting for home, " said Maud, rising and turning to Violet tobegin her adieus. 

"Father, " said Lucilla, turning to him when their callers had gone, "please don't let me go at all if you expect to be the least bit anxiousabout me. I would far rather stay at home than cause you a moment'suneasiness. "

"My dear child, I must allow you a little liberty--let you out of mysight sometimes, " he said with a smile. "But it pleases me that you areso ready and willing to do whatever you find most pleasing to yourfather, " he added, pressing affectionately the hand she had put intohis. 

"Are you not afraid my father will make me miserably conceited--givingme so much more commendation than I deserve?" she asked with a roguishlook and pleased laugh. 

"I hope not; you will fall very much in my estimation if you growconceited and vain. I do not think you that now; but, remember, love isblind, and your father's love for you is very great. "

"Yes, you dear papa, I know that and it makes me, oh, so happy, " shesaid with joyous look and tone. 

"As I think you have reason to be, Lu, " Violet said, regarding herhusband and his daughter with a smile of pleased sympathy. 

"It is time for our evening service, and then for my daughter to go toher bed and take her beauty sleep, " remarked the captain looking at hiswatch. 

"Yes, papa, " laughed Lucilla, "I need all of that kind of sleep that Ican get. "

CHAPTER X. 

"Ah! so you are up, Gracie dear, " Lucilla said, looking in the nextmorning at the communicating door between their rooms. "I have been downin the grounds with papa for the last half hour, and he bade me come andtell you to dress for a drive; for we are to go on our shoppingexpedition to-day instead of to-morrow. "

"Are we?" exclaimed Grace. "To-day will suit me as well as to-morrow;but why have papa and mamma changed their plans?"

"It is all for my benefit, " laughed Lucilla. "You must know that ChesterDinsmore has been so good as to invite me to attend a boat ride andpicnic with him to-morrow, and, to my surprise, papa gave me fullpermission to go. "

"That was very kind of him, " remarked Grace, "and I hope you will have adelightful time. "

"I don't know, " Lulu returned, with doubtful tone and look. "I think Ishall not half enjoy it without you; and papa says you are too feeble togo on such an expedition without him; you would need him to take care ofyou and see that you did not overexert yourself. "

"Yes; and, of course, papa is right; he always knows what is best for meand all of us. "

"So I think, and I did not at all expect him to say I could go. I wasn'tvery anxious that he should, either; though I dare say it will be verypleasant as the Dinsmore girls are going, and, perhaps, Rosie Travillatoo. "

"Oh, I think you will enjoy it! I hope so, I am sure, " exclaimed Grace, looking both pleased and interested. "Now please tell me what dress youare going to wear to the city to-day, and advise me about mine. "

"I hadn't thought about it, yet, " said Lucilla; "but there, I hear papacoming into our sitting room. I'll run and ask him what he would adviseor direct about it. It is a matter of great importance, you know"; andwith that she laughed merrily, turned about, and ran to meet theirfather. 

He decided the knotty question, promptly saying: "The gray dresses madefor you both a few weeks ago will be very suitable, I think. " Then hebade her help Grace and also change her own dress, because they wouldmake an early start for the city, going very soon after leaving thetable. 

"I am glad to hear that, papa, " she returned, "for a drive in the earlymorning air is so pleasant. But I wish I had no occasion to change mydress, because I fear that will take up all the time of your morningcall here on Gracie and me. "

"I think not, if you are prompt in your movements, " he said. "I shallsit here for some little time reading the morning paper. "

"Oh, I am glad of that! and perhaps, papa, if you look over theadvertisements you may find something that will help us in the searchfor the pretty things we want to buy. "

"Very possibly, " he replied. "I will look them over at once. "

"Thank you, sir. I'll do as you bid me and be back again as soon as everI can; for I don't like to lose a minute of my father's morning call, "she said, giving him a bright, loving look, then hurrying back to hersister. 

"We'll have to make haste, Gracie, " she said, "if we don't want to missaltogether our morning chat with papa. We are to wear our new graydresses, he says. "

"That suits me nicely, for I think them becoming, pretty, and suitable. Don't you?"

"Yes; I think nobody has better taste or judgment about dress than ourfather. "

"Just my opinion; and we may well think so, considering how many lovelydresses and ornaments he has bought for us, selecting them without thehelp or advice of anyone. There, sister dear, your dress is on all rightand I shall make haste to change mine while you put the finishingtouches to your attire. "

They joined their father in a few moments, talked over theadvertisements he had been examining and the question of thedesirability of this and that article as a wedding gift to Rosie, buthad reached no decision when the breakfast bell rang. 

"Well, daughters, " the captain said, "we will go down now to ourbreakfast and, while we are eating, talk the matter over with yourmamma. She probably knows better than we what would be likely to pleaseRosie. "

"But we do not need to decide until we see the things, do we, papa?"asked Lucilla. 

"No, certainly not, and we may find something very handsome and suitablethat we have not thought of. I hope it will be a pleasure to both of youto look over the pretty things and make a selection. "

"You dear father, " Grace said, smiling up into his eyes, "you are alwaysthinking of something to give your children pleasure. "

"Yes, " he said, returning her smile, "perhaps because it reacts uponmyself, giving me a great deal of pleasure. "

They found Violet and the little ones already in the breakfast room;morning greetings were exchanged, then they seated themselves at thetable, the captain asked a blessing, and the meal began. 

They chatted pleasantly while eating, the principal subject of discoursebeing their errand to the city. Violet had not heard Rosie express adesire for any particular thing, but thought they would probably seesomething in the stores that would strike them as handsome and suitable. 

"Is Elsie going with you to-day, papa? and am I?" asked Neddie. 

"Yes, my son, if you want to go, " the captain replied. "And would youlike to buy some gifts for Aunt Rosie, too?"

"Oh, yes, yes indeed, papa!" cried, both children, Elsie adding: "But Ihave only a little money. I'm afraid it won't be enough to buy anythinghandsome enough for a wedding present. "

"Well, " their father said reflectively, "you have been good children, and I feel inclined to give you each a present of ten dollars, which youmay dispose of as you like. "

"Oh, thank you, papa!" both cried delightedly, Ned adding: "I s'poseit's for us to buy something for Aunt Rosie with; isn't it, papa?"

"If you want to use it for that you may; but you are not compelled to doso; you can spend it for someone else, or for yourself if you choose. "

"I'm going to spend mine for Aunt Rosie, " Elsie announced. "It was verynice and kind in her to choose me for a flower girl at her wedding, andI'd like to give her something very pretty; something that she wouldlike. Mamma, you will help me to choose my present, won't you?"

"With pleasure, daughter; and I am sure your papa and sisters will helpus in our selection. They all have good taste. "

"And y'll all help me, too, won't you?" asked Ned. "I want to buy theprettiest thing I can find for Aunt Rosie. "

"Yes; you shall have all the advice you want, my son, " his father said. "And now, as you have all finished eating, we will go to the library andhave family worship; then make ourselves ready and set off upon our tripto the city. "

"I think we couldn't have selected a better time for our expedition, "Violet said as they entered their carriage; "the air is bracing, theweather delightful, and the roads are in excellent order, are they not, my dear?"

"Yes, " the captain answered, "we could ask no improvement, and I thinkwill travel rapidly enough to reach the city in very good season. " Theydid so and were successful in finding what they esteemed beautiful giftsfor the coming bridal. And Rosie's pleasure on receiving them was asgreat as they, the givers, had hoped. She had many handsome and valuablepresents, but none seemed to gratify her more than these from herWoodburn relatives and friends. 

"I like those gray dresses of yours, girls; they are both pretty andbecoming, and very suitable for such a trip as we have taken to-day, "remarked Violet as they rode homeward. "You will wear yours to thepicnic to-morrow, I suppose, Lu?"

"If papa approves, " answered Lucilla with a laughing look at him. 

"Entirely, " he said; "though I shall not insist if you prefer somethingelse. "

"That reminds me of some of my Nantucket experiences of years ago, " sheremarked. "Do you remember, papa, how I missed going to the 'squantum'with the rest of you because I took off the suitable dress Mamma Vi haddirected me to wear, and donned some very unsuitable finery?"

"Yes, " he replied, "that was an unhappy time for both the rebelliouslittle girl and her father. "

"Yes, papa; oh, I'm afraid I gave you many a heartache in those days. Iremember I wanted very much to dress in white for the clambake, someweeks after that, but you wouldn't allow it. I was a very foolish littlegirl, and now I am very glad I had a wise, kind father to keep me inorder. "

"You were not rebellious about that second disappointment, " he said witha smile, "and in the years that have passed since then you have learnedto be very submissive to your father's wishes and directions. "

"Yes, sir, because I have found out from experience that he is far wiserthan I, and always seeks my best interests. "

"That is certainly what he wishes to do, daughter; for the welfare ofall his dear children lies very near his heart. "

"Yes, papa; you love us all, I know, " little Elsie said with a bright, glad look up into his face. 

"Of course papa does, " said Neddie; "if he didn't he wouldn't give usmoney to spend, and ever so many other nice things; or take us to thecity for such a good time as we have had to-day. "

"Yes, our dear papa is very good to us all, " said Grace. "We have had adelightful drive, a fine time in the city, and now here we are at ourown lovely home again, " she added as the carriage turned in at the greatgates. 

"It is nearing tea time, daughters, and you had better go at once toyour rooms and make yourselves neat for the evening, " the captain saidas he helped Lucilla and Grace to alight. 

"Yes, sir, " they answered and hastened up the broad stairway, followingViolet and the two little ones. 

"Dere's a gemman in de parlour a-waitin' for to see you, cap'in, " said aservant, coming leisurely in from the back veranda. 

"Ah! has he been here long?"

"'Bout ten minutes, I reckon, sah. "

The captain hastened into the parlour and found Chester Dinsmore there. Cordial greetings were exchanged, and Chester received a warm invitationto stay to tea, which, however, he declined, saying that he had alittle professional work on hand which must be done that evening if hewas to take to-morrow for a holiday. "I came over, captain, " he added, "to thank you for allowing me the privilege of taking your daughter, Miss Lucilla, to the picnic to-morrow, and to ask if--if you would notbe so very kind as to remove your prohibition of--of love-making on mypart, and----"

"No, Chester, " the captain said in kindly but grave accents, as theyoung man halted in his speech, "you surely forget that my objection wason account of my daughter's youth, and that she is only a few monthsolder now than she was then. I do not want her to begin to think oflovers for several years yet, and am objecting to your suit for thatreason only. I show no greater favour in this matter to anyone else. Andyou may feel that I am showing confidence in you in permitting her to goto to-morrow's picnic in your care. "

"Yes, sir; thank you, sir. I shall not abuse your confidence, and, though I find it hard not to be permitted to speak and use my bestefforts to win the prize I so covet, it is some consolation that youtreat other suitors in the same way. "

"Perhaps, too, that my daughter is equally indifferent to them all, " thecaptain remarked with a smile. "And by the way, my young friend, don'tyou suppose it may be a trifle hard for Lucilla's father to resign thefirst place in her heart to someone else?"

"It is according to nature, sir, " Chester said, returning the smile. "You served Cousin Elsie so when you stole Cousin Violet's heart; andCousin Elsie's husband had taken her from her father. It has been theway almost ever since the world began; so I suppose it is all right. "

"Yes; but a father has a right to say it shall not begin too soon withhis own daughter. Wedlock brings cares and responsibilities that shouldnot be allowed to fall too soon upon young shoulders, and it is mydesire and purpose to keep my dear young daughters free from them untilthey reach years of maturity. "

"Putting it so, captain, it does seem that you are acting kindly bythem, though I must insist that it is hard on the lovers, " Chesterreturned between a smile and a sigh. "But I think you may trust yourdaughter with me to-morrow without much fear that I will abuse yourconfidence. And I am not at all sure that I could gain anything byspeaking. We are good friends, --she and I, --but I doubt if she cares acent for me any other way. "

"As to that, " the captain said in kindly tone and with his pleasantsmile, "I still have the happiness of believing that, as yet, her fatherholds the first place in her heart. I cannot hope that it will be soalways--perhaps I ought not to wish it; but I do rejoice in the firmconviction that such is the fact at present. "

"No one can blame you for that, sir, " Chester said, rising to takeleave, "but, ungenerous as it sounds, I cannot help hoping that, one ofthese days, I may be able to shift your position to the second place, taking the first myself. It sounds dreadful selfish, but fathers have togive way to lovers and husbands if the human race is to continue. I hopeto be here in the morning, captain, a little after nine o'clock, with acarriage, to take Miss Lu to the wharf where the boat will be lying. Ipromise to take the best of care of her, to do and say nothing of whichher father would disapprove, and to bring her home safely, Providencepermitting, before dark. "

"I have no doubt you will, Chester, and I trust her--one of my choicetreasures--to you with confidence in your purpose to be the faithfulguardian of her safety, and perfectly trustworthy as regards the matterof which we have been speaking, " were the captain's parting words to hisyoung visitor as he saw him out to the veranda. 

"Thank you, sir; I hope to prove faithful to the trust. Good-evening, "Chester returned, then sped away down the drive. 

He thought it best, as did the captain also, that Lucilla should be leftin ignorance of his call. 

She came downstairs when the tea bell summoned the family to partake oftheir evening meal, and at its conclusion all gathered upon the frontveranda, as was their custom. They had not been there very long when theFairview carriage was seen to turn in at the great gates and comeswiftly up the drive. As it drew up before the entrance they perceivedwith pleasure that it contained Mr. And Mrs. Leland and Evelyn, GrandmaElsie, and Rosie. A warm welcome was given them, all were comfortablyseated--the young girls in a group together a little to one side of theolder people--and soon an animated chat was being carried on by eachparty. 

"Well, Lu, " the captain presently overheard Rosie saying, "I suppose youare invited to to-morrow's picnic; I heard you were to be--you andGracie both. Are you going?"

"I believe I am, " replied Lucilla. "I have had an invitation, and papahas given me permission to accept it; but he thinks Gracie is not strongenough to go on such an excursion without him along to take care ofher. "

"Yes, I suppose that is so, " said Rosie. "I am sorry, for I am going andI should like to have Gracie's company. Rather than do without it Iwould even take Brother Levis' too, " she added with a laugh and in alittle louder tone, turning a playful look upon him as she spoke. 

His quick ear had caught the words. 

"Can that be so, Sister Rosie, " he said with assumed gravity. "Well, unfortunately, I cannot go, as I have had no invitation. Also as I havealready declined the invitation for Grace, she cannot go. But I trustshe is not greatly afflicted by this state of affairs. "

"No, indeed, papa, " responded Grace with a contented little laugh. "Itis very far from being a trial to have to stay in this sweet home withyou and mamma, Elsie and Ned. "

"I hardly supposed you would have time and inclination to go, Rosie, "said Lucilla. 

"Oh, yes, indeed!" laughed Rosie. "I think it advisable to seize all thepleasures of single blessedness while I can. "

"But married folks can go to picnics. "

"Yes, so they can--to some of them; but this is only for the unmarried, who have gotten it up. "

"Did you have a hand in that?" asked Lucilla. 

"No; it was the work of our young gentlemen friends--my brothers, cousins, and some others. "

"Of course you have not yet heard from your friends, the Crolys?" Lulusaid inquiringly. 

"No; there has not been time; unless they had telegraphed; as, perhaps, they may, to Cousin Arthur. Speak of angels! here he comes!" sheexclaimed, as, at that moment, a gig turned in at the great gates andcame on rapidly toward the house. 

Dr. Arthur Conly was in it, and, presently, having reached the verandasteps, drew rein, bade good-evening, and announced to his cousins Elsieand Rosie that he had received a telegram from the Crolys thanking himfor his invitation and saying that it was accepted and they might beexpected in a few days. 

"Ah! that is good news, if it suits you all at Roselands, " said GrandmaElsie. 

"As I think it does, cousin, " returned the doctor. "At all events theyall seemed pleased; which I think is particularly kind in Sister Maryand Cal. "

"Yes, " said Rosie, "and I hope and believe the Crolys will prove soagreeable as guests, or boarders, that they will never regret it. "

"So do I, " Arthur said; "also I think that the Crolys will find us allso agreeable that they will never regret it. "

"Won't you alight and take a seat among us, doctor?" asked the captainhospitably. 

"Thank you; I should enjoy doing so, but duty calls in anotherdirection, a sick patient needing prompt attention. Good-evening to youall"; and, turning with the last words, he drove away. 

"So, Rosie, you are likely soon to be able to make the acquaintance ofyour future mother-in-law, " said Violet. "But you don't seem alarmed atthe prospect. "

"No; because I am not. From all Will has told me I think she must be alovely and lovable woman; as he thinks his future mother-in-law is. "

"And as all to whom she bears that relation can testify, " remarked thecaptain with an affectionate, appreciative glance at the sweet face ofGrandma Elsie. 

