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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/14883-8.txt b/14883-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..fc3eca4 --- /dev/null +++ b/14883-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8163 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Grandmother Elsie, by Martha Finley + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Grandmother Elsie + +Author: Martha Finley + +Release Date: February 2, 2005 [EBook #14883] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GRANDMOTHER ELSIE *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Emmy and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + + + + + + + +GRANDMOTHER ELSIE + +A SEQUEL TO +"ELSIE'S WIDOWHOOD" + +By MARTHA FINLEY + +COMPLETE AUTHORIZED EDITION + +"The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, +good and ill together."--Shakespeare + +Published by arrangement with +Dodd, Mead and Company + +A.L. BURT COMPANY + +_PUBLISHERS_ + +New York Chicago + +1882, +BY +DODD, MEAD & COMPANY + +1910, +BY +CHARLES B. FINLEY + + + + +GRANDMOTHER ELSIE + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + "Every state, + Allotted to the race of man below, + Is in proportion, doom'd to taste some sorrow." + --_Rowe_. + + +The Ion family were at home again after their summer on the New Jersey +coast. + +It was a delightful morning early in October: the dew-drops on the still +green grass of the neatly kept lawn sparkled in the rays of the newly +risen sun; the bright waters of the lakelet also, as, ruffled by the +breeze, they broke gently about the prow of the pretty row-boat moored to +the little wharf; the gardens were gay with bright-hued flowers, the trees +gorgeous in their autumnal dress. + +But though doors and windows were open, the gardener and his assistants at +work in the grounds, there seemed a strange quiet about the place: when +the men spoke to each other it was in subdued tones; there was no +sound--as in other days--of little feet running hither and thither, nor +of childish prattle or laughter. + +Two horses stood ready saddled and bridled before the principal entrance +to the mansion, and Mr. Horace Dinsmore was pacing the veranda to and fro +with slow, meditative step, while Bruno, crouching beside the door, +followed his movements with wistful, questioning eyes, doubtless wondering +what had become of his accustomed merry, romping play-mates. + +A light step came down the hall, and a lady in riding hat and habit +stepped from the open doorway, stooped for an instant to touch the dog's +head caressingly with a "Poor Bruno! do you miss your playfellows?" then +glided quickly toward Mr. Dinsmore, who received her with open arms and +tenderest caress. + +Then holding her off and scrutinizing the sweet, fair face with keen, +searching eye, "You are looking better and brighter than I dared to hope, +my darling," he said. "Did you get some sleep?" + +"Yes, papa, thank you, several hours. And you? did you rest well?" + +"Yes, daughter. How are the children?" + +"No worse, Arthur says; perhaps a trifle better. He, Elsie and Mammy are +with them now, and 'Mamma' can be spared for a short ride with her +father," she said, smiling lovingly into the eyes that were gazing with +the tenderest fatherly affection upon her. + +"That is right; you need the air and exercise sorely; a few more days of +such close confinement and assiduous nursing would, I very much fear, tell +seriously upon your health." + +He led her to the side of her steed and assisted her into the saddle as he +spoke, then vaulted into his own with the agility of youth. + +"But where are Vi and her brothers?" Elsie asked, sending an inquiring +glance from side to side. + +"I sent them on in advance. I wanted you quite to myself this once," he +answered, as they turned and rode at a brisk canter down the avenue. + +"And I shall enjoy having my dear father all to myself for once," she +rejoined, with a touch of old-time gayety in look and tone. "Ah! papa, +never a day passes, I think I might almost say never an hour, in which I +do not thank God for sparing you to me; you who have loved and cherished +me so long and so tenderly." + +"My own dear child!" he said in reply, "you and your love are among the +greatest blessings of my life." + +As they rode on side by side they talked of the youngest two of her +children--Rose and Walter--both quite ill with measles; of her sister's +family, where also there was sickness among the little ones, and whither +Mrs. Dinsmore had gone to assist in the nursing of her grandchildren; of +the recent death of Enna at Magnolia Hall, the home of her daughter Molly; +and of the anxiety of the younger Elsie because of a much longer silence +than usual on the part of her absent betrothed. + +She greatly feared that some evil had befallen him, and had not been able +to hide her distress from these two--the mother and grandfather who loved +her so--though making most earnest, unselfish efforts to conceal it from +all, especially her mother, whose tender heart was ever ready to bleed for +another's woe, and who had already griefs and anxieties enough of her own. + +They spoke of her with tenderest compassion, and affectionate pride in her +loveliness of person and character, and her brave endurance of her trial. + +Enna's death could hardly be felt as a personal loss by either, but they +sympathized deeply in the grief of her old father, with whom her faults +seemed to be buried in her grave, while he cherished a lively remembrance +of all that had ever given him pleasure in her looks, words, or ways. + +He was growing old and feeble, and felt this, the death of his youngest +child, a very heavy blow. + +"My poor old father! I fear we shall not have him with us much longer," +Mr. Dinsmore remarked with emotion. + +Elsie's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Dear old grandpa!" she +murmured. "But, dear papa, be comforted! he may live for years yet, and +should it please God to take him, we know that our loss will be his +infinite gain." + +"Yes; would that we had the same assurance in regard to all his children +and grandchildren." + +Silence fell between them for some minutes. + +Elsie knew that her father, when making that last remark, was thinking +more particularly of his half sister, Mrs. Conly, and her daughter +Virginia. + +The two had gone to a fashionable watering-place to spend the last +fortnight of their summer's sojourn at the North, and ere it expired +Virginia had contracted a hasty marriage with a man of reputed wealth, +whom she met there for the first time. + +The match was made with the full consent and approval of her mother--who, +on rejoining the Dinsmores and Travillas, boasted much of "Virginia's +brilliant position and prospects"--but without the knowledge of any other +relative. No opportunity of making inquiries about the character or real +circumstances of the stranger to whom she committed the happiness of her +life, was afforded by Virginia to grandfather, uncle or brothers. + +Of late Mrs. Conly had ceased to boast of the match--scarcely mentioned +Virginia's name; and Mr. Dinsmore had learned from Calhoun and Arthur that +Virginia's letters were no longer shown to any one, and seemed to irritate +and depress their mother so unmistakably that they feared more and more +there was something very much amiss with their sister; yet the mother +steadily evaded all inquiries on the subject. + +Mr. Dinsmore presently told all this to his daughter, adding that he very +much feared Virginia had made an utter wreck of her earthly happiness. + +"Poor Virgie!" sighed Elsie. "Ah! if only she had been blest with such a +father as mine!" turning upon him a look of grateful love. + +"Or such a mother as my granddaughters have," added Mr. Dinsmore, smiling +into the soft, sweet eyes. + +"What blessings my darlings are! how good and lovable in spite of my +failures in right training and example," she said in sincere humility. + +"Those failures and mistakes have been very few, I think," was his reply; +"you have tried very earnestly and prayerfully to train them up in the way +they should go. And God is faithful to his promises--your children do not +depart from the right way; they do arise and call you blessed." + +"Papa," she said, in moved tones, after a moment's silence, "we must not +forget how much is due to the training, the example, and the prayers of +their father." + +"No, daughter; and we can always plead in their behalf the precious +promises to the seed of the righteous. 'I will pour my Spirit upon thy +seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring.' 'A good man leaveth an +inheritance to his children's children.'" + +"Yes, father, how often have those promises been my comfort and support as +the inheritance of both my children and myself; inherited by me from both +you and my sainted mother and her pious ancestors." + +"And from mine; for my mother was a devoted Christian and came of a long +line of God-fearing men and women. But I see nothing yet of Edward and his +party; they must have taken another road." + +"Yes, sir; and shall we not turn now? I ought not to be long away from my +poor sick darlings." + +"I think it would be well to return by the other road; we shall reach it +in a moment, and our ride will be lengthened by but a half mile or so." + +She acquiesced in his decision, as was her custom. + +On the homeward way, as they neared the cross-road leading to the city, +they saw a boy on horseback coming at a hard gallop down it in their +direction. + +On catching sight of them he held aloft what looked like a letter, waving +it about his head in evident desire to attract their attention; then as he +reached their road he halted and waited for them to come up. + +"Mr. Dinsmore, from the Oaks or Ion, isn't it?" he queried, lifting his +cap and bowing to the lady and her escort as they reined in their steeds +close at hand. + +"Yes." + +"A telegram for you, sir." + +Mr. Dinsmore took the missive, tore it open and glanced at the contents, +then, handing it to Elsie, paid the boy and dismissed him. + +"Oh, my poor darling!" she exclaimed, her tears dropping upon the paper. +"Father, what shall we do? tell her at once? Perhaps that would be best." + +"Yes; I think it is her right. But of course it must be done as gently as +possible. Dear daughter, do not grieve too sorely for her; try to trust +her as well as yourself in your heavenly Father's hands." + +"I will, papa, I will! but oh my heart bleeds for her!" + +"Will you break the news to her? or shall I?" + +"My kindest of fathers! you would if possible spare me every trial, bear +all my burdens. But perhaps the dear child may suffer less in hearing the +sad news from her mother's lips, as, in her place, I could bear it better +from yours than from any other." + +"Unselfish as ever, my darling," he said, "but I believe you are +right--that the blow will be somewhat softened to Elsie coming to her +through the medium of her tender and dearly loved mother." + +"I think, papa," Mrs. Travilla said, checking her horse to a walk as they +entered the avenue at Ion, "I shall reserve my communication until my poor +child has had her breakfast." + +He expressed approval of her decision, adding interrogatively, "You will +breakfast with the family this morning?" + +"Yes, sir; if I find all going well in the sick-room." + +A servant was in waiting to lead the horses away to the stable. Violet, +Edward, Harold and Herbert, just returned from their ride, were on the +veranda. + +Edward hastened to assist his mother to alight, and all gathered about her +and their grandfather with morning greetings spoken in cheerful but +subdued tones; no one forgetting for a moment the illness of the little +pet brother and sister, but all inquiring anxiously how they and "Mamma" +had passed the night, and what was cousin Arthur's report of their +condition this morning. + +"No worse, my dears; and we will hope that they may soon be decidedly +better," the mother answered, returning their greetings with affectionate +warmth and smiling sweetly upon them. "But you must let me go at once to +the sick-room, and if all is well I shall be down presently to breakfast +with grandpa and you." + +That announcement was heard with the greater pleasure because her loved +face had seldom been seen at the table for some days past. + +The face was bright and hopeful as she spoke, but an unwonted expression +of sadness and anxiety came over it as she turned quickly away and went +swiftly through the spacious entrance hall and up the broad stairway. + +No earthly eye saw that look, but the traces of tears on her mother's +cheeks had not escaped Vi's keen observation. + +"Grandpa," she said in low, tremulous tones, following him into the +library, whither he went to await the summons to breakfast, "what has +been distressing mamma so? is it that she is so anxious about Elsie and +Walter? May I not know?" + +Mr. Dinsmore paused a moment before he replied. "You shall know all about +it, my dear child, before very long. Be satisfied for the present with the +assurance that your mother's distress is for another's woe. You know what +a tender, sympathetic heart she has. I cannot deny that our little ones +are seriously ill, but their case is very far from hopeless." + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + "Within her heart was his image, + Cloth'd in the beauty of love and youth, as last she beheld him, + Only more beautiful made by his deathlike silence and absence." + --_Longfellow_. + + +The sick ones ware sleeping quietly when the mother entered; the doctor +had already breakfasted, and would assist Aunt Chloe and Dinah in watching +beside them for the next hour, so the two Elsies--mother and +daughter--went down together to the breakfast parlor. + +They were a more silent party than usual at meal-time, for no one could +forget the two absent members of the family, or that they were suffering +upon beds of sickness; yet there was no gloom in any face or voice: their +few words were spoken in cheerful tones, and each seemed unselfishly +intent upon promoting the comfort and happiness of all the others; on the +part of the children, especially of their grandfather and mother; each +young heart was evidently full to overflowing of tenderest sympathy and +love for her. + +She had been closely confined to the sick-room for several days, so that +it was a treat to have her with them at breakfast and at family worship, +which followed directly upon the conclusion of the meal. + +It surprised them a little that when the short service came to an end, she +did not even then return at once to her sick little ones, but putting on a +garden hat invited her eldest daughter to do likewise and come with her +for a short stroll in the grounds. + +"It will do us both good," she said as they stepped from the veranda upon +the broad, gravelled walk, "the air is so sweet and pure at this early +hour; and you have not been out in it at all, have you?" + +"No, mamma; and what a treat it is to take it in your dear company," Elsie +responded, gathering a lovely, sweet-scented flower and placing it in the +bosom of her mother's dress. + +"Thank you, love," Mrs. Travilla said; then went on to speak feelingly of +the beauty and fragrance that surrounded them, and the unnumbered +blessings of their lot in life. + +"Mamma, you seem to have a heart always filled with love and gratitude to +God, and never to be troubled with the least rebellious feeling, or any +doubts or fears for the future," remarked Elsie, sighing slightly as she +spoke. + +"Have we any right or reason to indulge repining, doubts, or fears, when +we know that all is ordered for us by One who loves us with an +everlasting and infinite love, and who is all-wise and all-powerful? O my +darling, no! Well may we say with the Psalmist, 'I will fear no evil, for +thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Surely goodness +and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the +house of the Lord forever.' Oh what a blessed assurance! goodness and +mercy while here in this world of trial--all things working together for +our good, that so we may be brought at last safely to our desired +haven--and then to be forever with the Lord!" + +"Mamma, I have been so anxious and troubled about my little brother and +sister, and about Lester, I needed the lesson you have just given me, and +hope I shall profit by it." + +"My dearest child, have faith in God; try to believe with all your heart +that he will never send you or any of his children one unneeded pang. I am +sure you could never think I--your tender mother--would give you the +slightest pain except for your certain good; and what is my love for you +compared to that of your Saviour? who died that you might live!" + +"Mamma," cried the young girl, pausing in her walk, laying her hand on her +mother's arm and looking searchingly into the sweet, compassionate face, +while her own grew deathly pale, "what is it you are trying to prepare me +for? O mamma!" + +A rustic seat stood close at hand. + +"Let us sit down here for a moment, dear daughter," Mrs. Travilla said, +drawing Elsie to it with an arm about her waist. "You are right, my +child--I have news for you. Oh, not the worst, dearest!" as Elsie seemed +to gasp for breath. "Lester lives, but is very ill with typhoid fever." + +"Mamma!" cried Elsie, starting to her feet, "I must go to him! go at once. +O dearest mother, do not hinder me!" and she clasped her hands in piteous +entreaty, the big tears rapidly chasing each other down her pale cheeks. + +"If I could go with you," faltered the mother, "or your grandfather; but I +can neither leave nor take my little ones, and he would never consent to +leave me, or his poor old father, who seems just tottering on the verge of +the grave." + +"I know! I see! but, O mother, mother! how can I let him die all alone in +a stranger land? Think if it had been you and my father!" + +"What is your entreaty, daughter?" Mr. Dinsmore asked, coming up and +laying his hand affectionately upon his grandchild's shoulder. + +"To go to him--to Lester, grandpa. Oh, how can I stay away and leave him +to die alone? to die for lack of the good nursing I could give him, +perhaps to the saving of his life!" + +"My poor child! my poor dear child!" he said, caressing her; "we will see +what can be done in the way of finding a suitable escort, and if that can +be obtained your mother will not, I think, withhold her consent." + +He had been telling the news to the others, and Edward had followed him, +anxious to express the sympathy for his sister with which his heart was +full. + +"An escort, grandpa?" he said. "Would mine be sufficient? Mamma, if you +will permit me, I shall gladly go to Lester, either with or without +Elsie." + +"My dear boy!" was all his mother said, her tones tremulous with emotion, +while his grandfather turned and regarded him with doubtful scrutiny. + +"Oh, thank you, brother!" cried Elsie. "Mamma, surely you can trust me to +him! Who loves me better? except yourself--and who would take such tender +care of me?" + +"Mamma, I would guard her with my life!" exclaimed Edward earnestly. + +"My dear son, I do not doubt it," Mrs. Travilla answered, turning upon her +father a half-inquiring, half-entreating look. + +"If no older or more experienced person can be found." + +He paused, and Elsie burst out: "O grandpa, dear grandpa, don't say that! +There is no time to lose! no time to look for other escort!" + +"That is true, my child; and we will not waste any time. Make your +preparations as rapidly as you can, and if nothing better offers in the +mean while, and your mother consents to Edward's proposition, you shall go +with him--and Ben who travelled all over Europe with your father and +myself--as your protectors." + +She thanked him fervently through her tears, while her mother said, "Ah +yes, that is a good thought, papa! Ben shall go with them." + +"Better go now and at once select whatever you wish to take with you, and +set some one to packing your trunks," he said. "Edward, do you do +likewise, and I will examine the morning papers for information in regard +to trains and the sailing of the next steamer. Daughter dear," to Mrs. +Travilla, "you need give yourself no concern about any of these matters." + +"No, I shall trust everything to you, my best of fathers, and go back at +once to my sick darlings," she said, giving him a look of grateful love. + +Then passing her arm affectionately about her daughter's waist, she drew +her on toward the house, her father and son accompanying them. + +She parted with Elsie at the door of the sick-room, embracing her tenderly +and bidding her "'Be strong and of a good courage,' my darling, for 'the +eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.'" + +"Dearest mamma, what sweet words!" said the weeping girl. "Oh, how glad I +am that God reigns! and that I know he will send to each of his children +just what is best." + +She turned away as the door closed upon her mother, and found Violet close +at her side. + +There was a silent affectionate embrace, and with their arms about each +other they sought Elsie's dressing-room. + +"Grandpa and Edward have told me," Violet said, "and you will let me help +you, my poor dear sister? help in thinking and selecting what you will +want to carry with you." + +"Gladly, thankfully, for oh, I seem scarcely able to collect my thoughts! +How can I leave mamma and all of you? and the darling little brother and +sister so ill! and yet how can I stay away from Lester when he is sick and +alone in a strange land, with not a friend to speak a cheering word, +smooth his pillow, give his medicine, or see that he has proper food? O +Vi, can I help going to him, even at the sacrifice of leaving all other +near and dear ones?" + +"I think our mother would have done it for papa," Violet answered, kissing +Elsie's cheek. + +Mr. Dinsmore having first seen Ben, and found him more than willing to go +with the children of the master he had loved as his own soul, went to the +library, looked over the papers, and had just found the information he +sought, when the sound of horses' hoofs on the avenue drew his attention, +and glancing from the window he saw the Roselands carriage drive up with +his sister, Mrs. Conly, inside. + +He hastened out to assist her to alight. + +"Good-morning, Horace," she said. "Is my son Arthur here?" + +"Yes, Louise, he has spent the last hour or more in attendance upon our +sick little ones. Ah, here he is to speak for himself!" as the young +doctor stepped from the open doorway. "But won't you come in?" + +She demurred. "Is there any danger, Arthur?" + +"Danger of what, mother?" + +"You certainly understood me," she said half angrily; "danger of +contagion, of course." + +"None for you, surely, mother, and none you could carry home unless you +came in personal contact with the sick children." + +"I shall sit here for a moment, then," she said, stepping from the +carriage and taking a chair upon the veranda. "How are they to-day?" + +"The sick little ones? The disease has not yet reached its crisis." + +"I hope they'll get safely over it: it's a good thing to have over. How +soon can you be spared from here, Arthur?" + +"Now, mother, if I am needed elsewhere, I shall not be needed here--at +least am not likely to be--for some hours." + +"Then I wish you'd come home directly to see what you can do for your +grandfather. He doesn't seem at all well to-day." + +"My father ill?" Mr. Dinsmore exclaimed in a tone of alarm and concern. + +"It hardly amounts to that, I presume," Mrs. Conly answered coldly; "but +he is not well; didn't eat a mouthful of breakfast." + +"Grandpa, did you find what you wanted in the morning paper?" queried +Edward, joining them at this moment. "Ah, Aunt Louise, how d'ye do?" + +She nodded indifferently, listening with some curiosity for her brother's +reply. + +"Yes," he said; "and I think you should leave to-night; for by so doing +you will reach New York in time to take the next steamer, if you meet with +no great detention on the way. Do you think you can both be ready?" + +"I certainly can, sir, and have no doubt Elsie will also." + +"What is it? off to Europe?" asked Mrs. Conly in surprise. "What should +call you two children there at this time?" + +Mr. Dinsmore briefly stated the facts, giving the news of the morning, +Elsie's wish, and Edward's offer to be her escort to Italy. + +"If she were a daughter of mine, I should consider a female companion an +absolute necessity," was Mrs. Conly's comment. + +"She will take her maid of course," said Mr. Dinsmore and Edward, both +speaking at once. + +"Pooh! a maid! I mean a lady relative or friend. I said a companion, and +that a maid could not be." + +"I should be extremely glad if such could be found in the few hours that +we have for our preparations," said her brother, "but I know of none; the +Fairview family are absent, Violet is too young----" + +"Of course," interrupted Mrs. Conly; "but there are other relatives. I +would go myself if my means would warrant the expense." + +"If you are in earnest, Louise, you need not hesitate for a moment on that +score; it shall not cost you a penny," her brother said, looking at her in +pleased but half-incredulous surprise. + +"I was never more in earnest," she answered. "I don't think you give me +much credit for affection for your grandchildren, yet I certainly care too +much for the one in question to willingly see her undertake such a journey +without the support of female companionship. And I can be spared from +home if you and Arthur will look after father; I have no young child now, +and Aunt Maria is fully capable of taking charge of all household matters. +If you wish me to go you have only to say so and guarantee my expenses, +and I shall go home, oversee the packing of my trunks, and be ready as +soon as the young people are." + +"Your offer is a most kind one, Louise, and I accept it even without +waiting to consult with my daughter," Mr. Dinsmore said. + +"Then I must go home at once, and set about my preparations immediately," +she said, rising to take leave. + +Arthur Conly as well as Edward Travilla had been a surprised but silent +listener to the short dialogue. + +"Can you spare your mother, Arthur?" his uncle asked. + +"We must, sir, if it pleases her to go, and for the sake of my two sweet +cousins--Elsie senior and Elsie junior--I willingly consent. You take the +night train I understand?" turning to Edward. + +"Yes; to-night." + +"I shall see that my mother is at the depôt in season;" and with that they +took their departure, Mr. Dinsmore saying, as he bade them adieu, that he +should ride over presently to see his father. + +Turning toward Edward, he saw that the lad's eyes were following the +Roselands' carriage down the avenue, his face wearing a rueful look. + +"Grandpa," he said with a sigh, "I see no necessity for Aunt Louise's +company, and, indeed, should very much prefer to be without it." + +"You forget that you are speaking to your grandfather of his sister," Mr. +Dinsmore answered, with a touch of sternness in his tone. + +"I beg your pardon, sir," returned Edward. "She is so unlike you that I am +apt to forget the relationship." + +"I know you do not always find your aunt's company agreeable," remarked +Mr. Dinsmore, "and I do not blame you on that account, yet I think it will +be an advantage to you, and especially to your sister, to have with you a +woman of her age and knowledge of the world. I wish I could go with you +myself, but I cannot think of leaving either my old father or your mother +in this time of trial." + +"No, sir, oh no! Delightful as it would be to both of us for you to make +one of our little party, we would not for the world deprive dear mamma of +the support and comfort of your presence here; nor our dear old +grandfather either." + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + "Filial ingratitude? + Is it not as this mouth should tear this hand + For lifting food to 't?" --_Shaks. Lear_. + + +"This is a very sudden resolve of yours, mother, isn't it?" Dr. Conly +asked, as they drove through the great gates at Ion, into the highway. + +"It is, Arthur, for I had not dreamed of such a wild scheme on the part of +those two silly children until I heard of it from their grandfather's +lips; nor could have believed he would sanction such folly. They ought to +make Elsie stay where she is, and if young Leland dies it will but rid the +family of a prospective plebeian alliance." + +"Very possibly of the sweet girl also," was Arthur's grave response. + +"Nonsense! it is only in novels that girls die of broken hearts." + +"Granting that for argument's sake, it must be very hard to live with +one." + +"Well; it seems she is to be allowed to go, and my offer removes the most +serious objection; yet I have no idea that the sacrifice on my part will +be at all appreciated." + +"Then why make it, mother? I can readily find a substitute; there is Mrs. +Foster, whose health would be greatly benefited by a long sea voyage. She, +I feel certain, would think it a great boon to be allowed this opportunity +of going without expense and in the company of two young people of whom +she is very fond. And you know, mother, that though poor now she was +formerly wealthy, is a perfect lady, and her having been to Europe once or +twice would make her all the more valuable companion to them." + +"You are quite too late with your suggestion, Arthur," was the coldly +spoken reply. "I have passed my word and shall not break it." + +Her son gave her a look of keen scrutiny, then turned his face from her +with a scarcely audible sigh. He read her motives and feelings far more +clearly than she suspected. + +The truth was she was weary of the dulness of home now that the shadow of +bereavement was upon it, and the etiquette of mourning forbade her +attendance upon public assemblages of whatever kind, except church, and +did not allow even so much as a formal call upon strangers or +acquaintance. The society of her now old, feeble, and depressed father was +wearisome to her also. + +Beside she had long had a hankering after a European tour, and this was +too good an opportunity to let slip. Also it would give her a chance to +see for herself what was the trouble with Virginia, whose letters of late +had been of a very disquieting kind; full of reproaches and vague hints of +unhappiness and disappointment in her new life. + +There would probably be a few hours between their arrival in New York and +the sailing of the steamer, in which she could call to see Virginia and +learn with certainty exactly how she was situated. + +Mrs. Travilla received the news of her aunt's offer with a gratitude which +it by no means merited, and the younger Elsie, though not fond of her Aunt +Louise's society, felt that her presence might prove a comfort and support +when she and Edward should find themselves strangers in a foreign land. + +The mother sought this dear eldest child with loving words of cheer and +counsel whenever she could be spared from the sick-room, and Violet, +Harold, and Herbert hung about her as a treasure soon to be snatched from +them, each eager to render any assistance in his or her power. + +The hour of parting came all too soon, and with many tears and embraces +the young travellers were sent on their way. + +The mother's last words to Elsie, as she held her close to her heart with +many a tear and tender caress, were: "'Be strong and of a good courage, +fear not, nor be afraid of them, for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth +go with thee, he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.' To him, the God of +your fathers, do I trust you, my precious child." + +"You also, my dear, dear boy!" taking Edward's hand: "but rejoice in the +thought that you are together, mutual helpers and comforters." + +"Be sure to telegraph us from New York, Edward, again as soon as possible +after landing on the other side, and a third time when you have seen +Lester and can report his exact condition," was Mr. Dinsmore's parting +injunction, as with a most affectionate farewell he left them in the +sleeping-car. + +Mrs. Conly had joined them at the depôt, according to promise. + +All three retired at once to their berths, and Elsie wept herself to +sleep, thinking of the dear ones left behind; especially the mother who +had so tenderly cherished her from her birth and the sick little ones who, +she feared, might not be there to welcome her return. Thinking too of him +to whom she was going, his probable suffering, and the dread possibility +that at her journey's end she should find only his grave. + +They reached New York in good season, having met with no accident or +detention. The steamer would not leave for some hours, but it was Elsie's +desire to go directly on board. + +"I think that will be your best plan," said Mrs. Conly. "You can then +settle yourself in your state-room at once; and while Dinah unpacks what +you will need on the voyage, you can lie in your berth and rest. You are +looking greatly fatigued." + +"You will come with us, Aunt Louise, will you not?" both the young people +asked. + +"No, I must see Virginia. I shall have time for an hour's chat with her +and yet to reach the vessel some time before the hour fixed for her +sailing. Edward, you will see that my luggage is taken on board?" + +"Certainly, aunt; but shall we not first drive to Virginia's residence and +leave you there? And I return for you after seeing my sister and the +luggage on board the steamer?" + +"No, not at all!" she answered stiffly. "I am obliged for your offer, but +where would be the use? You may tell Ben to call a hack for me. I'll have +it wait at Virginia's door and drive me to the wharf when I am ready to +go." + +Edward, thinking he had never known her so considerate and kind, hastened +to carry out her wishes, bidding Ben engage two hacks--one for Mrs. Conly +and another for themselves. + +Consideration for her nephew and niece had nothing to do with Mrs. Conly's +plans and arrangements. If, as she greatly feared, Virginia were living in +other than aristocratic style, she would not for the world have it known +among the relatives who had heard her boasts in regard to Virgie's grand +match; "so much better than Isa had been led into while under the care of +her grandfather and uncle." + +She had never before heard of the street mentioned in Virginia's last +letter, and her heart misgave her as to its being one of the most +fashionable for the abodes of the wealthy. The curiously scrutinizing look +and odd smile of the hack-driver when she gave him the address did not +tend to reassure her. + +"Drive me there as quickly as you can," she ordered, drawing herself up +and flashing an indignant glance at him. "I have no time to waste." + +"Sure, mum, I'll do that same," he returned, touching his horses with the +whip. + +"Where are you taking me? What do you mean by bringing me into such a vile +region as this?" she demanded presently, as the hack turned into a narrow +and very dirty street. + +"It's the shortest cut to the place ye said ye wanted to go till, mum," he +answered shortly. + +She sank back with a sigh and closed her eyes for a moment. She was very +weary with her long journey and more depressed than she had ever been in +her life before. + +The drive seemed the longest and most unpleasant she had ever undertaken; +she began to wish she had been content to sail for Europe without trying +to find Virginia. But at last the vehicle stopped, the driver reached down +from his seat and opened the door. + +His passenger put out her head, glanced this way and that, scanned the +house before her, and angrily demanded, "What are you stopping here for?" + +"Bekase ye tould me to, mum; it's the place ye said ye wanted to come +till." + +Mrs. Conly looked at the number over the door, saw that it was the one she +had given him, then in a voice she vainly tried to make coldly +indifferent, inquired of some children who had gathered on the sidewalk to +gaze in open-mouthed curiosity at her and the hack, if this were ---- +street. + +The answer confirmed the driver's assertion, and she hastily alighted. + +The house was a large tenement swarming with inhabitants, as was evidenced +by the number of heads in nearly every front window, drawn thither by the +unusual event of the stopping of a hack before the door of entrance. It +stood wide open, giving a view of an unfurnished hall and stairway, both +of which were in a very untidy condition. + +"Does Mr. Henry Neuville live here?" Mrs. Conly asked, addressing the +group of staring children. + +"Dunno," said one. "Guess not," said another. + +"Mebbe thems the grand folks as moved intill the second story front +t'other week," observed a third. "I'll show ye the way, lady," and he +rushed past her into the house and ran nimbly up the dirty stairs. + +Mrs. Conly lifted her skirts and followed, her heart sinking like lead in +her bosom. Could it be possible that Virginia had come to this? + +Halting before the door of the front room on the second floor, the lad +gave a thundering rap, then opened it, shouting, "Here's a old lady to see +ye, Mrs. Novel; if that's yer name." + +"What do you mean by rushing in on me in this rude way, you young rascal?" +demanded a shrill female voice, which Mrs. Conly instantly recognized as +that of her daughter. "Begone instantly! begone, I say!" + +"Go, go!" Mrs. Conly said to the boy, in half smothered tones, putting a +small coin into his hand; then staggering into the room she dropped into a +chair, gasping for breath. + +"Virginia, Virginia! can it be possible that I find you in such a place +as this?" she cried, as the latter started up from a lounge on which she +had been lying with a paper-covered novel in her hand. + +Her hair was in crimping-pins, her dress most slatternly, and her +surroundings were in keeping with her personal appearance. + +"Mamma!" she exclaimed in utter astonishment and confusion. "How did you +get here? how did you come? You should have sent me word. I have no way to +accommodate you." + +"Don't be alarmed, I have no intention of staying more than an hour. I +start for Europe by to-day's steamer, with Elsie and Edward Travilla. +Lester Leland's ill, dying I presume, and the silly love-sick girl must +needs rush to the rescue." + +"And why are you to go with her? why don't the mother and grandfather and +the whole family accompany her, after their usual fashion of all keeping +together?" + +"Because Rosie and Walter are down with the measles; much too ill to +travel." + +"And you are going to Europe to enjoy yourself, while I must live here in +a New York tenement house occupied by the very dregs of society, and as +the wife of a drunkard, gambler, and rake; a man--or rather a brute--who +lives by his wits, abuses me like the pickpocket that he is, half starves +me, and expects me to do all the work, cooking, cleaning, and everything +else, even to washing and ironing of the few clothes he hasn't pawned; me! +a lady brought up to have servants to wait upon her at every turn!" + +"O Virgie, Virgie! it can't be so bad as that!" cried her mother, clasping +her hands in an agony of distress, and gazing piteously at her, the hot +tears streaming down her face. + +"I tell you it is that and worse! and all your fault, for you made the +match! you hurried me into it lest grandpa, uncle, or brothers should +interfere, find out that the man's morals were not good according to their +high standard, and prevent me from marrying him." + +"You were in as great haste and as much opposed to their interference as +I, Virginia!" the mother retorted, drawing herself up in proud anger. + +"Well, and what of that! you brought me up, and I was only following out +the teachings you have given me from my cradle. I tell you it was your +doing; but I must reap what you have sowed. I wish I was dead!" She flung +her book from her as she spoke, turned and paced the room, her hands +clenched, her eyes flashing, her teeth set hard. + +She had not drawn near her mother, or given her one word of welcome or +thanks for having turned aside from her journey to inquire into her +welfare. + +"'Oh, sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child!'" +exclaimed Mrs. Conly in anguished accents, rising as if to go, but +instantly falling heavily to the floor. + +Virginia rushed to her side, half frantic with terror. + +"Oh, mother, mother, what is it? What have I done! what have I done! I +know you're the best friend I have in the world!" she cried, stooping over +her, loosening her bonnet-strings and dress, and trying vainly to lift her +to the lounge, for she was a large, heavy woman and now in a state of +utter insensibility, her face purple, her breathing stertorous. + +The sound of her fall and Virginia's terrified shriek had brought the +neighbors flocking upon the scene; some of the boldest opening the door +and ushering themselves in without the ceremony of knocking. + +"The lady's in a fit!" cried a woman, hurrying to Virginia's assistance; +"you've druv her to distraction; you shouldn't a ben so abusive; I could +hear ye clear into my room a scoldin' and accusin' of her of makin' your +match fer ye." + +"Run for a doctor, some of you!" cried Virginia, standing by the couch +where, with the woman's help, she had laid her mother, and wringing her +hands in helpless distress. "Oh, she'll die! she'll die! Mother, mother! +I'm sorry I was so cruel! Oh, I take it all back. Oh, mother, speak to +me!" + +"'Tain't no use," said the woman, "she don't hear ye. An' if she did she +couldn't speak. I've seen folks struck down with apoplexy afore." + +"Oh, will she die? will she die?" groaned the wretched daughter, dropping +on her knees beside the couch. + +"Can't tell, mum; sometimes they die in a little bit, and sometimes they +get purty well over it and live on for years. Here, let me put another +pillar under her head, and some o' ye there run and fetch the coldest +water that ever ye can git." + +Some one had summoned a physician, and he presently came hurrying in. His +first act was to send every one from the room except the patient and her +two attendants. + +With tears and sobs Virginia besought him to save her mother's life. + +"I shall certainly do my best, madam," he said, "but very little can be +done at present. What was the immediate cause of the attack?" + +Virginia answered vaguely that her mother was fatigued with a long journey +and had been worried and fretted. + +"This is not her home?" glancing around the meanly furnished dirty room. + +"No; neither she nor I have been accustomed to such surroundings," +answered Virginia haughtily. "Can you not see that we are ladies? We are +from the South, and mother has but just arrived. Oh, tell me, is she going +to die?" + +"Her recovery is doubtful. If she has other near relatives who care to see +her alive, I advise you to summon them with all speed." + +"Oh dear! oh dear! you must save her!" cried Virginia frantically, +wringing her hands. "I can't have her die. They'll say I killed her! But +every word I said was true; she did all in her power to make the match +that has ruined my happiness and all my prospects for life." + +"So you, her own daughter, have brought this on by cruel taunts and +reproaches!" the physician said in a tone of mingled contempt and +indignation. "I hope you feel that the least you can do now is to take the +best possible care of her." + +"How can I?" sobbed Virginia. "I've no money to pay a nurse or buy +comforts for mother, and I know nothing about nursing or cooking for sick +or well. I wasn't brought up to work." + +A boy now came to the door with a message from the hackman; "he couldn't +stay any longer if the lady wasn't going to the steamer, and he wanted +his pay." + +Virginia opened a small satchel that had dropped from her mother's hand, +found her purse, paid the man his dues, and counting the remainder told +the doctor there was enough to provide what would be needed for the +patient until other relatives could be summoned, and that should be done +at once by telegrams to be paid by the recipients. + +The doctor approved, and kindly offered to attend to sending the messages +for her. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + "O gloriously upon the deep + The gallant vessel rides, + And she is mistress of the winds, + And mistress of the tides." + --_Miss Landon_. + + +Meanwhile Edward had taken his sister on board the steamer, and she, +greatly exhausted by grief, anxiety, and fatigue, had at once retired to +her berth. + +Edward also was weary and in need of sleep, so presently went to his +state-room, leaving Ben to attend to the luggage and watch for Mrs. +Conly's arrival. + +Faithful Ben waited patiently about for a couple of hours, then began to +grow uneasy lest Mrs. Conly should not arrive in season. Another hour +passed, and he reluctantly roused his young master to ask what could be +done. + +"What's wanted?" Edward asked, waked by Ben's loud rap on the state-room +door. + +"Miss Louise she hasn't come yet, Marse Ed'ard," he said, "and de +steamah'll be startin' fo' long. I don' know whar to go to look her up, so +please excuse me for rousin' ye, sah." + +"Hasn't come yet, do you say, Ben? and the vessel about to sail?" +exclaimed Edward in dismay, springing from his berth to open the door. +"Why, yes," looking at his watch, "there's barely half an hour left, and I +don't see what we can do." + +"No time now fo' me to go an' hunt up Miss Louise, Marse Ed'ard? Ise berry +sorry, sah, dat I didn't come soonah to ax you 'bout it, but I didn't like +to 'sturb you," said Ben, looking much distressed. + +"Never mind, Ben," Edward answered kindly, "you couldn't have gone for +her, because she gave me no address, and I have not the least idea where +to send for her." + +"Den what am to be done, sah?" + +"We will have to sail without her. I could not think of asking my sister +to wait for the next steamer," Edward said, more as if thinking aloud than +talking to Ben. + +The latter bowed respectfully and withdrew, but only to come hurrying back +the next moment with a telegram from Virginia. + +"Mother taken suddenly ill. Remains with me. Send luggage to No. ---- +street." + +This news of his aunt's illness caused Edward regret not wholly unmingled +with satisfaction in the thought of being spared her companionship on the +voyage and afterward. + +He read the message aloud to Ben. "You see it would have done no good if +we could have gone for her," he remarked. "But go, make haste to have the +baggage sent ashore to the address given here." + +Elsie's state-room adjoined her brother's. She too had been roused by +Ben's knock and overheard a part of what passed between him and his young +master. Dinah also was listening. + +"What dat dey say, Miss Elsie?" she queried in a startled tone, "Miss +Louise sick?" + +"I think that was what Master Edward said; but go to his door, Dinah, and +ask." + +Edward came himself with his answer and bringing a second telegram; this +time from their grandfather, saying the children were decidedly better, +all the rest of the family well. + +"Oh, what good news!" exclaimed Elsie. "But poor Aunt Louise! I wish we +knew her exact condition. Do you not think it must have been a sudden +seizure?" + +"Yes, of either illness or desire to remain behind. Don't let it worry +you, sister dear. You have already quite enough of anxiety to endure." + +"No," she said, with a sweet, patient smile, "I am trying not to be +anxious or troubled about anything, but to obey the sweet command, +'casting all your care upon Him.'" + +"'For He careth for you,'" added Edward, completing the quotation. "It +is, as you say, a sweet command, most restful to those who obey it. Have +you slept?" + +"Yes, I have had a long and very refreshing nap; still I have not +recovered from my fatigue, and shall not leave my state-room for some time +yet." + +"Let me send in your supper," he said. "I hope it will refresh you still +more, and that after it you may feel equal to a turn on deck with me. It +will be moonlight, and if you wrap up well you will not find the air more +than bracingly keen." + +"Thank you," she said. "It is altogether likely I shall find the exercise +of a short promenade rather restful than otherwise, after being so long +cramped up in the cars. You are a dear, good brother to me, Ned," she +added, laying her hand affectionately on his arm as he sat on the edge of +the berth close by her side. "But how strange it seems that we two are +starting off on this long voyage alone!" + +"I'm so proud to be trusted to take care of you, Elsie," he returned, +bending over her and tenderly smoothing her luxuriant hair. "I used to +look up to you years ago, but now----" + +"You look down on me?" she interrupted sportively. "No great feat, Master +Ned, while I lie here." + +"Nor when we stand side by side," he returned in the same tone, 'seeing I +have grown to be a full head taller than you. But truth compels me to +acknowledge that I am your superior in nothing else except physical +strength." + +"You might add knowledge of the world, you have had to rely on your own +judgment so much oftener than I who have so seldom left mamma's side. +Dear, dear mamma! Oh, Ned, how long will it be before I see her again?" + +She wept as she spoke, and Edward felt for the moment strongly inclined to +join her. But instead he tried to cheer her. + +"We will hope Cousin Arthur may prescribe a sea voyage for grandpa and the +children before long, and then we shall have the whole family joining us +in Italy." + +"How delightful that would be, Ned!" she said, smiling through her tears. + +"And do you know," he went on gayly, "it is strongly impressed upon me +that we shall find Lester convalescent, and by good nursing and our +cheering companionship so help it on that we shall have him a well man in +a few weeks." + +"Ah, if it might be so!" she sighed. "'But He doeth all things well,' and +oh how precious are His promises! 'As thy days thy strength shall be.' 'I +will never leave thee nor forsake thee.' 'When thou passest through the +waters I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not +overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be +burned; neither shall the flames kindle upon thee.' And then that glorious +assurance, 'We _know_ that all things work together for good to them that +love God.' Oh, Ned, our one great need is more and stronger faith!" + +"Yes, the faith which worketh by love! Let me read you that eighth chapter +of Romans. I do not know what could be more comforting," he said, taking a +small Testament from his pocket. + +"Thank you," she said when he had finished. "Ah, what could be sweeter +than those concluding verses! 'For I am persuaded that neither death, nor +life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor +things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be +able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our +Lord!'" + +"Elsie, I think if our mother had never done anything else for her +children," remarked Edward earnestly, "they would owe her an eternal debt +of gratitude for storing their minds as she has with the very words of +inspiration." + +"Yes, 'the entrance of Thy words giveth light, it giveth understanding to +the simple.' 'The law of Thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of +gold and silver.'" + +Ben came to the door. "Dey says dey's goin' to fotch up de anchor and +start de wessel, Marse Ed'ard. Don't you and Miss Elsie want for to see +it?" + +"Yes, sister, do you not wish to see the last you may, for the present, of +your dear native land?" queried Edward in a lively tone. "'Twill take but +a moment to don hat and shawl, and I shall be proud to give you the +support of my arm." + +"Yes, I do," she said, rising with alacrity and hastily making the needful +preparations. + +Ben preceded them to the deck and found comfortable seats for them in the +front rank of those who were there on the same errand. + +Elsie's tears began to fall as she saw the shore receding. + +"Oh," she murmured very low and sadly, leaning on her brother's shoulder +and clinging more closely to him, "shall we ever return? ever see again +the dear land of our birth and all our loved ones left behind?" + +"There is every reason to hope so, dear sister," he whispered in return. +"A voyage to Europe is not the great and perilous undertaking it used to +be; and we are under the same protecting care here as on land. 'And the +Lord, he it is that doth go before thee, he will be with thee, he will +not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.'" + +She looked her thanks. "'Fear not;' sweet command! I must, I will obey it. +Oh, how true it is that in keeping His commands there is great reward! I +am fully convinced that in the perfect keeping of them all perfect +happiness would be found." + +A gentleman standing near turned suddenly round. The tones of Elsie's +voice had reached him, though very few of the words. + +"Ah, I thought I could not be mistaken in that voice," he said +delightedly, and offering his hand in cordial greeting. "How are you, Miss +Elsie? and you, Ned? Really you are the last people I expected to meet +here, though the very ones I should prefer above all others as _compagnons +de voyage_." + +It was Philip Ross, Jr. + +Neither of those addressed had ever enjoyed his society, and they were too +sincere and true to reciprocate his expressions of gratification at the +unexpected meeting. They accepted his offered hand, made kind inquiries in +regard to his health and that of the other members of the family, and +asked if any of them were on board. + +"No," he said, "it's merely a business trip that I take quite frequently. +But ma and the girls are in Paris now, went last June and expect to stay +for another six months or longer. You two aren't here alone, eh?" + +"Yes," Edward said. + +"You don't say so!" cried Philip, elevating his eyebrows. "Who'd ever have +believed your careful mother--not to speak of your grandfather--would ever +trust you so far from home by yourselves!" + +"Mr. Ross," Edward said, reddening, "I shall reach my majority a few +months hence, and have been considered worthy of trust by both mother and +grandpa, for years past." + +"Mamma did not show the slightest hesitation in committing me to his +care," added Elsie in her sweet, gentle tones. + +"Glad to hear it! didn't mean any insinuation that I didn't consider you +worthy of all trust, Ned; only that Mrs. Travilla and the old governor +have always been so awfully strict and particular." + +Elsie, to whom the slang term was new, looked at the speaker with a +slightly puzzled expression; but Edward, who fully understood it, drew +himself up with offended dignity. + +"Permit me to remark, Mr. Ross, that so disrespectful an allusion to my +honored grandfather can never be other than extremely offensive to me, and +to all his children and grandchildren." + +"Beg your pardon, Nod, and yours, Miss Elsie" (he would have liked to +drop the Miss, but something in her manner prevented him), "I call my own +father the governor--behind his back you know--and meant no offence in +applying the term to Mr. Dinsmore." + +His apology was accepted, and the talk turned upon the various objects of +interest within sight as they passed through the harbor. + +When there was little more to see but sky and water, Elsie retired to her +state-room, where she stayed until evening. Then Edward came for her, and +they passed an hour very enjoyably in promenading the deck or sitting side +by side, looking out upon the moonlit waters. + +"I wish we hadn't happened upon Phil Ross," Edward remarked in an +undertone far from hilarious. "I fear he will, according to custom, make +himself very disagreeable to you." + +"I have been thinking it over, Ned," she answered, "and have come to the +conclusion that the better plan will be for you to take the first +favorable opportunity to tell him of my engagement and what is the object +of our journey." + +"I presume such a course will be likely to save you a good deal of +annoyance," Edward said; "and as we are old acquaintances, and he +evidently full of a curiosity that will assuredly lead to his asking some +questions, I think it will be no difficult matter to give him the +information without seeming to thrust it upon him." + +At that moment Philip came up and joined them, helping himself to a seat +on Elsie's other side. He seemed to be, as of old, on the best of terms +with himself and very graciously disposed toward Elsie. + +He, too, had been thinking of the, to him, fortunate chance (Elsie would +have called it providence) which had thrown them together where for some +days they were likely to see much of each other. He had heard a report of +her engagement, but refused to credit it. "She had always been fond of him +and it wasn't likely she would throw herself away on somebody else." And +now he had come to the decision to offer her his hand, heart, and fortune +without delay. He was rich enough, and why should he keep her in suspense +any longer? + +He indulged in a few trivial commonplaces, then invited her to take a turn +with him on the deck. + +But she declined with thanks, "he must excuse her for she was greatly +fatigued and must retire at once." And with a kindly "Good-night," she +withdrew to her state-room, Edward again giving her the support of his +arm. + +Philip was literally struck dumb with surprise, and did not recover his +speech until she was gone. + +Edward returned presently, and as he resumed his seat by Philip's side the +latter asked, "Is your sister out of health, Ned?" + +"No; but we are just off a long and fatiguing journey; she was not at her +best state either when we left home, because of care and nursing of the +sick children. And in addition to all that she is enduring much grief and +anxiety." + +"May I ask on what account?" + +"Yes; I have no objection to telling you the whole story, considering what +old acquaintances we are, and the life-long friendship of our mothers. +Lester Leland, Elsie's betrothed, is lying very ill in Rome, and we are +making all haste to join him there." + +"Her betrothed!" cried Philip, starting to his feet, "her betrothed did +you say? why--why, I've always expected to marry her myself; thought it +was an understood thing in both families, and----" + +"I am sure I do not know upon what grounds you entertained such an idea," +returned Edward in a tone of mingled indignation and disgust. + +"Grounds, man! I'm sure it would seem the most natural thing in the +world--each the eldest child of intimate and dear friends--and I have +never made any secret of my preference for her----" + +"Which amounts to nothing unless it had been reciprocated." + +"Reciprocated! I've always thought it was, and delayed speaking out +plainly only because I considered myself safe in waiting to grow a little +richer." + +"In which you were egregiously mistaken. Now let me assure you once for +all, that Elsie never has and never will care for any man in that way but +Lester Leland." + +At that Philip turned and walked rapidly away. "I'd rather have lost all +I'm worth!" he muttered to himself. "Yes; every cent of it. But as to her +never caring for anybody else if that fellow was out o' the way, I don't +believe it. And he may die; may be dead now. Well, if he is I'll keep a +sharp look-out that nobody else gets ahead of me." + +His self-love and self-conceit had received a pretty deep wound, his eyes +were opened to the fact that Elsie avoided being alone with him, never +appearing on deck without her brother, and he did not trouble her much +during the remainder of the voyage, did not make his intended offer. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + "I feel + Of this dull sickness at my heart afraid + And in my eyes the death sparks flash and fade + And something seems to steal + Over my bosom like a frozen hand." + --_Willis_. + + +Dr. Arthur Conly rode briskly up the avenue at Roselands, dismounted, +throwing the bridle to a servant, and went up the steps into the veranda, +whistling softly to himself. + +"You seem in good spirits, Art," remarked Calhoun, who sat there with the +morning paper in his hand. "I haven't heard you whistle before for--well I +should say something like a fortnight." + +"I am in good spirits, Cal, the Ion children are out of danger, and uncle +has just had a telegram from Ned announcing the safe arrival of their +party in New York in good season to take the steamer." + +"I presume this tells the same story, though I can't think why it isn't +directed to grandpa, or to me as the eldest son of the house," Calhoun +said, handing an unopened telegram to his brother. + +Arthur tore it hastily open, glanced at the contents and paled to the very +lips. + +"What is it?" cried Calhoun in alarm. + +"Mother!" said Arthur huskily, putting the paper into his brother's +outstretched hand. "She has been struck down with apoplexy. Cal, I must +take the first train for New York. Look at the paper, see when it leaves. +Thank God that those children are out of danger! But I must see whom I can +get to take charge of them and my other patients during my absence." + +Then calling to a servant he directed a fresh horse to be saddled and +brought to the door with all speed, and hurrying into the house, summoned +his old mammy and bade her pack a valise with such clothing as he would +need on a journey to the North which might occupy a week or more. + +"You are acting very promptly," Calhoun said, following him in to give the +desired information in regard to the train. + +"Yes, there's not a minute to lose, Cal." + +Calhoun's face was full of grief and anxiety. "I think I should go, too, +Art, if--if you think there's any probability of--finding her alive." + +"It's impossible to tell. But we can hardly both be spared from home. It +should be kept from grandpa as long as possible, and if he saw us both +rushing off in the direction she has taken, he would know at once that +something very serious had happened her." + +"Yes, you are right, and for the first time I envy you your medical +knowledge and skill. She's with Virginia, the message is sent by her," +glancing again at the paper which he still held in his hand. "I'm glad of +that--that she has at least one of her children with her, if----" + +He paused and Arthur finished the sentence. "If she will be of any use or +comfort to her, you were about to say? Well, we can only hope that so +terrible an emergency has developed some hitherto unsuspected excellencies +in Virginia's character." + +A horse came galloping up the avenue. Calhoun glanced from the window. + +"Another telegram!" he cried, and both brothers dashed out upon the +veranda. + +This was directed to Calhoun, sent from Philadelphia by their uncle Edward +Allison. He and Adelaide would be with Mrs. Conly in two hours, telegraph +at once in what condition they found her, and if practicable start with +her immediately for her home. + +The brothers consulted together, and Arthur decided to go on with his +preparations, but delay setting out upon his journey until the coming of +the promised message. + +It came in due time, and from it they learned that their mother was +already on her way home. + +The sad tidings had now to be communicated to the other near relatives, +but it was deemed best to keep them from the younger children and the +feeble old father until the day when she might be expected to arrive. + +As gently and tenderly as possible the old gentleman's son broke the news +to him. + +He was much overcome. "She will never get over it, I fear," he sighed, the +tears coursing down his furrowed cheeks. "One bereavement is apt to tread +closely upon the heels of another, and she will probably soon follow her +sister. But oh if I only knew that she had been washed from her sins in +the precious blood of Christ, that she had accepted His invitation, 'Come +unto me,' so that death would be but falling asleep in Him, safe in His +arms, safe on His gentle breast--I think I could let her go almost +willingly, for my race is well nigh run, and it can hardly be long ere I +too shall get my summons home." + +"Dear father, if such be the will of God, may you be spared to us for many +years yet," returned his son with emotion. "And Louise! We do not know her +exact condition, but let us hope that God will in His great mercy give her +yet more time--months or years--in which to prepare for eternity. We will +cry earnestly for her, and in the name of Christ, to Him who hath said, 'I +have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth,' but bids them 'Turn +yourselves and live ye.'" + +"Yes; and whose promise is, 'If two of you shall agree on earth, as +touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my +Father which is in heaven!'" + +Silence fell between them for a moment, then the old gentleman asked, +"What arrangements have the boys made? She will hardly be able to drive +home in a carriage." + +"Oh no! they will meet her at the depôt with an ambulance, and I shall be +there with the carriage for Mr. Allison, Adelaide, and Virginia." + +"Virginia is coming too?" + +"We do not know certainly, but expect to see her with the others." + +"I cannot say that I hope you will. I never saw a more useless person; she +will be only in the way; and--I cannot banish a suspicion that she has +brought this attack upon her poor mother. I strongly suspect that +Virginia's match has turned out a very bad one, and that she has heaped +reproaches upon her mother for the hand she had in bringing it about." + +"I hope not!" his son exclaimed with energy; "for if so it must surely be +the cause of life-long self-reproach to her. Will you go with us to the +depôt, father?" + +"No, no, my son! let my first sight of my poor stricken child be where we +will not be the gazing stock of an idle, curious crowd. I shall meet her +here at my own door." + +The train steamed into the depôt, and Mrs. Allison, glancing from a window +of the parlor-car, saw her brother and nephews standing near the track. + +They saw her, too, and lifted their hats with a sad sort of smile. All +felt that the invalid must be unable to sit up or her face also would have +been in sight. + +In another moment the train had come to a stand-still, and the next the +three gentlemen were beside the couch on which Mrs. Conly lay. + +She looked up at her sons with eyes full of intelligence, made an effort +to speak, but in vain; and the big tears rolled down her cheeks. + +They bent over her with hearts and eyes full to overflowing. + +"Mother, dear mother, we are glad you have come to us alive," Calhoun said +in low, tremulous tones. + +"And we hope we shall soon have you much better," added Arthur. + +"Yes," said Adelaide, "she is already better than when we first saw her in +New York, but has not yet recovered her speech and can not help herself +at all. One side seems to be quite paralyzed." + +"We have an ambulance waiting," said Calhoun. "As soon as the crowd is out +of the way it shall be brought close to the platform of this car and we +will lift her into it." + +Greetings were exchanged while they waited. + +"Where is Virginia?" asked Mr. Dinsmore. + +"She preferred to remain behind," replied Mrs. Allison in a low-toned +aside, "and as she would have been of no use whatever, we did not urge her +to come." + +"It is just as well," was Mr. Dinsmore's comment. + +Very tenderly and carefully the poor invalid was lifted and placed in the +ambulance by her sons and brothers. The former accompanied her in it, +while the latter, with Mrs. Allison, entered the Roselands family +carriage, and drove thither considerably in advance of the more slowly +moving ambulance. + +"Has Virginia made a really good match?" Mr. Dinsmore asked, addressing +his sister Adelaide. + +"Good! it could hardly be worse!" she exclaimed. "Would you have believed +it? we found them in a tenement-house, living most wretchedly." + +"Is it possible! He was not wealthy then? Or has he lost his means since +the marriage?" + +"As far as I can learn," said Mr. Allison, "he has always lived by his +wits; he is a professional gambler now." + +"Dreadful! How does he treat his wife?" + +"Very badly indeed, if we may credit her story. They live, as the saying +is, like cat and dog, actually coming to blows at times. They are both +bitterly disappointed, each having married the other merely for money; +which neither had." + +Mr. Dinsmore looked greatly concerned. "Virginia was never a favorite of +mine," he remarked, "but I do not like to think of her as suffering from +either poverty or the abusive treatment of a bad husband. Can nothing be +done to better her condition?" + +"I think not at present," said Adelaide; "she has made her bed and will +have to lie in it. I don't believe the man would ever proceed to personal +violence if she did not exasperate him with taunts and reproaches; with +slaps, scratches, and hair pulling also, he says." + +"O disgraceful!" exclaimed her uncle. "I have no pity for her if she is +really guilty of such conduct." + +"She told me herself that on one occasion she actually threw a cup of +coffee in his face in return for his accusation that she and her mother +had inveigled him into the marriage by pretences to wealth they did not +possess. Poor Louise! I have no doubt her attack was brought on by the +discovery of the great mistake she and Virginia had made, and reproaches +heaped on her for her share in making the match." + +"'Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap,'" sighed Mr. Dinsmore. +"I presume Virginia was too proud to show herself here among relatives +whose approval of the match had not been asked, and acquaintances who had +heard of it as a splendid affair?" + +"Your conjecture is entirely correct," said Adelaide. "She gave vent to +her feelings on the subject in her mother's presence, supposing, I +presume, as I did, that not being able to speak or move, she was also +unable to hear or understand, but it was evident from the piteous +expression her countenance assumed and the tears coursing down her cheeky +that she did both." + +"Poor Louise! she has a sad reaping--so far as that ungrateful, undutiful +daughter is concerned; but Isa, Calhoun, and Arthur are of quite another +stamp." + +"Yes, indeed! she will surely find great comfort in them. I wish Isa was +not so far away. But you have not told me how my dear old father is. How +has he borne this shock?" + +"It was a shock of course, especially to one so old and feeble; but I left +him calmly staying himself upon his God." + +They arrived at Roselands some time before the ambulance. They found the +whole household, and also Mrs. Howard, her husband and sons, and Mrs. +Travilla, gathered upon the veranda to receive them. + +Lora stood by her father's side and Elsie too was very near, both full of +loving care for him in this time of sore trial. + +And Adelaide's first thought, first embrace, were for him. They wept a +moment in each other's arms. + +"Is she--is she alive?" he faltered. + +"Yes, father, and we hope may get up again. Be comforted for her and for +yourself; because 'He doeth all things well,' and 'We know that all things +work together for good to them that love God.'" + +"Yes, yes; and who can tell but this may be His appointed means for +bringing her into the fold!" + +There had been time for an exchange of greetings all around and a few +comforting words to the younger Conlys, when the ambulance was seen +entering the avenue. + +With beating hearts and tearful eyes they watched its slow progress. Lying +helpless and speechless in the shadow of death, Louise Conly seemed +nearer and dearer than ever before to father, children, brothers and +sisters. + +The ambulance stopped close to the veranda steps, and the same strong, +loving arms that had placed her in it now lifted her anew and bore her +into the house, the others looking on in awed and tearful silence. + +She was carried to her own room, laid upon the bed, and one by one they +stood for an instant at her side with a kiss of welcome. + +It was evident that she knew them all, though able to speak only with +those sad, wistful eyes that gazed with new yearning affection into the +faces of father and children. + +But presently Arthur, by virtue of his medical authority, banished all +from the room except Lora, Elsie, and a faithful and attached old negress +who had lived all her days in the family and was a competent nurse. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + "Then come the wild weather--come sleet or come snow, + We will stand by each other, however it blow; + Oppression and sickness, and sorrow and pain, + Shall be to our true love as links to the chain." + --_Longfellow_. (From the German.) + + +"Courage, sister dear!" whispered Edward Travilla, putting an arm tenderly +about Elsie's waist as they found themselves at the very door of Lester +Leland's studio. + +Her face had grown very pale and she was trembling with agitation. + +Still supporting her with his arm, Edward rapped gently upon the door, and +at the same instant it was opened from within by the attending physician, +who had just concluded his morning call upon his patient. + +He was an Italian of gentlemanly appearance and intelligent countenance. + +"Some friends of Signor Leland: from America?" he said in good English and +with a polite bow. + +"Yes. How is he?" Edward asked, stepping in and drawing his sister on with +him. + +"Sick, signor, very sick, but he will grow better now. I shall expect to +see him up in a few weeks," the doctor answered with a significant glance +and smile as he turned, with a second and still lower bow, to the sweet, +fair maiden. + +She did not see it, for her eyes were roving round the room--a disorderly +and comfortless place enough, but garnished with some gems of art; an +unfinished picture was on the easel; there were others with their faces to +the wall; models, statues in various stages of completion, and the +implements of painter and sculptor were scattered here and there; a +screen, an old lounge, a few chairs, and a table littered with books, +papers, and drawing materials, completed the furniture of the large, +dreary apartment. + +An open door gave a glimpse into an inner room, from which came a slight +sound as of a restless movement, a sigh or groan. + +Pointing to the chairs, the physician invited the strangers to be seated. + +Edward put his sister in one and took possession of another close at her +side. + +"How soon can we see Mr. Leland?" he asked, putting his card into the +doctor's hand. + +"I will go and prepare Signor Leland for the interview," the doctor +answered, and disappeared through the open doorway. + +"Good news for you, signor!" they heard him say in a quiet tone. + +"Ah! let me hear it," sighed a well-known voice. "'As cold water to a +thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.'" + +"You are right, signor, it comes from far-off America. A friend--a young +signor has arrived, and asks to see you." + +"Ah! his name?" exclaimed the sick man, with a tremor of gladness in his +feeble tones. + +"Here is his card." + +"'Edward Travilla!'--ah what joy! Let me see him at once. 'Twill be like a +breath of home air!" + +Every word had reached the ears of the two in the studio. + +"Go! go!" cried Elsie, scarcely above her breath, and Edward rose and went +softly in. + +"Not much talk now, signores," Elsie heard the doctor say. + +"No; we'll be prudent," Edward said, grasping Lester's hand. + +"So good! so kind! more than I dared hope! But how is she? my darling?" +Elsie heard in feeble, faltering, yet eager accents. + +"Well, very well, and longing to come here and nurse you back to health." + +"Ah, a glimpse of her sweet face I think would bring me back from the +borders of the grave! But I could not expect or ask such a sacrifice." + +Elsie could wait no longer; she rose and glided with swift, almost +noiseless steps to the bedside. + +Edward made way for her. Lester looked up, caught sight of her, and a +flash of exceeding joy lighted up his pale, emaciated features. + +"Elsie!" + +"Lester!" + +She dropped on her knees, laid her face on the pillow beside his, and +their lips met in a long kiss. + +"O love, love! how sweet, how kind, how dear in you!" he murmured. + +"I have come to be your nurse," she said, with a lovely blush and smile, +"come to stay with you always while God spares our lives." + +Soon Edward went out and left them together. He had much to attend to, +with Dinah and Ben for his helpers. Other and better apartments were +speedily rented, cleaned, and comfortably, even elegantly furnished. Their +mother had sent them off with full purses and carte blanche to draw upon +her bankers for further supplies as they might be needed; and Edward knew +it would be her desire to see Elsie and Lester surrounded by the luxuries +to which she had been accustomed from her birth. + +When night came the doctor pronounced his patient already wonderfully +improved. + +"But the signora must leave him to me and the nurse to night," he said; +"she is fatigued with her long journey and must take her rest and sleep, +or she too will be ill." + +So Elsie took possession of the pleasant room which had been prepared for +her, and casting on the Lord all care for herself and dear ones, and full +of glad anticipations for the future, slept long and sweetly. + +It was early morning when she woke. That day and several succeeding ones +were spent at Lester's side in the gentle ministrations love teaches. +There was little talk between them, for he was very weak, and love needs +few words; but he slept much of the time with her hand in his, and waking +gazed tenderly, joyously into the sweet face. + +Happiness proved the best of medicines, and every hour brought a slight +increase of strength, a change for the better in all the symptoms. + +Meanwhile Edward and the two servants were busy with the laying in of +needed supplies and the preparation of the suite of apartments which were +to form the new home--Elsie giving a little oversight and direction. + +At length their labors were completed, and she was called in to take a +critical survey and point out any deficiency, if such there were. + +She could find none. "My dear brother, how can I thank you enough?" she +said, with a look of grateful affection. + +"You are satisfied?" + +"Oh, entirely! I only wish mamma and the rest could see how comfortable, +tasteful, really beautiful you have made these rooms!" + +"I am very glad our work pleases you. And the doctor tells me that under +the combined influence of good nursing and unexpected happiness, Lester is +gaining faster than he could have deemed possible. What is the time fixed +upon for the ceremony which is to rob you of your patronymic, sister +mine?" + +"Add to it, you should say," she corrected, with a charming blush. "Noon +of day after to-morrow is the hour. Edward, do you know that our good +doctor is a Waldensian?" + +"No, I did not, and am pleased to learn it; though I was satisfied that he +was no Papist." + +"Yes, he is one of that long-persecuted noble race, and will take you to +see his pastor on our behalf. I have so greatly admired and loved the +Waldenses that I really feel that to be married by one of their pastors +will be some small compensation for--for being so far from home +and--mamma. O Edward, if she were but here!" + +Her tears were falling fast. He put his arm about her waist, her head +dropped upon his shoulder and he smoothed her hair with caressing hand. + +"It is hard for you," he said tenderly; "so different from what you and +all of us have looked forward to. But you have been very brave, dear; and +what a blessing that your coming is working such a cure for Lester!" + +"Yes, oh yes! God is very good to me, His blessings are unnumbered!" + +"It seems a sad sort of bridal for you," he said, "but I shall telegraph +the hour to mamma immediately, and they will all be thinking of and +praying for you." + +"Oh, that is a comfort I had not thought of!" she exclaimed, with glad +tears shining in her eyes. "What a blessing you are to me, brother dear!" + +Lester was not able to leave his bed or likely to be for weeks, but that +she might devote herself the more entirely to him Elsie had consented to +be married at once. + +She laid aside her mourning for the occasion, and Dinah helped her to +array herself for her bridal in a very beautiful evening dress of some +white material which had been worn but once before. + +"Pity dars no time to get a new dress, Miss Elsie," remarked the +handmaiden half regretfully. "Doe sho' nuff you couldn't look no sweeter +and beautifuller dan you does in dis." + +"I prefer this, Dinah, because they all--even dear, dear papa--have seen +me in it," Elsie said, hastily wiping away a tear; "and I remember he said +it became me well. Oh, I can see his proud, fond smile as he said it, and +almost feel the touch of his lips; for he bent down and kissed me so +tenderly." + +"Miss Elsie, I jes b'lieves he's a lookin' at you now dis bressed minute, +and ef de res' of dose dat lubs you is far away he'll be sho to stan' +close side o' you when de ministah's a saying de words dat'll make you +Massa Leland's wife." + +"Ah, Dinah, what a sweet thought! and who shall say it may not be so!" + +"Dar's Massa Edward!" exclaimed Dinah, as a quick, manly step was heard, +followed by a light rap upon the door. + +She hastened to open it "We's ready, Marse Ed'ard." + +He did not seem to hear or heed her; his eyes were fastened upon his +beautiful sister, more beautiful at this moment, he thought, than ever +before. + +"Elsie!" he cried. "Oh that mamma could see you! she herself could hardly +have been a lovelier bride! yet these are wanted to complete your attire," +opening a box he had brought, and taking therefrom a veil of exquisite +texture and design and a wreath of orange blossoms. + +"How kind and thoughtful, Edward!" she said, thanking him with a sweet +though tearful smile; "but are they suitable for such a bridal as this?" + +"Surely," he said. "Come, Dinah, and help me to arrange them." + +Their labors finished, he stepped back a little to note the effect. + +"O darling sister," he exclaimed, "never, I am sure, was there a lovelier +bride! I wish the whole world could see you!" + +"Our own little world at Ion is all I should ask for," she responded in +tremulous tones. + +"Yes, it must be very hard for you," he said; "especially not to have +mamma here, you who have always clung to her so closely. Such a different +wedding as it is from hers! But it's very romantic you know," he added +jocosely, trying to raise her drooping spirits. + +"Ah, I am forgetting a piece of news I have to tell I met an American +gentleman and his daughter, the other day, fell into conversation with +him, and learned that we have several common acquaintances I think we were +mutually pleased, and I have asked him and his daughter in to the wedding; +thinking it would not be unpleasant to you, and we should thus have two +more witnesses." + +"Perhaps it is best we should," she returned, in her sweet, gentle way, +yet looking somewhat disturbed. + +"I'm afraid I ought to have consulted you first," he said. "I'm sorry, but +it is too late now His name is Love; his daughter--an extremely pretty +girl by the way--he calls Zoe." + +Ben now came to the door to say that all was in readiness--the minister, +the doctor, and the other gentleman and a lady had arrived. + +Edward gave his arm to his sister and led her into the room, to which +Lester had been carried a few moments before, and where he lay on a +luxurious couch, propped up with pillows into a half-sitting posture. + +A touch of color came into his pale cheeks, and his eyes shone with love +and joy as they rested upon his lovely bride, as Edward led her to the +side of his couch. + +Dinah and Ben followed, taking their places near the door and watching the +proceedings with interest and sympathy. + +The minister stood up, the doctor, the stranger guests, the nurse also, +and the ceremony began. + +Elsie's eyes were full of tears, but her sweet low tones were distinct and +clear as she took the marriage vows. + +So were Lester's; his voice seemed stronger than it had been for weeks, +and when he took the small white-gloved hand in his, the grasp was firm as +well as tender. + +"One kiss, my love, my wife!" he pleaded when the ceremony was ended. + +A soft blush suffused the fair face and neck, but the request was +granted; she bent over him and for an instant their lips met. + +Then Edward embraced her with brotherly affection and good wishes. He +grasped Lester's hand in cordial greeting, then turned and introduced his +new-made friends to the bride and groom. + +A table loaded with delicacies stood in an adjoining room, and thither the +brother and sister and their guests now repaired, while for a short season +the invalid was left to quietness and repose that he might recover from +the unwonted excitement and fatigue. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + "Therein he them fall fair did entertain, + Not with such forged shows as fitter been + For courting fools, that courtesies would faine, + But with entire affection plain." + --_Spenser's "Fairy Queen."_ + + +One bright morning in November the Ion family were gathered about the +breakfast-table. Rosie and Walter were there for the first time since +their severe illness, a trifle pale and thin still, but nearly in usual +health, and very glad to be permitted to take their old places at the +table. + +Mrs. Dinsmore had returned from her sojourn at the Laurels, the home of +her daughter Rose; the grandchildren there, whom she had been nursing, +having also recovered their health; and so the places of the eldest son +and daughter of the house were the only vacant ones. + +Both Elsie and Edward were sorely missed, especially by the mother and +Violet. + +"It seems time we had letters again from our absentees, papa," Mrs. +Travilla remarked as she poured the coffee. "We have had none since the +telegram giving the hour for the wedding." + +"No, but perhaps we may hear this morning--the mail has not come yet." + +"Yes, grandpa; here comes Solon with it," said Harold, glancing from the +window. + +In a few moments the man came in bringing the mail-bag, which he handed to +Mr. Dinsmore. + +All looked on with interest, the younger ones in eager expectation, while +their grandfather opened it and examined the contents. + +"Yes, daughter, there is a letter from each of them, both directed to +you," he said, glancing over the addresses on several letters which he now +held in his hand. "Here, Tom," to the servant in waiting, "take these to +your mistress. Don't read them to the neglecting of your breakfast," he +added with a smile, again addressing Mrs. Travilla. + +"No, sir; they will keep," she answered, returning the smile; "and you +shall all share the pleasure of their perusal with me after prayers. +Doubtless they give the particulars we all want so much to learn." + +They all gathered round her at the appointed time. She held the letters +open in her hand, having already given them a cursory examination lest +there should be some little confidence intended for none but "mother's" +eye. + +"Papa," she said, looking up half tearfully, half smilingly at him as he +stood at her side, "the deed is indeed done, and another claims my +first-born darling as his own." + +"You have not lost her, Elsie dearest, but have gained a son; and I trust +we shall have them both with us ere long," he responded, bending down to +touch his lips to the brow still as smooth and fair as in the days of her +girlhood. + +"Poor dear Elsie! how she must have missed and longed for you, dearest +mamma!" Violet sighed, kneeling close to her mother's chair and putting +her arms around her. + +"What is it? all about Elsie's wedding?" asked Herbert. "Please let us +hear it, mamma. The telegram told nothing but the hour when it was to be, +and I was so surprised, for I never understood that that was what she went +away for." + +"Nor I," said Harold; "though I suppose it was very stupid in us not to +understand." + +"Who did get married with my sister Elsie, mamma?" asked little Walter. + +"Mr. Leland, my son." + +"But I thought he was most dead," remarked Rosie in surprise. + +"He has been very ill," her mother said, "but is improving fast, though +not yet able to sit up." + +Rosie, opening her eyes wide in astonishment, was beginning another +question when Harold stopped her. + +"Wait, Rosie, don't you see mamma is going to read the letters? They will +tell us all about it, I presume." + +"I shall read Edward's first, it gives a very minute account of what they +have done since he wrote us last, just after their arrival in Rome," the +mother said. "He is a good boy to take the trouble to tell us everything +in detail; is he not, papa?" + +"Yes," Mr. Dinsmore assented, seating himself by her side and taking Rosie +upon one knee, Walter on the other; "and so good a mother richly deserves +good, thoughtful sons and daughters, ever ready to do all in their power +to promote her happiness, or afford her pleasure. Does she not, children?" + +"Yes, grandpa, indeed she does!" they replied in chorus. + +Her sweet soft eyes glistened with happy tears as she sent a loving glance +round the little circle; then all becoming perfectly quiet and attentive, +she began to read. + +Edward's first item of news was that the marriage had just taken place; +the next that Lester's health was steadily improving. Then came a +description of the rooms they were occupying; both as they were when first +seen by Elsie and himself and as they had become under his renovating and +improving hands. + +After that he drew a vivid picture of Elsie's appearance in her bridal +robes, told who were present at the ceremony, who performed it, how the +several actors acquitted themselves, and what refreshments were served +after it was over. + +He said he thought happiness was working a rapid cure with Lester, and +that from all he could see and hear, his success as both painter and +sculptor was already assured. + +Elsie's themes were the same, but she had much to say of Edward's kind +thoughtfulness, his energy and helpfulness; "the best and kindest of +brothers," she called him, and as she read the words the mother's eyes +shone with love and pride in her eldest son. + +But her voice trembled, and the tears had to be wiped away once and again +when she came to that part of the letter in which Elsie told of her +feelings as she robed herself for her bridal with none to assist but +Dinah; how sad was her heart, dearly as she loved Lester, and how full of +longing for home and mother and all the dear ones so far away; then of the +comfort she found in the idea that possibly the dear departed father might +be near her in spirit. + +"Was it wrong, mamma," she asked, "to think he might perhaps be allowed to +be a ministering spirit to me in my loneliness? and to find pleasure in +the thought?" + +"Mamma, what do you think about it?" asked Herbert. + +"I do not know that we have any warrant for the idea in the Scriptures," +she answered; "it seems to be one of the things that is not revealed; yet +I see no harm in taking comfort in the thought that it may be so. My poor +lonely darling! I am glad she had that consolation. Ah, papa, what a +different wedding from mine!" + +"Yes," he said, "and from what we thought hers would be. But I trust she +will never see cause to regret the step she has taken. Lester is worth +saving even at the sacrifice she has made." + +His daughter looked at him with glistening eyes. "Thank you, papa, that is +a good thought, and consoles me greatly for both our darling and +ourselves." + +She went on with the reading of the letter; there were but a few more +sentences; then, while the others discussed its contents, Violet stole +quietly from the room, unobserved as she thought. But in that she was +mistaken. Her mother's eyes followed her with a look of love and sympathy. + +"Dear child!" she said in a low aside to her father, "she misses Elsie +sorely; I sometimes think almost more than I do, they were so inseparable +and so strongly attached." + +Vi's heart was very full, for Elsie's marriage, though far, far from being +so great a sorrow as the death of their father, seemed in some respects +even more the breaking up of a life that had been very sweet. + +She sought the studio she and Elsie had shared together (how lonely and +deserted it seemed!) and there gave vent to her feelings in a burst of +tears. + +"O Elsie, darling! we were so happy together! such dear friends! with +never a disagreement, hardly a thought unshared! And now I am alone! all +alone!" + +She had unconsciously spoken aloud. A soft sweet voice echoed the last +word. + +"Alone! ah, my darling, no! not while your mother lives. You and I must +cling the closer together, Vi dearest," the voice went on, while two +loving arms enfolded her and a gentle kiss was imprinted upon cheek and +brow. + +"Dearest mamma!" cried Violet, returning the caress, "forgive me that I +should indulge in such grief while you are left me--you and your dear +love, the greatest of earthly treasures." + +"Yes, dear child, your grief is very natural. These changes, though not +unmixed calamities, are one of the hard conditions of life in this lower +world, dear daughter; but we must not let them mar our peace and +happiness; let us rejoice over the blessings that are left, rather than +weep for those that are gone." + +"I will, mamma," Violet said, wiping away her tears. "Ah, how much I still +have to rejoice in and be thankful for!" + +"Yes, dear, we both have! and not the least the love of Him who has said, +'Lo, _I_ am with you _alway_.' Oh the joy, the bliss of knowing that +_nothing_ can ever part us from _Him_! And then to know, too, that some +day we shall all be together in His immediate presence, beholding His face +and bearing His image!" + +Neither spoke again for some moments, then the mother said, "Vi, dearest, +there is nothing more conducive to cheerfulness at such a time as this +than being fully employed. So I ask you to take charge of Rosie and Walter +for a few hours. They are not yet well enough for tasks or for out door +sports, but need to be amused. And your grandpa and grandma want me to +drive with them to the Laurels and Roselands." + +"Yes, do go, mamma, and try to enjoy yourself. You have seen so little of +Aunt Adelaide since she came, or of Aunt Rosie, since the sickness began +with her children and ours. Thank you for your trust, I shall do my best," +Violet said with cheerful alacrity. "Ah, the recovery of the darlings is +one of the many mercies we have to be thankful for!" + +"Yes, Vi, and my heart is full of joy and gratitude to the Great +Physician." + +At Roselands Mrs. Conly still lay helpless on her couch, her condition +having changed very slightly for the better; she could now at times, with +great effort, speak a word or two, but friends and physicians had scarcely +a hope of any further improvement; she might live on thus for years, or +another stroke might at any moment bring the end. + +Cut off from all other means of communicating her thoughts and feelings, +she could show them only by the expression of her countenance, which was +sullen, fierce, despairing, piteous by turns. + +She had the best of care and nursing from her sisters, her sons, and her +old mammy, assisted occasionally by other friends and relatives, and could +not fail to read in their faces and the tones of their voices tender pity +and sympathy for her in her sore affliction. + +They could not tell whether she understood all that was said to her, but +hoping that she did, spoke often to her of the loving Saviour and tried to +lead her to Him. + +Hitherto the Ion friends had not been able to be with her a great deal, +but it had not been necessary, as Adelaide was still at Roselands. + +She, however, expected soon to return to her own home, and there would +then be greater need of their services; therefore there was double reason +for thankfulness for the restoration to health of the little ones at Ion +and the Laurels; releasing, as it did, both Mrs. Dinsmore and Mrs. +Travilla from the cares and labors which had occupied them for some weeks +past. + +The latter gave expression to that thought while driving to the Laurels +with her father and his wife, adding, "I can now hold myself in readiness +to take Aunt Adelaide's place at any moment." + +"Not with my consent," said Mr. Dinsmore emphatically; "if you consider +yourself at all under my authority you will take a week at least of entire +rest and relaxation." + +She looked at him with her own sweet smile, full of filial love and +reverence, and putting her hand in his, said, "Yes, my dear father, that +is still one of my great happinesses, as it has been almost ever since I +can remember. Ah, it is often very restful to me just to resign myself to +your wise, loving guidance and control!" + +His fingers closed over the small, daintily gloved hand, holding it in a +warm and tender clasp. + +"Then do not forget that you are not to undertake anything that can tax +your strength, without my knowledge and permission. Nor must you, Rose," +he added with playful authority, turning an affectionate, smiling glance +upon her; "you too are worn out and must have rest." + +"Well, my dear," she said laughingly, "I make no rash promises. You know I +never have equalled Elsie in submissiveness." + +"No; and yet you have usually shown yourself amenable to authority." + +"Perhaps because it has so seldom been exerted," she saucily returned. "My +dear, we have not yet had our first quarrel." + +"And have lived together for thirty odd years. I think it would hardly be +worth while to begin after so long a delay." + +"Nor do I," she said, "therefore shall probably yield to your wishes in +this matter--or commands, call them what you will; especially as they are +in full accord with my own inclinations." + +"Elsie," he said, turning to his daughter again, "I have taken the liberty +of inviting some guests to Ion this morning." + +"Liberty, papa!" she exclaimed. "It would be impossible for you to take +liberties with me or mine; I consider your rights and authority in any +house of mine fully equal, if not superior to my own. If the mistress of +the mansion be subject to your control," she added, with a bright look up +into his face, and much of the old time archness in her smile, "surely all +else must be." + +"Thank you, daughter; then I have not taken a liberty, but I have invited +the guests all the same. You do not ask how it happened or who they are, +but I proceed to explain. + +"In glancing over the morning paper, while you and Rose were attiring +yourselves for the drive, I saw among the items of news that Donald Keith +is in our city. So I dispatched Solon with a carriage and a hastily +written note, asking Donald to come out to see us, bringing with him any +friend or friends he might choose." + +"I am glad you did, papa; they shall have a warm welcome. But will it not +make it necessary for us to return home earlier than we intended?" + +"No, not at all, it is not likely they will arrive until near our dinner +hour--if they come at all to-day, and if they should be there earlier, +Violet is quite capable of entertaining them." + +"Yes," said Mrs. Dinsmore, "I know of no one more competent to minister to +the enjoyment of either grown people or children. As regards talent, +sweetness of disposition, and utter unselfishness combined, our Vi is one +in a thousand." + +"Thank you, mamma, for saying it," Elsie said, her eyes shining with +pleasure. "She seems all that to me; but I thought it might be that +mother love magnified her good qualities and made me blind to her +imperfections." + +Violet, in the nursery at home, was showing herself worthy of these +encomiums by her efforts to amuse the little ones and keep them from +missing the dear mother who had been so constantly with them of late. She +played quiet little games with them, told them beautiful stories, showed +them pictures and drew others for them, dressed dolls for Rosie and cut +paper horses for Walter. + +Several hours were passed thus, then seeing them begin to look weary--for +they were still weak from their recent illness--she coaxed them to lie +down while she sang them to sleep. + +The closed eyes and soft breathing telling that they slept, she rose and +bent over them a moment, gazing tenderly into each little face, then +drawing out her watch and turning to the old nurse, whispered, "It is time +for me to dress for dinner, mammy. I'll go now, but if they wake and want +me let me know at once." + +Her toilet was scarcely completed when the sound of wheels caught her +ears. + +"There! mamma has come! Dear, dear mamma!" she said half aloud, and +presently hastened from the room to meet and welcome her. + +But instead a servant was coming leisurely up the broad stairway. + +"Where is mamma, Prilla?" the young girl asked in a slightly disappointed +tone. + +"Miss Elsie not come yet, Miss Wilet. De gentlemen is in de drawin'-room," +Prilla answered, handing two visiting-cards to her young mistress. + +"'Donald Keith, U.S.A.,'" read Violet with a brightening countenance, as +she glanced at the first. + +On the other was inscribed, "L. Raymond, U.S.N." + +Violet hastening to the drawing-room, met her cousin with outstretched +hand and cordial greeting. + +"I am so glad you have come, Cousin Donald! We have all wanted you to see +Ion." + +"Thank you, Cousin Violet; you can't have wished it more than I, I am +sure," he said, with a look of delight. "Allow me to introduce my friend, +Captain Raymond, of the navy. You see I took your grandfather at his word +and brought a friend with me." + +Violet had already given her hand to her cousin's friend--as such he must +have no doubtful welcome--but at Donald's concluding sentence she turned +to him again with a look of surprised inquiry, which he was about to +answer, when the door opened and Mr. Dinsmore, his wife and daughter came +in. + +There were fresh greetings and introductions, Mr. Dinsmore saying, as he +shook hands with the guests, "So you received my hasty note, Donald, and +accepted for yourself and friend? That was right. You are both most +welcome, and we hope will find Ion pleasant enough to be willing to +prolong your stay and to desire to visit us again." + +"Thank you, I was certain of that before I came," said Donald. + +"And I surely am now that I am here," remarked the captain gallantly, and +with an admiring glance from Mrs. Dinsmore's still fresh, bright, and +comely face to the more beautiful ones of Elsie and her daughter. + +Elsie's beauty had not faded, she was still young and fair in appearance, +with the same sweetly pure and innocent expression which old Mrs. Dinsmore +had been wont to stigmatize as "that babyish look." And Violet's face was +peerless in its fresh young beauty. + +As for the captain himself, he was a man of commanding presence, noble +countenance, and magnificent physique, with fine dark eyes and an +abundance of dark brown curling hair and beard; evidently Donald's senior +by some years, yet not looking much, if at all, over thirty. + +The two older ladies presently left the room to reappear shortly in dinner +dress. + +While they were gone Mr. Dinsmore engaged the captain in conversation, +and Donald and Violet talked together in a low aside. + +"Your sister is well, I hope?" he remarked interrogatively. + +"Elsie? We had letters from her and Edward this morning. They were well at +the time of writing." + +"They are not at home then?" he said in a tone of surprise and +disappointment. + +"Oh, no! had you not heard?" and Violet's eyes filled. "It is very +foolish, I'm afraid," she went on in half tremulous tones, in answer to +his inquiring look, "but I can't help feeling that Lester Leland has +robbed me of my sister." + +"She is married? and has gone to a home of her own?" + +Violet answered by telling the story as succinctly as possible. + +"He was in Italy pursuing his art studies," she said. "They had become +engaged shortly before he went, and a few weeks ago we heard he was very +ill with typhoid fever. Elsie at once said she must go to him, she could +not let him die for lack of good nursing. So grandpa and mamma consented +to her going with Edward and our faithful old Ben--papa's foster-brother +and body-servant, who travelled for years with him in Europe--for +protectors. + +"Of course she took a maid too, and Aunt Louise offered to go with them, +but was taken sick in New York, so had to be left behind. + +"They found Lester very but not hopelessly ill, and the joy of seeing them +had an excellent effect. So they were married, Cousin Donald. Just think +how sad for poor Elsie! away from mamma and all of us except Edward!" + +"It was sad for her, I am sure!" he said with warm sympathy, "and very, +very noble and unselfish in her to leave all for him." + +"Yes; and yet not more, I think, than any right-minded woman would do for +the man she loved well enough to marry." + +Harold and Herbert came in at that moment full of boyish enthusiasm and +delight over the arrival of "Cousin Donald," whom they liked and admired +extremely; in especial for his fine figure, soldierly bearing, and +pleasant, kindly manner. + +They had hardly done shaking hands with him and Captain Raymond, to whom +their grandfather introduced them with a look of paternal pride, when +their mother and "Grandma Rose" returned to the drawing-room, and dinner +was announced. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + "A man's heart deviseth his way; but the Lord directeth his + steps."--_Prov._ 16:9. + + +The boys were greatly disappointed on learning from the talk at the +dinner-table that Cousin Donald's furlough was so short that he could give +but two days to his Ion friends. + +There were many expressions of regret. Then Mr. Dinsmore said, "If you +must leave us so soon we must make good use of our time, by taking you at +once to see relatives, friends, and places of interest in the +neighborhood. If you and the captain are not too weary to enjoy a ride or +drive, we will go to Roselands for a call this afternoon, then on to the +Oaks to take tea with my son Horace and his family." + +"You can assure us of a welcome at both places?" Donald said inquiringly +and with a slight smile. + +"You need not have the slightest fear on that score," was the quick, +earnest rejoinder. + +"I for one," remarked the captain, "am not in the least fatigued, and if +the ladies are to be of the party, accept with pleasure and thanks." + +"I also," said Donald, with a look at Violet which seemed to express a +hope that she was not intending to remain behind. + +Mrs. Dinsmore and Mrs. Travilla excused themselves from going on the plea +of fatigue from recent nursing of the sick and the long drive of the +morning, Elsie adding that her little convalescents ought hardly to be +deprived of mamma all day. + +"Then we will take Vi," said Mr. Dinsmore, looking affectionately at her; +"she has shut herself up with those same convalescents all the morning and +needs air and exercise." + +"Yes, papa," her mother said, "and I know she would enjoy a gallop on her +favorite pony. Cousin," turning to Donald, "we have both riding and +carriage horses at your and the captain's service; please do not hesitate +to express your preference." + +They thanked her, and after a little more discussion it was arranged that +the whole party, including Harold and Herbert, should ride. + +The horses were ordered at once and they set out very shortly after +leaving the table. Mr. Dinsmore and the captain headed the cavalcade, +Donald and Violet came next, riding side by side, and the two lads brought +up the rear. + +Donald was well satisfied with the arrangement, and he and Vi found a +good deal of enjoyment in recalling the scenes, doings, and happenings of +the past summer; particularly of the weeks spent together on the New +Jersey coast. + +Also Vi rehearsed to him Edward's account of Elsie's wedding and his +description of the suite of apartments he had had fitted up for their use. +Edward expected to spend the winter there, she said. + +It was all very interesting to Donald. He thought Lester Leland a man to +be envied, yet perhaps less so than he who should secure for his own the +fair, sweet maiden riding by his side. + +They passed a pleasant hour at Roselands, seeing all the family except the +invalid, then rode on to the Oaks, where they found a warm welcome and +most delightful and hospitable entertainment. + +Then the return to Ion by moonlight was very enjoyable. + +It was still early when they arrived; the two older ladies awaited them in +the parlor, and some time was spent in pleasant converse before retiring +for the night. + +"I have not yet had the pleasure of seeing my little favorites, Rosie and +Walter, Cousin Elsie," remarked Donald. + +"No," she said, "and they are very eager for an interview with you. They +are in bed now, but I hope they will be well enough to join us at +breakfast to-morrow." + +"They have been quite sick?" + +"Yes, were dangerously ill for a time, and though about again, still need +constant care lest they should take cold." + +The guests given adjoining rooms, opened the door of communication between +and had a little private chat together before seeking their pillows. + +"These relatives of yours, Keith, are extremely nice people," remarked the +captain. + +"Of course they are," returned Donald, "relatives to be proud of." + +"I never saw a more beautiful woman than Mrs. Travilla," pursued the +captain. "I think I may say never one so beautiful; and the most charming +part of it is beauty that will last; beauty of heart and intellect. Can +she be Miss Violet's own mother? There is a resemblance, though their +styles of beauty are quite different, but there does not seem to be +sufficient difference in age." + +"She _is_ own mother, though, and not only to Violet, but to two older +ones--a son and daughter." + +The captain expressed great surprise. "But youthful looks must be a family +characteristic," he added meditatively. "Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore look +extremely young to be the grandparents of the family." + +Donald explained that Mr. Dinsmore was really only eighteen years older +than his daughter, and Rose, a second wife, but half as many. + +"And what think you of Violet's beauty?" he asked. + +"Absolutely faultless! She has an angelic face! If I were a young fellow +like you, Keith, I'd certainly not look elsewhere while I could see a ray +of hope in that direction. But there's the relationship in the way." + +"It's too distant to stand in the way," returned Donald a trifle shortly, +"I look upon her prospective wealth as a far greater obstacle, having no +fancy for playing the rôle of fortune-hunter, or laying myself open to the +suspicion of being such." + +"Then you've no intention of trying for her?" + +"I haven't said so, have I? Well, good-night, it's getting late." + +"What do you think of Captain Raymond?" Rose was asking her husband. "You +have had by far the best opportunity to cultivate his acquaintance." + +"He impresses me very favorably as both a man and a Christian," was the +emphatic reply. + +"Ah! I am glad Donald has so nice a friend," was her pleased comment. + +"Yes, there seems a warm friendship existing between them, though the +captain must be the older by several years. Married too, for he mentioned +his children incidentally." + +On coming down to the parlor the next morning the guests found Mr. +Dinsmore there fondling his little grandchildren--Rosie on one knee, +Walter on the other. + +Cousin Donald's entrance was hailed with delight, Walter presently +transferred to his knee. + +Then the captain coaxed Rosie to his, saying, "Your dark eyes and hair +remind me of my little Lulu's." + +"Have you a little girl of your own, sir?" Rosie asked with a look of +interest. + +"Yes, my dear, two of them. Lulu is a year or two younger than I take you +to be, and Gracie is only seven." + +"Have you any boys?" inquired Walter. + +"Yes, my little man; I have one. We call him Max. He is two years older +than Lulu." + +"About as old as I am?" said Rosie half inquiringly. + +"Yes; if you are eleven, as I suppose." + +"Yes, sir, I'm eleven and Walter's five." + +"If they're good children we'd like 'em to come here and play with us," +remarked Walter. + +"I am afraid they are not always good," the captain said with a smile and +a half sigh. "I am not with them enough to give them the teaching and +training that doubtless you enjoy." + +"But why doesn't their mamma do it? Our mamma teaches us;" and the child's +eyes turned lovingly upon her as at that moment she entered the room. + +The usual morning greetings were exchanged, and Walter's question remained +unanswered. + +The gentlemen were out nearly all day, riding or driving; the ladies with +them a part of the time. The evening was enlivened with music and +conversation, and all retired to rest at a seasonable hour; the two guests +expecting to take leave of their hospitable entertainers the next morning. + +Darkness and silence reigned for some hours, then the shining of a bright +light into Donald's eyes awoke him. + +He sprang from his bed, rushed to the window, saw that a cottage not far +away, which he had noticed in riding by, was in flames. The next moment he +had snatched up a few articles of clothing and was at the captain's side +shaking him vigorously. + +"Up, Raymond! up, man! There's a fire and we'll be needed to help put it +out." + +"What is it? breakers ahead, do you say?'" muttered the captain, only half +awake. + +"Fire! fire!" repeated Keith. + +"Fire? where?" and the captain sprang up, now wide awake, and began +hurrying on his clothes. + +"That cottage down the road." + +"That's bad indeed; but not quite so bad as a vessel foundering or burning +at sea. Anybody else in the house awake?" + +"I don't know. Yes, there! I hear steps and voices." + +They hurried into the hall and down the stairs. Mr. Dinsmore was in the +lower hall giving directions to the men-servants, who were all collected +there. + +"Haste! Solon, Tom, Dick--all of you!" he was saying, "gather up all the +large buckets about the house, ropes too and ladders, and follow me as +fast as you can. Ah, captain! and Donald too! You have seen the fire, I +suppose? Will you come with me? There'll be work enough for us all no +doubt. We've no engine in this neighborhood." + +"Certainly, sir!" + +"That's the port we are bound for." And each catching up a bucket they all +three set off at full speed in the direction of the burning house, several +of the negroes following close at their heels. + +They found a crowd already gathered there--men and women, black and white. +Some were carrying out furniture from the lower rooms, some bringing +water in buckets from a spring near by, others contenting themselves with +looking on and giving orders which nobody obeyed. + +"I see the house will have to go," Mr. Dinsmore said. "Are the family all +out of it?" + +"All but an old colored woman," some one replied, "old Aunt Betsy. Nobody +thought of her in time, and now it's too late, for the stairs are burned +away. Hark!" as a crash was heard, "there's the last of them." + +"What! will you leave a helpless old woman to be burnt alive?" cried +Captain Raymond. "Where is she?" + +"Yonder!" cried several voices; "see, she's at the window! and she's +screaming for help!" as a wild shriek rent the air, a black face full of +terror and despair showing itself at an upper window, where the fire's +lurid light fell full upon it. + +"Oh, ain't dar nobody to help ole Aunt Betsy?" she screamed, stretching +out her wrinkled arms and toil-worn hands in passionate entreaty; "will +you ebery one ob you leave de po' ole woman to burn up in dis awful fiah? +Isn't ye got no pity in yo' souls! Oh, somebody come an' help de po' ole +woman to git down 'fore she burn all up!" + +"A rope!" shouted the captain, "quick! quick! a rope!" + +"Heah, massa cap'n!" answered Solon close it hand. "Ise brung it jus' in +time." + +"What can you do with a rope, Raymond?" asked Donald. + +"Make an effort to save her with the help of that lightning-rod." + +"You risk your own life, and it is worth far more than hers," Donald said +entreatingly. + +"Stay a moment, captain," said Mr. Dinsmore, "they are bringing a ladder." + +"But there's no time to lose; see! the flames are already bursting out +from the next window." + +"Yes, but here it is," as the negroes halted with it close beside them. +"It is to be used to reach that window, boys," he said, turning to them +and pointing upward. "Set it up there." + +"Can't do it, sah! 