"I, for one, " said Mr. Leland heartily; "and I feel entirely sure ofZoe, the only other one to whom she bears that relationship. "

"You are all very kind, very ready to pass my imperfections by, "responded Mrs. Travilla's sweet voice. "And if I am a good mother, I canassure you that it is at least partly as a a consequence of having goodsons and daughters. "

"May you always be able to say that, mother, " responded the captainheartily. "It would be a sorry sort of man or woman who could be anyother than a good son or daughter to you. "

"Oh, Lu!" said Evelyn presently, "didn't you tell me you were going intothe city to-morrow to do some shopping?"

"Yes; but we did it to-day, in order that I might have to-morrow freefor the picnic. We all went to the city and had a very pleasant andsuccessful time. "

"Shopping is apt to be very fatiguing work, " said Grandma Elsie. "I seeGrace looks weary. Dear child, if you feel like retiring, do not let ourpresence hinder you for a moment. "

"Thank you, Grandma Elsie; but I don't like to miss a minute of yourcall, " returned Grace, exerting herself to speak in a lively tone. 

"I'd like to tell about what we bought, " said Ned, "but I suppose I mustnot. "

"Better wait till you have the articles here to show, my son, " said hisfather. 

"Yes; we had to leave them to be marked; but Aunt Rosie will see themsome of these days, " said the little fellow. 

"And she is very willing to wait till the right time comes, " Rosie said, putting an arm about him and giving him a kiss; for he had gone to herside. 

"I'm afraid it will be a good while to wait, " he returned. "Papa was sokind, he gave us--Elsie and me--each ten dollars to do what we pleasedwith. Lu and Gracie had a good deal more, 'cause they are older, youknow, and----"

"There, that will do, Ned, " laughed his mother. "It is your bed time. Say good-night to grandma and the rest, and Elsie and you and I will runaway for the present. "

The callers did not stay very long after Violet's return to the veranda, and soon after their departure the captain held his evening service andthen advised Lucilla and Grace to retire at once, that the coming daymight find them fully rested and refreshed. 

They obeyed with cheerful alacrity, and arose the next morning feelingnone the worse for the exertion of the previous day. 

Chester came promptly at the appointed hour, found Lucilla ready for theexcursion, and they drove away in fine spirits. Chester spared no painsto make himself agreeable to his companion, but was careful not to do orsay anything of which her father could disapprove. He brought her homeagain before dark, slightly fatigued, but gay and lively, with much totell of the pleasant experiences of the day. 

"Did Rosie go?" asked Grace. 

"Yes, and was very merry; indeed, so we all were. We were rowing aboutand fishing most of the time. "

"Both at once?" queried her father with an amused look. 

"No, sir; we kept still enough while trying to catch the fish, and wecaught as many as we could eat, then landed, made a fire, --the young mendid, I mean, --cooked the fish, made coffee, and we had our dinner. Wegirls spread a tablecloth on the grass and got out the good things inthe baskets. They were in great plenty, quite a variety, and all verygood and palatable. I think the air and rowing had given us all fineappetites so that everybody ate heartily and seemed to enjoy it. "

"And you were not sorry you went?"

"No, indeed! I am much obliged to you, father, for letting me go, " sheadded, turning to him with a look of love and gratitude. 

"You are very welcome, daughter, " he said, "and I am glad you enjoyedit. There is an old saying that 'all work and no play makes Jack a dullboy, ' and I think girl nature does not differ in that respect. "

"Oh, you dear papa! none of your children are ever allowed to have allwork and no play, " she exclaimed, giving him a look of ardent affection. "You take a great deal of trouble to give us pleasure; you always have. "

"Yes, indeed, " said Grace; "it seems to be papa's greatest delight togive pleasure to his wife and children. Don't you think so, mamma?"

"Indeed I do, " returned Violet heartily. "I have never known a moregenerous or unselfish person than my husband and your father. "

"And what shall I say?" queried the captain. "That when I am the personunder discussion no greater flatterers can be found than my wife andolder daughters?"

"Oh! we will excuse you from saying anything on the subject, sir, "laughed Violet. 

"Now, what kind of a time did you all have staying at home without me?"asked Lucilla. "I hope you have missed me a little. "

"Of course we did, " replied Grace. 

"Your father missed both his daughter and his amanuensis, " said thecaptain. 

"Oh! there were letters to be answered?" she exclaimed. "Please let medo it now, papa?"

"No, dear child, I answered them myself; and if I had not I should notlet you work to-night, after all the fatigue of the day. "

"You are so kindly careful of me and all of us, papa, " she said with agrateful, loving look into his eyes. "I am somewhat tired, but not toomuch so to use the typewriter, if you wanted any work done on it. It issuch a pleasure to be of even a little service to my dear father. "

"And such a pleasure to your father to be served by so dear and loving adaughter, " he returned; "one so valuable to me that I cannot consent tohave her broken down with too much of either work or pleasure. You mustgo to bed presently and try to take a good night's rest after theexertions of the day. "

"I am ready to go whenever my father bids me, " she said in a cheerfultone; "and I want to begin my night's sleep early enough to be ready formy usual stroll with him about the grounds before breakfast. "

"Yes; I should be sorry to have to take that without the pleasantcompany of my early bird of a daughter, " he said. "I should miss hersadly. "

Lucilla's eyes shone. "Thank you, papa! it is very nice in you to saythat, " she said, "and I dearly love those early walks with you. "

CHAPTER XI. 

In less than a week after the Crolys had signified their intention ofaccepting the invitation to Roselands the news of their safe arrival wascommunicated to the family at Ion, and as soon as the doctor thoughtMrs. Croly sufficiently rested to see visitors, Grandma Elsie and Rosiecalled upon them there. 

They were mutually pleased--Mrs. Croly delighted with the prospect ofhaving so charming a daughter as Rosie. 

And now preparations for the wedding went on rapidly, the bride-elect, and those who were to be her attendants, being particularly interestedin regard to their attire for the great occasion, and keeping thedressmakers very busy in fashioning their finery. 

Then, as the time drew near, relatives and friends from a distance beganto arrive. 

To the great joy of Mrs. Calhoun Conly her parents were among thefirst, and their and her near relatives from Indiana and Louisiana soonfollowed; their coming giving great pleasure to both her aunt Annis andherself, as well as to the Ion family. Mrs. Betty Norris and her brotherDr. Robert Johnson, their half brother Dr. Dick Percival, and his sisterMrs. Molly Embury of Magnolia Hall, with her husband, were among thelater arrivals, and about the same time came Captain Donald Keith, having succeeded in obtaining a furlough for several weeks. 

He, Dr. Percival, and several others of the family relatives were atfirst domiciled at Woodburn, where they were made very welcome and mosthospitably entertained. Donald's was the first arrival, though only aday or so in advance of the others. He and Captain Raymond met with allthe old cordiality, evidently glad to renew the comradeship of earlierdays, while Violet's greeting was warm and cousinly, and that of theyoung girls such as they might be reasonably expected to bestow upon avalued friend and relative of the family. 

Donald, hardly realising how many months and years had rolled by sincehis last sight of them, was surprised at their growth in height andbeauty, and did not wonder at their father's evident pride and delightin claiming them as his own. 

But for the few days between his coming among them and the wedding therewas little opportunity for becoming intimately acquainted, so greatlyinterested and occupied with the preparations for it were they, and, indeed, all the family connection. He furtively watched them, however, while Captain Raymond, calling to mind a talk he had had with Donald atWest Point, some years before, in regard to his eldest daughter, did thesame by him whenever the two were together in his presence. He notedwith pleasure that Lucilla evidently cared for Captain Keith only as arelative and friend of the family, never thinking of him as a lover oradmirer of herself, or likely to become one. 

"She is still satisfied with her father's affection, " was his pleasingthought. "She evidently cares little or nothing for other men, and I mayhope to keep her altogether my own for years to come; though there aresome half dozen or more young fellows who, as I plainly perceive, arelooking upon her with longing eyes. "

That fact was evident to Violet, also, and she jestingly referred to itat one time when, for a few moments, they were alone together. 

"My dear, " she said, "be watchful if you would not be robbed of Lu, perhaps of Gracie, also; for the dear girls are entirely too charmingfor you to hope to escape an effort from somebody to take them fromyou. "

"I agree with you in that idea, but am not alarmed, " he said with a lookof quiet confidence, "believing that my daughters still love theirfather better than any other man, and are satisfied that he seeks theirbest good in refusing to consider them as yet old enough to leave hiscare and protection for that of anyone else. "

"I am sure you are right, " returned Violet, "and very glad I am to thinkI shall not lose their sweet companionship for years, if ever. I feel, though, that it would be very selfish in me to want them to missentirely the great happiness I have found in wedded life, " she addedwith a look of ardent affection into his eyes. "But I fear there arenot many husbands equal to mine. "

"I hope there are, " he said with a smile that was very loving andtender, "and I am sure it could not fail to be the case if there weremany wives as worthy of love and entire devotion as is mine. "

"Thank you, " she said with a pleased smile. "I cannot tell you how oftenI rejoice in the thought of my husband's blindness to my many faults. "

"If there is any such blindness, my dear, I am quite sure it is mutual, "he returned with a look of amusement, adding, "and we will try to keepit up; won't we?"

"Yes, indeed, " was her laughing rejoinder, "and I hope Rosie and herWill may be led to follow our good example in that respect. "

"As I do, " he rejoined; "and, knowing them both as I do know them, Ithink there is every prospect of it. "

This talk was upon a side veranda where they sat watching their twolittle ones at play together in the grounds. 

"Papa!" cried Ned at this moment, running toward them, "didn't you hearthe telephone bell? I thought I did. "

"No, my son, " returned the captain; "and if it is ringing, one of yoursisters will answer it, no doubt. They are both upstairs. "

"It did ring, papa, and I answered it, " said Lucilla, stepping from theopen doorway and coming swiftly toward him. "Rosie was calling to methat there is to be a rehearsal of to-morrow's wedding ceremony, thisevening, and asking if we can come over and take our parts. May we? Willyou take us?"

"I say yes to both queries, " was the pleasant-toned reply. "I will orderout the carriage and we will all drive over directly after tea. I havebeen told that our gentlemen guests are all to spend the evening thereor at Beechwood or Roselands. "

"Oh, I like that!" exclaimed Lucilla. "And now, our wedding dressesbeing entirely finished, Grace and I are going to try them on. Will ourfather, Mamma Vi, Elsie, and Ned come up presently and see what theythink of our appearance in them?"

"Of course we will, " answered Violet. "I can speak for myself and thechildren, and have not a doubt of Captain Raymond's desire to see howwell the dainty gowns become his young-lady daughters. "

"He hardly considers them young ladies yet, Mamma Vi, " laughed Lulu. "And I am sure I don't want him to, for I dearly love to have him callme his own little girl, " she concluded, with a look of ardent filiallove and respect into her father's eyes. "I hope he will let me alwaysbe that to him. "

"Always, while you wish it, daughter mine, " he responded in low, tendertones, affectionately pressing the hand she had laid in his. "Now go, array yourself in your finery, and we will follow in a few moments, " headded in a little louder key, and she hastened to obey. 

"Oh, mamma!" cried Elsie, who had drawn near enough to overhear nearlyall that had been said, "mayn't I try my wedding dress on, too? You knowit is almost finished--all but sewing on a few buttons, Alma said awhile ago. "

"I have no objection, " said Violet, rising. "Come, and I will help youput it on. "

"Your wedding dress, Elsie? you are not old enough to get married, "laughed Ned. "Is she, papa?"

"No, indeed! very far from it, " the captain said. "Even her oldersisters are much too young for that; but they seem to so have namedtheir new gowns because of having had them made expressly to be worn atthe wedding. "

"Yes, sir; I suppose that is what they mean. Aunt Rosie's will be theonly real wedding dress, and I heard mamma say it was very handsomeindeed. And I like my new suit you bought me to wear to the wedding; andyour new one, too. "

"I am glad you are satisfied, " his father said. "The dress of the ladieswill be noticed much more than yours or mine, but it is only right thatmen and boys should take pains to be neatly and suitably attired. Now Ithink we may follow your mother and sisters and see what they have toshow us. "

The dresses were pronounced by all beautiful, perfect in regard to fit, trimming, and suitability to the occasion on which they were to be worn;very becoming, also, the captain remarked in an aside to his wife; aremark to which she gave a hearty and unqualified assent. 

"We'll wear these dresses to Ion to-night, won't we, mamma?" askedElsie. 

"Oh, no, child!" replied Violet; "the rehearsal will be gone throughwith in ordinary attire, and these grand dresses kept perfectly freshfor the wedding. Come, now, we must make haste with the change, for thetea bell will ring presently. It is well you took a good nap thisafternoon, for I fear you are likely to be kept up late. "

"Probably a little later than usual, " said their father, "though, asto-morrow is to be so exciting a day, I intend to bring you all home inpretty good season; that you may be able to take such a night's rest aswill give you the needed strength to go through the trying ordeal. "

"There, papa, " laughed Grace, "you talk as if we were all going to bemarried. "

"Dear me, but I am glad we are not!" exclaimed Lucilla, "and that I amnot the one that is. "

"Quite a lucid remark, my child, " laughed her father. "But now I willleave you to make the necessary changes in your dress that you may beready for a drive on leaving the tea table. "

They hastened to obey, helping each other and laughing and chattingmerrily as they worked. They were ready when the summons to the teatable came, and, directly after leaving it, all entered the familycarriage and drove to Ion, greatly enjoying the balmy air, the easymotion over the smooth roads, and all the sweet sights and sounds oflovely summer time in the country. They never wearied of those familiarthings, daily blessings though they were. 

The sun was near its setting when they reached Ion, where they found agathering of friends and relatives unusual in its size, though notnearly so large as it would be on the coming day, when the great eventwas to take place. 

Walter was one of the first to greet them, having reached home thatmorning and been ever since much excited over the situation ofaffairs--the prospect of losing Rosie, his youngest and only singlesister out of the home nest, as a permanent resident there. 

"Glad to see you, Vi!" he exclaimed, seizing his sister, Mrs. Raymond, in a warm embrace. "Glad to see you all--Brother Levis, Lu, Gracie, andyou little folks. Of course you haven't forgotten Uncle Walter in thelong months since we parted in Paradise Valley?"

"No, indeed!" answered several voices. 

"And we are all very glad to see you at home among us again--I must notsay little brother, according to former custom, I suppose?" added Violetin merry accents; "for you have grown into a fine young gentleman. "

"Thank you, " he returned with a slightly embarrassed laugh. "Well, Imean to try to be, as well as to seem. "

But others were crowding about, and in the exchange of greetings, questions, and answers, there were time and opportunity for no more. 

There was a pleasant bustle, a good deal of mirth and laughter, theyoung folks going about from room to room to examine the tastefularrangements for the grand affair of the morrow--then, the last one ofthose selected to take part in the ceremony having arrived, they wentthrough their rehearsal; so that even the little flower girls might beperfect in their parts, knowing just how and when to enter the room, where to stand and what to do. 

They were greatly interested and very anxious to do all in the bestpossible manner, that no one might be mortified by their failure and ledto regret that they had been chosen to perform that particular part. They succeeded admirably, and were delighted with the praise freelybestowed upon them by one and another of the onlookers, including theguests and the members of the different families present. 

When all seemed perfect in their parts, which no one found verydifficult, some simple refreshments were served, and presently afterCaptain Raymond and his family departed for Woodburn, Captain DonaldKeith and Dr. Dick Percival accompanying them. 

It was something of a disappointment to both these gentlemen that, veryshortly after arriving there, Captain Raymond advised his daughters toretire, in order that they might feel entirely rested and refreshedbefore entering upon the exciting pleasures and fatigues of the comingday. 

"I know it is the best plan for me, papa, " returned Grace in cheerfultones, and began her good-nights at once. 

"For me too, since I want all the beauty sleep I can get in preparationfor to-morrow, " laughed Lucilla, "though of course it is by no means sonecessary for the bride's attendants as for herself. "

"Ah! is that because they are so much handsomer to begin with?"

"Oh, papa! please refrain from asking such hard questions!" was theresponse in tones of mock entreaty; "hard because they seem to imply agood deal of vanity in me. I was only meaning that, of course, thebride's appearance will attract the most attention. "

"Ah! was that it? Well, my child, say good-night and go; get to bedquickly, put aside thoughts of to-morrow's gaieties, and indulge insleep so sound and refreshing that you will be ready to give your fatherhis usual companionship in his early stroll about the grounds. "

"I'll do my best to follow all those directions, sir, " she said with abright, pleased look. "Good-night, gentlemen, " turning toward theguests. "I hope you will both sleep well and find to-morrow'sfestivities very enjoyable. " And with that she hastened away, leavingthe three gentlemen alone upon the veranda, for Violet was seeing herlittle ones to bed. 

"What a rich man you are, Raymond!" remarked Keith, half unconsciouslysighing slightly as he spoke. 

"You are right, " returned the captain cheerily, "my wife and childrenbeing by far the most valuable of my possessions. I only wish that youand your friend here, " glancing at Dr. Percival as he spoke, "wereequally wealthy. But you are younger men, and may hope to become as richas I am by the time you are my age. "

"Hardly; so far as I am concerned, at least, " returned Keith drily;"seeing I am already some ten or a dozen years older than you were atthe time of your first marriage, Raymond. "

"Yet by no means too old to hope yet to become in the near future ahappy husband and father. I am at a loss to understand why you have notfound a mate before this. "

"Ah, none so blind as those that won't see!" returned Keith with aslight laugh; then changed the subject of conversation by asking aquestion in regard to the plans of the young couple expecting to beunited on the morrow. 