'Mos' as much as a man's life is wuth to go so near de +fire." + +"Then give it to me!" cried the captain, taking hold of it, Mr. Dinsmore +and Donald giving their assistance. + +It was the work of a moment to set it up against the wall; in another the +captain was ascending it, while the other two held it firmly in place. + +He gained the window and sprang in. + +"Bress you, massa! bress you!" exclaimed the old negress, "you's gwine to +save me I knows." + +"Get out here on to the ladder and climb down as fast as you can," he said +hurriedly, taking hold of her arm to help her. + +But she drew back shuddering. "I can't, massa! I'se ole and stiff. I can't +no how 'tall." + +There was not a moment to lose. The captain stepped back on to the top +round of the ladder, took her in his arms, and began as rapid a descent as +was possible so burdened. + +The ladder shook beneath their weight, for both were heavy, and Aunt Betsy +struggled in his grasp, screaming with fright; then a tongue of flame +shooting out from below caught her cotton gown, and in her frantic terror +she gave a sudden spring that threw her preserver and herself to the +ground. + +Mr. Dinsmore and Donald seized the captain and dragged him out of harm's +Way, other hands doing a like service for the woman. + +She was shrieking and groaning, but her rescuer neither spoke nor moved. + +They took him up, carried him out of the crowd, and laid him gently down +upon a sofa; one of the articles of furniture saved from the fire. + +"Poor fellow!" sighed Donald with emotion. "I'm afraid he has paid dear +for his kindness of heart!" + +"Solon," said Mr. Dinsmore, "mount the fastest horse here and ride to +Roselands for Dr. Arthur. Tell him we don't know how seriously this +gentleman is hurt. Hurry! make all possible haste!" + +Solon was turning to obey, but stopped, exclaiming, "Why, sho' anuff, +dar's de doctah hisself just lightin' off his hoss ober yondah!" + +"Then run and bring him here." + +Arthur obeyed the summons with all speed. The alarm of the fire had +reached Roselands, and he had hastened to the spot to give aid in +extinguishing it, or to any who might be injured. + +He found the captain showing signs of life; he moved his head, then opened +his eyes. + +"Where are you hurt, sir?" asked the doctor. + +"Not very seriously anywhere, I trust," replied the captain, trying to +rise. "Ah!" as he fell back again, "both back and ankle seem to have had a +wrench. But, friends, are you not needed over there at the fire? My +injuries can wait." + +"Little or nothing more can be done there, and there are people enough on +the ground now to leave us free to attend to you," said Mr. Dinsmore. + +The doctor was speaking aside to Donald and Solon. + +Coming back, "We will have a litter ready in a few moments," he said, +"and carry you over to Ion." + +"By all means," said Mr. Dinsmore. "You accompany us, of course, Arthur?" + +"Certainly, sir." + +"How is she--the old negress? Was she much injured by the fall?" Captain +Raymond asked. + +No one could tell him, and he begged the doctor to attend to her while the +litter was preparing. + +Arthur went in search of her, and presently returned, saying she had +escaped without any broken bones, though apparently a good deal shaken up +and bruised. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + "Man proposes, but God disposes." + + +Donald left Ion the next morning, going away sadly and alone, yet trying +to be truly thankful that his friend's injuries, though severe, were not +permanent, and that he left him where he would have the best of medical +treatment and nursing. + +"Don't be uneasy about the captain," Mr. Dinsmore said in parting; "I can +assure you that Arthur is a skilful physician and surgeon, and we have +several negro women who thoroughly understand nursing. Beside my wife, +Elsie and I will oversee them and do all in our power for the comfort and +restoration of the invalid." + +"Thank you, cousin. I am sure nothing will be left undone that skill and +kindness can do," Donald said, shaking with warmth the hand Mr. Dinsmore +held out to him. "Raymond is one in a thousand. I've known him for years, +and he has been a good and valuable friend to me. I wish it were possible +for me to stay and wait on him myself; but army men are not their own +masters, you know. He'll be wanting to get back to his ship before he's +able. Don't let him." + +"Not if I can prevent it," was Mr. Dinsmore's laughing rejoinder. "By the +way, should not some word be sent to his wife?" + +"Wife! She has been dead some two years, I think. I asked him if there was +any relative he would wish informed of his condition, and he said no; his +parents were not living, he had neither brother nor sister, and his +children were too young to be troubled about it." + +"Poor fellow!" ejaculated Mr. Dinsmore, thinking of his own happier +lot--the sweet wife and daughter at Ion, the other daughter and son, +father, sisters, grandchildren and nephews who would flock about him in +tender solicitude, were he laid low by sickness or accident. + +Leaving Donald in the city, he drove back to Ion full of sympathy for his +injured guest and admiration for his courage and fortitude; for he had +made no moan or complaint, though evidently suffering great pain and much +solicitude on account of the long prospective detention from official +duty. + +The doctor's verdict was, a week or more in bed, probably six weeks before +the ankle could be used. + +"You must get me up much sooner than that, doctor, if it be a possible +thing," Captain Raymond said most emphatically. + +"I can only promise to do my best," was Arthur's response. "Nature must +have time for her work of recuperation." + +Elsie met her father in the entrance hall on his return. "Ah, papa," she +said, looking up smilingly into his face, "I think you will have to +rescind your order." + +"In regard to what?" he asked, stopping to lay a hand lightly on her +shoulder, while he smoothed her hair caressingly with the other. + +"The week of entire rest you bade me take." + +"No; there is to be no recall of that order." + +"But our poor injured guest, father? injured in the noble effort to save +the life of another!" + +"He shall have every care and attention without any assistance from you; +or Rose either; at least for the present." + +"But, dear papa, to have you worn out and made ill would be worse than +anything else." + +"That does not follow as an inevitable consequence, and you may safely +trust me to take excellent care of number one," he said, with playful look +and tone. + +"Ah, papa, there is not the least use in your trying to make me believe +there is any selfishness in you!" + +"No, I presume not; you have always been persistently blind to my many +imperfections. Well, daughter, you need not be troubled lest I should +waste too much strength on the poor captain. I do not imagine him to be an +exacting person, and we have enough efficient nurses among the servants to +do all the work that is needful. My part will be, I think, principally to +cheer him, keep up his spirits, and see that he is provided with +everything that can contribute to comfort of mind and body. I must leave +you now and go to him. I advise a drive for you and your mamma as soon as +you can make ready for it; the air is delightfully clear and bracing." + +"Thank you, papa; the advice shall be followed immediately so far as I am +concerned, and the order carefully obeyed," she answered, as he moved on +down the hall. + +The smile with which the captain greeted Mr. Dinsmore's entrance into the +room where he lay in pain and despondency was a rather melancholy one. + +"My dear sir, I feel for you!" Mr. Dinsmore said, seating himself by the +bedside, "but you are a brave man and a Christian, and can endure hardness +as a good soldier of Jesus Christ!" + +There was a flash of joy in the sufferer's eyes as he turned them upon the +speaker, "That, sir, is the most comforting and sustaining thing you +could have said to me! Through what suffering was the Captain of our +salvation made perfect! And shall I shrink from enduring a little in His +service? Ah no! And when I reflect that I might have been killed, and my +dear children left fatherless, I feel that I have room for nothing but +thankfulness that it is as well with me as it is." + +"And that some good will be brought out of this trial we cannot doubt," +Mr. Dinsmore said; "for 'we know that all things work together for good to +them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.'" + +"Yes; and 'I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not +worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.' 'We +glory in tribulation also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and +patience experience, and experience hope, and hope maketh not ashamed; +because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost +which is given unto us.'" + +"What a wonderful book the Bible is!" remarked Mr. Dinsmore meditatively; +"what stores of comfort and encouragement it contains for all in whatever +state or condition! 'The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands +of gold and silver.'" + +"Yes; how true it is, Mr. Dinsmore, that 'it is not in man that walketh to +direct his steps'! I had so fully resolved to return to-day to my vessel, +and now when may I hope to see her? Not in less than six weeks, the doctor +tells me." + +"A weary while it must seem in prospect. But we will do all we can to make +it short in passing and prevent you from regretting the necessity of +tarrying with us for so much longer time than you had intended," Mr. +Dinsmore answered in a cheery tone. + +"Your great kindness is laying me under lasting obligations, Mr. +Dinsmore," the captain responded, with glistening eyes, "obligations which +I shall never, I fear, have an opportunity to repay." + +"My dear sir, I am truly thankful to have it in my power to do what can be +done to alleviate your sufferings and restore the health and vigor you so +nobly sacrificed for another. Beside, what Christian can recall the +Master's assurance that He will consider any kindness done to any follower +of His as done to Himself, and not rejoice in the opportunity to be of +service to a fellow-disciple, be it man, woman, or child?" + +"Yes, And the King shall answer and say unto them, 'Verily I say unto you, +inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye +have done it unto me.'" + +"Ah, captain, don't talk of obligation to one who has a recompense such as +that in view!" Mr. Dinsmore said, a smile on his lip, a glad light in his +eye. + +The captain stretched out his hand and grasped that of his host. "What +cause for gratitude that I have fallen into the care of those who can +appreciate and act from such motives!" he exclaimed with emotion. + +"You are the hero of the hour, my friend," Mr. Dinsmore remarked after a +short silence. "I wish you could have seen the faces of my wife, daughter, +and granddaughter when they heard of the noble, unselfish, and courageous +deed which was the cause of your sore injuries." + +"Don't mention it!" exclaimed the captain, a manly flush suffusing his +face; "who could stand by and see a fellow-creature perish without so much +as stretching out a helping hand?" + +In the weeks that followed Captain Raymond won golden opinions from those +with whom he sojourned, showing himself as capable of the courage of +endurance as of that more ordinary kind that incites to deeds of daring; +he was always patient and cheerful, and sufficiently at leisure from +himself and his own troubles to show a keen interest in those about him. + +After the first week he was able to take possession of an invalid-chair, +which was then wheeled into the room where the family were wont to gather +for the free and unconstrained enjoyment of each other's society. + +They made him one of themselves, and he found it a rare treat to be among +them thus day after day, getting such an insight into their domestic life +and true characters as years of ordinary intercourse would not have given +him. He learned to love them all--the kind, cheerful, unselfish older +people; the sweet-faced, gentle, tender mother; the fair and lovely +maiden, lovely in mind and person; the brave, frank, open-hearted lads, +and the dear, innocent little ones. + +He studied them all furtively and with increasing interest, growing more +and more reconciled the while to his involuntary detention among them. + +Oftentimes they were all there, but occasionally one of the grandparents +or the mother would be away at Roselands for a day or two, taking turns in +ministering to Mrs. Conly, and comforting and cheering her feeble old +father. + +"You have no idea, my dear sir," the captain one day remarked to his host, +"how delightful it is to a man who has passed most of his life on +shipboard, away from women and children, to be taken into such a family +circle as this! I think you who live in it a highly favored man, sir!" + +"I quite agree with you," Mr. Dinsmore said "I think we are an +exceptionally happy family, though not exempt from the trials incident to +life in this world of sin and sorrow." + +"Your daughter is an admirable mother," the captain went on, "so gentle +and affectionate, and yet so firm; her children show by their behavior +that their training has been very nearly ii not quite faultless. And in +seeing so much of them I realize as never before the hardship of the +constant separation from my own which my profession entails, as I ask +myself, 'If I were with them thus day after day, should I find them as +obedient, docile, and intelligent as these little ones? Will my Max be as +fine a lad as Harold or Herbert? Can I hope to see Lulu and Gracie growing +up into such lovely maidenhood as that of Miss Violet?" + +"I sincerely hope you may be so blessed, captain," Mr. Dinsmore said, "but +much will depend upon the training to which they are subjected. There is +truth in the old proverb, 'Just as the twig is bent the tree's inclined.'" + +"Yes, sir; and a higher authority says, 'Train up a child in the way he +should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.' But my +difficulty is that I can neither train them myself, nor see that the work +is rightly done by others." + +"That is sad, indeed," Mr. Dinsmore replied with sincere sympathy. "But, +my dear sir, is there not strong consolation in the thought that you can +pray for them, and that 'the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man +availeth much'?" + +"There is indeed, sir!" the captain said with emotion. "And also in the +promise, 'I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed +after thee in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be a God +unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.'" + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + "One Pinch, hungry, leanfac'd villain." + --_Shake._ + + +Captain Raymond's two little daughters were at this time in a village in +one of the Northern States, in charge of Mrs. Beulah Scrimp, a distant +relative on the mother's side. + +Mrs. Scrimp was a widow living in rather genteel style in a house and upon +means left her by her late husband. She was a managing woman, fond of +money; therefore glad of the increase to her income yielded by the liberal +sum Captain Raymond had offered her as compensation for the board and care +of his motherless little girls. + +She had undertaken Max also at first, but given him up as beyond her +control; and now, though continuing to attend school in the town, he +boarded with the Rev. Thomas Fox, who lived upon its outskirts. + +Mrs. Scrimp was a woman of economies, keeping vigilant watch over all +expenditures, great and small, and employing one servant only, who was +cook, housemaid, and laundress all in one, and expected to give every +moment of her time to the service of her mistress, and be content with +smaller wages than many who did less work. + +Mrs. Scrimp was a woman of theories also, and her pet one accorded well +with the aforementioned characteristic. It was that two meals a day were +sufficient for any one, and that none but the very vigorous and +hard-working ought to eat anything between three o'clock in the afternoon +and breakfast-time the next morning. + +That was a rule to which neither Max nor Lulu could ever be made to +submit; but Grace, the youngest, a delicate, fragile child, with little +force of will, had no strength or power to resist, so fell a victim to the +theory; each night went supperless to bed, and each day found herself too +feeble and languid to take part in the active sports in which her stronger +sister delighted. + +It is quite possible that Mrs. Scrimp had no intention of being cruel, but +merely made the not uncommon mistake of supposing that what is good for +one person is of course good for everybody else. She was dyspeptic, and +insisted that she found her favorite plan exceedingly beneficial in her +own case; therefore she was sure so delicate a child as Gracie ought to +conform to the same regimen. + +She seemed fond of the little girl, petted and caressed her, calling her +by many an endearing name, and telling her very often that she was "a +good, biddable child; far better than fiery-tempered, headstrong Lulu." + +Lulu would hear the remark with a scornful smile and toss of the head, +sometimes saying proudly, "I wouldn't let anybody call you names to me, +Gracie; and I wouldn't be such a little goose as to be wheedled and +flattered into putting up with being half-starved." + +There had been a time when Mrs. Scrimp tried to prevent and punish such +daring words, but she had given it up long since, and contented herself +with sighing sadly over the "depravity of that irrepressible child." + +She had once or twice threatened to write to Captain Raymond and tell him +that Lulu was unmanageable, but the child coolly replied, "I wish you +would; for then papa would send Gracie and me somewhere else to stay." + +"Where you would, perhaps, fare a great deal worse," returned Mrs. Scrimp +wrathfully. + +"I am willing to risk it," Lulu said; and that was the end of it, for Mrs. +Scrimp would have been very loath to lose the children's board. + +One pleasant October morning Lulu came down a trifle late to her +breakfast. Mrs. Scrimp and Gracie were already seated at the table and +had began their meal. + +"Lulu," said Mrs. Scrimp with a portentous frown, "you were in the pantry +last night, helping yourself." + +"Of course I was," returned the child as she took her seat at the table. +"I told you I wouldn't go without my supper, and you didn't have Ann get +any for me; so what could I do but go and help myself?" + +"You have no right to go to my pantry and take the food that belongs to +me. It's neither more nor less than stealing, Miss Lulu Raymond." + +"Well, Aunt Beulah, what do you call it when you take the money my father +pays you for feeding Gracie and me, and don't give us the food he has paid +for?" + +Mrs. Scrimp colored violently at that, but quickly answered, "He doesn't +pay for any particular kind or quantity, and doesn't want you overfed; and +I don't consider it at all good for you to eat after three o'clock, as +I've told you fifty times." + +"Oftener than that, I dare say," returned Lulu with indifference, "but you +might say it five hundred times and I shouldn't believe it a bit the more. +Papa and mamma never had us put to bed without our supper; they always +gave us plenty to eat whenever we were hungry, and Gracie was far +stronger then than she is now." + +Mrs. Scrimp was exasperated into a return to old tactics. "Lulu, you are +the most impudent child I ever saw!" she exclaimed, "and shall go without +supper to-night, if it were only to punish you for talking as you have +this morning." + +"No, I'll not. I'll have something to eat if I must go to the neighbors +for it." + +"I'll lock you up." + +"Then I'll call out to the people in the street and tell them you won't +give me enough to eat. And just as soon as papa comes I'll tell him all +about it right before you." + +"You wouldn't dare tell him how you've talked to me; he'd punish you for +your impertinence." + +"No, he would say it was justifiable under the circumstances." + +"Dear me!" sighed Mrs. Scrimp, lifting hands and eyes in holy horror, +"what a time your stepmother will have with you! I shouldn't want to be in +her place." + +"My stepmother!" cried Lulu, growing very red, while her dark eyes flashed +with anger. "I haven't any! What do you mean by talking in that way, Aunt +Beulah?" + +Mrs. Scrimp's laugh jarred very unpleasantly upon the nerves of the +excited child. + +"Your father will be presenting you with one some of these days, I'll +warrant," she said in a tantalizing tone. + +Lulu felt ready to burst into passionate weeping, but would not give her +tormentor the satisfaction of seeing her do so. She struggled determinedly +with her emotion, and presently was able to say in a tone of perfect +indifference: "Well, I don't care if he does; anything will be better than +staying here with you." + +"Ungrateful, hateful child!" said Mrs. Scrimp. "Gracie's a real comfort to +me, but you are just the opposite." + +"Aunt Beulah," said Lulu, fixing her keen eyes steadily upon Mrs. Scrimp's +face, "you've called me ungrateful ever so many times. Now I'd like to +know what I have to be grateful for toward you? My father pays you well +for everything you do for Gracie and me." + +"There are some things that can't be bought with money, and that money +can't pay for, Miss Impertinence;" and Mrs. Scrimp, having satisfied her +appetite, rose from the table and, taking Gracie by the hand, walked out +of the room with her in the most dignified manner. + +Presently afterward Lulu saw her, through the window, in bonnet and shawl +and with a basket on her arm, going out to do the marketing. + +Having finished her breakfast, Lulu walked into the sitting-room. + +Gracie lay on the sofa looking pale and weak. Lulu went to her, stroked +her hair, and kissed her. + +"Poor little Gracie! weren't you hungry for some supper last night?" + +"Yes, Lulu," replied the child, lifting a thin white little hand and +stroking her sister's face, "but Aunt Beulah says it makes me worse to eat +at night." + +"I don't believe it!" cried Lulu vehemently, and half stamping her foot, +"and I'm going to write a letter to papa and tell him how she starves you, +and would starve me too if I'd let her!" + +"I wish papa would come!" sighed Gracie. "Lulu, did it use to make us sick +to eat supper when we lived with papa and mamma?" + +"No, never a bit! O Gracie, Gracie, why did mamma die? why did God take +her away from us when we need her so much? I can't love Him for that! I +don't love Him!" she exclaimed with a sudden shower of tears, albeit not +much given to shedding them. + +"Don't cry, Lulu," Gracie said in distress, "maybe papa will find another +mamma for us. I wish he would." + +"I don't! stepmothers are always hateful! I'd hate her and never mind a +word she said. O Max, Max! I'm so glad to see you!" as a handsome, +dark-eyed, merry-faced boy came rushing in. + +"I've just come for a minute!" he cried half breathlessly, catching her in +his arms, giving her a resounding kiss, then bending over Gracie with a +sudden change to extreme gentleness of manner; she was his baby sister and +so weak and timid. + +"Poor little Gracie!" he said softly. "I wish I was a big man to take you +and Lulu away and give you a good time!" + +"I love you, Max," she returned, stroking and patting his cheek. "I wish +you'd be a good boy, so you could live here with us." + +"I don't want to," he answered, frowning. "I mean I don't want to live +with her; I sha'n't ever call her aunt again. I wouldn't have come in if I +hadn't known she was out. I saw her going to market. I'm going off to +Miller's Pond to fish for trout. You know it's Saturday and there's no +school. Jim Bates is going with me and we're to be back by noon; that is, +old Tommy said I must." + +Lulu laughed at Max's irreverent manner of alluding to the man who had the +oversight of him out of school hours; then jumping up, "O Max!" she cried, +"I want to go too! I'll be ready in a minute." + +"What'll Mrs. Scrimp say?" laughed Max. + +Lulu tossed her head with a scornful smile which said more plainly than +words that she did not care what Mrs. Scrimp might do or say in regard to +the matter, ran into the hall, and returned almost instantly with hat and +sacque. + +"Come, Max," she said, "we'd better be off before she gets back. Gracie, +you won't mind being left alone for just a little bit? Ann's in the +kitchen, you know." + +"I wish I could go too!" sighed Gracie. "I wish I could run about and have +good times like you and Max!" + +"Maybe you will, some o' these days. Good-by, little one," said Max, +giving a parting pat to the little white cheek. + +"Good-by," cried Lulu from the doorway; "don't fret, because maybe I'll +find something pretty to bring you when I come back." + +She took a small basket from the table in the hall, Max shouldered his +fishing-rod, which he had left there behind the front door, and they went +out together. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + "Bear a fair presence, though your heart be tainted, + Teach sin the carriage of a holy saint." + --_Shaks._ + + +The children walked very fast, glancing this way and that till satisfied +that there was no longer any danger of encountering Mrs. Scrimp, then +their pace slackened a little and they breathed more freely. + +"Won't she be mad because you came without asking her, Lu?" queried Max. + +"I s'pose so." + +"What'll she do about it?" + +"Scold, scold, scold! and threaten to make me fast; but she knows she +can't do that. I always manage to get something to eat. I've found a key +that fits the pantry door; so I just help myself. She doesn't know about +the key and wonders how it happens; thinks she forgot to lock it." + +"But, Lulu, you wouldn't steal!" + +"'Taint stealing to take what papa pays for! Max, you're too stupid!" +cried Lulu indignantly. + +Max gave a long, low whistle. "Fact, Lu! that's so! our father does pay +for more than we can possibly eat, and expects us to have all we want." + +"Do you get enough, Max?" + +"Yes; and right good too. Mrs. Fox is real good and kind; but he's just +awful! I tell you, Lu, if I don't thrash him within an inch of his life +when I grow to be a man, it'll be queer." + +"Tell me about him! what is it he does to you?" + +"Well, in the first place, he pretends to be very good and pious; he +preaches and prays and talks to me as if I were the greatest sinner in the +world, while all the time he's ten times worse himself and the biggest +kind of a hypocrite. He tells me it's very wicked when I get angry at his +hateful treatment of me, and gets as mad as a March hare himself while +he's talking about it." + +"Well, I'd let him storm and never care a cent." + +"Yes, but that isn't all; he beats me dreadfully for the least little +thing, and sometimes for nothing at all. One time he bought a new padlock +for the barn-door and pretty soon it disappeared. He couldn't find it +anywhere, so he called me and asked me what I had done with it. I said I +hadn't touched it, hadn't seen it, didn't even know he had bought one; and +that was the truth. But he wouldn't believe me; he said I must have taken +it, for I was the only mischievous person about the place, and if I didn't +own up and show him where it was, he'd horsewhip me till I did." + +"O Max! the wicked old wretch!" cried Lulu, between her clenched teeth. +"What did you do? You couldn't tell a lie!" + +"No, I thought I couldn't, Lu; and oh, I'm so ashamed!" said Max, growing +very red and tears starting to his eyes. "But he beat me, and beat me, and +beat me till I thought he'd kill me; and so to stop him at last I said I +took it. But I didn't gain anything, for of course he asked next where it +was, and I couldn't tell him, because I didn't know. So he began again; +but I fainted, and I suppose that scared him and made him stop. He didn't +say anything more about the padlock till weeks afterward it was found in +the hay, and it was clear that I hadn't anything to do with it." + +"Oh, the old wretch!" cried Lulu again. "Did he tell you then he was sorry +for having abused you so when you were innocent?" + +"No, indeed! not he! He said, 'Well, you didn't deserve it that time, but +I've no doubt you've escaped many a time when you did.'" + +"Max, I'd never stand it! I'd run away!" exclaimed Lulu, stopping short +and facing her brother with eyes that fairly blazed with indignation. + +"I've thought of that, Lu; I've felt tempted to do it more than once," Max +said with a sigh; "but I thought how papa would feel hearing of it. I'd +rather bear it all than have him feel that his son had done anything to +disgrace him." + +"Max, you're better than I am!" cried Lulu with affectionate warmth. "I'd +never have thought of anything but how to get away as fast as possible +from that horrid, horrid beast of a man." + +"Papa thinks he's good, and that's the reason he put me with him. Oh, but +don't I wish he knew the truth!" + +"I should think the old rascal would be afraid of what papa may do when he +comes and hears all the things you'll have to tell." + +"I suppose he thinks papa will believe his story instead of mine; and +perhaps he will," said Max a little sadly. + +"No; don't you be one bit afraid of that!" cried Lulu, hotly. "Papa knows +you're a truthful boy. His children couldn't be liars!" + +"But you know I can't say any more that I've never told an untruth," said +Max, coloring painfully. + +"Well, you couldn't help it," Lulu said, trying to comfort him. "I'm +afraid that I might have done it myself to keep from being killed." + +"Hello! here comes Jim!" cried Max with a sudden change of tone, his face +brightening wonderfully as a lad somewhat older in appearance than +himself, and carrying a fishing-rod over his shoulder, came hurrying down +a lane and joined them. + +"Hello! Max," he said; "we've a splendid day for fishing, haven't we?" +Then in a whisper, "Who's this you're taking along?" + +"My sister Lulu," Max answered aloud. "She'll help us dig worms for bait, +won't you, Lu?" + +"Yes, if you'll let me fish a little after you've caught some." + +"Good-morning, Miss Lulu," said Jim, lifting his hat. + +"Good-morning," she returned, giving him a careless nod. + +"It's a long walk for a girl," he remarked. + +"Oh," said Max, laughing, "she's half boy; ain't you, Lu?" + +"I s'pose; if you mean in walking, jumping and running. Aunt Beulah calls +me a regular tomboy. But I'd rather be that than stay cooped up in the +house all the time." + +They had now left the town behind, and presently they turned from the +highway and took a narrow path that led them deep into the woods, now in +the very height of their autumnal beauty. + +The sun shone brightly, but through a mellow haze; the air was deliciously +pure, cool, and bracing. + +The children's pulses bounded, they laughed and jested; the boys whistled +and Lulu sang in a voice of birdlike melody. + +"O Max," she said, "I wish Gracie was well and with us here!" + +"Yes, so do I," he answered; "but 'tisn't likely she can ever be strong +like you and me, Lu." + +"Well, I'll tell her all about it and take her all the pretty things I can +find. Oh, what a lovely place!" as they came out upon the shore of the +pond, a tiny sheet of clear still water surrounded by woods and hills +except where a rivulet entered it on one side and left it on the other. + +"Yes," assented Jim, "it's a right nice place, is Miller's Pond, and has +lots of nice fish in it." + +The boys laid down their rods, Lulu her basket, and all three fell to +digging for earth-worms. + +When they deemed that they had a sufficient quantity of bait, the lads +seated themselves on the roots of a fallen tree close to the water, each, +with fishing-rod in hand, and Lulu, picking up her basket, wandered off +among the trees and bushes. + +"Don't go too far away and get lost," Max called after her. + +"No," she answered, "I'll not go out of sight of the pond; so I can easily +find my way back. But don't you go off and leave me." + +"No; if you're not here, I'll hallo when we're 'most ready to start." + +What treasures Lulu found as she wandered here and there, every now and +then turning to look for the pond, and make sure that she was not losing +herself, there were acorn-cups, lovely mosses, beautiful autumn +leaves--red, orange, golden and green; there were wild grapes too, and +hazel-nuts, brown and ripe. Of all these she gathered eagerly until her +basket was full, thinking that some would delight Gracie, others +propitiate Aunt Beulah. + +And now she made her way back to the spot where the boys still sat, each +with his line in the water. + +"Have you caught any?" she asked. + +"Yes," said Max, "I've caught six and Jim has eight. There! I've got +another!" giving his line a jerk that sent a pretty speckled trout +floundering in the grass. + +"I'll take it off the hook for you," said Lulu, springing forward and +dropping on her knees beside it. "And then you'll let me try, won't you?" + +"Yes," Max answered in a half-reluctant tone, getting up to give her his +place. + +"There are hazel-nuts right over there a little way," Lulu said, pointing +with her finger. + +"Oh, then I'll have some!" cried Max, starting on a run in the direction +indicated. + +He came back after a while bringing some in his hat, picked up some +stones, and seating himself near the others, cracked his nuts, sharing +generously with them. + +Presently Lulu had her first bite, succeeded in bringing her prize safely +to land, and was quite wild with delight. + +Max rejoiced with her, taking brotherly pride in her success. + +"You'll do for a fisherman or fisherwoman," he said gayly. "I sha'n't be +much surprised if you beat me at it one o' these days." + +Then struck with a sudden unwelcome thought, "I wonder what time it is!" +he exclaimed, jumping up from the ground in haste and perturbation. "Do +you s'pose it's noon yet, Jim?" + +"Which way's the sun?" queried the latter, glancing toward the sky; "it +ought to be right overhead at noon. Why, it's down some toward the west! I +shouldn't wonder if it's as late as two o'clock." + +"Two o'clock!" cried Max in dismay, "and I was to be back by noon! Won't I +catch it!" and he began gathering up his fish and fishing-tackle in great +haste, Jim doing likewise, with the remark that he would be late to dinner +and maybe have to go without. + +Lulu was giving Max all the assistance in her power, her face full of +sympathy. + +"Max," she whispered, hurrying along close at his side as they started on +their homeward way, "don't let that horrid, cruel, wicked man beat you! I +wouldn't. I'd fight him like anything!" + +Max shook his head. "'Twouldn't do any good, Lulu; he's so much bigger and +stronger than I am that fighting him would be worse for me than taking the +thrashing quietly." + +"I could never do that!" she said. "But don't wait for me if you want to +go faster." + +"I don't," said Max. + +"Well, I b'lieve I'd better make all the haste I can," said Jim. "So +good-by," and away he sped. + +"Oh, if papa only knew all about how that brute treats you!" sighed Lulu. + +"Max, can't we write him a letter?" + +"I do once in a while, but old Tom always reads it before it goes." + +"I wouldn't let him. I'd hide away somewhere to write it, and put it in +the post-office myself." + +"I have no chance, he gives me only a sheet of paper at a time, and must +always know what I do with it. It's the same way with my pocket money; so +I can't buy postage-stamps; and I don't know how to direct the letter +either." + +"Oh dear! and it's just the same way with me!" sighed Lulu. "When will +papa come? I'm just sick to see him and tell him everything!" + +When they reached Mrs. Scrimp's door Max gave Lulu his string of fish, +saying, "Here, take them, Sis. It's no use for me to keep 'em, for I +shouldn't get a taste; and maybe they'll put her in a good humor with +you." + +"Thank you," she said. "O Max, I wish you could eat them yourself!" Her +eyes were full of tears. + +"I'd rather you'd have 'em; you and Gracie," he said cheerfully. +"Good-by." + +"Good-by," she returned, looking after him as he hurried away, whistling +as he went. + +"He's whistling to keep his courage up. O Max! poor Max! I wish I could +give that man the worst kind of a flogging!" Lulu sighed to herself, then +turned and went into the house. + +She heard Mrs. Scrimp's voice in the kitchen scolding Ann for letting the +bread burn in the oven. It was an inauspicious moment to appear before +her, but Lulu marched boldly in, holding up her string of fish. + +"See, Aunt Beulah! they're just fresh out of the water, and won't they +make us a nice dinner?" + +"And they're your favorite fish, ma'am, them pretty speckled trout is," +put in Ann, glad to make a diversion in her own favor, as well as to help +Lulu out of a scrape; "and I'll go right to work to clean 'em and have 'em +ready for the frying-pan in less than no time." + +"Yes, they'll be very nice; and the meat will keep for to-morrow," was the +gracious rejoinder. "You oughtn't to have gone off without leave, Lulu; +but I suppose Max couldn't wait." + +"No, Aunt Beulah, he said he couldn't stay more than a minute. Shall I +help Ann clean the fish?" + +"No; go and make yourself tidy. Your hands are dirty, your apron soiled, +and your hair looks as if it hadn't been combed for a week." + +Mrs. Scrimp's face was gathering blackness as she scanned the figure of +the young delinquent from head to foot, spying out all that was amiss with +it. + +"I will," said Lulu, moving toward the door with cheerful alacrity. "Oh, I +forgot!" and rushing into the hall, she came back the next minute +bringing her basket of treasures. + +"See, Aunt Beulah, I've brought you lots of lovely leaves; you know you +said you wanted some to make a wreath; and here are mosses, and grapes, +and hazel-nuts." + +"Why you have made good use of your time," Mrs. Scrimp said, now entirely +mollified. "Bring your basket into the sitting-room, where Gracie is; and +we'll look over its contents." + +Max was less fortunate to-day than his sister. His custodian was on the +look-out for him, cowhide in hand, and seizing him roughly, as he entered +the gate, with a fierce, "I'll teach you to disobey orders another time, +you young vagabond! I told you to come home at noon, and you're over two +hours behind time!" began to administer an unmerciful flogging. + +"Stop!" cried Max, trying to dodge the blows. "How could I tell the time? +I came as soon as I thought it was noon." + +But his tormentor was in a towering passion and would not stay his hand to +listen to any excuse. + +"Do you mean to kill me?" screamed Max. "You'll hang for it if you do. And +my father----" + +"Your father believes in enforcing obedience to orders, sir; and +I'll----" + +But at this instant there was an interference from a third party. + +At a little distance some men were at work hewing timber. They had been +working there for weeks, in which Max had made acquaintance and become a +great favorite with them, particularly one called by his companions, "Big +Bill," because of his great size and strength. + +He was a rough, good-natured man, with nothing of the bully about him, but +regarded with intense scorn and indignation any attempt on the part of the +strong to tyrannize over the weak and defenceless. + +He and his comrades had seen and heard enough in these weeks of labor in +the vicinity of Fox's residence to inspire them with contempt and dislike +toward him on account of his treatment of Max. They had among themselves +already pronounced him "a wolf in sheep's clothing, a hypocrite and a +coward." + +They had seen him watching for the boy with his instrument of torture in +his hand, and their wrath had waxed hot. + +When Max came in sight they dropped their tools and looked to see what +would happen, and at the first blow "Big Bill" muttering between his +clenched teeth, "I'll settle his hash for him," started for the scene of +action. "Stop that!" he roared, "stop that, you old hypocritical +scoundrel! You hit that boy another lick and I'll knock you as flat as a +flounder!" + +The hand that held the whip dropped at Fox's side, and the other loosed +its hold on Max as he turned and faced his assailant. + +"What do you mean by coming here to interfere in my business?" he +demanded. + +"I mean to protect the weak against the strong, sir. I consider that my +business. You've given that boy more unmerciful beatings already than he +ought to have had in a lifetime, and he not at all a bad boy either. I +know all about that padlock affair, though he's never breathed a word to +me on the subject, and I'd enjoy nothing better than thrashing you +soundly; what's more I'll do it if ever I know you to strike him again; or +my name's not Bill Simpson. Max, if he ever does, you've only to let 'Big +Bill' hear of it and he'll get ten times more than he's given." + +"Thank you, Bill," said Max, running to the big, kind-hearted fellow and +giving him his hand. "I'm glad to be protected from him, though I don't +want him hurt if he'll only let me alone." + +Fox had already stalked away in the direction of the house, swelling with +inward wrath, but assuming an air of injured innocence and offended +dignity. + +Standing in wholesome fear of Max's self-constituted defender, he never +again ventured to lay violent hands on the lad, but contented himself with +inflicting many petty annoyances. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + "Except I be by Silvia in the night, + There is no music in the nightingale; + Unless I look on Silvia in the day, + There is no day for me to look upon." + --_Shakspeare_. + + +It was already past the middle of November when Captain Raymond received +his injuries, so that the six weeks or more of enforced inaction would +carry him into the month of January. + +He had hoped to spend Christmas with his children, but that was now +clearly impossible, as he sadly owned to himself, for he was a loving +father and felt the disappointment keenly on both his own account and +theirs. + +There would be no festivities at Ion this year, bereavement was still too +recent with themselves, too imminent with those very near by the ties of +kindred. But there was to be an exchange of gifts; there had been that +even last year when but a few months had elapsed since the departure to +the better land of the beloved husband and father. + +Captain Raymond, sitting quietly in his invalid chair, generally to all +appearance buried in a book, overheard many a consultation in regard to +what would be most acceptable to this or that one who happened to be +absent from the room at the moment, for it was intended that most of the +gifts, at least, should be a surprise to the recipients. + +One day when the talk was of those to be provided for Rosie and Walter, +Mrs. Dinsmore noticed that their guest was listening with a very +interested look. + +"Captain Raymond," she said, turning to him with an engaging smile, "we +purpose to go into the city to-morrow to shop for these things; can we do +anything in that line for you?" + +"Thank you," he said heartily, his face brightening very much; "if it +would not be overtaxing you, I should be very glad indeed to do some +shopping by proxy; glad to have the benefit of your and Mrs. Travilla's +taste and judgment in the selection of some Christmas presents for my +children. It will be all I can do for them this year. I had thought of +sending money for the purpose, to the persons in charge of them, but it +would be far more satisfactory to me to have some share in the choice of +the articles." + +Both ladies assured him that it would give them pleasure to do whatever +they could to assist him in making the desired purchases, and Mr. +Dinsmore suggested that a variety of goods might be sent out from the city +stores for him to select from. + +He said that was a good idea, but he would leave it to the ladies to have +that done, or to choose for him a book for each of his children, a doll +for each girl, and writing-desks, fully furnished, for Max and Lulu. + +"I think," he added with a smile, "whatever I may give will seem to them +more valuable if sent from this distance than if bought near at hand." + +"Yes," Mrs. Dinsmore said, "that is human nature." + +The shoppers set out the next morning soon after breakfast, expecting to +return about the usual dinner-hour. + +Watching the departure from the window near which he was seated, the +captain observed with pleasure that Violet was not of the party, hoping +that if left behind, she would give him the enjoyment of her society +during the absence of the others. + +Presently she came in, bringing some needlework; Rosie and Walter with +her. + +The captain closed the book he had been reading and turned toward them +with a pleased smile. + +"So I am not to be left to solitude, as I feared," he remarked. + +"You must please send us away, sir, whenever you think that preferable to +our company," returned Violet lightly. + +"Do you deem me capable of such rudeness, Miss Travilla?" he asked with +playful look and tone. + +"We will not consider it such," she answered, seating herself and +beginning her work, "since we can wander at will all over the house, +while, for the present, you, sir, are a prisoner confined to this room and +the next." + +"That reminds me," he said, "that of late you have absented yourself a +great deal from this room; to my no small discontent." + +"It is flattering to my vanity and self-appreciation to learn that you +have missed me," she returned sportively, but with a slightly heightened +color. + +"You can never be away from the rest of us without being missed, Vi," +remarked Rosie; "especially now that Sister Elsie is away." + +"And do you not mean to gratify my curiosity as to what has been the cause +of your many and prolonged absences, Miss Violet?" queried the captain. + +"I have been busy elsewhere, sir. But is it not an understood thing that +curiosity is a peculiarly feminine trait?" + +"I am able to plead guiltless to the charge of ever having made such an +insinuation," said the captain; "and do now confess to having a full share +of inquisitiveness." + +"May I tell, Vi?" asked Rosie. + +"We must first learn whether Captain Raymond can keep a secret," Vi +answered, glancing at him with a saucy smile. + +"Yes, indeed!" he said, "as you shall learn if you will but allow me the +opportunity." + +"Then I may tell I!" cried Rosie; and hardly waiting for her sister's nod +of acquiescence, went on. "She is preparing such a nice surprise for dear +mamma, Captain Raymond, a miniature of papa which she has been painting on +ivory. I think it looks more like him than any photograph or painted +portrait that we have. And I am sure mamma could not have a more +acceptable present. Besides that, Vi has painted two flower-pieces; one +for grandpa and one for grandma." + +"You have certainly been very industrious, Miss Violet," he remarked. "I +have heard your studio spoken of. May I hope for the pleasure of visiting +it when I recover the free use of my limbs?" + +"That will not be for some weeks, sir; and in the mean while I will take +your request into consideration," she answered demurely. + +The morning passed very rapidly to the captain; the children amused him +with their prattle, and when after an hour or two, Rosie grew tired of the +bit of fancy-work she was doing under her sister's supervision, and +yielded to Walter's entreaties to "come to the nursery and build +block-houses," thus leaving Violet his sole companion, the moments sped +faster than before; for he found her a very interesting and entertaining +conversationist. + +On their return the shopping-party brought with them the articles he had +mentioned. He pronounced them all entirely satisfactory, and they were +packed and sent northward with the addition of some pretty things for the +dolls, contributed by Violet and Rosie. + +Some unusual impulse of fatherly solicitude and affection led the captain +to put his own address upon several envelopes in each writing-desk, +stamping them also and adding a note to each of the three children. + +To Max and Lulu he said that he wanted letters from them which should not +pass through the hands of a third person, "letters that should be like a +bit of private chat with papa." + +Seeing how tenderly and carefully the little Travillas were nurtured and +what love was lavished upon them, had turned his thoughts frequently upon +his own motherless ones, and set him to thinking and asking himself rather +anxiously how they were faring in those respects. He had come to realize +more thoroughly than ever before his responsibility as a parent. + +The Christmas work which had kept Violet busy in her studio was now +finished, and henceforth she spent much more of her time with the rest of +the family; greatly to Captain Raymond's satisfaction, for much as he +admired the other ladies and enjoyed conversing with them and with Mr. +Dinsmore, he was quite conscious of a constant uneasiness and discontent +when Violet absented herself from the room. + +His admiration for her beauty and grace had been unbounded from the first, +and gradually as he discovered more and more of her sterling worth, her +sweetness and unselfishness of disposition, her talent, industry, and +genuine piety, his heart had gone out to her in ardent affection; in fact +with a deeper and stronger love than he had ever before known or dreamed +of. + +He began to ask himself how he could ever go away and leave her, and +whether he dared seek to make her his own. He was fully as loath as Donald +Keith to appear in the rôle of fortune-hunter. Would Mr. Dinsmore and his +daughter, so noble themselves, be ready to impute so unworthy a motive to +him? He hoped not, he believed they would judge him by themselves. And +they who so fully knew and appreciated all that Violet was must see and +believe that no man whose affections were not already engaged could be +thrown into intimate association with her day after day, as he had been +for so many weeks, and not learn to love her for herself alone. + +Then he had learned incidentally from Dr. Conly, that the older daughter +had married a poor artist with the full consent of her parents and +grandfather, his lack of wealth being considered no objection to his suit. + +Captain Raymond did not look upon wealth as the highest patent of nobility +even in this republican country, but thought, in his manly independence, +that his well-established reputation as an honorable, Christian gentleman, +and officer of the United States Navy, made him in rank fully the peer of +the Dinsmores and Travillas; and he believed that they would entirely +agree with him in that. + +But he was not a conceited man, and felt by no means sure that Violet +herself would give a favorable hearing to his suit. Under the peculiar and +trying circumstances of his sojourn at Ion he had not been able to offer +her any attention, and her uniform kindness had probably been shown only +to her mother's invalid guest. And as he thought of the disparity of years +between them, and how many younger, and perhaps in every way more +attractive men, must have crossed her path, his hopes sank very low. + +Yet he was not too proud to allow her the opportunity to reject him. +Saying to himself, "Were I certain that she is indifferent to me, I would +not give her the pain of doing so--for I know her kind heart would feel it +a pain--but as I am not sure of her feelings, it is only fair and just to +her to let her know of mine and abide the issue," he decided that he would +not go away without speaking, yet that he would first ask the consent of +her natural guardians. + +He therefore seized the first opportunity when alone with Mr. Dinsmore to +tell of his love for Violet, and ask if he could obtain his and the +mother's consent to the prosecution of his suit. + +Mr. Dinsmore seemed both surprised and moved. He did not speak for a +moment, then, with a heavy sigh, "Has it come to this already," he said +"that we are likely to lose our little Vi? I don't know how either her +mother or I can ever do without her! ever make up our minds to resign her +to any one else!" + +"I don't wonder at it, sir," the captain said with feeling. "But may I +understand that you do not object to me personally?" + +"No, sir, oh no! I see no objection to you more than to any other, except +disparity of years, Violet being so young; and that is not so great as it +was between her parents." + +"Then you give me some hope?" + +"If you have won her affections, yes. How is it in regard to that?" + +"I have said no word to her on the subject, Mr. Dinsmore--feeling that the +more honorable course was first to ask permission of her mother and +yourself--and am by no means certain that she cares for me at all except +as a friend of the family and of her cousin, Lieut. Keith. Have I your +consent, sir?" + +"I will talk with my daughter, captain, and let you know the result." + +He rose as if to leave the room, but the captain detained him. + +"Let me tell you," he said, coloring in spite of himself, "that I am not +rich, having very little beside my pay." + +"That is a matter of small importance," Mr. Dinsmore answered in a kindly +tone, "seeing that riches are so apt to take wings and fly away, and that +the Master said, 'A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the +things which he possesseth.' If her mother's wealth remains, Violet will +be well provided for, as I presume you are aware, yet I cannot for a +moment suppose you capable of seeking her on that account. In fact," he +concluded with a smile, "the child has nothing at all of her own, and her +mother can, should she choose, leave her penniless." + +"And I should be more than willing to take her so, if I could get her," +the captain answered, returning the smile; "it would be a dear delight to +me to provide her with all things desirable by my own exertions." + +"Excuse the question, Capt. Raymond, but have you taken into consideration +the fact that Violet's extreme youth must render her unfit for the cares +and responsibilities of motherhood to your children?" + +"Mr. Dinsmore, there is not a woman in a thousand of those twice her age +whom I would as willingly trust. But she shall have no care or labor that +I can save her from, always supposing I can be so happy as to win her for +my own." + +The family had retired for the night to their own apartments. Mrs. +Travilla, almost ready to seek her couch, sat alone in her dressing-room +in front of the brightly blazing wood fire; her open Bible was in her +hand, a lamp burning on a little table by the side of her easy-chair. + +Her dressing-gown of soft white cashmere became her well, and her unbound +hair lying in rich masses on her shoulders lent a very youthful look to +face and figure. + +Her father thought, as he came softly in and stood at her side, gazing +down upon her, that he had seldom seen her more rarely beautiful. + +She lifted her eyes to his with the old sweet smile of filial love and +reverence, shut her book and laid it on the table. + +He laid his hand gently on her head, bent down and kissed her on brow and +cheek and lip. + +"Dear papa, won't you sit down?" she said, rising to draw up a chair for +him. + +"Yes," he answered; "I want a little talk with you. How wonderfully young +you look to-night!--so like my little girl of other days that I feel a +strong inclination to invite you to your old seat upon my knee. Will you +take it?" sitting down and drawing her gently toward him. + +She yielded to his wish, saying, as she put her arm about his neck and +gazed lovingly into his eyes, "I am still child enough to enjoy it +greatly, if I am not so heavy as to weary you, my dear father." + +"I do not feel your weight unpleasantly," he returned. "You must remember +I am a very strong man, and you but a slight and delicate woman. Not so +plump as I could wish to see you," he added, pushing up the sleeve of her +gown and clasping his fingers round the white arm. + +"Isn't there plenty of flesh there to hide the bones?" she asked +laughingly. + +"The bones are well hidden, but the flesh is not so solid as I would have +it." + +"Ah, papa, you must not be so hard to please!" she said, with playful look +and tone. "I think I'm in very good condition; am glad I'm not too heavy +to sit here and play at being your own little girl again. What happy days +those were! when I had not a care or anxiety except to please my earthly +and my heavenly father." + +"Would you like to go back to them?" + +"No, dear father, your love and tender care made me a very happy child, +but I have no desire to retrace my steps. I should far rather press +forward to the heavenly home whither you are travelling with me--'the rest +that remaineth to the people of God,' rest from sin as well as from +sorrow, pain, and care." + +"'Casting _all_ you care upon _Him_, for He careth for you.' He who ever +liveth; He who hath all power in heaven and in earth; He who has said, 'I +have loved thee with an everlasting love,' 'I will never leave thee nor +forsake thee.' Dear daughter, if cares and anxieties oppress you, ask +yourself what right a Christian has to be troubled with them." + +"None, papa," she answered humbly; "I am thankful that I can say a belief +in His love and power prevents them from pressing very heavily, yet it is +my grief and shame that my faith is often too weak to lift the burden +entirely." + +"What is the particular burden to-night?" he asked tenderly. + +"My absent darlings, papa: my Elsie, now beginning with the cares of +married life, my eldest son exposed to I know not what dangers and +temptations." + +"But with the very same Almighty Friend their mother has to watch over and +protect, to comfort and sustain them." + +"Yes, papa! Oh, I ought not to have one anxious thought about them!" + +"When such thoughts will arise, dear child, turn them into petitions on +their behalf, and believing in God's willingness to hear and answer +prayer, your heart may grow light. + +"But this is not exactly what I came to talk about." Then he repeated the +substance of his conversation with Capt. Raymond, and asked what answer +she would give. + +Her surprise was as great as her father's had been, and a look of sore +pain came into her face as she exclaimed, "Violet! my little Vi! must I +lose her too?" + +"Perhaps not, dearest; it may be that she cares nothing for him. But you +need decide nothing to-night, and must try not to let the question keep +you awake." + +For a moment she seemed lost in thought, then lifting to his, eyes +brimful of tears, "Papa," she said tremulously, "I cannot stand in the way +of my child's happiness, therefore I must let him speak, and learn from +her own lips whether she cares for him or not." + +"Yes, I think you are right. And now, daughter dear, I must bid you +good-night. But first I want you to promise me that you will determinately +cast this care on the Lord, and not let it rob you of needed sleep." + +They had both risen, and as he spoke he took her in his arms and held her +close to his heart. + +"I will, papa, in obedience to Him and to you," she said, while for a +moment her arm was about his neck, her head laid upon his breast. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + "On you most loved, with anxious fear I wait, + And from your judgment must expect my fate." + --_Addison_. + + +Naturally Elsie's first waking thoughts on the following morning were of +Violet and her future. She was not a "match-making mamma," not at all +desirous to be rid of her daughters, and had never once thought of Capt. +Raymond as a possible suitor for Violet. + +He was not a very young man, and it was difficult to realize that Vi was +grown up enough for her hand to be sought in marriage by even one near her +own age, much less by the father of a family whose eldest child could not +be very many years younger than she. + +"She surely cannot fancy him!" the mother said to herself with a sigh of +relief; but instantly came the remembrance that the disparity of years had +been still greater between herself and the husband she had loved with all +the strength of her nature--so loved that never for a moment could she +admit the idea of the possibility that any other could fill his place in +her heart. What more could she ask for her beloved child, for this life, +than such wedded bliss as she herself had known? + +But how could she spare her! especially so soon after resigning her sweet +namesake daughter to another. It was only the unselfishness of her mother +love which could at all reconcile her to the thought. + +She longed to know whether she were likely to be called upon to make the +sacrifice, but generously resolved to use no means to discover the state +of her child's feelings until the captain had spoken. In the mean while +she would neither make an opportunity for him nor throw any obstacle in +his way. + +Her toilet was scarcely complete, and she had just dismissed her maid, +when a tap on her dressing-room door was followed by her father's +entrance. + +"Ah, papa! good-morning!" she said, her face growing bright with pleasure. +"Are you well, my dear father?" going to him and putting her arms about +his neck. + +"Perfectly, my darling," he said, caressing her. "How are you? how did you +sleep?" + +"I am able to answer, Very well indeed, to both questions, papa," she +returned brightly. + +"You didn't let worrying thoughts keep you awake?" + +"Oh, no, sir!" + +"And is your answer to Capt. Raymond still the same?" + +"Yes, papa," she said, with an involuntary sigh. + +"I don't believe you wish him success," he remarked, with a slight smile +and a keen, searching look into her face. + +"No," she said, the tears starting to her eyes; "I had thought to keep my +sweet child for years to come." + +"But you have no objection to him, more than you would have to any one +else?" + +"No, papa, I have learned to think very highly of him, and believe my +darling's happiness will be safe in his hands--if she loves him. Yet I +trust far more to your judgment than to my own. You approve of him, do you +not?" + +"Entirely; yet, like yourself, am so loath to part with Violet that I +shall heartily rejoice if she declares herself indifferent to him." + +"I long to end my suspense in regard to that," Elsie said, "but have +decided to endure it until the captain has spoken; because it seems better +and kinder not to embarrass her by any hint of the state of his feelings." + +Her father expressed approval of her resolve, then as her children came +trooping in for their loved morning half hour with "mamma," with their +bright faces and cheery greetings to her and grandpa, he left her and +went down to the parlor, where he found Capt. Raymond, and rejoiced his +heart with the favorable response to his request. + +There was something so peculiar in the mother's gaze into Violet's face as +they exchanged their morning greetings, it was so unwontedly keen and +searching, half sad and anxious too, that the young girl asked in +surprise, "What is it, mamma?" + +"My darling, you are very sweet, very precious to your mother's heart!" +Elsie said with an earnest, tender kiss; then turned quickly away to hide +the tell-tale moisture in her eyes. + +Capt. Raymond was not long in finding or making his opportunity. + +It was the day before Christmas, and Rosie and Walter made frequent +allusion to the exchange of gifts in which they expected to share that +evening. They were chatting with the captain about it, in the parlor, soon +after breakfast; talking of his children also; asking if he thought they +had received his presents by this time, and that they would have a tree. + +Violet was sitting near, helping Rosie to dress some dolls for the little +cousins at the Laurels. Presently, one being quite ready, Rosie must run +and show it to mamma, and Walter went with her. + +The door had scarcely closed on them, leaving Violet and the captain sole +occupants of the room, when he rose from his chair and, moving with some +care and difficulty, took another close at her side. + +"Are you not disobeying orders, sir, and in some danger of suffering for +it?" she asked, looking at him with a mischievous smile. + +"No; I have the doctor's permission to try the ankle a little to-day," he +answered. Then, with a slightly embarrassed air, "Miss Travilla," he said, +"I should like to--would you accept a Christmas gift from me?" + +"You are very kind, sir," she said, blushing vividly, "but I think I must +decline. Mamma highly disapproves of young girls accepting presents from +their gentlemen friends." + +"But I have consulted her and your grandfather in regard to this, and +obtained their permission to offer it and ask for a return in kind. Will +you accept my hand (the heart you have already won) and give me yours in +exchange? Ah, I fear that you must think my presumption very great! I know +I am asking what a king might covet. I know that you, in your peerless +beauty--so fair, so sweet, so good, so talented, so admired and sought +after--are worthy of a throne, and I have not even wealth to offer +you--nothing, in fact, but the love of a man whose honor is unstained, and +who would cherish you as the apple of his eye. Ah, dearest girl, I have +no words to express the strength and power of the passionate affection +with which you have inspired me!" + +All this and much more in the same strain was poured out so rapidly and +ardently that Violet seemed overwhelmed by the torrent of words that had +come rushing upon her so unexpectedly and without any warning. + +A deep blush overspread the fair face and neck, while her work fell from +her hand and her eyes sought the floor. + +When at length he paused for a reply, she started up, saying confusedly, +in low, tremulous tones, "I--I am far from meriting the praises you have +heaped upon me, and I am very young and foolish--not fit for--for so noble +and good a man--so worthy to be highly honored. And I--oh, how could I +leave my dear, widowed mother!" Then, as approaching footsteps were heard +in the hall without, she turned and fled from the room. + +"Ah, grandpa's little cricket, what is it? what has disturbed you so?" +asked a well-known voice, in tones that spoke more pleasure than alarm, +and Vi, as she hurried through the hall, half blinded by the tears in her +eyes, felt herself closely clasped by two strong arms that held her fast. + +"Oh, grandpa! I--I wish he hadn't!" she stammered, dropping her face upon +his breast and bursting into tears. + +"Who, my pet? who has dared to ill use you?" he asked, caressing her. + +Vi lifted her head and looked up at him in surprise, for certainly his +tone was rather amused than angry or stern. Then at a sudden remembrance +of the captain's assertion that he had sought and obtained her +grandfather's permission to offer her his hand, "Oh, grandpa, why did you +let him?" she said, again hiding her blushing face on his breast; "you +know I could never, never leave mamma! dear, dear mamma!" + +"I am glad to hear it!" he returned with satisfaction, repeating his +caresses, "for I don't know what either she or I could do without you. And +that was your answer to Capt. Raymond?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Very well, go and tell mamma about it--she will be as glad as I am to +hear that we are not to lose our darling little Vi--while I see what I can +say to comfort the captain." + +He released her as he spoke, and she flew to do his bidding. + +Rosie and Walter were still with their mother in her boudoir, but as +Violet came in with her flushed, agitated face, they were gently bidden to +run away for a little while. + +As the door closed on them, Violet dropped on her knees by her mother's +chair and laid her head in her lap, hiding her face. + +"My dear child! my dear, precious little daughter!" Elsie said, softly +smoothing the golden tresses. + +"Mamma, you know?" + +"Yes, dearest." + +"O mamma, I can't leave you! how could I?" + +"Dear child! it would be a sore trial to have to part with you; and I +cannot be sorry that you are not ready or willing to go. You are one of +the very great blessings and comforts of your mother's life!" + +"Dearest mother, thank you! They are very sweet words to hear from your +lips," Violet said, lifting her face to look up into her mother's with a +beautiful smile. + +"And so you have said your suitor nay?" Elsie asked, with playful look and +tone. + +"I hardly know what I said, mamma, except that I was too young and foolish +and couldn't leave you!" + +"You do not care for him at all?" + +"I--I don't know, mamma!" and the sweet, innocent face was suffused with +blushes; "I had never thought of his fancying me--hardly more than a +child--while he--mamma, is he not very noble and good and wise? and so +brave and unselfish!--you know how he risked his life to save a poor old +negress; and how much he has suffered in consequence, and how patiently he +has borne it all!" + +"And how handsome he is?" + +"Yes, mamma, one reads the nobility of his nature in his face, and his +bearing is soldierly." + +"Ah, my little girl! my heart misgives me that I hold you by a very frail +tenure!" Elsie sighed between a smile and a tear, as she bent her head to +look searchingly into the depths of the azure eyes. + +Violet's face crimsoned, and her head went down again into her mother's +lap. + +"Mamma, you need not fear," she said, very low and tremulously, "I have +rejected his offer, and I cannot leave you." + +"I am much mistaken if he is so easily repulsed," Elsie said. "He is a +brave soldier, and will renew the assault nor raise the siege of my +daughter's heart until he has brought it to a full if not unconditional +surrender." + +"Mamma, I wish I could run away." + +"Come, then, to the Laurels with me, and you need not return until bedtime +to-night, unless you choose." + +Vi's face brightened, then clouded again. "Thank you, mamma, I will go, +yet it will be putting off the evil day for but a very little while." + +"It will give you time to think and analyze your own feelings, so that you +will be the better prepared for the next assault," was the playful +rejoinder. "Go now, dear child, and make yourself ready. The carriage +will be at the door almost immediately--Arthur has consented to my taking +the children in a close carriage. They must return before sundown, but you +need not be in such haste." + +Mr. Dinsmore did not find Capt. Raymond looking so completely cast down as +he had expected. His face was slightly flushed, his expression somewhat +perplexed and disappointed, but by no means despairing. + +"I fear I have been too precipitate," he said, in answer to his host's +inquiring look. "'The more haste the less speed,' as the old proverb has +it. I fear I frightened the dear girl by too sudden and vehement an avowal +of my passion. Yet I trust it may not be too late to retrieve my error." + +"She rejected your suit?" Mr. Dinsmore said interrogatively. + +"Yes, she seemed to do so!" sighed the lover, "yet the objections she +urged are not insurmountable. She calls herself too young and foolish, but +I hope to convince her that that is a mistake. Young she is indeed, but +very far from foolish. She cannot leave her mother is another objection, +but that I should not ask her to do--as a landlubber might," he added +sportively, "would in all probability. As much of my life must be spent at +sea, it would not be worth while to set up a home of my own on land, if I +had a wife who preferred to live with her mother." + +"Well, sir, that is certainly much in your favor," said Mr. Dinsmore; "our +greatest, almost our only objection to your suit being the thought of +parting with the child of our love." + +When Violet came home that evening she did not rejoin the family in the +parlor, but went directly to her own apartments. + +"Where is mamma?" she inquired of her maid as she threw off her hat and +cloak. + +"In de parlor, Miss Wi'let." + +"Are the children in bed and asleep?" + +"Yes, miss." + +Violet opened a bureau drawer and took therefrom several small packages. +Undoing one, she brought to light the miniature of her father which she +had painted. She carried it to the lamp and stood for some minutes gazing +down upon the beloved face with fast-falling tears. + +"Oh, papa, papa!" she murmured, "how hard it is to live without you!" + +At length closing the case and restoring it to the box whence she had +taken it, she gathered up the other parcels and went first to her mother's +dressing-room, where she laid the little box on the toilet-table, then on +to the rooms occupied by her younger sister and brothers, leaving a gift +for each. + +Going back to her own rooms, she espied a letter directed to herself, +which she had not noticed before. She had seen Capt. Raymond's handwriting +frequently during the weeks he had been at Ion, and recognized it at a +glance. The rich color rushed over face and neck, and her heart beat fast. + +"Agnes," she said to her maid, "you may go now; I shall not need you any +more to-night," and the girl went out, leaving her alone. + +Even then she did not at once open her letter, but moved slowly back and +forth for some minutes, with it in her hand. Then kneeling down she asked +earnestly for heavenly guidance in this important crisis of her life. + +Looking into her own heart that day, she had learned that she was far from +indifferent to him who had asked her to exchange with him vows of mutual +love and trust, and to be the partner of his joys and sorrows. She was not +indifferent, but did she love him well enough to leave, for his sake, the +dear home of her childhood and the sweet mother to whom her heart had ever +clung with the most ardent affection? + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + "Nor less was she in heart affected, + But that she masked it with modesty, + For fear she should of lightness be detected." + --_Spenser's "Fairy Queen."_ + + +Violet had lingered at the Laurels, with her Aunt Rose, for some hours +after her mother returned to Ion with the children, and in the meanwhile +there had been a long talk between Mrs. Travilla and Capt. Raymond, in +which he had pleaded his cause with all the eloquence an ardent passion +could inspire. + +Elsie's answer was, "If you have won my daughter's heart, her hand shall +not be refused you. But she is yet too young for the grave +responsibilities of married life. Nor can I reconcile myself to the +thought of parting with her so soon; therefore I should greatly prefer to +have the matter dropped, at least for the present." + +The captain repeated what he had said to Mr. Dinsmore in regard to his +willingness to leave Violet with her mother if only he might have her for +his wife. + +"That would be very pleasant," Elsie said her eyes shining; "and so far +you have the decided advantage of a suitor who would carry her away from +us; but, Captain, you are a father, and the woman whom you marry should be +not only a wife to you, but also a mother to your children; but for that +care and responsibility my little Vi is, I fear, far too young. Indeed, my +mother heart can ill brook the thought of her being so burdened in the +very morning of her life." + +"Nor should I be willing to burden her, my dear Mrs. Travilla," he said +with feeling; "she should never bear the lightest burden that I could save +her from. But, my dear madam, would my children be any better off if I +should remain single? I think not, and I also think that should I marry +another while my heart is your daughter's, I should be doing very wrong. +But I cannot; if I fail to win her I shall remain as I am to the end of my +days." + +"I trust not," she said; "you may get over this and meet with some one +else with whom you can be very happy." + +He shook his head very decidedly. "I feel that that is impossible. But how +was it in your own case, Mrs. Travilla? Mrs. Dinsmore is, I understand, +but a few years older than yourself." + +"That is quite true, sir; and I know papa never let her take any +responsibility in regard to me, but taught, trained, and cared for me in +all respects himself; he was father and mother both to me," she said with +a lovely smile; "but you, my dear sir, are so situated that you could not +follow his example; you can neither stay at home with your children nor +take them to sea with you." + +"True, but they can stay where they are quite as well if I am married as +if I remain without a wife. I love them very dearly, Mrs. Travilla, and +earnestly desire to do my whole duty to them, but I do not think it a part +of that either to do without the dear little wife I covet, or to burden +her with cares unsuited to her tender years. Are you not willing to let me +settle this question of duty for myself?" + +"I certainly have not the shadow of a right or inclination to attempt to +settle any question of duty for you, sir," she answered with sweet +gentleness, "but I must, I think, try to help my dear child to consider +such questions for herself. And with her, after all, must the decision of +this matter remain." + +Both mother and lover waited with anxiety for that decision, and while +waiting the captain wrote his letter, the mother busied herself with her +accustomed cares and duties as daughter, mother, mistress, and hostess, +each heart lifting up silent petitions that the result might be for God's +glory and the best interests of all concerned. + +Elsie was not surprised that Violet did not join the family that evening +on her return from the Laurels. + +"She doubtless wants a talk with her mother first," was her silent comment +on learning that Vi had gone directly to that part of the house in which +the private apartments of the family were situated, and presently, as all +separated for the night, she sought her own dressing-room, expecting to +find Violet waiting for her there. + +But the room was unoccupied; one swift glance revealed that fact, and also +showed her the box Violet had left on her toilet-table, and beside it some +little token of love and remembrance from each of the other members of the +family. + +A label on each told who was the giver, and breathed of tender affection +to her for whom it was prepared. + +She looked them over with glistening eyes, a heart full of gratitude for +the loves still left her, though sore with the thought, recalled by every +anniversary, of him who was gone, and a sweet and beautiful smile playing +about her lips. + +Violet's gift was the last to be taken up and examined. So life-like was +the pictured face suddenly exposed to Elsie's view that it startled her +almost as if he had come in and stood by her side. The label told her it +was from Violet, but even without that she would have recognized it as her +work; and that it was so made it all the more precious to the widowed +mother. + +She was gazing intently upon it, her lips quivering, the big tears +dropping fast down her cheeks, as Violet, with Capt. Raymond's letter in +her hand, opened the door, came softly in, and glided noiselessly to her +side. + +"Dearest mamma," she murmured, stealing an arm about her mother's waist, +"does it please you?" + +"Nothing could be more like him! My darling, thank you a thousand times!" + +"I painted almost entirely from memory, mamma, and it was emphatically a +labor of love--love to you and to him. Oh, how sadly sweet it was to see +the dear face growing day by day under my hand!" + +"Has your grandpa seen it?" + +"Yes, mamma, he used to come in sometimes and watch me at my work. He +thinks as you do of the likeness. Ah, I hear his step!" and she hastened +to open the door for him. + +"I thought I should find you here," he said, kissing her on both cheeks, +then drawing her near the light and gazing with keen, loving scrutiny into +the blushing face. + +"Elsie daughter," turning to her--"Ah!" as he perceived her emotion and +took note of the miniature in her hand, "is it not a speaking likeness?" + +"Yes, papa," she said in a trembling voice, going to him to lay her head +on his breast while he clasped her in his arms, "but it has roused such an +intense longing in my heart! + + "'Oh, for the touch of a vanished hand, + And the sound of a voice that is still!" + +"Dearest child!" he said tenderly, "the separation is only for time, and a +long eternity of reunion will follow. 'Our light affliction, which is but +for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of +glory.'" + +"'But for a moment!'" she repeated. "Yes, it will seem like that when it +is past, though now the road looks so long and lonely." + +"Ah, dearest!" he said, softly smoothing her hair, "remember that nearer, +dearer Friend whose promise is, 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake +thee.'" + +Presently she lifted her head, wiped away her tears, and as her father +released her from his arms, turned to her daughter with a tenderly +interested and inquiring look. + +"What is it, my darling?" she asked, glancing at the letter in the young +girl's hand. + +Violet gave it to her, saying, with downcast eyes and blushing cheeks, "I +found it on my dressing-table, mamma. It is from him--Capt. Raymond--and I +have written a note in reply." + +"Shall I go away, Vi, and leave you and your mamma to your confidences?" +Mr. Dinsmore asked playfully, putting an arm about each and looking with +smiling eyes from one to the other. + +"No, grandpa, please stay; you know I have no secrets from you," Violet +answered, half hiding her face on his shoulder. + +"And are grandpa and I to read both epistles--yours and his?" asked her +mother. + +"If you please, mamma. But mine is not to be given unless you both +approve." + +The captain's was a straightforward, manly letter, renewing his offer with +a hearty avowal of strong and deathless love, and replying to her +objections as he had already in talking with her mother and grandfather. + +Violet's answer did not contain any denial of a return of his affection; +she simply thanked him for the honor done her, but said she did not feel +old enough or wise enough for the great responsibilities of married life. + +"Rather non-committal, isn't it, little cricket?" was her grandfather's +playful comment. "It strikes me that you neither accept nor reject him." + +"Why, grandpa," she said confusedly, "I thought it was a rejection." + +Mr. Dinsmore and his daughter had seated themselves near the table, on +which a lamp was burning, and Violet knelt on a hassock at her mother's +feet, half hiding her blushing face on her lap. + +"Ah, my little girl!" Elsie said, with playful tenderness, putting one +hand under Vi's chin, and lifting the fair face to look into it with keen, +loving scrutiny, "were I the captain, I should not despair; the citadel of +my Vi's heart is half won." + +The cheeks were dyed with hotter blushes at that, but no denial came from +the ruby lips. "Mamma, I do not want to marry yet for years," she said, +"and I think it will not be easy for any one to win me away from you." + +"But he says he will not take you away," remarked her grandpa. + +"Are you on his side, grandpa?" asked Violet. + +"Only if your heart is, my dear child." "And in that case I am on his side +too," said her mother, "because I desire my little girl's happiness even +more than her dear companionship as exclusively my own." + +"Except what belongs to her grandpa and guardian," said Mr. Dinsmore, +taking Vi's arm and gently drawing her to a seat upon his knee. + +Vi put her arms about his neck. "The dearest, kindest grandpa and guardian +that ever anybody had!" she said, giving him a kiss of ardent affection. +"Well, if you, sir, and mamma are both on the captain's side, I suppose it +won't do for me to reject him. But you say my note isn't a rejection, so +will you please give it to him? And if he isn't satisfied to take it for +no and let me alone on the subject, he may wait a year or two and see +if--if he still feels toward me as he does now, and perhaps--only +perhaps--if he hasn't changed his mind and asks again----" + +"You may say yes?" Mr. Dinsmore asked as she broke off in confusion. + +"Oh, grandpa, say what you think best! only don't make it too easy for +him," she said, with an arch smile, but blushing deeply. + +"I think," said Mr. Dinsmore, "I shall only give him your note without any +additions of my own, and leave him to carry on further negotiations, or +not, as he sees fit." + +Capt. Raymond did not take Vi's answer as a decided rejection, and within +twenty-four hours had won from her an acknowledgment that she was not +indifferent to him, and persuaded her to promise him her hand at some +far-off future day. All seemed well contented with the arrangement, and +the week that followed was a very delightful one to the lovers. + +In the mean time his Christmas gifts to his children had been received by +them with great joy. Especially did Max and Lulu rejoice over the +opportunity now afforded them to open their hearts to their father and +tell him all their grievances. + +He had written to both Mr. Fox and Mrs. Scrimp directing his gifts to be +delivered into the children's own hands without any examination, and never +to be taken from them. Also that they be allowed to spend their Christmas +together. + +So Max was permitted to go to Mrs. Scrimp's to spend the day with his +sisters, and was well pleased to do so when he learned that that lady +would not be at home, having accepted an invitation to take her Christmas +dinner elsewhere. + +Ann, who was left at home to look after the children, gave them an +excellent dinner, and Max, having found some money in his desk, came +provided with candies. + +They compared presents, and spent some time over the books their father +had sent, then Max and Lulu decided that it would be best to write now to +their father, thanking him for his gifts and telling him all they had so +long wanted him to know. + +Lulu compressed what she had to say into a few lines--her love, thanks, +longing to see papa, Gracie's feebleness, and her own belief that it was +all because she did not get enough to eat; an acknowledgment that she was +saucy to "Aunt Beulah," and sometimes helped herself to food, but excusing +it on the plea that otherwise she too would be half starved; and that poor +Max was often beaten and abused by Mr. Fox for just nothing at all. + +Max's letter was much longer, as he went more into detail, and was not +finished for several days. When it was he inclosed it and Lulu's, which +she had given into his charge, in one of the envelopes that he had found +in his desk ready stamped and directed, and mailed it to his father. + +These letters reached Ion on New Year's morning. The captain read them +with deep concern, first to himself, then to Mrs. Travilla and Violet, as +they happened to be alone together in the parlor. + +The hearts of both ladies were deeply touched, and their eyes filled with +tears as they listened to the story of the wrongs of the poor motherless +children. + +"Oh, captain, you will not leave them there where they are so ill used?" +Vi said almost imploringly; "it breaks my heart to think of their +sufferings!" + +"Don't let it distress you, my dear girl," he replied soothingly; "we +should perhaps make some allowance for unintentional exaggeration. There +are always two sides to a story, and we have but one here." + +"But told in a very straightforward way," Elsie said with warmth. "Both +letters seem to me to bear the stamp of truth. Depend upon, it, captain, +there is good ground for their complaints." + +"I fear so," he said, "and am quite as anxious, my dear Mrs. Travilla, as +you could wish to set my dear children free from such tyranny; but what +can I do? In obedience to orders, I must return to my vessel to-morrow and +sail at once for a distant foreign port. I cannot go to see about my +darlings, and I know of no better place to put them. I shall, however, +write to Mrs. Scrimp, directing her to have immediately the best medical +advice for Gracie, and to follow it, feeding her as the doctor directs. +Also always to give Lulu as much as she wants of good, plain, wholesome +food. I shall also write to Fox, giving very particular directions in +regard to the management of my son." + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + "Great minds, like heaven, are pleased in doing good." + --_Rowe_. + + +Capt. Raymond's departure left Violet more lonely than his coming had +found her, much as she was at that time missing her elder sister and +brother. + +They were to correspond, but as he would sail immediately for a foreign +port, the exchange of letters between them could not, of course, be very +frequent. + +Her mother, grandpa, and Grandma Rose all sympathized with her in the +grief of separation from the one who had become so dear, and exerted +themselves to cheer and comfort her. + +She and her mamma were bosom companions, and had many a confidential chat +about the captain and his poor children, the desire to rescue the latter +from their tormentors and make them very happy growing in the hearts of +both. + +As the captain had not enjoined secrecy upon them in regard to the letters +of Max and Lulu, and it was so much the habit of both to speak freely to +Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore--especially the former--of all that interested +themselves, it was not long before they too had heard, with deep +commiseration, the story of the unkind treatment to which Max, Lulu, and +Gracie were subjected. + +"We must find a way to be of service to them," Mr. Dinsmore said. "Perhaps +by instituting inquiries among our friends and acquaintances we may hear +of some kind and capable person able and willing to take charge of them, +and to whom their father would be willing to commit them." + +"I wish we could!" Elsie said with a sigh. "I think I can fully sympathize +with the poor things, for I have not forgotten how in my early childhood I +used to long and weep for the dear mamma who had gone to heaven, and my +dear papa away in Europe." + +"A very poor sort of father he was then, very culpably neglectful of his +little motherless child," Mr. Dinsmore said in a remorseful tone, and +regarding her with a tenderly affectionate look. + +"But afterward and to this day the very best of fathers," she responded, +smiling up at him. "Dear papa, what a debt of gratitude do I not owe to +you for all the love, care, and kindness shown by you to me and my +children!" + +"I feel fully repaid by the love and obedience I receive in return," he +said, seating himself on the sofa by Vi's side and softly stroking her +hair. + +"Children and grandchildren all rise up and call you blessed, dear papa," +Elsie said, laying down the embroidery with which she had been busy, and +coming to his other side to put her arm about his neck and gaze lovingly +into his eyes. + +A silent caress as he passed his arm around her waist and drew her closer +to him was his only response. + +"Grandpa and mamma," said Vi, "don't you think Capt. Raymond is to be +pitied? Just think! he has neither father nor mother, brother nor sister! +no near and dear one except his children; and from them he is separated +almost all the time." + +"Yes," said Mr. Dinsmore, "I do indeed! but am not sorry enough for him to +give you up to him yet. I would not allow your mamma to marry till she was +several years older than you are now." + +"No, sir," said Elsie, smiling, "I well remember that you utterly forbade +me to listen to any declarations of love from man or boy, or to think of +such things if I could possibly help it." + +"Well, you lost nothing by waiting." + +"Lost! oh, no, no papa!" she cried, dropping her head upon his shoulder, +while a scalding tear fell to the memory of the husband so highly +honored, so dearly loved. + +"My dear child! my poor dear child!" her father said very low and +tenderly, pressing her closer to his side; "the separation is only for the +little while of time, the reunion will be for the endless ages of +eternity." + +"A most sweet and comforting thought, dear father," she said, lifting her +head and smiling through her tears; "and with that glad prospect and so +many dear ones left me, I am a very happy woman still." + +At that moment there was an interruption that for a long time put to +flight all thought of effort on behalf of Capt. Raymond's children: +Herbert and Harold came hurrying in with the news that a summons to +Roselands had come for their grandpa, grandma, and mother. Mrs. Conly had +had another stroke, was senseless, speechless, and apparently dying; also +the shock of her seizure had prostrated her father, and Arthur considered +him dangerously ill. + +The summons was promptly obeyed, and Violet left in the temporary charge +of children, house, and servants at Ion. + +Mrs. Conly died that night, but the old gentleman lingered for several +weeks, during which time his son was a constant attendant at his bedside, +either Rose or Elsie almost always sharing the watch and labor of love. + +At length all was over: the spirit had returned to God who gave it, the +body had been laid to rest in the family vault. Mr. Dinsmore and his wife +and daughter went home to Ion, and life there fell back into its old quiet +grooves. + +They spoke tenderly of the old grandfather, and kept his memory green in +their loving hearts, but he had gone to his grave like a shock of corn +fully ripe, and they did not mourn over his death with the sadness they +might have felt had it been that of a younger member of the family. + +Toward spring Capt. Raymond's letters became urgent for a speedy marriage. +He expected to be ordered home in June and allowed a rest of some weeks or +months. Then he might be sent to some distant quarter of the globe, and +not see his native land again for a long while, perhaps years. Under such +circumstances, how could he wait for his little wife? Would not she and +her mother and grandfather consent to let him claim her in June? + +The tender hearts of Elsie and Violet could not stand out against his +appeals. Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore felt for him too, and at length consent was +given, and preparations for the marriage were set on foot. + +Then the talk about the captain's children was renewed, and Vi said, with +tears in her sweet azure eyes, "Mamma, I do feel like being a mother to +them--especially for his sake--it only I were old enough and wise enough +to command their respect and obedience. Ah, mamma, if only you could have +the training of them! Yet I could not bear to have you so burdened." + +"I have been thinking of it, Vi, dear," Elsie said; "that perhaps we could +give them a happy home here, and help them to grow up to good and noble +man and womanhood, if their father would like to delegate his authority to +your grandpa and you and me. I think we would not abuse it, but without it +'twould be quite useless to undertake the charge." + +"Dear mamma!" cried Vi, her eyes shining, "how good, how kind, and +unselfish you always are!" + +Mr. Dinsmore, entering the room at the moment, asked playfully, "What is +the particular evidence of that patent at this time, Vi?" + +She answered his question by repeating what her mother had just said. + +"I have a voice in that," he remarked, with, a grave shake of the head. "I +do not think, daughter, that I can allow you to be so burdened." + +She rose, went to him where he stood, and putting her arms about his neck, +her eyes gazing fondly into his, "Dear papa," she said, "you know I will +do nothing against your wishes, but I am sure you will not hinder me from +doing any work the Master sends me?" + +"No, dear child, you are more His than mine, and I dare not, would not +interfere if He has sent you work; but the question is, has He done so?" + +"If you please, papa, we will take a little time to consider that +question; shall we not?" + +"Yes," he said, "it need not be decided to-day. The right training and +educating of those children would certainly be a good work, and could it +be so managed that I could do all the hard and unpleasant part of it----" +he said musingly. + +"Oh no! no! my dear father," she hastily interposed, as he paused, leaving +his sentence unfinished, "the work should be mine if undertaken at all." + +"Perhaps," he said, "it might be tried for a short time as a mere +experiment, to be continued only if the children do not prove +ungovernable, or likely to be an injury to our own; for our first duty is +to them." + +"Yes indeed, papa!" responded his daughter earnestly. "And nothing can be +really decided upon until Capt. Raymond comes. He may have other plans for +his children." + +"Yes, it is quite possible he may think best to place Max and Lulu at +school somewhere." + +"But poor little sick Gracie!" said Violet, the tears springing to her +eyes. "Mamma, I do want to have her to love and pet, and I think if we had +her here with our good old mammy to nurse her, and Cousin Arthur to attend +her, she might grow to be strong and healthy." + +"Dear child! I am glad to hear you say that!" said Elsie, "for it is just +as I have been thinking and feeling. My heart yearns over the poor +motherless children, and that little feeble one very especially." + +Capt. Raymond was deeply touched when, shortly after his arrival at Ion to +claim his bride, he learned what was in her heart and her mother's toward +his children. + +After due deliberation it was settled that the experiment should be tried. +Arrangements were made for the whole family to spend the summer in two +adjoining cottages at a lovely seaside resort on the New England coast, +Mrs. Dinsmore to be mistress of one house, Violet of the other, while the +captain could be with her, which he had reason to expect would be for +several months. + +In the fall he would probably be ordered away; then Violet would return to +Ion with her mother and the rest of the family, taking his children with +her, if Mr. Dinsmore and Elsie should still feel willing to take them in +charge. He had a high opinion of Dr. Conly's skill as a physician, and +was extremely anxious to place Gracie under his care. Also he thought that +to no other persons in the world would he so joyfully commit his children +to be trained up and educated as to Mr. Dinsmore, his daughter and +granddaughter, and he was more than willing to delegate to them his own +authority during his absences from home. + +The marriage would take place at Ion, the bride and groom start northward +the same day on a wedding tour. On the return trip to the spot which was +to be their home for the summer, they would call for the captain's +children. + +In the mean time the others would complete their arrangements for the +season, journey northward also, and take possession of their seaside +cottage. + +It was a sore disappointment to the whole family at Ion, but especially to +Violet and her brother, that Elsie Leland could not be present at the +wedding. Lester's health was almost entirely restored, but he felt it +important to him as an artist to prolong his stay in Italy for at least +some months. + +Edward had remained with them through the winter, had left them in April, +intending to make an extensive European tour before returning to his +native land, but would surely hasten home for Vi's wedding if his mother's +summons reached him in season. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + "Here love his golden shafts employs, here lights + His constant lamp, and waves his purple wings." + --_Rowly_. + + +It was Saturday evening. Edward Travilla, travelling leisurely through +France, had stopped in a village not many miles from Paris, to spend the +Sabbath. + +Having taken his supper and afterward a stroll through the village, he +retired to his room to read and answer a budget of letters just received +from America. + +The first he opened was from his mother. It told of Violet's approaching +marriage and urged his immediate return that he might be present at the +ceremony. + +"We are all longing to see you," she wrote, "your mother more, I believe, +than any one else. If you have not had enough of Europe yet, my dear boy, +you can go back again soon, if you wish, perhaps taking some of us with +you. And Vi will be sorely disappointed if you are not present on the +occasion so important to her." + +"I must certainly go," he mused, laying down the letter. "I should not +like to miss it. Vi will be as lovely a bride as Elsie was. I have never +been able to decide which of the two is the more beautiful; but I wonder +that she is allowed to marry so young--just nineteen! I should have had +her wait a year or two at least." + +There was a step in the hall without, a rap on the door. + +"Come in," Edward said, and Ben appeared. + +"Marse Ed'ard, dey tells me dars a 'Merican gentleman bery sick in de room +cross de hall hyar; gwine ter die, I reckon." + +"Indeed!" Edward said with concern. "I should be glad to be of assistance +to him. Is he quite alone, Ben? I mean has he no friends with him?" + +"I b'lieves dar's a lady long wid him, Marse Ed'ard, but I mos'ly has to +guess 'bout de half ob what dese Frenchers say." + +"You don't know the name, Ben?" + +"No, sah, couldn't make it out de way dey dispronounces it. But I +understands, sah, dat dese folks--meanin' de sick gentleman and de +lady--and we's de only 'Mericans in de town." + +"Then here, Ben, take my card to the lady and ask if I can be of service +to them. Say that I am a countryman of theirs and shall be most happy to +do anything in my power." + +Ben came back the next moment with a face full of grave concern. "Marse +Ed'ard," he said, "it's Mistah Love and Miss Zoe." + +"Is it possible!" cried Edward, starting up. "And is he really so very +ill?" + +"Berry sick, Marse Ed'ard, looks like he's dyin' sho nuff." + +"Oh, dreadful! And no one with him but his daughter?" + +"Dat's all, sah. De young lady come to de do', and when I give her de +card, she look at it and den at me an' say, 'O Ben! I thought we hadn't a +friend in all dis country! and papa so very sick! Please tell Mr. Travilla +we'll be glad to see him.'" + +Edward went to them at once, bidding Ben remain near at hand lest he +should be needed to do some errand. + +The Loves had remained in Rome for a few weeks after Elsie's marriage, +during which Edward had met them frequently, his liking for the father and +admiration of the daughter's beauty and sprightliness increasing with +every interview. + +He had found Mr. Love a sensible, well-informed Christian gentleman. The +daughter was a mere child--only fifteen--extremely pretty and engaging, +but evidently too much petted and indulged, her father's spoiled darling. + +Edward knew that she was an only child and motherless, and was much +shocked and grieved to hear that she was likely to lose her only remaining +parent. + +Zoe herself opened the door in answer to his gentle rap. + +"O Mr. Travilla!" she said, giving him both hands in her joy at seeing a +friendly face in this hour of sore distress, but with tears streaming down +her cheeks, "I am so glad you have come! Papa is so sick, and I don't know +what to do, or where to turn." + +"My poor child! we must hope for the best," Edward said, pressing the +little hands compassionately in his. "You must call upon me for help and +let me do whatever I can for you and your poor father, just as if I were +his son and your brother." + +"Oh, thank you! you are very kind. Will you come now and speak to him?" +and she led the way to the bedside. + +"Travilla!" the sick man exclaimed, feebly holding out his hand. "Thank +God for sending you here!" + +Edward took the offered hand in his, saying with an effort to steady his +tones, "I am glad indeed to be here, sir, if you can make use of me, but +very sorry to see you so ill." + +The hand he held was cold and clammy, and death had plainly set his seal +upon the pale face on the pillow. + +"Shall I send Ben for a physician?" Edward asked. + +"Thank you. I have had one; he will be here again presently, but can do +little for me," the sick man answered, speaking slowly and with frequent +pauses. "Zoe, my darling, go into the next room for a moment, dear. I +would be alone with Mr. Travilla for a little while." + +The weeping girl obeyed at once, her father following her with eyes that +were full of anguish. + +"'Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive,'" repeated +Edward in low tones, tremulous with deep sympathy. + +How this scene brought back that other, but a year and a half ago, when +his own father lay wrestling with the king of terrors! + +"Yes, yes, precious promise! for she will soon be that, my poor darling!" +groaned the sufferer. "That I must leave her alone in the world, without +one near relative, alone in a strange land, penniless too, oh this is the +bitterness of death!" + +"I will be a friend to her, sir," Edward said with emotion, "and so I am +sure will my mother and grandfather when they learn her sad story. Tell me +your wishes in regard to her, and I will do my best to see them carried +out." + +As briefly as possible, for his strength was waning, Mr. Love made Edward +acquainted with the state of his affairs. He had retired from business the +previous year with a comfortable competence, and being somewhat out of +health, had undertaken a European tour with the hope of benefit, if not +entire recovery. + +The improvement had been very decided for a time, but within the last few +days distressing news had reached him from America; news of the failure, +through the extensive peculation of one of its officers, of a bank in +which the bulk of his savings had been invested. + +He had other property, but as the law made each stockholder liable for +double the amount of his stock, that too was swallowed up and he thus +utterly ruined. + +The terrible shock of the disaster had so increased his malady that it had +become mortal; he was too utterly prostrated to rally from it, and knew +that his hours on earth were numbered. + +He had a little ready money with him, enough he thought to pay his funeral +expenses and Zoe's passage back to her native land, but such a mere child +as she was, always used to depending upon him to see to all their affairs, +she would not know how to manage, and would probably be robbed of the +little she had. And even if she should arrive safely in her own country, +what was to become of her then? Without means, no one upon whom she had +any claim for assistance, and too young and ignorant to do anything to +earn her own living. + +Edward was deeply moved by the sad recital. "My dear Mr. Love," he said, +"make yourself quite easy about Miss Zoe. I will attend to all these +matters about which you have spoken. I am about to return home myself, and +will be her companion and protector on the voyage. Nor shall she want for +friends or any needed assistance after we arrive." + +"God bless you! you have lifted a heavy load from my heart!" faltered the +dying father, with a look of deep gratitude. "You are young, sir, but I +can trust you fully. There are few older men whom I would as willingly +trust." + +"And you can die in peace, trusting in the Saviour of sinners?" + +"Yes; He is all my hope, all my trust." + +"I have been told there is a Protestant minister in the village. Shall I +send Ben for him?" + +"Yes, thank you; I should be glad to see him, though I feel that he or any +man could be of little assistance to me now, if the work of repentance and +faith had been left for this hour." + +Edward went to the door, called Ben and sent him on the errand, then +coming back to the bedside, "Mr. Love," he said, flushing and speaking +with some little hesitation, "will you give your daughter to me if she is +willing?" + +"Give her to you?" the sick man asked as if not fully comprehending. + +"Yes, sir; give her to me to wife, and I will cherish her to life's end." + +There was a flash of joy in the dying eyes, quickly succeeded by one of +hesitation and doubt. "Is it love or compassion only that moves you to +this most generous offer?" he asked. + +"It is both," Edward said. "I have admired and felt strongly attracted to +her from the first day of our acquaintance, though I did not recognize it +as love until now. We are both so young that I should not have spoken yet +but for the peculiar circumstances in which we are placed; but I truly, +dearly love the sweet girl and earnestly desire to be given the right to +protect, provide for and cherish her as my dearest earthly treasure so +long as we both shall live." + +"But your friends, your relatives?" + +"I think my mother would not object, if she knew all. But I am of age, so +have an undoubted right to act for myself even in so vitally important a +matter." + +"Then if my darling loves you, let me see you united before I die." + +At this moment the door of the adjoining room opened and Zoe's voice was +heard in imploring, tearful accents: "Mayn't I come back now? O papa, I +cannot stay away from you any longer!" + +Edward hastened to her, and taking both her hands in his, "Dear Miss Zoe," +he said, "I love you, I feel for you, I want to make you my very own, if +you can love me in return, that I may have the right to take care of you. +Will you be my dear little wife? will you marry me now, to-night, that +your father may be present and feel that he will not leave you alone and +unprotected?" + +She looked up at him in utter surprise, then seeing the love and pity in +his face, burst into a passion of grief. + +"Leave me! papa going to leave me!" she cried. "Oh, no, no! I cannot bear +it! He must, he will be better soon! O Mr. Travilla, say that he will!" + +"No, my darling!" replied a quivering voice from the bed, "I shall not +live to see the morning light, and if you love Mr. Travilla tell him so +and let me see you married before I die." + +"Can you, do you love me, dear little Zoe?" Edward asked in tenderest +tones, passing his arm about her waist. + +"Yes," she said half under her breath, with a quick glance up into his +face, then hid her own on his breast, sobbing, "Oh, take care of me! for +I'll be all alone in the wide world when dear papa is gone." + +"I will," he said, pressing her closer, softly pushing back the fair hair +from the white temple and touching his lips to it again and again. "God +helping me, I will be to you a tender, true, and loving husband." + +"Come here, Zoe, darling," her father said, "our time grows short;" and +Edward led her to the bedside. + +"O papa, papa!" she sobbed, falling on her knees and laying her wet cheek +to his. + +Edward, with heart and eyes full to overflowing, moved softly away to the +farther side of the room, that in this last sad interview the constraint +of even his presence might not be felt. + +Low sobs and murmured words of tenderness and fatherly counsel reached his +ear, and his heart went up in silent prayer for both the dying one and her +just about to be so sorely bereaved. + +Presently footsteps approached the door opening into the passage, a gentle +tap followed, and he admitted the minister who had been sent for, +beckoning Ben to come in also. + +A few whispered words passed between Edward and the minister, then both +drew near the bed. + +A brief talk with the dying man, in which he professed himself ready and +willing to depart, trusting in the atoning blood and imputed righteousness +of Christ, a short fervent prayer for him and his child, then Edward, +leaning over the still kneeling, weeping Zoe, whispered, "Now, dearest!" + +The tear-dimmed eyes looked up inquiringly. + +"We are going to belong to each other, are we not?" he said very low and +tenderly. "The minister is ready now to speak the words that will make us +one for the rest of our lives." + +Without speaking she rose, wiping away her tears, put her hand within his +arm, and the ceremony began. + +When it was over Edward took her in his arms, saying softly as he pressed +his lips again and again to her forehead, her cheek, her lips, "My wife, +my own dear little wife!" + +"My child! my darling!" murmured the father, feebly reaching for her hand. + +Edward took it and put it into his. + +The dying fingers closed feebly over it. "Lord, I thank thee for this +great mercy! 'Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace.'" + +The words came low and faintly from the lips already growing cold in +death, a gasp for breath followed, and all was still, no sound in the +room but Zoe's wild weeping, while with silent caresses Edward held her to +his heart. + +They laid him to rest in the nearest Protestant cemetery, for such had +been his request. + +In answer to a question from her young husband, Zoe said, "No, no. I shall +not wear mourning! I detest it, and so did papa. He made me promise I +would not wear it for him. I shall dress in white whenever it is suitable. +That is if you like it," she added quickly. "Oh, I shall try to please you +always, dear Edward, for you are all I have in the world, and so, so dear +and good to me!" and her head went down upon his breast. + +"My darling little wife!" he said, holding her close, "you are so dear and +lovely in my eyes that I find you beautiful in everything you wear. Yet I +am glad you do not care to assume that gloomy dress." + +There was no time to be lost if they would catch the next steamer for +America, which Edward felt it important to do; so within an hour after the +funeral they were en route for Paris, and that night found them on board, +beginning their homeward voyage. + +Zoe in her deep grief shrank from contact with strangers and clung to her +young husband. So they kept themselves much apart from their +fellow-passengers. Edward devoting himself to Zoe, soothing her with fond +endearing words and tender caresses, and every day their hearts were more +closely knit together. + +But she seemed half afraid to meet his kindred. + +"What if they dislike and despise me!" she said. "O Edward, if they do, +will you turn against me?" + +"Never, my love, my darling! Have I not promised to love and cherish you +to life's end? But if you knew my sweet mother, you would have no fear of +her. She is a tender mother, and her kind heart is large enough to take +you in among the rest of her children. You saw my sister Elsie in +Rome--would you fear her?" + +"Oh, no; she was so lovely and sweet!" + +"But not more so than our mother; they are wonderfully alike, only mamma +is, of course, some years the older. Yet I have often heard it remarked +that she looks very little older than her eldest daughter." + +He talked a great deal to her of the different members of the Ion family, +trying to make her acquainted with them all and their manner of life, +which he described minutely. + +The picture he drew of mutual love and helpfulness between parents and +children, brothers and sisters, was a charming one to Zoe, who had had a +lonely, motherless childhood. + +"Ah, what a happy life is before me, Edward!" she said, "if only they will +let me be one of them! But whether they will or no, I shall have you to +love me! You will always be my husband and I your own little wife!" + +"Yes, darling, yes, indeed!" he answered, pressing the slight, girlish +figure closer to his side. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + "Benedict the married man." + --_Shakspeare_. + + +Violet's wedding-day was drawing near and Edward had not been heard from, +still they hoped he was on his way home and would yet arrive in season. +Each day they looked for a telegram saying what train would bring him to +their city, but none came. + +Edward had not written because a letter would travel no faster than +themselves, and did not telegraph because so little could be said in that +way. All things considered, it seemed as well to take his mother and the +rest entirely by surprise. + +He had no fear that his little wife would meet with other than a kind +reception, astounded as doubtless they would be to learn that he had one. +But he would have the surprise come upon them all at home, where no +stranger eye would witness the meeting; therefore sent no warning of his +coming lest some one of them should meet him at the depôt. + +Yet the first object that met his eye on turning about from assisting Zoe +to alight from the train, was the Ion family carriage, with Solon standing +at the horses' heads. + +"Ki! Marse Ed'ard, you's here sho nuff!" cried the man, grinning with +satisfaction. + +"Yes, Solon," Edward said, shaking hands with him. "Who came in with you?" + +"Nobody, sah. You wasn't spected particular, kase you didn't send no word. +But Miss Elsie tole me fotch de kerridge anyhow, an' mebbe you mout be +here." + +"So I am, Solon, and my wife with me," presenting Zoe, who timidly held +out her little gloved hand. + +Solon took it respectfully, gazing at her in wide-eyed and open-mouthed +wonder. "Ki! Marse Ed'ard, you don' say you's ben an' gwine an' got +married! Why dere's weddin's an' weddin's in de family!" + +"So it seems, Solon," laughed Edward, putting Zoe into the carriage and +taking his place beside her, "but as I am older than Miss Vi, my turn +should come before hers. All well at Ion?" + +"Yes, sah, an' mighty busy wid de necessary preparations for Miss Wilet's +weddin'." + +"What an elegant, comfortable, easy-rolling carriage!" remarked Zoe, +leaning back against the cushions, "it's a pleasant change from the cars." + + +"I am glad you find it so, dear," Edward responded, gazing upon her with +fond, admiring eyes. + +"Yes, but--O Edward, how will I be received?" she cried, creeping closer +to him and leaning her head on his shoulder. "I can hardly help wishing I +could just be alone with you always." + +"Don't be afraid, dearest," he said, putting his arm round her and kissing +her tenderly again and again. "When you know them all you will be very far +from wishing that." + +The whole family were gathered upon the veranda when the carriage drove +up. As it stopped, the door was thrown open, and Edward sprang out. There +was a general exclamation, of surprise and delight, a simultaneous +springing forward to give him an affectionate, joyous greeting; then a +wondering murmur and exchange of inquiring glances, as he turned to hand +out a slight girlish figure, and drawing her hand within his arm, came up +the veranda steps. + +Elsie stood nearest of all the waiting group, heart and eyes full of +joyous emotion at sight of the handsome face and manly form so like his +father's. + +"Darling mother!" he exclaimed, throwing his free arm about her and giving +her an ardent kiss. Then drawing forward the blushing, trembling Zoe. "My +little wife, mother dear you will love her now for my sake, and soon for +her own. She is all ours--alone in the world but for us." + +Before the last words had left his lips Zoe felt herself folded in a +tender embrace, while the sweetest of voices said, "Dear child! you are +alone no longer. I will be a true mother to you--my Edward's wife--and you +shall be one of my dear daughters." + +A gentle, loving kiss accompanied the words, and all Zoe's fears were put +to flight; glad tears rained down her cheeks as she clung about the neck +of her new-found mother. + +"Oh, I love you already," she sobbed. + +Mrs. Dinsmore next embraced the little bride with a kind, "Welcome to Ion, +my dear." + +Then Mr. Dinsmore took her in his arms, saying, with a kiss and a look of +keen but kindly scrutiny into the blushing face, "Edward has given us a +surprise, but a very pretty and pleasant-looking one. I am your grandpa, +my dear." + +"Oh, I am glad! I never had a grandpa before. But you hardly look old +enough, sir," she said, smiling, while the blush deepened on her cheek. + +The others crowded round; each had a kiss and kind word of welcome for her +as well as for Edward. + +Then the news of the arrival having spread through the house, the servants +came flocking about them, eager to see and shake hands with "Marse Ed'ard" +and his bride. + +Zoe went through it all with easy grace, but Elsie noted that her cheek +was paling and her figure drooping with weariness. + +"She is tired, Edward; we will take her to your apartments, where she can +lie down and rest," she said. "All this excitement is very trying after +her long and fatiguing journey. You both should have some refreshment too. +What shall it be?" + +"Thank you, mamma; I will consult her when I get her up there, then ring +and order it," Edward said, putting his arm round Zoe's waist and half +carrying her up the stairs, his mother leading the way. + +"There, Zoe, what think you of your husband's bachelor quarters?" he asked +gayly, as he deposited her in an easy-chair, took off her hat, and stood +looking fondly down at her, Elsie on the other side, looking at her too +with affectionate interest. + +"Oh, lovely!" cried Zoe, glancing about upon her luxurious surroundings. +"I am sure I shall be very happy here with you, Edward," with a fond look +up into his face; then turning toward Elsie, she added timidly, "and this +sweet mother." + +"That is right, dear child," Elsie said, bending down to kiss her again, +"call me mother or mamma, as Edward does, and never doubt your welcome to +my heart and home. Now I shall leave you to rest, and Edward must see that +all your wants are supplied." + +"O Edward, how sweet, how dear, and how beautiful she is!" cried Zoe, as +the door closed on her mother-in-law. + +"Just as I told you, love," he said, caressing her. "She takes you to her +heart and home without even waiting to inquire how I came to marry in +haste without her knowledge or approval." + +"Or asking who I am or where I came from. But you will tell her everything +as soon as you can?" + +"Yes; I shall wait only long enough to see you eat something and lying +down for a nap, so that you will not miss me while I have my talk with +her." + +Zoe, in this her first appearance among them, had produced a favorable +impression upon all her new relatives; but the uppermost feeling with +each, from the grandfather down, was one of profound astonishment that +Edward had taken so serious a step without consulting those to whom he had +hitherto yielded a respectful and loving obedience. + +Elsie could not fail to be pained to find her dearly loved father and +herself so treated by one of her cherished darlings, yet tried to put the +feeling aside and suspend her judgment until Edward had been given an +opportunity to explain. + +The younger children gathered about her, with eager questioning as she +rejoined them in the veranda. + +"I can tell you nothing yet, dears," she answered in her accustomed sweet +and gentle tones, "but no doubt we shall know all about it soon. I think +she is a dear little girl whom we shall all find it easy to love. We will +do all we can to make her happy and at home among us, shall we not?" + +"Yes, mamma, yes indeed!" they all said. + +Mr. Dinsmore rose, and motioning to his wife and daughter to follow him +went to the library. + +Elsie read grave displeasure in his countenance before he opened his lips. + +"Dear papa, do not be angry with my boy," she said pleadingly, going to +him where he stood, and putting her arms about his neck. "Shall we not +wait until we have heard his story?" + +"I shall try to suspend my judgment for your sake, daughter," Mr. Dinsmore +answered, stroking her hair caressingly, "but I cannot help feeling that +Edward seems to have strangely failed in the loving respect and obedience +he should have shown to such a mother as his. He has taken very prompt +advantage of his arrival at his majority." + +"Yet perhaps with good reason, papa," she returned, still beseechingly, +her eyes filling with tears. + +"We will not condemn him unheard," he answered, his tones softening, "and +if he has made a mistake by reason of failing to seek the advice and +approval of those who so truly desire his happiness, it is he himself who +must be the greatest sufferer thereby." + +"Yes," she returned with a sigh, "even a mother's love is powerless to +save her children from the consequences of their own follies and sins." + +Edward, scarcely less desirous to make his explanation than his mother was +to hear it, hastened in search of her the moment he had seen Zoe +comfortably established upon a sofa in his dressing-room. + +He found her in the library with his grandfather evidently awaiting his +coming. They were seated together upon a sofa. + +"Dearest mother," Edward said, dropping upon his knees by her side and +clasping her in his arms, "how can I ever thank you enough for your +kindness this day to me and my darling! I fear I must seem to you and +grandpa an ungrateful wretch; but when you know all, you will not, I +trust, blame me quite so severely." + +"We are not blaming you, my dear boy, we are waiting to hear first what +you have to say for yourself," Elsie answered, laying her hand fondly upon +his head. "Sit here by my side while you tell it," she added, making room +for him on the sofa. + +He made his story brief, yet kept nothing back. + +His hearers were deeply moved as he repeated what Mr. Love had told him of +the lonely and forlorn condition in which he must leave his petted only +child, and went on to describe the hasty marriage and the death scene, so +immediately following. Their kind hearts yearned over the little orphaned +bride, and they exonerated Edward from all blame for the part he acted in +the short, sad drama. + +"Cherish her tenderly, my dear boy," his mother said, with tears in her +soft eyes, "you are all, everything to her, and must never let her want +for love or tenderest care." + +"Mother," he answered in moved tones, "I shall try to be to my little wife +just the husband my father was to you." + +"That is all any one could ask, my son," she returned, the tears coursing +down her cheeks. + +"Do not expect too much of her, Edward," Mr. Dinsmore said. "She is a +mere child, a petted and spoiled one, I presume, from what you have told +us, and if she should prove wayward and at times unreasonable, be very +patient and forbearing with her." + +"I trust I shall, grandpa," he answered. "I cannot expect her to be quite +the woman she would have made under my mother's training; but she is young +enough to profit by mamma's sweet teachings and example even yet. I find +her very docile and teachable, very affectionate, and desirous to be and +do all I would have her." + +Zoe came down for the evening simply but tastefully attired in white, +looking very sweet and fair. She was evidently disposed to be on friendly +terms with her new relatives, yet clung with a pretty sort of shyness to +her young husband, who perceived it with delight, regarding her ever and +anon with fond, admiring eyes. + +It excited no jealousy in mother or sisters. Such an emotion was quite +foreign to Elsie's nature and found small place in the heart of any one of +her children. + +Violet, spite of the near approach of her own nuptials, was sufficiently +at leisure from herself to give time and thought to this new sister, +making her feel that she was so esteemed, and winning for herself a large +place in Zoe's heart. + +Indeed all exerted themselves to make Zoe fully aware that they considered +her quite one of the family. That very evening she was taken with Edward +to Vi's room to look at the trousseau, told of all the arrangements for +the wedding and the summer sojourn at the North, and made the recipient of +many handsome presents from Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore, Elsie, and Violet. + +But for her recent sad bereavement she would have been a very happy little +woman indeed. As it was she was bright and cheerful when with the family, +but had occasional paroxysms of grief when alone with Edward, in which she +wept bitterly upon his breast, he soothing her with tenderest caresses and +words of endearment. + +Violet's wedding was strictly private, only near relatives being present; +but in accordance with the wishes of the whole family, she was richly +attired in white silk, orange blossoms, and costly bridal veil. + +Zoe, leaning on Edward's arm, watched her through the ceremony with +admiring eyes, more than half regretting that the haste of her own +marriage had precluded the possibility of so rich and becoming a bridal +dress for herself--a thought which she afterward expressed to Edward in +the privacy of their own apartments. "Never mind, my sweet," he said, +holding her close to his heart "I couldn't love you any better if you had +given yourself to me in the grandest of wedding-dresses." + +"How nice in you to say that!" she exclaimed, laying her head on his +breast and gazing fondly up into his face. "Didn't Captain Raymond look +handsome in his uniform?" + +"Yes, indeed; don't you think I have as much reason to envy his appearance +as a groom as you Vi's as a bride?" + +"No, indeed!" she cried indignantly, "he's not half so nice as you are! I +wouldn't exchange with her for all the world!" + +"Thank you; that's a very high compliment, I think; for I greatly admire +my new brother-in-law," Edward said, with a gleeful laugh, and repeating +his caresses. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + "My cake is dough." + --_Shakespeare_. + + +It was a warm afternoon late in June. + +"There! I'm done with lessons for a while anyway, and glad of it too!" +exclaimed Lulu Raymond, coming into Mrs. Scrimp's sitting-room and +depositing her satchel of school-books upon the table. + +"So am I, Lu, for now you'll have time to make that new dress for my +dollie, won't you?" Gracie said languidly, from the sofa where she lay. + +"Yes, little pet, and ever so many other things. But oh dear! holidays +aren't much after all when you can't go anywhere or have any fun. I do +wonder when we'll see papa again." + +"Pretty soon, Lu," cried a boyish voice in tones of delight, and turning +quickly she found Max at the window, wearing a brighter face than he had +shown her for many a day, and holding up a bulky letter. + +"O Max!" she cried, "is it from papa?" + +"Yes; and I'm coming in to read it to you if you and Gracie are alone." + +"Yes, we are; Aunt Beulah's gone out calling and Ann's busy in the +kitchen." + +"Then here I am!" he said, vaulting lightly in through the window. + +Lulu laughed admiringly. "I'd like to try that myself," she said. + +"Oh, don't, Lu!" said Gracie, "Aunt Beulah would scold you like anything." + +"Let her scold! who cares!" returned Lulu with a scornful toss of the +head, while Max, who had gone to the side of Gracie's sofa, stooped over +her, and softly patting the thin pale cheek, asked how she felt to-day. + +"'Bout the same as usual, Maxie," she said, with a languid smile. + +"O Max, hurry and tell us what papa says in the letter!" cried Lulu +impatiently. "Is it good news?" + +"First-rate, girls! couldn't be better! He's coming here next week and +going to take us all away with him!" + +"Oh! oh! oh! how delightful!" cried Lulu, clapping her hands and dancing +about the room, while Grace clasped her hands in ecstasy, saying, "Oh, I +am so glad!" + +"Come, Lu, sit down here beside us and be quiet," said Max, seating +himself beside Grace on the sofa, and motioning toward a low rocking-chair +near at hand. "I'm going to read the letter aloud, and then I have +something to show you." + +Lulu took possession of the rocking-chair, folded her hands in her lap, +and Max began. + +The letter was written from Saratoga, where the captain and his bride had +paused for a few days on their wedding tour, and was addressed to all +three of his children. + +He told them of his marriage, described Violet, her mother, and the life +at Ion in glowing terms, spoke very highly of Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore and +the younger members of the family, then told of their kind offer to share +their happy home with his children if they should prove themselves good +and obedient. + +But here Lulu interrupted the reading with a passionate outburst. "A +step-mother! I won't have her! Papa had no business to go and give her to +us!" + +"Why, Lu!" exclaimed Max, "of course he had a right to get married if he +wanted to! And I'm very glad he did, for I'm sure they must be much nicer +folks to live with than Mr. Fox and Mrs. Scrimp." + +"Just like a silly boy to talk so!" returned Lulu, with a mixture of anger +and scorn in her tones. "Step-mothers are always hateful and cross and +abuse the children and won't let their father love them any more, +and----" + +"Now who's been telling you such lies, sis?" interrupted Max. "There are +bad ones and good ones among them, the same as among other classes of +people. And papa says his new wife is sweet and kind and good to +everybody. And if she loves him won't she want to be good to his children? +I should think so, I'm sure. Now let me read the rest of his letter." + +In that the captain went on to tell of the cottages by the sea engaged for +the summer, and that thither he and Violet purposed to go the next week, +taking his children with them. He wound up with some words of fatherly +affection and hope that brighter days than they had known for a long time +were now in store for them. + +There was a postscript from Violet: "I am longing to see the dear children +of my husband, especially poor, little sick Gracie. I am sure we shall +love each other very much for his dear sake." + +"There now, Lu, you see she means to be kind to us," was Max's satisfied +comment, as he refolded the missive and put it back into the envelope. + +Lulu was one who never liked to retreat from a position she had once +taken. "Oh, it's easy to talk," she said, "acting's another thing. I'm not +going to be caught with chaff." + +"See here!" said Max, showing a photograph. + +"Oh, what a pretty lady!" cried Gracie, holding out an eager hand for it. + +Max gave it to her, and Lulu sprang up and bent over her to get a good +view of it also. + +"Who is it?" she asked. + +"Isn't she pretty? isn't she perfectly beautiful, and sweet-looking as she +can be?" said Max, ignoring the question. + +"Yes, she's just lovely; but why don't you say who she is, if you know?" + +"She's papa's new wife, the new mamma you are determined to believe is +going to be so hateful." + +"I'm sure she won't. She does look so sweet, I just love her already!" +Gracie said. + +Lulu, too proud to retract, yet strongly drawn toward the possessor of so +sweet and lovely a countenance as was pictured there, kept silence, gazing +intently upon the photograph which Gracie still held. + +"Whose is it, Max?" asked the latter. + +"Mine I suppose, though papa doesn't say; but we'll find out when he +comes." + +"Oh, I'm so glad, so glad he's coming soon! Aren't you, Maxie?" + +"I never was gladder in my life!" cried Max. "And just think how nice to +go and live by the sea all summer! There'll be lots of fun boating and +bathing and fishing!" + +"Oh, yes!" chimed in Lulu, "and papa is always so kind about taking us to +places and giving us a good time." + +"But I can't have any!" sighed Gracie from her couch. + +"Yes, papa will manage it somehow," said Max; "and the sea air and plenty +to eat will soon make you ever so much stronger." + +They chatted on for some time, growing more and more delighted with the +prospect before them; then Max said he must go. + +He wanted to take the photograph with him, but generously yielded to +Gracie's entreaties that it might be left with her till he came again. + +She and Lulu were still gazing upon it and talking together of the +original--Max having gone--when Mrs. Scrimp came in, looking greatly vexed +and perturbed. + +She too had received a letter from Capt. Raymond that day, telling of his +marriage and his intentions in regard to his children; directing also that +they and their luggage should be in waiting at a hotel near the depôt of +the town at the hour of a certain day of the coming week when he and his +bride expected to arrive by a train from the West. + +There would be a two hours' detention there while they waited for the +train that was to carry them to their final destination, which would allow +time for an interview between the captain and herself. + +The news was entirely unexpected and very unwelcome to Mrs. Scrimp. She +would have much preferred to keep the little girls, for the sake of the +gain they were to her and a real affection for Gracie; also because of +having neglected to follow out the captain's directions in regard to +them--Gracie in particular--she felt no small perturbation at the prospect +of meeting and being questioned by him. + +As was not unusual she vented her displeasure upon Lulu, scolding because +her school-books and hat had not been put in their proper places, her hair +and dress made neat. + +"I'll put them away presently, Aunt Beulah. You'll not be bothered with me +much longer," remarked the delinquent nonchalantly, her eyes still upon +the photograph Gracie was holding. + +"What's that?" asked Mrs. Scrimp, catching sight of it for the first time. + +"Our new mamma," the children answered in a breath, Gracie's tones full of +gentle joyousness, Lulu's of a sort of defiant exultation, especially as +she added, "Papa's coming next week to take us away to live at home with +him." + +"On shipboard?" + +"No, in a cottage by the sea." + +"Humph! he'll soon sail away again and leave you with your step-mother, +just as I told you." + +"Well, I don't care, she looks enough kinder and sweeter than you do." + +"Indeed! I pity her, poor young thing!" sighed Mrs. Scrimp, scanning the +photograph with keen curiosity. "She's very young--a mere child I should +say--and to think of the trouble she'll have with you and Max!" + +"We're not going to be a trouble to her," said Lulu, "we're never a +trouble to people that treat us decently." + +"I think your father might have given me an earlier warning of these +changes," grumbled Mrs. Scrimp. "I'll have to work myself sick to get you +two ready in time." + +"Oh, no, Aunt Beulah, you needn't," said little Gracie, "the new mamma can +get somebody to make our clothes for us. Papa will pay for it." + +"Of course he will," said Lulu. "You needn't do anything but have those we +have now all washed and ironed and packed up ready to go." + +"That's all you know about it!" returned Mrs. Scrimp sharply. "You haven't +either of you a suitable dress for travelling in, especially in company +with your father's rich wife. I'll have to go right out now to the stores +and buy material, get a dress-maker to come in to-morrow bright and early, +and help her myself all I can. There'll be no rest for me now till you're +off." + +There was no rest for anybody else in the interim except Gracie. As Ann +remarked rather indignantly to Lulu, adding, "She's as cross as two +sticks." + +"What makes her so cross?" asked Lulu. "I should think she'd be so glad +she's going to be rid of me that she'd feel uncommonly good-natured." + +"Not she!" laughed Ann, "she counted on the money your father pays for +years to come; but he's gone and got married and her cake is dough sure +enough." + +"I'm glad he did," returned Lulu emphatically. "I've made up my mind that +such a sweet-looking lady as our new mamma must be a great deal nicer and +kinder than Aunt Beulah, if she is a step-mother." + +"She _is_ sweet-lookin', that's a fact," said Ann. "I only wish I was +goin' to make the change as well as you." + +The eventful day came at last to the children; all too soon to Mr. Fox and +Mrs. Scrimp, neither of whom relished the task of giving account of past +stewardship; for conscience accused both of unfaithfulness to the +captain's trust. + +The three children were gathered in the hotel parlor, impatiently awaiting +the arrival of the train. Mrs. Scrimp sat a little apart, fidgety and ill +at ease, though ensconced in a most comfortable, cushioned arm-chair; and +Mr. Fox paced the veranda outside, wondering if Max had dared or would +dare to inform his father of the cruel treatment received at his hands, +and if so, whether the captain would credit the story. + +Violet and the captain had thus far had a delightful honeymoon, finding +their mutual love deepening every hour, yet were not so engrossed with +each other as to quite forget his children; they had talked of them +frequently, and were now looking forward to the coming interview with +scarcely less eagerness than the young people themselves. + +"We are almost there; it's the next station," said the captain with +satisfaction, beginning to collect satchels and parcels. + +"Oh, I am glad!" exclaimed Violet. "I long to see the dear children and to +witness their delight in being taken into--their father's arms." The +concluding words were spoken tremulously and with starting tears as a gush +of tender memories came over her. + +Her husband understood it, and clasping her hand fondly in his bent over +her with a whispered, "My darling! my own sweet precious little wife!" + +She answered him with a look of love and joy. Then after a moment's +silence, "Do you think, Levis, that they will be pleased that--that you +have given them a step-mother?" she asked timidly and with a sigh. + +"If they don't fall in love with your sweet face at first sight I shall be +exceedingly surprised," he said, gazing upon her with the fondest +admiration. + +"Ah, I cannot hope so much as that!" she sighed; "children are so apt to +hear and treasure up unkind remarks about stepmothers; but I shall hope to +win their hearts in time. It seems to me we cannot fail to love each other +with such a bond of union as our common love to you." + +"No, I trust not," he said, with a bright, happy smile. "I think they are +warm-hearted children; I'm sure they love their father; and it does seem +to me utterly impossible that they should fail to love the dearest, +loveliest, sweetest little lady in the world merely because she has become +that father's wife." + +The whistle blew loudly, the train rushed on with redoubled speed, +slackened, came to a stand-still, and in another minute the captain had +alighted and was handing out Violet. + +"Papa! oh, I'm so glad you're come at last!" cried a boyish voice at his +side. + +"Max, my dear boy!" + +There was a hasty, hearty embrace, Violet standing smiling by, then the +captain said, "Violet, my love, this is my son," and Max, moved by a +sudden impulse, threw his arms about her neck and kissed her in a rapture +of delight, so sweet and beautiful did she appear in his eyes. + +"Oh, I beg your pardon!" he stammered, releasing her and stepping back a +little, afraid he had taken too great a liberty. But venturing a second +glance into her face, he saw that she was smiling sweetly through her +blushes. + +"No apology is needed, Max," she said cheerily. "My brothers are always +ready with a kiss for mamma and sisters. And, since I am not old enough to +be your mother, you will let me be your older sister; won't you?" + +"Oh, thank you, yes!" said Max. "Papa, let me carry the parcels. My +sisters are waiting for us there in the hotel on the other side of the +street. Gracie couldn't run across as I did, and Lu stayed with her." + +"That was quite right," said his father. "I am in great haste to see my +darlings, but would rather not do so in a crowd." + +There was a very strong affection between the captain and his children. +The hearts of the little girls beat fast, and their eyes filled with +tears of joy as they saw him cross the street and come into the room where +they were. With a cry of joy they threw themselves into his arms, and he +clasped both together to his heart, caressing them over and over again, +Violet looking on with eyes brimful of sympathetic tears. + +The next moment the captain remembered her, and releasing the children, +introduced her. "This, my darlings, is the sweet lady whose picture I sent +you the other day, I am sure you will love her for papa's sake and her own +too." + +"Will you not, dears?" Vi said, kissing them in turn. "I love you already +because you are his." + +"I think I shall," Lulu said emphatically, after one long, searching look +into the sweet azure eyes; then turned to her father again. + +But Gracie, putting both arms round Violet's neck, held up her face for +another kiss, saying in joyous tones, "Oh, I do love you now! my sweet, +pretty new mamma!" + +"You darling!" responded Violet, holding her close. "I've wanted to have +you and nurse you well again ever since I heard how weak and sick you +were." + +The words, reaching the ear of Mrs. Scrimp, as she hovered in the +background, brought a scowl to her brow. "As if she--an ignorant young +thing--could do better for the child than I!" she said to herself. + +"Ah, Mrs. Scrimp!" the captain said, suddenly becoming aware of her +presence, and turning toward her with outstretched hand, "how d'ye do? +Allow me to introduce you to Mrs. Raymond." Violet offered her hand and +was given two fingers, while a pair of sharp black eyes looked coldly and +fixedly into hers. + +Violet dropped the fingers, seated herself, and drew Gracie into her lap. + +"Am I not too heavy for you to hold?" the child asked, nestling +contentedly in the arms that held her. + +"Heavy!" exclaimed Violet, tears starting to her eyes as they rested upon +the little thin, pale face. "You are extremely light, you poor darling! +but I hope soon to see you grow fat and rosy in the sea air your papa will +take you to." + +The captain had just left the room in search of Mr. Fox, taking Max with +him. + +"You will have to be very careful not to overfeed that child, or you will +have her down sick," remarked Mrs. Scrimp with asperity, addressing +Violet. "She ought never to eat anything at all after three o'clock in the +afternoon." + +Vi's heart swelled with indignation. "No wonder she is little more than +skin and bone, if that is the way she has been served!" she said, giving +Mrs. Scrimp as severe a look as her sweet, gentle countenance was capable +of expressing. + +"She'd have been in her grave long ago if she hadn't been served so!" +snapped Mrs. Scrimp. "I'm old enough to be your mother, Mrs. Raymond, and +having had that child in charge for over two years--ever since her own +mother died--I ought to know what's good for her and what isn't. She is +naturally delicate, and to be allowed to overload her stomach would be the +death of her. I can't eat after three o'clock, and neither can she." + +"A grown person is no rule for a child," observed Violet, gently smoothing +Gracie's hair; "children need to eat enough to supply material for growth +in addition to the waste of the system. Was it by the advice of a +competent physician you subjected her to such a regimen?" + +"I've always had medical advice for her when it was needed," snapped Mrs. +Scrimp. + +The captain re-entered the room at that moment. He had made short work +with Mr. Fox, paying his bill, and sending him away with his ears tingling +from a well-merited rebuke for his savage treatment of a defenceless +child. + +It was Mrs. Scrimp's turn now; there was no evading the direct, pointed +questions of the captain, and she was compelled to acknowledge that she +had followed out her own theories in the treatment of Gracie, instead of +consulting a physician, even after he had directed her to seek medical +advice and treat the child in careful accordance with it. + +"Well, madam," he remarked with much sternness and indignation, "if my +little girl is an invalid for life, I shall always feel that you are +responsible for it." + +"I've been a mother to your children, Capt. Raymond," she exclaimed, +growing white with anger, "and this is your gratitude!" + +"A mother!" he said, glancing from her to Vi, "I hope there are few such +mothers in the world. My poor starved baby! papa's heart aches to think of +what you have had to endure," he added in moved tones, the big tears +shining in his eyes, as he lifted Gracie on his knees and fondled her +tenderly. + +Mrs. Scrimp rose and took an abrupt and indignant leave, her bill having +been already settled. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +NEW RELATIONSHIPS AND NEW TITLES. + + +"Are you hungry, Gracie darling?" her father asked with tender solicitude. + +"No, papa," she said, "we had our breakfast just a little while before +Aunt Beulah brought us here." + +"Well, if ever you suffer from hunger again it shall not be your father's +fault," he returned with emotion. + +Taking out his watch, "We have a full half hour yet," he said. "Max, my +son, do you know of any place near at hand where oranges, bananas, cakes, +and candies are to be had?" + +"Oh, yes, papa! just at the next corner." + +"Then go and lay in a store for our journey," handing him some money. + +"May I go too, papa?" asked Lulu, as Max set off with alacrity. + +"No, stay here; I want you by my side," he said, smiling affectionately +upon her. + +"I'm glad you do! O papa, I have wanted you so badly!" she exclaimed, +leaning her cheek against his arm and looking up lovingly into his face, +"and so have Max and Gracie. Haven't we, Gracie?" + +"Yes, indeed!" sighed the little one. "O papa, I wish you didn't ever have +to go away and leave us!" + +"I hope to stay with you longer than usual this time, and when I must go +away again to leave you in a very happy home, where no one will wish to +ill-use you," he said, with a glad look and smile directed toward his +bride. + +"No one at Ion or in any house of my dear mother's will ever show them +anything but kindness and love if they are good and obedient," said Vi. +"We all obey grandpa, but we love to do it, because he is so dear and +never at all unreasonable." + +"No, I am sure he is not," assented the captain, "and I shall esteem it a +great favor if he will count my darlings among his grandchildren. How +would my little Gracie like to have a dear kind grandpa and grandma?" he +asked, smoothing back the curls from the little pale face. + +"Oh, ever so much, papa!" she responded with a bright and joyous smile. "I +never had any, papa, had I?" + +"Not since you were old enough to remember." + +Max did his errand promptly and well, returning just in time to go with +the others on board the train. + +They took a parlor car and travelled with great comfort, a happy family +party, father and children rejoicing in being together again after a long +separation, Violet sympathizing in their joy and finding herself neither +forgotten nor neglected by any one of the little group of which she formed +a part. + +Ever and anon her husband's eyes were turned upon her with a look of such +proud delight, such ardent affection as thrilled her heart with love, joy, +and gratitude to the Giver of all good. + +Max's eyes too were full of enthusiastic admiration whenever his glance +met hers, and with boyish gallantry he watched for opportunities to wait +upon her. + +Gracie regarded her with loving looks and called her mamma, as if the word +were very sweet to say. + +Lulu alone was shy and reserved, never addressing Violet directly and +answering in monosyllables when spoken to by her, yet showed nothing like +aversion in look or manner. + +All went well for some hours, Max and Lulu partaking freely of the fruit +and confectionery their father had provided, Gracie much more sparingly, +eating less than he would have allowed her, being a sensible little girl +and fearful of such unwonted indulgence. + +But so unaccustomed were her digestive powers to anything but the most +restricted diet that they gave way under the unusual strain, and she +became so ill that Violet and the captain were filled with alarm. + +Fortunately they were rapidly nearing their destination, and were soon +able to lay her upon the pretty, comfortable bed prepared for her and Lulu +in the new home by the sea, and summon a physician. + +The Dinsmores and Travillas had arrived some days before and made all +arrangements for a delightful welcome to the bride and groom. Both +cottages were in perfect order, and a bountiful feast, comprising all the +delicacies of the season, was set out in the dining-room of that over +which Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore presided. + +But Gracie's illness interfered somewhat with the carrying out of their +plans, dividing their emotions between pity and concern for the little +sufferer, and joy over the return of the newly married pair. + +The feast waited while the ladies, the captain, Mr. Dinsmore, and the +physician were occupied with the sick child. + +Max and Lulu, quite forgotten for the moment by their father and Violet, +and much troubled about their little sister, would have felt very forlorn, +had not Harold, Herbert, and Rosie set themselves, with the true +politeness to which they had been trained, to making the little strangers +comfortable and at home. + +They seated them in the veranda, where they could enjoy the breeze and a +view of the sea, and talked to them entertainingly of the various +pleasures--bathing, boating, fishing, etc.--in store for them. + +Presently Mr. Dinsmore came out with a prescription which he asked Harold +to take to the nearest drug-store. + +"May I go too, sir?" asked Max. "Wouldn't it be well for me to learn the +way there, so that I can do the errand next time?" + +"That is well thought of, my boy," Mr. Dinsmore said, with a pleased look. +"But are you not too tired to-night for such a walk? it is fully a quarter +of a mile." + +"No, sir, thank you; a run will do me good after being so long cramped up +in the cars." + +"Ah," Mr. Dinsmore said, taking Max's hand and shaking it cordially, "I +think I shall find you a boy after my own heart--active, independent, and +ready to make yourself useful. Shall I number you among my grandchildren?" + +"I shall be very happy to have you do so, sir," returned Max, coloring +with pleasure. + +"Then henceforth you may address me as grandpa, as these other young +folks do," glancing at Rosie and her brothers. "You also, my dear, if you +like," he added, catching Lulu's dark eyes fixed upon him with a half +eager, half wistful look, and bending down to stroke her hair caressingly. + +"Thank you, sir," she said, "I think I shall like to. But oh, tell me, +please, is Gracie very sick?" + +"I hope not, my dear; the doctor thinks she will be in her usual health in +a day or two." + +The boys were already speeding away. + +The doctor had sent every one out of the sick-room except Mrs. Dinsmore +and Captain Raymond. The child clung to her long-absent father, and he +would not leave her until she slept. + +Elsie led the way to Violet's room, and there they held each other in a +long, tender, silent embrace. + +"My darling!" the mother said at length, "how I have missed you! how glad +I am to have you in my arms again!" + +"Ah, mamma! my own dearest mamma, it seems to me you can hardly be so glad +as I am!" cried Vi, lifting her face to gaze with almost rapturous +affection into that of her mother. "I do not know how I could ever bear a +long separation from you!" + +"You are happy?" + +"Yes, mamma, very, very happy. I could never live without my husband now. +Ah, I did not dream of half the goodness and lovableness I have already +found in him. But ah, I am forgetting his children, Max and Lulu!" she +added, hastily releasing herself from her mother's arms. "I must see where +they are and that they are made comfortable." + +"Leave that to me, Vi dear," her mother said; "you should be attending to +your toilet. I think the little sick one will fall asleep presently, when +she can be left in Mammy's care, while we all gather about the +supper-table; and we must have you and Zoe there in bridal attire." + +"Zoe! I hardly saw her in my anxiety about Gracie!" exclaimed Violet. +"Does she seem happy, mamma, and like one of us?" + +"Yes, she is quite one of us; we all love her, and I think she is happy +among us, though of course grieving sadly at times for the loss of her +father. The trunks have been brought up, I see. That small one must belong +to the two little girls." + +"Yes, mamma, and suppose we let it stand here for the present so that I +can readily help Lulu find what she wishes to wear this evening." + +"Yes, dear. I will go down and invite her up. Ah, here is mamma!" as Mrs. +Dinsmore tapped at the half-open door, then stepped in. She embraced +Violet with motherly affection. "A lost treasure recovered!" she said +joyously. "Vi, dear, you have no idea how we have missed you." + +After a moment's chat, Rose and Elsie went down together to the veranda, +where they found Lulu, making acquaintance with the other members of the +family. + +"This is a new granddaughter for us, my dear," Mr. Dinsmore said to his +wife. + +"Yes, shall I be your grandma, my child?" asked Rose, giving Lulu an +affectionate kiss. + +"And I too?" Elsie asked, caressing her in her turn. + +"Two grandmas!" Lulu said, with a slightly bewildered look, "and neither +of you looking old enough. How will anybody know which I mean, if I call +you both so?" + +"I think," said Mrs. Dinsmore, smiling, "it will have to be Grandma Rose +and Grandma Elsie." + +"Yes," said Mrs. Travilla, "that will do nicely. Now, my dear little girl, +shall I take you upstairs that you may change your dress before tea?" + +Lulu accepted the invitation with alacrity. They found Violet beginning +her toilet while her maid unpacked her trunk. + +"Lulu, dear," she said, as the child came in, "you want to change your +dress I suppose? Have you the key of your trunk?" + +"Yes, ma'am," taking it from her pocket. + +"Agnes," said Vi, "leave mine for the present (you have taken out all I +want for the evening) and unpack that other." + +The child drew near her young step-mother with a slightly embarrassed air. +"I--I don't know what to call you," she said in a half whisper. + +Violet paused in what she was doing, and looking lovingly into the +blushing face, said, "You may call me cousin or auntie, whichever you +please, dear, till you can give me a little place in your heart; then, as +I am not old enough to be your mother, you may call me Mamma Vi. What is +it you wish to say to me?" + +"Mayn't I go into some other room to wash and dress?" + +"Certainly, dear," Violet answered. Turning inquiringly to her mother, +"What room can she have, mamma?" + +"There is a very pleasant little one across the hall," Elsie said. "If +Lulu would like to have it for her own, it might be as well to have her +trunk sent in before unpacking." + +"Oh, I should like to have a room all to myself!" exclaimed Lulu. "I had +at Aunt Beulah's. Gracie slept with her, in the room next to mine." + +"I supposed you and Gracie would prefer to be together in a room close to +your papa's," Elsie said; "but there are rooms enough for you to have one +entirely to yourself." + +"Then she shall," Violet said, smiling indulgently upon the little girl. +"Would you like my mother or me to help you choose what to wear to-night? +I want you to put on your best and look as pretty as ever you can." + +Lulu's face flushed with pleasure. "Yes, ma'am," she said, going to her +trunk, which Agnes had now opened; "but I haven't anything half so +beautiful as the dress your sister has on." + +"Haven't you? Well, never mind, you shall soon have dresses and other +things quite as pretty as Rosie's," Violet said, stooping over the trunk +to see what was there. + +The child's eyes danced with delight. "Oh, shall I? Aunt Beulah never +would get me the pretty things I wanted, to look like other girls, you +know, or let my dresses be trimmed with ruffles and lace like theirs. I +used to think it would be dreadful to have a step-mother, but now I'm sure +it isn't always." + +Violet smiled. "I hope we shall love each other very much, and be very +happy together, Lulu," she said. "Now tell me which dress you want to wear +this evening." + +"This white muslin," said the little girl, lifting it and shaking out the +folds. "I believe it's the best I have, but you see it has only two +ruffles and not a bit of lace. And this sash she bought for me to wear +with it is narrow and not at all thick and handsome." + +"No, it is not fit for Capt. Raymond's daughter to wear!" Vi exclaimed a +little indignantly, taking the ribbon between her thumb and finger. "But I +can provide you with a better, and you may cut this up for your doll." + +"Oh, thank you!" cried Lulu, her eyes sparkling. "Step-mothers are nice +after all." + +"But Lulu, dear," Elsie said, standing beside the little girl, and +caressing her hair with her soft white hand, "that is not a pretty or +pleasant name to my ear; especially when applied to so young and dear a +lady as this daughter of mine," looking tenderly into Vi's fair face. "Try +to think of her as one who dearly loves and is dearly loved by your +father, and ready to love his children for his sake." + +"Yes, and for their own too," Violet added, "just as I love my darling +little sister Rosie. Now, Lulu, I think you have no more than time to make +your toilet. She will find everything needful in that room, will she, +mamma?" + +"Yes; water, soap and towels. Can you do everything for yourself, my +child?" + +"Yes, ma'am, except fastening my dress and sash." + +"Then run in here or call to me when you are ready to have that done," +said Violet. + +Lulu was greatly pleased with her room. It had a set of cottage furniture, +many pretty ornaments, an inviting-looking bed draped in white, and lace +curtains to the windows; one of which gave her a fine view of the sea. + +She made haste to wash and dress, thinking the while that their father's +marriage had brought a most delightful change to herself, brother and +sister. + +"What soft, sweet voices they all have in talking," she mused. "Grandma +Rose, Grandma Elsie, and Mamma Vi. I'll call her that, if she'll let me, +it's a pretty name. I like it, and I believe I have given her a little +place in my heart already." + +Just then Agnes knocked at the door to ask if she wanted anything. + +"Yes," Lulu said, admitting her, "I'm ready to put on my dress and would +like you to button it for me." + +"An' put dese on fo' you too, Miss?" and Agnes held up to the child's +astonished and delighted eyes a set of pink coral, necklace, bracelets and +pin, and a sash of broad, rich ribbon just matching in color. + +"Oh," cried Lulu half breathlessly, "where did they come from?" + +"Miss Wilet sent 'em," returned Agnes, beginning her work; "an' she tole +me to ax you to come in dar when I'se done fixin' ob you, an' let her see +if eberyting's right. Humph! 'twon't be, kase you oughter hab ribbon for +yo' hair to match wid de sash." + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +GRANDMA ELSIE AND MAMMA VI. + + +Violet's toilet was finished. She wore a white silk trimmed with a great +deal of very rich lace, white flowers in her hair and at her throat, and +looked very bridelike and beautiful. + +So Lulu thought as she came dancing in, full of joyous excitement over her +own unusual adornment. Catching sight of Violet standing in front of her +toilet-table turning over a box of ribbons, "Oh, how beautiful you are!" +she cried, "and how very kind to let me wear these," glancing down at the +ornaments on her own person. + +"Let you wear them, dear child! I have given them to you for your own, and +am looking now for ribbon for your hair to match the sash. I had forgotten +it. Ah, here is just the thing!" + +"Given me these lovely, lovely bracelets and necklace! and this handsome +sash too!" cried Lulu in wide-eyed astonishment. "Oh, you are just too, +too good to me! May I kiss you? and may I call you Mamma Vi now?" + +"Yes, indeed, if you can give me a little place in your heart," Violet +answered, taking the little girl in her arms. + +"Oh, a great big place!" cried Lulu, returning Vi's caresses with ardor. +"Mamma Vi! it's a very pretty name, and you are my own sweet, pretty new +mamma! A great deal nicer than if you were old enough to be my real +mother." + +"Ah, Lulu, it makes me very happy to hear all that!" said her father's +voice behind her, and she felt his hand laid affectionately upon her head. + +She turned round quickly. "Ah, papa! how nice you look too! How is +Gracie?" + +"I left her sleeping comfortably a half hour ago, and have been making my +toilet in another room. Ah, my love!" gazing at Violet with proud, +fondly-admiring eyes, "how very lovely you are!" + +"In my husband's partial eyes," she returned, looking up at him with a +bright, sweet smile. + +"In Lulu's, too, judging from what I heard her say just now," he said, +turning his eyes upon his daughter again. "Ah, how you have improved her +appearance!" + +"Yes, papa, only see these lovely things she--Mamma Vi has given me!" +cried Lulu, displaying her ornaments. + +"A most generous gift," he said, examining the jewelry. "These coral +ornaments are costly, Lulu, and you must be careful of them. Mamma Vi! Is +that the name you have chosen for yourself, my love?" he asked, again +turning to his bride. + +"Yes, if you approve, Levis?" + +"I like it!" he returned emphatically. + +"And the other ladies," remarked Lulu, "say I am to call them Grandma Rose +and Grandma Elsie. And the gentleman told me and Max to call him grandpa." + +"May I come in?" asked Max at the door, which stood wide open. + +"Yes," his father and Violet both answered. + +"Oh!" he cried, gazing at Violet in undisguised admiration, "how lovely, +how splendid you look! What shall I call you?--you said, you know, and of +course anybody can see it, that you're not old enough to be my mother." + +"No," she said, with a look of amusement and pleasure, "so you may use the +name Lulu and Gracie will call me--Mamma Vi." + +"Miss Wilet," said Agnes, appearing at the door, "dey says dey's waitin' +suppah fo' you and de captain." + +"Ah, then we must not linger here! Lulu dear, let Agnes tie this ribbon on +your hair. She can do it more tastefully than I. Max, I see you are +dressed for the evening." + +"Yes, Mamma Vi, your brother Herbert showed me my room--a very nice one in +the story over this--and had my trunk carried up. Am I all right?" + +"You'll do very well," his father said laughingly, but with a gleam of +fatherly pride in his eye. "Give your arm to your sister and we will go +down--if you are ready, little wife." + +The last words were spoken in a fond whisper, close to Violet's ear, as he +drew her hand within his arm, and were answered by a bright, sweet smile +as she lifted her azure eyes to his. + +The two cottages stood but a few feet apart, with no fence or wall of +separation between, and were connected by a covered way; so that it was +very much as if they were but one house. + +The room in which the feast was spread was tastefully decorated with +evergreens, flags and flowers; the table too was adorned with lovely +bouquets and beautifully painted china and sparkled with silver and cut +glass. + +The Dinsmores, Travillas, and Raymonds gathered about it as one family, a +bright, happy party. Edward was there with his Zoe, looking extremely +pretty in bridal attire, each apparently as devoted as ever to the other. + +Max and Lulu behaved themselves admirably, the latter feeling quite +subdued by the presence of her father and so many elegantly dressed and +distinguished-looking people. + +It was certainly a great change from Mrs. Scrimp's little dining-room with +its small, plainly furnished table, the three to sit down to it, and Ann +to wait upon them--a very pleasant change to Lulu. She enjoyed it greatly. + +She and Max scarcely spoke during the meal, occupying themselves in eating +and listening to the lively discourse going on around them, but were well +waited upon, the servants being attentive, and both Elsie and Violet +interesting themselves to see that the little strangers were not +neglected. + +On leaving the table, all repaired to the veranda and front door yard, for +the enjoyment of a moonlight evening and the sea breeze. + +The young Travillas and Raymonds speedily grew quite intimate and were +mutually pleased; but the latter, fatigued with the journey and +excitements of the day, were ready to retire at an early hour. + +They waited only for family worship, conducted for both households by Mr. +Dinsmore, then Violet and they bade good-night and went back to their own +dwelling, leaving the captain to sit some time longer on the veranda with +the other gentlemen. + +"Have you everything you want in your room, Max?" Violet asked in a kindly +tone, as the boy took up his bedroom candle. + +"Yes, thank you, Mamma Vi," he answered cheerfully, but with a longing +look at her. + +"What is it, Max?" she asked, with her sweet smile. "Don't be afraid to +tell me if there is anything you want." + +"I--I'm afraid I oughtn't to ask it," he stammered, blushing vividly, +"I've no right, and--and it might be disagreeable, but--oh, I should like +to kiss you good-night!" + +"You may, Max," she said, laughing, then put her arms round his neck and +gave the kiss very heartily. + +"Thank you," he cried in blushing delight; then hurried away, calling +back, "Ah, good-night, Lu!" + +"Good-night," she answered, looking wistfully at Violet. + +"Shall I have a good-night kiss from you too, dear?" Violet asked, +offering her lips. + +Lulu accepted the invitation in an eager, joyous way, then asked, "May I +see Gracie before I go to bed?" + +"Yes, dear; we will go in very quietly lest we should wake her if she is +asleep." + +They found Gracie awake, Aunt Chloe shaking up her pillow and smoothing +the cover over her. + +"O mamma!" she cried in her little weak voice, "how beautiful you are! +And, Lulu, where did you get those pretty things?" + +"Mamma Vi gave them to me," Lulu said. "O Gracie dear, are you better?" + +"Yes, I don't feel sick now, only weak. She's very good to me, she and +everybody," with a grateful look at her sable nurse. + +"Yes," Violet said, "mammy is always good and kind, especially to a sick +person. Now Lulu and I will kiss you good-night and leave you to go to +sleep again." + +"You are nice and kind to come, both of you," Gracie said, receiving and +returning their caresses. + +"Mammy," Violet said as she turned to leave the room, "I'm afraid you are +not able to take the care of her through the night." + +"Yes, I is, honey darlin'," responded the old woman with warmth. "I'll hab +a quilt spread down dar on de flo', and I'll lie dar an' sleep, an' ef de +chile stirs I'll wake right up and gib her eberyting she wants." + +"Mamma Vi, don't you want to see my room?" Lulu asked as they neared its +door. "I think it is ever so pretty." + +"So it is," Violet said, stepping inside with her, "and I am very glad you +like it. If you think of anything else you want in it, don't hesitate to +ask for it; both your papa and I wish to do all in our power to make his +children happy." + +"Thank you. Oh, it is so nice to have a new mamma! such a sweet, kind +one," Lulu exclaimed with impulsive warmth, setting down her candle and +throwing her arms about Violet's neck. + +"Dear child!" Violet said, returning the embrace, "I am very glad you are +beginning to love me. I hope we shall all love each other better every day +and be very happy together. You won't forget to ask God's protection +before you sleep, and thank him for his love and care? What a mercy that +we met with no accident on our journey!" + +"Yes, indeed! and I won't forget to say my prayers, Mamma Vi." + +They exchanged an affectionate good-night, and Violet went to her own +room. + +Agnes was there, waiting to assist her in disrobing, to take down her +hair, and put things in place. + +As the maid withdrew, her duty finished, Elsie came softly in. + +"Dearest mamma!" cried Vi joyously, "I am so glad you have come! I thought +you would." + +"Yes, daughter, I have just seen Rosie and Walter in bed, and could not +deny myself the pleasure of one of the old-time private talks with my dear +Vi. Ah, you don't know how I have missed them ever since Capt. Raymond +carried you away from Ion!" + +They were standing together with their arms about each other. + +"Mamma," Violet said with an earnest, tenderly affectionate look into her +mother's face, "how very beautiful you are! and how youthful in +appearance! there is not a line in your face, not a silver thread in your +hair, and it still has that exquisite golden tinge it has had ever since I +can remember." + +"Ah, dear child! we can see many beauties in those we love that are +imperceptible to other eyes," Elsie returned with a quiet smile. + +"But, mamma, every one sees you to be both young and beautiful in looks. +You look far too young to be addressed as grandma by Max and Lulu, or even +Gracie. I wish you would not allow it, but let them call you auntie." + +"It does not make me really any older, or even to feel or look so," the +mother said, with a low silvery laugh of amusement at Violet's +earnestness. + +"But I don't like it, dear mamma." + +"Then I am sorry I gave them permission; yet having done so, I do not like +to recall it. But, daughter dear, old age will come to us all, if we live, +and it is quite useless to fight against the inevitable." + +"Yet we needn't hurry it on, mamma." + +"No; but consider; had I and my eldest daughter married as early in life +as my mother did I might now have own grandchildren as old as Max and +Lulu. Beside," she added gayly, "how can I hope to deceive people into +supposing me young when I have three married children." + +"Yes, mamma, that is true," Violet said, after a moment's thought; "and +perhaps the children may be more ready to submit to the guidance and +control of a grandma than of an aunt. Oh, how thankful I am that when +their father is no longer here to govern them, they will not be left to my +management alone!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +REBELLION. + + +The next morning Violet began her housekeeping; a not very arduous +undertaking, as competent servants had been brought from Ion for her +establishment as well as for that next door. + +It was pleasant to her and the captain to sit down to a well-appointed +table of their own. + +Max and Lulu too, coming in fresh and rosy from a stroll along the beach, +thought it extremely nice that at last they had a home of their own with +their father and so sweet and pretty a new mamma to take the head of the +table. + +The oysters and fish, just out of the ocean that morning, and Aunt +Phillis's corn-bread and muffins were very delicious to the keen young +appetites, and as Gracie was reported much better, every one was in good +spirits. + +The captain and Violet had both been in to see her and ask how she had +passed the night, before coming down to the breakfast-room. + +Immediately after the meal the captain conducted family worship. That +over, Max and Lulu seized their hats, and were rushing out in the +direction of the beach, but their father called them back. + +"Where are you going?" he asked. + +"Down by the waves," said Lulu. + +"To the beach, sir," said Max. + +"Without a word to any one!" he remarked a little severely. "How do you +know that you are not wanted by your mamma or myself? We are going +directly for a drive on the beach and I had intended to take you both +along. Now I am inclined to leave you behind." + +The children hung their heads, looking crestfallen and disappointed. + +"O Levis, please let them go!" pleaded Violet, laying her hand +persuasively on her husband's arm. "I am sure they did not mean to do +wrong." + +"Well, my love," he answered, "I will overlook it for this time for your +sake. But, Max and Lulu, you must understand that you are under authority +and are not to leave the house without first reporting yourselves to your +mother or me and asking permission, stating where you desire to go and +about how long you expect or wish to stay." + +"Yes, sir," said Max; "but if you and Mamma Vi should both happen to be +out?" + +"Then you may go to Grandpa Dinsmore or Grandma Elsie." + +"Yes, sir," Max answered in a pleasant tone; adding, "I'm sorry to have +displeased you, papa, and will be careful in future to obey the orders +you've just given." + +But Lulu remained silent, and her countenance was sullen. She had been so +long in the habit of defying Mrs. Scrimp's authority that now she was +disposed to resist even her father's control in small matters, and think +she ought to be permitted to go and come at her own sweet will, and the +thought of being subjected to the sway of her new mother and her relatives +seemed to the proud, passionate child almost beyond endurance. + +The expression of her face did not escape her father's observation, but he +thought it best to take no notice of it, hoping her angry and rebellious +feelings would soon pass away and leave her again the pleasant, lovable +child she had been a few moments since. + +The carriage was already at the door. + +"I think the air would do Gracie good," he remarked to Vi, "and the drive +not prove too fatiguing if I support her in my arms. We have room for one +more than our party. Will not your mother go with us?" + +"Thank you; I'll run in and ask her," Vi said, tripping away. + +Elsie accepted the invitation, remarking gayly, "I have no housekeeping +cares to prevent me. I'm just a daughter at home in her father's house," +giving him a loving look and smile, "as I used to be in the glad, free +days of my girlhood." + +The captain came down with Gracie in his arms, hers about his neck, her +little pale face on his shoulder. She looked thin and weak, but very +happy. + +Grandma Elsie and Mamma Vi greeted her with loving inquiries and tender +kisses. + +"Do you feel strong enough for the drive, dear?" asked the former. + +"Yes, ma'am; with papa to hold me in his strong arms." + +"Papa's dear baby girl!" murmured the captain low and tenderly, imprinting +a gentle kiss on the pale forehead. + +Mr. Dinsmore came over, handed the ladies and Lulu into the carriage, then +held Gracie till her father was seated in it and ready to take her again. + +It was a bright, fair morning with a delicious breeze from the sea, and +all enjoyed the drive greatly, unless perhaps Lulu, who had not yet +recovered her good humor. She sat by her father's side, scarcely speaking, +but no one seemed to notice it. + +Gracie was asleep when they returned, and her father carried her up to her +room and laid her down so gently that she did not wake. + +The others had paused in the veranda below. Zoe and Rosie came running +over to say the bathing hour was near at hand, and to ask if they were +going in. + +"I am not," Elsie said. + +"Nor I," said Violet, "I'm a little tired and should prefer to sit here +and chat with mamma." + +"I'd like to go in," said Max. "When papa comes down I'll ask if I may." + +"Mamma," said Rosie, "I don't care to go in to-day, but may I go down on +the beach and watch the bathers?" + +"Yes, daughter. Take a servant with you to carry some camp-chairs and to +watch over Walter, if he wants to go with you." + +"You'll come too, won't you?" Rosie said to Lulu; "it's good fun to watch +the people in the water." + +"I'll have to ask leave first," replied Lulu in a sullen tone. "Can you +wait till papa comes down?" + +"That is not necessary since your father has invested me with authority to +give you permission," remarked Violet pleasantly. "You may go if you will +keep with Rosie and the others. But, Lulu, my dear, I wish you would first +go up to your room, take off those coral ornaments and put them away +carefully. They do not correspond well with the dress you have on, and +are not suitable for you to wear down on the beach at this time of day." + +She had noticed, on first seeing the child that morning, that she had them +on, but said nothing about it till now. + +"You said you gave them to me to keep!" cried Lulu, turning a flushed and +angry face toward her young step-mother; "and if they are my own, I have a +right to wear them when and where I please, and I shall do so." + +"Lucilla Raymond, to whom were you speaking?" asked her father sternly, +stepping into their midst from the open door-way. + +The child hung her head in sullen silence, while Vi's face was full of +distress; Elsie's but little less so. + +"Answer me!" commanded the captain in a tone that frightened even insolent +Lulu. "I overheard you speaking in an extremely impertinent manner to some +one. Who was it?" + +"Your new wife," muttered the angry child. + +The captain was silent for a moment, trying to gain control over himself. +Then he said calmly, but not less sternly than he had spoken before, "Come +here." + +Lulu obeyed, looking pale and frightened. + +He leaned down over her, unclasped the coral ornaments from her neck and +arms, and handing them to Violet, said, "My dear, I must ask you to take +these back. I cannot allow her to keep or wear them." + +"O Levis!" began Vi in a tone of entreaty; but a look and a gentle "Hush, +love!" silenced her. + +"Now, Lucilla," he said, resuming his stern tone of command, "ask your +mamma's pardon for your impertinence, and tell her you will never be +guilty of the like again." + +"I won't!" exclaimed Lulu passionately. + +At that, her father, with a look of utter astonishment at her presumption, +took her by the hand and led her into the house, upstairs and to her own +room. + +"My daughter," he said, "I must be obeyed. I could not have believed you +would be so naughty and disobedient so soon after my return to you, for I +thought you loved me." + +He paused for a reply, and Lulu burst out with passionate vehemence, "You +don't love me, papa! I knew you wouldn't when you got a new wife. I knew +she'd steal all your love away from your own children!" + +In that moment of fierce, ungovernable anger all Vi's sweet kindness was +forgotten and old prejudices returned in full force. + +The captain was too much shocked and astonished to speak for a moment. He +had not dreamed that his child possessed so terrible a temper. + +"You were never more mistaken, Lulu," he said at length in a moved tone; +"I never loved my children better than I love them now. Are you not sorry +for your rebellious reply to me a moment since? will you not tell me so, +and do at once what I have bidden you?" + +"No; I'll never ask her pardon!" + +"You will stay in this room in solitary confinement until you do, though +it should be all summer," he said firmly, went out, locked the door on the +outside, and put the key into his pocket. + +Zoe and Rosie had hastened away the moment the captain appeared upon the +scene in the veranda, and as he led Lulu into the house Violet burst into +tears. + +"O mamma!" she sobbed, "what shall I do? I wish I had not said a word +about the ornaments, but just let her wear them! I never meant to make +trouble between my husband and his children! I never should have done so +intentionally." + +"My dear child, you have no cause to blame yourself," Elsie said +soothingly. + +"No, not a bit of it, Mamma Vi," cried Max, coming to her side. "I love Lu +dearly, but I know she has a very bad temper, and I think it's for her own +good that papa has found it out already, so that he can take means to help +her conquer it. Dear me! I should never dare to say 'I won't' to him. Nor +I shouldn't want to, because he's such a good father to us, and I love him +dearly." + +"Dear Max," Violet said, smiling through her tears as she took his hand +and pressed it affectionately in hers. "I am sure he is a good, kind, +loving father; his children could never doubt it if they had heard all he +has said to me about them, and I trust you will never do anything to give +him pain." + +The captain rejoined them presently, asking the ladies with an assumed +cheerfulness if they intended bathing. + +They answered in the negative, and turning to Max he said kindly, "My son, +if you wish to do so, I will take you with me. The surf is fine this +morning and I feel inclined to go in." + +"Oh, thank you, papa!" cried Max, "it will be splendid to go in with you!" + +The captain re-entered the house and Violet followed. He turned at the +sound of her quick, light step, saw the distress in her face, the tears in +her eyes, and was much moved thereby. + +"My love, my darling!" he said, taking her in his arms, "do not let this +thing trouble you. Ah, it pains me deeply that a child of mine should have +already brought tears to those sweet eyes." + +"O Levis!" she sobbed, hiding her face on his breast, "forgive her for my +sake. Don't insist on her asking my pardon. I would not have her so +humiliated." + +"There are few things you would ask, love, that I would not grant," he +said tenderly, softly smoothing the golden hair; "but for my daughter's +own sake I must compel her obedience. What would become of her if left to +the unrestrained indulgence of such a temper and spirit of insubordination +as she has shown this morning?" + +"I know you are right," she sighed, "but I cannot help feeling sorry for +her, and oh it almost breaks my heart to think that I was the cause of the +trouble." + +"Ah, but in that you are mistaken, sweet wife," he said, repeating his +caresses; "Lulu's own evil temper was the exciting cause. I could see that +she was in a sullen, rebellious mood from the time that I called her in +before our drive. That I must begin already to discipline one of my +children gives me a sad heart, but I must try to do my duty by her at what +ever cost of pain to her or myself." + +As her father turned the key in the lock, Lulu stamped with passion, and +clenched her fists until the nails were buried in the flesh. "I'll never +do it!" she hissed between her tightly-shut teeth, "no, never! if he +keeps me here till I die. I just wish I could die and make him sorry for +treating me so!" + +Then throwing herself on the bed she sobbed herself to sleep. + +She must have slept several hours, for she was waked by the opening of her +door, and starting up found her father standing beside her with a small +salver in his hand. On it were a plate of graham bread, a china bowl +containing milk, and a silver spoon. + +"Here is your dinner, Lucilla," he said, speaking in a quiet, grave tone, +as he set the salver on a little stand in a corner between the windows; +"unless you are ready to obey me. In that case, I shall take you down to +your mamma, and when you have begged her pardon and told me you are sorry +for your rebellious words and conduct toward me, you can eat your dinner +with us." + +"I don't want to go downstairs, papa," she said, turning her face away +from him. "I'd rather stay here. But I should think you'd feel mean to eat +all sorts of good things and give me nothing but skim-milk and that black +bread." + +"I give you that bread because it contains more nutriment than the white," +he said. "As to the good things the rest of us may have to eat, you shall +share them as soon as you are ready to submit to my authority, but not +till then." + +He waited a moment for a reply, but receiving none, went out and locked +the door. + +When he came again at tea-time, bringing a fresh supply of the same sort +of fare, he found the first still untouched. + +Lulu was very hungry, and really for the last hour had quite longed to eat +the bread and milk, but from sheer obstinacy would not touch it. She +thought if she held out long enough in her refusal to eat it, something +better would be furnished her. + +But now she fairly quailed before the glance of her father's eye as he set +the second salver down and seating himself said, "Come here to me!" + +She obeyed, looking pale and frightened. + +He drew her in between his knees, put one arm round her, and taking the +bowl he had just brought in the other hand, held it to her lips, with the +command, "Drink this! every drop of it!" + +When that was done, he commanded, "Now break this bread into that other +bowl of milk, take your spoon and eat it." + +Now thoroughly frightened, she did not dare disobey. + +He sat and watched her till the meal was finished, she feeling that his +stern eye was upon her, but never once venturing to look at him. + +"Have you anything to say to me, Lucilla?" he asked as he rose to go. + +"No, sir," she answered, with her eyes upon the carpet. + +"My child, you are grieving me very much," he said, took up the salver and +went out. + +Lulu did love her father--though not nearly so well as her own +self-will--and his parting words brought a gush of tears from her eyes. +She was half inclined to call to him to come back, and say she would obey. + +But no! her heart rose up in fierce rebellion at the thought of asking +pardon of his "new wife." "I'll never do it!" she repeated half aloud, +"and when I get sick and die from being kept shut up here papa will wish +he hadn't tried to make me." + +So she hardened her heart day after day and refused to yield. + +Her fare continued the same, her father bringing it to her three times +daily, now in silence, now asking if she were ready to obey. + +She saw no one else but the maid who came each morning to put her room in +order; except as she caught sight of one or another from the window. She +liked to look at the sea and watch the vessels sailing by, but was often +seized with a great longing to get down close to the waves. + +After the second day she grew very, very weary of her imprisonment and +indulged in frequent fits of crying as she heard the gay voices of Max and +the young Travillas at sport on the veranda, in the yards below, or knew +from the sound of wheels, followed by an hour or more of quiet, that +drives were being taken. + +She knew she was missing a great deal of enjoyment. Being of an active +temperament, extremely fond of out-door exercise, made this close +confinement even more irksome to her than it would have been to many +another. + +She had nothing to do. She had turned over the contents of her trunk +several times, had found her doll, and tried to amuse herself with it, but +there was little fun in that without a playmate. She had no book but her +Bible, and that she did not care to read; there was too much in it to +condemn her. + +"Papa," she said, when he came with her breakfast on the fourth day, +"mayn't I go and run on the beach for ten minutes and then come back?" + +"What did I tell you about leaving this room?" he asked. + +"I know you said I shouldn't do it till I asked her pardon," she replied, +bursting into a fit of passionate weeping, "but I'll never do that, and if +I get sick and die you'll be sorry for keeping me shut up so." + +"You must not talk to your father in that impertinent manner," he said +sternly. "It is not I who keep you here, it is your own self-will; and +just so long as that lasts you will remain here." + +"I haven't a friend in the world," she sobbed; "my own father is cruel to +me since he----" + +"Hush!" he said in stern indignation. "I will have no more of that +impertinence! Will you force me to try the virtue of a rod with you, +Lucilla?" + +She started and looked up at him with frightened eyes. + +"I should be very loath to do so, but advise you to be very careful how +you tempt me to it any farther," he said, and left her. + +He went down with a heavy heart to the breakfast-room where his wife, Max +and Gracie awaited his coming. + +All three greeted his entrance with loving smiles. Vi was looking very +lovely, and he noticed with gratitude that Gracie's eyes were bright and +her cheeks faintly tinged with pink. She was improving rapidly in the +bracing sea-air and winning all hearts by her pretty ways. + +She ran to meet him, crying, "Good-morning, my dear papa!" + +He took her in his arms and kissed her tenderly two or three times, +longing to be able to do the same by the other one upstairs, put her in +her place at the table and took his own. + +A tempting meal was spread upon it, but he felt that he could scarcely +enjoy it because it must not be shared with Lulu. + +Vi read it all in his face, and her heart bled for him. She had seen +through all these days of conflict with his stubborn, rebellious child, +that his heart was sore over it, though he made great efforts to appear as +usual, and never spoke of Lulu except when it was quite necessary. + +He had had to explain to Gracie why her sister was not to be seen, and to +entreat Vi not to grieve over her unintentional share in occasioning the +struggle, or let it hinder her enjoyment. + +Elsie had made a generous settlement upon each of her married children; so +Vi had abundant means of her own. She longed to spend some of her money on +her husband's children, especially in pretty, tasteful dress for the two +little girls. She asked his consent, deeming it mot right to act without +it. + +He seemed pleased that she had it in her heart to care for them in that +way, but said nothing could be done for Lulu at present, she might do what +she would for Gracie, but the expense must be his; nor could she move him +from that decision. + +She had begun to carry out her plans for Gracie, delighting herself in +making her look as pretty as possible, and each day hoping that Lulu's +submission would make it possible to do the same by her. + +She knew this morning, by her husband's countenance and his coming in +alone, that that hope had again failed, and her heart sank; but for his +sake she assumed an air of cheerfulness and chatted of other things with a +sprightliness and gayety that won him from sad thoughts in spite of +himself. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + "Prithee, forgive me!" + + +"Papa, can't I see Gracie?" Lulu asked when he came in with her dinner. + +"Certainly, if you are ready to obey." + +The child's lip quivered. "I'm so tired of that bread and milk," she said. +"Can't I have something else? I'm sure you and everybody in the house have +a great many good things." + +"We have, and it is a great grief to me that I cannot share them with my +little Lulu. I have very little enjoyment in them because of that." + +"Papa, I'm sorry I've been so naughty, so impertinent to you. I don't mean +ever to be so again; and I'll be a good girl every way after this, if +you'll let me out." + +"Then come with me to your mamma," he said, holding out his hand. + +"I can't ask pardon of her," she said, turning away with a sob. + +"You must, Lucilla," he said in a tone that made her tremble. "You need +not think to conquer your father. I shall keep you here on this plain +fare and in solitary confinement until you are entirely penitent and +submissive." + +He waited a moment, but receiving no reply, went out and locked the door. + +"She is still stubborn," he said to Violet, whom he found alone in their +room across the hall, sighing deeply as he spoke; "and the close +confinement is telling upon her; she grows pale and thin. Oh, how my heart +bleeds for her, my dear child! But I must be firm. This is an important +crisis in her life, and her future character--therefore her happiness for +time and eternity--will depend greatly upon how this struggle ends." + +The next day was the Sabbath, and on returning from church, he went to +Lulu's room. + +Little had passed between them since the talk of yesterday when he carried +in her dinner. He found her now sitting in a listless attitude, and she +did not look up on his entrance. + +He lifted her from her chair, sat down in it himself, and took her on his +knee. + +"Has this holy day brought no good thoughts or feelings to my little +girl?" he asked, gently smoothing the hair back from her forehead. + +"You know I couldn't go to church, papa," she said, without looking at +him. + +"No; I know you could have gone, had you chosen to be a good, obedient +child." + +"Papa, how can you go on trying to make me tell a lie when you have always +taught me it was such a wicked, wicked thing to do?" + +"I try to make you tell a lie! what can you mean, daughter?" he asked in +great surprise. + +"Yes, papa, you are trying to make me ask Mamma Vi's pardon after I have +said I wouldn't." + +"Ah, my child, that was a wicked promise because it was rebellion against +your father's authority, which God commands you to respect. Therefore the +sin was in making it, and it is your duty to break it." + +Then he made her repeat the fifth commandment, and called her attention to +its promise of long life and prosperity, as far as it shall be for God's +glory and their own good, to all such as keep it. + +"I want you to inherit that blessing, my child," he said, "and to escape +the curses pronounced against those who refuse obedience to their +parents." + +Opening the Bible, he read to her, "The eye that mocketh at his father and +despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, +and the young eagles shall eat it." + +She gave him a frightened look, then, with a slight shudder, hid her face +on his breast, but did not speak. + +"Lulu," he said, again softly stroking her hair, "about nine years ago I +came home from a long voyage to find a dear little dark-eyed baby +daughter, and as I took her in my arms, oh how my heart went out in love +to her and gratitude to God for giving her to me! I loved her dearly then. +I have loved her ever since with unabated affection, and never doubted her +love to me until now." + +"Papa, I do love you," she said, hastily brushing away a tear. "I've said +I was sorry for being naughty to you and didn't mean to do so any more." + +"And yet are continuing to be naughty and disobedient all the time. It is +quite possible, Lulu, that you may some day be fatherless; if that time +should come, do you think you will look back with pleasure to these days +of rebellion?" + +At that she cried quite bitterly, but her father waited in vain for a word +of reply. + +He put her on her knees on the floor, knelt beside her, and with his hand +on her head prayed earnestly, tenderly that the Lord would cast out her +wicked temper, forgive her sins, give her a new heart, and make her his +own dear child. + +Rising, he took her in his arms again for a moment, she still sobbing, but +saying not a word, then putting her gently aside, he left the room. + +To her surprise her dinner of bread and milk was presently brought up by +Agnes, who set it down and went out without exchanging a word with her. + +The same thing occurred at supper-time. + +Lulu began to be filled with curiosity not unmingled with apprehension, +but was too proud to question the girl. + +All through the afternoon and evening her thoughts dwelt much upon what +her father had said to her, and the words and tender tones of his prayer +rang in her ears and melted her heart. Beside she had become thoroughly +convinced that what he had said he would do, so that there was no hope of +release until won by obedience. + +She was disappointed that he did not come with her supper nor afterward, +for she had almost resolved to submit. She cried herself to sleep that +night, feeling such a love for her father as she had never known before, +and an intense longing for his kiss of forgiveness. + +She became not willing only, but eager to do his bidding that she might +receive it. + +In the morning she dressed herself with neatness and care and impatiently +awaited his coming. She was sure it must be long past the usual hour when +at last the door opened and Violet came in with the waiter of bread and +milk. + +She set it down and turned to the little girl, who stood gazing at her in +silent surprise. + +"Lulu, dear, your father is very ill," she said in tones quivering with +emotion, and then the child noticed that there were traces of tears about +her eyes and on her cheeks, "He was in terrible pain all night, and is +very little better this morning," she went on. "O Lulu, I had a dear, dear +father once, and he was taken ill very much as yours has been and--in a +few days. Oh, how I loved him! and while he lived I thought I was a good +daughter to him, for I don't remember ever being wilfully disobedient, but +after he was gone my heart reproached me with having neglected +opportunities to give him pleasure, and not having always obeyed quite so +promptly and cheerfully as I might, and I would have given worlds to go +back and be and do all I ought." + +She ended with a burst of tears, covering her face with her hands and +sobbing, "O papa, papa! O my husband, my dear, dear husband!" + +"O Mamma Vi! I will ask your pardon--I do! won't you please forgive me for +being so very, very naughty and impertinent? when you have been so good +and kind to me too," sobbed Lulu, dropping on her knees at Violet's feet. + +"I do with all my heart," Violet said, lifting her up and kissing her. +"And shall we not always love each other for your dear father's sake?" + +"Oh, yes, yes, indeed! I do love you! I don't know what made me be so +wicked and stubborn. Mayn't I go to papa and tell him how sorry I am, and +ask him to forgive me too?" + +"Yes, dear, come; perhaps it may help him to grow better, for I know he +has grieved very much over this," Vi said, taking the child's hand and +leading her into the room where the captain lay. + +As he saw them come in thus his eye brightened in spite of the severe pain +he was enduring. + +With one bound, Lulu was at his side, sobbing, "Papa, papa! I'm so sorry +for all my badness, and all your pain. Please, please forgive me. I've +done it--asked Mamma Vi's pardon, and--and I'll never talk so to her +again, nor ever disobey you any more." + +"I hope not, my darling," he said, drawing her down to give her a tender +fatherly kiss of forgiveness. "I am rejoiced that you have given up your +rebellion so that now I can love and pet you to my heart's content--if God +spares me to get up from this bed of pain. I do forgive you gladly, dear +daughter." + +For several days the captain was very ill, but the best of medical advice +was at hand, the best of nursing was given him by Elsie and Violet, +assisted by Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore and others, and, by the blessing of +Providence, upon these means he recovered. + +Lulu seemed very unhappy and remorseful until it was quite certain that he +would get well, took little interest in any kind of recreation, and was +often found hovering about the door of his room, eager to learn how he was +and if possible gain admission to his presence, or permission to do +something for his relief. + +She was a changed child from that time, perfectly respectful, obedient, +and affectionate toward both her father and Violet. + +When the captain had once begun to mend, the improvement was very rapid, +and he was soon able to share in the drives and other recreations of their +party. + +During his illness Grandma Elsie had been very kind to his children, +acting a mother's part by them, attending to their wants, comforting and +encouraging them with hope of his recovery, and they had grown very fond +of her. + +At first Lulu shrank from all her new mamma's relatives, and even from Max +and Gracie, ashamed of her misconduct and expecting to receive unpleasant +reminders of it. + +But she met with nothing of the kind, except that Max, when she first came +downstairs, said. "It does seem strange, Lulu, that when so many men have +to obey papa the instant he speaks, his own little girl should stand out +so long and stubbornly against his authority;" and Gracie, with her arms +about her sister's neck, sobbed, "O Lu how could you make dear papa so +sorry for so many days?" + +"Was he so sorry?" sobbed Lulu. + +"Yes, indeed; sometimes he hardly ate anything, and looked so sad that the +tears came in my eyes, and in Mamma Vi's too." + +"Oh, I hope that wasn't what made him sick!" cried Lulu, the tears +streaming down her face. "I'll never, never behave so to him again." + +Lulu was still more remorseful as time went on and everybody was so kind +to her, seeming never to remember her naughtiness and disgrace, but giving +her a share in all the pleasures devised for themselves which were +suitable to her age. + +She was especially touched and subdued by the interest Violet took in +seeing her provided with new dresses made and trimmed in the fashion +(which, to her extreme vexation, Mrs. Scrimp had always disregarded), and +with many other pretty things. + +When she thanked her new mamma, she was told, "Your father pays for them +all, dear." + +Then she went to him with tears in her eyes, and putting her arms round +his neck, thanked him for all his goodness, confessing that she did not +deserve it. + +"You are very welcome nevertheless, daughter," he said, "and all I ask in +return is that you will be good and obedient." + +Vi wished to return to Lulu the pink coral ornaments, but that he would +not allow. + +It was a great disappointment to Lulu, for she admired them extremely, but +she showed herself entirely submissive under it. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +MAX. + + +"Papa," said Max one morning, as they rose from the breakfast-table, "I +feel as if a long walk would do me good. I'd like to go farther down the +beach than I ever have yet." + +"Very well, my son, you may go, only keep out of danger and come home in +time for dinner," was the indulgent rejoinder, and the lad set off at +once. + +He presently fell in with two other lads a little older than himself, +boarders in one of the near hotels, and casual acquaintances of his. They +joined him and the three rambled on together, whistling, talking, and +occasionally stooping to pick up a shell, pebble, or bit of seaweed or +sponge. + +At length they reached an inlet that seemed to bar their farther progress, +but looking about they spied an old boat stranded by yesterday's tide a +little higher up the inlet, and were of course instantly seized with a +great desire to get her into the water and set sail in her. + +"Wouldn't it be jolly fun?" cried Bob Masters, the eldest of the trio. +"Come on, boys." + +Max was a rather heedless fellow, and never stopping to consider the right +or wrong of the thing, or whether he were running into danger or not, went +with the others. + +They found the boat, as they thought, in fair condition; there were two +oars in her, and both Max and John Cox, the other lad, thought they knew +pretty well how to use them, while Masters was sure he could steer. + +With a good deal of exertion they set the little craft afloat; then +climbing in they pushed boldly out into deep water and bore down toward +the ocean. + +Max had thought they were only going to cross to the farther side of the +inlet and continue their walk; but almost before he knew it, they were out +upon the sea, and the boat was rocking upon the waves in a way that seemed +to him decidedly alarming. + +"Boys," he said, "let's put back as fast as we can. We don't know anything +about managing a boat out here, and see how big the waves are!" + +"That's because the tide's coming in," laughed Masters, "so if we should +upset it'll wash us ashore." + +"I don't know," said Max, "I'd rather not risk it; there's the undertow to +carry us out again." + +"Oh, you're a coward!" sneered Cox. + +"I'm not going to turn back yet," said Masters; "so stick to your oar, +Raymond, and if the sight of the big waves frightens you, just turn your +back to 'em." + +At that moment a hail came from a fishing-smack not far away. "Halloo! +boys, you'd better put back as fast as you can; that boat's not safe, +especially in the hands of such green-horns as you." + +At the same moment a big incoming wave washed over them, carrying away +their hats and Max's coat, which he had pulled off when taking the oar. + +Masters and Cox were now sufficiently frightened to be willing to turn +back; they made the attempt at once, but found it far more difficult than +they had anticipated. They struggled hard, and several times nearly gave +themselves up for lost; but at last, after many narrow escapes, a huge +wave carried them high on to the beach, and left them there with barely +strength to crawl up out of the way of the next. + +It was a good while before they were able to do anything but lie panting +and gasping on the sand. + +Max had not been long gone when Zoe ran into the cottage of the Raymonds, +to tell of a plan just set on foot in the other house to get up a party +to visit some points of interest several miles distant. + +They were to go in carriages, take a lunch with them, and not return till +late in the afternoon, when all would dine together at Mrs. Dinsmore's +table. + +"Mamma is not going," she said, "and offers to take care of Gracie, if the +child stays behind. Every one seems to fear the ride would be too long and +wearisome for her." + +"Yes, I think so," the captain said, fondling her, for she was sitting on +his knee. + +"I'd like to go, papa," she said, looking up coaxingly into his face, "I +like to go driving, and to sit on your knee." + +"And I love to have my baby girl in my arms, and to give her pleasure," he +responded, repeating his caresses, "but I should feel very sad to see her +made sick." + +"Then I'll be good and not ask to go, papa," she said, with a slight sigh, +laying her head on his shoulder. + +"That's my dear, good little Gracie! You shall have a short drive every +day when I can manage it. Perhaps a moonlight drive along the beach, +to-morrow evening. Will not that be nice?" + +"Oh, ever so nice, dear papa!" she cried, clapping her hands in delight. + +"Mamma not going, Zoe!" exclaimed Violet in a tone of disappointment. +"That will rob the excursion of half its charm for me. Is she not well?" + +"She has a very slight headache, she says, and fears the sun would +increase it. Besides she is so much interested in a book she is reading +that she prefers staying at home to finish it. We had hard work to +persuade grandpa to go without her, but he has consented at last; only, I +believe, because Grandma Rose refused to go without him, and mamma insists +that she is in no danger of a bad headache if she keeps quiet." + +"Yes, grandpa is so fond and careful of her." + +"We have two large carriages, so that there is abundance of room for +everybody," pursued Zoe; "and we hope, Captain, that you will let Max and +Lulu go." + +"Lulu shall certainly, if she chooses," he said, turning with a kind, +fatherly smile to the little girl who stood silently at his side, waiting +with a wistful, eager look, to hear if she were to be of the party, but +ashamed to ask the indulgence because of a vivid remembrance of her late +rebellion and disgrace. + +"Oh, thank you, papa!" she cried joyously, giving him a hug and kiss. +"Mamma Vi, what shall I wear?" + +"Your travelling dress will be the most suitable I think," said Violet. + +"Then I'll run and put it on," returned Lulu, hastening away with cheerful +alacrity. + +"Max shall go too, Captain, shan't he?" queried Zoe, with whom the boy was +a great favorite. + +"He might if he were here," the father answered; "but unfortunately he has +gone off for a long walk and may not be back before dinner-time." + +"And we must start in a few minutes," remarked Vi; "I am really sorry, for +I know Max will regret missing it. Gracie, dear, I'm going over to speak +to mamma; shall I take you with me?" + +"Yes, if you please, Mamma Vi, when I've kissed my dear papa good-by." + +Having done so, she took her doll in her arms and gave her hand to Violet. +She felt a little lonely at the thought of being left behind, but was +quite comforted on learning that little Walter Travilla had decided to +stay at home and play with her. + +The excursionists drove off, and Elsie, having provided the little ones +with amusement, gave herself up to the enjoyment of her book and an +easy-chair set where she could catch the pleasant sea breeze without +feeling the sun. Still, she did not forget the children, but now and then +laid aside her book for a little, while she suggested or invented some +new game for their entertainment. + +So the morning passed quietly and pleasantly. + +It was a little past noon when, stepping out upon the veranda, she caught +sight of a forlorn figure, hatless, coatless, and dishevelled generally, +yet bearing a strangely familiar look, slowly approaching the other +cottage. A second glance told her who it was. + +"Max!" she exclaimed in astonishment, and forgetting all about her +headache, caught up a sunshade and hurried to meet him. + +"Max! can it be you?" she asked. "Why, my poor boy, where have you been? +and what has happened to you?" + +"O Grandma Elsie!" he said, looking much mortified and ready to cry, "I +did hope I'd be able to get into the house without anybody seeing me! Do +you know where my father is?" + +"Yes; the two families have all gone on an excursion except Gracie, +Walter, and me. But come in out of the sun," she added, leading the way +into the Raymonds' cottage. Max followed her, and won to confidence by her +sweet and kindly sympathy, told her the whole story of his morning's +adventure. + +"O Max, my dear boy! what a narrow escape!" she said, with tears in her +eyes. "What a mercy that you are alive to tell the tale! What a terrible, +terrible shock it would have been to your father to learn that his only +son was drowned! and that while in the act of disobeying him, for you say +he bade you not to go into any danger." + +"Yes, Grandma Elsie, and if he finds it out I'll be pretty sure to get a +severe flogging. I deserve it, I know; but I don't want to take it. You +won't tell on me, will you? Perhaps he'll find it out through the loss of +the coat and hat, but I hope he won't miss them, at I have several +others." + +"No, Max, I shall certainly not tell on you; no one shall ever learn from +me what you have told me in confidence; but I do hope, my dear boy, that +you will not try to deceive your kind, loving father, but will confess all +to him as soon as he comes home, and patiently bear whatever punishment he +sees fit to inflict. It is the only right and honorable course, Max, and +will save you a great deal of suffering from remorse and fear of +detection." + +"But it will be dreadfully hard to confess!" sighed Max. "I believe I +really dread that more than the flogging." + +"Yet take courage, my boy, and do it. Do not allow yourself to indulge in +moral cowardice, but dare to do right, asking help of God, who is able and +willing to give it." + +Max made no reply, but sat there before her, looking very guilty and +miserable. + +"You must be hungry," she said presently, "and it is not easy to be brave +and strong on an empty stomach. Suppose you go to your room and make +yourself neat, then come into the other house and join me and the little +folks in a nice luncheon." + +The proposal was accepted with thankfulness. + +Max looked several degrees less miserable after satisfying his appetite, +yet all the afternoon seemed restless and unhappy. + +Elsie said little to him, but many times silently lifted up her heart on +his behalf, asking that he might have strength given him to do the duty he +felt to be so difficult and painful. + +As the time drew near when the pleasure-seekers might be expected to +return, he slipped away out of her sight. + +Presently the carriages drove up and deposited their load. Max stood +waiting in the veranda, his heart beating very fast and loud, as his +father, Violet, and Lulu came up the path that led from the garden-gate. + +All three greeted him affectionately, expressing their regret that he had +missed the pleasure of the excursion; then Vi and Lulu passed into the +house and on upstairs. + +The captain was about to follow when Max, stepping close to his side, +said, with a slight tremble in his voice, "Papa, I--want to speak to you." + +"Very well, my son, say on," answered the captain, stopping and turning +toward him. + +"It's something I want to tell you, sir," and Max hung his head, his +cheeks flushing hotly. + +His father gave him a searching look, took his hand, and led him into the +parlor. + +"Don't be afraid of your father, Max," he said kindly, "why should you?" + +"Because I've been a bad boy, sir, deserving of a flogging, and expect you +to give it to me," Max burst out desperately. + +"Tell me all about it, my son," the captain said in a moved tone, "and +tell it here," seating himself and drawing the boy to his knee. "Perhaps +it will be easier." + +"Oh, yes, papa, because it makes me know you love me even if I am bad; but +it makes me more ashamed and sorry for having disobeyed you," sobbed Max, +no longer able to refrain from tears as he felt the affectionate clasp of +his father's enfolding arm. + +"Then it has a right effect. My boy, I think if you knew how much I love +you, you would never disobey. It will be a sore trial to me, as well as to +you, if I find it my duty to inflict any severe punishment upon you. But +let me hear your story." + +Max told it in broken accents, for he was full of remorse for having +behaved so ill to so kind a parent. + +When he had finished there was a moment of silence. It was the captain who +broke it. + +"My boy," he said, with emotion, "it was a really wonderful escape, and we +must thank God for it. If you had been drowned, Max, do you know that it +would have gone near to break your father's heart? To lose my first-born, +my only son, and in the very act of disobedience--oh, how terrible!" + +"Papa, I didn't, I really didn't think about its being disobedience when I +got into the boat, because it didn't seem dangerous till we were fairly +out among the waves." + +"Do you think I ought to excuse you on that account?" + +"No, sir; you've reproved me so often for not thinking, and for not being +careful to obey your orders; and I know I deserve a flogging. But, O papa, +please don't let Mamma Vi know about it, or anybody else. Can't you take +me upstairs here when they are all in the other house?" + +"I shall not use corporal punishment this time, Max," the captain said, in +a moved tone. Dressing the boy closer to his side, "I shall try free +forgiveness, for I think you are truly sorry. And then you have made so +frank and full a confession of wrong-doing, that I might perhaps never +have discovered in any other way." + +"O papa, how good you are to me! I don't think I can ever be so mean and +ungrateful as to disobey you again," exclaimed Max, feelingly. "But I +don't deserve to be praised, or let off from punishment, because of +confessing, for I shouldn't have done it if Grandma Elsie hadn't talked to +me about the duty of it, and persuaded me to take courage to do it because +it was right." + +"Bless her for it! the dear, good woman!" the captain said, with earnest +gratitude. "But I think, Max, you do deserve commendation for taking her +advice. I have something more to say to you, my son, but not now, for the +call to dinner will come directly, and I must go and prepare for it." + +There was a hearty embrace between them, and they separated, the captain +going to his room to make his toilet and Max to the other house, where he +soon managed to let Grandma Elsie into the secret of his confession and +its happy result, thanking her with tears in his eyes for her kind, wise +advice. + +Elsie rejoiced with and for him, telling him he had made her heart glad +and that she hoped he would always have courage to do right. + +As Max prepared for bed that night he was wondering to himself what more +his father had to say to him, when he heard the captain's step on the +stairs, and the next moment he came in. + +Max started a little apprehensively. Could it be that his father had +changed his mind, and was about to give him the dreaded flogging after +all? + +But with one glance up into the grave yet kindly face looking down at him, +all his fear vanished. He drew a long breath of relief. + +"My boy," the captain said, laying his hand on Max's shoulder, "I told you +I had something more to say to you, and I have come to say it now. You are +'my first-born, my might and the beginning of my strength.' Never until +you are a father yourself can you know or understand the tide of love, +joy, and thankfulness that swept over me at the news of your birth. Nor do +you know how often, on land and on sea, in storm and in calm, my thoughts +dwell with deep anxiety upon the future of my son, not only for time, Max, +but for eternity." + +The captain paused for a moment, his emotions seemingly too big for +utterance, and Max, throwing his arms around his neck, hid his face on his +breast. + +"Papa," he sobbed, "I didn't know you loved me so much! Oh, I wish I'd +always been a good boy!" + +The captain sat down and drew him to his knee. + +"My dear son," he said, "I have no doubt that you are sorry for every act +of disobedience toward me, and I fully and freely forgive them all; but +what I want you to consider now is your sinfulness toward God, and your +need of forgiveness from him. You are old enough to be a Christian now, +Max, and it is what I desire for you more than anything else. Think what +blessedness to be made a child of God, an heir of glory! to have Jesus, +the sinner's Friend, for your own Saviour, your sins all washed away in +his precious blood, his righteousness put upon you." + +"Papa, I don't know how." + +"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved,' the Bible +says. It tells us that we have all broken God's holy law, that we all +deserve his wrath and curse forever, and cannot be saved by anything that +we can do or Buffer; but that 'God so loved the world that he gave his +only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but +have everlasting life.' He offers this salvation to us as his free gift, +and so we are to take it, for we can have it in no other way. Go to God, +my son, just as you have come to me, with confession of your sins and +acknowledging that you deserve only punishment; but pleading for pardon +through the blood and merits of Jesus Christ. Accept the salvation offered +you by the Lord Jesus, giving yourself to him to be his, his only forever. +'Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, to +give repentance to Israel and remission of sins,' and he will give them to +you if you ask for them with all your heart. He says, 'Him that cometh to +me, I will in no wise cast out.' My son, my dear son, will not you come +now? God's time is always _now_, and only the present is ours." + +"Papa, I will try; I am sorry for my sins against God, and I do want to +belong to him. Papa, won't you pray for me?" + +They knelt down together, and with his son's hand in his the captain +poured out a fervent prayer on the boy's behalf, of confession and +entreaty for pardon and acceptance in the name and for the sake of Him +"who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our +justification." + +Then, with a silent, tender embrace he left him. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + + "Home again, home again, from a foreign shore, + And oh it fills my soul with Joy to see my friends once more." + + +The rest of the summer and early fall passed delightfully to our +sojourners by the sea; though the happiness of the captain and Violet was +somewhat marred by the knowledge that soon they must part for a season of +greater or less duration, he to be exposed to all the dangers of the +treacherous deep. + +But they did not indulge in repining or lose the enjoyment of the present +in vexing thoughts concerning the probable trials of the future. + +It was necessary, however, to give it some consideration, and make +arrangements in regard to his children. + +Thinking of the guidance and control they all needed, the temper and +stubbornness Lulu had shown, the watchful care requisite for Gracie in her +feeble state, he hesitated to ask Mrs. Dinsmore and Elsie if they still +felt inclined to undertake the charge of them. + +But to his great relief and gratitude, those kind friends did not wait for +him to broach the subject, but renewed their offer, saying they had +become much attached to the children, and desired more than ever to give +them a happy home with themselves; upon the conditions formerly stated, +namely, that he would delegate his authority to them during his absence, +and give the children distinctly to understand that he had done so. + +These conditions the captain gladly accepted. He told the children all +about the arrangement he had made for them, and in the presence of the +whole family, bade them obey Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore, Grandma Elsie and +Mamma Vi as they would himself. + +"One master and three mistresses!" Edward remarked lightly; "are you not +imposing rather hard conditions, Captain?" + +"No, I think not, Ned, for I am satisfied that their commands will never +conflict; but should they do so, Mr. Dinsmore, as patriarch of the whole +tribe, is of course the highest authority." + +It had been decided that Harold and Herbert should now enter college. The +others, on being left by the captain, would all return to Ion and spend +the winter there or at Viamede. Edward would take charge of the Ion +plantation, his grandfather giving him some slight supervision at the +start. + +This arrangement would leave Mr. Dinsmore almost without employment, and, +as he liked to be busy, he said he would gladly act the part of tutor to +Max, and also hear some of the recitations of Rosie and Lulu. Grandma +Elsie and Mamma Vi would for the present undertake the rest of the work of +educating the girls and little Walter. + +Their plans settled, they gave themselves up to quiet enjoyment of each +other's society while Capt. Raymond waited for orders. + +Early in October there came a great and joyful surprise. A train had +steamed into the neighboring depôt a few moments before, but as they were +not looking for any addition to their party, no one had taken particular +note of the fact. + +But a carriage came driving from that direction, and drew up before the +gate of Mr. Dinsmore's cottage, where the whole family were gathered. + +A gentleman hastily alighted, handed out a lady; a servant-woman +followed--having first handed him an odd-looking, rather large bundle, +which he received with care--then turned to collect packages and parcels, +while the other two hurried to the house, the lady a little in advance. + +"Elsie!" was the simultaneous exclamation of many voices in varied tones +of astonishment and delight, and the next instant there was a wonderful +confusion of greetings and embraces mingled with tears of joy and +thankfulness. + +Lester and his wife had been heard from frequently during the past months, +their letters always cheerful and full of bright hopes and anticipations, +but containing no hint of any intention of returning to America before the +coming spring. + +As they afterward explained, it had been a very sudden resolve, caused by +a severe fit of homesickness, and there really was no time to write. + +Lester shared the joyous welcome given to Elsie; the servant woman having +relieved him of his bundle, of which, in their joyous excitement, no one +had taken particular notice. + +Only waiting, a trifle impatiently, till the greetings and introductions +were over, Elsie Leland took it from her, and with a proud, happy, yet +tearful smile laid it--a lovely sleeping babe--in her mother's arms. + +"Our boy, mother dear. We have named him for his grandpa--Edward +Travilla." + +Elsie Travilla folded the child to her heart, kissed it softly, tenderly, +the great silent tears rolling down her cheeks. + +"Ah, could he but have seen it! our first grandchild," she sighed. + +Then, wiping away her tears, and sending a glance of mingled joy and +maternal pride around the little circle, she folded the babe still +closer, saying, with an arch, sweet smile, "Ah, no one now can deny that I +am in very truth Grandma Elsie!" + + +THE END. + + * * * * * + +=THE MERRY LYNN SERIES= + + +By HARRIET PYNE GROVE Cloth Bound. Jackets in Colors. + + * * * * * + +The charm of school and camp life, out-door sports and European travel is +found in these winning tales of Merilyn and her friends at boarding school +and college. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Grandmother Elsie + +Author: Martha Finley + +Release Date: February 2, 2005 [EBook #14883] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GRANDMOTHER ELSIE *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Emmy and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + + + + +<h1>GRANDMOTHER ELSIE</h1> + +<h4>A SEQUEL TO</h4> +<h3>"ELSIE'S WIDOWHOOD"</h3> + +<h2>By MARTHA FINLEY</h2> + +<p class="center">COMPLETE AUTHORIZED EDITION</p> + +<p class="center">"The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, +good and ill together."—Shakespeare</p> + +<p class="center">Published by arrangement with<br /> +Dodd, Mead and Company</p> + +<p class="center">A.L. BURT COMPANY</p> + +<p class="center"><i>PUBLISHERS</i></p> + +<p class="center">New York Chicago</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p class="center">1882,<br /> +BY<br /> +DODD, MEAD & COMPANY</p> + +<p class="center">1910,<br /> +BY<br /> +CHARLES B. FINLEY +</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<tr><td align='center'> <a href="#CHAPTER_I"><b>CHAPTER I.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'> <a href="#CHAPTER_II"><b>CHAPTER II.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'> <a href="#CHAPTER_III"><b>CHAPTER III.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'> <a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><b>CHAPTER IV.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'> <a href="#CHAPTER_V"><b>CHAPTER V.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'> <a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><b>CHAPTER VI.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'> <a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><b>CHAPTER VII.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'> <a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><b>CHAPTER VIII.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'> <a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><b>CHAPTER IX.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'> <a href="#CHAPTER_X"><b>CHAPTER X.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'> <a href="#CHAPTER_XI"><b>CHAPTER XI.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'> <a href="#CHAPTER_XII"><b>CHAPTER XII.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'> <a href="#CHAPTER_XIII"><b>CHAPTER XIII.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'> <a href="#CHAPTER_XIV"><b>CHAPTER XIV.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'> <a href="#CHAPTER_XV"><b>CHAPTER XV.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'> <a href="#CHAPTER_XVI"><b>CHAPTER XVI.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'> <a href="#CHAPTER_XVII"><b>CHAPTER XVII.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'> <a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII"><b>CHAPTER XVIII.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'> <a href="#CHAPTER_XIX"><b>CHAPTER XIX.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'> <a href="#CHAPTER_XX"><b>CHAPTER XX.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'> <a href="#CHAPTER_XXI"><b>CHAPTER XXI.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'> <a href="#CHAPTER_XXII"><b>CHAPTER XXII.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'> <a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII"><b>CHAPTER XXIII</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'> <a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV"><b>CHAPTER XXIV.</b></a></td></tr> +</table> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>GRANDMOTHER ELSIE</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I" />CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">"Every state,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12.5em;">Allotted to the race of man below,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12.5em;">Is in proportion, doom'd to taste some sorrow."</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 28em;">—<i>Rowe</i>.</span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>The Ion family were at home again after their summer on the New Jersey +coast.