Captain Raymond answered the query. A moment's silence followed; thenKeith, turning to Dick, said: "I presume you and I are of about the sameage, doctor?"

"Quite likely; and confirmed bachelors, both of us, it would seem, " wasthe nonchalant rejoinder. "I am some years older than Cousin Vi. "

"Not too old for reformation, however, " remarked Captain Raymondpleasantly. "And let me assure you that a wife--such as mine, forinstance--is a very great blessing; doubling the happiness of life. "

"I don't doubt it, sir, " said Dick; "but such an one is not to be pickedup every day. "

"No, certainly not. I have always felt myself strangely fortunate insecuring so great a treasure. "

"As you well may, " remarked Keith pleasantly; "yet your good fortune hasbeen largely owing to your undoubted worthiness of it, Raymond. "

"In which opinion I agree with you heartily, Cousin Donald, " respondedViolet's sweet voice close at hand, taking them by surprise, for, in theearnestness of their talk they had not perceived the sound of her lightapproaching footsteps. "I think there is nothing good which is beyond myhusband's deserts, " she added as all three rose hastily to hand her to aseat, Donald saying:

"So you overheard me, Coz! Well, please remember that it was I whobrought you two together. An act which seems to have born abundance ofgood fruit in the happiness of all concerned. "

"I think it has, " she said, her husband adding, "And for which I, atleast, owe you a deep debt of gratitude. "

"And not you alone, my dear, " said Violet; "and in return I can wish himnothing better than wedded happiness equal to our own. "

"A wish in which I heartily unite with you, " said Captain Raymond. 

CHAPTER XII. 

Captain Raymond and his eldest daughter were out in the Woodburn groundsthe next morning at their usual early hour, wandering here and therealong the shaded paths and among the shrubs and flowers, noting theirgrowth in size and beauty, gathering blossoms, and chatting together intheir usual familiar and affectionate manner; Lucilla expressing herthoughts and feelings as freely and openly as though her companion hadbeen one of her own age and sex. 

"I am glad for Rosie, " she said when the talk turned upon the subject ofwhat was expected to be the great event of the day, "she seems so happy;though how she can be in the prospect of leaving the dear home of herchildhood and the mother who loves her so fondly, I cannot understand. Oh, father! I do think I can never, never bear to go away from you! Itseems impossible that anyone else can ever be half so dear to me, and Iam so glad that you want to keep me your own little girl for yearslonger. "

"For all our life on earth, daughter, if you are satisfied to have itso, " he returned, bestowing upon her a look and smile of tenderestfatherly affection. "You are still one of my chief treasures, which Ishould be very loath to bestow upon anyone else; dearer to me--as all mychildren are--than tongue can tell. "

"Yes, papa, " she said, looking up into his eyes with a joyous smile, "soyou have told me many, many times; but I love to hear it just as if youhad never said it before. "

"As I do your expressions of ardent love for me, daughter, " he returned. "Very glad I am that I am not the one who must to-day resign to anotherthe ownership of a daughter. "

"I am sorry for Grandma Elsie, " said Lucilla; "but then I suppose shemust feel rather used to it--having given away two daughters before. "

"And having none left to be a care and trouble, eh?" laughed her father. 

"No, sir; having both near enough to be seen and enjoyed every day ifshe chooses. Don't you hope that will be the way with you if you have togive any of yours up to somebody else?"

"I certainly do, " he said. "I should be very loath to consent to havingany one of them carried off to a distance. But let us not troubleourselves with anxious thought of what may lie in the future. Rememberthe dear Master's word, 'Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. '"

"Yes, papa; and I remember your teaching me that his 'Take no thought, 'means no anxiety, and that it tends greatly to one's happiness to liveone day at a time, just leaving all the future in his hands. "

"Yes, daughter; just as a little child leaves its future and the supplyof its daily wants in the care of its parents. "

"Such kind teaching, and easy to understand when one has such a fatheras mine, " she said, with a look of grateful love. 

"I am thankful, indeed, daughter, if anything in my treatment andteaching helps you to a clearer understanding of how the Master wouldhave you to act and feel, " he said in tones that spoke full appreciationof her filial affection. 

"Ah! there is our mail, " he added, as a servant was seen carrying ittoward the house; "so we will go in now and see if it contains anythingimportant for you or me. "

"And if there is anything you want answered on the typewriter you willlet me do it at once, won't you, papa?" she asked, as they quickenedtheir footsteps, taking the direction toward the house. 

"If you have time, and wish to do so, daughter. "

"Yes, sir; I have hardly anything to do till it is time for the drive toIon. "

"Unless you should find a letter, or more than one, of your own, callingfor a reply, " he returned, smiling down into her bright, animated face. 

"That is not very likely, considering how few correspondents I have, "she laughed. 

They reached the veranda from one direction as the servant entered itfrom another, and the captain, taking the mail bag from him, walked oninto the library, Lucilla following. He emptied the contents of the bagupon the table, and going rapidly over them, said: "Several letters forour guests" (laying them aside as he spoke), "one for your mamma; nonefor any of my children, and only two business letters for me. Well, daughter, " glancing at the clock on the mantel, "you may sit down toyour typewriter and answer these at my dictation; as I see there will betime to do so before the ringing of the breakfast bell. Ah, good-morning, Keith!" as at that moment that gentleman entered the room. "Here areletters which I was just about to send up to you. "

"Thank you, " said Keith, taking them from his host's outstretched hand. "I am glad to have saved you the trouble. I hope you and Miss Lucillaare both quite well?" giving her a bow and smile as he spoke. 

"Entirely, thank you, and have just come in from our usual early strolltogether about the grounds. I hope you rested well. Take that easy-chairand don't let our presence interfere with your enjoyment of yourletters. "

Keith declined that invitation, saying he felt a strong inclination fora breath of the sweet morning air before the summons to the breakfasttable should come; so would read his letters upon the veranda, and, withthem in his hand, passed out of the room. 

"I strongly suspect that was from a polite disinclination to hinder usin our work, papa, " remarked Lucilla in a sprightly tone, as her fatheruncovered the machine and made all things ready for her work. 

"Quite likely, " he responded, "for I never met anyone more truly politeand thoughtful for others. He is a Christian man and acts from Christianprinciples in all that he does. "

"As his friend, my father, does, " she said with a look of filialreverence up into his face as he stood by her side. 

"And as I trust my daughter does and will ever do, " he returned withgrave earnestness, then began his dictation. 

They made rapid work and had finished and joined Keith upon the verandabefore the ringing of the breakfast bell summoned all to their morningmeal. 

"Rosie has an ideal wedding day, I think, " remarked Violet as she pouredthe coffee; "that shower in the night having laid the dust in the roadsand made the air deliciously cool. "

"Also refreshed vegetation, " added her husband, "so that trees andshrubs and flowers are as fresh and fragrant as possible. "

"The sun shines brightly, too, " added Grace, "reminding one of the oldsaying I have so often heard quoted: 'Happy is the bride on whom the sunshines. '"

"It is pleasant to see it shining, yet I do not believe Rosie wouldhesitate a moment, or feel the least anxiety about its effect upon herfuture happiness, if the rain were pouring down, " said Lucilla; "becauseshe has great confidence in her bridegroom that is to be, and not aparticle of superstition in her nature. "

"That is giving her high praise, " said Keith, "for there are few who areentirely free from it, though very many are hardly aware of its holdupon them. "

"You are quite correct, I think, sir, " remarked Dr. Percival; "we areall apt to be blind to our own feelings, and hardly conscious that ourprejudices and superstitions are such, blind to our weakness--even moreto the mental than to the physical. "

"Then how well it is that there is no occasion for their exercise, orfor battling with them to-day, " observed Violet in a sprightly tone;"and though, of course, mamma and all of us must, when Rosie is gone, miss our constant sweet companionship with her, we ought not to mourn, but rather rejoice that she is going into a Christian family and gaininga devoted Christian for a life companion. "

"Yes; that is indeed a cause for joy and gratitude, " said Keith. 

"Father, will Mr. Croly be any relation to us after he gets married toAunt Rosie?" queried Ned. 

"Yes, my son; brother to your mamma and me, and uncle to the rest ofyou. "

"Meaning Neddie himself and Elsie, papa?" Grace said halfinterrogatively and with an amused little laugh. 

"Ah, yes! he is certainly too young to be, or wish to be, that to myolder daughters, " returned her father with a look of amusement. 

"No danger that he will want to claim that relationship, Gracie, "laughed Lucilla. "Even Walter does not, though I know you are aparticular favourite with him; but he, to be sure, is still younger thanMr. Croly by some years. "

"It is at two o'clock Aunt Rosie is to be married, then there will bethe wedding feast, and after that the bride and groom will go on ajourney, " said Neddie, as if bestowing a piece of valuable informationupon his hearers. 

"Yes, " said Elsie, "but, as everybody knows it, what's the use oftelling it?"

"I thought perhaps Cousin Donald and Cousin Dick didn't know it--atleast, not all of it, " said Ned. 

Then his father told him he had talked quite enough, and must be quietduring the rest of the meal. 

"We who are to be the bride's attendants should go over early, I think, "remarked Lucilla. "At least we, the older ones, " she added with asmiling glance at Elsie; "the little flower girls will not be neededuntil somewhat later. "

"You may set your own time, " her father said. "I will send you and Graceover in the family carriage, and it can return in full season for theuse of anyone else who desires it. We have a variety of horses andconveyances, gentlemen, any or all of them at your service at whateverhour you may appoint, " he added, turning to his guests. "There will beabundance of time for a ride or drive for mere exercise or enjoyment, before donning your attire for the grand occasion, if you wish to takeit. "

Both gentlemen accepted the offer with thanks, and they proceeded to laytheir plans for a gallop together over some of the roads with which Dickhad been familiar in his childhood, but which would be new to CaptainKeith. They set out within an hour after leaving the breakfast table, and not very long afterward the young girls were on their way to Ion. 

They found the house beautifully decorated with flowers from garden andconservatories, especially the room in which the ceremony was to takeplace. 

Everybody seemed in a state of subdued excitement, Rosie half gay, halfsad, her eyes filling whenever she turned them upon her mother--the dearmother who had so loved and cherished her all the days of her life withsuch unselfish devotion as no other earthly creature could know; howcould she endure the thought of the impending separation? She could not;she could only strive to forget it, and keep her mind filled with theimportant step now just about to be taken, for she had already gone toofar to retreat even were she sure that she wished to do so. The motherwas scarcely less affected, but with her greater experience of life wasbetter able to control and conceal her feelings. And so were the otherswho, though pleased with the match, still felt that this was thebreaking up of some very tender ties; they would not allow theirthoughts to dwell upon that, but would occupy them with the mirth andgaiety of the present. 

But to Mrs. Croly, who had so far recovered under Dr. Conly's skilfultreatment that she was able to be present, it was all joy: she hadalways wanted a daughter, and now was gaining one after her own heart;for Rosie seemed to her all that was good, beautiful, and in every wayattractive. And then, in respect to family, fortune, everything thatcould be thought of, she was all that could be desired. The elder Mr. Croly, too, was entirely satisfied with the match, and already felt apaternal interest in the young girl just entering his family. In factupon both sides there was perfect satisfaction with the match. 

Everything went well; there was no bustle or confusion; minister andguests were all there in due season; bride, groom, and attendants, including the little flower girls, performed their parts without mistakeor discomposure. Kisses, congratulations, and good wishes followed; thenthe wedding feast was partaken of leisurely and with mirth and jollity, the bridal dress was exchanged for a beautiful travelling suit, thefarewells were spoken, with cheery reminders that the separation was tobe but temporary, the bride expecting soon to rejoin the dear homecircle. That thought was a very comforting one to her, and, though tearshad fallen at the parting from her loved ones, --especially hermother, --they soon ceased their flow under the tenderly affectionatecaresses and endearments of him who was henceforward to be to her thenearest and dearest of all earthly loved ones, and her face grew radiantwith happiness as he had hoped to see it on their bridal day. 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Nearly all the guests--relatives and dear friends--remained for somehours after the departure of the bride and groom, some conversingtogether upon the veranda, some wandering in couples or little companiesabout the grounds or sitting in the shade of the beautiful trees on thelawn. 

Most of the young people, especially those of them who had beenattendants of the bride and groom, gathered about Grandma Elsie--forthey all loved her, and everyone felt that she had particular need ofsome pleasant distraction of thought just at that time, to prevent herfrom dwelling upon the partial loss of her youngest daughter. 

Walter was, of course, one of the group, and he presently plunged intolively accounts of his college-boy experiences, very interesting andamusing to him and presumably so to others, as, in fact, they were tomost if not all of his auditors, his older brothers among the rest; forit seemed to carry them back, in at least a measure, to their ownFreshman days, with all their trials and triumphs, their pleasures andannoyances. 

"Did anybody do anything very bad to you, Walter?" asked Grace. 

"No; not very, " he replied; "hazing has been almost abolished, and whatis still done is by no means unendurable. 

"Oh! I must tell you of a bit of fun we had only the other day. On theporch of one of our boarding houses a countryman had set down a basketof eggs--about twenty dozen I was told--that he had brought in forcustomers; and there they stood, looking as tempting as possible, especially to wild young college boys, some of whom, coming there whenrecitations were over and the dinner hour approaching, saw them and wereimmediately smitten with a desire to handle, if not to taste them. Onefellow snatched up an egg and threw it at another; it struck him, broke, and bespattered his clothes. He, naturally, retaliated in kind, andother fellows followed their example, the fun growing fast and furious, till every egg the basket had contained was gone, and porch, students, and their clothing were a sight to behold. "

"And what did the farmer say when he came back for his basket and foundit empty?" asked Lucilla. 

"He was very angry, but those who had broken the eggs paid him his fullprice, and he went off tolerably well satisfied, though he growled thathe was compelled to disappoint his customers. 

"The boarding house keeper was angry, too, but stopped scolding whentold that the mischief should be repaired at the expense of those whohad caused it. "

"The clothes of those engaged in the row must have been in a pretty badcondition, " remarked Harold. 

"Yes, of course; and they had some fine tailors' bills to pay beforethey were again presentable. "

"A shameful waste of good food provided by our Heavenly Father, thatsomeone's hunger might be satisfied, " remarked Grandma Elsie gravely. "Surely the young men engaged in it must have forgotten the teaching ofour Saviour when he said, 'Gather up the fragments that remain, thatnothing be lost. '"

"Mamma! I had forgotten that, " exclaimed Walter, blushing vividly. 

"A poor excuse, my son, " she replied. "'Remember all the commandments ofthe Lord, and do them. ' Those are his own words given to Moses to speakunto the Children of Israel. Jesus was and is God; therefore what hecommanded is the command of God. And since he had just proved hisability to create abundance of food, his command to avoid waste musthave been given for the benefit of his hearers; and can you think hewould have approved of the waste of good, nourishing food of which youhave just been telling?"

"No, mother; I am convinced that it was not right; that it was, in fact, wicked waste. I must own that I had a share in it; but I promise you Iwill never be guilty of the like again. It does seem very wrong when onethinks of the multitudes of people in different parts of the world whoare actually starving. "

"Yes, I hope you will be more thoughtful in future--will use yourinfluence against such objectionable sport; surely bright young men andboys should be capable of finding or making better or less blameworthyfun. You may feel assured, however, that your mother is interested inall that interests you. So if you have anything more to tell of yourcollege experiences we will be glad to hear it. "

"You found the Sophs rather domineering, didn't you?" asked Herbert. 

"About as much so as they dared to be, I should say, " laughed Walter. "For instance, they won't let the Freshes wear white duck trousers tillsome time in May. Nor will they allow them to wear the colours gold andblack till just at the close of their Freshman year. "

"Well, that is tyranny!" exclaimed Lucilla, "and if I were a Freshman Iwouldn't stand it. "

"Ah! but if you didn't you might have something worse to stand, " laughedWalter. Then he went on, "I must tell you about the cane spree. Theyhave it at the time of the first full moon. The players are three menfrom each class--one light-weight, one middle, and one heavy-weight. Thestudents of all classes gather in a circle around them to watch thesport. First the light-weights try a tussle for the cane; then themiddles, and lastly the heavys. It is not so much strength as skill thatwins, and the victors keep their canes as trophies, and are proud toshow them for the rest of their lives. "

"Well, really, " laughed Maud Dinsmore, "it does not strike me asanything worth taking particular pride in. "

"Mayhap that is because you are only a girl, Maud, " remarked Chesterteasingly. 

"Yes, " she returned sportively, "if I were only a boy I might be assilly as the others. "

"Does it strike you as very silly, Gracie?" asked Walter. 