</p> + +<p>It was a delightful morning early in October: the dew-drops on the still +green grass of the neatly kept lawn sparkled in the rays of the newly +risen sun; the bright waters of the lakelet also, as, ruffled by the +breeze, they broke gently about the prow of the pretty row-boat moored to +the little wharf; the gardens were gay with bright-hued flowers, the trees +gorgeous in their autumnal dress.</p> + +<p>But though doors and windows were open, the gardener and his assistants at +work in the grounds, there seemed a strange quiet about the place: when +the men spoke to each other it was in subdued tones; there was no +sound—as in other days—of little feet running hither and thither, nor +of childish prattle or laughter.</p> + +<p>Two horses stood ready saddled and bridled before the principal entrance +to the mansion, and Mr. Horace Dinsmore was pacing the veranda to and fro +with slow, meditative step, while Bruno, crouching beside the door, +followed his movements with wistful, questioning eyes, doubtless wondering +what had become of his accustomed merry, romping play-mates.</p> + +<p>A light step came down the hall, and a lady in riding hat and habit +stepped from the open doorway, stooped for an instant to touch the dog's +head caressingly with a "Poor Bruno! do you miss your playfellows?" then +glided quickly toward Mr. Dinsmore, who received her with open arms and +tenderest caress.</p> + +<p>Then holding her off and scrutinizing the sweet, fair face with keen, +searching eye, "You are looking better and brighter than I dared to hope, +my darling," he said. "Did you get some sleep?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, papa, thank you, several hours. And you? did you rest well?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, daughter. How are the children?"</p> + +<p>"No worse, Arthur says; perhaps a trifle better. He, Elsie and Mammy are +with them now, and 'Mamma' can be spared for a short ride with her +father," she said, smiling lovingly into the eyes that were gazing with +the tenderest fatherly affection upon her.</p> + +<p>"That is right; you need the air and exercise sorely; a few more days of +such close confinement and assiduous nursing would, I very much fear, tell +seriously upon your health."</p> + +<p>He led her to the side of her steed and assisted her into the saddle as he +spoke, then vaulted into his own with the agility of youth.</p> + +<p>"But where are Vi and her brothers?" Elsie asked, sending an inquiring +glance from side to side.</p> + +<p>"I sent them on in advance. I wanted you quite to myself this once," he +answered, as they turned and rode at a brisk canter down the avenue.</p> + +<p>"And I shall enjoy having my dear father all to myself for once," she +rejoined, with a touch of old-time gayety in look and tone. "Ah! papa, +never a day passes, I think I might almost say never an hour, in which I +do not thank God for sparing you to me; you who have loved and cherished +me so long and so tenderly."</p> + +<p>"My own dear child!" he said in reply, "you and your love are among the +greatest blessings of my life."</p> + +<p>As they rode on side by side they talked of the youngest two of her +children—Rose and Walter—both quite ill with measles; of her sister's +family, where also there was sickness among the little ones, and whither +Mrs. Dinsmore had gone to assist in the nursing of her grandchildren; of +the recent death of Enna at Magnolia Hall, the home of her daughter Molly; +and of the anxiety of the younger Elsie because of a much longer silence +than usual on the part of her absent betrothed.</p> + +<p>She greatly feared that some evil had befallen him, and had not been able +to hide her distress from these two—the mother and grandfather who loved +her so—though making most earnest, unselfish efforts to conceal it from +all, especially her mother, whose tender heart was ever ready to bleed for +another's woe, and who had already griefs and anxieties enough of her own.</p> + +<p>They spoke of her with tenderest compassion, and affectionate pride in her +loveliness of person and character, and her brave endurance of her trial.</p> + +<p>Enna's death could hardly be felt as a personal loss by either, but they +sympathized deeply in the grief of her old father, with whom her faults +seemed to be buried in her grave, while he cherished a lively remembrance +of all that had ever given him pleasure in her looks, words, or ways.</p> + +<p>He was growing old and feeble, and felt this, the death of his youngest +child, a very heavy blow.</p> + +<p>"My poor old father! I fear we shall not have him with us much longer," +Mr. Dinsmore remarked with emotion.</p> + +<p>Elsie's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Dear old grandpa!" she +murmured. "But, dear papa, be comforted! he may live for years yet, and +should it please God to take him, we know that our loss will be his +infinite gain."</p> + +<p>"Yes; would that we had the same assurance in regard to all his children +and grandchildren."</p> + +<p>Silence fell between them for some minutes.</p> + +<p>Elsie knew that her father, when making that last remark, was thinking +more particularly of his half sister, Mrs. Conly, and her daughter +Virginia.</p> + +<p>The two had gone to a fashionable watering-place to spend the last +fortnight of their summer's sojourn at the North, and ere it expired +Virginia had contracted a hasty marriage with a man of reputed wealth, +whom she met there for the first time.</p> + +<p>The match was made with the full consent and approval of her mother—who, +on rejoining the Dinsmores and Travillas, boasted much of "Virginia's +brilliant position and prospects"—but without the knowledge of any other +relative. No opportunity of making inquiries about the character or real +circumstances of the stranger to whom she committed the happiness of her +life, was afforded by Virginia to grandfather, uncle or brothers.</p> + +<p>Of late Mrs. Conly had ceased to boast of the match—scarcely mentioned +Virginia's name; and Mr. Dinsmore had learned from Calhoun and Arthur that +Virginia's letters were no longer shown to any one, and seemed to irritate +and depress their mother so unmistakably that they feared more and more +there was something very much amiss with their sister; yet the mother +steadily evaded all inquiries on the subject.</p> + +<p>Mr. Dinsmore presently told all this to his daughter, adding that he very +much feared Virginia had made an utter wreck of her earthly happiness.</p> + +<p>"Poor Virgie!" sighed Elsie. "Ah! if only she had been blest with such a +father as mine!" turning upon him a look of grateful love.</p> + +<p>"Or such a mother as my granddaughters have," added Mr. Dinsmore, smiling +into the soft, sweet eyes.</p> + +<p>"What blessings my darlings are! how good and lovable in spite of my +failures in right training and example," she said in sincere humility.</p> + +<p>"Those failures and mistakes have been very few, I think," was his reply; +"you have tried very earnestly and prayerfully to train them up in the way +they should go. And God is faithful to his promises—your children do not +depart from the right way; they do arise and call you blessed."</p> + +<p>"Papa," she said, in moved tones, after a moment's silence, "we must not +forget how much is due to the training, the example, and the prayers of +their father."</p> + +<p>"No, daughter; and we can always plead in their behalf the precious +promises to the seed of the righteous. 'I will pour my Spirit upon thy +seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring.' 'A good man leaveth an +inheritance to his children's children.'"</p> + +<p>"Yes, father, how often have those promises been my comfort and support as +the inheritance of both my children and myself; inherited by me from both +you and my sainted mother and her pious ancestors."</p> + +<p>"And from mine; for my mother was a devoted Christian and came of a long +line of God-fearing men and women. But I see nothing yet of Edward and his +party; they must have taken another road."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; and shall we not turn now? I ought not to be long away from my +poor sick darlings."</p> + +<p>"I think it would be well to return by the other road; we shall reach it +in a moment, and our ride will be lengthened by but a half mile or so."</p> + +<p>She acquiesced in his decision, as was her custom.</p> + +<p>On the homeward way, as they neared the cross-road leading to the city, +they saw a boy on horseback coming at a hard gallop down it in their +direction.</p> + +<p>On catching sight of them he held aloft what looked like a letter, waving +it about his head in evident desire to attract their attention; then as he +reached their road he halted and waited for them to come up.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Dinsmore, from the Oaks or Ion, isn't it?" he queried, lifting his +cap and bowing to the lady and her escort as they reined in their steeds +close at hand.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"A telegram for you, sir."</p> + +<p>Mr. Dinsmore took the missive, tore it open and glanced at the contents, +then, handing it to Elsie, paid the boy and dismissed him.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my poor darling!" she exclaimed, her tears dropping upon the paper. +"Father, what shall we do? tell her at once? Perhaps that would be best."</p> + +<p>"Yes; I think it is her right. But of course it must be done as gently as +possible. Dear daughter, do not grieve too sorely for her; try to trust +her as well as yourself in your heavenly Father's hands."</p> + +<p>"I will, papa, I will! but oh my heart bleeds for her!"</p> + +<p>"Will you break the news to her? or shall I?"</p> + +<p>"My kindest of fathers! you would if possible spare me every trial, bear +all my burdens. But perhaps the dear child may suffer less in hearing the +sad news from her mother's lips, as, in her place, I could bear it better +from yours than from any other."</p> + +<p>"Unselfish as ever, my darling," he said, "but I believe you are +right—that the blow will be somewhat softened to Elsie coming to her +through the medium of her tender and dearly loved mother."</p> + +<p>"I think, papa," Mrs. Travilla said, checking her horse to a walk as they +entered the avenue at Ion, "I shall reserve my communication until my poor +child has had her breakfast."</p> + +<p>He expressed approval of her decision, adding interrogatively, "You will +breakfast with the family this morning?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; if I find all going well in the sick-room."</p> + +<p>A servant was in waiting to lead the horses away to the stable. Violet, +Edward, Harold and Herbert, just returned from their ride, were on the +veranda.</p> + +<p>Edward hastened to assist his mother to alight, and all gathered about her +and their grandfather with morning greetings spoken in cheerful but +subdued tones; no one forgetting for a moment the illness of the little +pet brother and sister, but all inquiring anxiously how they and "Mamma" +had passed the night, and what was cousin Arthur's report of their +condition this morning.</p> + +<p>"No worse, my dears; and we will hope that they may soon be decidedly +better," the mother answered, returning their greetings with affectionate +warmth and smiling sweetly upon them. "But you must let me go at once to +the sick-room, and if all is well I shall be down presently to breakfast +with grandpa and you."</p> + +<p>That announcement was heard with the greater pleasure because her loved +face had seldom been seen at the table for some days past.</p> + +<p>The face was bright and hopeful as she spoke, but an unwonted expression +of sadness and anxiety came over it as she turned quickly away and went +swiftly through the spacious entrance hall and up the broad stairway.</p> + +<p>No earthly eye saw that look, but the traces of tears on her mother's +cheeks had not escaped Vi's keen observation.</p> + +<p>"Grandpa," she said in low, tremulous tones, following him into the +library, whither he went to await the summons to breakfast, "what has +been distressing mamma so? is it that she is so anxious about Elsie and +Walter? May I not know?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Dinsmore paused a moment before he replied. "You shall know all about +it, my dear child, before very long. Be satisfied for the present with the +assurance that your mother's distress is for another's woe. You know what +a tender, sympathetic heart she has. I cannot deny that our little ones +are seriously ill, but their case is very far from hopeless."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II" />CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 21.5em;">"Within her heart was his image,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">Cloth'd in the beauty of love and youth, as last she beheld him,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">Only more beautiful made by his deathlike silence and absence."</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 32em;">—<i>Longfellow</i>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>The sick ones ware sleeping quietly when the mother entered; the doctor +had already breakfasted, and would assist Aunt Chloe and Dinah in watching +beside them for the next hour, so the two Elsies—mother and +daughter—went down together to the breakfast parlor.</p> + +<p>They were a more silent party than usual at meal-time, for no one could +forget the two absent members of the family, or that they were suffering +upon beds of sickness; yet there was no gloom in any face or voice: their +few words were spoken in cheerful tones, and each seemed unselfishly +intent upon promoting the comfort and happiness of all the others; on the +part of the children, especially of their grandfather and mother; each +young heart was evidently full to overflowing of tenderest sympathy and +love for her.</p> + +<p>She had been closely confined to the sick-room for several days, so that +it was a treat to have her with them at breakfast and at family worship, +which followed directly upon the conclusion of the meal.</p> + +<p>It surprised them a little that when the short service came to an end, she +did not even then return at once to her sick little ones, but putting on a +garden hat invited her eldest daughter to do likewise and come with her +for a short stroll in the grounds.</p> + +<p>"It will do us both good," she said as they stepped from the veranda upon +the broad, gravelled walk, "the air is so sweet and pure at this early +hour; and you have not been out in it at all, have you?"</p> + +<p>"No, mamma; and what a treat it is to take it in your dear company," Elsie +responded, gathering a lovely, sweet-scented flower and placing it in the +bosom of her mother's dress.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, love," Mrs. Travilla said; then went on to speak feelingly of +the beauty and fragrance that surrounded them, and the unnumbered +blessings of their lot in life.</p> + +<p>"Mamma, you seem to have a heart always filled with love and gratitude to +God, and never to be troubled with the least rebellious feeling, or any +doubts or fears for the future," remarked Elsie, sighing slightly as she +spoke.</p> + +<p>"Have we any right or reason to indulge repining, doubts, or fears, when +we know that all is ordered for us by One who loves us with an +everlasting and infinite love, and who is all-wise and all-powerful? O my +darling, no! Well may we say with the Psalmist, 'I will fear no evil, for +thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Surely goodness +and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the +house of the Lord forever.' Oh what a blessed assurance! goodness and +mercy while here in this world of trial—all things working together for +our good, that so we may be brought at last safely to our desired +haven—and then to be forever with the Lord!"</p> + +<p>"Mamma, I have been so anxious and troubled about my little brother and +sister, and about Lester, I needed the lesson you have just given me, and +hope I shall profit by it."</p> + +<p>"My dearest child, have faith in God; try to believe with all your heart +that he will never send you or any of his children one unneeded pang. I am +sure you could never think I—your tender mother—would give you the +slightest pain except for your certain good; and what is my love for you +compared to that of your Saviour? who died that you might live!"</p> + +<p>"Mamma," cried the young girl, pausing in her walk, laying her hand on her +mother's arm and looking searchingly into the sweet, compassionate face, +while her own grew deathly pale, "what is it you are trying to prepare me +for? O mamma!"</p> + +<p>A rustic seat stood close at hand.</p> + +<p>"Let us sit down here for a moment, dear daughter," Mrs. Travilla said, +drawing Elsie to it with an arm about her waist. "You are right, my +child—I have news for you. Oh, not the worst, dearest!" as Elsie seemed +to gasp for breath. "Lester lives, but is very ill with typhoid fever."</p> + +<p>"Mamma!" cried Elsie, starting to her feet, "I must go to him! go at once. +O dearest mother, do not hinder me!" and she clasped her hands in piteous +entreaty, the big tears rapidly chasing each other down her pale cheeks.</p> + +<p>"If I could go with you," faltered the mother, "or your grandfather; but I +can neither leave nor take my little ones, and he would never consent to +leave me, or his poor old father, who seems just tottering on the verge of +the grave."</p> + +<p>"I know! I see! but, O mother, mother! how can I let him die all alone in +a stranger land? Think if it had been you and my father!"</p> + +<p>"What is your entreaty, daughter?" Mr. Dinsmore asked, coming up and +laying his hand affectionately upon his grandchild's shoulder.</p> + +<p>"To go to him—to Lester, grandpa. Oh, how can I stay away and leave him +to die alone? to die for lack of the good nursing I could give him, +perhaps to the saving of his life!"</p> + +<p>"My poor child! my poor dear child!" he said, caressing her; "we will see +what can be done in the way of finding a suitable escort, and if that can +be obtained your mother will not, I think, withhold her consent."</p> + +<p>He had been telling the news to the others, and Edward had followed him, +anxious to express the sympathy for his sister with which his heart was +full.</p> + +<p>"An escort, grandpa?" he said. "Would mine be sufficient? Mamma, if you +will permit me, I shall gladly go to Lester, either with or without +Elsie."</p> + +<p>"My dear boy!" was all his mother said, her tones tremulous with emotion, +while his grandfather turned and regarded him with doubtful scrutiny.</p> + +<p>"Oh, thank you, brother!" cried Elsie. "Mamma, surely you can trust me to +him! Who loves me better? except yourself—and who would take such tender +care of me?"</p> + +<p>"Mamma, I would guard her with my life!" exclaimed Edward earnestly.</p> + +<p>"My dear son, I do not doubt it," Mrs. Travilla answered, turning upon her +father a half-inquiring, half-entreating look.</p> + +<p>"If no older or more experienced person can be found."</p> + +<p>He paused, and Elsie burst out: "O grandpa, dear grandpa, don't say that! +There is no time to lose! no time to look for other escort!"</p> + +<p>"That is true, my child; and we will not waste any time. Make your +preparations as rapidly as you can, and if nothing better offers in the +mean while, and your mother consents to Edward's proposition, you shall go +with him—and Ben who travelled all over Europe with your father and +myself—as your protectors."</p> + +<p>She thanked him fervently through her tears, while her mother said, "Ah +yes, that is a good thought, papa! Ben shall go with them."</p> + +<p>"Better go now and at once select whatever you wish to take with you, and +set some one to packing your trunks," he said. "Edward, do you do +likewise, and I will examine the morning papers for information in regard +to trains and the sailing of the next steamer. Daughter dear," to Mrs. +Travilla, "you need give yourself no concern about any of these matters."</p> + +<p>"No, I shall trust everything to you, my best of fathers, and go back at +once to my sick darlings," she said, giving him a look of grateful love.</p> + +<p>Then passing her arm affectionately about her daughter's waist, she drew +her on toward the house, her father and son accompanying them.</p> + +<p>She parted with Elsie at the door of the sick-room, embracing her tenderly +and bidding her "'Be strong and of a good courage,' my darling, for 'the +eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.'"</p> + +<p>"Dearest mamma, what sweet words!" said the weeping girl. "Oh, how glad I +am that God reigns! and that I know he will send to each of his children +just what is best."</p> + +<p>She turned away as the door closed upon her mother, and found Violet close +at her side.</p> + +<p>There was a silent affectionate embrace, and with their arms about each +other they sought Elsie's dressing-room.</p> + +<p>"Grandpa and Edward have told me," Violet said, "and you will let me help +you, my poor dear sister? help in thinking and selecting what you will +want to carry with you."</p> + +<p>"Gladly, thankfully, for oh, I seem scarcely able to collect my thoughts! +How can I leave mamma and all of you? and the darling little brother and +sister so ill! and yet how can I stay away from Lester when he is sick and +alone in a strange land, with not a friend to speak a cheering word, +smooth his pillow, give his medicine, or see that he has proper food? O +Vi, can I help going to him, even at the sacrifice of leaving all other +near and dear ones?"</p> + +<p>"I think our mother would have done it for papa," Violet answered, kissing +Elsie's cheek.</p> + +<p>Mr. Dinsmore having first seen Ben, and found him more than willing to go +with the children of the master he had loved as his own soul, went to the +library, looked over the papers, and had just found the information he +sought, when the sound of horses' hoofs on the avenue drew his attention, +and glancing from the window he saw the Roselands carriage drive up with +his sister, Mrs. Conly, inside.</p> + +<p>He hastened out to assist her to alight.</p> + +<p>"Good-morning, Horace," she said. "Is my son Arthur here?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Louise, he has spent the last hour or more in attendance upon our +sick little ones. Ah, here he is to speak for himself!" as the young +doctor stepped from the open doorway. "But won't you come in?"</p> + +<p>She demurred. "Is there any danger, Arthur?"</p> + +<p>"Danger of what, mother?"</p> + +<p>"You certainly understood me," she said half angrily; "danger of +contagion, of course."</p> + +<p>"None for you, surely, mother, and none you could carry home unless you +came in personal contact with the sick children."</p> + +<p>"I shall sit here for a moment, then," she said, stepping from the +carriage and taking a chair upon the veranda. "How are they to-day?"</p> + +<p>"The sick little ones? The disease has not yet reached its crisis."</p> + +<p>"I hope they'll get safely over it: it's a good thing to have over. How +soon can you be spared from here, Arthur?"</p> + +<p>"Now, mother, if I am needed elsewhere, I shall not be needed here—at +least am not likely to be—for some hours."</p> + +<p>"Then I wish you'd come home directly to see what you can do for your +grandfather. He doesn't seem at all well to-day."</p> + +<p>"My father ill?" Mr. Dinsmore exclaimed in a tone of alarm and concern.</p> + +<p>"It hardly amounts to that, I presume," Mrs. Conly answered coldly; "but +he is not well; didn't eat a mouthful of breakfast."</p> + +<p>"Grandpa, did you find what you wanted in the morning paper?" queried +Edward, joining them at this moment. "Ah, Aunt Louise, how d'ye do?"</p> + +<p>She nodded indifferently, listening with some curiosity for her brother's +reply.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said; "and I think you should leave to-night; for by so doing +you will reach New York in time to take the next steamer, if you meet with +no great detention on the way. Do you think you can both be ready?"</p> + +<p>"I certainly can, sir, and have no doubt Elsie will also."</p> + +<p>"What is it? off to Europe?" asked Mrs. Conly in surprise. "What should +call you two children there at this time?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Dinsmore briefly stated the facts, giving the news of the morning, +Elsie's wish, and Edward's offer to be her escort to Italy.</p> + +<p>"If she were a daughter of mine, I should consider a female companion an +absolute necessity," was Mrs. Conly's comment.</p> + +<p>"She will take her maid of course," said Mr. Dinsmore and Edward, both +speaking at once.</p> + +<p>"Pooh! a maid! I mean a lady relative or friend. I said a companion, and +that a maid could not be."</p> + +<p>"I should be extremely glad if such could be found in the few hours that +we have for our preparations," said her brother, "but I know of none; the +Fairview family are absent, Violet is too young——"</p> + +<p>"Of course," interrupted Mrs. Conly; "but there are other relatives. I +would go myself if my means would warrant the expense."</p> + +<p>"If you are in earnest, Louise, you need not hesitate for a moment on that +score; it shall not cost you a penny," her brother said, looking at her in +pleased but half-incredulous surprise.</p> + +<p>"I was never more in earnest," she answered. "I don't think you give me +much credit for affection for your grandchildren, yet I certainly care too +much for the one in question to willingly see her undertake such a journey +without the support of female companionship. And I can be spared from +home if you and Arthur will look after father; I have no young child now, +and Aunt Maria is fully capable of taking charge of all household matters. +If you wish me to go you have only to say so and guarantee my expenses, +and I shall go home, oversee the packing of my trunks, and be ready as +soon as the young people are."</p> + +<p>"Your offer is a most kind one, Louise, and I accept it even without +waiting to consult with my daughter," Mr. Dinsmore said.</p> + +<p>"Then I must go home at once, and set about my preparations immediately," +she said, rising to take leave.</p> + +<p>Arthur Conly as well as Edward Travilla had been a surprised but silent +listener to the short dialogue.</p> + +<p>"Can you spare your mother, Arthur?" his uncle asked.</p> + +<p>"We must, sir, if it pleases her to go, and for the sake of my two sweet +cousins—Elsie senior and Elsie junior—I willingly consent. You take the +night train I understand?" turning to Edward.</p> + +<p>"Yes; to-night."</p> + +<p>"I shall see that my mother is at the depôt in season;" and with that they +took their departure, Mr. Dinsmore saying, as he bade them adieu, that he +should ride over presently to see his father.</p> + +<p>Turning toward Edward, he saw that the lad's eyes were following the +Roselands' carriage down the avenue, his face wearing a rueful look.</p> + +<p>"Grandpa," he said with a sigh, "I see no necessity for Aunt Louise's +company, and, indeed, should very much prefer to be without it."</p> + +<p>"You forget that you are speaking to your grandfather of his sister," Mr. +Dinsmore answered, with a touch of sternness in his tone.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon, sir," returned Edward. "She is so unlike you that I am +apt to forget the relationship."</p> + +<p>"I know you do not always find your aunt's company agreeable," remarked +Mr. Dinsmore, "and I do not blame you on that account, yet I think it will +be an advantage to you, and especially to your sister, to have with you a +woman of her age and knowledge of the world. I wish I could go with you +myself, but I cannot think of leaving either my old father or your mother +in this time of trial."</p> + +<p>"No, sir, oh no! Delightful as it would be to both of us for you to make +one of our little party, we would not for the world deprive dear mamma of +the support and comfort of your presence here; nor our dear old +grandfather either."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III" />CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 21em;">"Filial ingratitude?</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">Is it not as this mouth should tear this hand</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">For lifting food to 't?" —<i>Shaks. Lear</i>.</span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>"This is a very sudden resolve of yours, mother, isn't it?" Dr. Conly +asked, as they drove through the great gates at Ion, into the highway.</p> + +<p>"It is, Arthur, for I had not dreamed of such a wild scheme on the part of +those two silly children until I heard of it from their grandfather's +lips; nor could have believed he would sanction such folly. They ought to +make Elsie stay where she is, and if young Leland dies it will but rid the +family of a prospective plebeian alliance."</p> + +<p>"Very possibly of the sweet girl also," was Arthur's grave response.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! it is only in novels that girls die of broken hearts."</p> + +<p>"Granting that for argument's sake, it must be very hard to live with +one."</p> + +<p>"Well; it seems she is to be allowed to go, and my offer removes the most +serious objection; yet I have no idea that the sacrifice on my part will +be at all appreciated."</p> + +<p>"Then why make it, mother? I can readily find a substitute; there is Mrs. +Foster, whose health would be greatly benefited by a long sea voyage. She, +I feel certain, would think it a great boon to be allowed this opportunity +of going without expense and in the company of two young people of whom +she is very fond. And you know, mother, that though poor now she was +formerly wealthy, is a perfect lady, and her having been to Europe once or +twice would make her all the more valuable companion to them."</p> + +<p>"You are quite too late with your suggestion, Arthur," was the coldly +spoken reply. "I have passed my word and shall not break it."</p> + +<p>Her son gave her a look of keen scrutiny, then turned his face from her +with a scarcely audible sigh. He read her motives and feelings far more +clearly than she suspected.</p> + +<p>The truth was she was weary of the dulness of home now that the shadow of +bereavement was upon it, and the etiquette of mourning forbade her +attendance upon public assemblages of whatever kind, except church, and +did not allow even so much as a formal call upon strangers or +acquaintance. The society of her now old, feeble, and depressed father was +wearisome to her also.</p> + +<p>Beside she had long had a hankering after a European tour, and this was +too good an opportunity to let slip. Also it would give her a chance to +see for herself what was the trouble with Virginia, whose letters of late +had been of a very disquieting kind; full of reproaches and vague hints of +unhappiness and disappointment in her new life.</p> + +<p>There would probably be a few hours between their arrival in New York and +the sailing of the steamer, in which she could call to see Virginia and +learn with certainty exactly how she was situated.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Travilla received the news of her aunt's offer with a gratitude which +it by no means merited, and the younger Elsie, though not fond of her Aunt +Louise's society, felt that her presence might prove a comfort and support +when she and Edward should find themselves strangers in a foreign land.</p> + +<p>The mother sought this dear eldest child with loving words of cheer and +counsel whenever she could be spared from the sick-room, and Violet, +Harold, and Herbert hung about her as a treasure soon to be snatched from +them, each eager to render any assistance in his or her power.</p> + +<p>The hour of parting came all too soon, and with many tears and embraces +the young travellers were sent on their way.</p> + +<p>The mother's last words to Elsie, as she held her close to her heart with +many a tear and tender caress, were: "'Be strong and of a good courage, +fear not, nor be afraid of them, for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth +go with thee, he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.' To him, the God of +your fathers, do I trust you, my precious child."</p> + +<p>"You also, my dear, dear boy!" taking Edward's hand: "but rejoice in the +thought that you are together, mutual helpers and comforters."</p> + +<p>"Be sure to telegraph us from New York, Edward, again as soon as possible +after landing on the other side, and a third time when you have seen +Lester and can report his exact condition," was Mr. Dinsmore's parting +injunction, as with a most affectionate farewell he left them in the +sleeping-car.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Conly had joined them at the depôt, according to promise.</p> + +<p>All three retired at once to their berths, and Elsie wept herself to +sleep, thinking of the dear ones left behind; especially the mother who +had so tenderly cherished her from her birth and the sick little ones who, +she feared, might not be there to welcome her return. Thinking too of him +to whom she was going, his probable suffering, and the dread possibility +that at her journey's end she should find only his grave.</p> + +<p>They reached New York in good season, having met with no accident or +detention. The steamer would not leave for some hours, but it was Elsie's +desire to go directly on board.</p> + +<p>"I think that will be your best plan," said Mrs. Conly. "You can then +settle yourself in your state-room at once; and while Dinah unpacks what +you will need on the voyage, you can lie in your berth and rest. You are +looking greatly fatigued."</p> + +<p>"You will come with us, Aunt Louise, will you not?" both the young people +asked.</p> + +<p>"No, I must see Virginia. I shall have time for an hour's chat with her +and yet to reach the vessel some time before the hour fixed for her +sailing. Edward, you will see that my luggage is taken on board?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, aunt; but shall we not first drive to Virginia's residence and +leave you there? And I return for you after seeing my sister and the +luggage on board the steamer?"</p> + +<p>"No, not at all!" she answered stiffly. "I am obliged for your offer, but +where would be the use? You may tell Ben to call a hack for me. I'll have +it wait at Virginia's door and drive me to the wharf when I am ready to +go."</p> + +<p>Edward, thinking he had never known her so considerate and kind, hastened +to carry out her wishes, bidding Ben engage two hacks—one for Mrs. Conly +and another for themselves.</p> + +<p>Consideration for her nephew and niece had nothing to do with Mrs. Conly's +plans and arrangements. If, as she greatly feared, Virginia were living in +other than aristocratic style, she would not for the world have it known +among the relatives who had heard her boasts in regard to Virgie's grand +match; "so much better than Isa had been led into while under the care of +her grandfather and uncle."</p> + +<p>She had never before heard of the street mentioned in Virginia's last +letter, and her heart misgave her as to its being one of the most +fashionable for the abodes of the wealthy. The curiously scrutinizing look +and odd smile of the hack-driver when she gave him the address did not +tend to reassure her.</p> + +<p>"Drive me there as quickly as you can," she ordered, drawing herself up +and flashing an indignant glance at him. "I have no time to waste."</p> + +<p>"Sure, mum, I'll do that same," he returned, touching his horses with the +whip.</p> + +<p>"Where are you taking me? What do you mean by bringing me into such a vile +region as this?" she demanded presently, as the hack turned into a narrow +and very dirty street.</p> + +<p>"It's the shortest cut to the place ye said ye wanted to go till, mum," he +answered shortly.</p> + +<p>She sank back with a sigh and closed her eyes for a moment. She was very +weary with her long journey and more depressed than she had ever been in +her life before.</p> + +<p>The drive seemed the longest and most unpleasant she had ever undertaken; +she began to wish she had been content to sail for Europe without trying +to find Virginia. But at last the vehicle stopped, the driver reached down +from his seat and opened the door.</p> + +<p>His passenger put out her head, glanced this way and that, scanned the +house before her, and angrily demanded, "What are you stopping here for?"</p> + +<p>"Bekase ye tould me to, mum; it's the place ye said ye wanted to come +till."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Conly looked at the number over the door, saw that it was the one she +had given him, then in a voice she vainly tried to make coldly +indifferent, inquired of some children who had gathered on the sidewalk to +gaze in open-mouthed curiosity at her and the hack, if this were —— +street.</p> + +<p>The answer confirmed the driver's assertion, and she hastily alighted.</p> + +<p>The house was a large tenement swarming with inhabitants, as was evidenced +by the number of heads in nearly every front window, drawn thither by the +unusual event of the stopping of a hack before the door of entrance. It +stood wide open, giving a view of an unfurnished hall and stairway, both +of which were in a very untidy condition.</p> + +<p>"Does Mr. Henry Neuville live here?" Mrs. Conly asked, addressing the +group of staring children.</p> + +<p>"Dunno," said one. "Guess not," said another.</p> + +<p>"Mebbe thems the grand folks as moved intill the second story front +t'other week," observed a third. "I'll show ye the way, lady," and he +rushed past her into the house and ran nimbly up the dirty stairs.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Conly lifted her skirts and followed, her heart sinking like lead in +her bosom. Could it be possible that Virginia had come to this?</p> + +<p>Halting before the door of the front room on the second floor, the lad +gave a thundering rap, then opened it, shouting, "Here's a old lady to see +ye, Mrs. Novel; if that's yer name."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by rushing in on me in this rude way, you young rascal?" +demanded a shrill female voice, which Mrs. Conly instantly recognized as +that of her daughter. "Begone instantly! begone, I say!"</p> + +<p>"Go, go!" Mrs. Conly said to the boy, in half smothered tones, putting a +small coin into his hand; then staggering into the room she dropped into a +chair, gasping for breath.</p> + +<p>"Virginia, Virginia! can it be possible that I find you in such a place +as this?" she cried, as the latter started up from a lounge on which she +had been lying with a paper-covered novel in her hand.</p> + +<p>Her hair was in crimping-pins, her dress most slatternly, and her +surroundings were in keeping with her personal appearance.</p> + +<p>"Mamma!" she exclaimed in utter astonishment and confusion. "How did you +get here? how did you come? You should have sent me word. I have no way to +accommodate you."</p> + +<p>"Don't be alarmed, I have no intention of staying more than an hour. I +start for Europe by to-day's steamer, with Elsie and Edward Travilla. +Lester Leland's ill, dying I presume, and the silly love-sick girl must +needs rush to the rescue."</p> + +<p>"And why are you to go with her? why don't the mother and grandfather and +the whole family accompany her, after their usual fashion of all keeping +together?"</p> + +<p>"Because Rosie and Walter are down with the measles; much too ill to +travel."</p> + +<p>"And you are going to Europe to enjoy yourself, while I must live here in +a New York tenement house occupied by the very dregs of society, and as +the wife of a drunkard, gambler, and rake; a man—or rather a brute—who +lives by his wits, abuses me like the pickpocket that he is, half starves +me, and expects me to do all the work, cooking, cleaning, and everything +else, even to washing and ironing of the few clothes he hasn't pawned; me! +a lady brought up to have servants to wait upon her at every turn!"</p> + +<p>"O Virgie, Virgie! it can't be so bad as that!" cried her mother, clasping +her hands in an agony of distress, and gazing piteously at her, the hot +tears streaming down her face.</p> + +<p>"I tell you it is that and worse! and all your fault, for you made the +match! you hurried me into it lest grandpa, uncle, or brothers should +interfere, find out that the man's morals were not good according to their +high standard, and prevent me from marrying him."</p> + +<p>"You were in as great haste and as much opposed to their interference as +I, Virginia!" the mother retorted, drawing herself up in proud anger.</p> + +<p>"Well, and what of that! you brought me up, and I was only following out +the teachings you have given me from my cradle. I tell you it was your +doing; but I must reap what you have sowed. I wish I was dead!" She flung +her book from her as she spoke, turned and paced the room, her hands +clenched, her eyes flashing, her teeth set hard.</p> + +<p>She had not drawn near her mother, or given her one word of welcome or +thanks for having turned aside from her journey to inquire into her +welfare.</p> + +<p>"'Oh, sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child!'" +exclaimed Mrs. Conly in anguished accents, rising as if to go, but +instantly falling heavily to the floor.</p> + +<p>Virginia rushed to her side, half frantic with terror.</p> + +<p>"Oh, mother, mother, what is it? What have I done! what have I done! I +know you're the best friend I have in the world!" she cried, stooping over +her, loosening her bonnet-strings and dress, and trying vainly to lift her +to the lounge, for she was a large, heavy woman and now in a state of +utter insensibility, her face purple, her breathing stertorous.</p> + +<p>The sound of her fall and Virginia's terrified shriek had brought the +neighbors flocking upon the scene; some of the boldest opening the door +and ushering themselves in without the ceremony of knocking.</p> + +<p>"The lady's in a fit!" cried a woman, hurrying to Virginia's assistance; +"you've druv her to distraction; you shouldn't a ben so abusive; I could +hear ye clear into my room a scoldin' and accusin' of her of makin' your +match fer ye."</p> + +<p>"Run for a doctor, some of you!" cried Virginia, standing by the couch +where, with the woman's help, she had laid her mother, and wringing her +hands in helpless distress. "Oh, she'll die! she'll die! Mother, mother! +I'm sorry I was so cruel! Oh, I take it all back. Oh, mother, speak to +me!"</p> + +<p>"'Tain't no use," said the woman, "she don't hear ye. An' if she did she +couldn't speak. I've seen folks struck down with apoplexy afore."</p> + +<p>"Oh, will she die? will she die?" groaned the wretched daughter, dropping +on her knees beside the couch.</p> + +<p>"Can't tell, mum; sometimes they die in a little bit, and sometimes they +get purty well over it and live on for years. Here, let me put another +pillar under her head, and some o' ye there run and fetch the coldest +water that ever ye can git."</p> + +<p>Some one had summoned a physician, and he presently came hurrying in. His +first act was to send every one from the room except the patient and her +two attendants.</p> + +<p>With tears and sobs Virginia besought him to save her mother's life.</p> + +<p>"I shall certainly do my best, madam," he said, "but very little can be +done at present. What was the immediate cause of the attack?"</p> + +<p>Virginia answered vaguely that her mother was fatigued with a long journey +and had been worried and fretted.</p> + +<p>"This is not her home?" glancing around the meanly furnished dirty room.</p> + +<p>"No; neither she nor I have been accustomed to such surroundings," +answered Virginia haughtily. "Can you not see that we are ladies? We are +from the South, and mother has but just arrived. Oh, tell me, is she going +to die?"</p> + +<p>"Her recovery is doubtful. If she has other near relatives who care to see +her alive, I advise you to summon them with all speed."</p> + +<p>"Oh dear! oh dear! you must save her!" cried Virginia frantically, +wringing her hands. "I can't have her die. They'll say I killed her! But +every word I said was true; she did all in her power to make the match +that has ruined my happiness and all my prospects for life."</p> + +<p>"So you, her own daughter, have brought this on by cruel taunts and +reproaches!" the physician said in a tone of mingled contempt and +indignation. "I hope you feel that the least you can do now is to take the +best possible care of her."</p> + +<p>"How can I?" sobbed Virginia. "I've no money to pay a nurse or buy +comforts for mother, and I know nothing about nursing or cooking for sick +or well. I wasn't brought up to work."</p> + +<p>A boy now came to the door with a message from the hackman; "he couldn't +stay any longer if the lady wasn't going to the steamer, and he wanted +his pay."</p> + +<p>Virginia opened a small satchel that had dropped from her mother's hand, +found her purse, paid the man his dues, and counting the remainder told +the doctor there was enough to provide what would be needed for the +patient until other relatives could be summoned, and that should be done +at once by telegrams to be paid by the recipients.</p> + +<p>The doctor approved, and kindly offered to attend to sending the messages +for her.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV" />CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">"O gloriously upon the deep</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 13em;">The gallant vessel rides,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12.5em;">And she is mistress of the winds,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 13em;">And mistress of the tides."</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 18.5em;">—<i>Miss Landon</i>.</span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>Meanwhile Edward had taken his sister on board the steamer, and she, +greatly exhausted by grief, anxiety, and fatigue, had at once retired to +her berth.</p> + +<p>Edward also was weary and in need of sleep, so presently went to his +state-room, leaving Ben to attend to the luggage and watch for Mrs. +Conly's arrival.</p> + +<p>Faithful Ben waited patiently about for a couple of hours, then began to +grow uneasy lest Mrs. Conly should not arrive in season. Another hour +passed, and he reluctantly roused his young master to ask what could be +done.</p> + +<p>"What's wanted?" Edward asked, waked by Ben's loud rap on the state-room +door.</p> + +<p>"Miss Louise she hasn't come yet, Marse Ed'ard," he said, "and de +steamah'll be startin' fo' long. I don' know whar to go to look her up, so +please excuse me for rousin' ye, sah."</p> + +<p>"Hasn't come yet, do you say, Ben? and the vessel about to sail?" +exclaimed Edward in dismay, springing from his berth to open the door. +"Why, yes," looking at his watch, "there's barely half an hour left, and I +don't see what we can do."</p> + +<p>"No time now fo' me to go an' hunt up Miss Louise, Marse Ed'ard? Ise berry +sorry, sah, dat I didn't come soonah to ax you 'bout it, but I didn't like +to 'sturb you," said Ben, looking much distressed.</p> + +<p>"Never mind, Ben," Edward answered kindly, "you couldn't have gone for +her, because she gave me no address, and I have not the least idea where +to send for her."</p> + +<p>"Den what am to be done, sah?"</p> + +<p>"We will have to sail without her. I could not think of asking my sister +to wait for the next steamer," Edward said, more as if thinking aloud than +talking to Ben.</p> + +<p>The latter bowed respectfully and withdrew, but only to come hurrying back +the next moment with a telegram from Virginia.</p> + +<p>"Mother taken suddenly ill. Remains with me. Send luggage to No. —— +street."</p> + +<p>This news of his aunt's illness caused Edward regret not wholly unmingled +with satisfaction in the thought of being spared her companionship on the +voyage and afterward.</p> + +<p>He read the message aloud to Ben. "You see it would have done no good if +we could have gone for her," he remarked. "But go, make haste to have the +baggage sent ashore to the address given here."</p> + +<p>Elsie's state-room adjoined her brother's. She too had been roused by +Ben's knock and overheard a part of what passed between him and his young +master. Dinah also was listening.</p> + +<p>"What dat dey say, Miss Elsie?" she queried in a startled tone, "Miss +Louise sick?"</p> + +<p>"I think that was what Master Edward said; but go to his door, Dinah, and +ask."</p> + +<p>Edward came himself with his answer and bringing a second telegram; this +time from their grandfather, saying the children were decidedly better, +all the rest of the family well.</p> + +<p>"Oh, what good news!" exclaimed Elsie. "But poor Aunt Louise! I wish we +knew her exact condition. Do you not think it must have been a sudden +seizure?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, of either illness or desire to remain behind. Don't let it worry +you, sister dear. You have already quite enough of anxiety to endure."</p> + +<p>"No," she said, with a sweet, patient smile, "I am trying not to be +anxious or troubled about anything, but to obey the sweet command, +'casting all your care upon Him.'"</p> + +<p>"'For He careth for you,'" added Edward, completing the quotation. "It +is, as you say, a sweet command, most restful to those who obey it. Have +you slept?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I have had a long and very refreshing nap; still I have not +recovered from my fatigue, and shall not leave my state-room for some time +yet."</p> + +<p>"Let me send in your supper," he said. "I hope it will refresh you still +more, and that after it you may feel equal to a turn on deck with me. It +will be moonlight, and if you wrap up well you will not find the air more +than bracingly keen."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," she said. "It is altogether likely I shall find the exercise +of a short promenade rather restful than otherwise, after being so long +cramped up in the cars. You are a dear, good brother to me, Ned," she +added, laying her hand affectionately on his arm as he sat on the edge of +the berth close by her side. "But how strange it seems that we two are +starting off on this long voyage alone!"</p> + +<p>"I'm so proud to be trusted to take care of you, Elsie," he returned, +bending over her and tenderly smoothing her luxuriant hair. "I used to +look up to you years ago, but now——"</p> + +<p>"You look down on me?" she interrupted sportively. "No great feat, Master +Ned, while I lie here."</p> + +<p>"Nor when we stand side by side," he returned in the same tone, 'seeing I +have grown to be a full head taller than you. But truth compels me to +acknowledge that I am your superior in nothing else except physical +strength."</p> + +<p>"You might add knowledge of the world, you have had to rely on your own +judgment so much oftener than I who have so seldom left mamma's side. +Dear, dear mamma! Oh, Ned, how long will it be before I see her again?"</p> + +<p>She wept as she spoke, and Edward felt for the moment strongly inclined to +join her. But instead he tried to cheer her.</p> + +<p>"We will hope Cousin Arthur may prescribe a sea voyage for grandpa and the +children before long, and then we shall have the whole family joining us +in Italy."</p> + +<p>"How delightful that would be, Ned!" she said, smiling through her tears.</p> + +<p>"And do you know," he went on gayly, "it is strongly impressed upon me +that we shall find Lester convalescent, and by good nursing and our +cheering companionship so help it on that we shall have him a well man in +a few weeks."</p> + +<p>"Ah, if it might be so!" she sighed. "'But He doeth all things well,' and +oh how precious are His promises! 'As thy days thy strength shall be.' 'I +will never leave thee nor forsake thee.' 'When thou passest through the +waters I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not +overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be +burned; neither shall the flames kindle upon thee.' And then that glorious +assurance, 'We <i>know</i> that all things work together for good to them that +love God.' Oh, Ned, our one great need is more and stronger faith!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, the faith which worketh by love! Let me read you that eighth chapter +of Romans. I do not know what could be more comforting," he said, taking a +small Testament from his pocket.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," she said when he had finished. "Ah, what could be sweeter +than those concluding verses! 'For I am persuaded that neither death, nor +life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor +things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be +able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our +Lord!'"</p> + +<p>"Elsie, I think if our mother had never done anything else for her +children," remarked Edward earnestly, "they would owe her an eternal debt +of gratitude for storing their minds as she has with the very words of +inspiration."</p> + +<p>"Yes, 'the entrance of Thy words giveth light, it giveth understanding to +the simple.' 'The law of Thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of +gold and silver.'"</p> + +<p>Ben came to the door. "Dey says dey's goin' to fotch up de anchor and +start de wessel, Marse Ed'ard. Don't you and Miss Elsie want for to see +it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sister, do you not wish to see the last you may, for the present, of +your dear native land?" queried Edward in a lively tone. "'Twill take but +a moment to don hat and shawl, and I shall be proud to give you the +support of my arm."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I do," she said, rising with alacrity and hastily making the needful +preparations.</p> + +<p>Ben preceded them to the deck and found comfortable seats for them in the +front rank of those who were there on the same errand.</p> + +<p>Elsie's tears began to fall as she saw the shore receding.</p> + +<p>"Oh," she murmured very low and sadly, leaning on her brother's shoulder +and clinging more closely to him, "shall we ever return? ever see again +the dear land of our birth and all our loved ones left behind?"</p> + +<p>"There is every reason to hope so, dear sister," he whispered in return. +"A voyage to Europe is not the great and perilous undertaking it used to +be; and we are under the same protecting care here as on land. 'And the +Lord, he it is that doth go before thee, he will be with thee, he will +not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.'"</p> + +<p>She looked her thanks. "'Fear not;' sweet command! I must, I will obey it. +Oh, how true it is that in keeping His commands there is great reward! I +am fully convinced that in the perfect keeping of them all perfect +happiness would be found."</p> + +<p>A gentleman standing near turned suddenly round. The tones of Elsie's +voice had reached him, though very few of the words.</p> + +<p>"Ah, I thought I could not be mistaken in that voice," he said +delightedly, and offering his hand in cordial greeting. "How are you, Miss +Elsie? and you, Ned? Really you are the last people I expected to meet +here, though the very ones I should prefer above all others as <i>compagnons +de voyage</i>."</p> + +<p>It was Philip Ross, Jr.</p> + +<p>Neither of those addressed had ever enjoyed his society, and they were too +sincere and true to reciprocate his expressions of gratification at the +unexpected meeting. They accepted his offered hand, made kind inquiries in +regard to his health and that of the other members of the family, and +asked if any of them were on board.</p> + +<p>"No," he said, "it's merely a business trip that I take quite frequently. +But ma and the girls are in Paris now, went last June and expect to stay +for another six months or longer. You two aren't here alone, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," Edward said.</p> + +<p>"You don't say so!" cried Philip, elevating his eyebrows. "Who'd ever have +believed your careful mother—not to speak of your grandfather—would ever +trust you so far from home by yourselves!"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Ross," Edward said, reddening, "I shall reach my majority a few +months hence, and have been considered worthy of trust by both mother and +grandpa, for years past."</p> + +<p>"Mamma did not show the slightest hesitation in committing me to his +care," added Elsie in her sweet, gentle tones.</p> + +<p>"Glad to hear it! didn't mean any insinuation that I didn't consider you +worthy of all trust, Ned; only that Mrs. Travilla and the old governor +have always been so awfully strict and particular."</p> + +<p>Elsie, to whom the slang term was new, looked at the speaker with a +slightly puzzled expression; but Edward, who fully understood it, drew +himself up with offended dignity.</p> + +<p>"Permit me to remark, Mr. Ross, that so disrespectful an allusion to my +honored grandfather can never be other than extremely offensive to me, and +to all his children and grandchildren."</p> + +<p>"Beg your pardon, Nod, and yours, Miss Elsie" (he would have liked to +drop the Miss, but something in her manner prevented him), "I call my own +father the governor—behind his back you know—and meant no offence in +applying the term to Mr. Dinsmore."</p> + +<p>His apology was accepted, and the talk turned upon the various objects of +interest within sight as they passed through the harbor.</p> + +<p>When there was little more to see but sky and water, Elsie retired to her +state-room, where she stayed until evening. Then Edward came for her, and +they passed an hour very enjoyably in promenading the deck or sitting side +by side, looking out upon the moonlit waters.</p> + +<p>"I wish we hadn't happened upon Phil Ross," Edward remarked in an +undertone far from hilarious. "I fear he will, according to custom, make +himself very disagreeable to you."</p> + +<p>"I have been thinking it over, Ned," she answered, "and have come to the +conclusion that the better plan will be for you to take the first +favorable opportunity to tell him of my engagement and what is the object +of our journey."</p> + +<p>"I presume such a course will be likely to save you a good deal of +annoyance," Edward said; "and as we are old acquaintances, and he +evidently full of a curiosity that will assuredly lead to his asking some +questions, I think it will be no difficult matter to give him the +information without seeming to thrust it upon him."</p> + +<p>At that moment Philip came up and joined them, helping himself to a seat +on Elsie's other side. He seemed to be, as of old, on the best of terms +with himself and very graciously disposed toward Elsie.</p> + +<p>He, too, had been thinking of the, to him, fortunate chance (Elsie would +have called it providence) which had thrown them together where for some +days they were likely to see much of each other. He had heard a report of +her engagement, but refused to credit it. "She had always been fond of him +and it wasn't likely she would throw herself away on somebody else." And +now he had come to the decision to offer her his hand, heart, and fortune +without delay. He was rich enough, and why should he keep her in suspense +any longer?</p> + +<p>He indulged in a few trivial commonplaces, then invited her to take a turn +with him on the deck.</p> + +<p>But she declined with thanks, "he must excuse her for she was greatly +fatigued and must retire at once." And with a kindly "Good-night," she +withdrew to her state-room, Edward again giving her the support of his +arm.</p> + +<p>Philip was literally struck dumb with surprise, and did not recover his +speech until she was gone.</p> + +<p>Edward returned presently, and as he resumed his seat by Philip's side the +latter asked, "Is your sister out of health, Ned?"</p> + +<p>"No; but we are just off a long and fatiguing journey; she was not at her +best state either when we left home, because of care and nursing of the +sick children. And in addition to all that she is enduring much grief and +anxiety."</p> + +<p>"May I ask on what account?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; I have no objection to telling you the whole story, considering what +old acquaintances we are, and the life-long friendship of our mothers. +Lester Leland, Elsie's betrothed, is lying very ill in Rome, and we are +making all haste to join him there."</p> + +<p>"Her betrothed!" cried Philip, starting to his feet, "her betrothed did +you say? why—why, I've always expected to marry her myself; thought it +was an understood thing in both families, and——"</p> + +<p>"I am sure I do not know upon what grounds you entertained such an idea," +returned Edward in a tone of mingled indignation and disgust.</p> + +<p>"Grounds, man! I'm sure it would seem the most natural thing in the +world—each the eldest child of intimate and dear friends—and I have +never made any secret of my preference for her——"</p> + +<p>"Which amounts to nothing unless it had been reciprocated."</p> + +<p>"Reciprocated! I've always thought it was, and delayed speaking out +plainly only because I considered myself safe in waiting to grow a little +richer."</p> + +<p>"In which you were egregiously mistaken. Now let me assure you once for +all, that Elsie never has and never will care for any man in that way but +Lester Leland."</p> + +<p>At that Philip turned and walked rapidly away. "I'd rather have lost all +I'm worth!" he muttered to himself. "Yes; every cent of it. But as to her +never caring for anybody else if that fellow was out o' the way, I don't +believe it. And he may die; may be dead now. Well, if he is I'll keep a +sharp look-out that nobody else gets ahead of me."</p> + +<p>His self-love and self-conceit had received a pretty deep wound, his eyes +were opened to the fact that Elsie avoided being alone with him, never +appearing on deck without her brother, and he did not trouble her much +during the remainder of the voyage, did not make his intended offer.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V" />CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 22.5em;">"I feel</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">Of this dull sickness at my heart afraid</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">And in my eyes the death sparks flash and fade</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">And something seems to steal</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">Over my bosom like a frozen hand."</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 24em;">—<i>Willis</i>.</span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>Dr. Arthur Conly rode briskly up the avenue at Roselands, dismounted, +throwing the bridle to a servant, and went up the steps into the veranda, +whistling softly to himself.</p> + +<p>"You seem in good spirits, Art," remarked Calhoun, who sat there with the +morning paper in his hand. "I haven't heard you whistle before for—well I +should say something like a fortnight."</p> + +<p>"I am in good spirits, Cal, the Ion children are out of danger, and uncle +has just had a telegram from Ned announcing the safe arrival of their +party in New York in good season to take the steamer."</p> + +<p>"I presume this tells the same story, though I can't think why it isn't +directed to grandpa, or to me as the eldest son of the house," Calhoun +said, handing an unopened telegram to his brother.</p> + +<p>Arthur tore it hastily open, glanced at the contents and paled to the very +lips.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" cried Calhoun in alarm.</p> + +<p>"Mother!" said Arthur huskily, putting the paper into his brother's +outstretched hand. "She has been struck down with apoplexy. Cal, I must +take the first train for New York. Look at the paper, see when it leaves. +Thank God that those children are out of danger! But I must see whom I can +get to take charge of them and my other patients during my absence."</p> + +<p>Then calling to a servant he directed a fresh horse to be saddled and +brought to the door with all speed, and hurrying into the house, summoned +his old mammy and bade her pack a valise with such clothing as he would +need on a journey to the North which might occupy a week or more.</p> + +<p>"You are acting very promptly," Calhoun said, following him in to give the +desired information in regard to the train.</p> + +<p>"Yes, there's not a minute to lose, Cal."</p> + +<p>Calhoun's face was full of grief and anxiety. "I think I should go, too, +Art, if—if you think there's any probability of—finding her alive."</p> + +<p>"It's impossible to tell. But we can hardly both be spared from home. It +should be kept from grandpa as long as possible, and if he saw us both +rushing off in the direction she has taken, he would know at once that +something very serious had happened her."</p> + +<p>"Yes, you are right, and for the first time I envy you your medical +knowledge and skill. She's with Virginia, the message is sent by her," +glancing again at the paper which he still held in his hand. "I'm glad of +that—that she has at least one of her children with her, if——"</p> + +<p>He paused and Arthur finished the sentence. "If she will be of any use or +comfort to her, you were about to say? Well, we can only hope that so +terrible an emergency has developed some hitherto unsuspected excellencies +in Virginia's character."</p> + +<p>A horse came galloping up the avenue. Calhoun glanced from the window.</p> + +<p>"Another telegram!" he cried, and both brothers dashed out upon the +veranda.</p> + +<p>This was directed to Calhoun, sent from Philadelphia by their uncle Edward +Allison. He and Adelaide would be with Mrs. Conly in two hours, telegraph +at once in what condition they found her, and if practicable start with +her immediately for her home.</p> + +<p>The brothers consulted together, and Arthur decided to go on with his +preparations, but delay setting out upon his journey until the coming of +the promised message.</p> + +<p>It came in due time, and from it they learned that their mother was +already on her way home.</p> + +<p>The sad tidings had now to be communicated to the other near relatives, +but it was deemed best to keep them from the younger children and the +feeble old father until the day when she might be expected to arrive.</p> + +<p>As gently and tenderly as possible the old gentleman's son broke the news +to him.</p> + +<p>He was much overcome. "She will never get over it, I fear," he sighed, the +tears coursing down his furrowed cheeks. "One bereavement is apt to tread +closely upon the heels of another, and she will probably soon follow her +sister. But oh if I only knew that she had been washed from her sins in +the precious blood of Christ, that she had accepted His invitation, 'Come +unto me,' so that death would be but falling asleep in Him, safe in His +arms, safe on His gentle breast—I think I could let her go almost +willingly, for my race is well nigh run, and it can hardly be long ere I +too shall get my summons home."</p> + +<p>"Dear father, if such be the will of God, may you be spared to us for many +years yet," returned his son with emotion. "And Louise! We do not know her +exact condition, but let us hope that God will in His great mercy give her +yet more time—months or years—in which to prepare for eternity. We will +cry earnestly for her, and in the name of Christ, to Him who hath said, 'I +have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth,' but bids them 'Turn +yourselves and live ye.'"</p> + +<p>"Yes; and whose promise is, 'If two of you shall agree on earth, as +touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my +Father which is in heaven!'"</p> + +<p>Silence fell between them for a moment, then the old gentleman asked, +"What arrangements have the boys made? She will hardly be able to drive +home in a carriage."</p> + +<p>"Oh no! they will meet her at the depôt with an ambulance, and I shall be +there with the carriage for Mr. Allison, Adelaide, and Virginia."</p> + +<p>"Virginia is coming too?"</p> + +<p>"We do not know certainly, but expect to see her with the others."</p> + +<p>"I cannot say that I hope you will. I never saw a more useless person; she +will be only in the way; and—I cannot banish a suspicion that she has +brought this attack upon her poor mother. I strongly suspect that +Virginia's match has turned out a very bad one, and that she has heaped +reproaches upon her mother for the hand she had in bringing it about."</p> + +<p>"I hope not!" his son exclaimed with energy; "for if so it must surely be +the cause of life-long self-reproach to her. Will you go with us to the +depôt, father?"</p> + +<p>"No, no, my son! let my first sight of my poor stricken child be where we +will not be the gazing stock of an idle, curious crowd. I shall meet her +here at my own door."</p> + +<p>The train steamed into the depôt, and Mrs. Allison, glancing from a window +of the parlor-car, saw her brother and nephews standing near the track.</p> + +<p>They saw her, too, and lifted their hats with a sad sort of smile. All +felt that the invalid must be unable to sit up or her face also would have +been in sight.</p> + +<p>In another moment the train had come to a stand-still, and the next the +three gentlemen were beside the couch on which Mrs. Conly lay.</p> + +<p>She looked up at her sons with eyes full of intelligence, made an effort +to speak, but in vain; and the big tears rolled down her cheeks.</p> + +<p>They bent over her with hearts and eyes full to overflowing.</p> + +<p>"Mother, dear mother, we are glad you have come to us alive," Calhoun said +in low, tremulous tones.</p> + +<p>"And we hope we shall soon have you much better," added Arthur.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Adelaide, "she is already better than when we first saw her in +New York, but has not yet recovered her speech and can not help herself +at all. One side seems to be quite paralyzed."</p> + +<p>"We have an ambulance waiting," said Calhoun. "As soon as the crowd is out +of the way it shall be brought close to the platform of this car and we +will lift her into it."</p> + +<p>Greetings were exchanged while they waited.</p> + +<p>"Where is Virginia?" asked Mr. Dinsmore.</p> + +<p>"She preferred to remain behind," replied Mrs. Allison in a low-toned +aside, "and as she would have been of no use whatever, we did not urge her +to come."</p> + +<p>"It is just as well," was Mr. Dinsmore's comment.</p> + +<p>Very tenderly and carefully the poor invalid was lifted and placed in the +ambulance by her sons and brothers. The former accompanied her in it, +while the latter, with Mrs. Allison, entered the Roselands family +carriage, and drove thither considerably in advance of the more slowly +moving ambulance.</p> + +<p>"Has Virginia made a really good match?" Mr. Dinsmore asked, addressing +his sister Adelaide.</p> + +<p>"Good! it could hardly be worse!" she exclaimed. "Would you have believed +it? we found them in a tenement-house, living most wretchedly."</p> + +<p>"Is it possible! He was not wealthy then? Or has he lost his means since +the marriage?"</p> + +<p>"As far as I can learn," said Mr. Allison, "he has always lived by his +wits; he is a professional gambler now."</p> + +<p>"Dreadful! How does he treat his wife?"</p> + +<p>"Very badly indeed, if we may credit her story. They live, as the saying +is, like cat and dog, actually coming to blows at times. They are both +bitterly disappointed, each having married the other merely for money; +which neither had."</p> + +<p>Mr. Dinsmore looked greatly concerned. "Virginia was never a favorite of +mine," he remarked, "but I do not like to think of her as suffering from +either poverty or the abusive treatment of a bad husband. Can nothing be +done to better her condition?"</p> + +<p>"I think not at present," said Adelaide; "she has made her bed and will +have to lie in it. I don't believe the man would ever proceed to personal +violence if she did not exasperate him with taunts and reproaches; with +slaps, scratches, and hair pulling also, he says."</p> + +<p>"O disgraceful!" exclaimed her uncle. "I have no pity for her if she is +really guilty of such conduct."</p> + +<p>"She told me herself that on one occasion she actually threw a cup of +coffee in his face in return for his accusation that she and her mother +had inveigled him into the marriage by pretences to wealth they did not +possess. Poor Louise! I have no doubt her attack was brought on by the +discovery of the great mistake she and Virginia had made, and reproaches +heaped on her for her share in making the match."</p> + +<p>"'Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap,'" sighed Mr. Dinsmore. +"I presume Virginia was too proud to show herself here among relatives +whose approval of the match had not been asked, and acquaintances who had +heard of it as a splendid affair?"</p> + +<p>"Your conjecture is entirely correct," said Adelaide. "She gave vent to +her feelings on the subject in her mother's presence, supposing, I +presume, as I did, that not being able to speak or move, she was also +unable to hear or understand, but it was evident from the piteous +expression her countenance assumed and the tears coursing down her cheeky +that she did both."</p> + +<p>"Poor Louise! she has a sad reaping—so far as that ungrateful, undutiful +daughter is concerned; but Isa, Calhoun, and Arthur are of quite another +stamp."</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed! she will surely find great comfort in them. I wish Isa was +not so far away. But you have not told me how my dear old father is. How +has he borne this shock?"</p> + +<p>"It was a shock of course, especially to one so old and feeble; but I left +him calmly staying himself upon his God."</p> + +<p>They arrived at Roselands some time before the ambulance. They found the +whole household, and also Mrs. Howard, her husband and sons, and Mrs. +Travilla, gathered upon the veranda to receive them.</p> + +<p>Lora stood by her father's side and Elsie too was very near, both full of +loving care for him in this time of sore trial.</p> + +<p>And Adelaide's first thought, first embrace, were for him. They wept a +moment in each other's arms.</p> + +<p>"Is she—is she alive?" he faltered.</p> + +<p>"Yes, father, and we hope may get up again. Be comforted for her and for +yourself; because 'He doeth all things well,' and 'We know that all things +work together for good to them that love God.'"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes; and who can tell but this may be His appointed means for +bringing her into the fold!"</p> + +<p>There had been time for an exchange of greetings all around and a few +comforting words to the younger Conlys, when the ambulance was seen +entering the avenue.</p> + +<p>With beating hearts and tearful eyes they watched its slow progress. Lying +helpless and speechless in the shadow of death, Louise Conly seemed +nearer and dearer than ever before to father, children, brothers and +sisters.</p> + +<p>The ambulance stopped close to the veranda steps, and the same strong, +loving arms that had placed her in it now lifted her anew and bore her +into the house, the others looking on in awed and tearful silence.</p> + +<p>She was carried to her own room, laid upon the bed, and one by one they +stood for an instant at her side with a kiss of welcome.</p> + +<p>It was evident that she knew them all, though able to speak only with +those sad, wistful eyes that gazed with new yearning affection into the +faces of father and children.</p> + +<p>But presently Arthur, by virtue of his medical authority, banished all +from the room except Lora, Elsie, and a faithful and attached old negress +who had lived all her days in the family and was a competent nurse.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI" />CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">"Then come the wild weather—come sleet or come snow,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12.5em;">We will stand by each other, however it blow;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12.5em;">Oppression and sickness, and sorrow and pain,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12.5em;">Shall be to our true love as links to the chain."</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 19.5em;">—<i>Longfellow</i>. (From the German.)</span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>"Courage, sister dear!" whispered Edward Travilla, putting an arm tenderly +about Elsie's waist as they found themselves at the very door of Lester +Leland's studio.</p> + +<p>Her face had grown very pale and she was trembling with agitation.</p> + +<p>Still supporting her with his arm, Edward rapped gently upon the door, and +at the same instant it was opened from within by the attending physician, +who had just concluded his morning call upon his patient.</p> + +<p>He was an Italian of gentlemanly appearance and intelligent countenance.</p> + +<p>"Some friends of Signor Leland: from America?" he said in good English and +with a polite bow.</p> + +<p>"Yes. How is he?" Edward asked, stepping in and drawing his sister on with +him.</p> + +<p>"Sick, signor, very sick, but he will grow better now. I shall expect to +see him up in a few weeks," the doctor answered with a significant glance +and smile as he turned, with a second and still lower bow, to the sweet, +fair maiden.</p> + +<p>She did not see it, for her eyes were roving round the room—a disorderly +and comfortless place enough, but garnished with some gems of art; an +unfinished picture was on the easel; there were others with their faces to +the wall; models, statues in various stages of completion, and the +implements of painter and sculptor were scattered here and there; a +screen, an old lounge, a few chairs, and a table littered with books, +papers, and drawing materials, completed the furniture of the large, +dreary apartment.</p> + +<p>An open door gave a glimpse into an inner room, from which came a slight +sound as of a restless movement, a sigh or groan.</p> + +<p>Pointing to the chairs, the physician invited the strangers to be seated.</p> + +<p>Edward put his sister in one and took possession of another close at her +side.</p> + +<p>"How soon can we see Mr. Leland?" he asked, putting his card into the +doctor's hand.</p> + +<p>"I will go and prepare Signor Leland for the interview," the doctor +answered, and disappeared through the open doorway.</p> + +<p>"Good news for you, signor!" they heard him say in a quiet tone.</p> + +<p>"Ah! let me hear it," sighed a well-known voice. "'As cold water to a +thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.'"</p> + +<p>"You are right, signor, it comes from far-off America. A friend—a young +signor has arrived, and asks to see you."</p> + +<p>"Ah! his name?" exclaimed the sick man, with a tremor of gladness in his +feeble tones.</p> + +<p>"Here is his card."</p> + +<p>"'Edward Travilla!'—ah what joy! Let me see him at once. 'Twill be like a +breath of home air!"</p> + +<p>Every word had reached the ears of the two in the studio.</p> + +<p>"Go! go!" cried Elsie, scarcely above her breath, and Edward rose and went +softly in.</p> + +<p>"Not much talk now, signores," Elsie heard the doctor say.</p> + +<p>"No; we'll be prudent," Edward said, grasping Lester's hand.</p> + +<p>"So good! so kind! more than I dared hope! But how is she? my darling?" +Elsie heard in feeble, faltering, yet eager accents.</p> + +<p>"Well, very well, and longing to come here and nurse you back to health."</p> + +<p>"Ah, a glimpse of her sweet face I think would bring me back from the +borders of the grave! But I could not expect or ask such a sacrifice."</p> + +<p>Elsie could wait no longer; she rose and glided with swift, almost +noiseless steps to the bedside.</p> + +<p>Edward made way for her. Lester looked up, caught sight of her, and a +flash of exceeding joy lighted up his pale, emaciated features.</p> + +<p>"Elsie!"</p> + +<p>"Lester!"</p> + +<p>She dropped on her knees, laid her face on the pillow beside his, and +their lips met in a long kiss.</p> + +<p>"O love, love! how sweet, how kind, how dear in you!" he murmured.</p> + +<p>"I have come to be your nurse," she said, with a lovely blush and smile, +"come to stay with you always while God spares our lives."</p> + +<p>Soon Edward went out and left them together. He had much to attend to, +with Dinah and Ben for his helpers. Other and better apartments were +speedily rented, cleaned, and comfortably, even elegantly furnished. Their +mother had sent them off with full purses and carte blanche to draw upon +her bankers for further supplies as they might be needed; and Edward knew +it would be her desire to see Elsie and Lester surrounded by the luxuries +to which she had been accustomed from her birth.</p> + +<p>When night came the doctor pronounced his patient already wonderfully +improved.</p> + +<p>"But the signora must leave him to me and the nurse to night," he said; +"she is fatigued with her long journey and must take her rest and sleep, +or she too will be ill."</p> + +<p>So Elsie took possession of the pleasant room which had been prepared for +her, and casting on the Lord all care for herself and dear ones, and full +of glad anticipations for the future, slept long and sweetly.</p> + +<p>It was early morning when she woke. That day and several succeeding ones +were spent at Lester's side in the gentle ministrations love teaches. +There was little talk between them, for he was very weak, and love needs +few words; but he slept much of the time with her hand in his, and waking +gazed tenderly, joyously into the sweet face.</p> + +<p>Happiness proved the best of medicines, and every hour brought a slight +increase of strength, a change for the better in all the symptoms.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Edward and the two servants were busy with the laying in of +needed supplies and the preparation of the suite of apartments which were +to form the new home—Elsie giving a little oversight and direction.</p> + +<p>At length their labors were completed, and she was called in to take a +critical survey and point out any deficiency, if such there were.</p> + +<p>She could find none. "My dear brother, how can I thank you enough?" she +said, with a look of grateful affection.</p> + +<p>"You are satisfied?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, entirely! I only wish mamma and the rest could see how comfortable, +tasteful, really beautiful you have made these rooms!"</p> + +<p>"I am very glad our work pleases you. And the doctor tells me that under +the combined influence of good nursing and unexpected happiness, Lester is +gaining faster than he could have deemed possible. What is the time fixed +upon for the ceremony which is to rob you of your patronymic, sister +mine?"</p> + +<p>"Add to it, you should say," she corrected, with a charming blush. "Noon +of day after to-morrow is the hour. Edward, do you know that our good +doctor is a Waldensian?"</p> + +<p>"No, I did not, and am pleased to learn it; though I was satisfied that he +was no Papist."</p> + +<p>"Yes, he is one of that long-persecuted noble race, and will take you to +see his pastor on our behalf. I have so greatly admired and loved the +Waldenses that I really feel that to be married by one of their pastors +will be some small compensation for—for being so far from home +and—mamma. O Edward, if she were but here!"</p> + +<p>Her tears were falling fast. He put his arm about her waist, her head +dropped upon his shoulder and he smoothed her hair with caressing hand.</p> + +<p>"It is hard for you," he said tenderly; "so different from what you and +all of us have looked forward to. But you have been very brave, dear; and +what a blessing that your coming is working such a cure for Lester!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, oh yes! God is very good to me, His blessings are unnumbered!"</p> + +<p>"It seems a sad sort of bridal for you," he said, "but I shall telegraph +the hour to mamma immediately, and they will all be thinking of and +praying for you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that is a comfort I had not thought of!" she exclaimed, with glad +tears shining in her eyes. "What a blessing you are to me, brother dear!"</p> + +<p>Lester was not able to leave his bed or likely to be for weeks, but that +she might devote herself the more entirely to him Elsie had consented to +be married at once.</p> + +<p>She laid aside her mourning for the occasion, and Dinah helped her to +array herself for her bridal in a very beautiful evening dress of some +white material which had been worn but once before.</p> + +<p>"Pity dars no time to get a new dress, Miss Elsie," remarked the +handmaiden half regretfully. "Doe sho' nuff you couldn't look no sweeter +and beautifuller dan you does in dis."</p> + +<p>"I prefer this, Dinah, because they all—even dear, dear papa—have seen +me in it," Elsie said, hastily wiping away a tear; "and I remember he said +it became me well. Oh, I can see his proud, fond smile as he said it, and +almost feel the touch of his lips; for he bent down and kissed me so +tenderly."</p> + +<p>"Miss Elsie, I jes b'lieves he's a lookin' at you now dis bressed minute, +and ef de res' of dose dat lubs you is far away he'll be sho to stan' +close side o' you when de ministah's a saying de words dat'll make you +Massa Leland's wife."</p> + +<p>"Ah, Dinah, what a sweet thought! and who shall say it may not be so!"</p> + +<p>"Dar's Massa Edward!" exclaimed Dinah, as a quick, manly step was heard, +followed by a light rap upon the door.</p> + +<p>She hastened to open it "We's ready, Marse Ed'ard."</p> + +<p>He did not seem to hear or heed her; his eyes were fastened upon his +beautiful sister, more beautiful at this moment, he thought, than ever +before.</p> + +<p>"Elsie!" he cried. "Oh that mamma could see you! she herself could hardly +have been a lovelier bride! yet these are wanted to complete your attire," +opening a box he had brought, and taking therefrom a veil of exquisite +texture and design and a wreath of orange blossoms.</p> + +<p>"How kind and thoughtful, Edward!" she said, thanking him with a sweet +though tearful smile; "but are they suitable for such a bridal as this?"</p> + +<p>"Surely," he said. "Come, Dinah, and help me to arrange them."</p> + +<p>Their labors finished, he stepped back a little to note the effect.</p> + +<p>"O darling sister," he exclaimed, "never, I am sure, was there a lovelier +bride! I wish the whole world could see you!"</p> + +<p>"Our own little world at Ion is all I should ask for," she responded in +tremulous tones.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it must be very hard for you," he said; "especially not to have +mamma here, you who have always clung to her so closely. Such a different +wedding as it is from hers! But it's very romantic you know," he added +jocosely, trying to raise her drooping spirits.</p> + +<p>"Ah, I am forgetting a piece of news I have to tell I met an American +gentleman and his daughter, the other day, fell into conversation with +him, and learned that we have several common acquaintances I think we were +mutually pleased, and I have asked him and his daughter in to the wedding; +thinking it would not be unpleasant to you, and we should thus have two +more witnesses."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it is best we should," she returned, in her sweet, gentle way, +yet looking somewhat disturbed.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid I ought to have consulted you first," he said. "I'm sorry, but +it is too late now His name is Love; his daughter—an extremely pretty +girl by the way—he calls Zoe."</p> + +<p>Ben now came to the door to say that all was in readiness—the minister, +the doctor, and the other gentleman and a lady had arrived.</p> + +<p>Edward gave his arm to his sister and led her into the room, to which +Lester had been carried a few moments before, and where he lay on a +luxurious couch, propped up with pillows into a half-sitting posture.</p> + +<p>A touch of color came into his pale cheeks, and his eyes shone with love +and joy as they rested upon his lovely bride, as Edward led her to the +side of his couch.</p> + +<p>Dinah and Ben followed, taking their places near the door and watching the +proceedings with interest and sympathy.</p> + +<p>The minister stood up, the doctor, the stranger guests, the nurse also, +and the ceremony began.</p> + +<p>Elsie's eyes were full of tears, but her sweet low tones were distinct and +clear as she took the marriage vows.</p> + +<p>So were Lester's; his voice seemed stronger than it had been for weeks, +and when he took the small white-gloved hand in his, the grasp was firm as +well as tender.</p> + +<p>"One kiss, my love, my wife!" he pleaded when the ceremony was ended.</p> + +<p>A soft blush suffused the fair face and neck, but the request was +granted; she bent over him and for an instant their lips met.</p> + +<p>Then Edward embraced her with brotherly affection and good wishes. He +grasped Lester's hand in cordial greeting, then turned and introduced his +new-made friends to the bride and groom.</p> + +<p>A table loaded with delicacies stood in an adjoining room, and thither the +brother and sister and their guests now repaired, while for a short season +the invalid was left to quietness and repose that he might recover from +the unwonted excitement and fatigue.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII" />CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">"Therein he them fall fair did entertain,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12.5em;">Not with such forged shows as fitter been</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12.5em;">For courting fools, that courtesies would faine,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12.5em;">But with entire affection plain."</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 15em;">—<i>Spenser's "Fairy Queen."</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>One bright morning in November the Ion family were gathered about the +breakfast-table. Rosie and Walter were there for the first time since +their severe illness, a trifle pale and thin still, but nearly in usual +health, and very glad to be permitted to take their old places at the +table.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Dinsmore had returned from her sojourn at the Laurels, the home of +her daughter Rose; the grandchildren there, whom she had been nursing, +having also recovered their health; and so the places of the eldest son +and daughter of the house were the only vacant ones.</p> + +<p>Both Elsie and Edward were sorely missed, especially by the mother and +Violet.</p> + +<p>"It seems time we had letters again from our absentees, papa," Mrs. +Travilla remarked as she poured the coffee. "We have had none since the +telegram giving the hour for the wedding."</p> + +<p>"No, but perhaps we may hear this morning—the mail has not come yet."</p> + +<p>"Yes, grandpa; here comes Solon with it," said Harold, glancing from the +window.</p> + +<p>In a few moments the man came in bringing the mail-bag, which he handed to +Mr. Dinsmore.</p> + +<p>All looked on with interest, the younger ones in eager expectation, while +their grandfather opened it and examined the contents.</p> + +<p>"Yes, daughter, there is a letter from each of them, both directed to +you," he said, glancing over the addresses on several letters which he now +held in his hand. "Here, Tom," to the servant in waiting, "take these to +your mistress. Don't read them to the neglecting of your breakfast," he +added with a smile, again addressing Mrs. Travilla.</p> + +<p>"No, sir; they will keep," she answered, returning the smile; "and you +shall all share the pleasure of their perusal with me after prayers. +Doubtless they give the particulars we all want so much to learn."</p> + +<p>They all gathered round her at the appointed time. She held the letters +open in her hand, having already given them a cursory examination lest +there should be some little confidence intended for none but "mother's" +eye.</p> + +<p>"Papa," she said, looking up half tearfully, half smilingly at him as he +stood at her side, "the deed is indeed done, and another claims my +first-born darling as his own."</p> + +<p>"You have not lost her, Elsie dearest, but have gained a son; and I trust +we shall have them both with us ere long," he responded, bending down to +touch his lips to the brow still as smooth and fair as in the days of her +girlhood.</p> + +<p>"Poor dear Elsie! how she must have missed and longed for you, dearest +mamma!" Violet sighed, kneeling close to her mother's chair and putting +her arms around her.</p> + +<p>"What is it? all about Elsie's wedding?" asked Herbert. "Please let us +hear it, mamma. The telegram told nothing but the hour when it was to be, +and I was so surprised, for I never understood that that was what she went +away for."</p> + +<p>"Nor I," said Harold; "though I suppose it was very stupid in us not to +understand."</p> + +<p>"Who did get married with my sister Elsie, mamma?" asked little Walter.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Leland, my son."</p> + +<p>"But I thought he was most dead," remarked Rosie in surprise.</p> + +<p>"He has been very ill," her mother said, "but is improving fast, though +not yet able to sit up."</p> + +<p>Rosie, opening her eyes wide in astonishment, was beginning another +question when Harold stopped her.</p> + +<p>"Wait, Rosie, don't you see mamma is going to read the letters? They will +tell us all about it, I presume."</p> + +<p>"I shall read Edward's first, it gives a very minute account of what they +have done since he wrote us last, just after their arrival in Rome," the +mother said. "He is a good boy to take the trouble to tell us everything +in detail; is he not, papa?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," Mr. Dinsmore assented, seating himself by her side and taking Rosie +upon one knee, Walter on the other; "and so good a mother richly deserves +good, thoughtful sons and daughters, ever ready to do all in their power +to promote her happiness, or afford her pleasure. Does she not, children?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, grandpa, indeed she does!" they replied in chorus.</p> + +<p>Her sweet soft eyes glistened with happy tears as she sent a loving glance +round the little circle; then all becoming perfectly quiet and attentive, +she began to read.</p> + +<p>Edward's first item of news was that the marriage had just taken place; +the next that Lester's health was steadily improving. Then came a +description of the rooms they were occupying; both as they were when first +seen by Elsie and himself and as they had become under his renovating and +improving hands.</p> + +<p>After that he drew a vivid picture of Elsie's appearance in her bridal +robes, told who were present at the ceremony, who performed it, how the +several actors acquitted themselves, and what refreshments were served +after it was over.</p> + +<p>He said he thought happiness was working a rapid cure with Lester, and +that from all he could see and hear, his success as both painter and +sculptor was already assured.</p> + +<p>Elsie's themes were the same, but she had much to say of Edward's kind +thoughtfulness, his energy and helpfulness; "the best and kindest of +brothers," she called him, and as she read the words the mother's eyes +shone with love and pride in her eldest son.</p> + +<p>But her voice trembled, and the tears had to be wiped away once and again +when she came to that part of the letter in which Elsie told of her +feelings as she robed herself for her bridal with none to assist but +Dinah; how sad was her heart, dearly as she loved Lester, and how full of +longing for home and mother and all the dear ones so far away; then of the +comfort she found in the idea that possibly the dear departed father might +be near her in spirit.</p> + +<p>"Was it wrong, mamma," she asked, "to think he might perhaps be allowed to +be a ministering spirit to me in my loneliness? and to find pleasure in +the thought?"</p> + +<p>"Mamma, what do you think about it?" asked Herbert.</p> + +<p>"I do not know that we have any warrant for the idea in the Scriptures," +she answered; "it seems to be one of the things that is not revealed; yet +I see no harm in taking comfort in the thought that it may be so. My poor +lonely darling! I am glad she had that consolation. Ah, papa, what a +different wedding from mine!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said, "and from what we thought hers would be. But I trust she +will never see cause to regret the step she has taken. Lester is worth +saving even at the sacrifice she has made."</p> + +<p>His daughter looked at him with glistening eyes. "Thank you, papa, that is +a good thought, and consoles me greatly for both our darling and +ourselves."</p> + +<p>She went on with the reading of the letter; there were but a few more +sentences; then, while the others discussed its contents, Violet stole +quietly from the room, unobserved as she thought. But in that she was +mistaken. Her mother's eyes followed her with a look of love and sympathy.</p> + +<p>"Dear child!" she said in a low aside to her father, "she misses Elsie +sorely; I sometimes think almost more than I do, they were so inseparable +and so strongly attached."</p> + +<p>Vi's heart was very full, for Elsie's marriage, though far, far from being +so great a sorrow as the death of their father, seemed in some respects +even more the breaking up of a life that had been very sweet.</p> + +<p>She sought the studio she and Elsie had shared together (how lonely and +deserted it seemed!) and there gave vent to her feelings in a burst of +tears.</p> + +<p>"O Elsie, darling! we were so happy together! such dear friends! with +never a disagreement, hardly a thought unshared! And now I am alone! all +alone!"</p> + +<p>She had unconsciously spoken aloud. A soft sweet voice echoed the last +word.</p> + +<p>"Alone! ah, my darling, no! not while your mother lives. You and I must +cling the closer together, Vi dearest," the voice went on, while two +loving arms enfolded her and a gentle kiss was imprinted upon cheek and +brow.</p> + +<p>"Dearest mamma!" cried Violet, returning the caress, "forgive me that I +should indulge in such grief while you are left me—you and your dear +love, the greatest of earthly treasures."</p> + +<p>"Yes, dear child, your grief is very natural. These changes, though not +unmixed calamities, are one of the hard conditions of life in this lower +world, dear daughter; but we must not let them mar our peace and +happiness; let us rejoice over the blessings that are left, rather than +weep for those that are gone."</p> + +<p>"I will, mamma," Violet said, wiping away her tears. "Ah, how much I still +have to rejoice in and be thankful for!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, dear, we both have! and not the least the love of Him who has said, +'Lo, <i>I</i> am with you <i>alway</i>.' Oh the joy, the bliss of knowing that +<i>nothing</i> can ever part us from <i>Him</i>! And then to know, too, that some +day we shall all be together in His immediate presence, beholding His face +and bearing His image!"</p> + +<p>Neither spoke again for some moments, then the mother said, "Vi, dearest, +there is nothing more conducive to cheerfulness at such a time as this +than being fully employed. So I ask you to take charge of Rosie and Walter +for a few hours. They are not yet well enough for tasks or for out door +sports, but need to be amused. And your grandpa and grandma want me to +drive with them to the Laurels and Roselands."</p> + +<p>"Yes, do go, mamma, and try to enjoy yourself. You have seen so little of +Aunt Adelaide since she came, or of Aunt Rosie, since the sickness began +with her children and ours. Thank you for your trust, I shall do my best," +Violet said with cheerful alacrity. "Ah, the recovery of the darlings is +one of the many mercies we have to be thankful for!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Vi, and my heart is full of joy and gratitude to the Great +Physician."</p> + +<p>At Roselands Mrs. Conly still lay helpless on her couch, her condition +having changed very slightly for the better; she could now at times, with +great effort, speak a word or two, but friends and physicians had scarcely +a hope of any further improvement; she might live on thus for years, or +another stroke might at any moment bring the end.</p> + +<p>Cut off from all other means of communicating her thoughts and feelings, +she could show them only by the expression of her countenance, which was +sullen, fierce, despairing, piteous by turns.</p> + +<p>She had the best of care and nursing from her sisters, her sons, and her +old mammy, assisted occasionally by other friends and relatives, and could +not fail to read in their faces and the tones of their voices tender pity +and sympathy for her in her sore affliction.</p> + +<p>They could not tell whether she understood all that was said to her, but +hoping that she did, spoke often to her of the loving Saviour and tried to +lead her to Him.</p> + +<p>Hitherto the Ion friends had not been able to be with her a great deal, +but it had not been necessary, as Adelaide was still at Roselands.</p> + +<p>She, however, expected soon to return to her own home, and there would +then be greater need of their services; therefore there was double reason +for thankfulness for the restoration to health of the little ones at Ion +and the Laurels; releasing, as it did, both Mrs. Dinsmore and Mrs. +Travilla from the cares and labors which had occupied them for some weeks +past.</p> + +<p>The latter gave expression to that thought while driving to the Laurels +with her father and his wife, adding, "I can now hold myself in readiness +to take Aunt Adelaide's place at any moment."</p> + +<p>"Not with my consent," said Mr. Dinsmore emphatically; "if you consider +yourself at all under my authority you will take a week at least of entire +rest and relaxation."</p> + +<p>She looked at him with her own sweet smile, full of filial love and +reverence, and putting her hand in his, said, "Yes, my dear father, that +is still one of my great happinesses, as it has been almost ever since I +can remember. Ah, it is often very restful to me just to resign myself to +your wise, loving guidance and control!"</p> + +<p>His fingers closed over the small, daintily gloved hand, holding it in a +warm and tender clasp.</p> + +<p>"Then do not forget that you are not to undertake anything that can tax +your strength, without my knowledge and permission. Nor must you, Rose," +he added with playful authority, turning an affectionate, smiling glance +upon her; "you too are worn out and must have rest."</p> + +<p>"Well, my dear," she said laughingly, "I make no rash promises. You know I +never have equalled Elsie in submissiveness."</p> + +<p>"No; and yet you have usually shown yourself amenable to authority."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps because it has so seldom been exerted," she saucily returned. "My +dear, we have not yet had our first quarrel."</p> + +<p>"And have lived together for thirty odd years. I think it would hardly be +worth while to begin after so long a delay."</p> + +<p>"Nor do I," she said, "therefore shall probably yield to your wishes in +this matter—or commands, call them what you will; especially as they are +in full accord with my own inclinations."</p> + +<p>"Elsie," he said, turning to his daughter again, "I have taken the liberty +of inviting some guests to Ion this morning."</p> + +<p>"Liberty, papa!" she exclaimed. "It would be impossible for you to take +liberties with me or mine; I consider your rights and authority in any +house of mine fully equal, if not superior to my own. If the mistress of +the mansion be subject to your control," she added, with a bright look up +into his face, and much of the old time archness in her smile, "surely all +else must be."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, daughter; then I have not taken a liberty, but I have invited +the guests all the same. You do not ask how it happened or who they are, +but I proceed to explain.</p> + +<p>"In glancing over the morning paper, while you and Rose were attiring +yourselves for the drive, I saw among the items of news that Donald Keith +is in our city. So I dispatched Solon with a carriage and a hastily +written note, asking Donald to come out to see us, bringing with him any +friend or friends he might choose."</p> + +<p>"I am glad you did, papa; they shall have a warm welcome. But will it not +make it necessary for us to return home earlier than we intended?"</p> + +<p>"No, not at all, it is not likely they will arrive until near our dinner +hour—if they come at all to-day, and if they should be there earlier, +Violet is quite capable of entertaining them."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Mrs. Dinsmore, "I know of no one more competent to minister to +the enjoyment of either grown people or children. As regards talent, +sweetness of disposition, and utter unselfishness combined, our Vi is one +in a thousand."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, mamma, for saying it," Elsie said, her eyes shining with +pleasure. "She seems all that to me; but I thought it might be that +mother love magnified her good qualities and made me blind to her +imperfections."</p> + +<p>Violet, in the nursery at home, was showing herself worthy of these +encomiums by her efforts to amuse the little ones and keep them from +missing the dear mother who had been so constantly with them of late. She +played quiet little games with them, told them beautiful stories, showed +them pictures and drew others for them, dressed dolls for Rosie and cut +paper horses for Walter.</p> + +<p>Several hours were passed thus, then seeing them begin to look weary—for +they were still weak from their recent illness—she coaxed them to lie +down while she sang them to sleep.</p> + +<p>The closed eyes and soft breathing telling that they slept, she rose and +bent over them a moment, gazing tenderly into each little face, then +drawing out her watch and turning to the old nurse, whispered, "It is time +for me to dress for dinner, mammy. I'll go now, but if they wake and want +me let me know at once."</p> + +<p>Her toilet was scarcely completed when the sound of wheels caught her +ears.</p> + +<p>"There! mamma has come! Dear, dear mamma!" she said half aloud, and +presently hastened from the room to meet and welcome her.</p> + +<p>But instead a servant was coming leisurely up the broad stairway.</p> + +<p>"Where is mamma, Prilla?" the young girl asked in a slightly disappointed +tone.</p> + +<p>"Miss Elsie not come yet, Miss Wilet. De gentlemen is in de drawin'-room," +Prilla answered, handing two visiting-cards to her young mistress.</p> + +<p>"'Donald Keith, U.S.A.,'" read Violet with a brightening countenance, as +she glanced at the first.</p> + +<p>On the other was inscribed, "L. Raymond, U.S.N."</p> + +<p>Violet hastening to the drawing-room, met her cousin with outstretched +hand and cordial greeting.</p> + +<p>"I am so glad you have come, Cousin Donald! We have all wanted you to see +Ion."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Cousin Violet; you can't have wished it more than I, I am +sure," he said, with a look of delight. "Allow me to introduce my friend, +Captain Raymond, of the navy. You see I took your grandfather at his word +and brought a friend with me."</p> + +<p>Violet had already given her hand to her cousin's friend—as such he must +have no doubtful welcome—but at Donald's concluding sentence she turned +to him again with a look of surprised inquiry, which he was about to +answer, when the door opened and Mr. Dinsmore, his wife and daughter came +in.</p> + +<p>There were fresh greetings and introductions, Mr. Dinsmore saying, as he +shook hands with the guests, "So you received my hasty note, Donald, and +accepted for yourself and friend? That was right. You are both most +welcome, and we hope will find Ion pleasant enough to be willing to +prolong your stay and to desire to visit us again."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, I was certain of that before I came," said Donald.</p> + +<p>"And I surely am now that I am here," remarked the captain gallantly, and +with an admiring glance from Mrs. Dinsmore's still fresh, bright, and +comely face to the more beautiful ones of Elsie and her daughter.</p> + +<p>Elsie's beauty had not faded, she was still young and fair in appearance, +with the same sweetly pure and innocent expression which old Mrs. Dinsmore +had been wont to stigmatize as "that babyish look." And Violet's face was +peerless in its fresh young beauty.</p> + +<p>As for the captain himself, he was a man of commanding presence, noble +countenance, and magnificent physique, with fine dark eyes and an +abundance of dark brown curling hair and beard; evidently Donald's senior +by some years, yet not looking much, if at all, over thirty.</p> + +<p>The two older ladies presently left the room to reappear shortly in dinner +dress.</p> + +<p>While they were gone Mr. Dinsmore engaged the captain in conversation, +and Donald and Violet talked together in a low aside.</p> + +<p>"Your sister is well, I hope?" he remarked interrogatively.</p> + +<p>"Elsie? We had letters from her and Edward this morning. They were well at +the time of writing."</p> + +<p>"They are not at home then?" he said in a tone of surprise and +disappointment.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no! had you not heard?" and Violet's eyes filled. "It is very +foolish, I'm afraid," she went on in half tremulous tones, in answer to +his inquiring look, "but I can't help feeling that Lester Leland has +robbed me of my sister."</p> + +<p>"She is married? and has gone to a home of her own?"</p> + +<p>Violet answered by telling the story as succinctly as possible.</p> + +<p>"He was in Italy pursuing his art studies," she said. "They had become +engaged shortly before he went, and a few weeks ago we heard he was very +ill with typhoid fever. Elsie at once said she must go to him, she could +not let him die for lack of good nursing. So grandpa and mamma consented +to her going with Edward and our faithful old Ben—papa's foster-brother +and body-servant, who travelled for years with him in Europe—for +protectors.</p> + +<p>"Of course she took a maid too, and Aunt Louise offered to go with them, +but was taken sick in New York, so had to be left behind.</p> + +<p>"They found Lester very but not hopelessly ill, and the joy of seeing them +had an excellent effect. So they were married, Cousin Donald. Just think +how sad for poor Elsie! away from mamma and all of us except Edward!"</p> + +<p>"It was sad for her, I am sure!" he said with warm sympathy, "and very, +very noble and unselfish in her to leave all for him."</p> + +<p>"Yes; and yet not more, I think, than any right-minded woman would do for +the man she loved well enough to marry."</p> + +<p>Harold and Herbert came in at that moment full of boyish enthusiasm and +delight over the arrival of "Cousin Donald," whom they liked and admired +extremely; in especial for his fine figure, soldierly bearing, and +pleasant, kindly manner.</p> + +<p>They had hardly done shaking hands with him and Captain Raymond, to whom +their grandfather introduced them with a look of paternal pride, when +their mother and "Grandma Rose" returned to the drawing-room, and dinner +was announced.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII" />CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<p class='center'>"A man's heart deviseth his way; but the Lord directeth his + steps."—<i>Prov.</i> 16:9.</p> + + +<p>The boys were greatly disappointed on learning from the talk at the +dinner-table that Cousin Donald's furlough was so short that he could give +but two days to his Ion friends.</p> + +<p>There were many expressions of regret. Then Mr. Dinsmore said, "If you +must leave us so soon we must make good use of our time, by taking you at +once to see relatives, friends, and places of interest in the +neighborhood. If you and the captain are not too weary to enjoy a ride or +drive, we will go to Roselands for a call this afternoon, then on to the +Oaks to take tea with my son Horace and his family."</p> + +<p>"You can assure us of a welcome at both places?" Donald said inquiringly +and with a slight smile.</p> + +<p>"You need not have the slightest fear on that score," was the quick, +earnest rejoinder.</p> + +<p>"I for one," remarked the captain, "am not in the least fatigued, and if +the ladies are to be of the party, accept with pleasure and thanks."</p> + +<p>"I also," said Donald, with a look at Violet which seemed to express a +hope that she was not intending to remain behind.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Dinsmore and Mrs. Travilla excused themselves from going on the plea +of fatigue from recent nursing of the sick and the long drive of the +morning, Elsie adding that her little convalescents ought hardly to be +deprived of mamma all day.</p> + +<p>"Then we will take Vi," said Mr. Dinsmore, looking affectionately at her; +"she has shut herself up with those same convalescents all the morning and +needs air and exercise."</p> + +<p>"Yes, papa," her mother said, "and I know she would enjoy a gallop on her +favorite pony. Cousin," turning to Donald, "we have both riding and +carriage horses at your and the captain's service; please do not hesitate +to express your preference."</p> + +<p>They thanked her, and after a little more discussion it was arranged that +the whole party, including Harold and Herbert, should ride.</p> + +<p>The horses were ordered at once and they set out very shortly after +leaving the table. Mr. Dinsmore and the captain headed the cavalcade, +Donald and Violet came next, riding side by side, and the two lads brought +up the rear.</p> + +<p>Donald was well satisfied with the arrangement, and he and Vi found a +good deal of enjoyment in recalling the scenes, doings, and happenings of +the past summer; particularly of the weeks spent together on the New +Jersey coast.</p> + +<p>Also Vi rehearsed to him Edward's account of Elsie's wedding and his +description of the suite of apartments he had had fitted up for their use. +Edward expected to spend the winter there, she said.</p> + +<p>It was all very interesting to Donald. He thought Lester Leland a man to +be envied, yet perhaps less so than he who should secure for his own the +fair, sweet maiden riding by his side.</p> + +<p>They passed a pleasant hour at Roselands, seeing all the family except the +invalid, then rode on to the Oaks, where they found a warm welcome and +most delightful and hospitable entertainment.</p> + +<p>Then the return to Ion by moonlight was very enjoyable.</p> + +<p>It was still early when they arrived; the two older ladies awaited them in +the parlor, and some time was spent in pleasant converse before retiring +for the night.</p> + +<p>"I have not yet had the pleasure of seeing my little favorites, Rosie and +Walter, Cousin Elsie," remarked Donald.</p> + +<p>"No," she said, "and they are very eager for an interview with you. They +are in bed now, but I hope they will be well enough to join us at +breakfast to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"They have been quite sick?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, were dangerously ill for a time, and though about again, still need +constant care lest they should take cold."</p> + +<p>The guests given adjoining rooms, opened the door of communication between +and had a little private chat together before seeking their pillows.</p> + +<p>"These relatives of yours, Keith, are extremely nice people," remarked the +captain.</p> + +<p>"Of course they are," returned Donald, "relatives to be proud of."