"Well, no; not for boys, " she returned doubtfully, "but rather so for aman. There are so many other things in which--at least it seems tome--it would be better worth while to excel. "

"Yes; so there are, " he agreed with a thoughtful look. "And yet anoccasional bit of sport is a good thing even for a man. "

"That is very true, " said Harold; "and certainly as true forbrain-workers as for any who toil with their hands. "

"Doesn't it seem pleasant to be at home again, Walter?" asked Grace. 

"Yes, indeed!" he exclaimed. "There is no place like home--especiallyhome with mother in it. "

"Or with father in it, " added Grace as, at that moment, Captain Raymondjoined the circle. 

"Such a father as ours, " said Lucilla, looking up at him with a smile ofproud, fond affection. He returned it, accepted an offered seat, andasked Walter if he had been entertaining the company with tales ofcollege doings and experiences. 

"Yes, sir, " returned the lad. "I suppose it is the usual thing for aFreshman to do on coming home at the end of his year. "

"Quite; his head being pretty full of them, " was the playful rejoinder. "Well, little--no, young brother--I hope the old tutor has not beenentirely forgotten, in admiration and affection for the new?"

"No, sir; no, indeed! and never will be, " returned Walter, speaking withan energy and earnestness that brought a smile to the captain's lips andeyes. "I shall show myself strangely ungrateful if I ever forgot thepatience and kindness with which my oldest brother instructed me; andall for no reward at all. "

"Ah! there you are mistaken, " said Captain Raymond pleasantly. "It wasreward enough to know that I was helping to fit you for futureusefulness. I hope, my boy, you will live to be an honour to your motherand a blessing to the world. "

"I hope so, sir; it is my ardent wish, " Walter said low and earnestly, giving his mother a most loving look as he spoke. 

"And if you trust not in your own strength, but look constantly to Godfor help, you will succeed, my son, " she responded in low, moved tones. 

Just at that moment there were several additions to their group, amongthem Captain Keith and Dr. Percival, and the talk turned upon plans forthe next few days, and after that for the summer. Most of the relativesfrom a distance would linger in that neighbourhood for a week or more, and entertainments of one kind and another would be given by thoseresidents there. The Oaks, The Laurels, Fairview, Woodburn, Roselands, and Beechwood would have their turns. After that must come theinevitable breaking up and scattering of guests to their own homes orsome summer resort, while most of the dwellers in that region would gonorthward in search of a cooler climate in which to pass the heatedterm. But it was not deemed necessary to settle it all now; only toarrange on which day each estate would be the scene of entertainment. Ittook a good deal of consultation, mingled with merry jests and happylaughter, to settle all that. Then there was a general leave taking andscattering to their homes--temporary or settled. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

The wedding had been on Wednesday. On Thursday all gathered, byinvitation, at the Oaks, where Mr. And Mrs. Dinsmore gave them a royalentertainment. On Friday the same thing was repeated at The Laurels, onSaturday at Fairview, and on the following Monday all were to assembleat Woodburn. 

Being a Christian, Sabbath keeping connection, no one thought for amoment of profaning the Lord's day by frivolity and merry making. Thosewho were able attended church in the morning; in the afternoon the Ionand Woodburn people taught their Sunday-school classes as usual, andafterward held a Bible class among themselves at Woodburn, that beingthe point nearest to the schoolhouse on the Woodburn place, at whichthey had just concluded the exercises for the day. 

Dr. And Mrs. Landreth and her brother, the Rev. Cyril Keith were, justat that time, among the guests of Captain and Mrs. Raymond, and, by therequest of the little company, the minister led the exercises. 

Turning over the leaves of his Bible, "The thought strikes me, " he said, "that perhaps godliness would be as good a subject for to-day'sconsideration as we could find. 'Godliness with contentment is greatgain, ' the apostle tells us. It is a duty and the part of wisdom to becontented with what God our heavenly Father has seen fit to give us ofthe good things of this life; for there is no happiness to be found indiscontent, murmuring, and repining; envying those who seem to us tohave a larger share than ours of the riches and pleasures of earth. 'Webrought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothingout. And, having food and raiment, let us be therewith content. 'Happiness does not depend upon the amount of our earthly possessions. 'Trust in the Lord and do good, so shalt thou dwell in the land, andverily thou shalt be fed. ' That promise alone should be enough to makeone contented and happy, even though possessed of but very little ofthis world's goods. Indeed, why should we care to have much of thatwhich may at any moment fall from our grasp? Let us rather seek the trueriches which endure unto eternal life. Let us follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. May ours be 'the path of thejust which is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto theperfect day. '

"But I consented, not to the preaching of a sermon, but only to theleading of the exercises in which all are privileged and desired to takea part. Let us have the reading or quoting of texts bearing upon thesubject of godliness. "

Then, from their open Bibles they read in turn, the older peopleselecting for themselves, the younger searching out references giventhem by their leader. 

"Papa, " asked Neddie, when there was a pause in the reading, "what isgodliness? Does it mean the same as being a Christian?"

"Yes, my son. "

"And to be a Christian is to love Jesus and try to be like him andserve him everywhere and all the time?"

"Yes; a real, true Christian is one who follows Christ, striving to belike him in every way and to keep all his commands. "

"I think I do want to, papa. Please tell me more about it. "

"We must study the Bible to learn all about Christ Jesus--how he livedin this world, what he did, and what he did not do, what sort of spirithe showed--and strive to have the same spirit ourselves; for the Bibletells us 'If any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his. 'Jesus said, 'I must be about my Father's business, ' and if God is ourFather we too will be about his business. "

"But how, papa? I don't understand it. "

"Jesus came to save souls; and we must try to save them by leading themto him; first by serving him ourselves, then by persuading others to dothe same--telling them of all his great goodness and mercy, his lovingkindness, and how he suffered and bled and died that sinners might besaved--even those who hated and persecuted him. How strange it is thatwe do not love him more and serve him better!"

"And how enduring is that love--the love of Christ, " added GrandmaElsie. "His own word is, 'Yea, I have loved thee with an everlastinglove: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee. '"

"And he laid down his life for us, " said Mrs. Landreth. "And he himselfsaid, 'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his lifefor his friends. Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you. '"

"Yes, that is the test, " said Mr. Dinsmore; "we have no right toconsider ourselves his disciples unless we are striving earnestly tokeep all his commandments. He himself said, 'Either make the tree goodand his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruitcorrupt: for a tree is known by his fruit. '"

"Yes; if we love our Father we will strive earnestly to keep hiscommandments and not feel them to be grievous. A loving child is anobedient one, " said Mr. Keith. "'For this is the love of God, that wekeep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. '"

"'God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, '" quoted his son Donald. "In his love and in hispity he redeemed us. "

Then there was a moment's pause, presently broken by Mr. Dinsmorestarting the hymn "Love divine, all love excelling, " in which the othervoices promptly joined. 

That closed the exercises for that time, and those who had come merelyto take part in them bade good-bye for that day with the expectation ofreturning on the following one. And those who remained behind scatteredto their rooms until the summons of the tea bell brought them togetheragain about the table, to partake of their evening meal; after whichthey repaired to the veranda and spent in conversation and music, suitedto its sacredness, the closing hours of that Lord's day. 

Captain Raymond and his wife lingered for a little upon the verandaafter their guests had gone to their rooms. They sat side by side--hewith his arm about her waist, her hand fast clasped in his, while herhead rested upon his shoulder and her eyes looked up lovingly into hisface. 

"My dear, " she said softly and with a beautiful smile, "I am so happy. Ilove you so, so devotedly, and am so sure that your love for me isequally strong. "

"I think it is, my darling--light of my eyes and core of my heart, " heresponded low and feelingly. "You are to me the dearest, sweetest, loveliest of earthly creatures. I can never cease wondering at my greatgood fortune in securing such a treasure for my own. I am rich, rich inlove. My children are all very near and dear to me, and I know and feelthat I am to them, but you--ah, I think you are dearer than all five ofthem put together!"

"Ah, " she said with a joyous smile, "those are sweet, sweet words to me!And yet they make me feel almost as if I had robbed them--your children. They all love you so dearly, as you have said, and set so high a valueupon your love to them. "

"And it is very great: none the less because my love for you is stillgreater. You, my dear wife, are my second self--'bone of my bone andflesh of my flesh. ' It is right that our mutual love should exceed allother earthly loves. "

"Yes; and yet I fear it would make Lu--perhaps Gracie also--unhappy toknow that you have greater love for anyone else than for them. "

"I think they do know it, and also that it is right that it should beso. And I presume they will both some day love someone else better thantheir father. I cannot blame them if they do. "

"Perhaps the love differs more in kind than degree, " Violet saidpresently. 

"Yes; there is something in that, " he returned; "yet it is notaltogether that which satisfies me. We are all bidden to love oneanother. 'Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved theChurch, and gave himself for it. . . . So ought men to love their wives astheir own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. . . . Let everyone of you in particular so love his wife even as himself. '"

He paused and Violet finished the quotation. 

"'And the wife see that she reverence her husband. ' Ah, it is easy forme to do that with such a husband as mine, " she added. "Also, I rememberthat in Paul's epistle to Titus there is a passage, where the aged womenare bidden to teach the younger ones to be sober, to love theirhusbands, to love their children. And in the next verse to be obedientto their husbands. I think I have kept that command as far as I couldwithout getting any orders from mine, " she concluded, smiling up intohis eyes. 

"Yes, indeed, dearest, " he said, returning the smile and drawing hercloser to his side with a fond gesture, "where one's slightest wish ispromptly and eagerly complied with a command would be altogethersuperfluous. And though I consider it wise and right--yes, anunquestionable duty to exact prompt, cheerful obedience from mychildren, I do not think I should ask it of my wife. The women of theapostle's day were not the educated, self-reliant ones of the presenttime; therefore our wives are hardly to be expected to conformthemselves strictly to the rules he lays down for them. But if husbandand wife love each other as they ought, --as you and I do, forinstance, --any friction between them will be a thing of rareoccurrence. "

"And when, if ever, there is any, " said Violet, "I think the wife shouldbe the one to give way--unless she feels that to yield to the wishes ofher husband would be a breach of the moral law; but in that case shemust remember the answer of Peter to the high priest, 'We ought to obeyGod rather than men. '"

"Yes, " he said; "and when a parent commands something which is plainlycontrary to God's command, --lying or stealing for instance, --it is thechild's duty to refuse to obey. There are parents, alas! who do traintheir children to vice and crime, and when that is the case they, thechildren, must remember and act upon the teaching of the apostle, 'Weought to obey God rather than men. '"

"How I pity children who are placed in such circumstances, " sighedViolet. "Oh, I often think what a cause for gratitude I have in the factthat my parents were earnest Christians, and brought me and all theirchildren up in the fear of God; also that my children have an earnest, devoted Christian for their father. "

"And for their mother, my sweet wife, " he added with emotion. 

Neither spoke again for some moments. It was Violet who broke thesilence. 

"My dear, " she said, "I wonder if you have noticed, as I have, that mycousin Donald greatly admires our Lu. "

"Ah! has he told you so, my love?" queried the captain, a touch ofregret and anxiety in his tone. 

"Oh, no!" laughed Violet; "but he looks at her with evidently admiringeyes, listens eagerly to anything and everything she says, andespecially to her playing and singing; which are certainly worthhearing. He greatly admires her drawings and paintings, too, some ofwhich I was showing him the other day; also her evident devotion to herfather, and readiness to assist and make herself useful to him in everypossible way. "

"Yes, " sighed the captain, "her father would hardly know what to dowithout her. Yet, of course, I should be far from willing to stand inthe way of my child's happiness. However, I hope and believe that herfather is still nearer and dearer to her than any other human creature. She has often assured me that such was the fact; not waiting to bequestioned, but telling the story of her love as something in which wecould both rejoice, and which she was sure was reciprocal. As itcertainly is. I love her very dearly; though not more than I do each ofthe others. Indeed, it gives me a heartache to think I shall ever becalled to part with any one of them. "

"Not very soon, I hope, " said Violet. "You have frequently told me youdid not intend to let either of your daughters marry for years to come. "

"No, I do not; and as I dread the pain, for both them and myself, whichwould be caused by the necessity for refusing to let them follow theirinclinations in such a matter, I sincerely hope no one will succeed inwinning their affections for years to come. "

"Then if I am right about Donald and he asks your permission to make anoffer to Lu, you will forbid him to do so?"

At first the captain's only reply was an amused sort of smile. Then hesaid: "I must tell you of a talk Donald and I had, some years ago, atWest Point. You perhaps remember that I took Max and Lulu there, andfound Donald already at the hotel, and we spent a few days together, thechildren with us nearly all the time. One night I sent them early tobed, and, afterward, spent an hour or more talking with my friend aloneon the piazza. In that talk he expressed a great admiration for mylittle girl, and--half in jest, half in earnest--asked leave to try towin her when she should reach a proper age. I told him certainly not forat least six years. It is five now. "

"Then he ought to wait at least another year, " remarked Violet, who hadlistened with keen interest to her husband's little story. 

"Yes; and I hope he will feel that obligation and refrain, for thepresent at least, from courting her. And, though I should be sorry formy friend's disappointment, I cannot help hoping that he has not won, and will not win, my daughter's heart. I want to become neither hisfather, nor my daughter's cousin, " he added with a slight laugh. 

"Why, yes, to be sure! I had not thought about those relationships, "exclaimed Violet, joining in his mirth. "But, " she added, "Donald is sodistant a relative of mine that, if that were the only objection, itneed not, I think, stand in the way. "

"No, perhaps not. A greater objection to me, so far as I am concerned, would be the fact that, if married to an army officer, my daughter wouldbe kept at a distance from me nearly all the time. "

"And to me, as well as to you, that would be an almost insurmountableobjection; for Lu and I are now the closest and dearest offriends--bosom companions. I should hardly know what to do withouther--the dear, sweet girl!"

"Ah! it makes me very happy to hear and know that, " he said with a gladsmile, adding, "it is hardly news; for I have seen for a good while thatyou were very fond of each other. "

"Yes; we are like sisters. I should miss Lu almost more than I shallRosie, as we are together so much more constantly. Oh, I don't like tothink of it! and I sincerely hope it may be years before she learns tolove any other man well enough to be willing to leave her sweet homeunder her father's roof. "

"A hope in which I join with all my heart, " said her husband; "and onethat I trust Donald is not going to ask me to resign. "

"If he does, just remind him of the exact terms of the answer you gavehim at West Point, " returned Violet in playful tones. "But now I thinkit is time for us to retire; do not you?" releasing herself from hisembrace and rising to her feet as she spoke. 

"Yes, " he said, "I would not have my wife miss her beauty sleep. "

CHAPTER XV. 

Lucilla was in bed but not asleep. She had retired to her room when theguests went to theirs, and without a formal good-night to her father, trusting to his coming to her there for a few moment's chat, as healmost always did. But he had not come, and she felt sorelydisappointed. It was a beautiful, luxuriously furnished room, this bedchamber of hers--the view from its windows, a lovely one of carefullykept grounds, cultivated fields, woods, and streams; all looking theirloveliest just now as seen by the silver light of the moon, which shonein upon her through rich lace curtains, gently wafted to and fro by thesummer breeze as it came in laden with the sweet scent of flowers fromthe garden below. 

"What a sweet, lovely home I have! Oh, how much to be thankful for! goodhealth, kind friends, and such a dear father!" she said half aloud; "butI want a good-night kiss and a word or two of fatherly affection, andit does seem as if I can't go to sleep without it. Oh, dear! can it bethat he is displeased with me about anything? I am not conscious ofhaving done anything he would disapprove. "

"Nor have you, so far as I know, daughter mine, " said a pleasant voiceclose at her side, while a hand was laid tenderly on her head. 

"Oh, papa!" she cried joyously, starting up to a sitting posture as shespoke. "I did not know you were there--did not hear you come in; but Iam so glad you have come!"

"Are you?" he asked, seating himself on the side of the bed and drawingher into his arms. "Well, daughter, it is only for a moment, to bid yougood-night, as usual, and see that you are in need of nothing. Tell me, are all your wants supplied?"

"Yes, sir; now that I have my father here to give me his good-night kissand blessing. Ah! papa dear, I do not know how I could ever live awayfrom you again. I am so glad you no longer have to go sailing away overthe ocean, leaving your children behind. "

"I am glad of it, too, " he returned, "but I sometimes fear that the daymay come when my dear eldest daughter will want to leave me for a homewith someone else. "

"Indeed, father dear, you need not have the slightest fear of that, " shesaid, laying her head against his breast with a low, happy laugh. "I amsure there isn't in the wide world any other man whom I could love halfso well as I do you. I am just as glad to belong to you now as ever Iwas. "

"And don't want me to give you away?"

"No, no, indeed!" she cried with energy. "Oh, papa! you surely are notthinking of such a thing? You have said, over and over again, that youwould not, --at least not for years yet, --even if I wanted you to. "

"And I say the same now; so don't be wanting me to, " he returned injesting tone, and laying her down upon her pillow as he spoke. "Now goto sleep at once, that you may be ready to rise at your usual early hourand join your father in the morning stroll about the grounds. 'The Lordbless thee and keep thee; the Lord make his face shine upon thee, and begracious unto thee; the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, andgive thee peace, '" he added in tender, solemn tones, his hand restingupon her head as he spoke. 