</p> + +<p>"I never saw a more beautiful woman than Mrs. Travilla," pursued the +captain. "I think I may say never one so beautiful; and the most charming +part of it is beauty that will last; beauty of heart and intellect. Can +she be Miss Violet's own mother? There is a resemblance, though their +styles of beauty are quite different, but there does not seem to be +sufficient difference in age."</p> + +<p>"She <i>is</i> own mother, though, and not only to Violet, but to two older +ones—a son and daughter."</p> + +<p>The captain expressed great surprise. "But youthful looks must be a family +characteristic," he added meditatively. "Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore look +extremely young to be the grandparents of the family."</p> + +<p>Donald explained that Mr. Dinsmore was really only eighteen years older +than his daughter, and Rose, a second wife, but half as many.</p> + +<p>"And what think you of Violet's beauty?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Absolutely faultless! She has an angelic face! If I were a young fellow +like you, Keith, I'd certainly not look elsewhere while I could see a ray +of hope in that direction. But there's the relationship in the way."</p> + +<p>"It's too distant to stand in the way," returned Donald a trifle shortly, +"I look upon her prospective wealth as a far greater obstacle, having no +fancy for playing the rôle of fortune-hunter, or laying myself open to the +suspicion of being such."</p> + +<p>"Then you've no intention of trying for her?"</p> + +<p>"I haven't said so, have I? Well, good-night, it's getting late."</p> + +<p>"What do you think of Captain Raymond?" Rose was asking her husband. "You +have had by far the best opportunity to cultivate his acquaintance."</p> + +<p>"He impresses me very favorably as both a man and a Christian," was the +emphatic reply.</p> + +<p>"Ah! I am glad Donald has so nice a friend," was her pleased comment.</p> + +<p>"Yes, there seems a warm friendship existing between them, though the +captain must be the older by several years. Married too, for he mentioned +his children incidentally."</p> + +<p>On coming down to the parlor the next morning the guests found Mr. +Dinsmore there fondling his little grandchildren—Rosie on one knee, +Walter on the other.</p> + +<p>Cousin Donald's entrance was hailed with delight, Walter presently +transferred to his knee.</p> + +<p>Then the captain coaxed Rosie to his, saying, "Your dark eyes and hair +remind me of my little Lulu's."</p> + +<p>"Have you a little girl of your own, sir?" Rosie asked with a look of +interest.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my dear, two of them. Lulu is a year or two younger than I take you +to be, and Gracie is only seven."</p> + +<p>"Have you any boys?" inquired Walter.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my little man; I have one. We call him Max. He is two years older +than Lulu."</p> + +<p>"About as old as I am?" said Rosie half inquiringly.</p> + +<p>"Yes; if you are eleven, as I suppose."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, I'm eleven and Walter's five."</p> + +<p>"If they're good children we'd like 'em to come here and play with us," +remarked Walter.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid they are not always good," the captain said with a smile and +a half sigh. "I am not with them enough to give them the teaching and +training that doubtless you enjoy."</p> + +<p>"But why doesn't their mamma do it? Our mamma teaches us;" and the child's +eyes turned lovingly upon her as at that moment she entered the room.</p> + +<p>The usual morning greetings were exchanged, and Walter's question remained +unanswered.</p> + +<p>The gentlemen were out nearly all day, riding or driving; the ladies with +them a part of the time. The evening was enlivened with music and +conversation, and all retired to rest at a seasonable hour; the two guests +expecting to take leave of their hospitable entertainers the next morning.</p> + +<p>Darkness and silence reigned for some hours, then the shining of a bright +light into Donald's eyes awoke him.</p> + +<p>He sprang from his bed, rushed to the window, saw that a cottage not far +away, which he had noticed in riding by, was in flames. The next moment he +had snatched up a few articles of clothing and was at the captain's side +shaking him vigorously.</p> + +<p>"Up, Raymond! up, man! There's a fire and we'll be needed to help put it +out."</p> + +<p>"What is it? breakers ahead, do you say?'" muttered the captain, only half +awake.</p> + +<p>"Fire! fire!" repeated Keith.</p> + +<p>"Fire? where?" and the captain sprang up, now wide awake, and began +hurrying on his clothes.</p> + +<p>"That cottage down the road."</p> + +<p>"That's bad indeed; but not quite so bad as a vessel foundering or burning +at sea. Anybody else in the house awake?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know. Yes, there! I hear steps and voices."</p> + +<p>They hurried into the hall and down the stairs. Mr. Dinsmore was in the +lower hall giving directions to the men-servants, who were all collected +there.</p> + +<p>"Haste! Solon, Tom, Dick—all of you!" he was saying, "gather up all the +large buckets about the house, ropes too and ladders, and follow me as +fast as you can. Ah, captain! and Donald too! You have seen the fire, I +suppose? Will you come with me? There'll be work enough for us all no +doubt. We've no engine in this neighborhood."</p> + +<p>"Certainly, sir!"</p> + +<p>"That's the port we are bound for." And each catching up a bucket they all +three set off at full speed in the direction of the burning house, several +of the negroes following close at their heels.</p> + +<p>They found a crowd already gathered there—men and women, black and white. +Some were carrying out furniture from the lower rooms, some bringing +water in buckets from a spring near by, others contenting themselves with +looking on and giving orders which nobody obeyed.</p> + +<p>"I see the house will have to go," Mr. Dinsmore said. "Are the family all +out of it?"</p> + +<p>"All but an old colored woman," some one replied, "old Aunt Betsy. Nobody +thought of her in time, and now it's too late, for the stairs are burned +away. Hark!" as a crash was heard, "there's the last of them."</p> + +<p>"What! will you leave a helpless old woman to be burnt alive?" cried +Captain Raymond. "Where is she?"</p> + +<p>"Yonder!" cried several voices; "see, she's at the window! and she's +screaming for help!" as a wild shriek rent the air, a black face full of +terror and despair showing itself at an upper window, where the fire's +lurid light fell full upon it.</p> + +<p>"Oh, ain't dar nobody to help ole Aunt Betsy?" she screamed, stretching +out her wrinkled arms and toil-worn hands in passionate entreaty; "will +you ebery one ob you leave de po' ole woman to burn up in dis awful fiah? +Isn't ye got no pity in yo' souls! Oh, somebody come an' help de po' ole +woman to git down 'fore she burn all up!"</p> + +<p>"A rope!" shouted the captain, "quick! quick! a rope!"</p> + +<p>"Heah, massa cap'n!" answered Solon close it hand. "Ise brung it jus' in +time."</p> + +<p>"What can you do with a rope, Raymond?" asked Donald.</p> + +<p>"Make an effort to save her with the help of that lightning-rod."</p> + +<p>"You risk your own life, and it is worth far more than hers," Donald said +entreatingly.</p> + +<p>"Stay a moment, captain," said Mr. Dinsmore, "they are bringing a ladder."</p> + +<p>"But there's no time to lose; see! the flames are already bursting out +from the next window."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but here it is," as the negroes halted with it close beside them. +"It is to be used to reach that window, boys," he said, turning to them +and pointing upward. "Set it up there."</p> + +<p>"Can't do it, sah! 'Mos' as much as a man's life is wuth to go so near de +fire."</p> + +<p>"Then give it to me!" cried the captain, taking hold of it, Mr. Dinsmore +and Donald giving their assistance.</p> + +<p>It was the work of a moment to set it up against the wall; in another the +captain was ascending it, while the other two held it firmly in place.</p> + +<p>He gained the window and sprang in.</p> + +<p>"Bress you, massa! bress you!" exclaimed the old negress, "you's gwine to +save me I knows."</p> + +<p>"Get out here on to the ladder and climb down as fast as you can," he said +hurriedly, taking hold of her arm to help her.</p> + +<p>But she drew back shuddering. "I can't, massa! I'se ole and stiff. I can't +no how 'tall."</p> + +<p>There was not a moment to lose. The captain stepped back on to the top +round of the ladder, took her in his arms, and began as rapid a descent as +was possible so burdened.</p> + +<p>The ladder shook beneath their weight, for both were heavy, and Aunt Betsy +struggled in his grasp, screaming with fright; then a tongue of flame +shooting out from below caught her cotton gown, and in her frantic terror +she gave a sudden spring that threw her preserver and herself to the +ground.</p> + +<p>Mr. Dinsmore and Donald seized the captain and dragged him out of harm's +Way, other hands doing a like service for the woman.</p> + +<p>She was shrieking and groaning, but her rescuer neither spoke nor moved.</p> + +<p>They took him up, carried him out of the crowd, and laid him gently down +upon a sofa; one of the articles of furniture saved from the fire.</p> + +<p>"Poor fellow!" sighed Donald with emotion. "I'm afraid he has paid dear +for his kindness of heart!"</p> + +<p>"Solon," said Mr. Dinsmore, "mount the fastest horse here and ride to +Roselands for Dr. Arthur. Tell him we don't know how seriously this +gentleman is hurt. Hurry! make all possible haste!"</p> + +<p>Solon was turning to obey, but stopped, exclaiming, "Why, sho' anuff, +dar's de doctah hisself just lightin' off his hoss ober yondah!"</p> + +<p>"Then run and bring him here."</p> + +<p>Arthur obeyed the summons with all speed. The alarm of the fire had +reached Roselands, and he had hastened to the spot to give aid in +extinguishing it, or to any who might be injured.</p> + +<p>He found the captain showing signs of life; he moved his head, then opened +his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Where are you hurt, sir?" asked the doctor.</p> + +<p>"Not very seriously anywhere, I trust," replied the captain, trying to +rise. "Ah!" as he fell back again, "both back and ankle seem to have had a +wrench. But, friends, are you not needed over there at the fire? My +injuries can wait."</p> + +<p>"Little or nothing more can be done there, and there are people enough on +the ground now to leave us free to attend to you," said Mr. Dinsmore.</p> + +<p>The doctor was speaking aside to Donald and Solon.</p> + +<p>Coming back, "We will have a litter ready in a few moments," he said, +"and carry you over to Ion."</p> + +<p>"By all means," said Mr. Dinsmore. "You accompany us, of course, Arthur?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, sir."</p> + +<p>"How is she—the old negress? Was she much injured by the fall?" Captain +Raymond asked.</p> + +<p>No one could tell him, and he begged the doctor to attend to her while the +litter was preparing.</p> + +<p>Arthur went in search of her, and presently returned, saying she had +escaped without any broken bones, though apparently a good deal shaken up +and bruised.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX" />CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<p class="center"> +"Man proposes, but God disposes." +</p> + + +<p>Donald left Ion the next morning, going away sadly and alone, yet trying +to be truly thankful that his friend's injuries, though severe, were not +permanent, and that he left him where he would have the best of medical +treatment and nursing.</p> + +<p>"Don't be uneasy about the captain," Mr. Dinsmore said in parting; "I can +assure you that Arthur is a skilful physician and surgeon, and we have +several negro women who thoroughly understand nursing. Beside my wife, +Elsie and I will oversee them and do all in our power for the comfort and +restoration of the invalid."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, cousin. I am sure nothing will be left undone that skill and +kindness can do," Donald said, shaking with warmth the hand Mr. Dinsmore +held out to him. "Raymond is one in a thousand. I've known him for years, +and he has been a good and valuable friend to me. I wish it were possible +for me to stay and wait on him myself; but army men are not their own +masters, you know. He'll be wanting to get back to his ship before he's +able. Don't let him."</p> + +<p>"Not if I can prevent it," was Mr. Dinsmore's laughing rejoinder. "By the +way, should not some word be sent to his wife?"</p> + +<p>"Wife! She has been dead some two years, I think. I asked him if there was +any relative he would wish informed of his condition, and he said no; his +parents were not living, he had neither brother nor sister, and his +children were too young to be troubled about it."</p> + +<p>"Poor fellow!" ejaculated Mr. Dinsmore, thinking of his own happier +lot—the sweet wife and daughter at Ion, the other daughter and son, +father, sisters, grandchildren and nephews who would flock about him in +tender solicitude, were he laid low by sickness or accident.</p> + +<p>Leaving Donald in the city, he drove back to Ion full of sympathy for his +injured guest and admiration for his courage and fortitude; for he had +made no moan or complaint, though evidently suffering great pain and much +solicitude on account of the long prospective detention from official +duty.</p> + +<p>The doctor's verdict was, a week or more in bed, probably six weeks before +the ankle could be used.</p> + +<p>"You must get me up much sooner than that, doctor, if it be a possible +thing," Captain Raymond said most emphatically.</p> + +<p>"I can only promise to do my best," was Arthur's response. "Nature must +have time for her work of recuperation."</p> + +<p>Elsie met her father in the entrance hall on his return. "Ah, papa," she +said, looking up smilingly into his face, "I think you will have to +rescind your order."</p> + +<p>"In regard to what?" he asked, stopping to lay a hand lightly on her +shoulder, while he smoothed her hair caressingly with the other.</p> + +<p>"The week of entire rest you bade me take."</p> + +<p>"No; there is to be no recall of that order."</p> + +<p>"But our poor injured guest, father? injured in the noble effort to save +the life of another!"</p> + +<p>"He shall have every care and attention without any assistance from you; +or Rose either; at least for the present."</p> + +<p>"But, dear papa, to have you worn out and made ill would be worse than +anything else."</p> + +<p>"That does not follow as an inevitable consequence, and you may safely +trust me to take excellent care of number one," he said, with playful look +and tone.</p> + +<p>"Ah, papa, there is not the least use in your trying to make me believe +there is any selfishness in you!"</p> + +<p>"No, I presume not; you have always been persistently blind to my many +imperfections. Well, daughter, you need not be troubled lest I should +waste too much strength on the poor captain. I do not imagine him to be an +exacting person, and we have enough efficient nurses among the servants to +do all the work that is needful. My part will be, I think, principally to +cheer him, keep up his spirits, and see that he is provided with +everything that can contribute to comfort of mind and body. I must leave +you now and go to him. I advise a drive for you and your mamma as soon as +you can make ready for it; the air is delightfully clear and bracing."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, papa; the advice shall be followed immediately so far as I am +concerned, and the order carefully obeyed," she answered, as he moved on +down the hall.</p> + +<p>The smile with which the captain greeted Mr. Dinsmore's entrance into the +room where he lay in pain and despondency was a rather melancholy one.</p> + +<p>"My dear sir, I feel for you!" Mr. Dinsmore said, seating himself by the +bedside, "but you are a brave man and a Christian, and can endure hardness +as a good soldier of Jesus Christ!"</p> + +<p>There was a flash of joy in the sufferer's eyes as he turned them upon the +speaker, "That, sir, is the most comforting and sustaining thing you +could have said to me! Through what suffering was the Captain of our +salvation made perfect! And shall I shrink from enduring a little in His +service? Ah no! And when I reflect that I might have been killed, and my +dear children left fatherless, I feel that I have room for nothing but +thankfulness that it is as well with me as it is."</p> + +<p>"And that some good will be brought out of this trial we cannot doubt," +Mr. Dinsmore said; "for 'we know that all things work together for good to +them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.'"</p> + +<p>"Yes; and 'I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not +worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.' 'We +glory in tribulation also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and +patience experience, and experience hope, and hope maketh not ashamed; +because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost +which is given unto us.'"</p> + +<p>"What a wonderful book the Bible is!" remarked Mr. Dinsmore meditatively; +"what stores of comfort and encouragement it contains for all in whatever +state or condition! 'The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands +of gold and silver.'"</p> + +<p>"Yes; how true it is, Mr. Dinsmore, that 'it is not in man that walketh to +direct his steps'! I had so fully resolved to return to-day to my vessel, +and now when may I hope to see her? Not in less than six weeks, the doctor +tells me."</p> + +<p>"A weary while it must seem in prospect. But we will do all we can to make +it short in passing and prevent you from regretting the necessity of +tarrying with us for so much longer time than you had intended," Mr. +Dinsmore answered in a cheery tone.</p> + +<p>"Your great kindness is laying me under lasting obligations, Mr. +Dinsmore," the captain responded, with glistening eyes, "obligations which +I shall never, I fear, have an opportunity to repay."</p> + +<p>"My dear sir, I am truly thankful to have it in my power to do what can be +done to alleviate your sufferings and restore the health and vigor you so +nobly sacrificed for another. Beside, what Christian can recall the +Master's assurance that He will consider any kindness done to any follower +of His as done to Himself, and not rejoice in the opportunity to be of +service to a fellow-disciple, be it man, woman, or child?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, And the King shall answer and say unto them, 'Verily I say unto you, +inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye +have done it unto me.'"</p> + +<p>"Ah, captain, don't talk of obligation to one who has a recompense such as +that in view!" Mr. Dinsmore said, a smile on his lip, a glad light in his +eye.</p> + +<p>The captain stretched out his hand and grasped that of his host. "What +cause for gratitude that I have fallen into the care of those who can +appreciate and act from such motives!" he exclaimed with emotion.</p> + +<p>"You are the hero of the hour, my friend," Mr. Dinsmore remarked after a +short silence. "I wish you could have seen the faces of my wife, daughter, +and granddaughter when they heard of the noble, unselfish, and courageous +deed which was the cause of your sore injuries."</p> + +<p>"Don't mention it!" exclaimed the captain, a manly flush suffusing his +face; "who could stand by and see a fellow-creature perish without so much +as stretching out a helping hand?"</p> + +<p>In the weeks that followed Captain Raymond won golden opinions from those +with whom he sojourned, showing himself as capable of the courage of +endurance as of that more ordinary kind that incites to deeds of daring; +he was always patient and cheerful, and sufficiently at leisure from +himself and his own troubles to show a keen interest in those about him.</p> + +<p>After the first week he was able to take possession of an invalid-chair, +which was then wheeled into the room where the family were wont to gather +for the free and unconstrained enjoyment of each other's society.</p> + +<p>They made him one of themselves, and he found it a rare treat to be among +them thus day after day, getting such an insight into their domestic life +and true characters as years of ordinary intercourse would not have given +him. He learned to love them all—the kind, cheerful, unselfish older +people; the sweet-faced, gentle, tender mother; the fair and lovely +maiden, lovely in mind and person; the brave, frank, open-hearted lads, +and the dear, innocent little ones.</p> + +<p>He studied them all furtively and with increasing interest, growing more +and more reconciled the while to his involuntary detention among them.</p> + +<p>Oftentimes they were all there, but occasionally one of the grandparents +or the mother would be away at Roselands for a day or two, taking turns in +ministering to Mrs. Conly, and comforting and cheering her feeble old +father.</p> + +<p>"You have no idea, my dear sir," the captain one day remarked to his host, +"how delightful it is to a man who has passed most of his life on +shipboard, away from women and children, to be taken into such a family +circle as this! I think you who live in it a highly favored man, sir!"</p> + +<p>"I quite agree with you," Mr. Dinsmore said "I think we are an +exceptionally happy family, though not exempt from the trials incident to +life in this world of sin and sorrow."</p> + +<p>"Your daughter is an admirable mother," the captain went on, "so gentle +and affectionate, and yet so firm; her children show by their behavior +that their training has been very nearly ii not quite faultless. And in +seeing so much of them I realize as never before the hardship of the +constant separation from my own which my profession entails, as I ask +myself, 'If I were with them thus day after day, should I find them as +obedient, docile, and intelligent as these little ones? Will my Max be as +fine a lad as Harold or Herbert? Can I hope to see Lulu and Gracie growing +up into such lovely maidenhood as that of Miss Violet?"</p> + +<p>"I sincerely hope you may be so blessed, captain," Mr. Dinsmore said, "but +much will depend upon the training to which they are subjected. There is +truth in the old proverb, 'Just as the twig is bent the tree's inclined.'"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; and a higher authority says, 'Train up a child in the way he +should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.' But my +difficulty is that I can neither train them myself, nor see that the work +is rightly done by others."</p> + +<p>"That is sad, indeed," Mr. Dinsmore replied with sincere sympathy. "But, +my dear sir, is there not strong consolation in the thought that you can +pray for them, and that 'the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man +availeth much'?"</p> + +<p>"There is indeed, sir!" the captain said with emotion. "And also in the +promise, 'I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed +after thee in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be a God +unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.'"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X" />CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">"One Pinch, hungry, leanfac'd villain."</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 24em;">—<i>Shake.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>Captain Raymond's two little daughters were at this time in a village in +one of the Northern States, in charge of Mrs. Beulah Scrimp, a distant +relative on the mother's side.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Scrimp was a widow living in rather genteel style in a house and upon +means left her by her late husband. She was a managing woman, fond of +money; therefore glad of the increase to her income yielded by the liberal +sum Captain Raymond had offered her as compensation for the board and care +of his motherless little girls.</p> + +<p>She had undertaken Max also at first, but given him up as beyond her +control; and now, though continuing to attend school in the town, he +boarded with the Rev. Thomas Fox, who lived upon its outskirts.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Scrimp was a woman of economies, keeping vigilant watch over all +expenditures, great and small, and employing one servant only, who was +cook, housemaid, and laundress all in one, and expected to give every +moment of her time to the service of her mistress, and be content with +smaller wages than many who did less work.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Scrimp was a woman of theories also, and her pet one accorded well +with the aforementioned characteristic. It was that two meals a day were +sufficient for any one, and that none but the very vigorous and +hard-working ought to eat anything between three o'clock in the afternoon +and breakfast-time the next morning.</p> + +<p>That was a rule to which neither Max nor Lulu could ever be made to +submit; but Grace, the youngest, a delicate, fragile child, with little +force of will, had no strength or power to resist, so fell a victim to the +theory; each night went supperless to bed, and each day found herself too +feeble and languid to take part in the active sports in which her stronger +sister delighted.</p> + +<p>It is quite possible that Mrs. Scrimp had no intention of being cruel, but +merely made the not uncommon mistake of supposing that what is good for +one person is of course good for everybody else. She was dyspeptic, and +insisted that she found her favorite plan exceedingly beneficial in her +own case; therefore she was sure so delicate a child as Gracie ought to +conform to the same regimen.</p> + +<p>She seemed fond of the little girl, petted and caressed her, calling her +by many an endearing name, and telling her very often that she was "a +good, biddable child; far better than fiery-tempered, headstrong Lulu."</p> + +<p>Lulu would hear the remark with a scornful smile and toss of the head, +sometimes saying proudly, "I wouldn't let anybody call you names to me, +Gracie; and I wouldn't be such a little goose as to be wheedled and +flattered into putting up with being half-starved."</p> + +<p>There had been a time when Mrs. Scrimp tried to prevent and punish such +daring words, but she had given it up long since, and contented herself +with sighing sadly over the "depravity of that irrepressible child."</p> + +<p>She had once or twice threatened to write to Captain Raymond and tell him +that Lulu was unmanageable, but the child coolly replied, "I wish you +would; for then papa would send Gracie and me somewhere else to stay."</p> + +<p>"Where you would, perhaps, fare a great deal worse," returned Mrs. Scrimp +wrathfully.</p> + +<p>"I am willing to risk it," Lulu said; and that was the end of it, for Mrs. +Scrimp would have been very loath to lose the children's board.</p> + +<p>One pleasant October morning Lulu came down a trifle late to her +breakfast. Mrs. Scrimp and Gracie were already seated at the table and +had began their meal.</p> + +<p>"Lulu," said Mrs. Scrimp with a portentous frown, "you were in the pantry +last night, helping yourself."</p> + +<p>"Of course I was," returned the child as she took her seat at the table. +"I told you I wouldn't go without my supper, and you didn't have Ann get +any for me; so what could I do but go and help myself?"</p> + +<p>"You have no right to go to my pantry and take the food that belongs to +me. It's neither more nor less than stealing, Miss Lulu Raymond."</p> + +<p>"Well, Aunt Beulah, what do you call it when you take the money my father +pays you for feeding Gracie and me, and don't give us the food he has paid +for?"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Scrimp colored violently at that, but quickly answered, "He doesn't +pay for any particular kind or quantity, and doesn't want you overfed; and +I don't consider it at all good for you to eat after three o'clock, as +I've told you fifty times."</p> + +<p>"Oftener than that, I dare say," returned Lulu with indifference, "but you +might say it five hundred times and I shouldn't believe it a bit the more. +Papa and mamma never had us put to bed without our supper; they always +gave us plenty to eat whenever we were hungry, and Gracie was far +stronger then than she is now."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Scrimp was exasperated into a return to old tactics. "Lulu, you are +the most impudent child I ever saw!" she exclaimed, "and shall go without +supper to-night, if it were only to punish you for talking as you have +this morning."</p> + +<p>"No, I'll not. I'll have something to eat if I must go to the neighbors +for it."</p> + +<p>"I'll lock you up."</p> + +<p>"Then I'll call out to the people in the street and tell them you won't +give me enough to eat. And just as soon as papa comes I'll tell him all +about it right before you."</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't dare tell him how you've talked to me; he'd punish you for +your impertinence."</p> + +<p>"No, he would say it was justifiable under the circumstances."</p> + +<p>"Dear me!" sighed Mrs. Scrimp, lifting hands and eyes in holy horror, +"what a time your stepmother will have with you! I shouldn't want to be in +her place."</p> + +<p>"My stepmother!" cried Lulu, growing very red, while her dark eyes flashed +with anger. "I haven't any! What do you mean by talking in that way, Aunt +Beulah?"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Scrimp's laugh jarred very unpleasantly upon the nerves of the +excited child.</p> + +<p>"Your father will be presenting you with one some of these days, I'll +warrant," she said in a tantalizing tone.</p> + +<p>Lulu felt ready to burst into passionate weeping, but would not give her +tormentor the satisfaction of seeing her do so. She struggled determinedly +with her emotion, and presently was able to say in a tone of perfect +indifference: "Well, I don't care if he does; anything will be better than +staying here with you."</p> + +<p>"Ungrateful, hateful child!" said Mrs. Scrimp. "Gracie's a real comfort to +me, but you are just the opposite."</p> + +<p>"Aunt Beulah," said Lulu, fixing her keen eyes steadily upon Mrs. Scrimp's +face, "you've called me ungrateful ever so many times. Now I'd like to +know what I have to be grateful for toward you? My father pays you well +for everything you do for Gracie and me."</p> + +<p>"There are some things that can't be bought with money, and that money +can't pay for, Miss Impertinence;" and Mrs. Scrimp, having satisfied her +appetite, rose from the table and, taking Gracie by the hand, walked out +of the room with her in the most dignified manner.</p> + +<p>Presently afterward Lulu saw her, through the window, in bonnet and shawl +and with a basket on her arm, going out to do the marketing.</p> + +<p>Having finished her breakfast, Lulu walked into the sitting-room.</p> + +<p>Gracie lay on the sofa looking pale and weak. Lulu went to her, stroked +her hair, and kissed her.</p> + +<p>"Poor little Gracie! weren't you hungry for some supper last night?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Lulu," replied the child, lifting a thin white little hand and +stroking her sister's face, "but Aunt Beulah says it makes me worse to eat +at night."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe it!" cried Lulu vehemently, and half stamping her foot, +"and I'm going to write a letter to papa and tell him how she starves you, +and would starve me too if I'd let her!"</p> + +<p>"I wish papa would come!" sighed Gracie. "Lulu, did it use to make us sick +to eat supper when we lived with papa and mamma?"</p> + +<p>"No, never a bit! O Gracie, Gracie, why did mamma die? why did God take +her away from us when we need her so much? I can't love Him for that! I +don't love Him!" she exclaimed with a sudden shower of tears, albeit not +much given to shedding them.</p> + +<p>"Don't cry, Lulu," Gracie said in distress, "maybe papa will find another +mamma for us. I wish he would."</p> + +<p>"I don't! stepmothers are always hateful! I'd hate her and never mind a +word she said. O Max, Max! I'm so glad to see you!" as a handsome, +dark-eyed, merry-faced boy came rushing in.</p> + +<p>"I've just come for a minute!" he cried half breathlessly, catching her in +his arms, giving her a resounding kiss, then bending over Gracie with a +sudden change to extreme gentleness of manner; she was his baby sister and +so weak and timid.</p> + +<p>"Poor little Gracie!" he said softly. "I wish I was a big man to take you +and Lulu away and give you a good time!"</p> + +<p>"I love you, Max," she returned, stroking and patting his cheek. "I wish +you'd be a good boy, so you could live here with us."</p> + +<p>"I don't want to," he answered, frowning. "I mean I don't want to live +with her; I sha'n't ever call her aunt again. I wouldn't have come in if I +hadn't known she was out. I saw her going to market. I'm going off to +Miller's Pond to fish for trout. You know it's Saturday and there's no +school. Jim Bates is going with me and we're to be back by noon; that is, +old Tommy said I must."</p> + +<p>Lulu laughed at Max's irreverent manner of alluding to the man who had the +oversight of him out of school hours; then jumping up, "O Max!" she cried, +"I want to go too! I'll be ready in a minute."</p> + +<p>"What'll Mrs. Scrimp say?" laughed Max.</p> + +<p>Lulu tossed her head with a scornful smile which said more plainly than +words that she did not care what Mrs. Scrimp might do or say in regard to +the matter, ran into the hall, and returned almost instantly with hat and +sacque.</p> + +<p>"Come, Max," she said, "we'd better be off before she gets back. Gracie, +you won't mind being left alone for just a little bit? Ann's in the +kitchen, you know."</p> + +<p>"I wish I could go too!" sighed Gracie. "I wish I could run about and have +good times like you and Max!"</p> + +<p>"Maybe you will, some o' these days. Good-by, little one," said Max, +giving a parting pat to the little white cheek.</p> + +<p>"Good-by," cried Lulu from the doorway; "don't fret, because maybe I'll +find something pretty to bring you when I come back."</p> + +<p>She took a small basket from the table in the hall, Max shouldered his +fishing-rod, which he had left there behind the front door, and they went +out together.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI" />CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">"Bear a fair presence, though your heart be tainted,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12.5em;">Teach sin the carriage of a holy saint."</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 29em;">—<i>Shaks.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>The children walked very fast, glancing this way and that till satisfied +that there was no longer any danger of encountering Mrs. Scrimp, then +their pace slackened a little and they breathed more freely.</p> + +<p>"Won't she be mad because you came without asking her, Lu?" queried Max.</p> + +<p>"I s'pose so."</p> + +<p>"What'll she do about it?"</p> + +<p>"Scold, scold, scold! and threaten to make me fast; but she knows she +can't do that. I always manage to get something to eat. I've found a key +that fits the pantry door; so I just help myself. She doesn't know about +the key and wonders how it happens; thinks she forgot to lock it."</p> + +<p>"But, Lulu, you wouldn't steal!"</p> + +<p>"'Taint stealing to take what papa pays for! Max, you're too stupid!" +cried Lulu indignantly.</p> + +<p>Max gave a long, low whistle. "Fact, Lu! that's so! our father does pay +for more than we can possibly eat, and expects us to have all we want."</p> + +<p>"Do you get enough, Max?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; and right good too. Mrs. Fox is real good and kind; but he's just +awful! I tell you, Lu, if I don't thrash him within an inch of his life +when I grow to be a man, it'll be queer."</p> + +<p>"Tell me about him! what is it he does to you?"</p> + +<p>"Well, in the first place, he pretends to be very good and pious; he +preaches and prays and talks to me as if I were the greatest sinner in the +world, while all the time he's ten times worse himself and the biggest +kind of a hypocrite. He tells me it's very wicked when I get angry at his +hateful treatment of me, and gets as mad as a March hare himself while +he's talking about it."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'd let him storm and never care a cent."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but that isn't all; he beats me dreadfully for the least little +thing, and sometimes for nothing at all. One time he bought a new padlock +for the barn-door and pretty soon it disappeared. He couldn't find it +anywhere, so he called me and asked me what I had done with it. I said I +hadn't touched it, hadn't seen it, didn't even know he had bought one; and +that was the truth. But he wouldn't believe me; he said I must have taken +it, for I was the only mischievous person about the place, and if I didn't +own up and show him where it was, he'd horsewhip me till I did."</p> + +<p>"O Max! the wicked old wretch!" cried Lulu, between her clenched teeth. +"What did you do? You couldn't tell a lie!"</p> + +<p>"No, I thought I couldn't, Lu; and oh, I'm so ashamed!" said Max, growing +very red and tears starting to his eyes. "But he beat me, and beat me, and +beat me till I thought he'd kill me; and so to stop him at last I said I +took it. But I didn't gain anything, for of course he asked next where it +was, and I couldn't tell him, because I didn't know. So he began again; +but I fainted, and I suppose that scared him and made him stop. He didn't +say anything more about the padlock till weeks afterward it was found in +the hay, and it was clear that I hadn't anything to do with it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, the old wretch!" cried Lulu again. "Did he tell you then he was sorry +for having abused you so when you were innocent?"</p> + +<p>"No, indeed! not he! He said, 'Well, you didn't deserve it that time, but +I've no doubt you've escaped many a time when you did.'"</p> + +<p>"Max, I'd never stand it! I'd run away!" exclaimed Lulu, stopping short +and facing her brother with eyes that fairly blazed with indignation.</p> + +<p>"I've thought of that, Lu; I've felt tempted to do it more than once," Max +said with a sigh; "but I thought how papa would feel hearing of it. I'd +rather bear it all than have him feel that his son had done anything to +disgrace him."</p> + +<p>"Max, you're better than I am!" cried Lulu with affectionate warmth. "I'd +never have thought of anything but how to get away as fast as possible +from that horrid, horrid beast of a man."</p> + +<p>"Papa thinks he's good, and that's the reason he put me with him. Oh, but +don't I wish he knew the truth!"</p> + +<p>"I should think the old rascal would be afraid of what papa may do when he +comes and hears all the things you'll have to tell."</p> + +<p>"I suppose he thinks papa will believe his story instead of mine; and +perhaps he will," said Max a little sadly.</p> + +<p>"No; don't you be one bit afraid of that!" cried Lulu, hotly. "Papa knows +you're a truthful boy. His children couldn't be liars!"</p> + +<p>"But you know I can't say any more that I've never told an untruth," said +Max, coloring painfully.</p> + +<p>"Well, you couldn't help it," Lulu said, trying to comfort him. "I'm +afraid that I might have done it myself to keep from being killed."</p> + +<p>"Hello! here comes Jim!" cried Max with a sudden change of tone, his face +brightening wonderfully as a lad somewhat older in appearance than +himself, and carrying a fishing-rod over his shoulder, came hurrying down +a lane and joined them.</p> + +<p>"Hello! Max," he said; "we've a splendid day for fishing, haven't we?" +Then in a whisper, "Who's this you're taking along?"</p> + +<p>"My sister Lulu," Max answered aloud. "She'll help us dig worms for bait, +won't you, Lu?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, if you'll let me fish a little after you've caught some."</p> + +<p>"Good-morning, Miss Lulu," said Jim, lifting his hat.</p> + +<p>"Good-morning," she returned, giving him a careless nod.</p> + +<p>"It's a long walk for a girl," he remarked.</p> + +<p>"Oh," said Max, laughing, "she's half boy; ain't you, Lu?"</p> + +<p>"I s'pose; if you mean in walking, jumping and running. Aunt Beulah calls +me a regular tomboy. But I'd rather be that than stay cooped up in the +house all the time."</p> + +<p>They had now left the town behind, and presently they turned from the +highway and took a narrow path that led them deep into the woods, now in +the very height of their autumnal beauty.</p> + +<p>The sun shone brightly, but through a mellow haze; the air was deliciously +pure, cool, and bracing.</p> + +<p>The children's pulses bounded, they laughed and jested; the boys whistled +and Lulu sang in a voice of birdlike melody.</p> + +<p>"O Max," she said, "I wish Gracie was well and with us here!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, so do I," he answered; "but 'tisn't likely she can ever be strong +like you and me, Lu."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll tell her all about it and take her all the pretty things I can +find. Oh, what a lovely place!" as they came out upon the shore of the +pond, a tiny sheet of clear still water surrounded by woods and hills +except where a rivulet entered it on one side and left it on the other.</p> + +<p>"Yes," assented Jim, "it's a right nice place, is Miller's Pond, and has +lots of nice fish in it."</p> + +<p>The boys laid down their rods, Lulu her basket, and all three fell to +digging for earth-worms.</p> + +<p>When they deemed that they had a sufficient quantity of bait, the lads +seated themselves on the roots of a fallen tree close to the water, each, +with fishing-rod in hand, and Lulu, picking up her basket, wandered off +among the trees and bushes.</p> + +<p>"Don't go too far away and get lost," Max called after her.</p> + +<p>"No," she answered, "I'll not go out of sight of the pond; so I can easily +find my way back. But don't you go off and leave me."</p> + +<p>"No; if you're not here, I'll hallo when we're 'most ready to start."</p> + +<p>What treasures Lulu found as she wandered here and there, every now and +then turning to look for the pond, and make sure that she was not losing +herself, there were acorn-cups, lovely mosses, beautiful autumn +leaves—red, orange, golden and green; there were wild grapes too, and +hazel-nuts, brown and ripe. Of all these she gathered eagerly until her +basket was full, thinking that some would delight Gracie, others +propitiate Aunt Beulah.</p> + +<p>And now she made her way back to the spot where the boys still sat, each +with his line in the water.</p> + +<p>"Have you caught any?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Max, "I've caught six and Jim has eight. There! I've got +another!" giving his line a jerk that sent a pretty speckled trout +floundering in the grass.</p> + +<p>"I'll take it off the hook for you," said Lulu, springing forward and +dropping on her knees beside it. "And then you'll let me try, won't you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," Max answered in a half-reluctant tone, getting up to give her his +place.</p> + +<p>"There are hazel-nuts right over there a little way," Lulu said, pointing +with her finger.</p> + +<p>"Oh, then I'll have some!" cried Max, starting on a run in the direction +indicated.</p> + +<p>He came back after a while bringing some in his hat, picked up some +stones, and seating himself near the others, cracked his nuts, sharing +generously with them.</p> + +<p>Presently Lulu had her first bite, succeeded in bringing her prize safely +to land, and was quite wild with delight.</p> + +<p>Max rejoiced with her, taking brotherly pride in her success.</p> + +<p>"You'll do for a fisherman or fisherwoman," he said gayly. "I sha'n't be +much surprised if you beat me at it one o' these days."</p> + +<p>Then struck with a sudden unwelcome thought, "I wonder what time it is!" +he exclaimed, jumping up from the ground in haste and perturbation. "Do +you s'pose it's noon yet, Jim?"</p> + +<p>"Which way's the sun?" queried the latter, glancing toward the sky; "it +ought to be right overhead at noon. Why, it's down some toward the west! I +shouldn't wonder if it's as late as two o'clock."</p> + +<p>"Two o'clock!" cried Max in dismay, "and I was to be back by noon! Won't I +catch it!" and he began gathering up his fish and fishing-tackle in great +haste, Jim doing likewise, with the remark that he would be late to dinner +and maybe have to go without.</p> + +<p>Lulu was giving Max all the assistance in her power, her face full of +sympathy.</p> + +<p>"Max," she whispered, hurrying along close at his side as they started on +their homeward way, "don't let that horrid, cruel, wicked man beat you! I +wouldn't. I'd fight him like anything!"</p> + +<p>Max shook his head. "'Twouldn't do any good, Lulu; he's so much bigger and +stronger than I am that fighting him would be worse for me than taking the +thrashing quietly."</p> + +<p>"I could never do that!" she said. "But don't wait for me if you want to +go faster."</p> + +<p>"I don't," said Max.</p> + +<p>"Well, I b'lieve I'd better make all the haste I can," said Jim. "So +good-by," and away he sped.</p> + +<p>"Oh, if papa only knew all about how that brute treats you!" sighed Lulu.</p> + +<p>"Max, can't we write him a letter?"</p> + +<p>"I do once in a while, but old Tom always reads it before it goes."</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't let him. I'd hide away somewhere to write it, and put it in +the post-office myself."</p> + +<p>"I have no chance, he gives me only a sheet of paper at a time, and must +always know what I do with it. It's the same way with my pocket money; so +I can't buy postage-stamps; and I don't know how to direct the letter +either."</p> + +<p>"Oh dear! and it's just the same way with me!" sighed Lulu. "When will +papa come? I'm just sick to see him and tell him everything!"</p> + +<p>When they reached Mrs. Scrimp's door Max gave Lulu his string of fish, +saying, "Here, take them, Sis. It's no use for me to keep 'em, for I +shouldn't get a taste; and maybe they'll put her in a good humor with +you."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," she said. "O Max, I wish you could eat them yourself!" Her +eyes were full of tears.</p> + +<p>"I'd rather you'd have 'em; you and Gracie," he said cheerfully. +"Good-by."</p> + +<p>"Good-by," she returned, looking after him as he hurried away, whistling +as he went.</p> + +<p>"He's whistling to keep his courage up. O Max! poor Max! I wish I could +give that man the worst kind of a flogging!" Lulu sighed to herself, then +turned and went into the house.</p> + +<p>She heard Mrs. Scrimp's voice in the kitchen scolding Ann for letting the +bread burn in the oven. It was an inauspicious moment to appear before +her, but Lulu marched boldly in, holding up her string of fish.</p> + +<p>"See, Aunt Beulah! they're just fresh out of the water, and won't they +make us a nice dinner?"</p> + +<p>"And they're your favorite fish, ma'am, them pretty speckled trout is," +put in Ann, glad to make a diversion in her own favor, as well as to help +Lulu out of a scrape; "and I'll go right to work to clean 'em and have 'em +ready for the frying-pan in less than no time."</p> + +<p>"Yes, they'll be very nice; and the meat will keep for to-morrow," was the +gracious rejoinder. "You oughtn't to have gone off without leave, Lulu; +but I suppose Max couldn't wait."</p> + +<p>"No, Aunt Beulah, he said he couldn't stay more than a minute. Shall I +help Ann clean the fish?"</p> + +<p>"No; go and make yourself tidy. Your hands are dirty, your apron soiled, +and your hair looks as if it hadn't been combed for a week."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Scrimp's face was gathering blackness as she scanned the figure of +the young delinquent from head to foot, spying out all that was amiss with +it.</p> + +<p>"I will," said Lulu, moving toward the door with cheerful alacrity. "Oh, I +forgot!" and rushing into the hall, she came back the next minute +bringing her basket of treasures.</p> + +<p>"See, Aunt Beulah, I've brought you lots of lovely leaves; you know you +said you wanted some to make a wreath; and here are mosses, and grapes, +and hazel-nuts."</p> + +<p>"Why you have made good use of your time," Mrs. Scrimp said, now entirely +mollified. "Bring your basket into the sitting-room, where Gracie is; and +we'll look over its contents."</p> + +<p>Max was less fortunate to-day than his sister. His custodian was on the +look-out for him, cowhide in hand, and seizing him roughly, as he entered +the gate, with a fierce, "I'll teach you to disobey orders another time, +you young vagabond! I told you to come home at noon, and you're over two +hours behind time!" began to administer an unmerciful flogging.</p> + +<p>"Stop!" cried Max, trying to dodge the blows. "How could I tell the time? +I came as soon as I thought it was noon."</p> + +<p>But his tormentor was in a towering passion and would not stay his hand to +listen to any excuse.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to kill me?" screamed Max. "You'll hang for it if you do. And +my father——"</p> + +<p>"Your father believes in enforcing obedience to orders, sir; and +I'll——"</p> + +<p>But at this instant there was an interference from a third party.</p> + +<p>At a little distance some men were at work hewing timber. They had been +working there for weeks, in which Max had made acquaintance and become a +great favorite with them, particularly one called by his companions, "Big +Bill," because of his great size and strength.</p> + +<p>He was a rough, good-natured man, with nothing of the bully about him, but +regarded with intense scorn and indignation any attempt on the part of the +strong to tyrannize over the weak and defenceless.</p> + +<p>He and his comrades had seen and heard enough in these weeks of labor in +the vicinity of Fox's residence to inspire them with contempt and dislike +toward him on account of his treatment of Max. They had among themselves +already pronounced him "a wolf in sheep's clothing, a hypocrite and a +coward."</p> + +<p>They had seen him watching for the boy with his instrument of torture in +his hand, and their wrath had waxed hot.</p> + +<p>When Max came in sight they dropped their tools and looked to see what +would happen, and at the first blow "Big Bill" muttering between his +clenched teeth, "I'll settle his hash for him," started for the scene of +action. "Stop that!" he roared, "stop that, you old hypocritical +scoundrel! You hit that boy another lick and I'll knock you as flat as a +flounder!"</p> + +<p>The hand that held the whip dropped at Fox's side, and the other loosed +its hold on Max as he turned and faced his assailant.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by coming here to interfere in my business?" he +demanded.</p> + +<p>"I mean to protect the weak against the strong, sir. I consider that my +business. You've given that boy more unmerciful beatings already than he +ought to have had in a lifetime, and he not at all a bad boy either. I +know all about that padlock affair, though he's never breathed a word to +me on the subject, and I'd enjoy nothing better than thrashing you +soundly; what's more I'll do it if ever I know you to strike him again; or +my name's not Bill Simpson. Max, if he ever does, you've only to let 'Big +Bill' hear of it and he'll get ten times more than he's given."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Bill," said Max, running to the big, kind-hearted fellow and +giving him his hand. "I'm glad to be protected from him, though I don't +want him hurt if he'll only let me alone."</p> + +<p>Fox had already stalked away in the direction of the house, swelling with +inward wrath, but assuming an air of injured innocence and offended +dignity.</p> + +<p>Standing in wholesome fear of Max's self-constituted defender, he never +again ventured to lay violent hands on the lad, but contented himself with +inflicting many petty annoyances.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII" />CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">"Except I be by Silvia in the night,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12.5em;">There is no music in the nightingale;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12.5em;">Unless I look on Silvia in the day,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12.5em;">There is no day for me to look upon."</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 21em;">—<i>Shakspeare</i>.</span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>It was already past the middle of November when Captain Raymond received +his injuries, so that the six weeks or more of enforced inaction would +carry him into the month of January.</p> + +<p>He had hoped to spend Christmas with his children, but that was now +clearly impossible, as he sadly owned to himself, for he was a loving +father and felt the disappointment keenly on both his own account and +theirs.</p> + +<p>There would be no festivities at Ion this year, bereavement was still too +recent with themselves, too imminent with those very near by the ties of +kindred. But there was to be an exchange of gifts; there had been that +even last year when but a few months had elapsed since the departure to +the better land of the beloved husband and father.</p> + +<p>Captain Raymond, sitting quietly in his invalid chair, generally to all +appearance buried in a book, overheard many a consultation in regard to +what would be most acceptable to this or that one who happened to be +absent from the room at the moment, for it was intended that most of the +gifts, at least, should be a surprise to the recipients.</p> + +<p>One day when the talk was of those to be provided for Rosie and Walter, +Mrs. Dinsmore noticed that their guest was listening with a very +interested look.</p> + +<p>"Captain Raymond," she said, turning to him with an engaging smile, "we +purpose to go into the city to-morrow to shop for these things; can we do +anything in that line for you?"</p> + +<p>"Thank you," he said heartily, his face brightening very much; "if it +would not be overtaxing you, I should be very glad indeed to do some +shopping by proxy; glad to have the benefit of your and Mrs. Travilla's +taste and judgment in the selection of some Christmas presents for my +children. It will be all I can do for them this year. I had thought of +sending money for the purpose, to the persons in charge of them, but it +would be far more satisfactory to me to have some share in the choice of +the articles."</p> + +<p>Both ladies assured him that it would give them pleasure to do whatever +they could to assist him in making the desired purchases, and Mr. +Dinsmore suggested that a variety of goods might be sent out from the city +stores for him to select from.</p> + +<p>He said that was a good idea, but he would leave it to the ladies to have +that done, or to choose for him a book for each of his children, a doll +for each girl, and writing-desks, fully furnished, for Max and Lulu.</p> + +<p>"I think," he added with a smile, "whatever I may give will seem to them +more valuable if sent from this distance than if bought near at hand."</p> + +<p>"Yes," Mrs. Dinsmore said, "that is human nature."</p> + +<p>The shoppers set out the next morning soon after breakfast, expecting to +return about the usual dinner-hour.</p> + +<p>Watching the departure from the window near which he was seated, the +captain observed with pleasure that Violet was not of the party, hoping +that if left behind, she would give him the enjoyment of her society +during the absence of the others.</p> + +<p>Presently she came in, bringing some needlework; Rosie and Walter with +her.</p> + +<p>The captain closed the book he had been reading and turned toward them +with a pleased smile.</p> + +<p>"So I am not to be left to solitude, as I feared," he remarked.</p> + +<p>"You must please send us away, sir, whenever you think that preferable to +our company," returned Violet lightly.</p> + +<p>"Do you deem me capable of such rudeness, Miss Travilla?" he asked with +playful look and tone.</p> + +<p>"We will not consider it such," she answered, seating herself and +beginning her work, "since we can wander at will all over the house, +while, for the present, you, sir, are a prisoner confined to this room and +the next."</p> + +<p>"That reminds me," he said, "that of late you have absented yourself a +great deal from this room; to my no small discontent."</p> + +<p>"It is flattering to my vanity and self-appreciation to learn that you +have missed me," she returned sportively, but with a slightly heightened +color.</p> + +<p>"You can never be away from the rest of us without being missed, Vi," +remarked Rosie; "especially now that Sister Elsie is away."</p> + +<p>"And do you not mean to gratify my curiosity as to what has been the cause +of your many and prolonged absences, Miss Violet?" queried the captain.</p> + +<p>"I have been busy elsewhere, sir. But is it not an understood thing that +curiosity is a peculiarly feminine trait?"</p> + +<p>"I am able to plead guiltless to the charge of ever having made such an +insinuation," said the captain; "and do now confess to having a full share +of inquisitiveness."</p> + +<p>"May I tell, Vi?" asked Rosie.</p> + +<p>"We must first learn whether Captain Raymond can keep a secret," Vi +answered, glancing at him with a saucy smile.</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed!" he said, "as you shall learn if you will but allow me the +opportunity."</p> + +<p>"Then I may tell I!" cried Rosie; and hardly waiting for her sister's nod +of acquiescence, went on. "She is preparing such a nice surprise for dear +mamma, Captain Raymond, a miniature of papa which she has been painting on +ivory. I think it looks more like him than any photograph or painted +portrait that we have. And I am sure mamma could not have a more +acceptable present. Besides that, Vi has painted two flower-pieces; one +for grandpa and one for grandma."</p> + +<p>"You have certainly been very industrious, Miss Violet," he remarked. "I +have heard your studio spoken of. May I hope for the pleasure of visiting +it when I recover the free use of my limbs?"</p> + +<p>"That will not be for some weeks, sir; and in the mean while I will take +your request into consideration," she answered demurely.</p> + +<p>The morning passed very rapidly to the captain; the children amused him +with their prattle, and when after an hour or two, Rosie grew tired of the +bit of fancy-work she was doing under her sister's supervision, and +yielded to Walter's entreaties to "come to the nursery and build +block-houses," thus leaving Violet his sole companion, the moments sped +faster than before; for he found her a very interesting and entertaining +conversationist.</p> + +<p>On their return the shopping-party brought with them the articles he had +mentioned. He pronounced them all entirely satisfactory, and they were +packed and sent northward with the addition of some pretty things for the +dolls, contributed by Violet and Rosie.</p> + +<p>Some unusual impulse of fatherly solicitude and affection led the captain +to put his own address upon several envelopes in each writing-desk, +stamping them also and adding a note to each of the three children.</p> + +<p>To Max and Lulu he said that he wanted letters from them which should not +pass through the hands of a third person, "letters that should be like a +bit of private chat with papa."</p> + +<p>Seeing how tenderly and carefully the little Travillas were nurtured and +what love was lavished upon them, had turned his thoughts frequently upon +his own motherless ones, and set him to thinking and asking himself rather +anxiously how they were faring in those respects. He had come to realize +more thoroughly than ever before his responsibility as a parent.</p> + +<p>The Christmas work which had kept Violet busy in her studio was now +finished, and henceforth she spent much more of her time with the rest of +the family; greatly to Captain Raymond's satisfaction, for much as he +admired the other ladies and enjoyed conversing with them and with Mr. +Dinsmore, he was quite conscious of a constant uneasiness and discontent +when Violet absented herself from the room.</p> + +<p>His admiration for her beauty and grace had been unbounded from the first, +and gradually as he discovered more and more of her sterling worth, her +sweetness and unselfishness of disposition, her talent, industry, and +genuine piety, his heart had gone out to her in ardent affection; in fact +with a deeper and stronger love than he had ever before known or dreamed +of.</p> + +<p>He began to ask himself how he could ever go away and leave her, and +whether he dared seek to make her his own. He was fully as loath as Donald +Keith to appear in the rôle of fortune-hunter. Would Mr. Dinsmore and his +daughter, so noble themselves, be ready to impute so unworthy a motive to +him? He hoped not, he believed they would judge him by themselves. And +they who so fully knew and appreciated all that Violet was must see and +believe that no man whose affections were not already engaged could be +thrown into intimate association with her day after day, as he had been +for so many weeks, and not learn to love her for herself alone.</p> + +<p>Then he had learned incidentally from Dr. Conly, that the older daughter +had married a poor artist with the full consent of her parents and +grandfather, his lack of wealth being considered no objection to his suit.</p> + +<p>Captain Raymond did not look upon wealth as the highest patent of nobility +even in this republican country, but thought, in his manly independence, +that his well-established reputation as an honorable, Christian gentleman, +and officer of the United States Navy, made him in rank fully the peer of +the Dinsmores and Travillas; and he believed that they would entirely +agree with him in that.</p> + +<p>But he was not a conceited man, and felt by no means sure that Violet +herself would give a favorable hearing to his suit. Under the peculiar and +trying circumstances of his sojourn at Ion he had not been able to offer +her any attention, and her uniform kindness had probably been shown only +to her mother's invalid guest. And as he thought of the disparity of years +between them, and how many younger, and perhaps in every way more +attractive men, must have crossed her path, his hopes sank very low.</p> + +<p>Yet he was not too proud to allow her the opportunity to reject him. +Saying to himself, "Were I certain that she is indifferent to me, I would +not give her the pain of doing so—for I know her kind heart would feel it +a pain—but as I am not sure of her feelings, it is only fair and just to +her to let her know of mine and abide the issue," he decided that he would +not go away without speaking, yet that he would first ask the consent of +her natural guardians.</p> + +<p>He therefore seized the first opportunity when alone with Mr. Dinsmore to +tell of his love for Violet, and ask if he could obtain his and the +mother's consent to the prosecution of his suit.</p> + +<p>Mr. Dinsmore seemed both surprised and moved. He did not speak for a +moment, then, with a heavy sigh, "Has it come to this already," he said +"that we are likely to lose our little Vi? I don't know how either her +mother or I can ever do without her! ever make up our minds to resign her +to any one else!"</p> + +<p>"I don't wonder at it, sir," the captain said with feeling. "But may I +understand that you do not object to me personally?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir, oh no! I see no objection to you more than to any other, except +disparity of years, Violet being so young; and that is not so great as it +was between her parents."</p> + +<p>"Then you give me some hope?"</p> + +<p>"If you have won her affections, yes. How is it in regard to that?"</p> + +<p>"I have said no word to her on the subject, Mr. Dinsmore—feeling that the +more honorable course was first to ask permission of her mother and +yourself—and am by no means certain that she cares for me at all except +as a friend of the family and of her cousin, Lieut. Keith. Have I your +consent, sir?"</p> + +<p>"I will talk with my daughter, captain, and let you know the result."</p> + +<p>He rose as if to leave the room, but the captain detained him.</p> + +<p>"Let me tell you," he said, coloring in spite of himself, "that I am not +rich, having very little beside my pay."</p> + +<p>"That is a matter of small importance," Mr. Dinsmore answered in a kindly +tone, "seeing that riches are so apt to take wings and fly away, and that +the Master said, 'A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the +things which he possesseth.' If her mother's wealth remains, Violet will +be well provided for, as I presume you are aware, yet I cannot for a +moment suppose you capable of seeking her on that account. In fact," he +concluded with a smile, "the child has nothing at all of her own, and her +mother can, should she choose, leave her penniless."</p> + +<p>"And I should be more than willing to take her so, if I could get her," +the captain answered, returning the smile; "it would be a dear delight to +me to provide her with all things desirable by my own exertions."</p> + +<p>"Excuse the question, Capt. Raymond, but have you taken into consideration +the fact that Violet's extreme youth must render her unfit for the cares +and responsibilities of motherhood to your children?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Dinsmore, there is not a woman in a thousand of those twice her age +whom I would as willingly trust. But she shall have no care or labor that +I can save her from, always supposing I can be so happy as to win her for +my own."</p> + +<p>The family had retired for the night to their own apartments. Mrs. +Travilla, almost ready to seek her couch, sat alone in her dressing-room +in front of the brightly blazing wood fire; her open Bible was in her +hand, a lamp burning on a little table by the side of her easy-chair.</p> + +<p>Her dressing-gown of soft white cashmere became her well, and her unbound +hair lying in rich masses on her shoulders lent a very youthful look to +face and figure.</p> + +<p>Her father thought, as he came softly in and stood at her side, gazing +down upon her, that he had seldom seen her more rarely beautiful.</p> + +<p>She lifted her eyes to his with the old sweet smile of filial love and +reverence, shut her book and laid it on the table.</p> + +<p>He laid his hand gently on her head, bent down and kissed her on brow and +cheek and lip.</p> + +<p>"Dear papa, won't you sit down?" she said, rising to draw up a chair for +him.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he answered; "I want a little talk with you. How wonderfully young +you look to-night!—so like my little girl of other days that I feel a +strong inclination to invite you to your old seat upon my knee. Will you +take it?" sitting down and drawing her gently toward him.</p> + +<p>She yielded to his wish, saying, as she put her arm about his neck and +gazed lovingly into his eyes, "I am still child enough to enjoy it +greatly, if I am not so heavy as to weary you, my dear father."</p> + +<p>"I do not feel your weight unpleasantly," he returned. "You must remember +I am a very strong man, and you but a slight and delicate woman. Not so +plump as I could wish to see you," he added, pushing up the sleeve of her +gown and clasping his fingers round the white arm.</p> + +<p>"Isn't there plenty of flesh there to hide the bones?" she asked +laughingly.</p> + +<p>"The bones are well hidden, but the flesh is not so solid as I would have +it."</p> + +<p>"Ah, papa, you must not be so hard to please!" she said, with playful look +and tone. "I think I'm in very good condition; am glad I'm not too heavy +to sit here and play at being your own little girl again. What happy days +those were! when I had not a care or anxiety except to please my earthly +and my heavenly father."</p> + +<p>"Would you like to go back to them?"</p> + +<p>"No, dear father, your love and tender care made me a very happy child, +but I have no desire to retrace my steps. I should far rather press +forward to the heavenly home whither you are travelling with me—'the rest +that remaineth to the people of God,' rest from sin as well as from +sorrow, pain, and care."</p> + +<p>"'Casting <i>all</i> you care upon <i>Him</i>, for He careth for you.' He who ever +liveth; He who hath all power in heaven and in earth; He who has said, 'I +have loved thee with an everlasting love,' 'I will never leave thee nor +forsake thee.' Dear daughter, if cares and anxieties oppress you, ask +yourself what right a Christian has to be troubled with them."</p> + +<p>"None, papa," she answered humbly; "I am thankful that I can say a belief +in His love and power prevents them from pressing very heavily, yet it is +my grief and shame that my faith is often too weak to lift the burden +entirely."</p> + +<p>"What is the particular burden to-night?" he asked tenderly.</p> + +<p>"My absent darlings, papa: my Elsie, now beginning with the cares of +married life, my eldest son exposed to I know not what dangers and +temptations."</p> + +<p>"But with the very same Almighty Friend their mother has to watch over and +protect, to comfort and sustain them."</p> + +<p>"Yes, papa! Oh, I ought not to have one anxious thought about them!"</p> + +<p>"When such thoughts will arise, dear child, turn them into petitions on +their behalf, and believing in God's willingness to hear and answer +prayer, your heart may grow light.</p> + +<p>"But this is not exactly what I came to talk about." Then he repeated the +substance of his conversation with Capt. Raymond, and asked what answer +she would give.</p> + +<p>Her surprise was as great as her father's had been, and a look of sore +pain came into her face as she exclaimed, "Violet! my little Vi! must I +lose her too?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not, dearest; it may be that she cares nothing for him. But you +need decide nothing to-night, and must try not to let the question keep +you awake."</p> + +<p>For a moment she seemed lost in thought, then lifting to his, eyes +brimful of tears, "Papa," she said tremulously, "I cannot stand in the way +of my child's happiness, therefore I must let him speak, and learn from +her own lips whether she cares for him or not."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think you are right. And now, daughter dear, I must bid you +good-night. But first I want you to promise me that you will determinately +cast this care on the Lord, and not let it rob you of needed sleep."</p> + +<p>They had both risen, and as he spoke he took her in his arms and held her +close to his heart.</p> + +<p>"I will, papa, in obedience to Him and to you," she said, while for a +moment her arm was about his neck, her head laid upon his breast.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII" />CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">"On you most loved, with anxious fear I wait,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12.5em;">And from your judgment must expect my fate."</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 24.5em;">—<i>Addison</i>.</span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>Naturally Elsie's first waking thoughts on the following morning were of +Violet and her future. She was not a "match-making mamma," not at all +desirous to be rid of her daughters, and had never once thought of Capt. +Raymond as a possible suitor for Violet.</p> + +<p>He was not a very young man, and it was difficult to realize that Vi was +grown up enough for her hand to be sought in marriage by even one near her +own age, much less by the father of a family whose eldest child could not +be very many years younger than she.</p> + +<p>"She surely cannot fancy him!" the mother said to herself with a sigh of +relief; but instantly came the remembrance that the disparity of years had +been still greater between herself and the husband she had loved with all +the strength of her nature—so loved that never for a moment could she +admit the idea of the possibility that any other could fill his place in +her heart. What more could she ask for her beloved child, for this life, +than such wedded bliss as she herself had known?</p> + +<p>But how could she spare her! especially so soon after resigning her sweet +namesake daughter to another. It was only the unselfishness of her mother +love which could at all reconcile her to the thought.</p> + +<p>She longed to know whether she were likely to be called upon to make the +sacrifice, but generously resolved to use no means to discover the state +of her child's feelings until the captain had spoken. In the mean while +she would neither make an opportunity for him nor throw any obstacle in +his way.</p> + +<p>Her toilet was scarcely complete, and she had just dismissed her maid, +when a tap on her dressing-room door was followed by her father's +entrance.</p> + +<p>"Ah, papa! good-morning!" she said, her face growing bright with pleasure. +"Are you well, my dear father?" going to him and putting her arms about +his neck.</p> + +<p>"Perfectly, my darling," he said, caressing her. "How are you? how did you +sleep?"</p> + +<p>"I am able to answer, Very well indeed, to both questions, papa," she +returned brightly.</p> + +<p>"You didn't let worrying thoughts keep you awake?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, sir!"</p> + +<p>"And is your answer to Capt. Raymond still the same?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, papa," she said, with an involuntary sigh.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe you wish him success," he remarked, with a slight smile +and a keen, searching look into her face.</p> + +<p>"No," she said, the tears starting to her eyes; "I had thought to keep my +sweet child for years to come."</p> + +<p>"But you have no objection to him, more than you would have to any one +else?"</p> + +<p>"No, papa, I have learned to think very highly of him, and believe my +darling's happiness will be safe in his hands—if she loves him. Yet I +trust far more to your judgment than to my own. You approve of him, do you +not?"</p> + +<p>"Entirely; yet, like yourself, am so loath to part with Violet that I +shall heartily rejoice if she declares herself indifferent to him."</p> + +<p>"I long to end my suspense in regard to that," Elsie said, "but have +decided to endure it until the captain has spoken; because it seems better +and kinder not to embarrass her by any hint of the state of his feelings."</p> + +<p>Her father expressed approval of her resolve, then as her children came +trooping in for their loved morning half hour with "mamma," with their +bright faces and cheery greetings to her and grandpa, he left her and +went down to the parlor, where he found Capt. Raymond, and rejoiced his +heart with the favorable response to his request.</p> + +<p>There was something so peculiar in the mother's gaze into Violet's face as +they exchanged their morning greetings, it was so unwontedly keen and +searching, half sad and anxious too, that the young girl asked in +surprise, "What is it, mamma?"</p> + +<p>"My darling, you are very sweet, very precious to your mother's heart!" +Elsie said with an earnest, tender kiss; then turned quickly away to hide +the tell-tale moisture in her eyes.</p> + +<p>Capt. Raymond was not long in finding or making his opportunity.</p> + +<p>It was the day before Christmas, and Rosie and Walter made frequent +allusion to the exchange of gifts in which they expected to share that +evening. They were chatting with the captain about it, in the parlor, soon +after breakfast; talking of his children also; asking if he thought they +had received his presents by this time, and that they would have a tree.</p> + +<p>Violet was sitting near, helping Rosie to dress some dolls for the little +cousins at the Laurels. Presently, one being quite ready, Rosie must run +and show it to mamma, and Walter went with her.</p> + +<p>The door had scarcely closed on them, leaving Violet and the captain sole +occupants of the room, when he rose from his chair and, moving with some +care and difficulty, took another close at her side.</p> + +<p>"Are you not disobeying orders, sir, and in some danger of suffering for +it?" she asked, looking at him with a mischievous smile.</p> + +<p>"No; I have the doctor's permission to try the ankle a little to-day," he +answered. Then, with a slightly embarrassed air, "Miss Travilla," he said, +"I should like to—would you accept a Christmas gift from me?"</p> + +<p>"You are very kind, sir," she said, blushing vividly, "but I think I must +decline. Mamma highly disapproves of young girls accepting presents from +their gentlemen friends."</p> + +<p>"But I have consulted her and your grandfather in regard to this, and +obtained their permission to offer it and ask for a return in kind. Will +you accept my hand (the heart you have already won) and give me yours in +exchange? Ah, I fear that you must think my presumption very great! I know +I am asking what a king might covet. I know that you, in your peerless +beauty—so fair, so sweet, so good, so talented, so admired and sought +after—are worthy of a throne, and I have not even wealth to offer +you—nothing, in fact, but the love of a man whose honor is unstained, and +who would cherish you as the apple of his eye. Ah, dearest girl, I have +no words to express the strength and power of the passionate affection +with which you have inspired me!"</p> + +<p>All this and much more in the same strain was poured out so rapidly and +ardently that Violet seemed overwhelmed by the torrent of words that had +come rushing upon her so unexpectedly and without any warning.</p> + +<p>A deep blush overspread the fair face and neck, while her work fell from +her hand and her eyes sought the floor.</p> + +<p>When at length he paused for a reply, she started up, saying confusedly, +in low, tremulous tones, "I—I am far from meriting the praises you have +heaped upon me, and I am very young and foolish—not fit for—for so noble +and good a man—so worthy to be highly honored. And I—oh, how could I +leave my dear, widowed mother!" Then, as approaching footsteps were heard +in the hall without, she turned and fled from the room.</p> + +<p>"Ah, grandpa's little cricket, what is it? what has disturbed you so?" +asked a well-known voice, in tones that spoke more pleasure than alarm, +and Vi, as she hurried through the hall, half blinded by the tears in her +eyes, felt herself closely clasped by two strong arms that held her fast.</p> + +<p>"Oh, grandpa! I—I wish he hadn't!" she stammered, dropping her face upon +his breast and bursting into tears.</p> + +<p>"Who, my pet? who has dared to ill use you?" he asked, caressing her.</p> + +<p>Vi lifted her head and looked up at him in surprise, for certainly his +tone was rather amused than angry or stern. Then at a sudden remembrance +of the captain's assertion that he had sought and obtained her +grandfather's permission to offer her his hand, "Oh, grandpa, why did you +let him?" she said, again hiding her blushing face on his breast; "you +know I could never, never leave mamma! dear, dear mamma!"</p> + +<p>"I am glad to hear it!" he returned with satisfaction, repeating his +caresses, "for I don't know what either she or I could do without you. And +that was your answer to Capt. Raymond?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Very well, go and tell mamma about it—she will be as glad as I am to +hear that we are not to lose our darling little Vi—while I see what I can +say to comfort the captain."</p> + +<p>He released her as he spoke, and she flew to do his bidding.</p> + +<p>Rosie and Walter were still with their mother in her boudoir, but as +Violet came in with her flushed, agitated face, they were gently bidden to +run away for a little while.</p> + +<p>As the door closed on them, Violet dropped on her knees by her mother's +chair and laid her head in her lap, hiding her face.</p> + +<p>"My dear child! my dear, precious little daughter!" Elsie said, softly +smoothing the golden tresses.</p> + +<p>"Mamma, you know?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, dearest."</p> + +<p>"O mamma, I can't leave you! how could I?"</p> + +<p>"Dear child! it would be a sore trial to have to part with you; and I +cannot be sorry that you are not ready or willing to go. You are one of +the very great blessings and comforts of your mother's life!"</p> + +<p>"Dearest mother, thank you! They are very sweet words to hear from your +lips," Violet said, lifting her face to look up into her mother's with a +beautiful smile.</p> + +<p>"And so you have said your suitor nay?" Elsie asked, with playful look and +tone.</p> + +<p>"I hardly know what I said, mamma, except that I was too young and foolish +and couldn't leave you!"</p> + +<p>"You do not care for him at all?"</p> + +<p>"I—I don't know, mamma!" and the sweet, innocent face was suffused with +blushes; "I had never thought of his fancying me—hardly more than a +child—while he—mamma, is he not very noble and good and wise? and so +brave and unselfish!—you know how he risked his life to save a poor old +negress; and how much he has suffered in consequence, and how patiently he +has borne it all!"</p> + +<p>"And how handsome he is?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, mamma, one reads the nobility of his nature in his face, and his +bearing is soldierly."</p> + +<p>"Ah, my little girl! my heart misgives me that I hold you by a very frail +tenure!" Elsie sighed between a smile and a tear, as she bent her head to +look searchingly into the depths of the azure eyes.</p> + +<p>Violet's face crimsoned, and her head went down again into her mother's +lap.</p> + +<p>"Mamma, you need not fear," she said, very low and tremulously, "I have +rejected his offer, and I cannot leave you."</p> + +<p>"I am much mistaken if he is so easily repulsed," Elsie said. "He is a +brave soldier, and will renew the assault nor raise the siege of my +daughter's heart until he has brought it to a full if not unconditional +surrender."</p> + +<p>"Mamma, I wish I could run away."</p> + +<p>"Come, then, to the Laurels with me, and you need not return until bedtime +to-night, unless you choose."</p> + +<p>Vi's face brightened, then clouded again. "Thank you, mamma, I will go, +yet it will be putting off the evil day for but a very little while."</p> + +<p>"It will give you time to think and analyze your own feelings, so that you +will be the better prepared for the next assault," was the playful +rejoinder. "Go now, dear child, and make yourself ready. The carriage +will be at the door almost immediately—Arthur has consented to my taking +the children in a close carriage. They must return before sundown, but you +need not be in such haste."</p> + +<p>Mr. Dinsmore did not find Capt. Raymond looking so completely cast down as +he had expected. His face was slightly flushed, his expression somewhat +perplexed and disappointed, but by no means despairing.</p> + +<p>"I fear I have been too precipitate," he said, in answer to his host's +inquiring look. "'The more haste the less speed,' as the old proverb has +it. I fear I frightened the dear girl by too sudden and vehement an avowal +of my passion. Yet I trust it may not be too late to retrieve my error."</p> + +<p>"She rejected your suit?" Mr. Dinsmore said interrogatively.</p> + +<p>"Yes, she seemed to do so!" sighed the lover, "yet the objections she +urged are not insurmountable. She calls herself too young and foolish, but +I hope to convince her that that is a mistake. Young she is indeed, but +very far from foolish. She cannot leave her mother is another objection, +but that I should not ask her to do—as a landlubber might," he added +sportively, "would in all probability. As much of my life must be spent at +sea, it would not be worth while to set up a home of my own on land, if I +had a wife who preferred to live with her mother."</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, that is certainly much in your favor," said Mr. Dinsmore; "our +greatest, almost our only objection to your suit being the thought of +parting with the child of our love."</p> + +<p>When Violet came home that evening she did not rejoin the family in the +parlor, but went directly to her own apartments.</p> + +<p>"Where is mamma?" she inquired of her maid as she threw off her hat and +cloak.</p> + +<p>"In de parlor, Miss Wi'let."</p> + +<p>"Are the children in bed and asleep?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, miss."</p> + +<p>Violet opened a bureau drawer and took therefrom several small packages. +Undoing one, she brought to light the miniature of her father which she +had painted. She carried it to the lamp and stood for some minutes gazing +down upon the beloved face with fast-falling tears.</p> + +<p>"Oh, papa, papa!" she murmured, "how hard it is to live without you!"</p> + +<p>At length closing the case and restoring it to the box whence she had +taken it, she gathered up the other parcels and went first to her mother's +dressing-room, where she laid the little box on the toilet-table, then on +to the rooms occupied by her younger sister and brothers, leaving a gift +for each.</p> + +<p>Going back to her own rooms, she espied a letter directed to herself, +which she had not noticed before. She had seen Capt. Raymond's handwriting +frequently during the weeks he had been at Ion, and recognized it at a +glance. The rich color rushed over face and neck, and her heart beat fast.</p> + +<p>"Agnes," she said to her maid, "you may go now; I shall not need you any +more to-night," and the girl went out, leaving her alone.</p> + +<p>Even then she did not at once open her letter, but moved slowly back and +forth for some minutes, with it in her hand. Then kneeling down she asked +earnestly for heavenly guidance in this important crisis of her life.</p> + +<p>Looking into her own heart that day, she had learned that she was far from +indifferent to him who had asked her to exchange with him vows of mutual +love and trust, and to be the partner of his joys and sorrows. She was not +indifferent, but did she love him well enough to leave, for his sake, the +dear home of her childhood and the sweet mother to whom her heart had ever +clung with the most ardent affection?</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV" />CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">"Nor less was she in heart affected,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12.5em;">But that she masked it with modesty,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12.5em;">For fear she should of lightness be detected."</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 20em;">—<i>Spenser's "Fairy Queen."</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>Violet had lingered at the Laurels, with her Aunt Rose, for some hours +after her mother returned to Ion with the children, and in the meanwhile +there had been a long talk between Mrs. Travilla and Capt. Raymond, in +which he had pleaded his cause with all the eloquence an ardent passion +could inspire.</p> + +<p>Elsie's answer was, "If you have won my daughter's heart, her hand shall +not be refused you. But she is yet too young for the grave +responsibilities of married life. Nor can I reconcile myself to the +thought of parting with her so soon; therefore I should greatly prefer to +have the matter dropped, at least for the present."</p> + +<p>The captain repeated what he had said to Mr. Dinsmore in regard to his +willingness to leave Violet with her mother if only he might have her for +his wife.</p> + +<p>"That would be very pleasant," Elsie said her eyes shining; "and so far +you have the decided advantage of a suitor who would carry her away from +us; but, Captain, you are a father, and the woman whom you marry should be +not only a wife to you, but also a mother to your children; but for that +care and responsibility my little Vi is, I fear, far too young. Indeed, my +mother heart can ill brook the thought of her being so burdened in the +very morning of her life."</p> + +<p>"Nor should I be willing to burden her, my dear Mrs. Travilla," he said +with feeling; "she should never bear the lightest burden that I could save +her from. But, my dear madam, would my children be any better off if I +should remain single? I think not, and I also think that should I marry +another while my heart is your daughter's, I should be doing very wrong. +But I cannot; if I fail to win her I shall remain as I am to the end of my +days."</p> + +<p>"I trust not," she said; "you may get over this and meet with some one +else with whom you can be very happy."</p> + +<p>He shook his head very decidedly. "I feel that that is impossible. But how +was it in your own case, Mrs. Travilla? Mrs. Dinsmore is, I understand, +but a few years older than yourself."</p> + +<p>"That is quite true, sir; and I know papa never let her take any +responsibility in regard to me, but taught, trained, and cared for me in +all respects himself; he was father and mother both to me," she said with +a lovely smile; "but you, my dear sir, are so situated that you could not +follow his example; you can neither stay at home with your children nor +take them to sea with you."</p> + +<p>"True, but they can stay where they are quite as well if I am married as +if I remain without a wife. I love them very dearly, Mrs. Travilla, and +earnestly desire to do my whole duty to them, but I do not think it a part +of that either to do without the dear little wife I covet, or to burden +her with cares unsuited to her tender years. Are you not willing to let me +settle this question of duty for myself?"</p> + +<p>"I certainly have not the shadow of a right or inclination to attempt to +settle any question of duty for you, sir," she answered with sweet +gentleness, "but I must, I think, try to help my dear child to consider +such questions for herself. And with her, after all, must the decision of +this matter remain."</p> + +<p>Both mother and lover waited with anxiety for that decision, and while +waiting the captain wrote his letter, the mother busied herself with her +accustomed cares and duties as daughter, mother, mistress, and hostess, +each heart lifting up silent petitions that the result might be for God's +glory and the best interests of all concerned.</p> + +<p>Elsie was not surprised that Violet did not join the family that evening +on her return from the Laurels.</p> + +<p>"She doubtless wants a talk with her mother first," was her silent comment +on learning that Vi had gone directly to that part of the house in which +the private apartments of the family were situated, and presently, as all +separated for the night, she sought her own dressing-room, expecting to +find Violet waiting for her there.</p> + +<p>But the room was unoccupied; one swift glance revealed that fact, and also +showed her the box Violet had left on her toilet-table, and beside it some +little token of love and remembrance from each of the other members of the +family.</p> + +<p>A label on each told who was the giver, and breathed of tender affection +to her for whom it was prepared.</p> + +<p>She looked them over with glistening eyes, a heart full of gratitude for +the loves still left her, though sore with the thought, recalled by every +anniversary, of him who was gone, and a sweet and beautiful smile playing +about her lips.</p> + +<p>Violet's gift was the last to be taken up and examined. So life-like was +the pictured face suddenly exposed to Elsie's view that it startled her +almost as if he had come in and stood by her side. The label told her it +was from Violet, but even without that she would have recognized it as her +work; and that it was so made it all the more precious to the widowed +mother.</p> + +<p>She was gazing intently upon it, her lips quivering, the big tears +dropping fast down her cheeks, as Violet, with Capt. Raymond's letter in +her hand, opened the door, came softly in, and glided noiselessly to her +side.</p> + +<p>"Dearest mamma," she murmured, stealing an arm about her mother's waist, +"does it please you?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing could be more like him! My darling, thank you a thousand times!"</p> + +<p>"I painted almost entirely from memory, mamma, and it was emphatically a +labor of love—love to you and to him. Oh, how sadly sweet it was to see +the dear face growing day by day under my hand!"</p> + +<p>"Has your grandpa seen it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, mamma, he used to come in sometimes and watch me at my work. He +thinks as you do of the likeness. Ah, I hear his step!" and she hastened +to open the door for him.</p> + +<p>"I thought I should find you here," he said, kissing her on both cheeks, +then drawing her near the light and gazing with keen, loving scrutiny into +the blushing face.</p> + +<p>"Elsie daughter," turning to her—"Ah!" as he perceived her emotion and +took note of the miniature in her hand, "is it not a speaking likeness?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, papa," she said in a trembling voice, going to him to lay her head +on his breast while he clasped her in his arms, "but it has roused such an +intense longing in my heart!</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">"'Oh, for the touch of a vanished hand,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">And the sound of a voice that is still!"</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>"Dearest child!" he said tenderly, "the separation is only for time, and a +long eternity of reunion will follow. 'Our light affliction, which is but +for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of +glory.'"</p> + +<p>"'But for a moment!'" she repeated. "Yes, it will seem like that when it +is past, though now the road looks so long and lonely."</p> + +<p>"Ah, dearest!" he said, softly smoothing her hair, "remember that nearer, +dearer Friend whose promise is, 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake +thee.'"</p> + +<p>Presently she lifted her head, wiped away her tears, and as her father +released her from his arms, turned to her daughter with a tenderly +interested and inquiring look.</p> + +<p>"What is it, my darling?" she asked, glancing at the letter in the young +girl's hand.</p> + +<p>Violet gave it to her, saying, with downcast eyes and blushing cheeks, "I +found it on my dressing-table, mamma. It is from him—Capt. Raymond—and I +have written a note in reply."</p> + +<p>"Shall I go away, Vi, and leave you and your mamma to your confidences?" +Mr. Dinsmore asked playfully, putting an arm about each and looking with +smiling eyes from one to the other.</p> + +<p>"No, grandpa, please stay; you know I have no secrets from you," Violet +answered, half hiding her face on his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"And are grandpa and I to read both epistles—yours and his?" asked her +mother.</p> + +<p>"If you please, mamma. But mine is not to be given unless you both +approve."</p> + +<p>The captain's was a straightforward, manly letter, renewing his offer with +a hearty avowal of strong and deathless love, and replying to her +objections as he had already in talking with her mother and grandfather.</p> + +<p>Violet's answer did not contain any denial of a return of his affection; +she simply thanked him for the honor done her, but said she did not feel +old enough or wise enough for the great responsibilities of married life.</p> + +<p>"Rather non-committal, isn't it, little cricket?" was her grandfather's +playful comment. "It strikes me that you neither accept nor reject him."</p> + +<p>"Why, grandpa," she said confusedly, "I thought it was a rejection."</p> + +<p>Mr. Dinsmore and his daughter had seated themselves near the table, on +which a lamp was burning, and Violet knelt on a hassock at her mother's +feet, half hiding her blushing face on her lap.</p> + +<p>"Ah, my little girl!" Elsie said, with playful tenderness, putting one +hand under Vi's chin, and lifting the fair face to look into it with keen, +loving scrutiny, "were I the captain, I should not despair; the citadel of +my Vi's heart is half won."</p> + +<p>The cheeks were dyed with hotter blushes at that, but no denial came from +the ruby lips. "Mamma, I do not want to marry yet for years," she said, +"and I think it will not be easy for any one to win me away from you."</p> + +<p>"But he says he will not take you away," remarked her grandpa.</p> + +<p>"Are you on his side, grandpa?" asked Violet.</p> + +<p>"Only if your heart is, my dear child." "And in that case I am on his side +too," said her mother, "because I desire my little girl's happiness even +more than her dear companionship as exclusively my own."</p> + +<p>"Except what belongs to her grandpa and guardian," said Mr. Dinsmore, +taking Vi's arm and gently drawing her to a seat upon his knee.</p> + +<p>Vi put her arms about his neck. "The dearest, kindest grandpa and guardian +that ever anybody had!" she said, giving him a kiss of ardent affection. +"Well, if you, sir, and mamma are both on the captain's side, I suppose it +won't do for me to reject him. But you say my note isn't a rejection, so +will you please give it to him? And if he isn't satisfied to take it for +no and let me alone on the subject, he may wait a year or two and see +if—if he still feels toward me as he does now, and perhaps—only +perhaps—if he hasn't changed his mind and asks again——"</p> + +<p>"You may say yes?" Mr. Dinsmore asked as she broke off in confusion.</p> + +<p>"Oh, grandpa, say what you think best! only don't make it too easy for +him," she said, with an arch smile, but blushing deeply.</p> + +<p>"I think," said Mr. Dinsmore, "I shall only give him your note without any +additions of my own, and leave him to carry on further negotiations, or +not, as he sees fit."</p> + +<p>Capt. Raymond did not take Vi's answer as a decided rejection, and within +twenty-four hours had won from her an acknowledgment that she was not +indifferent to him, and persuaded her to promise him her hand at some +far-off future day. All seemed well contented with the arrangement, and +the week that followed was a very delightful one to the lovers.</p> + +<p>In the mean time his Christmas gifts to his children had been received by +them with great joy. Especially did Max and Lulu rejoice over the +opportunity now afforded them to open their hearts to their father and +tell him all their grievances.</p> + +<p>He had written to both Mr. Fox and Mrs. Scrimp directing his gifts to be +delivered into the children's own hands without any examination, and never +to be taken from them. Also that they be allowed to spend their Christmas +together.</p> + +<p>So Max was permitted to go to Mrs. Scrimp's to spend the day with his +sisters, and was well pleased to do so when he learned that that lady +would not be at home, having accepted an invitation to take her Christmas +dinner elsewhere.</p> + +<p>Ann, who was left at home to look after the children, gave them an +excellent dinner, and Max, having found some money in his desk, came +provided with candies.</p> + +<p>They compared presents, and spent some time over the books their father +had sent, then Max and Lulu decided that it would be best to write now to +their father, thanking him for his gifts and telling him all they had so +long wanted him to know.</p> + +<p>Lulu compressed what she had to say into a few lines—her love, thanks, +longing to see papa, Gracie's feebleness, and her own belief that it was +all because she did not get enough to eat; an acknowledgment that she was +saucy to "Aunt Beulah," and sometimes helped herself to food, but excusing +it on the plea that otherwise she too would be half starved; and that poor +Max was often beaten and abused by Mr. Fox for just nothing at all.</p> + +<p>Max's letter was much longer, as he went more into detail, and was not +finished for several days. When it was he inclosed it and Lulu's, which +she had given into his charge, in one of the envelopes that he had found +in his desk ready stamped and directed, and mailed it to his father.</p> + +<p>These letters reached Ion on New Year's morning. The captain read them +with deep concern, first to himself, then to Mrs. Travilla and Violet, as +they happened to be alone together in the parlor.</p> + +<p>The hearts of both ladies were deeply touched, and their eyes filled with +tears as they listened to the story of the wrongs of the poor motherless +children.</p> + +<p>"Oh, captain, you will not leave them there where they are so ill used?" +Vi said almost imploringly; "it breaks my heart to think of their +sufferings!"</p> + +<p>"Don't let it distress you, my dear girl," he replied soothingly; "we +should perhaps make some allowance for unintentional exaggeration. There +are always two sides to a story, and we have but one here."</p> + +<p>"But told in a very straightforward way," Elsie said with warmth. "Both +letters seem to me to bear the stamp of truth. Depend upon, it, captain, +there is good ground for their complaints."</p> + +<p>"I fear so," he said, "and am quite as anxious, my dear Mrs. Travilla, as +you could wish to set my dear children free from such tyranny; but what +can I do? In obedience to orders, I must return to my vessel to-morrow and +sail at once for a distant foreign port. I cannot go to see about my +darlings, and I know of no better place to put them. I shall, however, +write to Mrs. Scrimp, directing her to have immediately the best medical +advice for Gracie, and to follow it, feeding her as the doctor directs. +Also always to give Lulu as much as she wants of good, plain, wholesome +food. I shall also write to Fox, giving very particular directions in +regard to the management of my son."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV" />CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">"Great minds, like heaven, are pleased in doing good."</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 32em;">—<i>Rowe</i>.</span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>Capt. Raymond's departure left Violet more lonely than his coming had +found her, much as she was at that time missing her elder sister and +brother.</p> + +<p>They were to correspond, but as he would sail immediately for a foreign +port, the exchange of letters between them could not, of course, be very +frequent.</p> + +<p>Her mother, grandpa, and Grandma Rose all sympathized with her in the +grief of separation from the one who had become so dear, and exerted +themselves to cheer and comfort her.</p> + +<p>She and her mamma were bosom companions, and had many a confidential chat +about the captain and his poor children, the desire to rescue the latter +from their tormentors and make them very happy growing in the hearts of +both.</p> + +<p>As the captain had not enjoined secrecy upon them in regard to the letters +of Max and Lulu, and it was so much the habit of both to speak freely to +Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore—especially the former—of all that interested +themselves, it was not long before they too had heard, with deep +commiseration, the story of the unkind treatment to which Max, Lulu, and +Gracie were subjected.</p> + +<p>"We must find a way to be of service to them," Mr. Dinsmore said. "Perhaps +by instituting inquiries among our friends and acquaintances we may hear +of some kind and capable person able and willing to take charge of them, +and to whom their father would be willing to commit them."</p> + +<p>"I wish we could!" Elsie said with a sigh. "I think I can fully sympathize +with the poor things, for I have not forgotten how in my early childhood I +used to long and weep for the dear mamma who had gone to heaven, and my +dear papa away in Europe."</p> + +<p>"A very poor sort of father he was then, very culpably neglectful of his +little motherless child," Mr. Dinsmore said in a remorseful tone, and +regarding her with a tenderly affectionate look.</p> + +<p>"But afterward and to this day the very best of fathers," she responded, +smiling up at him. "Dear papa, what a debt of gratitude do I not owe to +you for all the love, care, and kindness shown by you to me and my +children!"</p> + +<p>"I feel fully repaid by the love and obedience I receive in return," he +said, seating himself on the sofa by Vi's side and softly stroking her +hair.</p> + +<p>"Children and grandchildren all rise up and call you blessed, dear papa," +Elsie said, laying down the embroidery with which she had been busy, and +coming to his other side to put her arm about his neck and gaze lovingly +into his eyes.</p> + +<p>A silent caress as he passed his arm around her waist and drew her closer +to him was his only response.</p> + +<p>"Grandpa and mamma," said Vi, "don't you think Capt. Raymond is to be +pitied? Just think! he has neither father nor mother, brother nor sister! +no near and dear one except his children; and from them he is separated +almost all the time."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Mr. Dinsmore, "I do indeed! but am not sorry enough for him to +give you up to him yet. I would not allow your mamma to marry till she was +several years older than you are now."</p> + +<p>"No, sir," said Elsie, smiling, "I well remember that you utterly forbade +me to listen to any declarations of love from man or boy, or to think of +such things if I could possibly help it."</p> + +<p>"Well, you lost nothing by waiting."</p> + +<p>"Lost! oh, no, no papa!" she cried, dropping her head upon his shoulder, +while a scalding tear fell to the memory of the husband so highly +honored, so dearly loved.</p> + +<p>"My dear child! my poor dear child!" her father said very low and +tenderly, pressing her closer to his side; "the separation is only for the +little while of time, the reunion will be for the endless ages of +eternity."</p> + +<p>"A most sweet and comforting thought, dear father," she said, lifting her +head and smiling through her tears; "and with that glad prospect and so +many dear ones left me, I am a very happy woman still."</p> + +<p>At that moment there was an interruption that for a long time put to +flight all thought of effort on behalf of Capt. Raymond's children: +Herbert and Harold came hurrying in with the news that a summons to +Roselands had come for their grandpa, grandma, and mother. Mrs. Conly had +had another stroke, was senseless, speechless, and apparently dying; also +the shock of her seizure had prostrated her father, and Arthur considered +him dangerously ill.</p> + +<p>The summons was promptly obeyed, and Violet left in the temporary charge +of children, house, and servants at Ion.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Conly died that night, but the old gentleman lingered for several +weeks, during which time his son was a constant attendant at his bedside, +either Rose or Elsie almost always sharing the watch and labor of love.</p> + +<p>At length all was over: the spirit had returned to God who gave it, the +body had been laid to rest in the family vault. Mr. Dinsmore and his wife +and daughter went home to Ion, and life there fell back into its old quiet +grooves.</p> + +<p>They spoke tenderly of the old grandfather, and kept his memory green in +their loving hearts, but he had gone to his grave like a shock of corn +fully ripe, and they did not mourn over his death with the sadness they +might have felt had it been that of a younger member of the family.</p> + +<p>Toward spring Capt. Raymond's letters became urgent for a speedy marriage. +He expected to be ordered home in June and allowed a rest of some weeks or +months. Then he might be sent to some distant quarter of the globe, and +not see his native land again for a long while, perhaps years. Under such +circumstances, how could he wait for his little wife? Would not she and +her mother and grandfather consent to let him claim her in June?</p> + +<p>The tender hearts of Elsie and Violet could not stand out against his +appeals. Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore felt for him too, and at length consent was +given, and preparations for the marriage were set on foot.</p> + +<p>Then the talk about the captain's children was renewed, and Vi said, with +tears in her sweet azure eyes, "Mamma, I do feel like being a mother to +them—especially for his sake—it only I were old enough and wise enough +to command their respect and obedience. Ah, mamma, if only you could have +the training of them! Yet I could not bear to have you so burdened."</p> + +<p>"I have been thinking of it, Vi, dear," Elsie said; "that perhaps we could +give them a happy home here, and help them to grow up to good and noble +man and womanhood, if their father would like to delegate his authority to +your grandpa and you and me. I think we would not abuse it, but without it +'twould be quite useless to undertake the charge."</p> + +<p>"Dear mamma!" cried Vi, her eyes shining, "how good, how kind, and +unselfish you always are!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Dinsmore, entering the room at the moment, asked playfully, "What is +the particular evidence of that patent at this time, Vi?"</p> + +<p>She answered his question by repeating what her mother had just said.</p> + +<p>"I have a voice in that," he remarked, with, a grave shake of the head. "I +do not think, daughter, that I can allow you to be so burdened."</p> + +<p>She rose, went to him where he stood, and putting her arms about his neck, +her eyes gazing fondly into his, "Dear papa," she said, "you know I will +do nothing against your wishes, but I am sure you will not hinder me from +doing any work the Master sends me?"</p> + +<p>"No, dear child, you are more His than mine, and I dare not, would not +interfere if He has sent you work; but the question is, has He done so?"</p> + +<p>"If you please, papa, we will take a little time to consider that +question; shall we not?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said, "it need not be decided to-day. The right training and +educating of those children would certainly be a good work, and could it +be so managed that I could do all the hard and unpleasant part of it——" +he said musingly.</p> + +<p>"Oh no! no! my dear father," she hastily interposed, as he paused, leaving +his sentence unfinished, "the work should be mine if undertaken at all."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps," he said, "it might be tried for a short time as a mere +experiment, to be continued only if the children do not prove +ungovernable, or likely to be an injury to our own; for our first duty is +to them."</p> + +<p>"Yes indeed, papa!" responded his daughter earnestly. "And nothing can be +really decided upon until Capt. Raymond comes. He may have other plans for +his children."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is quite possible he may think best to place Max and Lulu at +school somewhere."</p> + +<p>"But poor little sick Gracie!" said Violet, the tears springing to her +eyes. "Mamma, I do want to have her to love and pet, and I think if we had +her here with our good old mammy to nurse her, and Cousin Arthur to attend +her, she might grow to be strong and healthy."</p> + +<p>"Dear child! I am glad to hear you say that!" said Elsie, "for it is just +as I have been thinking and feeling. My heart yearns over the poor +motherless children, and that little feeble one very especially."</p> + +<p>Capt. Raymond was deeply touched when, shortly after his arrival at Ion to +claim his bride, he learned what was in her heart and her mother's toward +his children.</p> + +<p>After due deliberation it was settled that the experiment should be tried. +Arrangements were made for the whole family to spend the summer in two +adjoining cottages at a lovely seaside resort on the New England coast, +Mrs. Dinsmore to be mistress of one house, Violet of the other, while the +captain could be with her, which he had reason to expect would be for +several months.</p> + +<p>In the fall he would probably be ordered away; then Violet would return to +Ion with her mother and the rest of the family, taking his children with +her, if Mr. Dinsmore and Elsie should still feel willing to take them in +charge. He had a high opinion of Dr. Conly's skill as a physician, and +was extremely anxious to place Gracie under his care. Also he thought that +to no other persons in the world would he so joyfully commit his children +to be trained up and educated as to Mr. Dinsmore, his daughter and +granddaughter, and he was more than willing to delegate to them his own +authority during his absences from home.</p> + +<p>The marriage would take place at Ion, the bride and groom start northward +the same day on a wedding tour. On the return trip to the spot which was +to be their home for the summer, they would call for the captain's +children.</p> + +<p>In the mean time the others would complete their arrangements for the +season, journey northward also, and take possession of their seaside +cottage.</p> + +<p>It was a sore disappointment to the whole family at Ion, but especially to +Violet and her brother, that Elsie Leland could not be present at the +wedding. Lester's health was almost entirely restored, but he felt it +important to him as an artist to prolong his stay in Italy for at least +some months.</p> + +<p>Edward had remained with them through the winter, had left them in April, +intending to make an extensive European tour before returning to his +native land, but would surely hasten home for Vi's wedding if his mother's +summons reached him in season.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI" />CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">"Here love his golden shafts employs, here lights</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12.5em;">His constant lamp, and waves his purple wings."</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 28.5em;">—<i>Rowly</i>.</span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>It was Saturday evening. Edward Travilla, travelling leisurely through +France, had stopped in a village not many miles from Paris, to spend the +Sabbath.</p> + +<p>Having taken his supper and afterward a stroll through the village, he +retired to his room to read and answer a budget of letters just received +from America.</p> + +<p>The first he opened was from his mother. It told of Violet's approaching +marriage and urged his immediate return that he might be present at the +ceremony.</p> + +<p>"We are all longing to see you," she wrote, "your mother more, I believe, +than any one else. If you have not had enough of Europe yet, my dear boy, +you can go back again soon, if you wish, perhaps taking some of us with +you. And Vi will be sorely disappointed if you are not present on the +occasion so important to her."</p> + +<p>"I must certainly go," he mused, laying down the letter. "I should not +like to miss it. Vi will be as lovely a bride as Elsie was. I have never +been able to decide which of the two is the more beautiful; but I wonder +that she is allowed to marry so young—just nineteen! I should have had +her wait a year or two at least."</p> + +<p>There was a step in the hall without, a rap on the door.</p> + +<p>"Come in," Edward said, and Ben appeared.</p> + +<p>"Marse Ed'ard, dey tells me dars a 'Merican gentleman bery sick in de room +cross de hall hyar; gwine ter die, I reckon."</p> + +<p>"Indeed!" Edward said with concern. "I should be glad to be of assistance +to him. Is he quite alone, Ben? I mean has he no friends with him?"</p> + +<p>"I b'lieves dar's a lady long wid him, Marse Ed'ard, but I mos'ly has to +guess 'bout de half ob what dese Frenchers say."