Then, with a good-night kiss upon her lips, he left her, and contentedand happy she speedily passed into the land of dreams. 

The captain, passing through Grace's room to his own, paused for amoment at her bedside, bent over her, and kissed the sweet lips; but sheslept on, unconscious of the caress. 

He found Violet still awake, repeated to her his little talk withLucilla, and added, with evident satisfaction, "I feel convinced that, as yet, no one has made any impression upon her heart, that I, herfather, still hold the fort there. "

"Yes; I have hardly a doubt of it, " returned Violet; "and it may be manya long day before she is deluded into thinking there is any other manwho begins to compare to him; something that I have known for years wasnot the case, " she concluded with a happy laugh. 

The sun was hardly above the horizon when Lucilla awoke; but she sprangup hastily, with the thought that her father would soon be out in thegrounds, and she wanted to be with him. There would be a great deal toattend to in preparation for their expected guests, and perhaps shecould be of some assistance; at all events she would like to see allthat was going on, and give her opinion on any doubtful subject. 

So she lost no time about attending to the duties of the hour and place, spending a little time upon her knees, asking for the watchful care ofher Heavenly Father through all the day, that she might be kept fromfolly and sin, and have strength and wisdom to do every duty and meetevery trial, and beseeching his blessing upon all her dear ones, notforgetting the dear brother so far away from home and kindred. Then shemade a rapid but careful toilet, and hastened, with light, swiftfootsteps, down the broad stairway and out upon the veranda, where shefound her father in consultation with Christine, the housekeeper. 

Blithe good-mornings were exchanged, Christine went back into the house, and father and daughter walked out together into the grounds. 

Preparations were going on for the entertainment of the expected guests, old and young, and Lucilla was not only permitted, but invited to giveher opinion in regard to them all, and any suggestions that might occurto her; which she did frankly and fully, and with the result that morethan one of them was adopted; for her father wished to please her andhad great confidence in her opinion of such matters. There were croquetand tennis grounds, swings in the shade of the trees in the grove;inviting-looking seats there, and in other suitable places; there wereshaded walks and winding paths through the woods; indeed, every sort ofarrangement for recreation and pleasure that could be thought of andprepared for in the allotted space. 

Captain Raymond and his daughter walked about inspecting everything, until they had gone over the whole place, giving all needed directionsto the workmen who were busied here and there with some alterations thecaptain had decided upon the previous day, then returned to the house, for it was nearing breakfast time. 

They found Violet, Grace, and the two younger children on the veranda. Morning greetings were exchanged, then Lucilla hurried to her rooms tomake some changes in her dress and was coming down again when thebreakfast bell rang. 

It was a cheerful, even merry, party that gathered about the table topartake of the meal, an excellent one; for the captain and Violet weremost hospitable entertainers. 

The talk ran principally upon the sports that would enliven andentertain the company during the day; suggestions from any and every onebeing in order; and, by the time the meal was concluded, all felt thatthey had every prospect of a most enjoyable holiday. 

"The weather could not be more propitious than it is, " remarked CaptainKeith. "You began your enjoyment of it early, Miss Lu, " turning toLucilla. "I happened to be at my window and saw you and your father outin the grounds. "

"Yes, " she said, "papa and I usually do take a stroll about them beforebreakfast. He is always an early riser. I inherit the taste for it fromhim and, being in excellent health, can indulge it without injury. "

"Which is something to be thankful for, " he said with a smile. 

"Yes, indeed!" she returned heartily. "Health and strength are thegreatest of earthly blessings. I would not part with them for any amountof money. "

"No; money cannot buy health and strength, though they may give one theability to earn money. You, however, have a father able and willing tofurnish all you may need of it. "

"Yes, " said the captain in his pleasant way, "but that daughter of minelikes to make herself useful to me, and does so to such an extent that Ireally think she earns all she gets. "

"Oh, no, papa, not half!" exclaimed Lucilla, blushing with pleasurenevertheless. "And that reminds me that I have not asked about your mailthis morning. Are there some letters to be answered on the typewriter?"

"I have been as forgetful as yourself, daughter, " her father answeredwith a slight laugh. "Scip" (to a servant in waiting), "is the mail bagon the library table?"

"I think so, sah. Shall I fotch it hyar?"

"Yes; bring it here to me. "

It was brought, opened, and found to contain letters for family andguests, besides newspapers and magazines. 

They were speedily distributed to the owners, read, --some of themaloud, --and their contents talked over. 

Then all adjourned to the library for the morning service of prayer, praise, and reading of the Scriptures, after which they scattered aboutthe house and grounds. 

Captain Raymond's share of the mail had included some business letters, and he called upon Lucilla to use her typewriter in preparing hisreplies, which she did promptly and cheerfully. 

"Thank you, daughter, " he said when they had finished, "you and yourtypewriter make my correspondence far less burdensome than it would beotherwise. "

"I am so glad, papa! so glad that I can be of at least a little help toyou, " she said joyously. "It is such a privilege, and such a pleasure!"

"Dear child!" he said in response. Then, as the sound of wheels on thedrive without came to their ears, "Ah! our guests are beginning toarrive, and we must go out and bid them welcome. "

Several carriage loads were already there, and others quickly followedtill, in a very short time, all the expected relatives were present. 

Then mirth and jollity ruled the hour, all--old and young--seeming ingayest spirits and ready to join in any amusement that might beproposed. Mr. And Mrs. Croly were among the guests. She had gained somaterially in health and strength that she was able--resting in aneasy-chair upon the veranda--to watch the sports of the younger andhealthier ones with interest and enjoyment; and to converse with one andanother as they came in turn to chat with her for a time. At length, finding herself alone with Grandma Elsie for a while, she turned to her, saying in a sprightly way:

"I am getting so much better under the skilful treatment of Dr. Conlythat I ventured on quite a drive this morning, and we went to look at alittle place, some ten or more acres in extent, about which your sonDoctor Harold was telling us yesterday. It is on the river bank, thelawn sloping down to the water, and it is hardly farther from Ion thanthis place. It is for sale. The house is small, but pretty, and couldeasily be added to, and so made as large as one might wish. "

"Riverside is the name of the estate?" Mrs. Travilla said inquiringly. 

"Yes; a pretty one we both--Mr. Croly and I--think, and we have aboutdecided to buy it and enlarge and beautify the dwelling for ourchildren, --our son and your daughter, --if you think that would pleasedear Rosie. "

"I think it could not fail to do so, " Mrs. Travilla replied, her eyessparkling with pleasure. "It will be a great pleasure to me to have ourchildren so near, and I was thinking of making the purchase for themmyself. It was only this morning I learned that the place was for sale. "

"Ah!" laughed Mrs. Croly, "don't try to get ahead of us. We want theplace ourselves, and it won't hurt the young folks to wait for it tillwe are gone; especially as we intend it to be as much a home for themimmediately as if they were sole proprietors. "

"And they will enjoy it all the more for having their kind parents withthem, " was Mrs. Travilla's pleased response. 

Then they fell to talking of alterations and additions to the dwelling, and plans for furnishing and decorating it and the grounds. 

"I am very glad indeed that you and your husband have decided to settlein this neighbourhood, " said Mrs. Travilla; "glad that we are to havethe pleasure of your society, and that Rosie's married home will not beat a distance from that of her childhood. I have been very fortunate inbeing able thus far to keep all my children near me. "

"Yes, I think so; and I do not wonder that they and you wish to keeptogether. I feel just so in regard to my one. Ah! who are those twoladies approaching on the driveway?"

"One I call mamma, " Mrs. Travilla said with a smile; "she is my father'ssecond wife, and has been my dear mother since I was a little girl often. The other is Aunt Adelaide, a half sister of my father, whomarried a brother of Mamma Rose--Mr. Edward Allison of Philadelphia. "

"Ah, yes! I recognize Mrs. Dinsmore, now that they have drawn nearer, and Mrs. Allison as someone to whom I have been introduced; but I havemet so many strangers in the last few days that I suppose I may beexcused for not remembering her name and connection with you and ourRosie, " she concluded with a smile, adding, "You will excuse me, I know, for claiming Rosie as mine as well as yours, because it is so sweet tome to have a daughter at long last. "

"I am very glad you feel it so, " Mrs. Travilla returned with a sweet, sympathising look and smile, "and I hope my Rosie will prove to you thesweet and lovable daughter that she has always been to me. "

Just at that moment the other ladies joined them, and the four enteredinto a lively conversation, talking of Riverside and the improvementsneeded there, what a lovely home it would make for the Crolys, howpleasant it would be to have them so near, and how delightful for Rosiethat thus she would escape the dreaded separation from her mother. 

"Yes, " said Mrs. Croly, "I cannot tell you how glad I was to learn ofthis beautiful place, so near to Ion, for sale; for I felt badly overthe thought that we were robbing Mrs. Travilla of the companionship ofso sweet a daughter. Besides I am anxious to remain in thisneighbourhood, that I may continue under the care of Dr. Conly; for hehas helped me more than any other physician I ever tried. "

That remark seemed gratifying to all three of her listeners, and Mrs. Dinsmore said: "We are glad to hear it; for Dr. Conly is dear to us all, as relative, friend, and physician. "

"He has a lovely young wife, " was Mrs. Croly's next remark; "and adarling baby boy of whom they are both very proud and fond. "

"Yes, " said Mrs. Travilla, "it does one good to see how happy they arein the possession of it and of each other. Arthur remained single foryears; I think to provide, or assist in providing, for his mother, sisters, and younger brothers, but he seems to be reaping his rewardnow in having a wife who is a great comfort and blessing to him. "

"She is that, indeed!" said Mrs. Allison emphatically. "Ah! speak ofangels--here they come!" as Dr. Conly and his young wife were seenapproaching, followed by a nurse carrying the infant. 

In another minute they had joined the group on the veranda, where thedoctor speedily ensconced his wife in an easy-chair, placed himself inanother by her side, and taking the baby from the nurse, held it up witha look of fatherly pride, asking the older ladies, "Isn't this a prettyfine specimen of babyhood, considering that he is my son?"

"Yes, indeed!" laughed Mrs. Allison, "it is singular that so poor aspecimen of manhood as my nephew, Arthur Conly, should have so fine ason. But he may have got his good looks from his mother; though I do notperceive that she has lost any. "

"Now, Aunt Adelaide, after that you will do well to take care not tofall ill and get into the doctor's hands, " laughed Marian. 

"My dear, " said the doctor, "can you suppose I object to having my wifepraised? or my son, even at his father's expense?"

"No, I know you do not, " she returned. "I verily believe you wouldsacrifice everything for him except his mother. "

"Did he let you take part in any of the games?" asked Adelaide. 

"Oh, I didn't ask to!" said Marian. "I have grown so lazy that I thoughtit more fun to watch the others. "

"Captain Raymond and Violet seem to be enjoying tennis as much as any ofthe rest, " remarked Mrs. Dinsmore, who was watching the game with keeninterest. 

"Yes, " said Dr. Conly, "all--old and young--seem very happy andinterested in their various sports; and I think are gaining health andstrength from the vigorous exercise in this pure air. "

Most of the company were engaged in games of one kind or another, butsome few were wandering about in the alleys of the garden or wood, orsitting on the grass or some rustic bench, chatting sociably, as cousinsand connections might be expected to do. Dr. Dick Percival and MaudDinsmore were among the latter. They had had a game of tennis and werenow refreshing themselves with a saunter through the wood. 

"I admire this place--Woodburn, " said Maud. "Captain Raymond has, Ithink, made a sort of earthly paradise of it; though for that matter onemight say pretty much the same of The Oaks, Ion, and several of theother family estates. "

"Yes; including those down in Louisiana, " returned Dick--"Viamede, Magnolia Hall, and a few others. By the way, you have never been downthere, have you?"

"No, never; but I am hoping that Cousin Elsie will invite me one ofthese days. "

"Suppose you don't wait for that, but accept an invitation from me, "suggested Dick, giving her a very lover-like look and smile. 

"From you?" she exclaimed, her tone expressing surprise and a littlebewilderment, "are you staying there?"

"At Viamede? No, not now. I have bought a plantation not very far fromthere, and am trying to make it equal in beauty to Viamede. It will, ofcourse, take some time to accomplish that; but, to me, Torriswood seemseven now a very winsome place. And if I had my cousin Maud installedthere, as mistress, I should be one of the happiest of men. "

"Oh! you want me to become your housekeeper?"

"Yes; housekeeper, homekeeper, heartkeeper--everything! Oh, Mauddarling! can't you understand that I love you and want you for my wife, my best, nearest, and dearest friend, my heart's idol? I love you in away that I never loved anyone else. Can't you love me in the sameway--as something nearer and dearer than a mere cousin?"

Maud was blushing, trembling--wholly taken by surprise and hardlyknowing whether to be glad or sorry. "Oh, Dick! how can you?" shestammered. "We are cousins, you know, and--and cousins ought not to--tomarry. I have often heard Cousin Arthur say so. "

"Not first cousins, nor second, but we are neither; we are far enoughremoved to be entirely safe so far as that is concerned. So dearest, you need not hesitate on that account, if you feel that you can love mewell enough to be happy as my wife. Can you? If you cannot now, I may beable to teach you to by clever courting. But I need a wife--I do indeed;and I don't know how to wait. Don't make me wait. Can't you give me yourlove--at least a little of it?"

"Oh, Dick! do you really care so much for me and my love--really love mein that way?" she asked low and tremulously, her eyes full of happytears. "I never thought of such a thing before; but--but I do believe Ican--I do love you better than any other of my cousins; betterthan--than anybody else in the world. "

"Ah! dearest, you have made me very, very happy, " he said joyously;"happier than I ever was in my life before, and I shall go home farricher than I came. "

As he spoke he drew her to a rustic seat in a nook so concealed by thetrees and shrubbery and the winding of the path that they were entirelyhidden from view, and, putting an arm about her he held her close withsilent caresses that seemed very sweet to her; for she had been anorphan for years, and often hungry for love greater than that of brotheror sister. 

"Maud, dear, " he said presently, "we have given ourselves to each other, and why should we delay the final step? I do not want to go back to myhome alone; will you not go with me? It would make me the happiest ofmen. "

"But--but you are going very soon, I understood--in a few days. "

"Yes; it would hardly do for me to wait longer than that; but what isthe use of waiting? We know each other now as thoroughly as we ever cantill we live together as man and wife. "

"But I should have no time to prepare my wardrobe----"

"It is good enough, and can be easily added to when you are Mrs. Percival, " he said with a low, gleeful laugh. "I am ready to take you, my darling, if you were without a single change of raiment. I do notthink you know it, dearest, but I am no longer the poor relation I usedto be. I have had a large practise, worked hard, and made some veryfortunate investments, so that I can truly say that I am a fairlywealthy man. Ah, do give yourself into my keeping at once. I am heartilytired of my lonely bachelor life, and it will be great joy to me if Ican go back, not to it, but to that of a happy married man. How a dearlittle wife--such as my cousin Maud would make--would brighten and makecheery that lonely home. Can you find it in your heart to refuse me thefavour I ask, sweet one?"

"I do not like to refuse you anything, dear Dick, " she returned; "but itis all so sudden and unexpected; do let me have a little time to thinkit over and--and consult my friends and yours. "

"Ah, well! I will try to wait patiently, " he sighed; "wait, hoping youwill grant my request. "

"Oh, Dick, dear Dick! I really do feel like doing anything in the worldthat I can to make you happy. I will do whatever you wish, no matterwhat other people may say. Only, " she added, as if with suddenrecollection, "I suppose we must ask Uncle Dinsmore's consent. "

"Yes; but I have no fear that it will be withheld. He and I are nostrangers to each other; he is my uncle, too, you know, and was myguardian while I was young enough to need one. I think he will bepleased that we are going into partnership, --you and I, --and will agreewith me that the sooner we begin the better. "

"Provided that allows me time to get properly ready, " she supplementedwith an arch look and smile. 

"What preparation do you need?" he asked. "I am more than willing totake you just as you are. You look perfectly charming in that dress, and, for a wedding dress, the one you wore as bridesmaid to Cousin Rosieseems to me entirely suitable. Indeed, my darling, you look bewitchinglypretty in any and every thing you put on. "

"Oh, you flatterer!" she laughed. "I can't expect other people to seewith your eyes; but, after all, the principal thing is to please you. That will be my business for the rest of my life, I suppose, " she added, giving him a look of ardent affection. 

"And mine to please you, dearest. Shall we not follow Rosie's goodexample in making no secret of our engagement; at least so far as ourown people here assembled are concerned? Will you let me take you backto the house now and introduce you there as my promised wife?"

"Do just as you please about it, Cousin Dick, " she said. "You are olderand wiser than I. "

"I certainly am older, " he said laughingly as they rose, and he gave herhis arm; "but if I am wiser in some respects, you doubtless are in someothers. Perhaps we will find out all about that when we get tohousekeeping together. "

Mr. Dinsmore had joined the group on the veranda. Mr. Lilburn and Annis, Captain Raymond and Violet were there, too, and some others of themarried people, among them Mr. Horace Dinsmore, Jr. , of The Oaks, andhis wife, as Dick and Maud came up the steps together. He led herdirectly to his uncle. 