</p> + +<p>"You don't know the name, Ben?"</p> + +<p>"No, sah, couldn't make it out de way dey dispronounces it. But I +understands, sah, dat dese folks—meanin' de sick gentleman and de +lady—and we's de only 'Mericans in de town."</p> + +<p>"Then here, Ben, take my card to the lady and ask if I can be of service +to them. Say that I am a countryman of theirs and shall be most happy to +do anything in my power."</p> + +<p>Ben came back the next moment with a face full of grave concern. "Marse +Ed'ard," he said, "it's Mistah Love and Miss Zoe."</p> + +<p>"Is it possible!" cried Edward, starting up. "And is he really so very +ill?"</p> + +<p>"Berry sick, Marse Ed'ard, looks like he's dyin' sho nuff."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dreadful! And no one with him but his daughter?"</p> + +<p>"Dat's all, sah. De young lady come to de do', and when I give her de +card, she look at it and den at me an' say, 'O Ben! I thought we hadn't a +friend in all dis country! and papa so very sick! Please tell Mr. Travilla +we'll be glad to see him.'"</p> + +<p>Edward went to them at once, bidding Ben remain near at hand lest he +should be needed to do some errand.</p> + +<p>The Loves had remained in Rome for a few weeks after Elsie's marriage, +during which Edward had met them frequently, his liking for the father and +admiration of the daughter's beauty and sprightliness increasing with +every interview.</p> + +<p>He had found Mr. Love a sensible, well-informed Christian gentleman. The +daughter was a mere child—only fifteen—extremely pretty and engaging, +but evidently too much petted and indulged, her father's spoiled darling.</p> + +<p>Edward knew that she was an only child and motherless, and was much +shocked and grieved to hear that she was likely to lose her only remaining +parent.</p> + +<p>Zoe herself opened the door in answer to his gentle rap.</p> + +<p>"O Mr. Travilla!" she said, giving him both hands in her joy at seeing a +friendly face in this hour of sore distress, but with tears streaming down +her cheeks, "I am so glad you have come! Papa is so sick, and I don't know +what to do, or where to turn."</p> + +<p>"My poor child! we must hope for the best," Edward said, pressing the +little hands compassionately in his. "You must call upon me for help and +let me do whatever I can for you and your poor father, just as if I were +his son and your brother."</p> + +<p>"Oh, thank you! you are very kind. Will you come now and speak to him?" +and she led the way to the bedside.</p> + +<p>"Travilla!" the sick man exclaimed, feebly holding out his hand. "Thank +God for sending you here!"</p> + +<p>Edward took the offered hand in his, saying with an effort to steady his +tones, "I am glad indeed to be here, sir, if you can make use of me, but +very sorry to see you so ill."</p> + +<p>The hand he held was cold and clammy, and death had plainly set his seal +upon the pale face on the pillow.</p> + +<p>"Shall I send Ben for a physician?" Edward asked.</p> + +<p>"Thank you. I have had one; he will be here again presently, but can do +little for me," the sick man answered, speaking slowly and with frequent +pauses. "Zoe, my darling, go into the next room for a moment, dear. I +would be alone with Mr. Travilla for a little while."</p> + +<p>The weeping girl obeyed at once, her father following her with eyes that +were full of anguish.</p> + +<p>"'Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive,'" repeated +Edward in low tones, tremulous with deep sympathy.</p> + +<p>How this scene brought back that other, but a year and a half ago, when +his own father lay wrestling with the king of terrors!</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, precious promise! for she will soon be that, my poor darling!" +groaned the sufferer. "That I must leave her alone in the world, without +one near relative, alone in a strange land, penniless too, oh this is the +bitterness of death!"</p> + +<p>"I will be a friend to her, sir," Edward said with emotion, "and so I am +sure will my mother and grandfather when they learn her sad story. Tell me +your wishes in regard to her, and I will do my best to see them carried +out."</p> + +<p>As briefly as possible, for his strength was waning, Mr. Love made Edward +acquainted with the state of his affairs. He had retired from business the +previous year with a comfortable competence, and being somewhat out of +health, had undertaken a European tour with the hope of benefit, if not +entire recovery.</p> + +<p>The improvement had been very decided for a time, but within the last few +days distressing news had reached him from America; news of the failure, +through the extensive peculation of one of its officers, of a bank in +which the bulk of his savings had been invested.</p> + +<p>He had other property, but as the law made each stockholder liable for +double the amount of his stock, that too was swallowed up and he thus +utterly ruined.</p> + +<p>The terrible shock of the disaster had so increased his malady that it had +become mortal; he was too utterly prostrated to rally from it, and knew +that his hours on earth were numbered.</p> + +<p>He had a little ready money with him, enough he thought to pay his funeral +expenses and Zoe's passage back to her native land, but such a mere child +as she was, always used to depending upon him to see to all their affairs, +she would not know how to manage, and would probably be robbed of the +little she had. And even if she should arrive safely in her own country, +what was to become of her then? Without means, no one upon whom she had +any claim for assistance, and too young and ignorant to do anything to +earn her own living.</p> + +<p>Edward was deeply moved by the sad recital. "My dear Mr. Love," he said, +"make yourself quite easy about Miss Zoe. I will attend to all these +matters about which you have spoken. I am about to return home myself, and +will be her companion and protector on the voyage. Nor shall she want for +friends or any needed assistance after we arrive."</p> + +<p>"God bless you! you have lifted a heavy load from my heart!" faltered the +dying father, with a look of deep gratitude. "You are young, sir, but I +can trust you fully. There are few older men whom I would as willingly +trust."</p> + +<p>"And you can die in peace, trusting in the Saviour of sinners?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; He is all my hope, all my trust."</p> + +<p>"I have been told there is a Protestant minister in the village. Shall I +send Ben for him?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, thank you; I should be glad to see him, though I feel that he or any +man could be of little assistance to me now, if the work of repentance and +faith had been left for this hour."</p> + +<p>Edward went to the door, called Ben and sent him on the errand, then +coming back to the bedside, "Mr. Love," he said, flushing and speaking +with some little hesitation, "will you give your daughter to me if she is +willing?"</p> + +<p>"Give her to you?" the sick man asked as if not fully comprehending.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; give her to me to wife, and I will cherish her to life's end."</p> + +<p>There was a flash of joy in the dying eyes, quickly succeeded by one of +hesitation and doubt. "Is it love or compassion only that moves you to +this most generous offer?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"It is both," Edward said. "I have admired and felt strongly attracted to +her from the first day of our acquaintance, though I did not recognize it +as love until now. We are both so young that I should not have spoken yet +but for the peculiar circumstances in which we are placed; but I truly, +dearly love the sweet girl and earnestly desire to be given the right to +protect, provide for and cherish her as my dearest earthly treasure so +long as we both shall live."</p> + +<p>"But your friends, your relatives?"</p> + +<p>"I think my mother would not object, if she knew all. But I am of age, so +have an undoubted right to act for myself even in so vitally important a +matter."</p> + +<p>"Then if my darling loves you, let me see you united before I die."</p> + +<p>At this moment the door of the adjoining room opened and Zoe's voice was +heard in imploring, tearful accents: "Mayn't I come back now? O papa, I +cannot stay away from you any longer!"</p> + +<p>Edward hastened to her, and taking both her hands in his, "Dear Miss Zoe," +he said, "I love you, I feel for you, I want to make you my very own, if +you can love me in return, that I may have the right to take care of you. +Will you be my dear little wife? will you marry me now, to-night, that +your father may be present and feel that he will not leave you alone and +unprotected?"</p> + +<p>She looked up at him in utter surprise, then seeing the love and pity in +his face, burst into a passion of grief.</p> + +<p>"Leave me! papa going to leave me!" she cried. "Oh, no, no! I cannot bear +it! He must, he will be better soon! O Mr. Travilla, say that he will!"</p> + +<p>"No, my darling!" replied a quivering voice from the bed, "I shall not +live to see the morning light, and if you love Mr. Travilla tell him so +and let me see you married before I die."</p> + +<p>"Can you, do you love me, dear little Zoe?" Edward asked in tenderest +tones, passing his arm about her waist.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she said half under her breath, with a quick glance up into his +face, then hid her own on his breast, sobbing, "Oh, take care of me! for +I'll be all alone in the wide world when dear papa is gone."</p> + +<p>"I will," he said, pressing her closer, softly pushing back the fair hair +from the white temple and touching his lips to it again and again. "God +helping me, I will be to you a tender, true, and loving husband."</p> + +<p>"Come here, Zoe, darling," her father said, "our time grows short;" and +Edward led her to the bedside.</p> + +<p>"O papa, papa!" she sobbed, falling on her knees and laying her wet cheek +to his.</p> + +<p>Edward, with heart and eyes full to overflowing, moved softly away to the +farther side of the room, that in this last sad interview the constraint +of even his presence might not be felt.</p> + +<p>Low sobs and murmured words of tenderness and fatherly counsel reached his +ear, and his heart went up in silent prayer for both the dying one and her +just about to be so sorely bereaved.</p> + +<p>Presently footsteps approached the door opening into the passage, a gentle +tap followed, and he admitted the minister who had been sent for, +beckoning Ben to come in also.</p> + +<p>A few whispered words passed between Edward and the minister, then both +drew near the bed.</p> + +<p>A brief talk with the dying man, in which he professed himself ready and +willing to depart, trusting in the atoning blood and imputed righteousness +of Christ, a short fervent prayer for him and his child, then Edward, +leaning over the still kneeling, weeping Zoe, whispered, "Now, dearest!"</p> + +<p>The tear-dimmed eyes looked up inquiringly.</p> + +<p>"We are going to belong to each other, are we not?" he said very low and +tenderly. "The minister is ready now to speak the words that will make us +one for the rest of our lives."</p> + +<p>Without speaking she rose, wiping away her tears, put her hand within his +arm, and the ceremony began.</p> + +<p>When it was over Edward took her in his arms, saying softly as he pressed +his lips again and again to her forehead, her cheek, her lips, "My wife, +my own dear little wife!"</p> + +<p>"My child! my darling!" murmured the father, feebly reaching for her hand.</p> + +<p>Edward took it and put it into his.</p> + +<p>The dying fingers closed feebly over it. "Lord, I thank thee for this +great mercy! 'Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace.'"</p> + +<p>The words came low and faintly from the lips already growing cold in +death, a gasp for breath followed, and all was still, no sound in the +room but Zoe's wild weeping, while with silent caresses Edward held her to +his heart.</p> + +<p>They laid him to rest in the nearest Protestant cemetery, for such had +been his request.</p> + +<p>In answer to a question from her young husband, Zoe said, "No, no. I shall +not wear mourning! I detest it, and so did papa. He made me promise I +would not wear it for him. I shall dress in white whenever it is suitable. +That is if you like it," she added quickly. "Oh, I shall try to please you +always, dear Edward, for you are all I have in the world, and so, so dear +and good to me!" and her head went down upon his breast.</p> + +<p>"My darling little wife!" he said, holding her close, "you are so dear and +lovely in my eyes that I find you beautiful in everything you wear. Yet I +am glad you do not care to assume that gloomy dress."</p> + +<p>There was no time to be lost if they would catch the next steamer for +America, which Edward felt it important to do; so within an hour after the +funeral they were en route for Paris, and that night found them on board, +beginning their homeward voyage.</p> + +<p>Zoe in her deep grief shrank from contact with strangers and clung to her +young husband. So they kept themselves much apart from their +fellow-passengers. Edward devoting himself to Zoe, soothing her with fond +endearing words and tender caresses, and every day their hearts were more +closely knit together.</p> + +<p>But she seemed half afraid to meet his kindred.</p> + +<p>"What if they dislike and despise me!" she said. "O Edward, if they do, +will you turn against me?"</p> + +<p>"Never, my love, my darling! Have I not promised to love and cherish you +to life's end? But if you knew my sweet mother, you would have no fear of +her. She is a tender mother, and her kind heart is large enough to take +you in among the rest of her children. You saw my sister Elsie in +Rome—would you fear her?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no; she was so lovely and sweet!"</p> + +<p>"But not more so than our mother; they are wonderfully alike, only mamma +is, of course, some years the older. Yet I have often heard it remarked +that she looks very little older than her eldest daughter."</p> + +<p>He talked a great deal to her of the different members of the Ion family, +trying to make her acquainted with them all and their manner of life, +which he described minutely.</p> + +<p>The picture he drew of mutual love and helpfulness between parents and +children, brothers and sisters, was a charming one to Zoe, who had had a +lonely, motherless childhood.</p> + +<p>"Ah, what a happy life is before me, Edward!" she said, "if only they will +let me be one of them! But whether they will or no, I shall have you to +love me! You will always be my husband and I your own little wife!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, darling, yes, indeed!" he answered, pressing the slight, girlish +figure closer to his side.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII" />CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<p class="center"> +"Benedict the married man."<br /> +—<i>Shakspeare</i>.<br /> +</p> + + +<p>Violet's wedding-day was drawing near and Edward had not been heard from, +still they hoped he was on his way home and would yet arrive in season. +Each day they looked for a telegram saying what train would bring him to +their city, but none came.</p> + +<p>Edward had not written because a letter would travel no faster than +themselves, and did not telegraph because so little could be said in that +way. All things considered, it seemed as well to take his mother and the +rest entirely by surprise.</p> + +<p>He had no fear that his little wife would meet with other than a kind +reception, astounded as doubtless they would be to learn that he had one. +But he would have the surprise come upon them all at home, where no +stranger eye would witness the meeting; therefore sent no warning of his +coming lest some one of them should meet him at the depôt.</p> + +<p>Yet the first object that met his eye on turning about from assisting Zoe +to alight from the train, was the Ion family carriage, with Solon standing +at the horses' heads.</p> + +<p>"Ki! Marse Ed'ard, you's here sho nuff!" cried the man, grinning with +satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Solon," Edward said, shaking hands with him. "Who came in with you?"</p> + +<p>"Nobody, sah. You wasn't spected particular, kase you didn't send no word. +But Miss Elsie tole me fotch de kerridge anyhow, an' mebbe you mout be +here."</p> + +<p>"So I am, Solon, and my wife with me," presenting Zoe, who timidly held +out her little gloved hand.</p> + +<p>Solon took it respectfully, gazing at her in wide-eyed and open-mouthed +wonder. "Ki! Marse Ed'ard, you don' say you's ben an' gwine an' got +married! Why dere's weddin's an' weddin's in de family!"</p> + +<p>"So it seems, Solon," laughed Edward, putting Zoe into the carriage and +taking his place beside her, "but as I am older than Miss Vi, my turn +should come before hers. All well at Ion?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sah, an' mighty busy wid de necessary preparations for Miss Wilet's +weddin'."</p> + +<p>"What an elegant, comfortable, easy-rolling carriage!" remarked Zoe, +leaning back against the cushions, "it's a pleasant change from the cars."</p> + + +<p>"I am glad you find it so, dear," Edward responded, gazing upon her with +fond, admiring eyes.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but—O Edward, how will I be received?" she cried, creeping closer +to him and leaning her head on his shoulder. "I can hardly help wishing I +could just be alone with you always."</p> + +<p>"Don't be afraid, dearest," he said, putting his arm round her and kissing +her tenderly again and again. "When you know them all you will be very far +from wishing that."</p> + +<p>The whole family were gathered upon the veranda when the carriage drove +up. As it stopped, the door was thrown open, and Edward sprang out. There +was a general exclamation, of surprise and delight, a simultaneous +springing forward to give him an affectionate, joyous greeting; then a +wondering murmur and exchange of inquiring glances, as he turned to hand +out a slight girlish figure, and drawing her hand within his arm, came up +the veranda steps.</p> + +<p>Elsie stood nearest of all the waiting group, heart and eyes full of +joyous emotion at sight of the handsome face and manly form so like his +father's.</p> + +<p>"Darling mother!" he exclaimed, throwing his free arm about her and giving +her an ardent kiss. Then drawing forward the blushing, trembling Zoe. "My +little wife, mother dear you will love her now for my sake, and soon for +her own. She is all ours—alone in the world but for us."</p> + +<p>Before the last words had left his lips Zoe felt herself folded in a +tender embrace, while the sweetest of voices said, "Dear child! you are +alone no longer. I will be a true mother to you—my Edward's wife—and you +shall be one of my dear daughters."</p> + +<p>A gentle, loving kiss accompanied the words, and all Zoe's fears were put +to flight; glad tears rained down her cheeks as she clung about the neck +of her new-found mother.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I love you already," she sobbed.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Dinsmore next embraced the little bride with a kind, "Welcome to Ion, +my dear."</p> + +<p>Then Mr. Dinsmore took her in his arms, saying, with a kiss and a look of +keen but kindly scrutiny into the blushing face, "Edward has given us a +surprise, but a very pretty and pleasant-looking one. I am your grandpa, +my dear."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I am glad! I never had a grandpa before. But you hardly look old +enough, sir," she said, smiling, while the blush deepened on her cheek.</p> + +<p>The others crowded round; each had a kiss and kind word of welcome for her +as well as for Edward.</p> + +<p>Then the news of the arrival having spread through the house, the servants +came flocking about them, eager to see and shake hands with "Marse Ed'ard" +and his bride.</p> + +<p>Zoe went through it all with easy grace, but Elsie noted that her cheek +was paling and her figure drooping with weariness.</p> + +<p>"She is tired, Edward; we will take her to your apartments, where she can +lie down and rest," she said. "All this excitement is very trying after +her long and fatiguing journey. You both should have some refreshment too. +What shall it be?"</p> + +<p>"Thank you, mamma; I will consult her when I get her up there, then ring +and order it," Edward said, putting his arm round Zoe's waist and half +carrying her up the stairs, his mother leading the way.</p> + +<p>"There, Zoe, what think you of your husband's bachelor quarters?" he asked +gayly, as he deposited her in an easy-chair, took off her hat, and stood +looking fondly down at her, Elsie on the other side, looking at her too +with affectionate interest.</p> + +<p>"Oh, lovely!" cried Zoe, glancing about upon her luxurious surroundings. +"I am sure I shall be very happy here with you, Edward," with a fond look +up into his face; then turning toward Elsie, she added timidly, "and this +sweet mother."</p> + +<p>"That is right, dear child," Elsie said, bending down to kiss her again, +"call me mother or mamma, as Edward does, and never doubt your welcome to +my heart and home. Now I shall leave you to rest, and Edward must see that +all your wants are supplied."</p> + +<p>"O Edward, how sweet, how dear, and how beautiful she is!" cried Zoe, as +the door closed on her mother-in-law.</p> + +<p>"Just as I told you, love," he said, caressing her. "She takes you to her +heart and home without even waiting to inquire how I came to marry in +haste without her knowledge or approval."</p> + +<p>"Or asking who I am or where I came from. But you will tell her everything +as soon as you can?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; I shall wait only long enough to see you eat something and lying +down for a nap, so that you will not miss me while I have my talk with +her."</p> + +<p>Zoe, in this her first appearance among them, had produced a favorable +impression upon all her new relatives; but the uppermost feeling with +each, from the grandfather down, was one of profound astonishment that +Edward had taken so serious a step without consulting those to whom he had +hitherto yielded a respectful and loving obedience.</p> + +<p>Elsie could not fail to be pained to find her dearly loved father and +herself so treated by one of her cherished darlings, yet tried to put the +feeling aside and suspend her judgment until Edward had been given an +opportunity to explain.</p> + +<p>The younger children gathered about her, with eager questioning as she +rejoined them in the veranda.</p> + +<p>"I can tell you nothing yet, dears," she answered in her accustomed sweet +and gentle tones, "but no doubt we shall know all about it soon. I think +she is a dear little girl whom we shall all find it easy to love. We will +do all we can to make her happy and at home among us, shall we not?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, mamma, yes indeed!" they all said.</p> + +<p>Mr. Dinsmore rose, and motioning to his wife and daughter to follow him +went to the library.</p> + +<p>Elsie read grave displeasure in his countenance before he opened his lips.</p> + +<p>"Dear papa, do not be angry with my boy," she said pleadingly, going to +him where he stood, and putting her arms about his neck. "Shall we not +wait until we have heard his story?"</p> + +<p>"I shall try to suspend my judgment for your sake, daughter," Mr. Dinsmore +answered, stroking her hair caressingly, "but I cannot help feeling that +Edward seems to have strangely failed in the loving respect and obedience +he should have shown to such a mother as his. He has taken very prompt +advantage of his arrival at his majority."</p> + +<p>"Yet perhaps with good reason, papa," she returned, still beseechingly, +her eyes filling with tears.</p> + +<p>"We will not condemn him unheard," he answered, his tones softening, "and +if he has made a mistake by reason of failing to seek the advice and +approval of those who so truly desire his happiness, it is he himself who +must be the greatest sufferer thereby."</p> + +<p>"Yes," she returned with a sigh, "even a mother's love is powerless to +save her children from the consequences of their own follies and sins."</p> + +<p>Edward, scarcely less desirous to make his explanation than his mother was +to hear it, hastened in search of her the moment he had seen Zoe +comfortably established upon a sofa in his dressing-room.</p> + +<p>He found her in the library with his grandfather evidently awaiting his +coming. They were seated together upon a sofa.</p> + +<p>"Dearest mother," Edward said, dropping upon his knees by her side and +clasping her in his arms, "how can I ever thank you enough for your +kindness this day to me and my darling! I fear I must seem to you and +grandpa an ungrateful wretch; but when you know all, you will not, I +trust, blame me quite so severely."</p> + +<p>"We are not blaming you, my dear boy, we are waiting to hear first what +you have to say for yourself," Elsie answered, laying her hand fondly upon +his head. "Sit here by my side while you tell it," she added, making room +for him on the sofa.</p> + +<p>He made his story brief, yet kept nothing back.</p> + +<p>His hearers were deeply moved as he repeated what Mr. Love had told him of +the lonely and forlorn condition in which he must leave his petted only +child, and went on to describe the hasty marriage and the death scene, so +immediately following. Their kind hearts yearned over the little orphaned +bride, and they exonerated Edward from all blame for the part he acted in +the short, sad drama.</p> + +<p>"Cherish her tenderly, my dear boy," his mother said, with tears in her +soft eyes, "you are all, everything to her, and must never let her want +for love or tenderest care."</p> + +<p>"Mother," he answered in moved tones, "I shall try to be to my little wife +just the husband my father was to you."</p> + +<p>"That is all any one could ask, my son," she returned, the tears coursing +down her cheeks.</p> + +<p>"Do not expect too much of her, Edward," Mr. Dinsmore said. "She is a +mere child, a petted and spoiled one, I presume, from what you have told +us, and if she should prove wayward and at times unreasonable, be very +patient and forbearing with her."</p> + +<p>"I trust I shall, grandpa," he answered. "I cannot expect her to be quite +the woman she would have made under my mother's training; but she is young +enough to profit by mamma's sweet teachings and example even yet. I find +her very docile and teachable, very affectionate, and desirous to be and +do all I would have her."</p> + +<p>Zoe came down for the evening simply but tastefully attired in white, +looking very sweet and fair. She was evidently disposed to be on friendly +terms with her new relatives, yet clung with a pretty sort of shyness to +her young husband, who perceived it with delight, regarding her ever and +anon with fond, admiring eyes.</p> + +<p>It excited no jealousy in mother or sisters. Such an emotion was quite +foreign to Elsie's nature and found small place in the heart of any one of +her children.</p> + +<p>Violet, spite of the near approach of her own nuptials, was sufficiently +at leisure from herself to give time and thought to this new sister, +making her feel that she was so esteemed, and winning for herself a large +place in Zoe's heart.</p> + +<p>Indeed all exerted themselves to make Zoe fully aware that they considered +her quite one of the family. That very evening she was taken with Edward +to Vi's room to look at the trousseau, told of all the arrangements for +the wedding and the summer sojourn at the North, and made the recipient of +many handsome presents from Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore, Elsie, and Violet.</p> + +<p>But for her recent sad bereavement she would have been a very happy little +woman indeed. As it was she was bright and cheerful when with the family, +but had occasional paroxysms of grief when alone with Edward, in which she +wept bitterly upon his breast, he soothing her with tenderest caresses and +words of endearment.</p> + +<p>Violet's wedding was strictly private, only near relatives being present; +but in accordance with the wishes of the whole family, she was richly +attired in white silk, orange blossoms, and costly bridal veil.</p> + +<p>Zoe, leaning on Edward's arm, watched her through the ceremony with +admiring eyes, more than half regretting that the haste of her own +marriage had precluded the possibility of so rich and becoming a bridal +dress for herself—a thought which she afterward expressed to Edward in +the privacy of their own apartments. "Never mind, my sweet," he said, +holding her close to his heart "I couldn't love you any better if you had +given yourself to me in the grandest of wedding-dresses."</p> + +<p>"How nice in you to say that!" she exclaimed, laying her head on his +breast and gazing fondly up into his face. "Didn't Captain Raymond look +handsome in his uniform?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed; don't you think I have as much reason to envy his appearance +as a groom as you Vi's as a bride?"</p> + +<p>"No, indeed!" she cried indignantly, "he's not half so nice as you are! I +wouldn't exchange with her for all the world!"</p> + +<p>"Thank you; that's a very high compliment, I think; for I greatly admire +my new brother-in-law," Edward said, with a gleeful laugh, and repeating +his caresses.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII" />CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + +<p class="center"> +"My cake is dough."<br /> +—<i>Shakespeare</i>. +</p> + + +<p>It was a warm afternoon late in June.</p> + +<p>"There! I'm done with lessons for a while anyway, and glad of it too!" +exclaimed Lulu Raymond, coming into Mrs. Scrimp's sitting-room and +depositing her satchel of school-books upon the table.</p> + +<p>"So am I, Lu, for now you'll have time to make that new dress for my +dollie, won't you?" Gracie said languidly, from the sofa where she lay.</p> + +<p>"Yes, little pet, and ever so many other things. But oh dear! holidays +aren't much after all when you can't go anywhere or have any fun. I do +wonder when we'll see papa again."</p> + +<p>"Pretty soon, Lu," cried a boyish voice in tones of delight, and turning +quickly she found Max at the window, wearing a brighter face than he had +shown her for many a day, and holding up a bulky letter.</p> + +<p>"O Max!" she cried, "is it from papa?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; and I'm coming in to read it to you if you and Gracie are alone."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we are; Aunt Beulah's gone out calling and Ann's busy in the +kitchen."</p> + +<p>"Then here I am!" he said, vaulting lightly in through the window.</p> + +<p>Lulu laughed admiringly. "I'd like to try that myself," she said.</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't, Lu!" said Gracie, "Aunt Beulah would scold you like anything."</p> + +<p>"Let her scold! who cares!" returned Lulu with a scornful toss of the +head, while Max, who had gone to the side of Gracie's sofa, stooped over +her, and softly patting the thin pale cheek, asked how she felt to-day.</p> + +<p>"'Bout the same as usual, Maxie," she said, with a languid smile.</p> + +<p>"O Max, hurry and tell us what papa says in the letter!" cried Lulu +impatiently. "Is it good news?"</p> + +<p>"First-rate, girls! couldn't be better! He's coming here next week and +going to take us all away with him!"</p> + +<p>"Oh! oh! oh! how delightful!" cried Lulu, clapping her hands and dancing +about the room, while Grace clasped her hands in ecstasy, saying, "Oh, I +am so glad!"</p> + +<p>"Come, Lu, sit down here beside us and be quiet," said Max, seating +himself beside Grace on the sofa, and motioning toward a low rocking-chair +near at hand. "I'm going to read the letter aloud, and then I have +something to show you."</p> + +<p>Lulu took possession of the rocking-chair, folded her hands in her lap, +and Max began.</p> + +<p>The letter was written from Saratoga, where the captain and his bride had +paused for a few days on their wedding tour, and was addressed to all +three of his children.</p> + +<p>He told them of his marriage, described Violet, her mother, and the life +at Ion in glowing terms, spoke very highly of Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore and +the younger members of the family, then told of their kind offer to share +their happy home with his children if they should prove themselves good +and obedient.</p> + +<p>But here Lulu interrupted the reading with a passionate outburst. "A +step-mother! I won't have her! Papa had no business to go and give her to +us!"</p> + +<p>"Why, Lu!" exclaimed Max, "of course he had a right to get married if he +wanted to! And I'm very glad he did, for I'm sure they must be much nicer +folks to live with than Mr. Fox and Mrs. Scrimp."</p> + +<p>"Just like a silly boy to talk so!" returned Lulu, with a mixture of anger +and scorn in her tones. "Step-mothers are always hateful and cross and +abuse the children and won't let their father love them any more, +and——"</p> + +<p>"Now who's been telling you such lies, sis?" interrupted Max. "There are +bad ones and good ones among them, the same as among other classes of +people. And papa says his new wife is sweet and kind and good to +everybody. And if she loves him won't she want to be good to his children? +I should think so, I'm sure. Now let me read the rest of his letter."</p> + +<p>In that the captain went on to tell of the cottages by the sea engaged for +the summer, and that thither he and Violet purposed to go the next week, +taking his children with them. He wound up with some words of fatherly +affection and hope that brighter days than they had known for a long time +were now in store for them.</p> + +<p>There was a postscript from Violet: "I am longing to see the dear children +of my husband, especially poor, little sick Gracie. I am sure we shall +love each other very much for his dear sake."</p> + +<p>"There now, Lu, you see she means to be kind to us," was Max's satisfied +comment, as he refolded the missive and put it back into the envelope.</p> + +<p>Lulu was one who never liked to retreat from a position she had once +taken. "Oh, it's easy to talk," she said, "acting's another thing. I'm not +going to be caught with chaff."</p> + +<p>"See here!" said Max, showing a photograph.</p> + +<p>"Oh, what a pretty lady!" cried Gracie, holding out an eager hand for it.</p> + +<p>Max gave it to her, and Lulu sprang up and bent over her to get a good +view of it also.</p> + +<p>"Who is it?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Isn't she pretty? isn't she perfectly beautiful, and sweet-looking as she +can be?" said Max, ignoring the question.</p> + +<p>"Yes, she's just lovely; but why don't you say who she is, if you know?"</p> + +<p>"She's papa's new wife, the new mamma you are determined to believe is +going to be so hateful."</p> + +<p>"I'm sure she won't. She does look so sweet, I just love her already!" +Gracie said.</p> + +<p>Lulu, too proud to retract, yet strongly drawn toward the possessor of so +sweet and lovely a countenance as was pictured there, kept silence, gazing +intently upon the photograph which Gracie still held.</p> + +<p>"Whose is it, Max?" asked the latter.</p> + +<p>"Mine I suppose, though papa doesn't say; but we'll find out when he +comes."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm so glad, so glad he's coming soon! Aren't you, Maxie?"</p> + +<p>"I never was gladder in my life!" cried Max. "And just think how nice to +go and live by the sea all summer! There'll be lots of fun boating and +bathing and fishing!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes!" chimed in Lulu, "and papa is always so kind about taking us to +places and giving us a good time."</p> + +<p>"But I can't have any!" sighed Gracie from her couch.</p> + +<p>"Yes, papa will manage it somehow," said Max; "and the sea air and plenty +to eat will soon make you ever so much stronger."</p> + +<p>They chatted on for some time, growing more and more delighted with the +prospect before them; then Max said he must go.</p> + +<p>He wanted to take the photograph with him, but generously yielded to +Gracie's entreaties that it might be left with her till he came again.</p> + +<p>She and Lulu were still gazing upon it and talking together of the +original—Max having gone—when Mrs. Scrimp came in, looking greatly vexed +and perturbed.</p> + +<p>She too had received a letter from Capt. Raymond that day, telling of his +marriage and his intentions in regard to his children; directing also that +they and their luggage should be in waiting at a hotel near the depôt of +the town at the hour of a certain day of the coming week when he and his +bride expected to arrive by a train from the West.</p> + +<p>There would be a two hours' detention there while they waited for the +train that was to carry them to their final destination, which would allow +time for an interview between the captain and herself.</p> + +<p>The news was entirely unexpected and very unwelcome to Mrs. Scrimp. She +would have much preferred to keep the little girls, for the sake of the +gain they were to her and a real affection for Gracie; also because of +having neglected to follow out the captain's directions in regard to +them—Gracie in particular—she felt no small perturbation at the prospect +of meeting and being questioned by him.</p> + +<p>As was not unusual she vented her displeasure upon Lulu, scolding because +her school-books and hat had not been put in their proper places, her hair +and dress made neat.</p> + +<p>"I'll put them away presently, Aunt Beulah. You'll not be bothered with me +much longer," remarked the delinquent nonchalantly, her eyes still upon +the photograph Gracie was holding.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" asked Mrs. Scrimp, catching sight of it for the first time.</p> + +<p>"Our new mamma," the children answered in a breath, Gracie's tones full of +gentle joyousness, Lulu's of a sort of defiant exultation, especially as +she added, "Papa's coming next week to take us away to live at home with +him."</p> + +<p>"On shipboard?"</p> + +<p>"No, in a cottage by the sea."</p> + +<p>"Humph! he'll soon sail away again and leave you with your step-mother, +just as I told you."</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't care, she looks enough kinder and sweeter than you do."</p> + +<p>"Indeed! I pity her, poor young thing!" sighed Mrs. Scrimp, scanning the +photograph with keen curiosity. "She's very young—a mere child I should +say—and to think of the trouble she'll have with you and Max!"</p> + +<p>"We're not going to be a trouble to her," said Lulu, "we're never a +trouble to people that treat us decently."</p> + +<p>"I think your father might have given me an earlier warning of these +changes," grumbled Mrs. Scrimp. "I'll have to work myself sick to get you +two ready in time."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, Aunt Beulah, you needn't," said little Gracie, "the new mamma can +get somebody to make our clothes for us. Papa will pay for it."</p> + +<p>"Of course he will," said Lulu. "You needn't do anything but have those we +have now all washed and ironed and packed up ready to go."</p> + +<p>"That's all you know about it!" returned Mrs. Scrimp sharply. "You haven't +either of you a suitable dress for travelling in, especially in company +with your father's rich wife. I'll have to go right out now to the stores +and buy material, get a dress-maker to come in to-morrow bright and early, +and help her myself all I can. There'll be no rest for me now till you're +off."</p> + +<p>There was no rest for anybody else in the interim except Gracie. As Ann +remarked rather indignantly to Lulu, adding, "She's as cross as two +sticks."</p> + +<p>"What makes her so cross?" asked Lulu. "I should think she'd be so glad +she's going to be rid of me that she'd feel uncommonly good-natured."</p> + +<p>"Not she!" laughed Ann, "she counted on the money your father pays for +years to come; but he's gone and got married and her cake is dough sure +enough."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad he did," returned Lulu emphatically. "I've made up my mind that +such a sweet-looking lady as our new mamma must be a great deal nicer and +kinder than Aunt Beulah, if she is a step-mother."</p> + +<p>"She <i>is</i> sweet-lookin', that's a fact," said Ann. "I only wish I was +goin' to make the change as well as you."</p> + +<p>The eventful day came at last to the children; all too soon to Mr. Fox and +Mrs. Scrimp, neither of whom relished the task of giving account of past +stewardship; for conscience accused both of unfaithfulness to the +captain's trust.</p> + +<p>The three children were gathered in the hotel parlor, impatiently awaiting +the arrival of the train. Mrs. Scrimp sat a little apart, fidgety and ill +at ease, though ensconced in a most comfortable, cushioned arm-chair; and +Mr. Fox paced the veranda outside, wondering if Max had dared or would +dare to inform his father of the cruel treatment received at his hands, +and if so, whether the captain would credit the story.</p> + +<p>Violet and the captain had thus far had a delightful honeymoon, finding +their mutual love deepening every hour, yet were not so engrossed with +each other as to quite forget his children; they had talked of them +frequently, and were now looking forward to the coming interview with +scarcely less eagerness than the young people themselves.</p> + +<p>"We are almost there; it's the next station," said the captain with +satisfaction, beginning to collect satchels and parcels.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I am glad!" exclaimed Violet. "I long to see the dear children and to +witness their delight in being taken into—their father's arms." The +concluding words were spoken tremulously and with starting tears as a gush +of tender memories came over her.</p> + +<p>Her husband understood it, and clasping her hand fondly in his bent over +her with a whispered, "My darling! my own sweet precious little wife!"</p> + +<p>She answered him with a look of love and joy. Then after a moment's +silence, "Do you think, Levis, that they will be pleased that—that you +have given them a step-mother?" she asked timidly and with a sigh.</p> + +<p>"If they don't fall in love with your sweet face at first sight I shall be +exceedingly surprised," he said, gazing upon her with the fondest +admiration.</p> + +<p>"Ah, I cannot hope so much as that!" she sighed; "children are so apt to +hear and treasure up unkind remarks about stepmothers; but I shall hope to +win their hearts in time. It seems to me we cannot fail to love each other +with such a bond of union as our common love to you."</p> + +<p>"No, I trust not," he said, with a bright, happy smile. "I think they are +warm-hearted children; I'm sure they love their father; and it does seem +to me utterly impossible that they should fail to love the dearest, +loveliest, sweetest little lady in the world merely because she has become +that father's wife."</p> + +<p>The whistle blew loudly, the train rushed on with redoubled speed, +slackened, came to a stand-still, and in another minute the captain had +alighted and was handing out Violet.</p> + +<p>"Papa! oh, I'm so glad you're come at last!" cried a boyish voice at his +side.</p> + +<p>"Max, my dear boy!"</p> + +<p>There was a hasty, hearty embrace, Violet standing smiling by, then the +captain said, "Violet, my love, this is my son," and Max, moved by a +sudden impulse, threw his arms about her neck and kissed her in a rapture +of delight, so sweet and beautiful did she appear in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I beg your pardon!" he stammered, releasing her and stepping back a +little, afraid he had taken too great a liberty. But venturing a second +glance into her face, he saw that she was smiling sweetly through her +blushes.</p> + +<p>"No apology is needed, Max," she said cheerily. "My brothers are always +ready with a kiss for mamma and sisters. And, since I am not old enough to +be your mother, you will let me be your older sister; won't you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, thank you, yes!" said Max. "Papa, let me carry the parcels. My +sisters are waiting for us there in the hotel on the other side of the +street. Gracie couldn't run across as I did, and Lu stayed with her."</p> + +<p>"That was quite right," said his father. "I am in great haste to see my +darlings, but would rather not do so in a crowd."</p> + +<p>There was a very strong affection between the captain and his children. +The hearts of the little girls beat fast, and their eyes filled with +tears of joy as they saw him cross the street and come into the room where +they were. With a cry of joy they threw themselves into his arms, and he +clasped both together to his heart, caressing them over and over again, +Violet looking on with eyes brimful of sympathetic tears.</p> + +<p>The next moment the captain remembered her, and releasing the children, +introduced her. "This, my darlings, is the sweet lady whose picture I sent +you the other day, I am sure you will love her for papa's sake and her own +too."</p> + +<p>"Will you not, dears?" Vi said, kissing them in turn. "I love you already +because you are his."</p> + +<p>"I think I shall," Lulu said emphatically, after one long, searching look +into the sweet azure eyes; then turned to her father again.</p> + +<p>But Gracie, putting both arms round Violet's neck, held up her face for +another kiss, saying in joyous tones, "Oh, I do love you now! my sweet, +pretty new mamma!"</p> + +<p>"You darling!" responded Violet, holding her close. "I've wanted to have +you and nurse you well again ever since I heard how weak and sick you +were."</p> + +<p>The words, reaching the ear of Mrs. Scrimp, as she hovered in the +background, brought a scowl to her brow. "As if she—an ignorant young +thing—could do better for the child than I!" she said to herself.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Mrs. Scrimp!" the captain said, suddenly becoming aware of her +presence, and turning toward her with outstretched hand, "how d'ye do? +Allow me to introduce you to Mrs. Raymond." Violet offered her hand and +was given two fingers, while a pair of sharp black eyes looked coldly and +fixedly into hers.</p> + +<p>Violet dropped the fingers, seated herself, and drew Gracie into her lap.</p> + +<p>"Am I not too heavy for you to hold?" the child asked, nestling +contentedly in the arms that held her.</p> + +<p>"Heavy!" exclaimed Violet, tears starting to her eyes as they rested upon +the little thin, pale face. "You are extremely light, you poor darling! +but I hope soon to see you grow fat and rosy in the sea air your papa will +take you to."</p> + +<p>The captain had just left the room in search of Mr. Fox, taking Max with +him.</p> + +<p>"You will have to be very careful not to overfeed that child, or you will +have her down sick," remarked Mrs. Scrimp with asperity, addressing +Violet. "She ought never to eat anything at all after three o'clock in the +afternoon."</p> + +<p>Vi's heart swelled with indignation. "No wonder she is little more than +skin and bone, if that is the way she has been served!" she said, giving +Mrs. Scrimp as severe a look as her sweet, gentle countenance was capable +of expressing.</p> + +<p>"She'd have been in her grave long ago if she hadn't been served so!" +snapped Mrs. Scrimp. "I'm old enough to be your mother, Mrs. Raymond, and +having had that child in charge for over two years—ever since her own +mother died—I ought to know what's good for her and what isn't. She is +naturally delicate, and to be allowed to overload her stomach would be the +death of her. I can't eat after three o'clock, and neither can she."</p> + +<p>"A grown person is no rule for a child," observed Violet, gently smoothing +Gracie's hair; "children need to eat enough to supply material for growth +in addition to the waste of the system. Was it by the advice of a +competent physician you subjected her to such a regimen?"</p> + +<p>"I've always had medical advice for her when it was needed," snapped Mrs. +Scrimp.</p> + +<p>The captain re-entered the room at that moment. He had made short work +with Mr. Fox, paying his bill, and sending him away with his ears tingling +from a well-merited rebuke for his savage treatment of a defenceless +child.</p> + +<p>It was Mrs. Scrimp's turn now; there was no evading the direct, pointed +questions of the captain, and she was compelled to acknowledge that she +had followed out her own theories in the treatment of Gracie, instead of +consulting a physician, even after he had directed her to seek medical +advice and treat the child in careful accordance with it.</p> + +<p>"Well, madam," he remarked with much sternness and indignation, "if my +little girl is an invalid for life, I shall always feel that you are +responsible for it."</p> + +<p>"I've been a mother to your children, Capt. Raymond," she exclaimed, +growing white with anger, "and this is your gratitude!"</p> + +<p>"A mother!" he said, glancing from her to Vi, "I hope there are few such +mothers in the world. My poor starved baby! papa's heart aches to think of +what you have had to endure," he added in moved tones, the big tears +shining in his eyes, as he lifted Gracie on his knees and fondled her +tenderly.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Scrimp rose and took an abrupt and indignant leave, her bill having +been already settled.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX" />CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + +<h3>NEW RELATIONSHIPS AND NEW TITLES.</h3> + + +<p>"Are you hungry, Gracie darling?" her father asked with tender solicitude.</p> + +<p>"No, papa," she said, "we had our breakfast just a little while before +Aunt Beulah brought us here."</p> + +<p>"Well, if ever you suffer from hunger again it shall not be your father's +fault," he returned with emotion.</p> + +<p>Taking out his watch, "We have a full half hour yet," he said. "Max, my +son, do you know of any place near at hand where oranges, bananas, cakes, +and candies are to be had?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, papa! just at the next corner."</p> + +<p>"Then go and lay in a store for our journey," handing him some money.</p> + +<p>"May I go too, papa?" asked Lulu, as Max set off with alacrity.</p> + +<p>"No, stay here; I want you by my side," he said, smiling affectionately +upon her.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you do! O papa, I have wanted you so badly!" she exclaimed, +leaning her cheek against his arm and looking up lovingly into his face, +"and so have Max and Gracie. Haven't we, Gracie?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed!" sighed the little one. "O papa, I wish you didn't ever have +to go away and leave us!"</p> + +<p>"I hope to stay with you longer than usual this time, and when I must go +away again to leave you in a very happy home, where no one will wish to +ill-use you," he said, with a glad look and smile directed toward his +bride.</p> + +<p>"No one at Ion or in any house of my dear mother's will ever show them +anything but kindness and love if they are good and obedient," said Vi. +"We all obey grandpa, but we love to do it, because he is so dear and +never at all unreasonable."</p> + +<p>"No, I am sure he is not," assented the captain, "and I shall esteem it a +great favor if he will count my darlings among his grandchildren. How +would my little Gracie like to have a dear kind grandpa and grandma?" he +asked, smoothing back the curls from the little pale face.</p> + +<p>"Oh, ever so much, papa!" she responded with a bright and joyous smile. "I +never had any, papa, had I?"</p> + +<p>"Not since you were old enough to remember."</p> + +<p>Max did his errand promptly and well, returning just in time to go with +the others on board the train.</p> + +<p>They took a parlor car and travelled with great comfort, a happy family +party, father and children rejoicing in being together again after a long +separation, Violet sympathizing in their joy and finding herself neither +forgotten nor neglected by any one of the little group of which she formed +a part.</p> + +<p>Ever and anon her husband's eyes were turned upon her with a look of such +proud delight, such ardent affection as thrilled her heart with love, joy, +and gratitude to the Giver of all good.</p> + +<p>Max's eyes too were full of enthusiastic admiration whenever his glance +met hers, and with boyish gallantry he watched for opportunities to wait +upon her.</p> + +<p>Gracie regarded her with loving looks and called her mamma, as if the word +were very sweet to say.</p> + +<p>Lulu alone was shy and reserved, never addressing Violet directly and +answering in monosyllables when spoken to by her, yet showed nothing like +aversion in look or manner.</p> + +<p>All went well for some hours, Max and Lulu partaking freely of the fruit +and confectionery their father had provided, Gracie much more sparingly, +eating less than he would have allowed her, being a sensible little girl +and fearful of such unwonted indulgence.</p> + +<p>But so unaccustomed were her digestive powers to anything but the most +restricted diet that they gave way under the unusual strain, and she +became so ill that Violet and the captain were filled with alarm.</p> + +<p>Fortunately they were rapidly nearing their destination, and were soon +able to lay her upon the pretty, comfortable bed prepared for her and Lulu +in the new home by the sea, and summon a physician.</p> + +<p>The Dinsmores and Travillas had arrived some days before and made all +arrangements for a delightful welcome to the bride and groom. Both +cottages were in perfect order, and a bountiful feast, comprising all the +delicacies of the season, was set out in the dining-room of that over +which Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore presided.</p> + +<p>But Gracie's illness interfered somewhat with the carrying out of their +plans, dividing their emotions between pity and concern for the little +sufferer, and joy over the return of the newly married pair.</p> + +<p>The feast waited while the ladies, the captain, Mr. Dinsmore, and the +physician were occupied with the sick child.</p> + +<p>Max and Lulu, quite forgotten for the moment by their father and Violet, +and much troubled about their little sister, would have felt very forlorn, +had not Harold, Herbert, and Rosie set themselves, with the true +politeness to which they had been trained, to making the little strangers +comfortable and at home.</p> + +<p>They seated them in the veranda, where they could enjoy the breeze and a +view of the sea, and talked to them entertainingly of the various +pleasures—bathing, boating, fishing, etc.—in store for them.</p> + +<p>Presently Mr. Dinsmore came out with a prescription which he asked Harold +to take to the nearest drug-store.</p> + +<p>"May I go too, sir?" asked Max. "Wouldn't it be well for me to learn the +way there, so that I can do the errand next time?"</p> + +<p>"That is well thought of, my boy," Mr. Dinsmore said, with a pleased look. +"But are you not too tired to-night for such a walk? it is fully a quarter +of a mile."</p> + +<p>"No, sir, thank you; a run will do me good after being so long cramped up +in the cars."</p> + +<p>"Ah," Mr. Dinsmore said, taking Max's hand and shaking it cordially, "I +think I shall find you a boy after my own heart—active, independent, and +ready to make yourself useful. Shall I number you among my grandchildren?"</p> + +<p>"I shall be very happy to have you do so, sir," returned Max, coloring +with pleasure.</p> + +<p>"Then henceforth you may address me as grandpa, as these other young +folks do," glancing at Rosie and her brothers. "You also, my dear, if you +like," he added, catching Lulu's dark eyes fixed upon him with a half +eager, half wistful look, and bending down to stroke her hair caressingly.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir," she said, "I think I shall like to. But oh, tell me, +please, is Gracie very sick?"</p> + +<p>"I hope not, my dear; the doctor thinks she will be in her usual health in +a day or two."</p> + +<p>The boys were already speeding away.</p> + +<p>The doctor had sent every one out of the sick-room except Mrs. Dinsmore +and Captain Raymond. The child clung to her long-absent father, and he +would not leave her until she slept.</p> + +<p>Elsie led the way to Violet's room, and there they held each other in a +long, tender, silent embrace.</p> + +<p>"My darling!" the mother said at length, "how I have missed you! how glad +I am to have you in my arms again!"</p> + +<p>"Ah, mamma! my own dearest mamma, it seems to me you can hardly be so glad +as I am!" cried Vi, lifting her face to gaze with almost rapturous +affection into that of her mother. "I do not know how I could ever bear a +long separation from you!"</p> + +<p>"You are happy?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, mamma, very, very happy. I could never live without my husband now. +Ah, I did not dream of half the goodness and lovableness I have already +found in him. But ah, I am forgetting his children, Max and Lulu!" she +added, hastily releasing herself from her mother's arms. "I must see where +they are and that they are made comfortable."</p> + +<p>"Leave that to me, Vi dear," her mother said; "you should be attending to +your toilet. I think the little sick one will fall asleep presently, when +she can be left in Mammy's care, while we all gather about the +supper-table; and we must have you and Zoe there in bridal attire."</p> + +<p>"Zoe! I hardly saw her in my anxiety about Gracie!" exclaimed Violet. +"Does she seem happy, mamma, and like one of us?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, she is quite one of us; we all love her, and I think she is happy +among us, though of course grieving sadly at times for the loss of her +father. The trunks have been brought up, I see. That small one must belong +to the two little girls."</p> + +<p>"Yes, mamma, and suppose we let it stand here for the present so that I +can readily help Lulu find what she wishes to wear this evening."</p> + +<p>"Yes, dear. I will go down and invite her up. Ah, here is mamma!" as Mrs. +Dinsmore tapped at the half-open door, then stepped in. She embraced +Violet with motherly affection. "A lost treasure recovered!" she said +joyously. "Vi, dear, you have no idea how we have missed you."</p> + +<p>After a moment's chat, Rose and Elsie went down together to the veranda, +where they found Lulu, making acquaintance with the other members of the +family.</p> + +<p>"This is a new granddaughter for us, my dear," Mr. Dinsmore said to his +wife.</p> + +<p>"Yes, shall I be your grandma, my child?" asked Rose, giving Lulu an +affectionate kiss.</p> + +<p>"And I too?" Elsie asked, caressing her in her turn.</p> + +<p>"Two grandmas!" Lulu said, with a slightly bewildered look, "and neither +of you looking old enough. How will anybody know which I mean, if I call +you both so?"</p> + +<p>"I think," said Mrs. Dinsmore, smiling, "it will have to be Grandma Rose +and Grandma Elsie."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Mrs. Travilla, "that will do nicely. Now, my dear little girl, +shall I take you upstairs that you may change your dress before tea?"</p> + +<p>Lulu accepted the invitation with alacrity. They found Violet beginning +her toilet while her maid unpacked her trunk.</p> + +<p>"Lulu, dear," she said, as the child came in, "you want to change your +dress I suppose? Have you the key of your trunk?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, ma'am," taking it from her pocket.</p> + +<p>"Agnes," said Vi, "leave mine for the present (you have taken out all I +want for the evening) and unpack that other."</p> + +<p>The child drew near her young step-mother with a slightly embarrassed air. +"I—I don't know what to call you," she said in a half whisper.</p> + +<p>Violet paused in what she was doing, and looking lovingly into the +blushing face, said, "You may call me cousin or auntie, whichever you +please, dear, till you can give me a little place in your heart; then, as +I am not old enough to be your mother, you may call me Mamma Vi. What is +it you wish to say to me?"</p> + +<p>"Mayn't I go into some other room to wash and dress?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, dear," Violet answered. Turning inquiringly to her mother, +"What room can she have, mamma?"</p> + +<p>"There is a very pleasant little one across the hall," Elsie said. "If +Lulu would like to have it for her own, it might be as well to have her +trunk sent in before unpacking."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I should like to have a room all to myself!" exclaimed Lulu. "I had +at Aunt Beulah's. Gracie slept with her, in the room next to mine."</p> + +<p>"I supposed you and Gracie would prefer to be together in a room close to +your papa's," Elsie said; "but there are rooms enough for you to have one +entirely to yourself."</p> + +<p>"Then she shall," Violet said, smiling indulgently upon the little girl. +"Would you like my mother or me to help you choose what to wear to-night? +I want you to put on your best and look as pretty as ever you can."</p> + +<p>Lulu's face flushed with pleasure. "Yes, ma'am," she said, going to her +trunk, which Agnes had now opened; "but I haven't anything half so +beautiful as the dress your sister has on."</p> + +<p>"Haven't you? Well, never mind, you shall soon have dresses and other +things quite as pretty as Rosie's," Violet said, stooping over the trunk +to see what was there.</p> + +<p>The child's eyes danced with delight. "Oh, shall I? Aunt Beulah never +would get me the pretty things I wanted, to look like other girls, you +know, or let my dresses be trimmed with ruffles and lace like theirs. I +used to think it would be dreadful to have a step-mother, but now I'm sure +it isn't always."</p> + +<p>Violet smiled. "I hope we shall love each other very much, and be very +happy together, Lulu," she said. "Now tell me which dress you want to wear +this evening."</p> + +<p>"This white muslin," said the little girl, lifting it and shaking out the +folds. "I believe it's the best I have, but you see it has only two +ruffles and not a bit of lace. And this sash she bought for me to wear +with it is narrow and not at all thick and handsome."</p> + +<p>"No, it is not fit for Capt. Raymond's daughter to wear!" Vi exclaimed a +little indignantly, taking the ribbon between her thumb and finger. "But I +can provide you with a better, and you may cut this up for your doll."</p> + +<p>"Oh, thank you!" cried Lulu, her eyes sparkling. "Step-mothers are nice +after all."</p> + +<p>"But Lulu, dear," Elsie said, standing beside the little girl, and +caressing her hair with her soft white hand, "that is not a pretty or +pleasant name to my ear; especially when applied to so young and dear a +lady as this daughter of mine," looking tenderly into Vi's fair face. "Try +to think of her as one who dearly loves and is dearly loved by your +father, and ready to love his children for his sake."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and for their own too," Violet added, "just as I love my darling +little sister Rosie. Now, Lulu, I think you have no more than time to make +your toilet. She will find everything needful in that room, will she, +mamma?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; water, soap and towels. Can you do everything for yourself, my +child?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, ma'am, except fastening my dress and sash."</p> + +<p>"Then run in here or call to me when you are ready to have that done," +said Violet.</p> + +<p>Lulu was greatly pleased with her room. It had a set of cottage furniture, +many pretty ornaments, an inviting-looking bed draped in white, and lace +curtains to the windows; one of which gave her a fine view of the sea.</p> + +<p>She made haste to wash and dress, thinking the while that their father's +marriage had brought a most delightful change to herself, brother and +sister.</p> + +<p>"What soft, sweet voices they all have in talking," she mused. "Grandma +Rose, Grandma Elsie, and Mamma Vi. I'll call her that, if she'll let me, +it's a pretty name. I like it, and I believe I have given her a little +place in my heart already."</p> + +<p>Just then Agnes knocked at the door to ask if she wanted anything.</p> + +<p>"Yes," Lulu said, admitting her, "I'm ready to put on my dress and would +like you to button it for me."</p> + +<p>"An' put dese on fo' you too, Miss?" and Agnes held up to the child's +astonished and delighted eyes a set of pink coral, necklace, bracelets and +pin, and a sash of broad, rich ribbon just matching in color.</p> + +<p>"Oh," cried Lulu half breathlessly, "where did they come from?"</p> + +<p>"Miss Wilet sent 'em," returned Agnes, beginning her work; "an' she tole +me to ax you to come in dar when I'se done fixin' ob you, an' let her see +if eberyting's right. Humph! 'twon't be, kase you oughter hab ribbon for +yo' hair to match wid de sash."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX" />CHAPTER XX.</h2> + +<h3>GRANDMA ELSIE AND MAMMA VI.</h3> + + +<p>Violet's toilet was finished. She wore a white silk trimmed with a great +deal of very rich lace, white flowers in her hair and at her throat, and +looked very bridelike and beautiful.</p> + +<p>So Lulu thought as she came dancing in, full of joyous excitement over her +own unusual adornment. Catching sight of Violet standing in front of her +toilet-table turning over a box of ribbons, "Oh, how beautiful you are!" +she cried, "and how very kind to let me wear these," glancing down at the +ornaments on her own person.</p> + +<p>"Let you wear them, dear child! I have given them to you for your own, and +am looking now for ribbon for your hair to match the sash. I had forgotten +it. Ah, here is just the thing!"</p> + +<p>"Given me these lovely, lovely bracelets and necklace! and this handsome +sash too!" cried Lulu in wide-eyed astonishment. "Oh, you are just too, +too good to me! May I kiss you? and may I call you Mamma Vi now?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed, if you can give me a little place in your heart," Violet +answered, taking the little girl in her arms.</p> + +<p>"Oh, a great big place!" cried Lulu, returning Vi's caresses with ardor. +"Mamma Vi! it's a very pretty name, and you are my own sweet, pretty new +mamma! A great deal nicer than if you were old enough to be my real +mother."</p> + +<p>"Ah, Lulu, it makes me very happy to hear all that!" said her father's +voice behind her, and she felt his hand laid affectionately upon her head.</p> + +<p>She turned round quickly. "Ah, papa! how nice you look too! How is +Gracie?"</p> + +<p>"I left her sleeping comfortably a half hour ago, and have been making my +toilet in another room. Ah, my love!" gazing at Violet with proud, +fondly-admiring eyes, "how very lovely you are!"</p> + +<p>"In my husband's partial eyes," she returned, looking up at him with a +bright, sweet smile.</p> + +<p>"In Lulu's, too, judging from what I heard her say just now," he said, +turning his eyes upon his daughter again. "Ah, how you have improved her +appearance!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, papa, only see these lovely things she—Mamma Vi has given me!" +cried Lulu, displaying her ornaments.</p> + +<p>"A most generous gift," he said, examining the jewelry. "These coral +ornaments are costly, Lulu, and you must be careful of them. Mamma Vi! Is +that the name you have chosen for yourself, my love?" he asked, again +turning to his bride.</p> + +<p>"Yes, if you approve, Levis?"</p> + +<p>"I like it!" he returned emphatically.</p> + +<p>"And the other ladies," remarked Lulu, "say I am to call them Grandma Rose +and Grandma Elsie. And the gentleman told me and Max to call him grandpa."</p> + +<p>"May I come in?" asked Max at the door, which stood wide open.</p> + +<p>"Yes," his father and Violet both answered.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" he cried, gazing at Violet in undisguised admiration, "how lovely, +how splendid you look! What shall I call you?—you said, you know, and of +course anybody can see it, that you're not old enough to be my mother."</p> + +<p>"No," she said, with a look of amusement and pleasure, "so you may use the +name Lulu and Gracie will call me—Mamma Vi."</p> + +<p>"Miss Wilet," said Agnes, appearing at the door, "dey says dey's waitin' +suppah fo' you and de captain."</p> + +<p>"Ah, then we must not linger here! Lulu dear, let Agnes tie this ribbon on +your hair. She can do it more tastefully than I. Max, I see you are +dressed for the evening."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Mamma Vi, your brother Herbert showed me my room—a very nice one in +the story over this—and had my trunk carried up. Am I all right?"</p> + +<p>"You'll do very well," his father said laughingly, but with a gleam of +fatherly pride in his eye. "Give your arm to your sister and we will go +down—if you are ready, little wife."</p> + +<p>The last words were spoken in a fond whisper, close to Violet's ear, as he +drew her hand within his arm, and were answered by a bright, sweet smile +as she lifted her azure eyes to his.</p> + +<p>The two cottages stood but a few feet apart, with no fence or wall of +separation between, and were connected by a covered way; so that it was +very much as if they were but one house.</p> + +<p>The room in which the feast was spread was tastefully decorated with +evergreens, flags and flowers; the table too was adorned with lovely +bouquets and beautifully painted china and sparkled with silver and cut +glass.</p> + +<p>The Dinsmores, Travillas, and Raymonds gathered about it as one family, a +bright, happy party. Edward was there with his Zoe, looking extremely +pretty in bridal attire, each apparently as devoted as ever to the other.</p> + +<p>Max and Lulu behaved themselves admirably, the latter feeling quite +subdued by the presence of her father and so many elegantly dressed and +distinguished-looking people.</p> + +<p>It was certainly a great change from Mrs. Scrimp's little dining-room with +its small, plainly furnished table, the three to sit down to it, and Ann +to wait upon them—a very pleasant change to Lulu. She enjoyed it greatly.</p> + +<p>She and Max scarcely spoke during the meal, occupying themselves in eating +and listening to the lively discourse going on around them, but were well +waited upon, the servants being attentive, and both Elsie and Violet +interesting themselves to see that the little strangers were not +neglected.</p> + +<p>On leaving the table, all repaired to the veranda and front door yard, for +the enjoyment of a moonlight evening and the sea breeze.</p> + +<p>The young Travillas and Raymonds speedily grew quite intimate and were +mutually pleased; but the latter, fatigued with the journey and +excitements of the day, were ready to retire at an early hour.</p> + +<p>They waited only for family worship, conducted for both households by Mr. +Dinsmore, then Violet and they bade good-night and went back to their own +dwelling, leaving the captain to sit some time longer on the veranda with +the other gentlemen.</p> + +<p>"Have you everything you want in your room, Max?" Violet asked in a kindly +tone, as the boy took up his bedroom candle.</p> + +<p>"Yes, thank you, Mamma Vi," he answered cheerfully, but with a longing +look at her.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Max?" she asked, with her sweet smile. "Don't be afraid to +tell me if there is anything you want."</p> + +<p>"I—I'm afraid I oughtn't to ask it," he stammered, blushing vividly, +"I've no right, and—and it might be disagreeable, but—oh, I should like +to kiss you good-night!"</p> + +<p>"You may, Max," she said, laughing, then put her arms round his neck and +gave the kiss very heartily.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," he cried in blushing delight; then hurried away, calling +back, "Ah, good-night, Lu!"</p> + +<p>"Good-night," she answered, looking wistfully at Violet.</p> + +<p>"Shall I have a good-night kiss from you too, dear?" Violet asked, +offering her lips.</p> + +<p>Lulu accepted the invitation in an eager, joyous way, then asked, "May I +see Gracie before I go to bed?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, dear; we will go in very quietly lest we should wake her if she is +asleep."</p> + +<p>They found Gracie awake, Aunt Chloe shaking up her pillow and smoothing +the cover over her.</p> + +<p>"O mamma!" she cried in her little weak voice, "how beautiful you are! +And, Lulu, where did you get those pretty things?"</p> + +<p>"Mamma Vi gave them to me," Lulu said. "O Gracie dear, are you better?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I don't feel sick now, only weak. She's very good to me, she and +everybody," with a grateful look at her sable nurse.</p> + +<p>"Yes," Violet said, "mammy is always good and kind, especially to a sick +person. Now Lulu and I will kiss you good-night and leave you to go to +sleep again."</p> + +<p>"You are nice and kind to come, both of you," Gracie said, receiving and +returning their caresses.</p> + +<p>"Mammy," Violet said as she turned to leave the room, "I'm afraid you are +not able to take the care of her through the night."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I is, honey darlin'," responded the old woman with warmth. "I'll hab +a quilt spread down dar on de flo', and I'll lie dar an' sleep, an' ef de +chile stirs I'll wake right up and gib her eberyting she wants."</p> + +<p>"Mamma Vi, don't you want to see my room?" Lulu asked as they neared its +door. "I think it is ever so pretty."</p> + +<p>"So it is," Violet said, stepping inside with her, "and I am very glad you +like it. If you think of anything else you want in it, don't hesitate to +ask for it; both your papa and I wish to do all in our power to make his +children happy."</p> + +<p>"Thank you. Oh, it is so nice to have a new mamma! such a sweet, kind +one," Lulu exclaimed with impulsive warmth, setting down her candle and +throwing her arms about Violet's neck.</p> + +<p>"Dear child!" Violet said, returning the embrace, "I am very glad you are +beginning to love me. I hope we shall all love each other better every day +and be very happy together. You won't forget to ask God's protection +before you sleep, and thank him for his love and care? What a mercy that +we met with no accident on our journey!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed! and I won't forget to say my prayers, Mamma Vi."</p> + +<p>They exchanged an affectionate good-night, and Violet went to her own +room.</p> + +<p>Agnes was there, waiting to assist her in disrobing, to take down her +hair, and put things in place.</p> + +<p>As the maid withdrew, her duty finished, Elsie came softly in.</p> + +<p>"Dearest mamma!" cried Vi joyously, "I am so glad you have come! I thought +you would."</p> + +<p>"Yes, daughter, I have just seen Rosie and Walter in bed, and could not +deny myself the pleasure of one of the old-time private talks with my dear +Vi. Ah, you don't know how I have missed them ever since Capt. Raymond +carried you away from Ion!"</p> + +<p>They were standing together with their arms about each other.</p> + +<p>"Mamma," Violet said with an earnest, tenderly affectionate look into her +mother's face, "how very beautiful you are! and how youthful in +appearance! there is not a line in your face, not a silver thread in your +hair, and it still has that exquisite golden tinge it has had ever since I +can remember."</p> + +<p>"Ah, dear child! we can see many beauties in those we love that are +imperceptible to other eyes," Elsie returned with a quiet smile.</p> + +<p>"But, mamma, every one sees you to be both young and beautiful in looks. +You look far too young to be addressed as grandma by Max and Lulu, or even +Gracie. I wish you would not allow it, but let them call you auntie."</p> + +<p>"It does not make me really any older, or even to feel or look so," the +mother said, with a low silvery laugh of amusement at Violet's +earnestness.</p> + +<p>"But I don't like it, dear mamma."</p> + +<p>"Then I am sorry I gave them permission; yet having done so, I do not like +to recall it. But, daughter dear, old age will come to us all, if we live, +and it is quite useless to fight against the inevitable."</p> + +<p>"Yet we needn't hurry it on, mamma."</p> + +<p>"No; but consider; had I and my eldest daughter married as early in life +as my mother did I might now have own grandchildren as old as Max and +Lulu. Beside," she added gayly, "how can I hope to deceive people into +supposing me young when I have three married children."</p> + +<p>"Yes, mamma, that is true," Violet said, after a moment's thought; "and +perhaps the children may be more ready to submit to the guidance and +control of a grandma than of an aunt. Oh, how thankful I am that when +their father is no longer here to govern them, they will not be left to my +management alone!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI" />CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + +<h3>REBELLION.</h3> + + +<p>The next morning Violet began her housekeeping; a not very arduous +undertaking, as competent servants had been brought from Ion for her +establishment as well as for that next door.</p> + +<p>It was pleasant to her and the captain to sit down to a well-appointed +table of their own.</p> + +<p>Max and Lulu too, coming in fresh and rosy from a stroll along the beach, +thought it extremely nice that at last they had a home of their own with +their father and so sweet and pretty a new mamma to take the head of the +table.</p> + +<p>The oysters and fish, just out of the ocean that morning, and Aunt +Phillis's corn-bread and muffins were very delicious to the keen young +appetites, and as Gracie was reported much better, every one was in good +spirits.</p> + +<p>The captain and Violet had both been in to see her and ask how she had +passed the night, before coming down to the breakfast-room.</p> + +<p>Immediately after the meal the captain conducted family worship. That +over, Max and Lulu seized their hats, and were rushing out in the +direction of the beach, but their father called them back.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Down by the waves," said Lulu.</p> + +<p>"To the beach, sir," said Max.</p> + +<p>"Without a word to any one!" he remarked a little severely. "How do you +know that you are not wanted by your mamma or myself? We are going +directly for a drive on the beach and I had intended to take you both +along. Now I am inclined to leave you behind."</p> + +<p>The children hung their heads, looking crestfallen and disappointed.</p> + +<p>"O Levis, please let them go!" pleaded Violet, laying her hand +persuasively on her husband's arm. "I am sure they did not mean to do +wrong."</p> + +<p>"Well, my love," he answered, "I will overlook it for this time for your +sake. But, Max and Lulu, you must understand that you are under authority +and are not to leave the house without first reporting yourselves to your +mother or me and asking permission, stating where you desire to go and +about how long you expect or wish to stay."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," said Max; "but if you and Mamma Vi should both happen to be +out?"</p> + +<p>"Then you may go to Grandpa Dinsmore or Grandma Elsie."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," Max answered in a pleasant tone; adding, "I'm sorry to have +displeased you, papa, and will be careful in future to obey the orders +you've just given."</p> + +<p>But Lulu remained silent, and her countenance was sullen. She had been so +long in the habit of defying Mrs. Scrimp's authority that now she was +disposed to resist even her father's control in small matters, and think +she ought to be permitted to go and come at her own sweet will, and the +thought of being subjected to the sway of her new mother and her relatives +seemed to the proud, passionate child almost beyond endurance.</p> + +<p>The expression of her face did not escape her father's observation, but he +thought it best to take no notice of it, hoping her angry and rebellious +feelings would soon pass away and leave her again the pleasant, lovable +child she had been a few moments since.</p> + +<p>The carriage was already at the door.</p> + +<p>"I think the air would do Gracie good," he remarked to Vi, "and the drive +not prove too fatiguing if I support her in my arms. We have room for one +more than our party. Will not your mother go with us?"</p> + +<p>"Thank you; I'll run in and ask her," Vi said, tripping away.</p> + +<p>Elsie accepted the invitation, remarking gayly, "I have no housekeeping +cares to prevent me. I'm just a daughter at home in her father's house," +giving him a loving look and smile, "as I used to be in the glad, free +days of my girlhood."</p> + +<p>The captain came down with Gracie in his arms, hers about his neck, her +little pale face on his shoulder. She looked thin and weak, but very +happy.</p> + +<p>Grandma Elsie and Mamma Vi greeted her with loving inquiries and tender +kisses.</p> + +<p>"Do you feel strong enough for the drive, dear?" asked the former.</p> + +<p>"Yes, ma'am; with papa to hold me in his strong arms."</p> + +<p>"Papa's dear baby girl!" murmured the captain low and tenderly, imprinting +a gentle kiss on the pale forehead.</p> + +<p>Mr. Dinsmore came over, handed the ladies and Lulu into the carriage, then +held Gracie till her father was seated in it and ready to take her again.</p> + +<p>It was a bright, fair morning with a delicious breeze from the sea, and +all enjoyed the drive greatly, unless perhaps Lulu, who had not yet +recovered her good humor. She sat by her father's side, scarcely speaking, +but no one seemed to notice it.</p> + +<p>Gracie was asleep when they returned, and her father carried her up to her +room and laid her down so gently that she did not wake.</p> + +<p>The others had paused in the veranda below. Zoe and Rosie came running +over to say the bathing hour was near at hand, and to ask if they were +going in.</p> + +<p>"I am not," Elsie said.</p> + +<p>"Nor I," said Violet, "I'm a little tired and should prefer to sit here +and chat with mamma."</p> + +<p>"I'd like to go in," said Max. "When papa comes down I'll ask if I may."</p> + +<p>"Mamma," said Rosie, "I don't care to go in to-day, but may I go down on +the beach and watch the bathers?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, daughter. Take a servant with you to carry some camp-chairs and to +watch over Walter, if he wants to go with you."</p> + +<p>"You'll come too, won't you?" Rosie said to Lulu; "it's good fun to watch +the people in the water."</p> + +<p>"I'll have to ask leave first," replied Lulu in a sullen tone. "Can you +wait till papa comes down?"</p> + +<p>"That is not necessary since your father has invested me with authority to +give you permission," remarked Violet pleasantly. "You may go if you will +keep with Rosie and the others. But, Lulu, my dear, I wish you would first +go up to your room, take off those coral ornaments and put them away +carefully. They do not correspond well with the dress you have on, and +are not suitable for you to wear down on the beach at this time of day."</p> + +<p>She had noticed, on first seeing the child that morning, that she had them +on, but said nothing about it till now.</p> + +<p>"You said you gave them to me to keep!" cried Lulu, turning a flushed and +angry face toward her young step-mother; "and if they are my own, I have a +right to wear them when and where I please, and I shall do so."</p> + +<p>"Lucilla Raymond, to whom were you speaking?" asked her father sternly, +stepping into their midst from the open door-way.</p> + +<p>The child hung her head in sullen silence, while Vi's face was full of +distress; Elsie's but little less so.</p> + +<p>"Answer me!" commanded the captain in a tone that frightened even insolent +Lulu. "I overheard you speaking in an extremely impertinent manner to some +one. Who was it?"</p> + +<p>"Your new wife," muttered the angry child.</p> + +<p>The captain was silent for a moment, trying to gain control over himself. +Then he said calmly, but not less sternly than he had spoken before, "Come +here."</p> + +<p>Lulu obeyed, looking pale and frightened.</p> + +<p>He leaned down over her, unclasped the coral ornaments from her neck and +arms, and handing them to Violet, said, "My dear, I must ask you to take +these back. I cannot allow her to keep or wear them."</p> + +<p>"O Levis!" began Vi in a tone of entreaty; but a look and a gentle "Hush, +love!" silenced her.</p> + +<p>"Now, Lucilla," he said, resuming his stern tone of command, "ask your +mamma's pardon for your impertinence, and tell her you will never be +guilty of the like again."</p> + +<p>"I won't!" exclaimed Lulu passionately.</p> + +<p>At that, her father, with a look of utter astonishment at her presumption, +took her by the hand and led her into the house, upstairs and to her own +room.</p> + +<p>"My daughter," he said, "I must be obeyed. I could not have believed you +would be so naughty and disobedient so soon after my return to you, for I +thought you loved me."</p> + +<p>He paused for a reply, and Lulu burst out with passionate vehemence, "You +don't love me, papa! I knew you wouldn't when you got a new wife. I knew +she'd steal all your love away from your own children!"</p> + +<p>In that moment of fierce, ungovernable anger all Vi's sweet kindness was +forgotten and old prejudices returned in full force.</p> + +<p>The captain was too much shocked and astonished to speak for a moment. He +had not dreamed that his child possessed so terrible a temper.</p> + +<p>"You were never more mistaken, Lulu," he said at length in a moved tone; +"I never loved my children better than I love them now. Are you not sorry +for your rebellious reply to me a moment since? will you not tell me so, +and do at once what I have bidden you?"</p> + +<p>"No; I'll never ask her pardon!"</p> + +<p>"You will stay in this room in solitary confinement until you do, though +it should be all summer," he said firmly, went out, locked the door on the +outside, and put the key into his pocket.</p> + +<p>Zoe and Rosie had hastened away the moment the captain appeared upon the +scene in the veranda, and as he led Lulu into the house Violet burst into +tears.</p> + +<p>"O mamma!" she sobbed, "what shall I do? I wish I had not said a word +about the ornaments, but just let her wear them! I never meant to make +trouble between my husband and his children! I never should have done so +intentionally."</p> + +<p>"My dear child, you have no cause to blame yourself," Elsie said +soothingly.</p> + +<p>"No, not a bit of it, Mamma Vi," cried Max, coming to her side. "I love Lu +dearly, but I know she has a very bad temper, and I think it's for her own +good that papa has found it out already, so that he can take means to help +her conquer it. Dear me! I should never dare to say 'I won't' to him. Nor +I shouldn't want to, because he's such a good father to us, and I love him +dearly."</p> + +<p>"Dear Max," Violet said, smiling through her tears as she took his hand +and pressed it affectionately in hers. "I am sure he is a good, kind, +loving father; his children could never doubt it if they had heard all he +has said to me about them, and I trust you will never do anything to give +him pain."</p> + +<p>The captain rejoined them presently, asking the ladies with an assumed +cheerfulness if they intended bathing.</p> + +<p>They answered in the negative, and turning to Max he said kindly, "My son, +if you wish to do so, I will take you with me. The surf is fine this +morning and I feel inclined to go in."</p> + +<p>"Oh, thank you, papa!" cried Max, "it will be splendid to go in with you!"</p> + +<p>The captain re-entered the house and Violet followed. He turned at the +sound of her quick, light step, saw the distress in her face, the tears in +her eyes, and was much moved thereby.</p> + +<p>"My love, my darling!" he said, taking her in his arms, "do not let this +thing trouble you. Ah, it pains me deeply that a child of mine should have +already brought tears to those sweet eyes."</p> + +<p>"O Levis!" she sobbed, hiding her face on his breast, "forgive her for my +sake. Don't insist on her asking my pardon. I would not have her so +humiliated."</p> + +<p>"There are few things you would ask, love, that I would not grant," he +said tenderly, softly smoothing the golden hair; "but for my daughter's +own sake I must compel her obedience. What would become of her if left to +the unrestrained indulgence of such a temper and spirit of insubordination +as she has shown this morning?"</p> + +<p>"I know you are right," she sighed, "but I cannot help feeling sorry for +her, and oh it almost breaks my heart to think that I was the cause of the +trouble."</p> + +<p>"Ah, but in that you are mistaken, sweet wife," he said, repeating his +caresses; "Lulu's own evil temper was the exciting cause. I could see that +she was in a sullen, rebellious mood from the time that I called her in +before our drive. That I must begin already to discipline one of my +children gives me a sad heart, but I must try to do my duty by her at what +ever cost of pain to her or myself."</p> + +<p>As her father turned the key in the lock, Lulu stamped with passion, and +clenched her fists until the nails were buried in the flesh. "I'll never +do it!" she hissed between her tightly-shut teeth, "no, never! if he +keeps me here till I die. I just wish I could die and make him sorry for +treating me so!"</p> + +<p>Then throwing herself on the bed she sobbed herself to sleep.</p> + +<p>She must have slept several hours, for she was waked by the opening of her +door, and starting up found her father standing beside her with a small +salver in his hand. On it were a plate of graham bread, a china bowl +containing milk, and a silver spoon.</p> + +<p>"Here is your dinner, Lucilla," he said, speaking in a quiet, grave tone, +as he set the salver on a little stand in a corner between the windows; +"unless you are ready to obey me. In that case, I shall take you down to +your mamma, and when you have begged her pardon and told me you are sorry +for your rebellious words and conduct toward me, you can eat your dinner +with us."</p> + +<p>"I don't want to go downstairs, papa," she said, turning her face away +from him. "I'd rather stay here. But I should think you'd feel mean to eat +all sorts of good things and give me nothing but skim-milk and that black +bread."</p> + +<p>"I give you that bread because it contains more nutriment than the white," +he said. "As to the good things the rest of us may have to eat, you shall +share them as soon as you are ready to submit to my authority, but not +till then."</p> + +<p>He waited a moment for a reply, but receiving none, went out and locked +the door.</p> + +<p>When he came again at tea-time, bringing a fresh supply of the same sort +of fare, he found the first still untouched.</p> + +<p>Lulu was very hungry, and really for the last hour had quite longed to eat +the bread and milk, but from sheer obstinacy would not touch it. She +thought if she held out long enough in her refusal to eat it, something +better would be furnished her.</p> + +<p>But now she fairly quailed before the glance of her father's eye as he set +the second salver down and seating himself said, "Come here to me!"</p> + +<p>She obeyed, looking pale and frightened.</p> + +<p>He drew her in between his knees, put one arm round her, and taking the +bowl he had just brought in the other hand, held it to her lips, with the +command, "Drink this! every drop of it!"</p> + +<p>When that was done, he commanded, "Now break this bread into that other +bowl of milk, take your spoon and eat it."</p> + +<p>Now thoroughly frightened, she did not dare disobey.</p> + +<p>He sat and watched her till the meal was finished, she feeling that his +stern eye was upon her, but never once venturing to look at him.</p> + +<p>"Have you anything to say to me, Lucilla?" he asked as he rose to go.</p> + +<p>"No, sir," she answered, with her eyes upon the carpet.</p> + +<p>"My child, you are grieving me very much," he said, took up the salver and +went out.</p> + +<p>Lulu did love her father—though not nearly so well as her own +self-will—and his parting words brought a gush of tears from her eyes. +She was half inclined to call to him to come back, and say she would obey.</p> + +<p>But no! her heart rose up in fierce rebellion at the thought of asking +pardon of his "new wife." "I'll never do it!" she repeated half aloud, +"and when I get sick and die from being kept shut up here papa will wish +he hadn't tried to make me."</p> + +<p>So she hardened her heart day after day and refused to yield.</p> + +<p>Her fare continued the same, her father bringing it to her three times +daily, now in silence, now asking if she were ready to obey.</p> + +<p>She saw no one else but the maid who came each morning to put her room in +order; except as she caught sight of one or another from the window. She +liked to look at the sea and watch the vessels sailing by, but was often +seized with a great longing to get down close to the waves.</p> + +<p>After the second day she grew very, very weary of her imprisonment and +indulged in frequent fits of crying as she heard the gay voices of Max and +the young Travillas at sport on the veranda, in the yards below, or knew +from the sound of wheels, followed by an hour or more of quiet, that +drives were being taken.</p> + +<p>She knew she was missing a great deal of enjoyment. Being of an active +temperament, extremely fond of out-door exercise, made this close +confinement even more irksome to her than it would have been to many +another.</p> + +<p>She had nothing to do. She had turned over the contents of her trunk +several times, had found her doll, and tried to amuse herself with it, but +there was little fun in that without a playmate. She had no book but her +Bible, and that she did not care to read; there was too much in it to +condemn her.</p> + +<p>"Papa," she said, when he came with her breakfast on the fourth day, +"mayn't I go and run on the beach for ten minutes and then come back?"</p> + +<p>"What did I tell you about leaving this room?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I know you said I shouldn't do it till I asked her pardon," she replied, +bursting into a fit of passionate weeping, "but I'll never do that, and if +I get sick and die you'll be sorry for keeping me shut up so."</p> + +<p>"You must not talk to your father in that impertinent manner," he said +sternly. "It is not I who keep you here, it is your own self-will; and +just so long as that lasts you will remain here."</p> + +<p>"I haven't a friend in the world," she sobbed; "my own father is cruel to +me since he——"</p> + +<p>"Hush!" he said in stern indignation. "I will have no more of that +impertinence! Will you force me to try the virtue of a rod with you, +Lucilla?"</p> + +<p>She started and looked up at him with frightened eyes.</p> + +<p>"I should be very loath to do so, but advise you to be very careful how +you tempt me to it any farther," he said, and left her.</p> + +<p>He went down with a heavy heart to the breakfast-room where his wife, Max +and Gracie awaited his coming.</p> + +<p>All three greeted his entrance with loving smiles. Vi was looking very +lovely, and he noticed with gratitude that Gracie's eyes were bright and +her cheeks faintly tinged with pink. She was improving rapidly in the +bracing sea-air and winning all hearts by her pretty ways.</p> + +<p>She ran to meet him, crying, "Good-morning, my dear papa!"</p> + +<p>He took her in his arms and kissed her tenderly two or three times, +longing to be able to do the same by the other one upstairs, put her in +her place at the table and took his own.</p> + +<p>A tempting meal was spread upon it, but he felt that he could scarcely +enjoy it because it must not be shared with Lulu.</p> + +<p>Vi read it all in his face, and her heart bled for him. She had seen +through all these days of conflict with his stubborn, rebellious child, +that his heart was sore over it, though he made great efforts to appear as +usual, and never spoke of Lulu except when it was quite necessary.</p> + +<p>He had had to explain to Gracie why her sister was not to be seen, and to +entreat Vi not to grieve over her unintentional share in occasioning the +struggle, or let it hinder her enjoyment.</p> + +<p>Elsie had made a generous settlement upon each of her married children; so +Vi had abundant means of her own. She longed to spend some of her money on +her husband's children, especially in pretty, tasteful dress for the two +little girls. She asked his consent, deeming it mot right to act without +it.</p> + +<p>He seemed pleased that she had it in her heart to care for them in that +way, but said nothing could be done for Lulu at present, she might do what +she would for Gracie, but the expense must be his; nor could she move him +from that decision.</p> + +<p>She had begun to carry out her plans for Gracie, delighting herself in +making her look as pretty as possible, and each day hoping that Lulu's +submission would make it possible to do the same by her.</p> + +<p>She knew this morning, by her husband's countenance and his coming in +alone, that that hope had again failed, and her heart sank; but for his +sake she assumed an air of cheerfulness and chatted of other things with a +sprightliness and gayety that won him from sad thoughts in spite of +himself.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII" />CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + +<p class="center">"Prithee, forgive me!"</p> + + +<p>"Papa, can't I see Gracie?" Lulu asked when he came in with her dinner.</p> + +<p>"Certainly, if you are ready to obey."</p> + +<p>The child's lip quivered. "I'm so tired of that bread and milk," she said. +"Can't I have something else? I'm sure you and everybody in the house have +a great many good things."</p> + +<p>"We have, and it is a great grief to me that I cannot share them with my +little Lulu. I have very little enjoyment in them because of that."</p> + +<p>"Papa, I'm sorry I've been so naughty, so impertinent to you. I don't mean +ever to be so again; and I'll be a good girl every way after this, if +you'll let me out."</p> + +<p>"Then come with me to your mamma," he said, holding out his hand.</p> + +<p>"I can't ask pardon of her," she said, turning away with a sob.</p> + +<p>"You must, Lucilla," he said in a tone that made her tremble. "You need +not think to conquer your father. I shall keep you here on this plain +fare and in solitary confinement until you are entirely penitent and +submissive."</p> + +<p>He waited a moment, but receiving no reply, went out and locked the door.</p> + +<p>"She is still stubborn," he said to Violet, whom he found alone in their +room across the hall, sighing deeply as he spoke; "and the close +confinement is telling upon her; she grows pale and thin. Oh, how my heart +bleeds for her, my dear child! But I must be firm. This is an important +crisis in her life, and her future character—therefore her happiness for +time and eternity—will depend greatly upon how this struggle ends."</p> + +<p>The next day was the Sabbath, and on returning from church, he went to +Lulu's room.</p> + +<p>Little had passed between them since the talk of yesterday when he carried +in her dinner. He found her now sitting in a listless attitude, and she +did not look up on his entrance.</p> + +<p>He lifted her from her chair, sat down in it himself, and took her on his +knee.</p> + +<p>"Has this holy day brought no good thoughts or feelings to my little +girl?" he asked, gently smoothing the hair back from her forehead.</p> + +<p>"You know I couldn't go to church, papa," she said, without looking at +him.</p> + +<p>"No; I know you could have gone, had you chosen to be a good, obedient +child."</p> + +<p>"Papa, how can you go on trying to make me tell a lie when you have always +taught me it was such a wicked, wicked thing to do?"</p> + +<p>"I try to make you tell a lie! what can you mean, daughter?" he asked in +great surprise.</p> + +<p>"Yes, papa, you are trying to make me ask Mamma Vi's pardon after I have +said I wouldn't."</p> + +<p>"Ah, my child, that was a wicked promise because it was rebellion against +your father's authority, which God commands you to respect. Therefore the +sin was in making it, and it is your duty to break it."</p> + +<p>Then he made her repeat the fifth commandment, and called her attention to +its promise of long life and prosperity, as far as it shall be for God's +glory and their own good, to all such as keep it.</p> + +<p>"I want you to inherit that blessing, my child," he said, "and to escape +the curses pronounced against those who refuse obedience to their +parents."</p> + +<p>Opening the Bible, he read to her, "The eye that mocketh at his father and +despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, +and the young eagles shall eat it."</p> + +<p>She gave him a frightened look, then, with a slight shudder, hid her face +on his breast, but did not speak.</p> + +<p>"Lulu," he said, again softly stroking her hair, "about nine years ago I +came home from a long voyage to find a dear little dark-eyed baby +daughter, and as I took her in my arms, oh how my heart went out in love +to her and gratitude to God for giving her to me! I loved her dearly then. +I have loved her ever since with unabated affection, and never doubted her +love to me until now."</p> + +<p>"Papa, I do love you," she said, hastily brushing away a tear. "I've said +I was sorry for being naughty to you and didn't mean to do so any more."</p> + +<p>"And yet are continuing to be naughty and disobedient all the time. It is +quite possible, Lulu, that you may some day be fatherless; if that time +should come, do you think you will look back with pleasure to these days +of rebellion?"</p> + +<p>At that she cried quite bitterly, but her father waited in vain for a word +of reply.</p> + +<p>He put her on her knees on the floor, knelt beside her, and with his hand +on her head prayed earnestly, tenderly that the Lord would cast out her +wicked temper, forgive her sins, give her a new heart, and make her his +own dear child.</p> + +<p>Rising, he took her in his arms again for a moment, she still sobbing, but +saying not a word, then putting her gently aside, he left the room.</p> + +<p>To her surprise her dinner of bread and milk was presently brought up by +Agnes, who set it down and went out without exchanging a word with her.</p> + +<p>The same thing occurred at supper-time.</p> + +<p>Lulu began to be filled with curiosity not unmingled with apprehension, +but was too proud to question the girl.</p> + +<p>All through the afternoon and evening her thoughts dwelt much upon what +her father had said to her, and the words and tender tones of his prayer +rang in her ears and melted her heart. Beside she had become thoroughly +convinced that what he had said he would do, so that there was no hope of +release until won by obedience.</p> + +<p>She was disappointed that he did not come with her supper nor afterward, +for she had almost resolved to submit. She cried herself to sleep that +night, feeling such a love for her father as she had never known before, +and an intense longing for his kiss of forgiveness.</p> + +<p>She became not willing only, but eager to do his bidding that she might +receive it.</p> + +<p>In the morning she dressed herself with neatness and care and impatiently +awaited his coming. She was sure it must be long past the usual hour when +at last the door opened and Violet came in with the waiter of bread and +milk.</p> + +<p>She set it down and turned to the little girl, who stood gazing at her in +silent surprise.</p> + +<p>"Lulu, dear, your father is very ill," she said in tones quivering with +emotion, and then the child noticed that there were traces of tears about +her eyes and on her cheeks, "He was in terrible pain all night, and is +very little better this morning," she went on. "O Lulu, I had a dear, dear +father once, and he was taken ill very much as yours has been and—in a +few days. Oh, how I loved him! and while he lived I thought I was a good +daughter to him, for I don't remember ever being wilfully disobedient, but +after he was gone my heart reproached me with having neglected +opportunities to give him pleasure, and not having always obeyed quite so +promptly and cheerfully as I might, and I would have given worlds to go +back and be and do all I ought."</p> + +<p>She ended with a burst of tears, covering her face with her hands and +sobbing, "O papa, papa! O my husband, my dear, dear husband!"</p> + +<p>"O Mamma Vi! I will ask your pardon—I do! won't you please forgive me for +being so very, very naughty and impertinent? when you have been so good +and kind to me too," sobbed Lulu, dropping on her knees at Violet's feet.</p> + +<p>"I do with all my heart," Violet said, lifting her up and kissing her. +"And shall we not always love each other for your dear father's sake?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, yes, indeed! I do love you! I don't know what made me be so +wicked and stubborn. Mayn't I go to papa and tell him how sorry I am, and +ask him to forgive me too?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, dear, come; perhaps it may help him to grow better, for I know he +has grieved very much over this," Vi said, taking the child's hand and +leading her into the room where the captain lay.</p> + +<p>As he saw them come in thus his eye brightened in spite of the severe pain +he was enduring.</p> + +<p>With one bound, Lulu was at his side, sobbing, "Papa, papa! I'm so sorry +for all my badness, and all your pain. Please, please forgive me. I've +done it—asked Mamma Vi's pardon, and—and I'll never talk so to her +again, nor ever disobey you any more."</p> + +<p>"I hope not, my darling," he said, drawing her down to give her a tender +fatherly kiss of forgiveness. "I am rejoiced that you have given up your +rebellion so that now I can love and pet you to my heart's content—if God +spares me to get up from this bed of pain. I do forgive you gladly, dear +daughter."</p> + +<p>For several days the captain was very ill, but the best of medical advice +was at hand, the best of nursing was given him by Elsie and Violet, +assisted by Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore and others, and, by the blessing of +Providence, upon these means he recovered.</p> + +<p>Lulu seemed very unhappy and remorseful until it was quite certain that he +would get well, took little interest in any kind of recreation, and was +often found hovering about the door of his room, eager to learn how he was +and if possible gain admission to his presence, or permission to do +something for his relief.</p> + +<p>She was a changed child from that time, perfectly respectful, obedient, +and affectionate toward both her father and Violet.</p> + +<p>When the captain had once begun to mend, the improvement was very rapid, +and he was soon able to share in the drives and other recreations of their +party.</p> + +<p>During his illness Grandma Elsie had been very kind to his children, +acting a mother's part by them, attending to their wants, comforting and +encouraging them with hope of his recovery, and they had grown very fond +of her.</p> + +<p>At first Lulu shrank from all her new mamma's relatives, and even from Max +and Gracie, ashamed of her misconduct and expecting to receive unpleasant +reminders of it.</p> + +<p>But she met with nothing of the kind, except that Max, when she first came +downstairs, said. "It does seem strange, Lulu, that when so many men have +to obey papa the instant he speaks, his own little girl should stand out +so long and stubbornly against his authority;" and Gracie, with her arms +about her sister's neck, sobbed, "O Lu how could you make dear papa so +sorry for so many days?"</p> + +<p>"Was he so sorry?" sobbed Lulu.</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed; sometimes he hardly ate anything, and looked so sad that the +tears came in my eyes, and in Mamma Vi's too."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I hope that wasn't what made him sick!" cried Lulu, the tears +streaming down her face. "I'll never, never behave so to him again."</p> + +<p>Lulu was still more remorseful as time went on and everybody was so kind +to her, seeming never to remember her naughtiness and disgrace, but giving +her a share in all the pleasures devised for themselves which were +suitable to her age.</p> + +<p>She was especially touched and subdued by the interest Violet took in +seeing her provided with new dresses made and trimmed in the fashion +(which, to her extreme vexation, Mrs. Scrimp had always disregarded), and +with many other pretty things.</p> + +<p>When she thanked her new mamma, she was told, "Your father pays for them +all, dear."</p> + +<p>Then she went to him with tears in her eyes, and putting her arms round +his neck, thanked him for all his goodness, confessing that she did not +deserve it.</p> + +<p>"You are very welcome nevertheless, daughter," he said, "and all I ask in +return is that you will be good and obedient."</p> + +<p>Vi wished to return to Lulu the pink coral ornaments, but that he would +not allow.</p> + +<p>It was a great disappointment to Lulu, for she admired them extremely, but +she showed herself entirely submissive under it.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII" />CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + +<h3>MAX.</h3> + + +<p>"Papa," said Max one morning, as they rose from the breakfast-table, "I +feel as if a long walk would do me good. I'd like to go farther down the +beach than I ever have yet."</p> + +<p>"Very well, my son, you may go, only keep out of danger and come home in +time for dinner," was the indulgent rejoinder, and the lad set off at +once.</p> + +<p>He presently fell in with two other lads a little older than himself, +boarders in one of the near hotels, and casual acquaintances of his. They +joined him and the three rambled on together, whistling, talking, and +occasionally stooping to pick up a shell, pebble, or bit of seaweed or +sponge.</p> + +<p>At length they reached an inlet that seemed to bar their farther progress, +but looking about they spied an old boat stranded by yesterday's tide a +little higher up the inlet, and were of course instantly seized with a +great desire to get her into the water and set sail in her.</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't it be jolly fun?" cried Bob Masters, the eldest of the trio. +"Come on, boys."</p> + +<p>Max was a rather heedless fellow, and never stopping to consider the right +or wrong of the thing, or whether he were running into danger or not, went +with the others.</p> + +<p>They found the boat, as they thought, in fair condition; there were two +oars in her, and both Max and John Cox, the other lad, thought they knew +pretty well how to use them, while Masters was sure he could steer.</p> + +<p>With a good deal of exertion they set the little craft afloat; then +climbing in they pushed boldly out into deep water and bore down toward +the ocean.</p> + +<p>Max had thought they were only going to cross to the farther side of the +inlet and continue their walk; but almost before he knew it, they were out +upon the sea, and the boat was rocking upon the waves in a way that seemed +to him decidedly alarming.</p> + +<p>"Boys," he said, "let's put back as fast as we can. We don't know anything +about managing a boat out here, and see how big the waves are!"</p> + +<p>"That's because the tide's coming in," laughed Masters, "so if we should +upset it'll wash us ashore."</p> + +<p>"I don't know," said Max, "I'd rather not risk it; there's the undertow to +carry us out again."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you're a coward!" sneered Cox.</p> + +<p>"I'm not going to turn back yet," said Masters; "so stick to your oar, +Raymond, and if the sight of the big waves frightens you, just turn your +back to 'em."</p> + +<p>At that moment a hail came from a fishing-smack not far away. "Halloo! +boys, you'd better put back as fast as you can; that boat's not safe, +especially in the hands of such green-horns as you."</p> + +<p>At the same moment a big incoming wave washed over them, carrying away +their hats and Max's coat, which he had pulled off when taking the oar.</p> + +<p>Masters and Cox were now sufficiently frightened to be willing to turn +back; they made the attempt at once, but found it far more difficult than +they had anticipated. They struggled hard, and several times nearly gave +themselves up for lost; but at last, after many narrow escapes, a huge +wave carried them high on to the beach, and left them there with barely +strength to crawl up out of the way of the next.</p> + +<p>It was a good while before they were able to do anything but lie panting +and gasping on the sand.</p> + +<p>Max had not been long gone when Zoe ran into the cottage of the Raymonds, +to tell of a plan just set on foot in the other house to get up a party +to visit some points of interest several miles distant.</p> + +<p>They were to go in carriages, take a lunch with them, and not return till +late in the afternoon, when all would dine together at Mrs. Dinsmore's +table.</p> + +<p>"Mamma is not going," she said, "and offers to take care of Gracie, if the +child stays behind. Every one seems to fear the ride would be too long and +wearisome for her."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think so," the captain said, fondling her, for she was sitting on +his knee.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to go, papa," she said, looking up coaxingly into his face, "I +like to go driving, and to sit on your knee."</p> + +<p>"And I love to have my baby girl in my arms, and to give her pleasure," he +responded, repeating his caresses, "but I should feel very sad to see her +made sick."</p> + +<p>"Then I'll be good and not ask to go, papa," she said, with a slight sigh, +laying her head on his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"That's my dear, good little Gracie! You shall have a short drive every +day when I can manage it. Perhaps a moonlight drive along the beach, +to-morrow evening. Will not that be nice?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, ever so nice, dear papa!" she cried, clapping her hands in delight.</p> + +<p>"Mamma not going, Zoe!" exclaimed Violet in a tone of disappointment. +"That will rob the excursion of half its charm for me. Is she not well?"</p> + +<p>"She has a very slight headache, she says, and fears the sun would +increase it. Besides she is so much interested in a book she is reading +that she prefers staying at home to finish it. We had hard work to +persuade grandpa to go without her, but he has consented at last; only, I +believe, because Grandma Rose refused to go without him, and mamma insists +that she is in no danger of a bad headache if she keeps quiet."</p> + +<p>"Yes, grandpa is so fond and careful of her."</p> + +<p>"We have two large carriages, so that there is abundance of room for +everybody," pursued Zoe; "and we hope, Captain, that you will let Max and +Lulu go."</p> + +<p>"Lulu shall certainly, if she chooses," he said, turning with a kind, +fatherly smile to the little girl who stood silently at his side, waiting +with a wistful, eager look, to hear if she were to be of the party, but +ashamed to ask the indulgence because of a vivid remembrance of her late +rebellion and disgrace.</p> + +<p>"Oh, thank you, papa!" she cried joyously, giving him a hug and kiss. +"Mamma Vi, what shall I wear?"