"We have come for your blessing, sir, Cousin Maud and I, " he said inclear, distinct tones. "Will you give her to me? She is willing that youshould, and I promise to do all in my power to provide for her and makeher happy. "

"Why, children, this is a surprise--but a pleasant one, " exclaimed Mr. Dinsmore. "Yes, I give you my blessing and wish you many happy yearstogether. "

Then the others crowded about with exclamations of surprise andpleasure, congratulations, good wishes, and questions. "How long hadthey been lovers?" "Did they expect to marry very soon?"

"Yes, almost immediately, " Dick answered to that last. "What was thereto wait for? They were old enough to know their own minds, he was wellable to support a wife, and had a home ready for her. It needed someimprovements to be sure, but they could be made all the better with Maudthere to give her opinion and advice. "

"But she must have time to prepare her trousseau, " said young Mrs. Dinsmore. 

"I have just been coaxing her out of that notion, " laughed Dick, regarding his promised wife with admiring eyes. "I want her, and thewedding finery can be attended to somewhat later. I don't think anythingcould be prettier or more becoming than the dress she wore at CousinRosie's wedding, and why can't she be married in that?"

"Why, it would do, I suppose!" exclaimed Mrs. Dinsmore. "It is verypretty and becoming, and, with a bridal veil added, would make asuitable and handsome wedding dress. "

"A wedding dress? Who is going to be married now?" cried a girlishvoice, and Sydney and Walter were seen coming up the steps. All turnedat the sound of her voice, and Dick answered:

"Your sister and I, Cousin Syd. Are you willing to take me for abrother?"

"You!" she exclaimed, "you, Cousin Dick? Why, I never dreamed of such athing! But I have no objection; no, not the least in the world--exceptthat you'll be taking my sister away from me; I don't like that at all. "

"No, Coz, that is altogether a mistake, " Dick hastened to say. "I don'twant to separate you and Maud, and you have only to come along with usto escape that. You will find plenty of room and a warm welcome atTorriswood. "

"Thank you, " she said; "but it's so sudden I can't realise it at allyet. When did you make up your minds to get married?"

"Half an hour ago, perhaps; I forgot to look at my watch to take exactnote of the time. "

"Oh! is that the way you do when you are taking note of a patient'spulse, or the time for administering a dose of medicine?"

But Dick was saved the trouble of replying, as relatives, older andyounger, came crowding up to learn what was going on. 

Chester and Frank were as much surprised as Sydney had been, but by nomeans displeased. They liked Dick as a cousin and had no objection toaccepting him as a brother-in-law. The newly affianced had no frowns orobjections to meet; everybody seemed pleased and interested, and theonly queries were as to when and where the marriage should take place. 

"It should be at The Oaks, of course, " said young Mr. Dinsmore. "That isher home, and has been for years. "

"And it was there mamma was married, " said Violet, "and Maud might standin the very same place. "

"Yes, I should be glad to have her do so, " said Mrs. Travilla; "and sheand Dick need ask nothing more than that their marriage may prove ashappy a one as mine. "

"Yes, Cousin Elsie, I agree with you in that, " said Maud. "I will bemarried at The Oaks, if Dick is satisfied to have it so. "

"Entirely, " he said; "and now it remains only to fix upon the day andhour. "

That question seemed more difficult to settle than the other; but Dickfinally had his way, and the morning of the day on which he was to startfor the far South was fixed upon as the time for the ceremony. The otherrelatives from a distance would delay their departure long enough to bepresent, the older Mr. Cyril Keith was chosen as the officiatingminister, and everyone seemed satisfied with all the arrangements. 

CHAPTER XVI. 

It had been a very enjoyable, but an exciting day; the little ones wereweary with their sports, and all the guests, except those who weremaking Woodburn their temporary home, departed shortly after an earlytea, and directly after the evening service of prayer and praise theladies of the family retired to their rooms. At length Captains Raymondand Keith found themselves alone together upon the veranda. 

"Raymond, " said the younger man, breaking a pause in their talk, "I havea great favour to ask of you. "

"Ah! what is it, Keith? Surely you do not need to be told that it wouldgive me pleasure to do you any favour in my power. "

"Ah, I fear you hardly realise how much you are promising. Do youremember the talk we had some years ago at West Point?"

"Yes; but do you remember that the subject was not to be referredto--at least the question you asked not to be repeated--for six years, and that it is now only five?"

"Yes; but one year cannot make much difference, and it is highlyprobable that I may not be able to get here next year. Am I asking toomuch in begging you to let me speak now--before I go? Understand I amnot asking leave to take her--your beautiful, charming daughter--awayfrom you now, but only to tell the story of my love; for it has come tothat, that I am deeply in love with her; only to tell the story and tryto win a return of my affection and a promise that, at some future day, I may claim her for my own. "

"I would rather not, Keith; she is only a child, " Captain Raymondreplied in moved tones. "But since you are so urgent, and are so old andvalued a friend, I don't like to refuse you. You may speak to her; butwith the clear understanding, remember, that I will on no account allowher to marry for some time to come; I do not want to allow it before sheis twenty-four or five. "

"Thank you, " said Keith heartily; "that will be a long time to wait, but she is well worth waiting for. But do you think I have any reason tohope to win her--that she likes me in the very least?"

"I am certain she has no dislike to you; that she feels kindly towardyou as a relative and friend of the family; but I tell you candidly thatI am well-nigh convinced that she has never thought of looking upon youas a lover; and it is a great happiness to me to be able to believe thatshe still loves her father better than any other man living. "

"Still it is possible you may be mistaken, " Keith rejoined after amoment's discouraged silence, "and since I have your permission, I shalltry what clever courting will do for me. "

A momentary silence followed, broken by Captain Raymond. "I fear I am afoolish, fond father, Keith. I have a very strong friendship for you, and there is no man to whom I would sooner trust my daughter'shappiness, but yet I cannot wish you success in winning her; because, being in the army, you would necessarily take her to a distance from herhome and me. But, as I have said, you may try, though with the fullunderstanding that not for some years to come will I resign my custodyof her. She is my own dear child, and, in my esteem, still much tooyoung to leave my fostering care and assume the duties andresponsibilities of wifehood and motherhood. "

"I don't blame you, Raymond, and shall not try to persuade her to goagainst her father's wishes in regard to the time of assuming the caresand duties you speak of, " said Keith, heaving an involuntary sigh atthought of the years of bachelorhood still evidently in store for him. "I only wish I were sure of her even after serving seven years, as Jacobdid for Rachel. "

"Well, I shall not cheat you as Laban did poor Jacob, " returned CaptainRaymond pleasantly. "By the way, Cousins Dick and Maud made quick workof their courting, and the marriage is to follow very speedily. In mostcases such speedy work would be risky enough, but they know all abouteach other--at least so far as a couple may before the knot is tiedwhich makes them one flesh. I think very highly of both, and hope it isgoing to be a most happy marriage. "

"I hope it may, indeed, " said Keith. "Maud will be hurried with herpreparations; more so than most ladies would like, I presume. "

"Yes; but really it will be just as well, I think, under all thecircumstances. To-morrow we are all to spend one half the day atRoselands, the other at Pine Grove; the next day we go to Beechwood;then Thursday we are to have the wedding at The Oaks, and that night, orthe next morning, most of the friends from a distance contemplatestarting for their homes. "

"Yes, I among the rest, " said Keith. 

"I need hardly say, for surely you cannot doubt it, that I should beglad to have you remain longer with us if Uncle Sam would permit it, "said Captain Raymond with cordial hospitality. 

"Thank you, " returned Keith, "but that is more than I could expect evenwere there time to ask it, which there is not. " Then, rising, "Itstrikes me that it is high time to be making ready for bed. Good-night, Raymond, my good friend; sweet sleep and pleasant dreams to you, " and, with the last word, he held out his hand. 

Captain Raymond grasped it heartily, saying, "Good-night, Keith; I wishyou the same. May He who never slumbers nor sleeps have us all in hiskind care and keeping. "

In the principal event of the past day--the engagement of Dick Percivaland Maud Dinsmore--and the talk of other days and events which ensued, Mrs. Elsie Travilla's thoughts had been carried back to the happy timeof her own betrothal and marriage to the one whom she had so loved asfriend, lover, and husband. She seemed to see him again as he was then, to hear his low breathed words of tenderest affection, and her tearsfell fast at the thought that never again in this life should theirsweet music fall upon her ear. 

But well she knew that the separation was only temporary; that theyshould meet again in the better land, where sickness, sorrow, and deathcan never enter, meet never more to part. 

She was alone in her boudoir, and, wiping away her tears, she kneltdown in prayer, asking for strength to bear patiently and submissivelythe loss that was at times so grievous, and craving God's blessing uponthe young relatives so soon to take upon them the marriage vows. Nor didshe forget her own daughter so recently united to the man of her choice, or any other of her dear ones. Her heart swelled with joy and gratitudeas she thought of them all, healthy, happy, and in comfortablecircumstances; her dear old father and his lovely wife still spared toher, and the dear grandchildren who seemed to renew to her the youthfuldays of her own children, the fathers and mothers of these. 

Her thoughts were still full of motherly and grandmotherly cares andjoys as she laid her head upon her pillow and passed into the land ofdreams. 

When she awoke again it was to find the sun shining and the air full ofthe breath of flowers and the morning songs of the little birds in thetree tops just beyond her windows. She rose and knelt beside her bed, while her heart sent up its song of gratitude and praise, its petitionsfor grace and strength according to her day, asking the same for herdear ones also, and that she and they might be kept from accident, folly, and sin. 

As she made her toilet her thoughts again referred to Maud and herpresent needs, which could not well be supplied for lack of time. 

"Can I not help the dear girl in some way?" she asked herself. 

Then a sudden thought came to her and she hastened to a large closet, unlocked a trunk standing there, and took from it a package carefullywrapped in a large towel. Carrying it to a sofa in her boudoir sheunpinned it and brought to light a dress of richest white satin, havingan overskirt of point lace, and, beside it, a veil of the same costlymaterial. 

"As beautiful as ever, " she sighed softly to herself. "And the dresswould, I think, fit Maud, with little or no alteration. It would besomething of a trial to part with them permanently, but surely I canspare them to Maud for a few hours. It would give her pleasure, for shewould look lovely in them, and every woman wants to look her very bestat her bridal. "

But the breakfast bell was ringing, and, putting them carefully back inthe trunk and relocking it, she hastened down to the dining room. 

There were a number of guests in the house, among them the Emburys ofMagnolia Hall, and, naturally, the talk at the table ran principallyupon the approaching marriage of Molly's brother, Dr. Percival. 

"I am much pleased, " she said; "Maud will make a dear little sister forme, and I hope will find me a good and kind one to her. And if Sydneygoes along she will be about as good as another. Perhaps Bob and shewill get up another match, and then she will be my sister. I wish Bobcould have come along with the rest of us. "

"Yes, I wish he could, " said Mrs. Travilla. "He must take his turn atanother time, leaving Dick to look after the patients. "

"I think Maud feels a trifle disappointed that she has no time to get upa grand wedding dress, " Molly ran on, "but the one she wore as Rosie'sbridesmaid is very pretty and becoming. Still it is not white; and Iheard her say that she had always been determined to be married inwhite, if she married at all. "

"Oh, well, " said Mr. Embury, "the getting married is the chief thing, and, after it is all over, it won't matter much whether it was done inwhite or some other colour. I presume most folks would think it betterto be married even in black than not at all. "

"I think that depends very much upon what sort of husband one gets, "laughed Zoe. "I got married without any bridal finery; but it was a veryfortunate thing for me after all, " giving her husband a proudlyaffectionate glance. 

"Yes, " he said with a smile, "and I wouldn't exchange the wife I got inthat way for the most exquisitely attired bride in Christendom. "

Mrs. Travilla kept her own counsel in regard to her plans for Maud'srelief, until breakfast and family worship were over; but then invitedMolly to her boudoir, brought out the dress and veil she had beenlooking at, and disclosed her plan for Maud. 

Molly was delighted. 

"Oh, cousin, how good in you!" she cried. "I think Maud will be wildwith joy to be so nicely brought out of her difficulty. For the dress issplendid, and, as you say, hardly out of the present fashion in itsmake-up. And the veil is just too lovely for anything! Fully as handsomeas Rosie's was, and I thought it the very handsomest I had ever seen. "

"Then I shall telephone at once to The Oaks, " Mrs. Travilla said, and, passing out and down to the hall below, she did so. Calling for Maud, she asked her to come over to Ion at once as she wished to consult heron an important matter requiring prompt decision; but she would notdetain her long. 

Much wondering, Maud replied that she would be there in a few minutes;the carriage being at the door, and Mr. Dinsmore offering to drive herover immediately. 

Mrs. Travilla gave orders to a servant that on Miss Dinsmore's arrivalshe should be brought directly to her boudoir; Mr. Dinsmore might comealso, if he wished; and presently both appeared. 

They were warmly greeted by Mrs. Travilla and Mrs. Embury, who was stillwith her. 

"I have something to show you, Maud, and an offer to make, " Elsie saidwith a smile, leading the young girl forward and pointing to the dressand veil disposed about an easy-chair in a way to exhibit them in alltheir beauty. 

"Oh!" cried Maud, "how lovely! how lovely! I never saw them before. Whose were they? Where did they come from, Cousin Elsie?"

"I wore them when--when I was married, " Elsie answered in low, sadtones; "they have not been used since, but I will lend them to you, dearMaud, if you would like to use them for your bridal. "

"Oh, Cousin Elsie! wouldn't I? How good, how good in you! I am toohurried to buy anything, and that lace is far beyond my purse if I hadany amount of time. "

"Then I am glad I thought of offering you the use of these. But now Ithink it would be well for you to try on the dress and see what--ifany--alteration it needs. We will go into my dressing room, and I willbe your tire-woman, " she added, gathering up the dress as she spoke, while Mrs. Embury took the veil. 

The three passed into the dressing room, leaving Mr. Dinsmore soleoccupant of the boudoir, he taking up a book to amuse himself with whilethey were gone. 

Only a few minutes had passed when they returned, Maud looking verybridelike in the dainty satin and the veil. 

"Bravo, cousin! You look every inch a bride, and a lovely one at that!"he exclaimed. "I advise you by all means to accept my sister's offer. You could not do better. "

"I could hardly want to do better, " said Maud. "Yes, Cousin Elsie, Iaccept it with a world of thanks. Oh, I never dreamed of having anythingso lovely to wear for my bridal dress! And I need not care that thefinery does not really belong to me, for you know the old saying:

 "'Something borrowed, Something blue, Something old and Something new. '

I'll borrow these, put a bow of blue ribbon on my under waist, and--ah!the dress and this lovely lace, veil and all, will be enough ofsomething old!" she concluded with a light, gleeful laugh. 

"Dear child, don't be superstitious!" Mrs. Travilla said with a rathersad sort of smile, putting an arm round her and giving her a tenderkiss. "I hope and trust you will be very happy with dear Dick, for he isa noble fellow; but it will depend more upon yourself--upon your being atrue, good, and loving wife--than on what you wear when you giveyourself to him, or at any other time. "

"Yes, I know, dear cousin, " said Maud, returning the caress; "that wasonly my jest. I wouldn't be afraid to marry Dick in any kind of dress, or willing to marry anybody else in any kind of one. I didn't know thatI was in love with him till he proposed, but now I feel that it would beimpossible to love anybody else; almost impossible to live without himand his love. "

"I am glad, very glad to hear it, " Elsie said, "and I hope and expectthat you will make a very happy couple--sharing each other's cares, toils, and troubles, as well as the joys and blessings of life. "

"Yes, cousin dear; if we don't it shall not be my fault, " Maud returnedwith emotion. "I do really want to be everything to Dick and make hislife as bright and as happy as I can; and I know that is just how hefeels toward me, dear fellow!"

"That's right, Maud, " said Mr. Dinsmore heartily, "and I think you andDick have every prospect of making a happy couple. Well, " rising as hespoke, "I am going down to have a little chat with father and mother, then must hasten home to attend to some matters about work to be done onthe plantation. I suppose you and your package will be ready to be takenalong, Maud?"

"Yes; if Cousin Elsie is willing to trust the handsome thing in my carenow, " Maud replied, looking inquiringly at Mrs. Travilla. 

"Quite willing; for I know you will be careful of them, " Mrs. Travillareplied with her own sweet smile. "I will fold them up and get thepackage ready while you resume the dress in which you came, " she addedas her brother left the room. 

"Maud, " said Mrs. Embury, "if I were you I should keep this thing asecret from everybody but your sister and Cousin Sue, until yourappearance in all the glory of this satin and lace at the time of themarriage ceremony. Think of the surprise and pleasure your unexpectedgrandeur in it will cause. "

"But what if the stunning surprise should have a bad effect uponsomebody, " laughed Maud. "I think I'll risk it, however. Oh, CousinElsie! I do not know how to thank you for this great kindness!" sheadded with tears of joy and gratitude in her eyes. 

"Then don't try, Maud, dear, " Mrs. Travilla returned with a bright, sweet look into the young girl's face. "The happiness I can see that itgives you is even a greater reward than the trifling kindness deserves. And how fortunate it is that the dress fits so perfectly--as if it hadjust been made for you. "

A few moments later Maud and Mr. Dinsmore were on their way back to TheOaks. They found Mrs. Sue Dinsmore and Sydney on the veranda, waiting ineager curiosity to learn on what business Maud had been wanted at Ion. 

"To receive and bring home this package, " returned Maud gaily to theirexcited questioning. "Come with me up to my room, and I will display toyou its contents. You come, too, Cousin Horace, that you may witnesstheir surprise and dismay. There, don't say you haven't time, for itneedn't take you five minutes. "

"Well, perhaps I can spare that many, " he returned laughingly, followingthe three as they tripped up the stairway. 

Maud made quick work of opening the package and displaying its contentsto their view. 

"Oh, oh, how beautiful! how lovely! perfectly exquisite!" were theexcited exclamations of Mrs. Dinsmore and Sydney. "Whose are they? wheredid they come from?"

"They are Cousin Elsie's wedding dress and veil, " replied Maud. "And shelends them to me to be married in. But it is to be a secret. Nobody isto know anything about it till I appear with them on--when I am to addthe name of Percival to those I already bear, " she concluded in a tonethat seemed to indicate that she was jesting to hide an inclination toindulge in tears. 

"I highly approve, " said Mrs. Dinsmore. "The things--dress and veil--arebeautiful, and will make our bride look bewitchingly lovely; I stronglyapprove, too, of the plan of keeping the matter a close secret until thebride enters the room on the bridegroom's arm. But does the dress fityou, Maud?"

"Perfectly; as if it had just been made for me!" exclaimed Maud in tonesof delight. "Oh, I do feel so glad, and so thankful to dear CousinElsie! I fear it must be somewhat trying to her feelings to see me wearit; but she is not one to hesitate for that when she has an opportunityto do a kindness. She is a good Christian if ever there was one. "

"Indeed she is!" exclaimed Mrs. Dinsmore and Sydney in a breath. 

Mr. Dinsmore had already left the room. 

"But now, girls, we must bestir ourselves and make ready for the day, "added Mrs. Dinsmore. "You know the morning is to be spent by the wholeconnection at Pinegrove, and the afternoon at Roselands. It won't takeyou long to get ready, will it?"

"No, only a few minutes, " both answered, and she hurried away tocomplete her own preparations. 

"Oh, Maud, dear!" said Sydney, taking up the bridal veil and gazingadmiringly upon it, "I am so glad Cousin Elsie has lent you this bit ofloveliness, and that beautiful dress to be married in. You will lookjust bewitching; and how proud Dick will be of his bride. I wish he washere now to see these charming things. Do you mean to tell him aboutthem and show them to him beforehand?"

"I don't know; I really haven't thought about it yet, " Maud answered. "But we must make haste, now, and not keep Cousin Horace and Suewaiting. "

CHAPTER XVII. 

At Woodburn Captain Raymond and his eldest daughter had had their usualearly ramble together about the grounds; then, coming in, had found alarge mail, containing a number of business letters for him, awaitingthem. 

"I hope they are such as I can answer for you on the typewriter, papa, "Lucilla said cheerfully. 

"Yes, " he replied; "if you have time and inclination to do so. "

"Always time to work for my father, " she said, giving him a bright, sweet smile, as she seated herself before the machine. 

"Then we will do it at once, " he said, returning the smile as heuncovered the machine and put the paper in place for her. "'Businessbefore pleasure' is a good rule, and my dear, helpful daughter makes itan easier one for me to follow than it would be without herassistance. "

"I am so glad it does, papa; so glad I am of some use to you, " shereturned, blushing with pleasure as she spoke. 

"I know you are, daughter dear, else I should not call upon you forthese services, " he said heartily; then, glancing over a letter he hadjust opened, he began dictating. 

He had not said anything to her about the talk he and Donald Keith hadhad the night before, nor did he intend to. So sure of the result was hethat it did not seem at all necessary, and he thought the knowledge ofwhat was before her would only cause her embarrassment and discomfort. He did not know what opportunity Keith might seize, and it seemed betterto leave her in ignorance of his intentions. 

"Is that all, father?" she asked presently, when several letters hadbeen written. 

"Yes, daughter, " he replied; "and now we can feel free for the day. Ihope it will be a pleasant one to you. "

"I expect it to be, papa, " she returned; "Pinegrove is a beautifulplace, and the Howards are delightful people. No relation to me, buttolerably near cousins to Mamma Vi, you know. "

"Yes; Mrs. Howard being half sister to her grandfather, " he said with anamused look. "They can hardly be called near relatives, but are veryestimable people, and I think the half day may be passed very pleasantlywith them and the visiting relatives. "

"I like Flora Howard. Papa, don't you think she might make a nice wifefor Captain Keith, if only they should take a fancy to each other?"

"I hadn't thought of it. She is rather young--not much older than mydaughter Lulu, I judge; so had better not be thinking of marriage foryears to come. "

"Yes, sir; but a good many girls do, you know; girls that haven't such adear, good father as mine to make them feel that they never want toleave him for anybody else. "

"You are sure you don't want to leave yours?" he asked with a searching, though smiling look into her face. 

"Oh, papa, you can't doubt it, I am sure!" she exclaimed, giving him alook of ardent affection. 

"No, I do not, " he returned; "I am very sure--since you have told me soat least a dozen times--that my dear eldest daughter loves me betterthan she does any other man living, and wants me to keep her all my ownfor years to come. "

"Yes, indeed, papa, " she said with a happy laugh, "that is just what Iwant you to do. "

"Then we entirely agree. There is the breakfast bell, and I hope mydaughter feels ready to obey its summons. "

"Yes, sir; it is a welcome sound. "

It was a bright and cheerful party that presently gathered about thetable, and a lively conversation was carried on while they partook ofthe tempting viands. The new home about to be prepared for Rosie, itspresent condition, the beauty of the situation, the grounds, thebuilding, and the improvements to be made by alterations and additions, were themes dilated upon for a time; then the approaching marriage ofDick and Maud came under discussion, and the questions were broachedwhether she would wear the dress she had worn as Rosie's bridesmaid, and whether she would have the same attendants. 

"I hope she will, " little Elsie said. "I'd like to be flower girl again, and my dress is all ready, so that it wouldn't make any trouble orexpense. "

"That is very thoughtful in you, little sister, " laughed Lucilla. 

"I am really sorry there is no time or opportunity to buy presents forMaud, " remarked Violet in a regretful tone. 

"Yes, it seems a pity, " said Captain Raymond; "but perhaps they can besent on to her later. If people will marry in haste they will have totake the consequences. I hope that in this case one of them will not berepenting at leisure. "

"I don't believe it will, " said Violet. "They are of the same kith andkin, and know pretty much all about each other. "

"Keith, " said Captain Raymond, "send your plate up again; I see it isalmost empty. "

"Thank you, no; I want to save some appetite for the later breakfastthat I am told I must share with the rest of you at Pinegrove. Our goodfriends there might feel hurt should I do it scant justice. "

"How soon do we go, papa?" asked Grace. 

"As soon after prayers as the ladies are dressed and ready. "

"The little girls and boys too, papa?" asked Ned somewhat anxiously. "Elsie and I are to go, aren't we?"

"Oh, yes, my son, and I hope will have a very pleasant time. I am glad Ican trust you to be good, well-behaved children. "

Donald Keith was on the watch for an opportunity to tell to Lucilla thestory of his love, but none offered. They drove to Pinegrove, andafterward to Roselands, in the same carriage, but it had a number ofother occupants, and the conversation was general. But, fortunately forLucilla, she had no suspicion of his designs upon her, so was entirelyat her ease with him. 

The Pinegrove party was a success, everybody enjoying it fully; the veryyoung in playing games, the older ones strolling about the grounds, chatting, laughing, singing. 

The breakfast, quite a grand affair, was served about noon, and some twohours after it was over they all left the grove for Roselands. 

Little had been said at Pinegrove about the approaching marriage, but itcame under discussion at Roselands, and to the extreme satisfaction ofthe two little Elsies it was decided that they should act as flowergirls, as they had at Rosie's wedding. The same bridesmaids and maid ofhonour were chosen also; with the understanding that they should allwear the same dresses worn as Rosie's attendants. 

"And, of course, you will wear yours, Maud, " said Laura Howard. "It islovely and very becoming, and the shade so delicate that I should thinkit would do almost, if not quite, as well as if it were white. "

"It is very pretty, and as becoming as any I own, " Maud said with aslight smile. "I haven't time to buy another, and, if one's bridegroomis all right, it doesn't really matter whether the wedding dress isperfectly white or not. "

"Certainly not, " laughed Dick. "I should rather by far marry the rightwoman in a black calico than the wrong one in the handsomest of whitesatins; even with Brussels or point lace on it in abundance. "

"Well, then, I may feel entirely easy, " Maud said, echoing his laugh, "for I shall certainly be better and more appropriately attired than ina black dress, or calico of any colour. "

"Of course you will, " said Grace, "I think that dress of yours is lovelyand extremely becoming. No one need be ashamed of such a wedding dressas that. "

"And I am determined that she shall have a lovely wedding, " said Mrs. Sue Dinsmore; "as much like what I have been told Sister Elsie's was aspossible. The house shall be trimmed with abundance of flowers, and thebride and groom shall stand in the very same spot that theirpredecessors did; and I dare say the refreshments will be pretty nearlya reproduction of what were served that evening; as nearly as I canmanage it, at all events. "

"It really won't matter if there are some added luxuries, my dear, " herhusband remarked in a jesting tone, and with a twinkle of fun in hiseye. 

"No, I presume not; it will be better to err on that side than on theother, " she returned demurely. "I mean, however, to make up to poor Maudfor the lack of a new wedding dress; at least so far as I can. "

"As I do, " said Mrs. Travilla, smiling kindly upon the expectant bride. 

"And it is only the pressure of Dick's haste--the lack of time forit--that keeps her brothers from providing her with as handsome awedding outfit as could be desired, " remarked Chester, looking slightlyannoyed and hurt. 

"Yes, Chester, we all know that, " a chorus of voices exclaimed, hisUncle Dinsmore adding: "And as we are all relatives or connections, itreally matters very little. Dick may be thankful--and I don't in theleast doubt that he is--to get Maud, without considering how she isattired, or of what her wardrobe consists. "

"I say amen to that, uncle, " smiled Dick, "and shall only enjoy speedilysupplying anything lacking in her wardrobe. I'll be glad, indeed, tohave the right. "

"Very good in you, Dick; but it isn't the bridegroom's place to supplythe trousseau, " said Chester, only half mollified. "And there is nooccasion, seeing her brothers are able to do it, and willing, to saynothing of her own means. "

"Oh, Ches, don't be vexed, " said Maud. "It will all be right; I have avery good wardrobe, and don't mean to let Dick buy anything for me thislong while. "

At which Dick laughed meaningly, as much as to say: "In regard to that Ishall do as I please or think best. "

Chester was somewhat out of sorts; he did not like to have his sisterhurried into marriage without a trousseau, and he had noticed somethingthat displeased him still more in Captain Keith's manner toward LucillaRaymond. It was hard, very hard, he thought, that her father would notallow him to tell her the story of his love. He would have been stillmore indignant had he known that Keith was allowed that privilege. 

As for Keith, he was looking out for an opportunity to avail himself ofthe father's permission; not very hopefully, but still not in entiredespair; thinking that clever courting might perhaps win her in the end. And he felt that she was worth much effort and long waiting for. 

The afternoon passed quickly and the party broke up early, partlybecause of the necessary preparations for to-morrow's wedding. The Oaksfamily, having the most of that to attend to, were the first to leave, and the others soon followed. 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

Ever since gaining her father's permission to tell Lucilla the story ofhis love, Captain Keith had been watching for a favourable opportunityto do so, but thus far without avail. 

"Now, " he thought, as they drove on the homeward way from Roselands toWoodburn, "I must try to get a few moments alone with her this evening. "

He did not succeed, however; there were still several guests besideshimself, and Lucilla seemed to be always in request for conversation, ortaking part in some game. And directly after the evening service sheslipped away to her own apartments and was seen no more that night. 

In the morning it was equally impossible to catch her alone for even amoment, so busy and excited were all with regard to what was to be thegreat event of the day. 

The ladies began their toilets soon after breakfast and were not seenagain until about to enter the carriages which were to carry them to TheOaks; this time Keith had not even the pleasure of being in the samevehicle with Lucilla. 

Then, arrived at their destination, the young girls vanished from hissight, going into the dressing room appointed for their use in robingthemselves for the ceremony. 

Lucilla and Grace were to be bridesmaids, --Laura Howard, also, --andSydney maid of honour. 

Only a few minutes before their arrival Dick had been admitted to theroom where his bride sat arrayed in her wedding attire--the beautifuldress and veil provided by the kindness of her Cousin Elsie. 

"Oh, my darling!" he exclaimed in astonishment, "how lovely you are andhow beautifully dressed. This is not the dress you spoke ofwearing, --this rich white satin, --and the veil. Why, Rosie's own werenot handsomer!"

"No, I think not, " said Maud, smiling at his pleasure. "They are dearCousin Elsie's own wedding garments, kindly lent to me because I had notime to procure such for myself; and I was willing--yes, very glad toborrow them, because they are so lovely and becoming, and because, youknow, it is said to be good luck to have something old to wear, as wellas something new. I hope my bridegroom approves?"

"He could not do anything else, seeing how lovely his bride looks inthem, " Dick replied, putting an arm about her and holding her close withmore than one tender caress. Then, holding her off a little for anotherand closer inspection, "Oh, Maud, darling, how lovely you are!" heexclaimed. "I feel a rich and happy man to think you are all my own, myvery own. Dearest, it shall not be my fault if you do not find yourselfa happy woman in the sweet, new home to which I am about to take you. "

"Dick, dear Dick, I do not doubt that I shall be happy, " she saidsoftly, lifting to his eyes that were full of happy tears; "if I am not, I am sure it will be no fault of yours. "

But footsteps were heard approaching and he took his arm from her waistand stood beside her with her hand in his. 

The door opened and the bridesmaids and groomsmen filed in. Then therewere exclamations of surprise and delight. 

"Oh, Maud, how lovely! how lovely! When and where did you get thatbeautiful dress and veil? We all thought you were to be married in yourbridesmaid dress that you wore at Rosie's wedding. "

"And you like this one better? and the veil that goes with it?" Maudreturned with a joyous blush and smile. 

"Oh, yes, yes, certainly; it is far handsomer, and so becoming! But howdid you get it up so quickly?"

"I didn't. It was dear Cousin Elsie's wedding dress, and she has lent itto me to be married in. It was just like her--always so kind andthoughtful of others. "

"That is true, indeed!" said Lucilla; "I do think that in all this worldthere is not a kinder person than dear Grandma Elsie. "

Just then the little flower girls appeared in the doorway and utteredtheir exclamations of surprise and delight at the beauty of the bride'sattire. Their mothers were just behind them, and Violet seemed as muchsurprised and pleased as the children. She recognized the dress andveil--which she had seen a number of times in the course of her life, and was well content that her mother had seen fit to lend them to Maudfor this important time when she could not provide such luxuries forherself. 

"The dress fits you wonderfully well, Maud; and both it and the veil arevery becoming, " Violet said. "I am glad mamma had them, and thought ofproducing them for this occasion. "

"Yes, it was very, very kind in Cousin Elsie, " returned the bride, blushing with pleasure. 

"And you are all ready to go down now, are you not?" asked Mrs. Dinsmore. "Everybody is here and waiting for the ceremony to begin. Theappointed hour has come, too, and here is the minister, " as the Rev. Mr. Keith appeared in the doorway. 

At that the little procession formed at once and passed down the broadstairway, through the flower-bedecked hall, and into the large parlourwhere the guests were gathered. 

All went well; the ceremony was short but impressive, thecongratulations were warm and sincere, and the wedding breakfast thatfollowed a grand affair. Soon after it was over the bride changed herwedding dress for a neat and pretty travelling one. Then she and hernew-made husband bade good-bye, entered a carriage, and started for atrain that was to carry them on their homeward way. 

Most of the other relatives from a distance left for their homes duringthe afternoon or evening. Captain Keith had announced his intention toleave that night by a later train. He was to start from Woodburn, so hebade adieu to all the friends but that family, then went home with hisfriend, Captain Raymond. 

After a late dinner there, he found and seized the opportunity he had solong been waiting for. Lucilla was sitting alone upon the veranda, witha book in her hand, but not reading, for her eyes were not on it. Sheseemed to be thinking intently of something else. But when Captain Keithtook a seat by her side she welcomed him with a pleasant smile. 

"So you leave us to-night, " she said. "I hope you have enjoyed yourvisit well enough to feel a trifle sorry to go. "

"I have enjoyed my visit greatly, " he said in reply, "and I should liketo prolong it; but it will not do to play all the time. It seems lonely, too, to have to go away taking no one with me. To go as Cousin Dick didthis afternoon, with a dear young wife, would not be a hardship; but togo alone is rather dismal. Don't you think it must be?"

"Yes; I have never tried it, but I should think it was. When mamma diedand papa had to go away on his ship--oh, you don't know how hard it wasto part with him--I still had my brother Max and dear Gracie. I had themboth until a good while after papa came home to stay; so I have neverbeen all alone. "

"And I sincerely hope you never may be, " he said. "But do you never feelas if you would like to have a life companion, such as Maud was givento-day?"

"A husband, do you mean? No, indeed! for then I should be obliged toleave my dear father--the best man in the world, the dearest, kindest, most loving father to me. "

"He is all that, I am sure, " said Keith; "but, perhaps, some day you mayfind that you can love another even better than you love him. "

She shook her head dissentingly. 

"I can hardly believe it possible. It seems to me that it would justbreak my heart to have to leave my father or to be separated from him inany way. "

Keith sighed drearily. "Miss Raymond, " he said, "I love you, I love youdevotedly, and if--if you have not given your affection to another, perhaps in time you may find it possible to return my love. Will you notlet me hope for that?"

"Oh, don't!" she said, half rising to leave him, her face scarlet withblushes. "I don't know anything about love, --that kind of love, --and myfather has forbidden me to listen to such things and----"

"But he would let you this time, for he gave me permission to speak toyou and--and tell you of my love. "

"That is very strange; I don't understand it, " she said, sinking backinto her chair with a look of perplexity and distress on her face. "Ah, " brightening a little, "I think papa knew there was no danger thatI would be willing to leave him for anybody else. "

"Yes; I suppose that was it, " sighed Keith, and, at that moment, therecame an interruption, very welcome to Lucilla, in the form of little Nedlooking for papa. And the next moment papa himself, to find CaptainKeith and hand him a letter; a servant having just brought the afternoonmail. Then Lucilla slipped away to her own room, where she stayed untilsummoned to the dining room by the tea bell. 

CHAPTER XIX. 

It was a pleasant surprise to Lucilla to find Grandma Elsie and Walterthere, and to learn that they had come to stay several days. So it waseasy to avoid being left alone with Captain Keith, and there was no moreprivate talk between them. When the carriage drove up to take him to histrain she was on the veranda with the others, and he shook hands withher in her turn, saying, "Good-bye, Miss Lu. I shall hope to hear fromyour father that you are well and happy. "

"Thank you; good-bye, and I wish you a safe journey, " she said in reply, but without lifting her eyes to his face. 

Just as she was ready for bed her father came to her room to bid hergood-night as he so often did. 

Taking her in his arms and looking searchingly into her eyes, "Is thereanything wrong with you--anything troubling you, daughter?" he askedtenderly. 

"Yes, papa, " she said, colouring and dropping her eyes. "Oh, why did youlet Captain Keith talk to me of--of love, when you have so often told meI was much too young to even think of such things?"

"Well, dear child, " he said, "I knew it would be risking little ornothing, as I was certain I had too large a place in your heart to leaveany room for him, but it seemed the only way to thoroughly convince himof that was to let him try to push himself in there. And he did try?"

"Yes, papa; and when I told him you had forbidden me to listen to suchthings, he said you had given him leave to speak about it to me; andthat surprised me more than his speaking. You didn't want me to say yes, father?"

"No, daughter; no, indeed! I should not have let him speak if I had notbeen very sure that my dear child loved me too well to leave me for himor anybody else. "

"Oh, I am so glad!" she exclaimed with a sigh of relief and laying herhead down on his breast, "though I couldn't believe that my dear fatherwanted to be rid of me, or felt willing that I should love anybody elsebetter than I love him. "

"No, dear daughter, you need never be afraid of that. But, now, good-night. Go at once to your bed, for you are looking very weary. "

She obeyed, slept sweetly and peacefully till her usual hour for rising, and, as was her usual custom, joined her father in a stroll about thegrounds before the breakfast hour. 

"How would you and Grace like to have your friends Eva and Sydney herefor a few days, daughter?" he asked as they paced along side by side. 

"Oh, I think it would be very pleasant, papa!" she answered in a joyoustone. "I know Gracie would like it, and I think Sydney would, too. Evaalways does. I believe she loves you almost as well as if you were herfather as well as ours. "

"Ah! that is pleasant news for me, " he said with a smile. "I am fond ofher, too, though, of course, not with just the fondness I feel for myown children. "

"Oh, I am glad you don't! I shouldn't want you to love her as well asyou do me. Will you invite the girls, papa?"

"Yes; we will call to them through the telephone after breakfast. "

They did so, there was a joyful acceptance from each, and before thedinner hour they had both arrived. Sydney had not gone with Maud andDick. It had been decided before the wedding that it would be better forher to remain in a more northern region till fall, then go South to makeher home with her sister. 

"I was glad of your invitation, captain, " she said when he helped herout of the carriage, "for I was finding it dreadfully lonesome withoutmy sister. "

"Ah! so I suspected, as did my wife, and we thought it might relieveyour loneliness a little to spend a few days here with us. "

"Yes; it was so kind, " she responded, "so very kind! And you are here, too, Cousin Elsie, and Walter! Oh, I am sure we are going to have a finetime. "

"Yes, indeed, I always do have the best of times here, " said Evelyn;"especially when Grandma Elsie and Walter add their attractions tothose of the Woodburn folks. "

"We will all try to make it as delightful as we can, " said Grace. "Papahas kindly excused Lu and me from lessons while you stay; so we can busyourselves with fancy work or anything we like, when we are not drivingor walking; and we have some new books and periodicals that one can readaloud while the rest are doing fancy work or whatever they please. Wecan play games, too, so I think we will not lack for amusement. "

"No, we never do, here, " said Eva. 

And they did not; time passed swiftly and pleasantly in the round ofoccupations and amusements suggested by Grace. Friday and Saturdaysoon slipped by, and Sunday came, bringing its sacred duties andpleasures--religious services at home, at church, then the Sundayschools, and after that the home Bible class, which all found sopleasant. They gathered upon the veranda, each with a Bible in hand;for even little Ned could now read fluently, and generally find thereferences for himself. 

"Will you not lead us to-day, mother?" asked the captain when all wereseated. 

"No, " she said with her pleasant smile, "I very much prefer to have thatburden borne by my son-in-law, Captain Raymond. "

"And you wish him to select the subject?"

"Yes; he cannot fail to fix upon a good and interesting one. "

"And how is it with you, my love?" he asked, turning to Violet. 

"Suppose we take thanksgiving as our subject, " she said; "we all have somuch, so very much, to be thankful for. "

"Indeed we have!" he returned emphatically, "and I think no bettersubject could be found. Neddie, my boy, can you tell papa something youhave to be thankful for?"

"Oh, yes, papa! eyes to see with, ears to hear with, hands and feet, andthat I can use them all; for I saw a boy the other day that can't walkat all, though he has feet, but must lie on a bed or sit in a chair allthe time; while I can walk, and run, and jump whenever I want to. "

"Yes, those are all great blessings, " his father said. "And now, Elsie, can you think of some others?"

"Oh, so many, papa! more than I can count, " the little girl answeredearnestly. "A dear, kind father and mother, and grandma among them; and, oh, so many dear relations besides; 'specially my sisters and brothers. And I am so glad I was born in this Christian land and taught about Godand the dear Saviour; and have a Bible to read, and know that I may prayto God, and that he will hear me and help me to be good--to love andserve him. But, oh! I can't name all my blessings, papa, they are sovery, very many. "

"That is very true, daughter, " he replied; "and we can all say the same;our blessings are more than we can count. But the best of all is thegift of God's dear son. 'God so loved the world, that he gave his onlybegotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, buthave everlasting life. ' 'Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. ''I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to myGod while I have being. ' So says the Psalmist, and surely we can allecho his words from our very hearts. Mother, you seem to have selecteda passage. Will you please read it?"

"Yes, " she said; "here in Corinthians where the apostle is speaking ofthe sting of death and the victory over the grave, he cries exultingly, 'But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our LordJesus Christ. ' Then he goes on, 'Therefore my beloved brethren be yesteadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. '"

"Yes; and let us all heed that exhortation, " said the captain. "Evelyn, you seem to have a text ready. Will you please read it?"

"These words of Jesus, " she said, "'I will not leave you comfortless; Iwill come to you, ' are they not words to be thankful for?"

"They are, indeed!" he said. "What can be more comforting than thepresence of the Master? His presence and his love. 'He that hath mycommandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he thatloveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and willmanifest myself to him. ' Ah! what is there more worthy to be thankfulfor than the love of Christ! But when should we give thanks, Walter?"

"Always, sir. Here in Ephesians I read, 'Giving thanks always for allthings unto God the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. ' Againin first Thessalonians, 'We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers. '"

Then Sydney, Lucilla, and Grace read in turn:

"'Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks; forthat thy name is near thy wondrous works declare. '"

"'And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also ye arecalled in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell inyou richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalmsand hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to theLord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of theLord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. '"

"'Continue in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving. '"

They read, in turn, again and again, finding the Bible full ofexhortations to thanksgiving, then joined in singing hymns ofpraise--not with their voices only, but with joy, and thankfulness intheir hearts because of the good gifts of God, both temporal andspiritual, to them all. 

So closed the Sabbath day, and after it followed a night of sweet sleepand peaceful rest. 

At the breakfast table the next morning Walter asked: "Where are wegoing to spend our summer? Isn't it time to be thinking about it?"

The question seemed to be addressed to no one in particular. There was amoment's silence; then the captain said:

"Suppose you give us your ideas and wishes on that subject, Walter. "

"Well, I haven't much choice, sir; there are so many places that areabout equally agreeable to me. Anywhere with mother and the rest ofyou. "

"Then what place would you prefer, mother?" asked the captain. 

"It is a question I have hardly considered yet, " she replied. "Perhapsit might be well to hold a family council on the subject. "

"May I offer a suggestion?" asked Evelyn modestly, blushing as shespoke. 

"Certainly, my dear, " said Mrs. Travilla. 

"We will be glad to hear it, " said the captain. 

"Then it is that all who think they would find it agreeable will spendat least a week or two with me in my cottage on the Hudson. It wasrented for a time, but is vacant now, and I want very much to be in itfor a while, yet certainly not alone. "

"It is most kind in you to invite us, Evelyn, dear, " said Mrs. Travilla, "but our party would much more than fill it. "

"Unless we should go in relays, " laughed Violet; "perhaps it might bemanaged in that way, if Eva is very desirous to have us there. "

"And perhaps there are hotels in the vicinity where most of us could beaccommodated, " said the captain. "We are much obliged for yourinvitation, Eva, and will consider the question and talk it over withthe others who may choose to be of our party. "

"Oh, I think it would be fun to go there!" exclaimed Sydney. "If I canhave my way, I'll pay you a little visit there, and pass the rest of thetime at the seashore. "

"That is what I should like to do, " said Lucilla. 

"And I also, " added Grace; "if papa and mamma approve, and would be withus in both places. "

"Of course I meant that, " Lucilla hastened to say; "we would not halfenjoy ourselves without them; and the children, " she added, glancing atElsie and Ned. 

"It seems to me we're getting pretty big to be called that, " said Ned alittle scornfully. "I'll be a man one of these days. "

"Not quite that yet, little brother, " laughed Lucilla. 

The talk in regard to the summer's excursion was renewed after familyworship, as they all sat together upon the veranda. Various places weretalked of, various plans discussed, but nothing could be fully decidedupon without consultation with the other near relatives who mightdecide to be of the party. 

"Hello! here comes Doctor Herbert, " exclaimed Walter, as a doctor's gigturned in at the great gates and came driving rapidly up to the house. 

"What is it, Doc?" springing up and hastening down the steps as the gighalted before them. 

"A letter for mother, " answered Herbert, handing it to Walter as hespoke. "Good-morning, mother, and all of you. You are looking well andhave no need of a doctor, I suppose?"

"Yes, we want a call from that one, " said Violet. "Come in, won't you, if it is for only five minutes?"

"Well, yes; since you are so urgent and I know of no urgent call for myservices elsewhere, " answered Herbert, suiting the action to the word. 

"Good-morning, my son, " was his mother's smiling salutation, as he bentdown to give her an affectionate caress. "I suppose you want to hearwhat Rosie has to say. I will just glance over her letter, then readaloud whatever I think she would deem suitable for you all to hear. "

It was a pleasant, cheerful letter; all seemed to be going right withthe young couple, they very happy in each other. They were at NiagaraFalls, expecting soon to leave there for some place on the Hudson, andafterward to visit the seashore; but their plans were not yet definitelyarranged; nor would they be until Will's parents and Rosie's homefriends, intending to go North for the summer, were heard from in regardto their plans and purposes. 

"Well, " said Herbert, when the reading of the letter was concluded, "Ithink we will have to hold a family council, taking in the Crolys, anddecide those momentous questions. Right quickly, too, for the weather isgrowing very warm, and if you all stay here our firm may have too muchto do. "

"I think you are right, doctor, " said the captain, "and lest you andHarold and Arthur should be overworked, I intend to see that thatcouncil is held promptly. "

"Well, captain, suppose we appoint this evening as the time, andRoselands as the place, as the Crolys are there, and not so able as therest of us to go about from place to place. "

"That seems a very good plan, " said his mother, "but I think it will notbe necessary for us all to attend. I prefer to leave the decision withthe gentlemen of our party. Can you go, Herbert?"

"To the family council, mother? Oh, yes!"

"That is well, " she said with a smile, "but I meant can you go Northwith us?"

"For a part of the time, I think; we three doctors can doubtless taketurns in having a vacation. "

"You ought to, I think, " said Violet. "Doctors certainly need rest asmuch, or more, than most other people. "

"Yes, they do, indeed!" said the captain; "they are, as a rule, verymuch overworked, I think. "

"Some of them hardly so much as they might like to be, " laughed Herbert. "You will be coming home soon, mother?" turning to her. 

"Yes; probably to-morrow, " she answered. 

He chatted a little longer, then drove away. The young people presentlywent off into the grounds, leaving Grandma Elsie, Violet, and thecaptain still sitting in the veranda, they busied with their fancy work, he looking over the morning paper. 

"If you find anything very interesting, my dear, mamma and I will beglad to hear it, " said Violet. 

"Yes, " he said, "and here is something interesting, though far frombeing pleasant news. Davis, one of the burglars whom Lucilla caught, hasescaped from prison; gone no one knows where, and may be even nowlurking in this neighbourhood. I must watch over my daughter or he mayattempt to do her some harm. At the time of the trial he seemed to feelvery revengeful toward her. "

"Oh, that is dreadful!" cried Violet. "Indeed we must be watchful overpoor dear Lu. You will not tell her, Levis?"

"I think I shall, " he said reflectively; "she will need to be carefulabout venturing to a distance from the house, even within the grounds, without a protector; therefore I must warn her and forbid her to runany unnecessary risk. I hope it may not be long before the fellow willbe caught and returned to his prison. "

"And I think it might be well for us to hasten our departure for theNorth for her safety, " said Violet. "She would be safer there, would shenot?"

"Probably, " he replied, "and we will make haste to be off on thataccount. "

"Yes; I think you should, by all means, " said her mother. "Anything thatI can do to assist your preparations, Vi, will be gladly done. "

"I will set to work at once, " exclaimed Violet. 

"And I shall call my daughters in at once and set them about theirpreparations, " said the captain, throwing aside his paper and startingeven as he spoke. 

The young people were much surprised by his summons and directions tohis daughters, but he did not go into a lengthened explanation; merelysaid that he had decided to start northward in a day or two, andnecessary preparations must be made as promptly as possible. 

His daughters were accustomed to rendering prompt and unquestioningobedience to their father's commands, and did so now, though muchwondering at this sudden move. 

Some hours later he called Lucilla aside and told her the whole story. She turned pale for a moment, then, lifting fearless eyes to his, "Father, " she said, "don't be uneasy about me. I will trust in the Lordand not be afraid; I will trust in his care and yours, and I shall besafe. I am thinking of those sweet verses in the thirty-seventh Psalm, 'But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strengthin the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them and deliver them:he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trustin him. '"

"Yes, dear child, trust in him and you will be safe, " returned thecaptain with emotion. "I shall not go over to Roselands this evening, asI had intended, but will talk through the telephone to the friendsgathered there to discuss the questions when we shall start for theNorth and in what spots locate ourselves for the summer. "

He did so, and before they were through with their conference it wasdecided that he, with his family, Evelyn, Sydney, Grandma Elsie, Walter, and all the Lelands should at once pack up, and in two days start forEva's cottage on the Hudson. 

Little preparation was needed but the packing of trunks; all were readyat the set time, started away in good health and spirits, and, travelling by rail, soon reached their destination; where we will leavethem for the present. 

THE END. 

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Transcriber's notes:

 Punctuation normalized. 

 Page 65: the word "the" inserted: "with the results. "

 Page 155: "thing" changed to "think": "Don't you think so". 

 Page 197: "lead" changed to "led": "the minister led the exercises". 

 Page 264: "On" changed to "No": "No one need be".