</p> + +<p>"Your travelling dress will be the most suitable I think," said Violet.</p> + +<p>"Then I'll run and put it on," returned Lulu, hastening away with cheerful +alacrity.</p> + +<p>"Max shall go too, Captain, shan't he?" queried Zoe, with whom the boy was +a great favorite.</p> + +<p>"He might if he were here," the father answered; "but unfortunately he has +gone off for a long walk and may not be back before dinner-time."</p> + +<p>"And we must start in a few minutes," remarked Vi; "I am really sorry, for +I know Max will regret missing it. Gracie, dear, I'm going over to speak +to mamma; shall I take you with me?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, if you please, Mamma Vi, when I've kissed my dear papa good-by."</p> + +<p>Having done so, she took her doll in her arms and gave her hand to Violet. +She felt a little lonely at the thought of being left behind, but was +quite comforted on learning that little Walter Travilla had decided to +stay at home and play with her.</p> + +<p>The excursionists drove off, and Elsie, having provided the little ones +with amusement, gave herself up to the enjoyment of her book and an +easy-chair set where she could catch the pleasant sea breeze without +feeling the sun. Still, she did not forget the children, but now and then +laid aside her book for a little, while she suggested or invented some +new game for their entertainment.</p> + +<p>So the morning passed quietly and pleasantly.</p> + +<p>It was a little past noon when, stepping out upon the veranda, she caught +sight of a forlorn figure, hatless, coatless, and dishevelled generally, +yet bearing a strangely familiar look, slowly approaching the other +cottage. A second glance told her who it was.</p> + +<p>"Max!" she exclaimed in astonishment, and forgetting all about her +headache, caught up a sunshade and hurried to meet him.</p> + +<p>"Max! can it be you?" she asked. "Why, my poor boy, where have you been? +and what has happened to you?"</p> + +<p>"O Grandma Elsie!" he said, looking much mortified and ready to cry, "I +did hope I'd be able to get into the house without anybody seeing me! Do +you know where my father is?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; the two families have all gone on an excursion except Gracie, +Walter, and me. But come in out of the sun," she added, leading the way +into the Raymonds' cottage. Max followed her, and won to confidence by her +sweet and kindly sympathy, told her the whole story of his morning's +adventure.</p> + +<p>"O Max, my dear boy! what a narrow escape!" she said, with tears in her +eyes. "What a mercy that you are alive to tell the tale! What a terrible, +terrible shock it would have been to your father to learn that his only +son was drowned! and that while in the act of disobeying him, for you say +he bade you not to go into any danger."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Grandma Elsie, and if he finds it out I'll be pretty sure to get a +severe flogging. I deserve it, I know; but I don't want to take it. You +won't tell on me, will you? Perhaps he'll find it out through the loss of +the coat and hat, but I hope he won't miss them, at I have several +others."</p> + +<p>"No, Max, I shall certainly not tell on you; no one shall ever learn from +me what you have told me in confidence; but I do hope, my dear boy, that +you will not try to deceive your kind, loving father, but will confess all +to him as soon as he comes home, and patiently bear whatever punishment he +sees fit to inflict. It is the only right and honorable course, Max, and +will save you a great deal of suffering from remorse and fear of +detection."</p> + +<p>"But it will be dreadfully hard to confess!" sighed Max. "I believe I +really dread that more than the flogging."</p> + +<p>"Yet take courage, my boy, and do it. Do not allow yourself to indulge in +moral cowardice, but dare to do right, asking help of God, who is able and +willing to give it."</p> + +<p>Max made no reply, but sat there before her, looking very guilty and +miserable.</p> + +<p>"You must be hungry," she said presently, "and it is not easy to be brave +and strong on an empty stomach. Suppose you go to your room and make +yourself neat, then come into the other house and join me and the little +folks in a nice luncheon."</p> + +<p>The proposal was accepted with thankfulness.</p> + +<p>Max looked several degrees less miserable after satisfying his appetite, +yet all the afternoon seemed restless and unhappy.</p> + +<p>Elsie said little to him, but many times silently lifted up her heart on +his behalf, asking that he might have strength given him to do the duty he +felt to be so difficult and painful.</p> + +<p>As the time drew near when the pleasure-seekers might be expected to +return, he slipped away out of her sight.</p> + +<p>Presently the carriages drove up and deposited their load. Max stood +waiting in the veranda, his heart beating very fast and loud, as his +father, Violet, and Lulu came up the path that led from the garden-gate.</p> + +<p>All three greeted him affectionately, expressing their regret that he had +missed the pleasure of the excursion; then Vi and Lulu passed into the +house and on upstairs.</p> + +<p>The captain was about to follow when Max, stepping close to his side, +said, with a slight tremble in his voice, "Papa, I—want to speak to you."</p> + +<p>"Very well, my son, say on," answered the captain, stopping and turning +toward him.</p> + +<p>"It's something I want to tell you, sir," and Max hung his head, his +cheeks flushing hotly.</p> + +<p>His father gave him a searching look, took his hand, and led him into the +parlor.</p> + +<p>"Don't be afraid of your father, Max," he said kindly, "why should you?"</p> + +<p>"Because I've been a bad boy, sir, deserving of a flogging, and expect you +to give it to me," Max burst out desperately.</p> + +<p>"Tell me all about it, my son," the captain said in a moved tone, "and +tell it here," seating himself and drawing the boy to his knee. "Perhaps +it will be easier."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, papa, because it makes me know you love me even if I am bad; but +it makes me more ashamed and sorry for having disobeyed you," sobbed Max, +no longer able to refrain from tears as he felt the affectionate clasp of +his father's enfolding arm.</p> + +<p>"Then it has a right effect. My boy, I think if you knew how much I love +you, you would never disobey. It will be a sore trial to me, as well as to +you, if I find it my duty to inflict any severe punishment upon you. But +let me hear your story."</p> + +<p>Max told it in broken accents, for he was full of remorse for having +behaved so ill to so kind a parent.</p> + +<p>When he had finished there was a moment of silence. It was the captain who +broke it.</p> + +<p>"My boy," he said, with emotion, "it was a really wonderful escape, and we +must thank God for it. If you had been drowned, Max, do you know that it +would have gone near to break your father's heart? To lose my first-born, +my only son, and in the very act of disobedience—oh, how terrible!"</p> + +<p>"Papa, I didn't, I really didn't think about its being disobedience when I +got into the boat, because it didn't seem dangerous till we were fairly +out among the waves."</p> + +<p>"Do you think I ought to excuse you on that account?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir; you've reproved me so often for not thinking, and for not being +careful to obey your orders; and I know I deserve a flogging. But, O papa, +please don't let Mamma Vi know about it, or anybody else. Can't you take +me upstairs here when they are all in the other house?"</p> + +<p>"I shall not use corporal punishment this time, Max," the captain said, in +a moved tone. Dressing the boy closer to his side, "I shall try free +forgiveness, for I think you are truly sorry. And then you have made so +frank and full a confession of wrong-doing, that I might perhaps never +have discovered in any other way."</p> + +<p>"O papa, how good you are to me! I don't think I can ever be so mean and +ungrateful as to disobey you again," exclaimed Max, feelingly. "But I +don't deserve to be praised, or let off from punishment, because of +confessing, for I shouldn't have done it if Grandma Elsie hadn't talked to +me about the duty of it, and persuaded me to take courage to do it because +it was right."</p> + +<p>"Bless her for it! the dear, good woman!" the captain said, with earnest +gratitude. "But I think, Max, you do deserve commendation for taking her +advice. I have something more to say to you, my son, but not now, for the +call to dinner will come directly, and I must go and prepare for it."</p> + +<p>There was a hearty embrace between them, and they separated, the captain +going to his room to make his toilet and Max to the other house, where he +soon managed to let Grandma Elsie into the secret of his confession and +its happy result, thanking her with tears in his eyes for her kind, wise +advice.</p> + +<p>Elsie rejoiced with and for him, telling him he had made her heart glad +and that she hoped he would always have courage to do right.</p> + +<p>As Max prepared for bed that night he was wondering to himself what more +his father had to say to him, when he heard the captain's step on the +stairs, and the next moment he came in.</p> + +<p>Max started a little apprehensively. Could it be that his father had +changed his mind, and was about to give him the dreaded flogging after +all?</p> + +<p>But with one glance up into the grave yet kindly face looking down at him, +all his fear vanished. He drew a long breath of relief.</p> + +<p>"My boy," the captain said, laying his hand on Max's shoulder, "I told you +I had something more to say to you, and I have come to say it now. You are +'my first-born, my might and the beginning of my strength.' Never until +you are a father yourself can you know or understand the tide of love, +joy, and thankfulness that swept over me at the news of your birth. Nor do +you know how often, on land and on sea, in storm and in calm, my thoughts +dwell with deep anxiety upon the future of my son, not only for time, Max, +but for eternity."</p> + +<p>The captain paused for a moment, his emotions seemingly too big for +utterance, and Max, throwing his arms around his neck, hid his face on his +breast.</p> + +<p>"Papa," he sobbed, "I didn't know you loved me so much! Oh, I wish I'd +always been a good boy!"</p> + +<p>The captain sat down and drew him to his knee.</p> + +<p>"My dear son," he said, "I have no doubt that you are sorry for every act +of disobedience toward me, and I fully and freely forgive them all; but +what I want you to consider now is your sinfulness toward God, and your +need of forgiveness from him. You are old enough to be a Christian now, +Max, and it is what I desire for you more than anything else. Think what +blessedness to be made a child of God, an heir of glory! to have Jesus, +the sinner's Friend, for your own Saviour, your sins all washed away in +his precious blood, his righteousness put upon you."</p> + +<p>"Papa, I don't know how."</p> + +<p>"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved,' the Bible +says. It tells us that we have all broken God's holy law, that we all +deserve his wrath and curse forever, and cannot be saved by anything that +we can do or Buffer; but that 'God so loved the world that he gave his +only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but +have everlasting life.' He offers this salvation to us as his free gift, +and so we are to take it, for we can have it in no other way. Go to God, +my son, just as you have come to me, with confession of your sins and +acknowledging that you deserve only punishment; but pleading for pardon +through the blood and merits of Jesus Christ. Accept the salvation offered +you by the Lord Jesus, giving yourself to him to be his, his only forever. +'Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, to +give repentance to Israel and remission of sins,' and he will give them to +you if you ask for them with all your heart. He says, 'Him that cometh to +me, I will in no wise cast out.' My son, my dear son, will not you come +now? God's time is always <i>now</i>, and only the present is ours."</p> + +<p>"Papa, I will try; I am sorry for my sins against God, and I do want to +belong to him. Papa, won't you pray for me?"</p> + +<p>They knelt down together, and with his son's hand in his the captain +poured out a fervent prayer on the boy's behalf, of confession and +entreaty for pardon and acceptance in the name and for the sake of Him +"who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our +justification."</p> + +<p>Then, with a silent, tender embrace he left him.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV" />CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">"Home again, home again, from a foreign shore,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">And oh it fills my soul with Joy to see my friends once more."</span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>The rest of the summer and early fall passed delightfully to our +sojourners by the sea; though the happiness of the captain and Violet was +somewhat marred by the knowledge that soon they must part for a season of +greater or less duration, he to be exposed to all the dangers of the +treacherous deep.</p> + +<p>But they did not indulge in repining or lose the enjoyment of the present +in vexing thoughts concerning the probable trials of the future.</p> + +<p>It was necessary, however, to give it some consideration, and make +arrangements in regard to his children.</p> + +<p>Thinking of the guidance and control they all needed, the temper and +stubbornness Lulu had shown, the watchful care requisite for Gracie in her +feeble state, he hesitated to ask Mrs. Dinsmore and Elsie if they still +felt inclined to undertake the charge of them.</p> + +<p>But to his great relief and gratitude, those kind friends did not wait for +him to broach the subject, but renewed their offer, saying they had +become much attached to the children, and desired more than ever to give +them a happy home with themselves; upon the conditions formerly stated, +namely, that he would delegate his authority to them during his absence, +and give the children distinctly to understand that he had done so.</p> + +<p>These conditions the captain gladly accepted. He told the children all +about the arrangement he had made for them, and in the presence of the +whole family, bade them obey Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore, Grandma Elsie and +Mamma Vi as they would himself.</p> + +<p>"One master and three mistresses!" Edward remarked lightly; "are you not +imposing rather hard conditions, Captain?"</p> + +<p>"No, I think not, Ned, for I am satisfied that their commands will never +conflict; but should they do so, Mr. Dinsmore, as patriarch of the whole +tribe, is of course the highest authority."</p> + +<p>It had been decided that Harold and Herbert should now enter college. The +others, on being left by the captain, would all return to Ion and spend +the winter there or at Viamede. Edward would take charge of the Ion +plantation, his grandfather giving him some slight supervision at the +start.</p> + +<p>This arrangement would leave Mr. Dinsmore almost without employment, and, +as he liked to be busy, he said he would gladly act the part of tutor to +Max, and also hear some of the recitations of Rosie and Lulu. Grandma +Elsie and Mamma Vi would for the present undertake the rest of the work of +educating the girls and little Walter.</p> + +<p>Their plans settled, they gave themselves up to quiet enjoyment of each +other's society while Capt. Raymond waited for orders.</p> + +<p>Early in October there came a great and joyful surprise. A train had +steamed into the neighboring depôt a few moments before, but as they were +not looking for any addition to their party, no one had taken particular +note of the fact.</p> + +<p>But a carriage came driving from that direction, and drew up before the +gate of Mr. Dinsmore's cottage, where the whole family were gathered.</p> + +<p>A gentleman hastily alighted, handed out a lady; a servant-woman +followed—having first handed him an odd-looking, rather large bundle, +which he received with care—then turned to collect packages and parcels, +while the other two hurried to the house, the lady a little in advance.</p> + +<p>"Elsie!" was the simultaneous exclamation of many voices in varied tones +of astonishment and delight, and the next instant there was a wonderful +confusion of greetings and embraces mingled with tears of joy and +thankfulness.</p> + +<p>Lester and his wife had been heard from frequently during the past months, +their letters always cheerful and full of bright hopes and anticipations, +but containing no hint of any intention of returning to America before the +coming spring.</p> + +<p>As they afterward explained, it had been a very sudden resolve, caused by +a severe fit of homesickness, and there really was no time to write.</p> + +<p>Lester shared the joyous welcome given to Elsie; the servant woman having +relieved him of his bundle, of which, in their joyous excitement, no one +had taken particular notice.</p> + +<p>Only waiting, a trifle impatiently, till the greetings and introductions +were over, Elsie Leland took it from her, and with a proud, happy, yet +tearful smile laid it—a lovely sleeping babe—in her mother's arms.</p> + +<p>"Our boy, mother dear. We have named him for his grandpa—Edward +Travilla."</p> + +<p>Elsie Travilla folded the child to her heart, kissed it softly, tenderly, +the great silent tears rolling down her cheeks.</p> + +<p>"Ah, could he but have seen it! our first grandchild," she sighed.</p> + +<p>Then, wiping away her tears, and sending a glance of mingled joy and +maternal pride around the little circle, she folded the babe still +closer, saying, with an arch, sweet smile, "Ah, no one now can deny that I +am in very truth Grandma Elsie!"</p> + + +<h2>THE END.</h2> + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> + +<h2><b>THE MERRY LYNN SERIES</b></h2> + + +<h3>By HARRIET PYNE GROVE</h3> + +<p class="center">Cloth Bound. Jackets in Colors.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The charm of school and camp life, out-door sports and European travel is +found in these winning tales of Merilyn and her friends at boarding school +and college. These realistic stories of the everyday life, the fun, frolic +and special adventures of the Beechwood girls will be enjoyed by all girls +of high school age.</p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align='left'>MERILYN ENTERS BEECHWOLD</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>MERILYN AT CAMP MEENAHGA</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>MERILYN TESTS LOYALTY</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>MERILYN'S NEW ADVENTURE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>MERILYN FORRESTER, CO-ED.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE "MERRY LYNN" MINE</td></tr> +</table> +</div> + + + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p class="center">A.L. BURT COMPANY, <i>Publishers</i></p> + +<p class="center">114-120 EAST 23rd STREET NEW YORK</p> + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Book cover"> +<tr><td align='center'><img src="./images/301.jpg" alt="The Ann Sterling Series" title="The Ann Sterling Series" /></td> +<td align='center'><h2><b>The<br /> Ann Sterling<br /> Series</b></h2></td></tr> +</table> +</div> + +<h3>By HARRIET PYNE GROVE</h3> + +<p class="center">Stories of Ranch Life and Adventure. 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BURT COMPANY, 114-120 E. 23d St., NEW YORK</b></p> + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Book cover"> +<tr><td align='center'><img src="./images/302.jpg" alt="Marjory Dean Post-Graduate Series" title="Marjory Dean Post-Graduate Series" /></td> +<td align='center'><h2>MARJORIE DEAN<br /> POST-GRADUATE<br /> SERIES</h2></td></tr> +</table> +</div> + +<h3>By PAULINE LESTER</h3> + +<p class='center'>Author of the Famous Marjorie Dean High School and College Series.</p> + +<p class='center'>All Cloth Bound. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Grandmother Elsie + +Author: Martha Finley + +Release Date: February 2, 2005 [EBook #14883] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GRANDMOTHER ELSIE *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Emmy and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + + + + + + + +GRANDMOTHER ELSIE + +A SEQUEL TO +"ELSIE'S WIDOWHOOD" + +By MARTHA FINLEY + +COMPLETE AUTHORIZED EDITION + +"The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, +good and ill together."--Shakespeare + +Published by arrangement with +Dodd, Mead and Company + +A.L. BURT COMPANY + +_PUBLISHERS_ + +New York Chicago + +1882, +BY +DODD, MEAD & COMPANY + +1910, +BY +CHARLES B. FINLEY + + + + +GRANDMOTHER ELSIE + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + "Every state, + Allotted to the race of man below, + Is in proportion, doom'd to taste some sorrow." + --_Rowe_. + + +The Ion family were at home again after their summer on the New Jersey +coast. + +It was a delightful morning early in October: the dew-drops on the still +green grass of the neatly kept lawn sparkled in the rays of the newly +risen sun; the bright waters of the lakelet also, as, ruffled by the +breeze, they broke gently about the prow of the pretty row-boat moored to +the little wharf; the gardens were gay with bright-hued flowers, the trees +gorgeous in their autumnal dress. + +But though doors and windows were open, the gardener and his assistants at +work in the grounds, there seemed a strange quiet about the place: when +the men spoke to each other it was in subdued tones; there was no +sound--as in other days--of little feet running hither and thither, nor +of childish prattle or laughter. + +Two horses stood ready saddled and bridled before the principal entrance +to the mansion, and Mr. Horace Dinsmore was pacing the veranda to and fro +with slow, meditative step, while Bruno, crouching beside the door, +followed his movements with wistful, questioning eyes, doubtless wondering +what had become of his accustomed merry, romping play-mates. + +A light step came down the hall, and a lady in riding hat and habit +stepped from the open doorway, stooped for an instant to touch the dog's +head caressingly with a "Poor Bruno! do you miss your playfellows?" then +glided quickly toward Mr. Dinsmore, who received her with open arms and +tenderest caress. + +Then holding her off and scrutinizing the sweet, fair face with keen, +searching eye, "You are looking better and brighter than I dared to hope, +my darling," he said. "Did you get some sleep?" + +"Yes, papa, thank you, several hours. And you? did you rest well?" + +"Yes, daughter. How are the children?" + +"No worse, Arthur says; perhaps a trifle better. He, Elsie and Mammy are +with them now, and 'Mamma' can be spared for a short ride with her +father," she said, smiling lovingly into the eyes that were gazing with +the tenderest fatherly affection upon her. + +"That is right; you need the air and exercise sorely; a few more days of +such close confinement and assiduous nursing would, I very much fear, tell +seriously upon your health." + +He led her to the side of her steed and assisted her into the saddle as he +spoke, then vaulted into his own with the agility of youth. + +"But where are Vi and her brothers?" Elsie asked, sending an inquiring +glance from side to side. + +"I sent them on in advance. I wanted you quite to myself this once," he +answered, as they turned and rode at a brisk canter down the avenue. + +"And I shall enjoy having my dear father all to myself for once," she +rejoined, with a touch of old-time gayety in look and tone. "Ah! papa, +never a day passes, I think I might almost say never an hour, in which I +do not thank God for sparing you to me; you who have loved and cherished +me so long and so tenderly." + +"My own dear child!" he said in reply, "you and your love are among the +greatest blessings of my life." + +As they rode on side by side they talked of the youngest two of her +children--Rose and Walter--both quite ill with measles; of her sister's +family, where also there was sickness among the little ones, and whither +Mrs. Dinsmore had gone to assist in the nursing of her grandchildren; of +the recent death of Enna at Magnolia Hall, the home of her daughter Molly; +and of the anxiety of the younger Elsie because of a much longer silence +than usual on the part of her absent betrothed. + +She greatly feared that some evil had befallen him, and had not been able +to hide her distress from these two--the mother and grandfather who loved +her so--though making most earnest, unselfish efforts to conceal it from +all, especially her mother, whose tender heart was ever ready to bleed for +another's woe, and who had already griefs and anxieties enough of her own. + +They spoke of her with tenderest compassion, and affectionate pride in her +loveliness of person and character, and her brave endurance of her trial. + +Enna's death could hardly be felt as a personal loss by either, but they +sympathized deeply in the grief of her old father, with whom her faults +seemed to be buried in her grave, while he cherished a lively remembrance +of all that had ever given him pleasure in her looks, words, or ways. + +He was growing old and feeble, and felt this, the death of his youngest +child, a very heavy blow. + +"My poor old father! I fear we shall not have him with us much longer," +Mr. Dinsmore remarked with emotion. + +Elsie's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Dear old grandpa!" she +murmured. "But, dear papa, be comforted! he may live for years yet, and +should it please God to take him, we know that our loss will be his +infinite gain." + +"Yes; would that we had the same assurance in regard to all his children +and grandchildren." + +Silence fell between them for some minutes. + +Elsie knew that her father, when making that last remark, was thinking +more particularly of his half sister, Mrs. Conly, and her daughter +Virginia. + +The two had gone to a fashionable watering-place to spend the last +fortnight of their summer's sojourn at the North, and ere it expired +Virginia had contracted a hasty marriage with a man of reputed wealth, +whom she met there for the first time. + +The match was made with the full consent and approval of her mother--who, +on rejoining the Dinsmores and Travillas, boasted much of "Virginia's +brilliant position and prospects"--but without the knowledge of any other +relative. No opportunity of making inquiries about the character or real +circumstances of the stranger to whom she committed the happiness of her +life, was afforded by Virginia to grandfather, uncle or brothers. + +Of late Mrs. Conly had ceased to boast of the match--scarcely mentioned +Virginia's name; and Mr. Dinsmore had learned from Calhoun and Arthur that +Virginia's letters were no longer shown to any one, and seemed to irritate +and depress their mother so unmistakably that they feared more and more +there was something very much amiss with their sister; yet the mother +steadily evaded all inquiries on the subject. + +Mr. Dinsmore presently told all this to his daughter, adding that he very +much feared Virginia had made an utter wreck of her earthly happiness. + +"Poor Virgie!" sighed Elsie. "Ah! if only she had been blest with such a +father as mine!" turning upon him a look of grateful love. + +"Or such a mother as my granddaughters have," added Mr. Dinsmore, smiling +into the soft, sweet eyes. + +"What blessings my darlings are! how good and lovable in spite of my +failures in right training and example," she said in sincere humility. + +"Those failures and mistakes have been very few, I think," was his reply; +"you have tried very earnestly and prayerfully to train them up in the way +they should go. And God is faithful to his promises--your children do not +depart from the right way; they do arise and call you blessed." + +"Papa," she said, in moved tones, after a moment's silence, "we must not +forget how much is due to the training, the example, and the prayers of +their father." + +"No, daughter; and we can always plead in their behalf the precious +promises to the seed of the righteous. 'I will pour my Spirit upon thy +seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring.' 'A good man leaveth an +inheritance to his children's children.'" + +"Yes, father, how often have those promises been my comfort and support as +the inheritance of both my children and myself; inherited by me from both +you and my sainted mother and her pious ancestors." + +"And from mine; for my mother was a devoted Christian and came of a long +line of God-fearing men and women. But I see nothing yet of Edward and his +party; they must have taken another road." + +"Yes, sir; and shall we not turn now? I ought not to be long away from my +poor sick darlings." + +"I think it would be well to return by the other road; we shall reach it +in a moment, and our ride will be lengthened by but a half mile or so." + +She acquiesced in his decision, as was her custom. + +On the homeward way, as they neared the cross-road leading to the city, +they saw a boy on horseback coming at a hard gallop down it in their +direction. + +On catching sight of them he held aloft what looked like a letter, waving +it about his head in evident desire to attract their attention; then as he +reached their road he halted and waited for them to come up. + +"Mr. Dinsmore, from the Oaks or Ion, isn't it?" he queried, lifting his +cap and bowing to the lady and her escort as they reined in their steeds +close at hand. + +"Yes." + +"A telegram for you, sir." + +Mr. Dinsmore took the missive, tore it open and glanced at the contents, +then, handing it to Elsie, paid the boy and dismissed him. + +"Oh, my poor darling!" she exclaimed, her tears dropping upon the paper. +"Father, what shall we do? tell her at once? Perhaps that would be best." + +"Yes; I think it is her right. But of course it must be done as gently as +possible. Dear daughter, do not grieve too sorely for her; try to trust +her as well as yourself in your heavenly Father's hands." + +"I will, papa, I will! but oh my heart bleeds for her!" + +"Will you break the news to her? or shall I?" + +"My kindest of fathers! you would if possible spare me every trial, bear +all my burdens. But perhaps the dear child may suffer less in hearing the +sad news from her mother's lips, as, in her place, I could bear it better +from yours than from any other." + +"Unselfish as ever, my darling," he said, "but I believe you are +right--that the blow will be somewhat softened to Elsie coming to her +through the medium of her tender and dearly loved mother." + +"I think, papa," Mrs. Travilla said, checking her horse to a walk as they +entered the avenue at Ion, "I shall reserve my communication until my poor +child has had her breakfast." + +He expressed approval of her decision, adding interrogatively, "You will +breakfast with the family this morning?" + +"Yes, sir; if I find all going well in the sick-room." + +A servant was in waiting to lead the horses away to the stable. Violet, +Edward, Harold and Herbert, just returned from their ride, were on the +veranda. + +Edward hastened to assist his mother to alight, and all gathered about her +and their grandfather with morning greetings spoken in cheerful but +subdued tones; no one forgetting for a moment the illness of the little +pet brother and sister, but all inquiring anxiously how they and "Mamma" +had passed the night, and what was cousin Arthur's report of their +condition this morning. + +"No worse, my dears; and we will hope that they may soon be decidedly +better," the mother answered, returning their greetings with affectionate +warmth and smiling sweetly upon them. "But you must let me go at once to +the sick-room, and if all is well I shall be down presently to breakfast +with grandpa and you." + +That announcement was heard with the greater pleasure because her loved +face had seldom been seen at the table for some days past. + +The face was bright and hopeful as she spoke, but an unwonted expression +of sadness and anxiety came over it as she turned quickly away and went +swiftly through the spacious entrance hall and up the broad stairway. + +No earthly eye saw that look, but the traces of tears on her mother's +cheeks had not escaped Vi's keen observation. + +"Grandpa," she said in low, tremulous tones, following him into the +library, whither he went to await the summons to breakfast, "what has +been distressing mamma so? is it that she is so anxious about Elsie and +Walter? May I not know?" + +Mr. Dinsmore paused a moment before he replied. "You shall know all about +it, my dear child, before very long. Be satisfied for the present with the +assurance that your mother's distress is for another's woe. You know what +a tender, sympathetic heart she has. I cannot deny that our little ones +are seriously ill, but their case is very far from hopeless." + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + "Within her heart was his image, + Cloth'd in the beauty of love and youth, as last she beheld him, + Only more beautiful made by his deathlike silence and absence." + --_Longfellow_. + + +The sick ones ware sleeping quietly when the mother entered; the doctor +had already breakfasted, and would assist Aunt Chloe and Dinah in watching +beside them for the next hour, so the two Elsies--mother and +daughter--went down together to the breakfast parlor. + +They were a more silent party than usual at meal-time, for no one could +forget the two absent members of the family, or that they were suffering +upon beds of sickness; yet there was no gloom in any face or voice: their +few words were spoken in cheerful tones, and each seemed unselfishly +intent upon promoting the comfort and happiness of all the others; on the +part of the children, especially of their grandfather and mother; each +young heart was evidently full to overflowing of tenderest sympathy and +love for her. + +She had been closely confined to the sick-room for several days, so that +it was a treat to have her with them at breakfast and at family worship, +which followed directly upon the conclusion of the meal. + +It surprised them a little that when the short service came to an end, she +did not even then return at once to her sick little ones, but putting on a +garden hat invited her eldest daughter to do likewise and come with her +for a short stroll in the grounds. + +"It will do us both good," she said as they stepped from the veranda upon +the broad, gravelled walk, "the air is so sweet and pure at this early +hour; and you have not been out in it at all, have you?" + +"No, mamma; and what a treat it is to take it in your dear company," Elsie +responded, gathering a lovely, sweet-scented flower and placing it in the +bosom of her mother's dress. + +"Thank you, love," Mrs. Travilla said; then went on to speak feelingly of +the beauty and fragrance that surrounded them, and the unnumbered +blessings of their lot in life. + +"Mamma, you seem to have a heart always filled with love and gratitude to +God, and never to be troubled with the least rebellious feeling, or any +doubts or fears for the future," remarked Elsie, sighing slightly as she +spoke. + +"Have we any right or reason to indulge repining, doubts, or fears, when +we know that all is ordered for us by One who loves us with an +everlasting and infinite love, and who is all-wise and all-powerful? O my +darling, no! Well may we say with the Psalmist, 'I will fear no evil, for +thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Surely goodness +and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the +house of the Lord forever.' Oh what a blessed assurance! goodness and +mercy while here in this world of trial--all things working together for +our good, that so we may be brought at last safely to our desired +haven--and then to be forever with the Lord!" + +"Mamma, I have been so anxious and troubled about my little brother and +sister, and about Lester, I needed the lesson you have just given me, and +hope I shall profit by it." + +"My dearest child, have faith in God; try to believe with all your heart +that he will never send you or any of his children one unneeded pang. I am +sure you could never think I--your tender mother--would give you the +slightest pain except for your certain good; and what is my love for you +compared to that of your Saviour? who died that you might live!" + +"Mamma," cried the young girl, pausing in her walk, laying her hand on her +mother's arm and looking searchingly into the sweet, compassionate face, +while her own grew deathly pale, "what is it you are trying to prepare me +for? O mamma!" + +A rustic seat stood close at hand. + +"Let us sit down here for a moment, dear daughter," Mrs. Travilla said, +drawing Elsie to it with an arm about her waist. "You are right, my +child--I have news for you. Oh, not the worst, dearest!" as Elsie seemed +to gasp for breath. "Lester lives, but is very ill with typhoid fever." + +"Mamma!" cried Elsie, starting to her feet, "I must go to him! go at once. +O dearest mother, do not hinder me!" and she clasped her hands in piteous +entreaty, the big tears rapidly chasing each other down her pale cheeks. + +"If I could go with you," faltered the mother, "or your grandfather; but I +can neither leave nor take my little ones, and he would never consent to +leave me, or his poor old father, who seems just tottering on the verge of +the grave." + +"I know! I see! but, O mother, mother! how can I let him die all alone in +a stranger land? Think if it had been you and my father!" + +"What is your entreaty, daughter?" Mr. Dinsmore asked, coming up and +laying his hand affectionately upon his grandchild's shoulder. + +"To go to him--to Lester, grandpa. Oh, how can I stay away and leave him +to die alone? to die for lack of the good nursing I could give him, +perhaps to the saving of his life!" + +"My poor child! my poor dear child!" he said, caressing her; "we will see +what can be done in the way of finding a suitable escort, and if that can +be obtained your mother will not, I think, withhold her consent." + +He had been telling the news to the others, and Edward had followed him, +anxious to express the sympathy for his sister with which his heart was +full. + +"An escort, grandpa?" he said. "Would mine be sufficient? Mamma, if you +will permit me, I shall gladly go to Lester, either with or without +Elsie." + +"My dear boy!" was all his mother said, her tones tremulous with emotion, +while his grandfather turned and regarded him with doubtful scrutiny. + +"Oh, thank you, brother!" cried Elsie. "Mamma, surely you can trust me to +him! Who loves me better? except yourself--and who would take such tender +care of me?" + +"Mamma, I would guard her with my life!" exclaimed Edward earnestly. + +"My dear son, I do not doubt it," Mrs. Travilla answered, turning upon her +father a half-inquiring, half-entreating look. + +"If no older or more experienced person can be found." + +He paused, and Elsie burst out: "O grandpa, dear grandpa, don't say that! +There is no time to lose! no time to look for other escort!" + +"That is true, my child; and we will not waste any time. Make your +preparations as rapidly as you can, and if nothing better offers in the +mean while, and your mother consents to Edward's proposition, you shall go +with him--and Ben who travelled all over Europe with your father and +myself--as your protectors." + +She thanked him fervently through her tears, while her mother said, "Ah +yes, that is a good thought, papa! Ben shall go with them." + +"Better go now and at once select whatever you wish to take with you, and +set some one to packing your trunks," he said. "Edward, do you do +likewise, and I will examine the morning papers for information in regard +to trains and the sailing of the next steamer. Daughter dear," to Mrs. +Travilla, "you need give yourself no concern about any of these matters." + +"No, I shall trust everything to you, my best of fathers, and go back at +once to my sick darlings," she said, giving him a look of grateful love. + +Then passing her arm affectionately about her daughter's waist, she drew +her on toward the house, her father and son accompanying them. + +She parted with Elsie at the door of the sick-room, embracing her tenderly +and bidding her "'Be strong and of a good courage,' my darling, for 'the +eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.'" + +"Dearest mamma, what sweet words!" said the weeping girl. "Oh, how glad I +am that God reigns! and that I know he will send to each of his children +just what is best." + +She turned away as the door closed upon her mother, and found Violet close +at her side. + +There was a silent affectionate embrace, and with their arms about each +other they sought Elsie's dressing-room. + +"Grandpa and Edward have told me," Violet said, "and you will let me help +you, my poor dear sister? help in thinking and selecting what you will +want to carry with you." + +"Gladly, thankfully, for oh, I seem scarcely able to collect my thoughts! +How can I leave mamma and all of you? and the darling little brother and +sister so ill! and yet how can I stay away from Lester when he is sick and +alone in a strange land, with not a friend to speak a cheering word, +smooth his pillow, give his medicine, or see that he has proper food? O +Vi, can I help going to him, even at the sacrifice of leaving all other +near and dear ones?" + +"I think our mother would have done it for papa," Violet answered, kissing +Elsie's cheek. + +Mr. Dinsmore having first seen Ben, and found him more than willing to go +with the children of the master he had loved as his own soul, went to the +library, looked over the papers, and had just found the information he +sought, when the sound of horses' hoofs on the avenue drew his attention, +and glancing from the window he saw the Roselands carriage drive up with +his sister, Mrs. Conly, inside. + +He hastened out to assist her to alight. + +"Good-morning, Horace," she said. "Is my son Arthur here?" + +"Yes, Louise, he has spent the last hour or more in attendance upon our +sick little ones. Ah, here he is to speak for himself!" as the young +doctor stepped from the open doorway. "But won't you come in?" + +She demurred. "Is there any danger, Arthur?" + +"Danger of what, mother?" + +"You certainly understood me," she said half angrily; "danger of +contagion, of course." + +"None for you, surely, mother, and none you could carry home unless you +came in personal contact with the sick children." + +"I shall sit here for a moment, then," she said, stepping from the +carriage and taking a chair upon the veranda. "How are they to-day?" + +"The sick little ones? The disease has not yet reached its crisis." + +"I hope they'll get safely over it: it's a good thing to have over. How +soon can you be spared from here, Arthur?" + +"Now, mother, if I am needed elsewhere, I shall not be needed here--at +least am not likely to be--for some hours." + +"Then I wish you'd come home directly to see what you can do for your +grandfather. He doesn't seem at all well to-day." + +"My father ill?" Mr. Dinsmore exclaimed in a tone of alarm and concern. + +"It hardly amounts to that, I presume," Mrs. Conly answered coldly; "but +he is not well; didn't eat a mouthful of breakfast." + +"Grandpa, did you find what you wanted in the morning paper?" queried +Edward, joining them at this moment. "Ah, Aunt Louise, how d'ye do?" + +She nodded indifferently, listening with some curiosity for her brother's +reply. + +"Yes," he said; "and I think you should leave to-night; for by so doing +you will reach New York in time to take the next steamer, if you meet with +no great detention on the way. Do you think you can both be ready?" + +"I certainly can, sir, and have no doubt Elsie will also." + +"What is it? off to Europe?" asked Mrs. Conly in surprise. "What should +call you two children there at this time?" + +Mr. Dinsmore briefly stated the facts, giving the news of the morning, +Elsie's wish, and Edward's offer to be her escort to Italy. + +"If she were a daughter of mine, I should consider a female companion an +absolute necessity," was Mrs. Conly's comment. + +"She will take her maid of course," said Mr. Dinsmore and Edward, both +speaking at once. + +"Pooh! a maid! I mean a lady relative or friend. I said a companion, and +that a maid could not be." + +"I should be extremely glad if such could be found in the few hours that +we have for our preparations," said her brother, "but I know of none; the +Fairview family are absent, Violet is too young----" + +"Of course," interrupted Mrs. Conly; "but there are other relatives. I +would go myself if my means would warrant the expense." + +"If you are in earnest, Louise, you need not hesitate for a moment on that +score; it shall not cost you a penny," her brother said, looking at her in +pleased but half-incredulous surprise. + +"I was never more in earnest," she answered. "I don't think you give me +much credit for affection for your grandchildren, yet I certainly care too +much for the one in question to willingly see her undertake such a journey +without the support of female companionship. And I can be spared from +home if you and Arthur will look after father; I have no young child now, +and Aunt Maria is fully capable of taking charge of all household matters. +If you wish me to go you have only to say so and guarantee my expenses, +and I shall go home, oversee the packing of my trunks, and be ready as +soon as the young people are." + +"Your offer is a most kind one, Louise, and I accept it even without +waiting to consult with my daughter," Mr. Dinsmore said. + +"Then I must go home at once, and set about my preparations immediately," +she said, rising to take leave. + +Arthur Conly as well as Edward Travilla had been a surprised but silent +listener to the short dialogue. + +"Can you spare your mother, Arthur?" his uncle asked. + +"We must, sir, if it pleases her to go, and for the sake of my two sweet +cousins--Elsie senior and Elsie junior--I willingly consent. You take the +night train I understand?" turning to Edward. + +"Yes; to-night." + +"I shall see that my mother is at the depot in season;" and with that they +took their departure, Mr. Dinsmore saying, as he bade them adieu, that he +should ride over presently to see his father. + +Turning toward Edward, he saw that the lad's eyes were following the +Roselands' carriage down the avenue, his face wearing a rueful look. + +"Grandpa," he said with a sigh, "I see no necessity for Aunt Louise's +company, and, indeed, should very much prefer to be without it." + +"You forget that you are speaking to your grandfather of his sister," Mr. +Dinsmore answered, with a touch of sternness in his tone. + +"I beg your pardon, sir," returned Edward. "She is so unlike you that I am +apt to forget the relationship." + +"I know you do not always find your aunt's company agreeable," remarked +Mr. Dinsmore, "and I do not blame you on that account, yet I think it will +be an advantage to you, and especially to your sister, to have with you a +woman of her age and knowledge of the world. I wish I could go with you +myself, but I cannot think of leaving either my old father or your mother +in this time of trial." + +"No, sir, oh no! Delightful as it would be to both of us for you to make +one of our little party, we would not for the world deprive dear mamma of +the support and comfort of your presence here; nor our dear old +grandfather either." + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + "Filial ingratitude? + Is it not as this mouth should tear this hand + For lifting food to 't?" --_Shaks. Lear_. + + +"This is a very sudden resolve of yours, mother, isn't it?" Dr. Conly +asked, as they drove through the great gates at Ion, into the highway. + +"It is, Arthur, for I had not dreamed of such a wild scheme on the part of +those two silly children until I heard of it from their grandfather's +lips; nor could have believed he would sanction such folly. They ought to +make Elsie stay where she is, and if young Leland dies it will but rid the +family of a prospective plebeian alliance." + +"Very possibly of the sweet girl also," was Arthur's grave response. + +"Nonsense! it is only in novels that girls die of broken hearts." + +"Granting that for argument's sake, it must be very hard to live with +one." + +"Well; it seems she is to be allowed to go, and my offer removes the most +serious objection; yet I have no idea that the sacrifice on my part will +be at all appreciated." + +"Then why make it, mother? I can readily find a substitute; there is Mrs. +Foster, whose health would be greatly benefited by a long sea voyage. She, +I feel certain, would think it a great boon to be allowed this opportunity +of going without expense and in the company of two young people of whom +she is very fond. And you know, mother, that though poor now she was +formerly wealthy, is a perfect lady, and her having been to Europe once or +twice would make her all the more valuable companion to them." + +"You are quite too late with your suggestion, Arthur," was the coldly +spoken reply. "I have passed my word and shall not break it." + +Her son gave her a look of keen scrutiny, then turned his face from her +with a scarcely audible sigh. He read her motives and feelings far more +clearly than she suspected. + +The truth was she was weary of the dulness of home now that the shadow of +bereavement was upon it, and the etiquette of mourning forbade her +attendance upon public assemblages of whatever kind, except church, and +did not allow even so much as a formal call upon strangers or +acquaintance. The society of her now old, feeble, and depressed father was +wearisome to her also. + +Beside she had long had a hankering after a European tour, and this was +too good an opportunity to let slip. Also it would give her a chance to +see for herself what was the trouble with Virginia, whose letters of late +had been of a very disquieting kind; full of reproaches and vague hints of +unhappiness and disappointment in her new life. + +There would probably be a few hours between their arrival in New York and +the sailing of the steamer, in which she could call to see Virginia and +learn with certainty exactly how she was situated. + +Mrs. Travilla received the news of her aunt's offer with a gratitude which +it by no means merited, and the younger Elsie, though not fond of her Aunt +Louise's society, felt that her presence might prove a comfort and support +when she and Edward should find themselves strangers in a foreign land. + +The mother sought this dear eldest child with loving words of cheer and +counsel whenever she could be spared from the sick-room, and Violet, +Harold, and Herbert hung about her as a treasure soon to be snatched from +them, each eager to render any assistance in his or her power. + +The hour of parting came all too soon, and with many tears and embraces +the young travellers were sent on their way. + +The mother's last words to Elsie, as she held her close to her heart with +many a tear and tender caress, were: "'Be strong and of a good courage, +fear not, nor be afraid of them, for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth +go with thee, he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.' To him, the God of +your fathers, do I trust you, my precious child." + +"You also, my dear, dear boy!" taking Edward's hand: "but rejoice in the +thought that you are together, mutual helpers and comforters." + +"Be sure to telegraph us from New York, Edward, again as soon as possible +after landing on the other side, and a third time when you have seen +Lester and can report his exact condition," was Mr. Dinsmore's parting +injunction, as with a most affectionate farewell he left them in the +sleeping-car. + +Mrs. Conly had joined them at the depot, according to promise. + +All three retired at once to their berths, and Elsie wept herself to +sleep, thinking of the dear ones left behind; especially the mother who +had so tenderly cherished her from her birth and the sick little ones who, +she feared, might not be there to welcome her return. Thinking too of him +to whom she was going, his probable suffering, and the dread possibility +that at her journey's end she should find only his grave. + +They reached New York in good season, having met with no accident or +detention. The steamer would not leave for some hours, but it was Elsie's +desire to go directly on board. + +"I think that will be your best plan," said Mrs. Conly. "You can then +settle yourself in your state-room at once; and while Dinah unpacks what +you will need on the voyage, you can lie in your berth and rest. You are +looking greatly fatigued." + +"You will come with us, Aunt Louise, will you not?" both the young people +asked. + +"No, I must see Virginia. I shall have time for an hour's chat with her +and yet to reach the vessel some time before the hour fixed for her +sailing. Edward, you will see that my luggage is taken on board?" + +"Certainly, aunt; but shall we not first drive to Virginia's residence and +leave you there? And I return for you after seeing my sister and the +luggage on board the steamer?" + +"No, not at all!" she answered stiffly. "I am obliged for your offer, but +where would be the use? You may tell Ben to call a hack for me. I'll have +it wait at Virginia's door and drive me to the wharf when I am ready to +go." + +Edward, thinking he had never known her so considerate and kind, hastened +to carry out her wishes, bidding Ben engage two hacks--one for Mrs. Conly +and another for themselves. + +Consideration for her nephew and niece had nothing to do with Mrs. Conly's +plans and arrangements. If, as she greatly feared, Virginia were living in +other than aristocratic style, she would not for the world have it known +among the relatives who had heard her boasts in regard to Virgie's grand +match; "so much better than Isa had been led into while under the care of +her grandfather and uncle." + +She had never before heard of the street mentioned in Virginia's last +letter, and her heart misgave her as to its being one of the most +fashionable for the abodes of the wealthy. The curiously scrutinizing look +and odd smile of the hack-driver when she gave him the address did not +tend to reassure her. + +"Drive me there as quickly as you can," she ordered, drawing herself up +and flashing an indignant glance at him. "I have no time to waste." + +"Sure, mum, I'll do that same," he returned, touching his horses with the +whip. + +"Where are you taking me? What do you mean by bringing me into such a vile +region as this?" she demanded presently, as the hack turned into a narrow +and very dirty street. + +"It's the shortest cut to the place ye said ye wanted to go till, mum," he +answered shortly. + +She sank back with a sigh and closed her eyes for a moment. She was very +weary with her long journey and more depressed than she had ever been in +her life before. + +The drive seemed the longest and most unpleasant she had ever undertaken; +she began to wish she had been content to sail for Europe without trying +to find Virginia. But at last the vehicle stopped, the driver reached down +from his seat and opened the door. + +His passenger put out her head, glanced this way and that, scanned the +house before her, and angrily demanded, "What are you stopping here for?" + +"Bekase ye tould me to, mum; it's the place ye said ye wanted to come +till." + +Mrs. Conly looked at the number over the door, saw that it was the one she +had given him, then in a voice she vainly tried to make coldly +indifferent, inquired of some children who had gathered on the sidewalk to +gaze in open-mouthed curiosity at her and the hack, if this were ---- +street. + +The answer confirmed the driver's assertion, and she hastily alighted. + +The house was a large tenement swarming with inhabitants, as was evidenced +by the number of heads in nearly every front window, drawn thither by the +unusual event of the stopping of a hack before the door of entrance. It +stood wide open, giving a view of an unfurnished hall and stairway, both +of which were in a very untidy condition. + +"Does Mr. Henry Neuville live here?" Mrs. Conly asked, addressing the +group of staring children. + +"Dunno," said one. "Guess not," said another. + +"Mebbe thems the grand folks as moved intill the second story front +t'other week," observed a third. "I'll show ye the way, lady," and he +rushed past her into the house and ran nimbly up the dirty stairs. + +Mrs. Conly lifted her skirts and followed, her heart sinking like lead in +her bosom. Could it be possible that Virginia had come to this? + +Halting before the door of the front room on the second floor, the lad +gave a thundering rap, then opened it, shouting, "Here's a old lady to see +ye, Mrs. Novel; if that's yer name." + +"What do you mean by rushing in on me in this rude way, you young rascal?" +demanded a shrill female voice, which Mrs. Conly instantly recognized as +that of her daughter. "Begone instantly! begone, I say!" + +"Go, go!" Mrs. Conly said to the boy, in half smothered tones, putting a +small coin into his hand; then staggering into the room she dropped into a +chair, gasping for breath. + +"Virginia, Virginia! can it be possible that I find you in such a place +as this?" she cried, as the latter started up from a lounge on which she +had been lying with a paper-covered novel in her hand. + +Her hair was in crimping-pins, her dress most slatternly, and her +surroundings were in keeping with her personal appearance. + +"Mamma!" she exclaimed in utter astonishment and confusion. "How did you +get here? how did you come? You should have sent me word. I have no way to +accommodate you." + +"Don't be alarmed, I have no intention of staying more than an hour. I +start for Europe by to-day's steamer, with Elsie and Edward Travilla. +Lester Leland's ill, dying I presume, and the silly love-sick girl must +needs rush to the rescue." + +"And why are you to go with her? why don't the mother and grandfather and +the whole family accompany her, after their usual fashion of all keeping +together?" + +"Because Rosie and Walter are down with the measles; much too ill to +travel." + +"And you are going to Europe to enjoy yourself, while I must live here in +a New York tenement house occupied by the very dregs of society, and as +the wife of a drunkard, gambler, and rake; a man--or rather a brute--who +lives by his wits, abuses me like the pickpocket that he is, half starves +me, and expects me to do all the work, cooking, cleaning, and everything +else, even to washing and ironing of the few clothes he hasn't pawned; me! +a lady brought up to have servants to wait upon her at every turn!" + +"O Virgie, Virgie! it can't be so bad as that!" cried her mother, clasping +her hands in an agony of distress, and gazing piteously at her, the hot +tears streaming down her face. + +"I tell you it is that and worse! and all your fault, for you made the +match! you hurried me into it lest grandpa, uncle, or brothers should +interfere, find out that the man's morals were not good according to their +high standard, and prevent me from marrying him." + +"You were in as great haste and as much opposed to their interference as +I, Virginia!" the mother retorted, drawing herself up in proud anger. + +"Well, and what of that! you brought me up, and I was only following out +the teachings you have given me from my cradle. I tell you it was your +doing; but I must reap what you have sowed. I wish I was dead!" She flung +her book from her as she spoke, turned and paced the room, her hands +clenched, her eyes flashing, her teeth set hard. + +She had not drawn near her mother, or given her one word of welcome or +thanks for having turned aside from her journey to inquire into her +welfare. + +"'Oh, sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child!'" +exclaimed Mrs. Conly in anguished accents, rising as if to go, but +instantly falling heavily to the floor. + +Virginia rushed to her side, half frantic with terror. + +"Oh, mother, mother, what is it? What have I done! what have I done! I +know you're the best friend I have in the world!" she cried, stooping over +her, loosening her bonnet-strings and dress, and trying vainly to lift her +to the lounge, for she was a large, heavy woman and now in a state of +utter insensibility, her face purple, her breathing stertorous. + +The sound of her fall and Virginia's terrified shriek had brought the +neighbors flocking upon the scene; some of the boldest opening the door +and ushering themselves in without the ceremony of knocking. + +"The lady's in a fit!" cried a woman, hurrying to Virginia's assistance; +"you've druv her to distraction; you shouldn't a ben so abusive; I could +hear ye clear into my room a scoldin' and accusin' of her of makin' your +match fer ye." + +"Run for a doctor, some of you!" cried Virginia, standing by the couch +where, with the woman's help, she had laid her mother, and wringing her +hands in helpless distress. "Oh, she'll die! she'll die! Mother, mother! +I'm sorry I was so cruel! Oh, I take it all back. Oh, mother, speak to +me!" + +"'Tain't no use," said the woman, "she don't hear ye. An' if she did she +couldn't speak. I've seen folks struck down with apoplexy afore." + +"Oh, will she die? will she die?" groaned the wretched daughter, dropping +on her knees beside the couch. + +"Can't tell, mum; sometimes they die in a little bit, and sometimes they +get purty well over it and live on for years. Here, let me put another +pillar under her head, and some o' ye there run and fetch the coldest +water that ever ye can git." + +Some one had summoned a physician, and he presently came hurrying in. His +first act was to send every one from the room except the patient and her +two attendants. + +With tears and sobs Virginia besought him to save her mother's life. + +"I shall certainly do my best, madam," he said, "but very little can be +done at present. What was the immediate cause of the attack?" + +Virginia answered vaguely that her mother was fatigued with a long journey +and had been worried and fretted. + +"This is not her home?" glancing around the meanly furnished dirty room. + +"No; neither she nor I have been accustomed to such surroundings," +answered Virginia haughtily. "Can you not see that we are ladies? We are +from the South, and mother has but just arrived. Oh, tell me, is she going +to die?" + +"Her recovery is doubtful. If she has other near relatives who care to see +her alive, I advise you to summon them with all speed." + +"Oh dear! oh dear! you must save her!" cried Virginia frantically, +wringing her hands. "I can't have her die. They'll say I killed her! But +every word I said was true; she did all in her power to make the match +that has ruined my happiness and all my prospects for life." + +"So you, her own daughter, have brought this on by cruel taunts and +reproaches!" the physician said in a tone of mingled contempt and +indignation. "I hope you feel that the least you can do now is to take the +best possible care of her." + +"How can I?" sobbed Virginia. "I've no money to pay a nurse or buy +comforts for mother, and I know nothing about nursing or cooking for sick +or well. I wasn't brought up to work." + +A boy now came to the door with a message from the hackman; "he couldn't +stay any longer if the lady wasn't going to the steamer, and he wanted +his pay." + +Virginia opened a small satchel that had dropped from her mother's hand, +found her purse, paid the man his dues, and counting the remainder told +the doctor there was enough to provide what would be needed for the +patient until other relatives could be summoned, and that should be done +at once by telegrams to be paid by the recipients. + +The doctor approved, and kindly offered to attend to sending the messages +for her. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + "O gloriously upon the deep + The gallant vessel rides, + And she is mistress of the winds, + And mistress of the tides." + --_Miss Landon_. + + +Meanwhile Edward had taken his sister on board the steamer, and she, +greatly exhausted by grief, anxiety, and fatigue, had at once retired to +her berth. + +Edward also was weary and in need of sleep, so presently went to his +state-room, leaving Ben to attend to the luggage and watch for Mrs. +Conly's arrival. + +Faithful Ben waited patiently about for a couple of hours, then began to +grow uneasy lest Mrs. Conly should not arrive in season. Another hour +passed, and he reluctantly roused his young master to ask what could be +done. + +"What's wanted?" Edward asked, waked by Ben's loud rap on the state-room +door. + +"Miss Louise she hasn't come yet, Marse Ed'ard," he said, "and de +steamah'll be startin' fo' long. I don' know whar to go to look her up, so +please excuse me for rousin' ye, sah." + +"Hasn't come yet, do you say, Ben? and the vessel about to sail?" +exclaimed Edward in dismay, springing from his berth to open the door. +"Why, yes," looking at his watch, "there's barely half an hour left, and I +don't see what we can do." + +"No time now fo' me to go an' hunt up Miss Louise, Marse Ed'ard? Ise berry +sorry, sah, dat I didn't come soonah to ax you 'bout it, but I didn't like +to 'sturb you," said Ben, looking much distressed. + +"Never mind, Ben," Edward answered kindly, "you couldn't have gone for +her, because she gave me no address, and I have not the least idea where +to send for her." + +"Den what am to be done, sah?" + +"We will have to sail without her. I could not think of asking my sister +to wait for the next steamer," Edward said, more as if thinking aloud than +talking to Ben. + +The latter bowed respectfully and withdrew, but only to come hurrying back +the next moment with a telegram from Virginia. + +"Mother taken suddenly ill. Remains with me. Send luggage to No. ---- +street." + +This news of his aunt's illness caused Edward regret not wholly unmingled +with satisfaction in the thought of being spared her companionship on the +voyage and afterward. + +He read the message aloud to Ben. "You see it would have done no good if +we could have gone for her," he remarked. "But go, make haste to have the +baggage sent ashore to the address given here." + +Elsie's state-room adjoined her brother's. She too had been roused by +Ben's knock and overheard a part of what passed between him and his young +master. Dinah also was listening. + +"What dat dey say, Miss Elsie?" she queried in a startled tone, "Miss +Louise sick?" + +"I think that was what Master Edward said; but go to his door, Dinah, and +ask." + +Edward came himself with his answer and bringing a second telegram; this +time from their grandfather, saying the children were decidedly better, +all the rest of the family well. + +"Oh, what good news!" exclaimed Elsie. "But poor Aunt Louise! I wish we +knew her exact condition. Do you not think it must have been a sudden +seizure?" + +"Yes, of either illness or desire to remain behind. Don't let it worry +you, sister dear. You have already quite enough of anxiety to endure." + +"No," she said, with a sweet, patient smile, "I am trying not to be +anxious or troubled about anything, but to obey the sweet command, +'casting all your care upon Him.'" + +"'For He careth for you,'" added Edward, completing the quotation. "It +is, as you say, a sweet command, most restful to those who obey it. Have +you slept?" + +"Yes, I have had a long and very refreshing nap; still I have not +recovered from my fatigue, and shall not leave my state-room for some time +yet." + +"Let me send in your supper," he said. "I hope it will refresh you still +more, and that after it you may feel equal to a turn on deck with me. It +will be moonlight, and if you wrap up well you will not find the air more +than bracingly keen." + +"Thank you," she said. "It is altogether likely I shall find the exercise +of a short promenade rather restful than otherwise, after being so long +cramped up in the cars. You are a dear, good brother to me, Ned," she +added, laying her hand affectionately on his arm as he sat on the edge of +the berth close by her side. "But how strange it seems that we two are +starting off on this long voyage alone!" + +"I'm so proud to be trusted to take care of you, Elsie," he returned, +bending over her and tenderly smoothing her luxuriant hair. "I used to +look up to you years ago, but now----" + +"You look down on me?" she interrupted sportively. "No great feat, Master +Ned, while I lie here." + +"Nor when we stand side by side," he returned in the same tone, 'seeing I +have grown to be a full head taller than you. But truth compels me to +acknowledge that I am your superior in nothing else except physical +strength." + +"You might add knowledge of the world, you have had to rely on your own +judgment so much oftener than I who have so seldom left mamma's side. +Dear, dear mamma! Oh, Ned, how long will it be before I see her again?" + +She wept as she spoke, and Edward felt for the moment strongly inclined to +join her. But instead he tried to cheer her. + +"We will hope Cousin Arthur may prescribe a sea voyage for grandpa and the +children before long, and then we shall have the whole family joining us +in Italy." + +"How delightful that would be, Ned!" she said, smiling through her tears. + +"And do you know," he went on gayly, "it is strongly impressed upon me +that we shall find Lester convalescent, and by good nursing and our +cheering companionship so help it on that we shall have him a well man in +a few weeks." + +"Ah, if it might be so!" she sighed. "'But He doeth all things well,' and +oh how precious are His promises! 'As thy days thy strength shall be.' 'I +will never leave thee nor forsake thee.' 'When thou passest through the +waters I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not +overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be +burned; neither shall the flames kindle upon thee.' And then that glorious +assurance, 'We _know_ that all things work together for good to them that +love God.' Oh, Ned, our one great need is more and stronger faith!" + +"Yes, the faith which worketh by love! Let me read you that eighth chapter +of Romans. I do not know what could be more comforting," he said, taking a +small Testament from his pocket. + +"Thank you," she said when he had finished. "Ah, what could be sweeter +than those concluding verses! 'For I am persuaded that neither death, nor +life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor +things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be +able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our +Lord!'" + +"Elsie, I think if our mother had never done anything else for her +children," remarked Edward earnestly, "they would owe her an eternal debt +of gratitude for storing their minds as she has with the very words of +inspiration." + +"Yes, 'the entrance of Thy words giveth light, it giveth understanding to +the simple.' 'The law of Thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of +gold and silver.'" + +Ben came to the door. "Dey says dey's goin' to fotch up de anchor and +start de wessel, Marse Ed'ard. Don't you and Miss Elsie want for to see +it?" + +"Yes, sister, do you not wish to see the last you may, for the present, of +your dear native land?" queried Edward in a lively tone. "'Twill take but +a moment to don hat and shawl, and I shall be proud to give you the +support of my arm." + +"Yes, I do," she said, rising with alacrity and hastily making the needful +preparations. + +Ben preceded them to the deck and found comfortable seats for them in the +front rank of those who were there on the same errand. + +Elsie's tears began to fall as she saw the shore receding. + +"Oh," she murmured very low and sadly, leaning on her brother's shoulder +and clinging more closely to him, "shall we ever return? ever see again +the dear land of our birth and all our loved ones left behind?" + +"There is every reason to hope so, dear sister," he whispered in return. +"A voyage to Europe is not the great and perilous undertaking it used to +be; and we are under the same protecting care here as on land. 'And the +Lord, he it is that doth go before thee, he will be with thee, he will +not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.'" + +She looked her thanks. "'Fear not;' sweet command! I must, I will obey it. +Oh, how true it is that in keeping His commands there is great reward! I +am fully convinced that in the perfect keeping of them all perfect +happiness would be found." + +A gentleman standing near turned suddenly round. The tones of Elsie's +voice had reached him, though very few of the words. + +"Ah, I thought I could not be mistaken in that voice," he said +delightedly, and offering his hand in cordial greeting. "How are you, Miss +Elsie? and you, Ned? Really you are the last people I expected to meet +here, though the very ones I should prefer above all others as _compagnons +de voyage_." + +It was Philip Ross, Jr. + +Neither of those addressed had ever enjoyed his society, and they were too +sincere and true to reciprocate his expressions of gratification at the +unexpected meeting. They accepted his offered hand, made kind inquiries in +regard to his health and that of the other members of the family, and +asked if any of them were on board. + +"No," he said, "it's merely a business trip that I take quite frequently. +But ma and the girls are in Paris now, went last June and expect to stay +for another six months or longer. You two aren't here alone, eh?" + +"Yes," Edward said. + +"You don't say so!" cried Philip, elevating his eyebrows. "Who'd ever have +believed your careful mother--not to speak of your grandfather--would ever +trust you so far from home by yourselves!" + +"Mr. Ross," Edward said, reddening, "I shall reach my majority a few +months hence, and have been considered worthy of trust by both mother and +grandpa, for years past." + +"Mamma did not show the slightest hesitation in committing me to his +care," added Elsie in her sweet, gentle tones. + +"Glad to hear it! didn't mean any insinuation that I didn't consider you +worthy of all trust, Ned; only that Mrs. Travilla and the old governor +have always been so awfully strict and particular." + +Elsie, to whom the slang term was new, looked at the speaker with a +slightly puzzled expression; but Edward, who fully understood it, drew +himself up with offended dignity. + +"Permit me to remark, Mr. Ross, that so disrespectful an allusion to my +honored grandfather can never be other than extremely offensive to me, and +to all his children and grandchildren." + +"Beg your pardon, Nod, and yours, Miss Elsie" (he would have liked to +drop the Miss, but something in her manner prevented him), "I call my own +father the governor--behind his back you know--and meant no offence in +applying the term to Mr. Dinsmore." + +His apology was accepted, and the talk turned upon the various objects of +interest within sight as they passed through the harbor. + +When there was little more to see but sky and water, Elsie retired to her +state-room, where she stayed until evening. Then Edward came for her, and +they passed an hour very enjoyably in promenading the deck or sitting side +by side, looking out upon the moonlit waters. + +"I wish we hadn't happened upon Phil Ross," Edward remarked in an +undertone far from hilarious. "I fear he will, according to custom, make +himself very disagreeable to you." + +"I have been thinking it over, Ned," she answered, "and have come to the +conclusion that the better plan will be for you to take the first +favorable opportunity to tell him of my engagement and what is the object +of our journey." + +"I presume such a course will be likely to save you a good deal of +annoyance," Edward said; "and as we are old acquaintances, and he +evidently full of a curiosity that will assuredly lead to his asking some +questions, I think it will be no difficult matter to give him the +information without seeming to thrust it upon him." + +At that moment Philip came up and joined them, helping himself to a seat +on Elsie's other side. He seemed to be, as of old, on the best of terms +with himself and very graciously disposed toward Elsie. + +He, too, had been thinking of the, to him, fortunate chance (Elsie would +have called it providence) which had thrown them together where for some +days they were likely to see much of each other. He had heard a report of +her engagement, but refused to credit it. "She had always been fond of him +and it wasn't likely she would throw herself away on somebody else." And +now he had come to the decision to offer her his hand, heart, and fortune +without delay. He was rich enough, and why should he keep her in suspense +any longer? + +He indulged in a few trivial commonplaces, then invited her to take a turn +with him on the deck. + +But she declined with thanks, "he must excuse her for she was greatly +fatigued and must retire at once." And with a kindly "Good-night," she +withdrew to her state-room, Edward again giving her the support of his +arm. + +Philip was literally struck dumb with surprise, and did not recover his +speech until she was gone. + +Edward returned presently, and as he resumed his seat by Philip's side the +latter asked, "Is your sister out of health, Ned?" + +"No; but we are just off a long and fatiguing journey; she was not at her +best state either when we left home, because of care and nursing of the +sick children. And in addition to all that she is enduring much grief and +anxiety." + +"May I ask on what account?" + +"Yes; I have no objection to telling you the whole story, considering what +old acquaintances we are, and the life-long friendship of our mothers. +Lester Leland, Elsie's betrothed, is lying very ill in Rome, and we are +making all haste to join him there." + +"Her betrothed!" cried Philip, starting to his feet, "her betrothed did +you say? why--why, I've always expected to marry her myself; thought it +was an understood thing in both families, and----" + +"I am sure I do not know upon what grounds you entertained such an idea," +returned Edward in a tone of mingled indignation and disgust. + +"Grounds, man! I'm sure it would seem the most natural thing in the +world--each the eldest child of intimate and dear friends--and I have +never made any secret of my preference for her----" + +"Which amounts to nothing unless it had been reciprocated." + +"Reciprocated! I've always thought it was, and delayed speaking out +plainly only because I considered myself safe in waiting to grow a little +richer." + +"In which you were egregiously mistaken. Now let me assure you once for +all, that Elsie never has and never will care for any man in that way but +Lester Leland." + +At that Philip turned and walked rapidly away. "I'd rather have lost all +I'm worth!" he muttered to himself. "Yes; every cent of it. But as to her +never caring for anybody else if that fellow was out o' the way, I don't +believe it. And he may die; may be dead now. Well, if he is I'll keep a +sharp look-out that nobody else gets ahead of me." + +His self-love and self-conceit had received a pretty deep wound, his eyes +were opened to the fact that Elsie avoided being alone with him, never +appearing on deck without her brother, and he did not trouble her much +during the remainder of the voyage, did not make his intended offer. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + "I feel + Of this dull sickness at my heart afraid + And in my eyes the death sparks flash and fade + And something seems to steal + Over my bosom like a frozen hand." + --_Willis_. + + +Dr. Arthur Conly rode briskly up the avenue at Roselands, dismounted, +throwing the bridle to a servant, and went up the steps into the veranda, +whistling softly to himself. + +"You seem in good spirits, Art," remarked Calhoun, who sat there with the +morning paper in his hand. "I haven't heard you whistle before for--well I +should say something like a fortnight." + +"I am in good spirits, Cal, the Ion children are out of danger, and uncle +has just had a telegram from Ned announcing the safe arrival of their +party in New York in good season to take the steamer." + +"I presume this tells the same story, though I can't think why it isn't +directed to grandpa, or to me as the eldest son of the house," Calhoun +said, handing an unopened telegram to his brother. + +Arthur tore it hastily open, glanced at the contents and paled to the very +lips. + +"What is it?" cried Calhoun in alarm. + +"Mother!" said Arthur huskily, putting the paper into his brother's +outstretched hand. "She has been struck down with apoplexy. Cal, I must +take the first train for New York. Look at the paper, see when it leaves. +Thank God that those children are out of danger! But I must see whom I can +get to take charge of them and my other patients during my absence." + +Then calling to a servant he directed a fresh horse to be saddled and +brought to the door with all speed, and hurrying into the house, summoned +his old mammy and bade her pack a valise with such clothing as he would +need on a journey to the North which might occupy a week or more. + +"You are acting very promptly," Calhoun said, following him in to give the +desired information in regard to the train. + +"Yes, there's not a minute to lose, Cal." + +Calhoun's face was full of grief and anxiety. "I think I should go, too, +Art, if--if you think there's any probability of--finding her alive." + +"It's impossible to tell. But we can hardly both be spared from home. It +should be kept from grandpa as long as possible, and if he saw us both +rushing off in the direction she has taken, he would know at once that +something very serious had happened her." + +"Yes, you are right, and for the first time I envy you your medical +knowledge and skill. She's with Virginia, the message is sent by her," +glancing again at the paper which he still held in his hand. "I'm glad of +that--that she has at least one of her children with her, if----" + +He paused and Arthur finished the sentence. "If she will be of any use or +comfort to her, you were about to say? Well, we can only hope that so +terrible an emergency has developed some hitherto unsuspected excellencies +in Virginia's character." + +A horse came galloping up the avenue. Calhoun glanced from the window. + +"Another telegram!" he cried, and both brothers dashed out upon the +veranda. + +This was directed to Calhoun, sent from Philadelphia by their uncle Edward +Allison. He and Adelaide would be with Mrs. Conly in two hours, telegraph +at once in what condition they found her, and if practicable start with +her immediately for her home. + +The brothers consulted together, and Arthur decided to go on with his +preparations, but delay setting out upon his journey until the coming of +the promised message. + +It came in due time, and from it they learned that their mother was +already on her way home. + +The sad tidings had now to be communicated to the other near relatives, +but it was deemed best to keep them from the younger children and the +feeble old father until the day when she might be expected to arrive. + +As gently and tenderly as possible the old gentleman's son broke the news +to him. + +He was much overcome. "She will never get over it, I fear," he sighed, the +tears coursing down his furrowed cheeks. "One bereavement is apt to tread +closely upon the heels of another, and she will probably soon follow her +sister. But oh if I only knew that she had been washed from her sins in +the precious blood of Christ, that she had accepted His invitation, 'Come +unto me,' so that death would be but falling asleep in Him, safe in His +arms, safe on His gentle breast--I think I could let her go almost +willingly, for my race is well nigh run, and it can hardly be long ere I +too shall get my summons home." + +"Dear father, if such be the will of God, may you be spared to us for many +years yet," returned his son with emotion. "And Louise! We do not know her +exact condition, but let us hope that God will in His great mercy give her +yet more time--months or years--in which to prepare for eternity. We will +cry earnestly for her, and in the name of Christ, to Him who hath said, 'I +have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth,' but bids them 'Turn +yourselves and live ye.'" + +"Yes; and whose promise is, 'If two of you shall agree on earth, as +touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my +Father which is in heaven!'" + +Silence fell between them for a moment, then the old gentleman asked, +"What arrangements have the boys made? She will hardly be able to drive +home in a carriage." + +"Oh no! they will meet her at the depot with an ambulance, and I shall be +there with the carriage for Mr. Allison, Adelaide, and Virginia." + +"Virginia is coming too?" + +"We do not know certainly, but expect to see her with the others." + +"I cannot say that I hope you will. I never saw a more useless person; she +will be only in the way; and--I cannot banish a suspicion that she has +brought this attack upon her poor mother. I strongly suspect that +Virginia's match has turned out a very bad one, and that she has heaped +reproaches upon her mother for the hand she had in bringing it about." + +"I hope not!" his son exclaimed with energy; "for if so it must surely be +the cause of life-long self-reproach to her. Will you go with us to the +depot, father?" + +"No, no, my son! let my first sight of my poor stricken child be where we +will not be the gazing stock of an idle, curious crowd. I shall meet her +here at my own door." + +The train steamed into the depot, and Mrs. Allison, glancing from a window +of the parlor-car, saw her brother and nephews standing near the track. + +They saw her, too, and lifted their hats with a sad sort of smile. All +felt that the invalid must be unable to sit up or her face also would have +been in sight. + +In another moment the train had come to a stand-still, and the next the +three gentlemen were beside the couch on which Mrs. Conly lay. + +She looked up at her sons with eyes full of intelligence, made an effort +to speak, but in vain; and the big tears rolled down her cheeks. + +They bent over her with hearts and eyes full to overflowing. + +"Mother, dear mother, we are glad you have come to us alive," Calhoun said +in low, tremulous tones. + +"And we hope we shall soon have you much better," added Arthur. + +"Yes," said Adelaide, "she is already better than when we first saw her in +New York, but has not yet recovered her speech and can not help herself +at all. One side seems to be quite paralyzed." + +"We have an ambulance waiting," said Calhoun. "As soon as the crowd is out +of the way it shall be brought close to the platform of this car and we +will lift her into it." + +Greetings were exchanged while they waited. + +"Where is Virginia?" asked Mr. Dinsmore. + +"She preferred to remain behind," replied Mrs. Allison in a low-toned +aside, "and as she would have been of no use whatever, we did not urge her +to come." + +"It is just as well," was Mr. Dinsmore's comment. + +Very tenderly and carefully the poor invalid was lifted and placed in the +ambulance by her sons and brothers. The former accompanied her in it, +while the latter, with Mrs. Allison, entered the Roselands family +carriage, and drove thither considerably in advance of the more slowly +moving ambulance. + +"Has Virginia made a really good match?" Mr. Dinsmore asked, addressing +his sister Adelaide. + +"Good! it could hardly be worse!" she exclaimed. "Would you have believed +it? we found them in a tenement-house, living most wretchedly." + +"Is it possible! He was not wealthy then? Or has he lost his means since +the marriage?" + +"As far as I can learn," said Mr. Allison, "he has always lived by his +wits; he is a professional gambler now." + +"Dreadful! How does he treat his wife?" + +"Very badly indeed, if we may credit her story. They live, as the saying +is, like cat and dog, actually coming to blows at times. They are both +bitterly disappointed, each having married the other merely for money; +which neither had." + +Mr. Dinsmore looked greatly concerned. "Virginia was never a favorite of +mine," he remarked, "but I do not like to think of her as suffering from +either poverty or the abusive treatment of a bad husband. Can nothing be +done to better her condition?" + +"I think not at present," said Adelaide; "she has made her bed and will +have to lie in it. I don't believe the man would ever proceed to personal +violence if she did not exasperate him with taunts and reproaches; with +slaps, scratches, and hair pulling also, he says." + +"O disgraceful!" exclaimed her uncle. "I have no pity for her if she is +really guilty of such conduct." + +"She told me herself that on one occasion she actually threw a cup of +coffee in his face in return for his accusation that she and her mother +had inveigled him into the marriage by pretences to wealth they did not +possess. Poor Louise! I have no doubt her attack was brought on by the +discovery of the great mistake she and Virginia had made, and reproaches +heaped on her for her share in making the match." + +"'Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap,'" sighed Mr. Dinsmore. +"I presume Virginia was too proud to show herself here among relatives +whose approval of the match had not been asked, and acquaintances who had +heard of it as a splendid affair?" + +"Your conjecture is entirely correct," said Adelaide. "She gave vent to +her feelings on the subject in her mother's presence, supposing, I +presume, as I did, that not being able to speak or move, she was also +unable to hear or understand, but it was evident from the piteous +expression her countenance assumed and the tears coursing down her cheeky +that she did both." + +"Poor Louise! she has a sad reaping--so far as that ungrateful, undutiful +daughter is concerned; but Isa, Calhoun, and Arthur are of quite another +stamp." + +"Yes, indeed! she will surely find great comfort in them. I wish Isa was +not so far away. But you have not told me how my dear old father is. How +has he borne this shock?" + +"It was a shock of course, especially to one so old and feeble; but I left +him calmly staying himself upon his God." + +They arrived at Roselands some time before the ambulance. They found the +whole household, and also Mrs. Howard, her husband and sons, and Mrs. +Travilla, gathered upon the veranda to receive them. + +Lora stood by her father's side and Elsie too was very near, both full of +loving care for him in this time of sore trial. + +And Adelaide's first thought, first embrace, were for him. They wept a +moment in each other's arms. + +"Is she--is she alive?" he faltered. + +"Yes, father, and we hope may get up again. Be comforted for her and for +yourself; because 'He doeth all things well,' and 'We know that all things +work together for good to them that love God.'" + +"Yes, yes; and who can tell but this may be His appointed means for +bringing her into the fold!" + +There had been time for an exchange of greetings all around and a few +comforting words to the younger Conlys, when the ambulance was seen +entering the avenue. + +With beating hearts and tearful eyes they watched its slow progress. Lying +helpless and speechless in the shadow of death, Louise Conly seemed +nearer and dearer than ever before to father, children, brothers and +sisters. + +The ambulance stopped close to the veranda steps, and the same strong, +loving arms that had placed her in it now lifted her anew and bore her +into the house, the others looking on in awed and tearful silence. + +She was carried to her own room, laid upon the bed, and one by one they +stood for an instant at her side with a kiss of welcome. + +It was evident that she knew them all, though able to speak only with +those sad, wistful eyes that gazed with new yearning affection into the +faces of father and children. + +But presently Arthur, by virtue of his medical authority, banished all +from the room except Lora, Elsie, and a faithful and attached old negress +who had lived all her days in the family and was a competent nurse. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + "Then come the wild weather--come sleet or come snow, + We will stand by each other, however it blow; + Oppression and sickness, and sorrow and pain, + Shall be to our true love as links to the chain." + --_Longfellow_. (From the German.) + + +"Courage, sister dear!" whispered Edward Travilla, putting an arm tenderly +about Elsie's waist as they found themselves at the very door of Lester +Leland's studio. + +Her face had grown very pale and she was trembling with agitation. + +Still supporting her with his arm, Edward rapped gently upon the door, and +at the same instant it was opened from within by the attending physician, +who had just concluded his morning call upon his patient. + +He was an Italian of gentlemanly appearance and intelligent countenance. + +"Some friends of Signor Leland: from America?" he said in good English and +with a polite bow. + +"Yes. How is he?" Edward asked, stepping in and drawing his sister on with +him. + +"Sick, signor, very sick, but he will grow better now. I shall expect to +see him up in a few weeks," the doctor answered with a significant glance +and smile as he turned, with a second and still lower bow, to the sweet, +fair maiden. + +She did not see it, for her eyes were roving round the room--a disorderly +and comfortless place enough, but garnished with some gems of art; an +unfinished picture was on the easel; there were others with their faces to +the wall; models, statues in various stages of completion, and the +implements of painter and sculptor were scattered here and there; a +screen, an old lounge, a few chairs, and a table littered with books, +papers, and drawing materials, completed the furniture of the large, +dreary apartment. + +An open door gave a glimpse into an inner room, from which came a slight +sound as of a restless movement, a sigh or groan. + +Pointing to the chairs, the physician invited the strangers to be seated. + +Edward put his sister in one and took possession of another close at her +side. + +"How soon can we see Mr. Leland?" he asked, putting his card into the +doctor's hand. + +"I will go and prepare Signor Leland for the interview," the doctor +answered, and disappeared through the open doorway. + +"Good news for you, signor!" they heard him say in a quiet tone. + +"Ah! let me hear it," sighed a well-known voice. "'As cold water to a +thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.'" + +"You are right, signor, it comes from far-off America. A friend--a young +signor has arrived, and asks to see you." + +"Ah! his name?" exclaimed the sick man, with a tremor of gladness in his +feeble tones. + +"Here is his card." + +"'Edward Travilla!'--ah what joy! Let me see him at once. 'Twill be like a +breath of home air!" + +Every word had reached the ears of the two in the studio. + +"Go! go!" cried Elsie, scarcely above her breath, and Edward rose and went +softly in. + +"Not much talk now, signores," Elsie heard the doctor say. + +"No; we'll be prudent," Edward said, grasping Lester's hand. + +"So good! so kind! more than I dared hope! But how is she? my darling?" +Elsie heard in feeble, faltering, yet eager accents. + +"Well, very well, and longing to come here and nurse you back to health." + +"Ah, a glimpse of her sweet face I think would bring me back from the +borders of the grave! But I could not expect or ask such a sacrifice." + +Elsie could wait no longer; she rose and glided with swift, almost +noiseless steps to the bedside. + +Edward made way for her. Lester looked up, caught sight of her, and a +flash of exceeding joy lighted up his pale, emaciated features. + +"Elsie!" + +"Lester!" + +She dropped on her knees, laid her face on the pillow beside his, and +their lips met in a long kiss. + +"O love, love! how sweet, how kind, how dear in you!" he murmured. + +"I have come to be your nurse," she said, with a lovely blush and smile, +"come to stay with you always while God spares our lives." + +Soon Edward went out and left them together. He had much to attend to, +with Dinah and Ben for his helpers. Other and better apartments were +speedily rented, cleaned, and comfortably, even elegantly furnished. Their +mother had sent them off with full purses and carte blanche to draw upon +her bankers for further supplies as they might be needed; and Edward knew +it would be her desire to see Elsie and Lester surrounded by the luxuries +to which she had been accustomed from her birth. + +When night came the doctor pronounced his patient already wonderfully +improved. + +"But the signora must leave him to me and the nurse to night," he said; +"she is fatigued with her long journey and must take her rest and sleep, +or she too will be ill." + +So Elsie took possession of the pleasant room which had been prepared for +her, and casting on the Lord all care for herself and dear ones, and full +of glad anticipations for the future, slept long and sweetly. + +It was early morning when she woke. That day and several succeeding ones +were spent at Lester's side in the gentle ministrations love teaches. +There was little talk between them, for he was very weak, and love needs +few words; but he slept much of the time with her hand in his, and waking +gazed tenderly, joyously into the sweet face. + +Happiness proved the best of medicines, and every hour brought a slight +increase of strength, a change for the better in all the symptoms. + +Meanwhile Edward and the two servants were busy with the laying in of +needed supplies and the preparation of the suite of apartments which were +to form the new home--Elsie giving a little oversight and direction. + +At length their labors were completed, and she was called in to take a +critical survey and point out any deficiency, if such there were. + +She could find none. "My dear brother, how can I thank you enough?" she +said, with a look of grateful affection. + +"You are satisfied?" + +"Oh, entirely! I only wish mamma and the rest could see how comfortable, +tasteful, really beautiful you have made these rooms!" + +"I am very glad our work pleases you. And the doctor tells me that under +the combined influence of good nursing and unexpected happiness, Lester is +gaining faster than he could have deemed possible. What is the time fixed +upon for the ceremony which is to rob you of your patronymic, sister +mine?" + +"Add to it, you should say," she corrected, with a charming blush. "Noon +of day after to-morrow is the hour. Edward, do you know that our good +doctor is a Waldensian?" + +"No, I did not, and am pleased to learn it; though I was satisfied that he +was no Papist." + +"Yes, he is one of that long-persecuted noble race, and will take you to +see his pastor on our behalf. I have so greatly admired and loved the +Waldenses that I really feel that to be married by one of their pastors +will be some small compensation for--for being so far from home +and--mamma. O Edward, if she were but here!" + +Her tears were falling fast. He put his arm about her waist, her head +dropped upon his shoulder and he smoothed her hair with caressing hand. + +"It is hard for you," he said tenderly; "so different from what you and +all of us have looked forward to. But you have been very brave, dear; and +what a blessing that your coming is working such a cure for Lester!" + +"Yes, oh yes! God is very good to me, His blessings are unnumbered!" + +"It seems a sad sort of bridal for you," he said, "but I shall telegraph +the hour to mamma immediately, and they will all be thinking of and +praying for you." + +"Oh, that is a comfort I had not thought of!" she exclaimed, with glad +tears shining in her eyes. "What a blessing you are to me, brother dear!" + +Lester was not able to leave his bed or likely to be for weeks, but that +she might devote herself the more entirely to him Elsie had consented to +be married at once. + +She laid aside her mourning for the occasion, and Dinah helped her to +array herself for her bridal in a very beautiful evening dress of some +white material which had been worn but once before. + +"Pity dars no time to get a new dress, Miss Elsie," remarked the +handmaiden half regretfully. "Doe sho' nuff you couldn't look no sweeter +and beautifuller dan you does in dis." + +"I prefer this, Dinah, because they all--even dear, dear papa--have seen +me in it," Elsie said, hastily wiping away a tear; "and I remember he said +it became me well. Oh, I can see his proud, fond smile as he said it, and +almost feel the touch of his lips; for he bent down and kissed me so +tenderly." + +"Miss Elsie, I jes b'lieves he's a lookin' at you now dis bressed minute, +and ef de res' of dose dat lubs you is far away he'll be sho to stan' +close side o' you when de ministah's a saying de words dat'll make you +Massa Leland's wife." + +"Ah, Dinah, what a sweet thought! and who shall say it may not be so!" + +"Dar's Massa Edward!" exclaimed Dinah, as a quick, manly step was heard, +followed by a light rap upon the door. + +She hastened to open it "We's ready, Marse Ed'ard." + +He did not seem to hear or heed her; his eyes were fastened upon his +beautiful sister, more beautiful at this moment, he thought, than ever +before. + +"Elsie!" he cried. "Oh that mamma could see you! she herself could hardly +have been a lovelier bride! yet these are wanted to complete your attire," +opening a box he had brought, and taking therefrom a veil of exquisite +texture and design and a wreath of orange blossoms. + +"How kind and thoughtful, Edward!" she said, thanking him with a sweet +though tearful smile; "but are they suitable for such a bridal as this?" + +"Surely," he said. "Come, Dinah, and help me to arrange them." + +Their labors finished, he stepped back a little to note the effect. + +"O darling sister," he exclaimed, "never, I am sure, was there a lovelier +bride! I wish the whole world could see you!" + +"Our own little world at Ion is all I should ask for," she responded in +tremulous tones. + +"Yes, it must be very hard for you," he said; "especially not to have +mamma here, you who have always clung to her so closely. Such a different +wedding as it is from hers! But it's very romantic you know," he added +jocosely, trying to raise her drooping spirits. + +"Ah, I am forgetting a piece of news I have to tell I met an American +gentleman and his daughter, the other day, fell into conversation with +him, and learned that we have several common acquaintances I think we were +mutually pleased, and I have asked him and his daughter in to the wedding; +thinking it would not be unpleasant to you, and we should thus have two +more witnesses." + +"Perhaps it is best we should," she returned, in her sweet, gentle way, +yet looking somewhat disturbed. + +"I'm afraid I ought to have consulted you first," he said. "I'm sorry, but +it is too late now His name is Love; his daughter--an extremely pretty +girl by the way--he calls Zoe." + +Ben now came to the door to say that all was in readiness--the minister, +the doctor, and the other gentleman and a lady had arrived. + +Edward gave his arm to his sister and led her into the room, to which +Lester had been carried a few moments before, and where he lay on a +luxurious couch, propped up with pillows into a half-sitting posture. + +A touch of color came into his pale cheeks, and his eyes shone with love +and joy as they rested upon his lovely bride, as Edward led her to the +side of his couch. + +Dinah and Ben followed, taking their places near the door and watching the +proceedings with interest and sympathy. + +The minister stood up, the doctor, the stranger guests, the nurse also, +and the ceremony began. + +Elsie's eyes were full of tears, but her sweet low tones were distinct and +clear as she took the marriage vows. + +So were Lester's; his voice seemed stronger than it had been for weeks, +and when he took the small white-gloved hand in his, the grasp was firm as +well as tender. + +"One kiss, my love, my wife!" he pleaded when the ceremony was ended. + +A soft blush suffused the fair face and neck, but the request was +granted; she bent over him and for an instant their lips met. + +Then Edward embraced her with brotherly affection and good wishes. He +grasped Lester's hand in cordial greeting, then turned and introduced his +new-made friends to the bride and groom. + +A table loaded with delicacies stood in an adjoining room, and thither the +brother and sister and their guests now repaired, while for a short season +the invalid was left to quietness and repose that he might recover from +the unwonted excitement and fatigue. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + "Therein he them fall fair did entertain, + Not with such forged shows as fitter been + For courting fools, that courtesies would faine, + But with entire affection plain." + --_Spenser's "Fairy Queen."_ + + +One bright morning in November the Ion family were gathered about the +breakfast-table. Rosie and Walter were there for the first time since +their severe illness, a trifle pale and thin still, but nearly in usual +health, and very glad to be permitted to take their old places at the +table. + +Mrs. Dinsmore had returned from her sojourn at the Laurels, the home of +her daughter Rose; the grandchildren there, whom she had been nursing, +having also recovered their health; and so the places of the eldest son +and daughter of the house were the only vacant ones. + +Both Elsie and Edward were sorely missed, especially by the mother and +Violet. + +"It seems time we had letters again from our absentees, papa," Mrs. +Travilla remarked as she poured the coffee. "We have had none since the +telegram giving the hour for the wedding." + +"No, but perhaps we may hear this morning--the mail has not come yet." + +"Yes, grandpa; here comes Solon with it," said Harold, glancing from the +window. + +In a few moments the man came in bringing the mail-bag, which he handed to +Mr. Dinsmore. + +All looked on with interest, the younger ones in eager expectation, while +their grandfather opened it and examined the contents. + +"Yes, daughter, there is a letter from each of them, both directed to +you," he said, glancing over the addresses on several letters which he now +held in his hand. "Here, Tom," to the servant in waiting, "take these to +your mistress. Don't read them to the neglecting of your breakfast," he +added with a smile, again addressing Mrs. Travilla. + +"No, sir; they will keep," she answered, returning the smile; "and you +shall all share the pleasure of their perusal with me after prayers. +Doubtless they give the particulars we all want so much to learn." + +They all gathered round her at the appointed time. She held the letters +open in her hand, having already given them a cursory examination lest +there should be some little confidence intended for none but "mother's" +eye. + +"Papa," she said, looking up half tearfully, half smilingly at him as he +stood at her side, "the deed is indeed done, and another claims my +first-born darling as his own." + +"You have not lost her, Elsie dearest, but have gained a son; and I trust +we shall have them both with us ere long," he responded, bending down to +touch his lips to the brow still as smooth and fair as in the days of her +girlhood. + +"Poor dear Elsie! how she must have missed and longed for you, dearest +mamma!" Violet sighed, kneeling close to her mother's chair and putting +her arms around her. + +"What is it? all about Elsie's wedding?" asked Herbert. "Please let us +hear it, mamma. The telegram told nothing but the hour when it was to be, +and I was so surprised, for I never understood that that was what she went +away for." + +"Nor I," said Harold; "though I suppose it was very stupid in us not to +understand." + +"Who did get married with my sister Elsie, mamma?" asked little Walter. + +"Mr. Leland, my son." + +"But I thought he was most dead," remarked Rosie in surprise. + +"He has been very ill," her mother said, "but is improving fast, though +not yet able to sit up." + +Rosie, opening her eyes wide in astonishment, was beginning another +question when Harold stopped her. + +"Wait, Rosie, don't you see mamma is going to read the letters? They will +tell us all about it, I presume." + +"I shall read Edward's first, it gives a very minute account of what they +have done since he wrote us last, just after their arrival in Rome," the +mother said. "He is a good boy to take the trouble to tell us everything +in detail; is he not, papa?" + +"Yes," Mr. Dinsmore assented, seating himself by her side and taking Rosie +upon one knee, Walter on the other; "and so good a mother richly deserves +good, thoughtful sons and daughters, ever ready to do all in their power +to promote her happiness, or afford her pleasure. Does she not, children?" + +"Yes, grandpa, indeed she does!" they replied in chorus. + +Her sweet soft eyes glistened with happy tears as she sent a loving glance +round the little circle; then all becoming perfectly quiet and attentive, +she began to read. + +Edward's first item of news was that the marriage had just taken place; +the next that Lester's health was steadily improving. Then came a +description of the rooms they were occupying; both as they were when first +seen by Elsie and himself and as they had become under his renovating and +improving hands. + +After that he drew a vivid picture of Elsie's appearance in her bridal +robes, told who were present at the ceremony, who performed it, how the +several actors acquitted themselves, and what refreshments were served +after it was over. + +He said he thought happiness was working a rapid cure with Lester, and +that from all he could see and hear, his success as both painter and +sculptor was already assured. + +Elsie's themes were the same, but she had much to say of Edward's kind +thoughtfulness, his energy and helpfulness; "the best and kindest of +brothers," she called him, and as she read the words the mother's eyes +shone with love and pride in her eldest son. + +But her voice trembled, and the tears had to be wiped away once and again +when she came to that part of the letter in which Elsie told of her +feelings as she robed herself for her bridal with none to assist but +Dinah; how sad was her heart, dearly as she loved Lester, and how full of +longing for home and mother and all the dear ones so far away; then of the +comfort she found in the idea that possibly the dear departed father might +be near her in spirit. + +"Was it wrong, mamma," she asked, "to think he might perhaps be allowed to +be a ministering spirit to me in my loneliness? and to find pleasure in +the thought?" + +"Mamma, what do you think about it?" asked Herbert. + +"I do not know that we have any warrant for the idea in the Scriptures," +she answered; "it seems to be one of the things that is not revealed; yet +I see no harm in taking comfort in the thought that it may be so. My poor +lonely darling! I am glad she had that consolation. Ah, papa, what a +different wedding from mine!" + +"Yes," he said, "and from what we thought hers would be. But I trust she +will never see cause to regret the step she has taken. Lester is worth +saving even at the sacrifice she has made." + +His daughter looked at him with glistening eyes. "Thank you, papa, that is +a good thought, and consoles me greatly for both our darling and +ourselves." + +She went on with the reading of the letter; there were but a few more +sentences; then, while the others discussed its contents, Violet stole +quietly from the room, unobserved as she thought. But in that she was +mistaken. Her mother's eyes followed her with a look of love and sympathy. + +"Dear child!" she said in a low aside to her father, "she misses Elsie +sorely; I sometimes think almost more than I do, they were so inseparable +and so strongly attached." + +Vi's heart was very full, for Elsie's marriage, though far, far from being +so great a sorrow as the death of their father, seemed in some respects +even more the breaking up of a life that had been very sweet. + +She sought the studio she and Elsie had shared together (how lonely and +deserted it seemed!) and there gave vent to her feelings in a burst of +tears. + +"O Elsie, darling! we were so happy together! such dear friends! with +never a disagreement, hardly a thought unshared! And now I am alone! all +alone!" + +She had unconsciously spoken aloud. A soft sweet voice echoed the last +word. + +"Alone! ah, my darling, no! not while your mother lives. You and I must +cling the closer together, Vi dearest," the voice went on, while two +loving arms enfolded her and a gentle kiss was imprinted upon cheek and +brow. + +"Dearest mamma!" cried Violet, returning the caress, "forgive me that I +should indulge in such grief while you are left me--you and your dear +love, the greatest of earthly treasures." + +"Yes, dear child, your grief is very natural. These changes, though not +unmixed calamities, are one of the hard conditions of life in this lower +world, dear daughter; but we must not let them mar our peace and +happiness; let us rejoice over the blessings that are left, rather than +weep for those that are gone." + +"I will, mamma," Violet said, wiping away her tears. "Ah, how much I still +have to rejoice in and be thankful for!" + +"Yes, dear, we both have! and not the least the love of Him who has said, +'Lo, _I_ am with you _alway_.' Oh the joy, the bliss of knowing that +_nothing_ can ever part us from _Him_! And then to know, too, that some +day we shall all be together in His immediate presence, beholding His face +and bearing His image!" + +Neither spoke again for some moments, then the mother said, "Vi, dearest, +there is nothing more conducive to cheerfulness at such a time as this +than being fully employed. So I ask you to take charge of Rosie and Walter +for a few hours. They are not yet well enough for tasks or for out door +sports, but need to be amused. And your grandpa and grandma want me to +drive with them to the Laurels and Roselands." + +"Yes, do go, mamma, and try to enjoy yourself. You have seen so little of +Aunt Adelaide since she came, or of Aunt Rosie, since the sickness began +with her children and ours. Thank you for your trust, I shall do my best," +Violet said with cheerful alacrity. "Ah, the recovery of the darlings is +one of the many mercies we have to be thankful for!" + +"Yes, Vi, and my heart is full of joy and gratitude to the Great +Physician." + +At Roselands Mrs. Conly still lay helpless on her couch, her condition +having changed very slightly for the better; she could now at times, with +great effort, speak a word or two, but friends and physicians had scarcely +a hope of any further improvement; she might live on thus for years, or +another stroke might at any moment bring the end. + +Cut off from all other means of communicating her thoughts and feelings, +she could show them only by the expression of her countenance, which was +sullen, fierce, despairing, piteous by turns. + +She had the best of care and nursing from her sisters, her sons, and her +old mammy, assisted occasionally by other friends and relatives, and could +not fail to read in their faces and the tones of their voices tender pity +and sympathy for her in her sore affliction. + +They could not tell whether she understood all that was said to her, but +hoping that she did, spoke often to her of the loving Saviour and tried to +lead her to Him. + +Hitherto the Ion friends had not been able to be with her a great deal, +but it had not been necessary, as Adelaide was still at Roselands. + +She, however, expected soon to return to her own home, and there would +then be greater need of their services; therefore there was double reason +for thankfulness for the restoration to health of the little ones at Ion +and the Laurels; releasing, as it did, both Mrs. Dinsmore and Mrs. +Travilla from the cares and labors which had occupied them for some weeks +past. + +The latter gave expression to that thought while driving to the Laurels +with her father and his wife, adding, "I can now hold myself in readiness +to take Aunt Adelaide's place at any moment." + +"Not with my consent," said Mr. Dinsmore emphatically; "if you consider +yourself at all under my authority you will take a week at least of entire +rest and relaxation." + +She looked at him with her own sweet smile, full of filial love and +reverence, and putting her hand in his, said, "Yes, my dear father, that +is still one of my great happinesses, as it has been almost ever since I +can remember. Ah, it is often very restful to me just to resign myself to +your wise, loving guidance and control!" + +His fingers closed over the small, daintily gloved hand, holding it in a +warm and tender clasp. + +"Then do not forget that you are not to undertake anything that can tax +your strength, without my knowledge and permission. Nor must you, Rose," +he added with playful authority, turning an affectionate, smiling glance +upon her; "you too are worn out and must have rest." + +"Well, my dear," she said laughingly, "I make no rash promises. You know I +never have equalled Elsie in submissiveness." + +"No; and yet you have usually shown yourself amenable to authority." + +"Perhaps because it has so seldom been exerted," she saucily returned. "My +dear, we have not yet had our first quarrel." + +"And have lived together for thirty odd years. I think it would hardly be +worth while to begin after so long a delay." + +"Nor do I," she said, "therefore shall probably yield to your wishes in +this matter--or commands, call them what you will; especially as they are +in full accord with my own inclinations." + +"Elsie," he said, turning to his daughter again, "I have taken the liberty +of inviting some guests to Ion this morning." + +"Liberty, papa!" she exclaimed. "It would be impossible for you to take +liberties with me or mine; I consider your rights and authority in any +house of mine fully equal, if not superior to my own. If the mistress of +the mansion be subject to your control," she added, with a bright look up +into his face, and much of the old time archness in her smile, "surely all +else must be." + +"Thank you, daughter; then I have not taken a liberty, but I have invited +the guests all the same. You do not ask how it happened or who they are, +but I proceed to explain. + +"In glancing over the morning paper, while you and Rose were attiring +yourselves for the drive, I saw among the items of news that Donald Keith +is in our city. So I dispatched Solon with a carriage and a hastily +written note, asking Donald to come out to see us, bringing with him any +friend or friends he might choose." + +"I am glad you did, papa; they shall have a warm welcome. But will it not +make it necessary for us to return home earlier than we intended?" + +"No, not at all, it is not likely they will arrive until near our dinner +hour--if they come at all to-day, and if they should be there earlier, +Violet is quite capable of entertaining them." + +"Yes," said Mrs. Dinsmore, "I know of no one more competent to minister to +the enjoyment of either grown people or children. As regards talent, +sweetness of disposition, and utter unselfishness combined, our Vi is one +in a thousand." + +"Thank you, mamma, for saying it," Elsie said, her eyes shining with +pleasure. "She seems all that to me; but I thought it might be that +mother love magnified her good qualities and made me blind to her +imperfections." + +Violet, in the nursery at home, was showing herself worthy of these +encomiums by her efforts to amuse the little ones and keep them from +missing the dear mother who had been so constantly with them of late. She +played quiet little games with them, told them beautiful stories, showed +them pictures and drew others for them, dressed dolls for Rosie and cut +paper horses for Walter. + +Several hours were passed thus, then seeing them begin to look weary--for +they were still weak from their recent illness--she coaxed them to lie +down while she sang them to sleep. + +The closed eyes and soft breathing telling that they slept, she rose and +bent over them a moment, gazing tenderly into each little face, then +drawing out her watch and turning to the old nurse, whispered, "It is time +for me to dress for dinner, mammy. I'll go now, but if they wake and want +me let me know at once." + +Her toilet was scarcely completed when the sound of wheels caught her +ears. + +"There! mamma has come! Dear, dear mamma!" she said half aloud, and +presently hastened from the room to meet and welcome her. + +But instead a servant was coming leisurely up the broad stairway. + +"Where is mamma, Prilla?" the young girl asked in a slightly disappointed +tone. + +"Miss Elsie not come yet, Miss Wilet. De gentlemen is in de drawin'-room," +Prilla answered, handing two visiting-cards to her young mistress. + +"'Donald Keith, U.S.A.,'" read Violet with a brightening countenance, as +she glanced at the first. + +On the other was inscribed, "L. Raymond, U.S.N." + +Violet hastening to the drawing-room, met her cousin with outstretched +hand and cordial greeting. + +"I am so glad you have come, Cousin Donald! We have all wanted you to see +Ion." + +"Thank you, Cousin Violet; you can't have wished it more than I, I am +sure," he said, with a look of delight. "Allow me to introduce my friend, +Captain Raymond, of the navy. You see I took your grandfather at his word +and brought a friend with me." + +Violet had already given her hand to her cousin's friend--as such he must +have no doubtful welcome--but at Donald's concluding sentence she turned +to him again with a look of surprised inquiry, which he was about to +answer, when the door opened and Mr. Dinsmore, his wife and daughter came +in. + +There were fresh greetings and introductions, Mr. Dinsmore saying, as he +shook hands with the guests, "So you received my hasty note, Donald, and +accepted for yourself and friend? That was right. You are both most +welcome, and we hope will find Ion pleasant enough to be willing to +prolong your stay and to desire to visit us again." + +"Thank you, I was certain of that before I came," said Donald. + +"And I surely am now that I am here," remarked the captain gallantly, and +with an admiring glance from Mrs. Dinsmore's still fresh, bright, and +comely face to the more beautiful ones of Elsie and her daughter. + +Elsie's beauty had not faded, she was still young and fair in appearance, +with the same sweetly pure and innocent expression which old Mrs. Dinsmore +had been wont to stigmatize as "that babyish look." And Violet's face was +peerless in its fresh young beauty. + +As for the captain himself, he was a man of commanding presence, noble +countenance, and magnificent physique, with fine dark eyes and an +abundance of dark brown curling hair and beard; evidently Donald's senior +by some years, yet not looking much, if at all, over thirty. + +The two older ladies presently left the room to reappear shortly in dinner +dress. + +While they were gone Mr. Dinsmore engaged the captain in conversation, +and Donald and Violet talked together in a low aside. + +"Your sister is well, I hope?" he remarked interrogatively. + +"Elsie? We had letters from her and Edward this morning. They were well at +the time of writing." + +"They are not at home then?" he said in a tone of surprise and +disappointment. + +"Oh, no! had you not heard?" and Violet's eyes filled. "It is very +foolish, I'm afraid," she went on in half tremulous tones, in answer to +his inquiring look, "but I can't help feeling that Lester Leland has +robbed me of my sister." + +"She is married? and has gone to a home of her own?" + +Violet answered by telling the story as succinctly as possible. + +"He was in Italy pursuing his art studies," she said. "They had become +engaged shortly before he went, and a few weeks ago we heard he was very +ill with typhoid fever. Elsie at once said she must go to him, she could +not let him die for lack of good nursing. So grandpa and mamma consented +to her going with Edward and our faithful old Ben--papa's foster-brother +and body-servant, who travelled for years with him in Europe--for +protectors. + +"Of course she took a maid too, and Aunt Louise offered to go with them, +but was taken sick in New York, so had to be left behind. + +"They found Lester very but not hopelessly ill, and the joy of seeing them +had an excellent effect. So they were married, Cousin Donald. Just think +how sad for poor Elsie! away from mamma and all of us except Edward!" + +"It was sad for her, I am sure!" he said with warm sympathy, "and very, +very noble and unselfish in her to leave all for him." + +"Yes; and yet not more, I think, than any right-minded woman would do for +the man she loved well enough to marry." + +Harold and Herbert came in at that moment full of boyish enthusiasm and +delight over the arrival of "Cousin Donald," whom they liked and admired +extremely; in especial for his fine figure, soldierly bearing, and +pleasant, kindly manner. + +They had hardly done shaking hands with him and Captain Raymond, to whom +their grandfather introduced them with a look of paternal pride, when +their mother and "Grandma Rose" returned to the drawing-room, and dinner +was announced. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + "A man's heart deviseth his way; but the Lord directeth his + steps."--_Prov._ 16:9. + + +The boys were greatly disappointed on learning from the talk at the +dinner-table that Cousin Donald's furlough was so short that he could give +but two days to his Ion friends. + +There were many expressions of regret. Then Mr. Dinsmore said, "If you +must leave us so soon we must make good use of our time, by taking you at +once to see relatives, friends, and places of interest in the +neighborhood. If you and the captain are not too weary to enjoy a ride or +drive, we will go to Roselands for a call this afternoon, then on to the +Oaks to take tea with my son Horace and his family." + +"You can assure us of a welcome at both places?" Donald said inquiringly +and with a slight smile. + +"You need not have the slightest fear on that score," was the quick, +earnest rejoinder. + +"I for one," remarked the captain, "am not in the least fatigued, and if +the ladies are to be of the party, accept with pleasure and thanks." + +"I also," said Donald, with a look at Violet which seemed to express a +hope that she was not intending to remain behind. + +Mrs. Dinsmore and Mrs. Travilla excused themselves from going on the plea +of fatigue from recent nursing of the sick and the long drive of the +morning, Elsie adding that her little convalescents ought hardly to be +deprived of mamma all day. + +"Then we will take Vi," said Mr. Dinsmore, looking affectionately at her; +"she has shut herself up with those same convalescents all the morning and +needs air and exercise." + +"Yes, papa," her mother said, "and I know she would enjoy a gallop on her +favorite pony. Cousin," turning to Donald, "we have both riding and +carriage horses at your and the captain's service; please do not hesitate +to express your preference." + +They thanked her, and after a little more discussion it was arranged that +the whole party, including Harold and Herbert, should ride. + +The horses were ordered at once and they set out very shortly after +leaving the table. Mr. Dinsmore and the captain headed the cavalcade, +Donald and Violet came next, riding side by side, and the two lads brought +up the rear. + +Donald was well satisfied with the arrangement, and he and Vi found a +good deal of enjoyment in recalling the scenes, doings, and happenings of +the past summer; particularly of the weeks spent together on the New +Jersey coast. + +Also Vi rehearsed to him Edward's account of Elsie's wedding and his +description of the suite of apartments he had had fitted up for their use. +Edward expected to spend the winter there, she said. + +It was all very interesting to Donald. He thought Lester Leland a man to +be envied, yet perhaps less so than he who should secure for his own the +fair, sweet maiden riding by his side. + +They passed a pleasant hour at Roselands, seeing all the family except the +invalid, then rode on to the Oaks, where they found a warm welcome and +most delightful and hospitable entertainment. + +Then the return to Ion by moonlight was very enjoyable. + +It was still early when they arrived; the two older ladies awaited them in +the parlor, and some time was spent in pleasant converse before retiring +for the night. + +"I have not yet had the pleasure of seeing my little favorites, Rosie and +Walter, Cousin Elsie," remarked Donald. + +"No," she said, "and they are very eager for an interview with you. They +are in bed now, but I hope they will be well enough to join us at +breakfast to-morrow." + +"They have been quite sick?" + +"Yes, were dangerously ill for a time, and though about again, still need +constant care lest they should take cold." + +The guests given adjoining rooms, opened the door of communication between +and had a little private chat together before seeking their pillows. + +"These relatives of yours, Keith, are extremely nice people," remarked the +captain. + +"Of course they are," returned Donald, "relatives to be proud of." + +"I never saw a more beautiful woman than Mrs. Travilla," pursued the +captain. "I think I may say never one so beautiful; and the most charming +part of it is beauty that will last; beauty of heart and intellect. Can +she be Miss Violet's own mother? There is a resemblance, though their +styles of beauty are quite different, but there does not seem to be +sufficient difference in age." + +"She _is_ own mother, though, and not only to Violet, but to two older +ones--a son and daughter." + +The captain expressed great surprise. "But youthful looks must be a family +characteristic," he added meditatively. "Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore look +extremely young to be the grandparents of the family." + +Donald explained that Mr. Dinsmore was really only eighteen years older +than his daughter, and Rose, a second wife, but half as many. + +"And what think you of Violet's beauty?" he asked. + +"Absolutely faultless! She has an angelic face! If I were a young fellow +like you, Keith, I'd certainly not look elsewhere while I could see a ray +of hope in that direction. But there's the relationship in the way." + +"It's too distant to stand in the way," returned Donald a trifle shortly, +"I look upon her prospective wealth as a far greater obstacle, having no +fancy for playing the role of fortune-hunter, or laying myself open to the +suspicion of being such." + +"Then you've no intention of trying for her?" + +"I haven't said so, have I? Well, good-night, it's getting late." + +"What do you think of Captain Raymond?" Rose was asking her husband. "You +have had by far the best opportunity to cultivate his acquaintance." + +"He impresses me very favorably as both a man and a Christian," was the +emphatic reply. + +"Ah! I am glad Donald has so nice a friend," was her pleased comment. + +"Yes, there seems a warm friendship existing between them, though the +captain must be the older by several years. Married too, for he mentioned +his children incidentally." + +On coming down to the parlor the next morning the guests found Mr. +Dinsmore there fondling his little grandchildren--Rosie on one knee, +Walter on the other. + +Cousin Donald's entrance was hailed with delight, Walter presently +transferred to his knee. + +Then the captain coaxed Rosie to his, saying, "Your dark eyes and hair +remind me of my little Lulu's." + +"Have you a little girl of your own, sir?" Rosie asked with a look of +interest. + +"Yes, my dear, two of them. Lulu is a year or two younger than I take you +to be, and Gracie is only seven." + +"Have you any boys?" inquired Walter. + +"Yes, my little man; I have one. We call him Max. He is two years older +than Lulu." + +"About as old as I am?" said Rosie half inquiringly. + +"Yes; if you are eleven, as I suppose." + +"Yes, sir, I'm eleven and Walter's five." + +"If they're good children we'd like 'em to come here and play with us," +remarked Walter. + +"I am afraid they are not always good," the captain said with a smile and +a half sigh. "I am not with them enough to give them the teaching and +training that doubtless you enjoy." + +"But why doesn't their mamma do it? Our mamma teaches us;" and the child's +eyes turned lovingly upon her as at that moment she entered the room. + +The usual morning greetings were exchanged, and Walter's question remained +unanswered. + +The gentlemen were out nearly all day, riding or driving; the ladies with +them a part of the time. The evening was enlivened with music and +conversation, and all retired to rest at a seasonable hour; the two guests +expecting to take leave of their hospitable entertainers the next morning. + +Darkness and silence reigned for some hours, then the shining of a bright +light into Donald's eyes awoke him. + +He sprang from his bed, rushed to the window, saw that a cottage not far +away, which he had noticed in riding by, was in flames. The next moment he +had snatched up a few articles of clothing and was at the captain's side +shaking him vigorously. + +"Up, Raymond! up, man! There's a fire and we'll be needed to help put it +out." + +"What is it? breakers ahead, do you say?'" muttered the captain, only half +awake. + +"Fire! fire!" repeated Keith. + +"Fire? where?" and the captain sprang up, now wide awake, and began +hurrying on his clothes. + +"That cottage down the road." + +"That's bad indeed; but not quite so bad as a vessel foundering or burning +at sea. Anybody else in the house awake?" + +"I don't know. Yes, there! I hear steps and voices." + +They hurried into the hall and down the stairs. Mr. Dinsmore was in the +lower hall giving directions to the men-servants, who were all collected +there. + +"Haste! Solon, Tom, Dick--all of you!" he was saying, "gather up all the +large buckets about the house, ropes too and ladders, and follow me as +fast as you can. Ah, captain! and Donald too! You have seen the fire, I +suppose? Will you come with me? There'll be work enough for us all no +doubt. We've no engine in this neighborhood." + +"Certainly, sir!" + +"That's the port we are bound for." And each catching up a bucket they all +three set off at full speed in the direction of the burning house, several +of the negroes following close at their heels. + +They found a crowd already gathered there--men and women, black and white. +Some were carrying out furniture from the lower rooms, some bringing +water in buckets from a spring near by, others contenting themselves with +looking on and giving orders which nobody obeyed. + +"I see the house will have to go," Mr. Dinsmore said. "Are the family all +out of it?" + +"All but an old colored woman," some one replied, "old Aunt Betsy. Nobody +thought of her in time, and now it's too late, for the stairs are burned +away. Hark!" as a crash was heard, "there's the last of them." + +"What! will you leave a helpless old woman to be burnt alive?" cried +Captain Raymond. "Where is she?" + +"Yonder!" cried several voices; "see, she's at the window! and she's +screaming for help!" as a wild shriek rent the air, a black face full of +terror and despair showing itself at an upper window, where the fire's +lurid light fell full upon it. + +"Oh, ain't dar nobody to help ole Aunt Betsy?" she screamed, stretching +out her wrinkled arms and toil-worn hands in passionate entreaty; "will +you ebery one ob you leave de po' ole woman to burn up in dis awful fiah? +Isn't ye got no pity in yo' souls! Oh, somebody come an' help de po' ole +woman to git down 'fore she burn all up!" + +"A rope!" shouted the captain, "quick! quick! a rope!" + +"Heah, massa cap'n!" answered Solon close it hand. "Ise brung it jus' in +time." + +"What can you do with a rope, Raymond?" asked Donald. + +"Make an effort to save her with the help of that lightning-rod." + +"You risk your own life, and it is worth far more than hers," Donald said +entreatingly. + +"Stay a moment, captain," said Mr. Dinsmore, "they are bringing a ladder." + +"But there's no time to lose; see! the flames are already bursting out +from the next window." + +"Yes, but here it is," as the negroes halted with it close beside them. +"It is to be used to reach that window, boys," he said, turning to them +and pointing upward. "Set it up there." + +"Can't do it, sah! 'Mos' as much as a man's life is wuth to go so near de +fire." + +"Then give it to me!" cried the captain, taking hold of it, Mr. Dinsmore +and Donald giving their assistance. + +It was the work of a moment to set it up against the wall; in another the +captain was ascending it, while the other two held it firmly in place. + +He gained the window and sprang in. + +"Bress you, massa! bress you!" exclaimed the old negress, "you's gwine to +save me I knows." + +"Get out here on to the ladder and climb down as fast as you can," he said +hurriedly, taking hold of her arm to help her. + +But she drew back shuddering. "I can't, massa! I'se ole and stiff. I can't +no how 'tall." + +There was not a moment to lose. The captain stepped back on to the top +round of the ladder, took her in his arms, and began as rapid a descent as +was possible so burdened. + +The ladder shook beneath their weight, for both were heavy, and Aunt Betsy +struggled in his grasp, screaming with fright; then a tongue of flame +shooting out from below caught her cotton gown, and in her frantic terror +she gave a sudden spring that threw her preserver and herself to the +ground. + +Mr. Dinsmore and Donald seized the captain and dragged him out of harm's +Way, other hands doing a like service for the woman. + +She was shrieking and groaning, but her rescuer neither spoke nor moved. + +They took him up, carried him out of the crowd, and laid him gently down +upon a sofa; one of the articles of furniture saved from the fire. + +"Poor fellow!" sighed Donald with emotion. "I'm afraid he has paid dear +for his kindness of heart!" + +"Solon," said Mr. Dinsmore, "mount the fastest horse here and ride to +Roselands for Dr. Arthur. Tell him we don't know how seriously this +gentleman is hurt. Hurry! make all possible haste!" + +Solon was turning to obey, but stopped, exclaiming, "Why, sho' anuff, +dar's de doctah hisself just lightin' off his hoss ober yondah!" + +"Then run and bring him here." + +Arthur obeyed the summons with all speed. The alarm of the fire had +reached Roselands, and he had hastened to the spot to give aid in +extinguishing it, or to any who might be injured. + +He found the captain showing signs of life; he moved his head, then opened +his eyes. + +"Where are you hurt, sir?" asked the doctor. + +"Not very seriously anywhere, I trust," replied the captain, trying to +rise. "Ah!" as he fell back again, "both back and ankle seem to have had a +wrench. But, friends, are you not needed over there at the fire? My +injuries can wait." + +"Little or nothing more can be done there, and there are people enough on +the ground now to leave us free to attend to you," said Mr. Dinsmore. + +The doctor was speaking aside to Donald and Solon. + +Coming back, "We will have a litter ready in a few moments," he said, +"and carry you over to Ion." + +"By all means," said Mr. Dinsmore. "You accompany us, of course, Arthur?" + +"Certainly, sir." + +"How is she--the old negress? Was she much injured by the fall?" Captain +Raymond asked. + +No one could tell him, and he begged the doctor to attend to her while the +litter was preparing. + +Arthur went in search of her, and presently returned, saying she had +escaped without any broken bones, though apparently a good deal shaken up +and bruised. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + "Man proposes, but God disposes." + + +Donald left Ion the next morning, going away sadly and alone, yet trying +to be truly thankful that his friend's injuries, though severe, were not +permanent, and that he left him where he would have the best of medical +treatment and nursing. + +"Don't be uneasy about the captain," Mr. Dinsmore said in parting; "I can +assure you that Arthur is a skilful physician and surgeon, and we have +several negro women who thoroughly understand nursing. Beside my wife, +Elsie and I will oversee them and do all in our power for the comfort and +restoration of the invalid." + +"Thank you, cousin. I am sure nothing will be left undone that skill and +kindness can do," Donald said, shaking with warmth the hand Mr. Dinsmore +held out to him. "Raymond is one in a thousand. I've known him for years, +and he has been a good and valuable friend to me. I wish it were possible +for me to stay and wait on him myself; but army men are not their own +masters, you know. He'll be wanting to get back to his ship before he's +able. Don't let him." + +"Not if I can prevent it," was Mr. Dinsmore's laughing rejoinder. "By the +way, should not some word be sent to his wife?" + +"Wife! She has been dead some two years, I think. I asked him if there was +any relative he would wish informed of his condition, and he said no; his +parents were not living, he had neither brother nor sister, and his +children were too young to be troubled about it." + +"Poor fellow!" ejaculated Mr. Dinsmore, thinking of his own happier +lot--the sweet wife and daughter at Ion, the other daughter and son, +father, sisters, grandchildren and nephews who would flock about him in +tender solicitude, were he laid low by sickness or accident. + +Leaving Donald in the city, he drove back to Ion full of sympathy for his +injured guest and admiration for his courage and fortitude; for he had +made no moan or complaint, though evidently suffering great pain and much +solicitude on account of the long prospective detention from official +duty. + +The doctor's verdict was, a week or more in bed, probably six weeks before +the ankle could be used. + +"You must get me up much sooner than that, doctor, if it be a possible +thing," Captain Raymond said most emphatically. + +"I can only promise to do my best," was Arthur's response. "Nature must +have time for her work of recuperation." + +Elsie met her father in the entrance hall on his return. "Ah, papa," she +said, looking up smilingly into his face, "I think you will have to +rescind your order." + +"In regard to what?" he asked, stopping to lay a hand lightly on her +shoulder, while he smoothed her hair caressingly with the other. + +"The week of entire rest you bade me take." + +"No; there is to be no recall of that order." + +"But our poor injured guest, father? injured in the noble effort to save +the life of another!" + +"He shall have every care and attention without any assistance from you; +or Rose either; at least for the present." + +"But, dear papa, to have you worn out and made ill would be worse than +anything else." + +"That does not follow as an inevitable consequence, and you may safely +trust me to take excellent care of number one," he said, with playful look +and tone. + +"Ah, papa, there is not the least use in your trying to make me believe +there is any selfishness in you!" + +"No, I presume not; you have always been persistently blind to my many +imperfections. Well, daughter, you need not be troubled lest I should +waste too much strength on the poor captain. I do not imagine him to be an +exacting person, and we have enough efficient nurses among the servants to +do all the work that is needful. My part will be, I think, principally to +cheer him, keep up his spirits, and see that he is provided with +everything that can contribute to comfort of mind and body. I must leave +you now and go to him. I advise a drive for you and your mamma as soon as +you can make ready for it; the air is delightfully clear and bracing." + +"Thank you, papa; the advice shall be followed immediately so far as I am +concerned, and the order carefully obeyed," she answered, as he moved on +down the hall. + +The smile with which the captain greeted Mr. Dinsmore's entrance into the +room where he lay in pain and despondency was a rather melancholy one. + +"My dear sir, I feel for you!" Mr. Dinsmore said, seating himself by the +bedside, "but you are a brave man and a Christian, and can endure hardness +as a good soldier of Jesus Christ!" + +There was a flash of joy in the sufferer's eyes as he turned them upon the +speaker, "That, sir, is the most comforting and sustaining thing you +could have said to me! Through what suffering was the Captain of our +salvation made perfect! And shall I shrink from enduring a little in His +service? Ah no! And when I reflect that I might have been killed, and my +dear children left fatherless, I feel that I have room for nothing but +thankfulness that it is as well with me as it is." + +"And that some good will be brought out of this trial we cannot doubt," +Mr. Dinsmore said; "for 'we know that all things work together for good to +them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.'" + +"Yes; and 'I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not +worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.' 'We +glory in tribulation also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and +patience experience, and experience hope, and hope maketh not ashamed; +because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost +which is given unto us.'" + +"What a wonderful book the Bible is!" remarked Mr. Dinsmore meditatively; +"what stores of comfort and encouragement it contains for all in whatever +state or condition! 'The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands +of gold and silver.'" + +"Yes; how true it is, Mr. Dinsmore, that 'it is not in man that walketh to +direct his steps'! I had so fully resolved to return to-day to my vessel, +and now when may I hope to see her? Not in less than six weeks, the doctor +tells me." + +"A weary while it must seem in prospect. But we will do all we can to make +it short in passing and prevent you from regretting the necessity of +tarrying with us for so much longer time than you had intended," Mr. +Dinsmore answered in a cheery tone. + +"Your great kindness is laying me under lasting obligations, Mr. +Dinsmore," the captain responded, with glistening eyes, "obligations which +I shall never, I fear, have an opportunity to repay." + +"My dear sir, I am truly thankful to have it in my power to do what can be +done to alleviate your sufferings and restore the health and vigor you so +nobly sacrificed for another. Beside, what Christian can recall the +Master's assurance that He will consider any kindness done to any follower +of His as done to Himself, and not rejoice in the opportunity to be of +service to a fellow-disciple, be it man, woman, or child?" + +"Yes, And the King shall answer and say unto them, 'Verily I say unto you, +inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye +have done it unto me.'" + +"Ah, captain, don't talk of obligation to one who has a recompense such as +that in view!" Mr. Dinsmore said, a smile on his lip, a glad light in his +eye. + +The captain stretched out his hand and grasped that of his host. "What +cause for gratitude that I have fallen into the care of those who can +appreciate and act from such motives!" he exclaimed with emotion. + +"You are the hero of the hour, my friend," Mr. Dinsmore remarked after a +short silence. "I wish you could have seen the faces of my wife, daughter, +and granddaughter when they heard of the noble, unselfish, and courageous +deed which was the cause of your sore injuries." + +"Don't mention it!" exclaimed the captain, a manly flush suffusing his +face; "who could stand by and see a fellow-creature perish without so much +as stretching out a helping hand?" + +In the weeks that followed Captain Raymond won golden opinions from those +with whom he sojourned, showing himself as capable of the courage of +endurance as of that more ordinary kind that incites to deeds of daring; +he was always patient and cheerful, and sufficiently at leisure from +himself and his own troubles to show a keen interest in those about him. + +After the first week he was able to take possession of an invalid-chair, +which was then wheeled into the room where the family were wont to gather +for the free and unconstrained enjoyment of each other's society. + +They made him one of themselves, and he found it a rare treat to be among +them thus day after day, getting such an insight into their domestic life +and true characters as years of ordinary intercourse would not have given +him. He learned to love them all--the kind, cheerful, unselfish older +people; the sweet-faced, gentle, tender mother; the fair and lovely +maiden, lovely in mind and person; the brave, frank, open-hearted lads, +and the dear, innocent little ones. + +He studied them all furtively and with increasing interest, growing more +and more reconciled the while to his involuntary detention among them. + +Oftentimes they were all there, but occasionally one of the grandparents +or the mother would be away at Roselands for a day or two, taking turns in +ministering to Mrs. Conly, and comforting and cheering her feeble old +father. + +"You have no idea, my dear sir," the captain one day remarked to his host, +"how delightful it is to a man who has passed most of his life on +shipboard, away from women and children, to be taken into such a family +circle as this! I think you who live in it a highly favored man, sir!" + +"I quite agree with you," Mr. Dinsmore said "I think we are an +exceptionally happy family, though not exempt from the trials incident to +life in this world of sin and sorrow." + +"Your daughter is an admirable mother," the captain went on, "so gentle +and affectionate, and yet so firm; her children show by their behavior +that their training has been very nearly ii not quite faultless. And in +seeing so much of them I realize as never before the hardship of the +constant separation from my own which my profession entails, as I ask +myself, 'If I were with them thus day after day, should I find them as +obedient, docile, and intelligent as these little ones? Will my Max be as +fine a lad as Harold or Herbert? Can I hope to see Lulu and Gracie growing +up into such lovely maidenhood as that of Miss Violet?" + +"I sincerely hope you may be so blessed, captain," Mr. Dinsmore said, "but +much will depend upon the training to which they are subjected. There is +truth in the old proverb, 'Just as the twig is bent the tree's inclined.'" + +"Yes, sir; and a higher authority says, 'Train up a child in the way he +should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.' But my +difficulty is that I can neither train them myself, nor see that the work +is rightly done by others." + +"That is sad, indeed," Mr. Dinsmore replied with sincere sympathy. "But, +my dear sir, is there not strong consolation in the thought that you can +pray for them, and that 'the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man +availeth much'?" + +"There is indeed, sir!" the captain said with emotion. "And also in the +promise, 'I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed +after thee in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be a God +unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.'" + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + "One Pinch, hungry, leanfac'd villain." + --_Shake._ + + +Captain Raymond's two little daughters were at this time in a village in +one of the Northern States, in charge of Mrs. Beulah Scrimp, a distant +relative on the mother's side. + +Mrs. Scrimp was a widow living in rather genteel style in a house and upon +means left her by her late husband. She was a managing woman, fond of +money; therefore glad of the increase to her income yielded by the liberal +sum Captain Raymond had offered her as compensation for the board and care +of his motherless little girls. + +She had undertaken Max also at first, but given him up as beyond her +control; and now, though continuing to attend school in the town, he +boarded with the Rev. Thomas Fox, who lived upon its outskirts. + +Mrs. Scrimp was a woman of economies, keeping vigilant watch over all +expenditures, great and small, and employing one servant only, who was +cook, housemaid, and laundress all in one, and expected to give every +moment of her time to the service of her mistress, and be content with +smaller wages than many who did less work. + +Mrs. Scrimp was a woman of theories also, and her pet one accorded well +with the aforementioned characteristic. It was that two meals a day were +sufficient for any one, and that none but the very vigorous and +hard-working ought to eat anything between three o'clock in the afternoon +and breakfast-time the next morning. + +That was a rule to which neither Max nor Lulu could ever be made to +submit; but Grace, the youngest, a delicate, fragile child, with little +force of will, had no strength or power to resist, so fell a victim to the +theory; each night went supperless to bed, and each day found herself too +feeble and languid to take part in the active sports in which her stronger +sister delighted. + +It is quite possible that Mrs. Scrimp had no intention of being cruel, but +merely made the not uncommon mistake of supposing that what is good for +one person is of course good for everybody else. She was dyspeptic, and +insisted that she found her favorite plan exceedingly beneficial in her +own case; therefore she was sure so delicate a child as Gracie ought to +conform to the same regimen. + +She seemed fond of the little girl, petted and caressed her, calling her +by many an endearing name, and telling her very often that she was "a +good, biddable child; far better than fiery-tempered, headstrong Lulu." + +Lulu would hear the remark with a scornful smile and toss of the head, +sometimes saying proudly, "I wouldn't let anybody call you names to me, +Gracie; and I wouldn't be such a little goose as to be wheedled and +flattered into putting up with being half-starved." + +There had been a time when Mrs. Scrimp tried to prevent and punish such +daring words, but she had given it up long since, and contented herself +with sighing sadly over the "depravity of that irrepressible child." + +She had once or twice threatened to write to Captain Raymond and tell him +that Lulu was unmanageable, but the child coolly replied, "I wish you +would; for then papa would send Gracie and me somewhere else to stay." + +"Where you would, perhaps, fare a great deal worse," returned Mrs. Scrimp +wrathfully. + +"I am willing to risk it," Lulu said; and that was the end of it, for Mrs. +Scrimp would have been very loath to lose the children's board. + +One pleasant October morning Lulu came down a trifle late to her +breakfast. Mrs. Scrimp and Gracie were already seated at the table and +had began their meal. + +"Lulu," said Mrs. Scrimp with a portentous frown, "you were in the pantry +last night, helping yourself." + +"Of course I was," returned the child as she took her seat at the table. +"I told you I wouldn't go without my supper, and you didn't have Ann get +any for me; so what could I do but go and help myself?" + +"You have no right to go to my pantry and take the food that belongs to +me. It's neither more nor less than stealing, Miss Lulu Raymond." + +"Well, Aunt Beulah, what do you call it when you take the money my father +pays you for feeding Gracie and me, and don't give us the food he has paid +for?" + +Mrs. Scrimp colored violently at that, but quickly answered, "He doesn't +pay for any particular kind or quantity, and doesn't want you overfed; and +I don't consider it at all good for you to eat after three o'clock, as +I've told you fifty times." + +"Oftener than that, I dare say," returned Lulu with indifference, "but you +might say it five hundred times and I shouldn't believe it a bit the more. +Papa and mamma never had us put to bed without our supper; they always +gave us plenty to eat whenever we were hungry, and Gracie was far +stronger then than she is now." + +Mrs. Scrimp was exasperated into a return to old tactics. "Lulu, you are +the most impudent child I ever saw!" she exclaimed, "and shall go without +supper to-night, if it were only to punish you for talking as you have +this morning." + +"No, I'll not. I'll have something to eat if I must go to the neighbors +for it." + +"I'll lock you up." + +"Then I'll call out to the people in the street and tell them you won't +give me enough to eat. And just as soon as papa comes I'll tell him all +about it right before you." + +"You wouldn't dare tell him how you've talked to me; he'd punish you for +your impertinence." + +"No, he would say it was justifiable under the circumstances." + +"Dear me!" sighed Mrs. Scrimp, lifting hands and eyes in holy horror, +"what a time your stepmother will have with you! I shouldn't want to be in +her place." + +"My stepmother!" cried Lulu, growing very red, while her dark eyes flashed +with anger. "I haven't any! What do you mean by talking in that way, Aunt +Beulah?" + +Mrs. Scrimp's laugh jarred very unpleasantly upon the nerves of the +excited child. + +"Your father will be presenting you with one some of these days, I'll +warrant," she said in a tantalizing tone. + +Lulu felt ready to burst into passionate weeping, but would not give her +tormentor the satisfaction of seeing her do so. She struggled determinedly +with her emotion, and presently was able to say in a tone of perfect +indifference: "Well, I don't care if he does; anything will be better than +staying here with you." + +"Ungrateful, hateful child!" said Mrs. Scrimp. "Gracie's a real comfort to +me, but you are just the opposite." + +"Aunt Beulah," said Lulu, fixing her keen eyes steadily upon Mrs. Scrimp's +face, "you've called me ungrateful ever so many times. Now I'd like to +know what I have to be grateful for toward you? My father pays you well +for everything you do for Gracie and me." + +"There are some things that can't be bought with money, and that money +can't pay for, Miss Impertinence;" and Mrs. Scrimp, having satisfied her +appetite, rose from the table and, taking Gracie by the hand, walked out +of the room with her in the most dignified manner. + +Presently afterward Lulu saw her, through the window, in bonnet and shawl +and with a basket on her arm, going out to do the marketing. + +Having finished her breakfast, Lulu walked into the sitting-room. + +Gracie lay on the sofa looking pale and weak. Lulu went to her, stroked +her hair, and kissed her. + +"Poor little Gracie! weren't you hungry for some supper last night?" + +"Yes, Lulu," replied the child, lifting a thin white little hand and +stroking her sister's face, "but Aunt Beulah says it makes me worse to eat +at night." + +"I don't believe it!" cried Lulu vehemently, and half stamping her foot, +"and I'm going to write a letter to papa and tell him how she starves you, +and would starve me too if I'd let her!" + +"I wish papa would come!" sighed Gracie. "Lulu, did it use to make us sick +to eat supper when we lived with papa and mamma?" + +"No, never a bit! O Gracie, Gracie, why did mamma die? why did God take +her away from us when we need her so much? I can't love Him for that! I +don't love Him!" she exclaimed with a sudden shower of tears, albeit not +much given to shedding them. + +"Don't cry, Lulu," Gracie said in distress, "maybe papa will find another +mamma for us. I wish he would." + +"I don't! stepmothers are always hateful! I'd hate her and never mind a +word she said. O Max, Max! I'm so glad to see you!" as a handsome, +dark-eyed, merry-faced boy came rushing in. + +"I've just come for a minute!" he cried half breathlessly, catching her in +his arms, giving her a resounding kiss, then bending over Gracie with a +sudden change to extreme gentleness of manner; she was his baby sister and +so weak and timid. + +"Poor little Gracie!" he said softly. "I wish I was a big man to take you +and Lulu away and give you a good time!" + +"I love you, Max," she returned, stroking and patting his cheek. "I wish +you'd be a good boy, so you could live here with us." + +"I don't want to," he answered, frowning. "I mean I don't want to live +with her; I sha'n't ever call her aunt again. I wouldn't have come in if I +hadn't known she was out. I saw her going to market. I'm going off to +Miller's Pond to fish for trout. You know it's Saturday and there's no +school. Jim Bates is going with me and we're to be back by noon; that is, +old Tommy said I must." + +Lulu laughed at Max's irreverent manner of alluding to the man who had the +oversight of him out of school hours; then jumping up, "O Max!" she cried, +"I want to go too! I'll be ready in a minute." + +"What'll Mrs. Scrimp say?" laughed Max. + +Lulu tossed her head with a scornful smile which said more plainly than +words that she did not care what Mrs. Scrimp might do or say in regard to +the matter, ran into the hall, and returned almost instantly with hat and +sacque. + +"Come, Max," she said, "we'd better be off before she gets back. Gracie, +you won't mind being left alone for just a little bit? Ann's in the +kitchen, you know." + +"I wish I could go too!" sighed Gracie. "I wish I could run about and have +good times like you and Max!" + +"Maybe you will, some o' these days. Good-by, little one," said Max, +giving a parting pat to the little white cheek. + +"Good-by," cried Lulu from the doorway; "don't fret, because maybe I'll +find something pretty to bring you when I come back." + +She took a small basket from the table in the hall, Max shouldered his +fishing-rod, which he had left there behind the front door, and they went +out together. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + "Bear a fair presence, though your heart be tainted, + Teach sin the carriage of a holy saint." + --_Shaks._ + + +The children walked very fast, glancing this way and that till satisfied +that there was no longer any danger of encountering Mrs. Scrimp, then +their pace slackened a little and they breathed more freely. + +"Won't she be mad because you came without asking her, Lu?" queried Max. + +"I s'pose so." + +"What'll she do about it?" + +"Scold, scold, scold! and threaten to make me fast; but she knows she +can't do that. I always manage to get something to eat. I've found a key +that fits the pantry door; so I just help myself. She doesn't know about +the key and wonders how it happens; thinks she forgot to lock it." + +"But, Lulu, you wouldn't steal!" + +"'Taint stealing to take what papa pays for! Max, you're too stupid!" +cried Lulu indignantly. + +Max gave a long, low whistle. "Fact, Lu! that's so! our father does pay +for more than we can possibly eat, and expects us to have all we want." + +"Do you get enough, Max?" + +"Yes; and right good too. Mrs. Fox is real good and kind; but he's just +awful! I tell you, Lu, if I don't thrash him within an inch of his life +when I grow to be a man, it'll be queer." + +"Tell me about him! what is it he does to you?" + +"Well, in the first place, he pretends to be very good and pious; he +preaches and prays and talks to me as if I were the greatest sinner in the +world, while all the time he's ten times worse himself and the biggest +kind of a hypocrite. He tells me it's very wicked when I get angry at his +hateful treatment of me, and gets as mad as a March hare himself while +he's talking about it." + +"Well, I'd let him storm and never care a cent." + +"Yes, but that isn't all; he beats me dreadfully for the least little +thing, and sometimes for nothing at all. One time he bought a new padlock +for the barn-door and pretty soon it disappeared. He couldn't find it +anywhere, so he called me and asked me what I had done with it. I said I +hadn't touched it, hadn't seen it, didn't even know he had bought one; and +that was the truth. But he wouldn't believe me; he said I must have taken +it, for I was the only mischievous person about the place, and if I didn't +own up and show him where it was, he'd horsewhip me till I did." + +"O Max! the wicked old wretch!" cried Lulu, between her clenched teeth. +"What did you do? You couldn't tell a lie!" + +"No, I thought I couldn't, Lu; and oh, I'm so ashamed!" said Max, growing +very red and tears starting to his eyes. "But he beat me, and beat me, and +beat me till I thought he'd kill me; and so to stop him at last I said I +took it. But I didn't gain anything, for of course he asked next where it +was, and I couldn't tell him, because I didn't know. So he began again; +but I fainted, and I suppose that scared him and made him stop. He didn't +say anything more about the padlock till weeks afterward it was found in +the hay, and it was clear that I hadn't anything to do with it." + +"Oh, the old wretch!" cried Lulu again. "Did he tell you then he was sorry +for having abused you so when you were innocent?" + +"No, indeed! not he! He said, 'Well, you didn't deserve it that time, but +I've no doubt you've escaped many a time when you did.'" + +"Max, I'd never stand it! I'd run away!" exclaimed Lulu, stopping short +and facing her brother with eyes that fairly blazed with indignation. + +"I've thought of that, Lu; I've felt tempted to do it more than once," Max +said with a sigh; "but I thought how papa would feel hearing of it. I'd +rather bear it all than have him feel that his son had done anything to +disgrace him." + +"Max, you're better than I am!" cried Lulu with affectionate warmth. "I'd +never have thought of anything but how to get away as fast as possible +from that horrid, horrid beast of a man." + +"Papa thinks he's good, and that's the reason he put me with him. Oh, but +don't I wish he knew the truth!" + +"I should think the old rascal would be afraid of what papa may do when he +comes and hears all the things you'll have to tell." + +"I suppose he thinks papa will believe his story instead of mine; and +perhaps he will," said Max a little sadly. + +"No; don't you be one bit afraid of that!" cried Lulu, hotly. "Papa knows +you're a truthful boy. His children couldn't be liars!" + +"But you know I can't say any more that I've never told an untruth," said +Max, coloring painfully. + +"Well, you couldn't help it," Lulu said, trying to comfort him. "I'm +afraid that I might have done it myself to keep from being killed." + +"Hello! here comes Jim!" cried Max with a sudden change of tone, his face +brightening wonderfully as a lad somewhat older in appearance than +himself, and carrying a fishing-rod over his shoulder, came hurrying down +a lane and joined them. + +"Hello! Max," he said; "we've a splendid day for fishing, haven't we?" +Then in a whisper, "Who's this you're taking along?" + +"My sister Lulu," Max answered aloud. "She'll help us dig worms for bait, +won't you, Lu?" + +"Yes, if you'll let me fish a little after you've caught some." + +"Good-morning, Miss Lulu," said Jim, lifting his hat. + +"Good-morning," she returned, giving him a careless nod. + +"It's a long walk for a girl," he remarked. + +"Oh," said Max, laughing, "she's half boy; ain't you, Lu?" + +"I s'pose; if you mean in walking, jumping and running. Aunt Beulah calls +me a regular tomboy. But I'd rather be that than stay cooped up in the +house all the time." + +They had now left the town behind, and presently they turned from the +highway and took a narrow path that led them deep into the woods, now in +the very height of their autumnal beauty. + +The sun shone brightly, but through a mellow haze; the air was deliciously +pure, cool, and bracing. + +The children's pulses bounded, they laughed and jested; the boys whistled +and Lulu sang in a voice of birdlike melody. + +"O Max," she said, "I wish Gracie was well and with us here!" + +"Yes, so do I," he answered; "but 'tisn't likely she can ever be strong +like you and me, Lu." + +"Well, I'll tell her all about it and take her all the pretty things I can +find. Oh, what a lovely place!" as they came out upon the shore of the +pond, a tiny sheet of clear still water surrounded by woods and hills +except where a rivulet entered it on one side and left it on the other. + +"Yes," assented Jim, "it's a right nice place, is Miller's Pond, and has +lots of nice fish in it." + +The boys laid down their rods, Lulu her basket, and all three fell to +digging for earth-worms. + +When they deemed that they had a sufficient quantity of bait, the lads +seated themselves on the roots of a fallen tree close to the water, each, +with fishing-rod in hand, and Lulu, picking up her basket, wandered off +among the trees and bushes. + +"Don't go too far away and get lost," Max called after her. + +"No," she answered, "I'll not go out of sight of the pond; so I can easily +find my way back. But don't you go off and leave me." + +"No; if you're not here, I'll hallo when we're 'most ready to start." + +What treasures Lulu found as she wandered here and there, every now and +then turning to look for the pond, and make sure that she was not losing +herself, there were acorn-cups, lovely mosses, beautiful autumn +leaves--red, orange, golden and green; there were wild grapes too, and +hazel-nuts, brown and ripe. Of all these she gathered eagerly until her +basket was full, thinking that some would delight Gracie, others +propitiate Aunt Beulah. + +And now she made her way back to the spot where the boys still sat, each +with his line in the water. + +"Have you caught any?" she asked. + +"Yes," said Max, "I've caught six and Jim has eight. There! I've got +another!" giving his line a jerk that sent a pretty speckled trout +floundering in the grass. + +"I'll take it off the hook for you," said Lulu, springing forward and +dropping on her knees beside it. "And then you'll let me try, won't you?" + +"Yes," Max answered in a half-reluctant tone, getting up to give her his +place. + +"There are hazel-nuts right over there a little way," Lulu said, pointing +with her finger. + +"Oh, then I'll have some!" cried Max, starting on a run in the direction +indicated. + +He came back after a while bringing some in his hat, picked up some +stones, and seating himself near the others, cracked his nuts, sharing +generously with them. + +Presently Lulu had her first bite, succeeded in bringing her prize safely +to land, and was quite wild with delight. + +Max rejoiced with her, taking brotherly pride in her success. + +"You'll do for a fisherman or fisherwoman," he said gayly. "I sha'n't be +much surprised if you beat me at it one o' these days." + +Then struck with a sudden unwelcome thought, "I wonder what time it is!" +he exclaimed, jumping up from the ground in haste and perturbation. "Do +you s'pose it's noon yet, Jim?" + +"Which way's the sun?" queried the latter, glancing toward the sky; "it +ought to be right overhead at noon. Why, it's down some toward the west! I +shouldn't wonder if it's as late as two o'clock." + +"Two o'clock!" cried Max in dismay, "and I was to be back by noon! Won't I +catch it!" and he began gathering up his fish and fishing-tackle in great +haste, Jim doing likewise, with the remark that he would be late to dinner +and maybe have to go without. + +Lulu was giving Max all the assistance in her power, her face full of +sympathy. + +"Max," she whispered, hurrying along close at his side as they started on +their homeward way, "don't let that horrid, cruel, wicked man beat you! I +wouldn't. I'd fight him like anything!" + +Max shook his head. "'Twouldn't do any good, Lulu; he's so much bigger and +stronger than I am that fighting him would be worse for me than taking the +thrashing quietly." + +"I could never do that!" she said. "But don't wait for me if you want to +go faster." + +"I don't," said Max. + +"Well, I b'lieve I'd better make all the haste I can," said Jim. "So +good-by," and away he sped. + +"Oh, if papa only knew all about how that brute treats you!" sighed Lulu. + +"Max, can't we write him a letter?" + +"I do once in a while, but old Tom always reads it before it goes." + +"I wouldn't let him. I'd hide away somewhere to write it, and put it in +the post-office myself." + +"I have no chance, he gives me only a sheet of paper at a time, and must +always know what I do with it. It's the same way with my pocket money; so +I can't buy postage-stamps; and I don't know how to direct the letter +either." + +"Oh dear! and it's just the same way with me!" sighed Lulu. "When will +papa come? I'm just sick to see him and tell him everything!" + +When they reached Mrs. Scrimp's door Max gave Lulu his string of fish, +saying, "Here, take them, Sis. It's no use for me to keep 'em, for I +shouldn't get a taste; and maybe they'll put her in a good humor with +you." + +"Thank you," she said. "O Max, I wish you could eat them yourself!" Her +eyes were full of tears. + +"I'd rather you'd have 'em; you and Gracie," he said cheerfully. +"Good-by." + +"Good-by," she returned, looking after him as he hurried away, whistling +as he went. + +"He's whistling to keep his courage up. O Max! poor Max! I wish I could +give that man the worst kind of a flogging!" Lulu sighed to herself, then +turned and went into the house. + +She heard Mrs. Scrimp's voice in the kitchen scolding Ann for letting the +bread burn in the oven. It was an inauspicious moment to appear before +her, but Lulu marched boldly in, holding up her string of fish. + +"See, Aunt Beulah! they're just fresh out of the water, and won't they +make us a nice dinner?" + +"And they're your favorite fish, ma'am, them pretty speckled trout is," +put in Ann, glad to make a diversion in her own favor, as well as to help +Lulu out of a scrape; "and I'll go right to work to clean 'em and have 'em +ready for the frying-pan in less than no time." + +"Yes, they'll be very nice; and the meat will keep for to-morrow," was the +gracious rejoinder. "You oughtn't to have gone off without leave, Lulu; +but I suppose Max couldn't wait." + +"No, Aunt Beulah, he said he couldn't stay more than a minute. Shall I +help Ann clean the fish?" + +"No; go and make yourself tidy. Your hands are dirty, your apron soiled, +and your hair looks as if it hadn't been combed for a week." + +Mrs. Scrimp's face was gathering blackness as she scanned the figure of +the young delinquent from head to foot, spying out all that was amiss with +it. + +"I will," said Lulu, moving toward the door with cheerful alacrity. "Oh, I +forgot!" and rushing into the hall, she came back the next minute +bringing her basket of treasures. + +"See, Aunt Beulah, I've brought you lots of lovely leaves; you know you +said you wanted some to make a wreath; and here are mosses, and grapes, +and hazel-nuts." + +"Why you have made good use of your time," Mrs. Scrimp said, now entirely +mollified. "Bring your basket into the sitting-room, where Gracie is; and +we'll look over its contents." + +Max was less fortunate to-day than his sister. His custodian was on the +look-out for him, cowhide in hand, and seizing him roughly, as he entered +the gate, with a fierce, "I'll teach you to disobey orders another time, +you young vagabond! I told you to come home at noon, and you're over two +hours behind time!" began to administer an unmerciful flogging. + +"Stop!" cried Max, trying to dodge the blows. "How could I tell the time? +I came as soon as I thought it was noon." + +But his tormentor was in a towering passion and would not stay his hand to +listen to any excuse. + +"Do you mean to kill me?" screamed Max. "You'll hang for it if you do. And +my father----" + +"Your father believes in enforcing obedience to orders, sir; and +I'll----" + +But at this instant there was an interference from a third party. + +At a little distance some men were at work hewing timber. They had been +working there for weeks, in which Max had made acquaintance and become a +great favorite with them, particularly one called by his companions, "Big +Bill," because of his great size and strength. + +He was a rough, good-natured man, with nothing of the bully about him, but +regarded with intense scorn and indignation any attempt on the part of the +strong to tyrannize over the weak and defenceless. + +He and his comrades had seen and heard enough in these weeks of labor in +the vicinity of Fox's residence to inspire them with contempt and dislike +toward him on account of his treatment of Max. They had among themselves +already pronounced him "a wolf in sheep's clothing, a hypocrite and a +coward." + +They had seen him watching for the boy with his instrument of torture in +his hand, and their wrath had waxed hot. + +When Max came in sight they dropped their tools and looked to see what +would happen, and at the first blow "Big Bill" muttering between his +clenched teeth, "I'll settle his hash for him," started for the scene of +action. "Stop that!" he roared, "stop that, you old hypocritical +scoundrel! You hit that boy another lick and I'll knock you as flat as a +flounder!" + +The hand that held the whip dropped at Fox's side, and the other loosed +its hold on Max as he turned and faced his assailant. + +"What do you mean by coming here to interfere in my business?" he +demanded. + +"I mean to protect the weak against the strong, sir. I consider that my +business. You've given that boy more unmerciful beatings already than he +ought to have had in a lifetime, and he not at all a bad boy either. I +know all about that padlock affair, though he's never breathed a word to +me on the subject, and I'd enjoy nothing better than thrashing you +soundly; what's more I'll do it if ever I know you to strike him again; or +my name's not Bill Simpson. Max, if he ever does, you've only to let 'Big +Bill' hear of it and he'll get ten times more than he's given." + +"Thank you, Bill," said Max, running to the big, kind-hearted fellow and +giving him his hand. "I'm glad to be protected from him, though I don't +want him hurt if he'll only let me alone." + +Fox had already stalked away in the direction of the house, swelling with +inward wrath, but assuming an air of injured innocence and offended +dignity. + +Standing in wholesome fear of Max's self-constituted defender, he never +again ventured to lay violent hands on the lad, but contented himself with +inflicting many petty annoyances. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + "Except I be by Silvia in the night, + There is no music in the nightingale; + Unless I look on Silvia in the day, + There is no day for me to look upon." + --_Shakspeare_. + + +It was already past the middle of November when Captain Raymond received +his injuries, so that the six weeks or more of enforced inaction would +carry him into the month of January. + +He had hoped to spend Christmas with his children, but that was now +clearly impossible, as he sadly owned to himself, for he was a loving +father and felt the disappointment keenly on both his own account and +theirs. + +There would be no festivities at Ion this year, bereavement was still too +recent with themselves, too imminent with those very near by the ties of +kindred. But there was to be an exchange of gifts; there had been that +even last year when but a few months had elapsed since the departure to +the better land of the beloved husband and father. + +Captain Raymond, sitting quietly in his invalid chair, generally to all +appearance buried in a book, overheard many a consultation in regard to +what would be most acceptable to this or that one who happened to be +absent from the room at the moment, for it was intended that most of the +gifts, at least, should be a surprise to the recipients. + +One day when the talk was of those to be provided for Rosie and Walter, +Mrs. Dinsmore noticed that their guest was listening with a very +interested look. + +"Captain Raymond," she said, turning to him with an engaging smile, "we +purpose to go into the city to-morrow to shop for these things; can we do +anything in that line for you?" + +"Thank you," he said heartily, his face brightening very much; "if it +would not be overtaxing you, I should be very glad indeed to do some +shopping by proxy; glad to have the benefit of your and Mrs. Travilla's +taste and judgment in the selection of some Christmas presents for my +children. It will be all I can do for them this year. I had thought of +sending money for the purpose, to the persons in charge of them, but it +would be far more satisfactory to me to have some share in the choice of +the articles." + +Both ladies assured him that it would give them pleasure to do whatever +they could to assist him in making the desired purchases, and Mr. +Dinsmore suggested that a variety of goods might be sent out from the city +stores for him to select from. + +He said that was a good idea, but he would leave it to the ladies to have +that done, or to choose for him a book for each of his children, a doll +for each girl, and writing-desks, fully furnished, for Max and Lulu. + +"I think," he added with a smile, "whatever I may give will seem to them +more valuable if sent from this distance than if bought near at hand." + +"Yes," Mrs. Dinsmore said, "that is human nature." + +The shoppers set out the next morning soon after breakfast, expecting to +return about the usual dinner-hour. + +Watching the departure from the window near which he was seated, the +captain observed with pleasure that Violet was not of the party, hoping +that if left behind, she would give him the enjoyment of her society +during the absence of the others. + +Presently she came in, bringing some needlework; Rosie and Walter with +her. + +The captain closed the book he had been reading and turned toward them +with a pleased smile. + +"So I am not to be left to solitude, as I feared," he remarked. + +"You must please send us away, sir, whenever you think that preferable to +our company," returned Violet lightly. + +"Do you deem me capable of such rudeness, Miss Travilla?" he asked with +playful look and tone. + +"We will not consider it such," she answered, seating herself and +beginning her work, "since we can wander at will all over the house, +while, for the present, you, sir, are a prisoner confined to this room and +the next." + +"That reminds me," he said, "that of late you have absented yourself a +great deal from this room; to my no small discontent." + +"It is flattering to my vanity and self-appreciation to learn that you +have missed me," she returned sportively, but with a slightly heightened +color. + +"You can never be away from the rest of us without being missed, Vi," +remarked Rosie; "especially now that Sister Elsie is away." + +"And do you not mean to gratify my curiosity as to what has been the cause +of your many and prolonged absences, Miss Violet?" queried the captain. + +"I have been busy elsewhere, sir. But is it not an understood thing that +curiosity is a peculiarly feminine trait?" + +"I am able to plead guiltless to the charge of ever having made such an +insinuation," said the captain; "and do now confess to having a full share +of inquisitiveness." + +"May I tell, Vi?" asked Rosie. + +"We must first learn whether Captain Raymond can keep a secret," Vi +answered, glancing at him with a saucy smile. + +"Yes, indeed!" he said, "as you shall learn if you will but allow me the +opportunity." + +"Then I may tell I!" cried Rosie; and hardly waiting for her sister's nod +of acquiescence, went on. "She is preparing such a nice surprise for dear +mamma, Captain Raymond, a miniature of papa which she has been painting on +ivory. I think it looks more like him than any photograph or painted +portrait that we have. And I am sure mamma could not have a more +acceptable present. Besides that, Vi has painted two flower-pieces; one +for grandpa and one for grandma." + +"You have certainly been very industrious, Miss Violet," he remarked. "I +have heard your studio spoken of. May I hope for the pleasure of visiting +it when I recover the free use of my limbs?" + +"That will not be for some weeks, sir; and in the mean while I will take +your request into consideration," she answered demurely. + +The morning passed very rapidly to the captain; the children amused him +with their prattle, and when after an hour or two, Rosie grew tired of the +bit of fancy-work she was doing under her sister's supervision, and +yielded to Walter's entreaties to "come to the nursery and build +block-houses," thus leaving Violet his sole companion, the moments sped +faster than before; for he found her a very interesting and entertaining +conversationist. + +On their return the shopping-party brought with them the articles he had +mentioned. He pronounced them all entirely satisfactory, and they were +packed and sent northward with the addition of some pretty things for the +dolls, contributed by Violet and Rosie. + +Some unusual impulse of fatherly solicitude and affection led the captain +to put his own address upon several envelopes in each writing-desk, +stamping them also and adding a note to each of the three children. + +To Max and Lulu he said that he wanted letters from them which should not +pass through the hands of a third person, "letters that should be like a +bit of private chat with papa." + +Seeing how tenderly and carefully the little Travillas were nurtured and +what love was lavished upon them, had turned his thoughts frequently upon +his own motherless ones, and set him to thinking and asking himself rather +anxiously how they were faring in those respects. He had come to realize +more thoroughly than ever before his responsibility as a parent. + +The Christmas work which had kept Violet busy in her studio was now +finished, and henceforth she spent much more of her time with the rest of +the family; greatly to Captain Raymond's satisfaction, for much as he +admired the other ladies and enjoyed conversing with them and with Mr. +Dinsmore, he was quite conscious of a constant uneasiness and discontent +when Violet absented herself from the room. + +His admiration for her beauty and grace had been unbounded from the first, +and gradually as he discovered more and more of her sterling worth, her +sweetness and unselfishness of disposition, her talent, industry, and +genuine piety, his heart had gone out to her in ardent affection; in fact +with a deeper and stronger love than he had ever before known or dreamed +of. + +He began to ask himself how he could ever go away and leave her, and +whether he dared seek to make her his own. He was fully as loath as Donald +Keith to appear in the role of fortune-hunter. Would Mr. Dinsmore and his +daughter, so noble themselves, be ready to impute so unworthy a motive to +him? He hoped not, he believed they would judge him by themselves. And +they who so fully knew and appreciated all that Violet was must see and +believe that no man whose affections were not already engaged could be +thrown into intimate association with her day after day, as he had been +for so many weeks, and not learn to love her for herself alone. + +Then he had learned incidentally from Dr. Conly, that the older daughter +had married a poor artist with the full consent of her parents and +grandfather, his lack of wealth being considered no objection to his suit. + +Captain Raymond did not look upon wealth as the highest patent of nobility +even in this republican country, but thought, in his manly independence, +that his well-established reputation as an honorable, Christian gentleman, +and officer of the United States Navy, made him in rank fully the peer of +the Dinsmores and Travillas; and he believed that they would entirely +agree with him in that. + +But he was not a conceited man, and felt by no means sure that Violet +herself would give a favorable hearing to his suit. Under the peculiar and +trying circumstances of his sojourn at Ion he had not been able to offer +her any attention, and her uniform kindness had probably been shown only +to her mother's invalid guest. And as he thought of the disparity of years +between them, and how many younger, and perhaps in every way more +attractive men, must have crossed her path, his hopes sank very low. + +Yet he was not too proud to allow her the opportunity to reject him. +Saying to himself, "Were I certain that she is indifferent to me, I would +not give her the pain of doing so--for I know her kind heart would feel it +a pain--but as I am not sure of her feelings, it is only fair and just to +her to let her know of mine and abide the issue," he decided that he would +not go away without speaking, yet that he would first ask the consent of +her natural guardians. + +He therefore seized the first opportunity when alone with Mr. Dinsmore to +tell of his love for Violet, and ask if he could obtain his and the +mother's consent to the prosecution of his suit. + +Mr. Dinsmore seemed both surprised and moved. He did not speak for a +moment, then, with a heavy sigh, "Has it come to this already," he said +"that we are likely to lose our little Vi? I don't know how either her +mother or I can ever do without her! ever make up our minds to resign her +to any one else!" + +"I don't wonder at it, sir," the captain said with feeling. "But may I +understand that you do not object to me personally?" + +"No, sir, oh no! I see no objection to you more than to any other, except +disparity of years, Violet being so young; and that is not so great as it +was between her parents." + +"Then you give me some hope?" + +"If you have won her affections, yes. How is it in regard to that?" + +"I have said no word to her on the subject, Mr. Dinsmore--feeling that the +more honorable course was first to ask permission of her mother and +yourself--and am by no means certain that she cares for me at all except +as a friend of the family and of her cousin, Lieut. Keith. Have I your +consent, sir?" + +"I will talk with my daughter, captain, and let you know the result." + +He rose as if to leave the room, but the captain detained him. + +"Let me tell you," he said, coloring in spite of himself, "that I am not +rich, having very little beside my pay." + +"That is a matter of small importance," Mr. Dinsmore answered in a kindly +tone, "seeing that riches are so apt to take wings and fly away, and that +the Master said, 'A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the +things which he possesseth.' If her mother's wealth remains, Violet will +be well provided for, as I presume you are aware, yet I cannot for a +moment suppose you capable of seeking her on that account. In fact," he +concluded with a smile, "the child has nothing at all of her own, and her +mother can, should she choose, leave her penniless." + +"And I should be more than willing to take her so, if I could get her," +the captain answered, returning the smile; "it would be a dear delight to +me to provide her with all things desirable by my own exertions." + +"Excuse the question, Capt. Raymond, but have you taken into consideration +the fact that Violet's extreme youth must render her unfit for the cares +and responsibilities of motherhood to your children?" + +"Mr. Dinsmore, there is not a woman in a thousand of those twice her age +whom I would as willingly trust. But she shall have no care or labor that +I can save her from, always supposing I can be so happy as to win her for +my own." + +The family had retired for the night to their own apartments. Mrs. +Travilla, almost ready to seek her couch, sat alone in her dressing-room +in front of the brightly blazing wood fire; her open Bible was in her +hand, a lamp burning on a little table by the side of her easy-chair. + +Her dressing-gown of soft white cashmere became her well, and her unbound +hair lying in rich masses on her shoulders lent a very youthful look to +face and figure. + +Her father thought, as he came softly in and stood at her side, gazing +down upon her, that he had seldom seen her more rarely beautiful. + +She lifted her eyes to his with the old sweet smile of filial love and +reverence, shut her book and laid it on the table. + +He laid his hand gently on her head, bent down and kissed her on brow and +cheek and lip. + +"Dear papa, won't you sit down?" she said, rising to draw up a chair for +him. + +"Yes," he answered; "I want a little talk with you. How wonderfully young +you look to-night!--so like my little girl of other days that I feel a +strong inclination to invite you to your old seat upon my knee. Will you +take it?" sitting down and drawing her gently toward him. + +She yielded to his wish, saying, as she put her arm about his neck and +gazed lovingly into his eyes, "I am still child enough to enjoy it +greatly, if I am not so heavy as to weary you, my dear father." + +"I do not feel your weight unpleasantly," he returned. "You must remember +I am a very strong man, and you but a slight and delicate woman. Not so +plump as I could wish to see you," he added, pushing up the sleeve of her +gown and clasping his fingers round the white arm. + +"Isn't there plenty of flesh there to hide the bones?" she asked +laughingly. + +"The bones are well hidden, but the flesh is not so solid as I would have +it." + +"Ah, papa, you must not be so hard to please!" she said, with playful look +and tone. "I think I'm in very good condition; am glad I'm not too heavy +to sit here and play at being your own little girl again. What happy days +those were! when I had not a care or anxiety except to please my earthly +and my heavenly father." + +"Would you like to go back to them?" + +"No, dear father, your love and tender care made me a very happy child, +but I have no desire to retrace my steps. I should far rather press +forward to the heavenly home whither you are travelling with me--'the rest +that remaineth to the people of God,' rest from sin as well as from +sorrow, pain, and care." + +"'Casting _all_ you care upon _Him_, for He careth for you.' He who ever +liveth; He who hath all power in heaven and in earth; He who has said, 'I +have loved thee with an everlasting love,' 'I will never leave thee nor +forsake thee.' Dear daughter, if cares and anxieties oppress you, ask +yourself what right a Christian has to be troubled with them." + +"None, papa," she answered humbly; "I am thankful that I can say a belief +in His love and power prevents them from pressing very heavily, yet it is +my grief and shame that my faith is often too weak to lift the burden +entirely." + +"What is the particular burden to-night?" he asked tenderly. + +"My absent darlings, papa: my Elsie, now beginning with the cares of +married life, my eldest son exposed to I know not what dangers and +temptations." + +"But with the very same Almighty Friend their mother has to watch over and +protect, to comfort and sustain them." + +"Yes, papa! Oh, I ought not to have one anxious thought about them!" + +"When such thoughts will arise, dear child, turn them into petitions on +their behalf, and believing in God's willingness to hear and answer +prayer, your heart may grow light. + +"But this is not exactly what I came to talk about." Then he repeated the +substance of his conversation with Capt. Raymond, and asked what answer +she would give. + +Her surprise was as great as her father's had been, and a look of sore +pain came into her face as she exclaimed, "Violet! my little Vi! must I +lose her too?" + +"Perhaps not, dearest; it may be that she cares nothing for him. But you +need decide nothing to-night, and must try not to let the question keep +you awake." + +For a moment she seemed lost in thought, then lifting to his, eyes +brimful of tears, "Papa," she said tremulously, "I cannot stand in the way +of my child's happiness, therefore I must let him speak, and learn from +her own lips whether she cares for him or not." + +"Yes, I think you are right. And now, daughter dear, I must bid you +good-night. But first I want you to promise me that you will determinately +cast this care on the Lord, and not let it rob you of needed sleep." + +They had both risen, and as he spoke he took her in his arms and held her +close to his heart. + +"I will, papa, in obedience to Him and to you," she said, while for a +moment her arm was about his neck, her head laid upon his breast. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + "On you most loved, with anxious fear I wait, + And from your judgment must expect my fate." + --_Addison_. + + +Naturally Elsie's first waking thoughts on the following morning were of +Violet and her future. She was not a "match-making mamma," not at all +desirous to be rid of her daughters, and had never once thought of Capt. +Raymond as a possible suitor for Violet. + +He was not a very young man, and it was difficult to realize that Vi was +grown up enough for her hand to be sought in marriage by even one near her +own age, much less by the father of a family whose eldest child could not +be very many years younger than she. + +"She surely cannot fancy him!" the mother said to herself with a sigh of +relief; but instantly came the remembrance that the disparity of years had +been still greater between herself and the husband she had loved with all +the strength of her nature--so loved that never for a moment could she +admit the idea of the possibility that any other could fill his place in +her heart. What more could she ask for her beloved child, for this life, +than such wedded bliss as she herself had known? + +But how could she spare her! especially so soon after resigning her sweet +namesake daughter to another. It was only the unselfishness of her mother +love which could at all reconcile her to the thought. + +She longed to know whether she were likely to be called upon to make the +sacrifice, but generously resolved to use no means to discover the state +of her child's feelings until the captain had spoken. In the mean while +she would neither make an opportunity for him nor throw any obstacle in +his way. + +Her toilet was scarcely complete, and she had just dismissed her maid, +when a tap on her dressing-room door was followed by her father's +entrance. + +"Ah, papa! good-morning!" she said, her face growing bright with pleasure. +"Are you well, my dear father?" going to him and putting her arms about +his neck. + +"Perfectly, my darling," he said, caressing her. "How are you? how did you +sleep?" + +"I am able to answer, Very well indeed, to both questions, papa," she +returned brightly. + +"You didn't let worrying thoughts keep you awake?" + +"Oh, no, sir!" + +"And is your answer to Capt. Raymond still the same?" + +"Yes, papa," she said, with an involuntary sigh. + +"I don't believe you wish him success," he remarked, with a slight smile +and a keen, searching look into her face. + +"No," she said, the tears starting to her eyes; "I had thought to keep my +sweet child for years to come." + +"But you have no objection to him, more than you would have to any one +else?" + +"No, papa, I have learned to think very highly of him, and believe my +darling's happiness will be safe in his hands--if she loves him. Yet I +trust far more to your judgment than to my own. You approve of him, do you +not?" + +"Entirely; yet, like yourself, am so loath to part with Violet that I +shall heartily rejoice if she declares herself indifferent to him." + +"I long to end my suspense in regard to that," Elsie said, "but have +decided to endure it until the captain has spoken; because it seems better +and kinder not to embarrass her by any hint of the state of his feelings." + +Her father expressed approval of her resolve, then as her children came +trooping in for their loved morning half hour with "mamma," with their +bright faces and cheery greetings to her and grandpa, he left her and +went down to the parlor, where he found Capt. Raymond, and rejoiced his +heart with the favorable response to his request. + +There was something so peculiar in the mother's gaze into Violet's face as +they exchanged their morning greetings, it was so unwontedly keen and +searching, half sad and anxious too, that the young girl asked in +surprise, "What is it, mamma?" + +"My darling, you are very sweet, very precious to your mother's heart!" +Elsie said with an earnest, tender kiss; then turned quickly away to hide +the tell-tale moisture in her eyes. + +Capt. Raymond was not long in finding or making his opportunity. + +It was the day before Christmas, and Rosie and Walter made frequent +allusion to the exchange of gifts in which they expected to share that +evening. They were chatting with the captain about it, in the parlor, soon +after breakfast; talking of his children also; asking if he thought they +had received his presents by this time, and that they would have a tree. + +Violet was sitting near, helping Rosie to dress some dolls for the little +cousins at the Laurels. Presently, one being quite ready, Rosie must run +and show it to mamma, and Walter went with her. + +The door had scarcely closed on them, leaving Violet and the captain sole +occupants of the room, when he rose from his chair and, moving with some +care and difficulty, took another close at her side. + +"Are you not disobeying orders, sir, and in some danger of suffering for +it?" she asked, looking at him with a mischievous smile. + +"No; I have the doctor's permission to try the ankle a little to-day," he +answered. Then, with a slightly embarrassed air, "Miss Travilla," he said, +"I should like to--would you accept a Christmas gift from me?" + +"You are very kind, sir," she said, blushing vividly, "but I think I must +decline. Mamma highly disapproves of young girls accepting presents from +their gentlemen friends." + +"But I have consulted her and your grandfather in regard to this, and +obtained their permission to offer it and ask for a return in kind. Will +you accept my hand (the heart you have already won) and give me yours in +exchange? Ah, I fear that you must think my presumption very great! I know +I am asking what a king might covet. I know that you, in your peerless +beauty--so fair, so sweet, so good, so talented, so admired and sought +after--are worthy of a throne, and I have not even wealth to offer +you--nothing, in fact, but the love of a man whose honor is unstained, and +who would cherish you as the apple of his eye. Ah, dearest girl, I have +no words to express the strength and power of the passionate affection +with which you have inspired me!" + +All this and much more in the same strain was poured out so rapidly and +ardently that Violet seemed overwhelmed by the torrent of words that had +come rushing upon her so unexpectedly and without any warning. + +A deep blush overspread the fair face and neck, while her work fell from +her hand and her eyes sought the floor. + +When at length he paused for a reply, she started up, saying confusedly, +in low, tremulous tones, "I--I am far from meriting the praises you have +heaped upon me, and I am very young and foolish--not fit for--for so noble +and good a man--so worthy to be highly honored. And I--oh, how could I +leave my dear, widowed mother!" Then, as approaching footsteps were heard +in the hall without, she turned and fled from the room. + +"Ah, grandpa's little cricket, what is it? what has disturbed you so?" +asked a well-known voice, in tones that spoke more pleasure than alarm, +and Vi, as she hurried through the hall, half blinded by the tears in her +eyes, felt herself closely clasped by two strong arms that held her fast. + +"Oh, grandpa! I--I wish he hadn't!" she stammered, dropping her face upon +his breast and bursting into tears. + +"Who, my pet? who has dared to ill use you?" he asked, caressing her. + +Vi lifted her head and looked up at him in surprise, for certainly his +tone was rather amused than angry or stern. Then at a sudden remembrance +of the captain's assertion that he had sought and obtained her +grandfather's permission to offer her his hand, "Oh, grandpa, why did you +let him?" she said, again hiding her blushing face on his breast; "you +know I could never, never leave mamma! dear, dear mamma!" + +"I am glad to hear it!" he returned with satisfaction, repeating his +caresses, "for I don't know what either she or I could do without you. And +that was your answer to Capt. Raymond?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Very well, go and tell mamma about it--she will be as glad as I am to +hear that we are not to lose our darling little Vi--while I see what I can +say to comfort the captain." + +He released her as he spoke, and she flew to do his bidding. + +Rosie and Walter were still with their mother in her boudoir, but as +Violet came in with her flushed, agitated face, they were gently bidden to +run away for a little while. + +As the door closed on them, Violet dropped on her knees by her mother's +chair and laid her head in her lap, hiding her face. + +"My dear child! my dear, precious little daughter!" Elsie said, softly +smoothing the golden tresses. + +"Mamma, you know?" + +"Yes, dearest." + +"O mamma, I can't leave you! how could I?" + +"Dear child! it would be a sore trial to have to part with you; and I +cannot be sorry that you are not ready or willing to go. You are one of +the very great blessings and comforts of your mother's life!" + +"Dearest mother, thank you! They are very sweet words to hear from your +lips," Violet said, lifting her face to look up into her mother's with a +beautiful smile. + +"And so you have said your suitor nay?" Elsie asked, with playful look and +tone. + +"I hardly know what I said, mamma, except that I was too young and foolish +and couldn't leave you!" + +"You do not care for him at all?" + +"I--I don't know, mamma!" and the sweet, innocent face was suffused with +blushes; "I had never thought of his fancying me--hardly more than a +child--while he--mamma, is he not very noble and good and wise? and so +brave and unselfish!--you know how he risked his life to save a poor old +negress; and how much he has suffered in consequence, and how patiently he +has borne it all!" + +"And how handsome he is?" + +"Yes, mamma, one reads the nobility of his nature in his face, and his +bearing is soldierly." + +"Ah, my little girl! my heart misgives me that I hold you by a very frail +tenure!" Elsie sighed between a smile and a tear, as she bent her head to +look searchingly into the depths of the azure eyes. + +Violet's face crimsoned, and her head went down again into her mother's +lap. + +"Mamma, you need not fear," she said, very low and tremulously, "I have +rejected his offer, and I cannot leave you." + +"I am much mistaken if he is so easily repulsed," Elsie said. "He is a +brave soldier, and will renew the assault nor raise the siege of my +daughter's heart until he has brought it to a full if not unconditional +surrender." + +"Mamma, I wish I could run away." + +"Come, then, to the Laurels with me, and you need not return until bedtime +to-night, unless you choose." + +Vi's face brightened, then clouded again. "Thank you, mamma, I will go, +yet it will be putting off the evil day for but a very little while." + +"It will give you time to think and analyze your own feelings, so that you +will be the better prepared for the next assault," was the playful +rejoinder. "Go now, dear child, and make yourself ready. The carriage +will be at the door almost immediately--Arthur has consented to my taking +the children in a close carriage. They must return before sundown, but you +need not be in such haste." + +Mr. Dinsmore did not find Capt. Raymond looking so completely cast down as +he had expected. His face was slightly flushed, his expression somewhat +perplexed and disappointed, but by no means despairing. + +"I fear I have been too precipitate," he said, in answer to his host's +inquiring look. "'The more haste the less speed,' as the old proverb has +it. I fear I frightened the dear girl by too sudden and vehement an avowal +of my passion. Yet I trust it may not be too late to retrieve my error." + +"She rejected your suit?" Mr. Dinsmore said interrogatively. + +"Yes, she seemed to do so!" sighed the lover, "yet the objections she +urged are not insurmountable. She calls herself too young and foolish, but +I hope to convince her that that is a mistake. Young she is indeed, but +very far from foolish. She cannot leave her mother is another objection, +but that I should not ask her to do--as a landlubber might," he added +sportively, "would in all probability. As much of my life must be spent at +sea, it would not be worth while to set up a home of my own on land, if I +had a wife who preferred to live with her mother." + +"Well, sir, that is certainly much in your favor," said Mr. Dinsmore; "our +greatest, almost our only objection to your suit being the thought of +parting with the child of our love." + +When Violet came home that evening she did not rejoin the family in the +parlor, but went directly to her own apartments. + +"Where is mamma?" she inquired of her maid as she threw off her hat and +cloak. + +"In de parlor, Miss Wi'let." + +"Are the children in bed and asleep?" + +"Yes, miss." + +Violet opened a bureau drawer and took therefrom several small packages. +Undoing one, she brought to light the miniature of her father which she +had painted. She carried it to the lamp and stood for some minutes gazing +down upon the beloved face with fast-falling tears. + +"Oh, papa, papa!" she murmured, "how hard it is to live without you!" + +At length closing the case and restoring it to the box whence she had +taken it, she gathered up the other parcels and went first to her mother's +dressing-room, where she laid the little box on the toilet-table, then on +to the rooms occupied by her younger sister and brothers, leaving a gift +for each. + +Going back to her own rooms, she espied a letter directed to herself, +which she had not noticed before. She had seen Capt. Raymond's handwriting +frequently during the weeks he had been at Ion, and recognized it at a +glance. The rich color rushed over face and neck, and her heart beat fast. + +"Agnes," she said to her maid, "you may go now; I shall not need you any +more to-night," and the girl went out, leaving her alone. + +Even then she did not at once open her letter, but moved slowly back and +forth for some minutes, with it in her hand. Then kneeling down she asked +earnestly for heavenly guidance in this important crisis of her life. + +Looking into her own heart that day, she had learned that she was far from +indifferent to him who had asked her to exchange with him vows of mutual +love and trust, and to be the partner of his joys and sorrows. She was not +indifferent, but did she love him well enough to leave, for his sake, the +dear home of her childhood and the sweet mother to whom her heart had ever +clung with the most ardent affection? + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + "Nor less was she in heart affected, + But that she masked it with modesty, + For fear she should of lightness be detected." + --_Spenser's "Fairy Queen."_ + + +Violet had lingered at the Laurels, with her Aunt Rose, for some hours +after her mother returned to Ion with the children, and in the meanwhile +there had been a long talk between Mrs. Travilla and Capt. Raymond, in +which he had pleaded his cause with all the eloquence an ardent passion +could inspire. + +Elsie's answer was, "If you have won my daughter's heart, her hand shall +not be refused you. But she is yet too young for the grave +responsibilities of married life. Nor can I reconcile myself to the +thought of parting with her so soon; therefore I should greatly prefer to +have the matter dropped, at least for the present." + +The captain repeated what he had said to Mr. Dinsmore in regard to his +willingness to leave Violet with her mother if only he might have her for +his wife. + +"That would be very pleasant," Elsie said her eyes shining; "and so far +you have the decided advantage of a suitor who would carry her away from +us; but, Captain, you are a father, and the woman whom you marry should be +not only a wife to you, but also a mother to your children; but for that +care and responsibility my little Vi is, I fear, far too young. Indeed, my +mother heart can ill brook the thought of her being so burdened in the +very morning of her life." + +"Nor should I be willing to burden her, my dear Mrs. Travilla," he said +with feeling; "she should never bear the lightest burden that I could save +her from. But, my dear madam, would my children be any better off if I +should remain single? I think not, and I also think that should I marry +another while my heart is your daughter's, I should be doing very wrong. +But I cannot; if I fail to win her I shall remain as I am to the end of my +days." + +"I trust not," she said; "you may get over this and meet with some one +else with whom you can be very happy." + +He shook his head very decidedly. "I feel that that is impossible. But how +was it in your own case, Mrs. Travilla? Mrs. Dinsmore is, I understand, +but a few years older than yourself." + +"That is quite true, sir; and I know papa never let her take any +responsibility in regard to me, but taught, trained, and cared for me in +all respects himself; he was father and mother both to me," she said with +a lovely smile; "but you, my dear sir, are so situated that you could not +follow his example; you can neither stay at home with your children nor +take them to sea with you." + +"True, but they can stay where they are quite as well if I am married as +if I remain without a wife. I love them very dearly, Mrs. Travilla, and +earnestly desire to do my whole duty to them, but I do not think it a part +of that either to do without the dear little wife I covet, or to burden +her with cares unsuited to her tender years. Are you not willing to let me +settle this question of duty for myself?" + +"I certainly have not the shadow of a right or inclination to attempt to +settle any question of duty for you, sir," she answered with sweet +gentleness, "but I must, I think, try to help my dear child to consider +such questions for herself. And with her, after all, must the decision of +this matter remain." + +Both mother and lover waited with anxiety for that decision, and while +waiting the captain wrote his letter, the mother busied herself with her +accustomed cares and duties as daughter, mother, mistress, and hostess, +each heart lifting up silent petitions that the result might be for God's +glory and the best interests of all concerned. + +Elsie was not surprised that Violet did not join the family that evening +on her return from the Laurels. + +"She doubtless wants a talk with her mother first," was her silent comment +on learning that Vi had gone directly to that part of the house in which +the private apartments of the family were situated, and presently, as all +separated for the night, she sought her own dressing-room, expecting to +find Violet waiting for her there. + +But the room was unoccupied; one swift glance revealed that fact, and also +showed her the box Violet had left on her toilet-table, and beside it some +little token of love and remembrance from each of the other members of the +family. + +A label on each told who was the giver, and breathed of tender affection +to her for whom it was prepared. + +She looked them over with glistening eyes, a heart full of gratitude for +the loves still left her, though sore with the thought, recalled by every +anniversary, of him who was gone, and a sweet and beautiful smile playing +about her lips. + +Violet's gift was the last to be taken up and examined. So life-like was +the pictured face suddenly exposed to Elsie's view that it startled her +almost as if he had come in and stood by her side. The label told her it +was from Violet, but even without that she would have recognized it as her +work; and that it was so made it all the more precious to the widowed +mother. + +She was gazing intently upon it, her lips quivering, the big tears +dropping fast down her cheeks, as Violet, with Capt. Raymond's letter in +her hand, opened the door, came softly in, and glided noiselessly to her +side. + +"Dearest mamma," she murmured, stealing an arm about her mother's waist, +"does it please you?" + +"Nothing could be more like him! My darling, thank you a thousand times!" + +"I painted almost entirely from memory, mamma, and it was emphatically a +labor of love--love to you and to him. Oh, how sadly sweet it was to see +the dear face growing day by day under my hand!" + +"Has your grandpa seen it?" + +"Yes, mamma, he used to come in sometimes and watch me at my work. He +thinks as you do of the likeness. Ah, I hear his step!" and she hastened +to open the door for him. + +"I thought I should find you here," he said, kissing her on both cheeks, +then drawing her near the light and gazing with keen, loving scrutiny into +the blushing face. + +"Elsie daughter," turning to her--"Ah!" as he perceived her emotion and +took note of the miniature in her hand, "is it not a speaking likeness?" + +"Yes, papa," she said in a trembling voice, going to him to lay her head +on his breast while he clasped her in his arms, "but it has roused such an +intense longing in my heart! + + "'Oh, for the touch of a vanished hand, + And the sound of a voice that is still!" + +"Dearest child!" he said tenderly, "the separation is only for time, and a +long eternity of reunion will follow. 'Our light affliction, which is but +for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of +glory.'" + +"'But for a moment!'" she repeated. "Yes, it will seem like that when it +is past, though now the road looks so long and lonely." + +"Ah, dearest!" he said, softly smoothing her hair, "remember that nearer, +dearer Friend whose promise is, 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake +thee.'" + +Presently she lifted her head, wiped away her tears, and as her father +released her from his arms, turned to her daughter with a tenderly +interested and inquiring look. + +"What is it, my darling?" she asked, glancing at the letter in the young +girl's hand. + +Violet gave it to her, saying, with downcast eyes and blushing cheeks, "I +found it on my dressing-table, mamma. It is from him--Capt. Raymond--and I +have written a note in reply." + +"Shall I go away, Vi, and leave you and your mamma to your confidences?" +Mr. Dinsmore asked playfully, putting an arm about each and looking with +smiling eyes from one to the other. + +"No, grandpa, please stay; you know I have no secrets from you," Violet +answered, half hiding her face on his shoulder. + +"And are grandpa and I to read both epistles--yours and his?" asked her +mother. + +"If you please, mamma. But mine is not to be given unless you both +approve." + +The captain's was a straightforward, manly letter, renewing his offer with +a hearty avowal of strong and deathless love, and replying to her +objections as he had already in talking with her mother and grandfather. + +Violet's answer did not contain any denial of a return of his affection; +she simply thanked him for the honor done her, but said she did not feel +old enough or wise enough for the great responsibilities of married life. + +"Rather non-committal, isn't it, little cricket?" was her grandfather's +playful comment. "It strikes me that you neither accept nor reject him." + +"Why, grandpa," she said confusedly, "I thought it was a rejection." + +Mr. Dinsmore and his daughter had seated themselves near the table, on +which a lamp was burning, and Violet knelt on a hassock at her mother's +feet, half hiding her blushing face on her lap. + +"Ah, my little girl!" Elsie said, with playful tenderness, putting one +hand under Vi's chin, and lifting the fair face to look into it with keen, +loving scrutiny, "were I the captain, I should not despair; the citadel of +my Vi's heart is half won." + +The cheeks were dyed with hotter blushes at that, but no denial came from +the ruby lips. "Mamma, I do not want to marry yet for years," she said, +"and I think it will not be easy for any one to win me away from you." + +"But he says he will not take you away," remarked her grandpa. + +"Are you on his side, grandpa?" asked Violet. + +"Only if your heart is, my dear child." "And in that case I am on his side +too," said her mother, "because I desire my little girl's happiness even +more than her dear companionship as exclusively my own." + +"Except what belongs to her grandpa and guardian," said Mr. Dinsmore, +taking Vi's arm and gently drawing her to a seat upon his knee. + +Vi put her arms about his neck. "The dearest, kindest grandpa and guardian +that ever anybody had!" she said, giving him a kiss of ardent affection. +"Well, if you, sir, and mamma are both on the captain's side, I suppose it +won't do for me to reject him. But you say my note isn't a rejection, so +will you please give it to him? And if he isn't satisfied to take it for +no and let me alone on the subject, he may wait a year or two and see +if--if he still feels toward me as he does now, and perhaps--only +perhaps--if he hasn't changed his mind and asks again----" + +"You may say yes?" Mr. Dinsmore asked as she broke off in confusion. + +"Oh, grandpa, say what you think best! only don't make it too easy for +him," she said, with an arch smile, but blushing deeply. + +"I think," said Mr. Dinsmore, "I shall only give him your note without any +additions of my own, and leave him to carry on further negotiations, or +not, as he sees fit." + +Capt. Raymond did not take Vi's answer as a decided rejection, and within +twenty-four hours had won from her an acknowledgment that she was not +indifferent to him, and persuaded her to promise him her hand at some +far-off future day. All seemed well contented with the arrangement, and +the week that followed was a very delightful one to the lovers. + +In the mean time his Christmas gifts to his children had been received by +them with great joy. Especially did Max and Lulu rejoice over the +opportunity now afforded them to open their hearts to their father and +tell him all their grievances. + +He had written to both Mr. Fox and Mrs. Scrimp directing his gifts to be +delivered into the children's own hands without any examination, and never +to be taken from them. Also that they be allowed to spend their Christmas +together. + +So Max was permitted to go to Mrs. Scrimp's to spend the day with his +sisters, and was well pleased to do so when he learned that that lady +would not be at home, having accepted an invitation to take her Christmas +dinner elsewhere. + +Ann, who was left at home to look after the children, gave them an +excellent dinner, and Max, having found some money in his desk, came +provided with candies. + +They compared presents, and spent some time over the books their father +had sent, then Max and Lulu decided that it would be best to write now to +their father, thanking him for his gifts and telling him all they had so +long wanted him to know. + +Lulu compressed what she had to say into a few lines--her love, thanks, +longing to see papa, Gracie's feebleness, and her own belief that it was +all because she did not get enough to eat; an acknowledgment that she was +saucy to "Aunt Beulah," and sometimes helped herself to food, but excusing +it on the plea that otherwise she too would be half starved; and that poor +Max was often beaten and abused by Mr. Fox for just nothing at all. + +Max's letter was much longer, as he went more into detail, and was not +finished for several days. When it was he inclosed it and Lulu's, which +she had given into his charge, in one of the envelopes that he had found +in his desk ready stamped and directed, and mailed it to his father. + +These letters reached Ion on New Year's morning. The captain read them +with deep concern, first to himself, then to Mrs. Travilla and Violet, as +they happened to be alone together in the parlor. + +The hearts of both ladies were deeply touched, and their eyes filled with +tears as they listened to the story of the wrongs of the poor motherless +children. + +"Oh, captain, you will not leave them there where they are so ill used?" +Vi said almost imploringly; "it breaks my heart to think of their +sufferings!" + +"Don't let it distress you, my dear girl," he replied soothingly; "we +should perhaps make some allowance for unintentional exaggeration. There +are always two sides to a story, and we have but one here." + +"But told in a very straightforward way," Elsie said with warmth. "Both +letters seem to me to bear the stamp of truth. Depend upon, it, captain, +there is good ground for their complaints." + +"I fear so," he said, "and am quite as anxious, my dear Mrs. Travilla, as +you could wish to set my dear children free from such tyranny; but what +can I do? In obedience to orders, I must return to my vessel to-morrow and +sail at once for a distant foreign port. I cannot go to see about my +darlings, and I know of no better place to put them. I shall, however, +write to Mrs. Scrimp, directing her to have immediately the best medical +advice for Gracie, and to follow it, feeding her as the doctor directs. +Also always to give Lulu as much as she wants of good, plain, wholesome +food. I shall also write to Fox, giving very particular directions in +regard to the management of my son." + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + "Great minds, like heaven, are pleased in doing good." + --_Rowe_. + + +Capt. Raymond's departure left Violet more lonely than his coming had +found her, much as she was at that time missing her elder sister and +brother. + +They were to correspond, but as he would sail immediately for a foreign +port, the exchange of letters between them could not, of course, be very +frequent. + +Her mother, grandpa, and Grandma Rose all sympathized with her in the +grief of separation from the one who had become so dear, and exerted +themselves to cheer and comfort her. + +She and her mamma were bosom companions, and had many a confidential chat +about the captain and his poor children, the desire to rescue the latter +from their tormentors and make them very happy growing in the hearts of +both. + +As the captain had not enjoined secrecy upon them in regard to the letters +of Max and Lulu, and it was so much the habit of both to speak freely to +Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore--especially the former--of all that interested +themselves, it was not long before they too had heard, with deep +commiseration, the story of the unkind treatment to which Max, Lulu, and +Gracie were subjected. + +"We must find a way to be of service to them," Mr. Dinsmore said. "Perhaps +by instituting inquiries among our friends and acquaintances we may hear +of some kind and capable person able and willing to take charge of them, +and to whom their father would be willing to commit them." + +"I wish we could!" Elsie said with a sigh. "I think I can fully sympathize +with the poor things, for I have not forgotten how in my early childhood I +used to long and weep for the dear mamma who had gone to heaven, and my +dear papa away in Europe." + +"A very poor sort of father he was then, very culpably neglectful of his +little motherless child," Mr. Dinsmore said in a remorseful tone, and +regarding her with a tenderly affectionate look. + +"But afterward and to this day the very best of fathers," she responded, +smiling up at him. "Dear papa, what a debt of gratitude do I not owe to +you for all the love, care, and kindness shown by you to me and my +children!" + +"I feel fully repaid by the love and obedience I receive in return," he +said, seating himself on the sofa by Vi's side and softly stroking her +hair. + +"Children and grandchildren all rise up and call you blessed, dear papa," +Elsie said, laying down the embroidery with which she had been busy, and +coming to his other side to put her arm about his neck and gaze lovingly +into his eyes. + +A silent caress as he passed his arm around her waist and drew her closer +to him was his only response. + +"Grandpa and mamma," said Vi, "don't you think Capt. Raymond is to be +pitied? Just think! he has neither father nor mother, brother nor sister! +no near and dear one except his children; and from them he is separated +almost all the time." + +"Yes," said Mr. Dinsmore, "I do indeed! but am not sorry enough for him to +give you up to him yet. I would not allow your mamma to marry till she was +several years older than you are now." + +"No, sir," said Elsie, smiling, "I well remember that you utterly forbade +me to listen to any declarations of love from man or boy, or to think of +such things if I could possibly help it." + +"Well, you lost nothing by waiting." + +"Lost! oh, no, no papa!" she cried, dropping her head upon his shoulder, +while a scalding tear fell to the memory of the husband so highly +honored, so dearly loved. + +"My dear child! my poor dear child!" her father said very low and +tenderly, pressing her closer to his side; "the separation is only for the +little while of time, the reunion will be for the endless ages of +eternity." + +"A most sweet and comforting thought, dear father," she said, lifting her +head and smiling through her tears; "and with that glad prospect and so +many dear ones left me, I am a very happy woman still." + +At that moment there was an interruption that for a long time put to +flight all thought of effort on behalf of Capt. Raymond's children: +Herbert and Harold came hurrying in with the news that a summons to +Roselands had come for their grandpa, grandma, and mother. Mrs. Conly had +had another stroke, was senseless, speechless, and apparently dying; also +the shock of her seizure had prostrated her father, and Arthur considered +him dangerously ill. + +The summons was promptly obeyed, and Violet left in the temporary charge +of children, house, and servants at Ion. + +Mrs. Conly died that night, but the old gentleman lingered for several +weeks, during which time his son was a constant attendant at his bedside, +either Rose or Elsie almost always sharing the watch and labor of love. + +At length all was over: the spirit had returned to God who gave it, the +body had been laid to rest in the family vault. Mr. Dinsmore and his wife +and daughter went home to Ion, and life there fell back into its old quiet +grooves. + +They spoke tenderly of the old grandfather, and kept his memory green in +their loving hearts, but he had gone to his grave like a shock of corn +fully ripe, and they did not mourn over his death with the sadness they +might have felt had it been that of a younger member of the family. + +Toward spring Capt. Raymond's letters became urgent for a speedy marriage. +He expected to be ordered home in June and allowed a rest of some weeks or +months. Then he might be sent to some distant quarter of the globe, and +not see his native land again for a long while, perhaps years. Under such +circumstances, how could he wait for his little wife? Would not she and +her mother and grandfather consent to let him claim her in June? + +The tender hearts of Elsie and Violet could not stand out against his +appeals. Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore felt for him too, and at length consent was +given, and preparations for the marriage were set on foot. + +Then the talk about the captain's children was renewed, and Vi said, with +tears in her sweet azure eyes, "Mamma, I do feel like being a mother to +them--especially for his sake--it only I were old enough and wise enough +to command their respect and obedience. Ah, mamma, if only you could have +the training of them! Yet I could not bear to have you so burdened." + +"I have been thinking of it, Vi, dear," Elsie said; "that perhaps we could +give them a happy home here, and help them to grow up to good and noble +man and womanhood, if their father would like to delegate his authority to +your grandpa and you and me. I think we would not abuse it, but without it +'twould be quite useless to undertake the charge." + +"Dear mamma!" cried Vi, her eyes shining, "how good, how kind, and +unselfish you always are!" + +Mr. Dinsmore, entering the room at the moment, asked playfully, "What is +the particular evidence of that patent at this time, Vi?" + +She answered his question by repeating what her mother had just said. + +"I have a voice in that," he remarked, with, a grave shake of the head. "I +do not think, daughter, that I can allow you to be so burdened." + +She rose, went to him where he stood, and putting her arms about his neck, +her eyes gazing fondly into his, "Dear papa," she said, "you know I will +do nothing against your wishes, but I am sure you will not hinder me from +doing any work the Master sends me?" + +"No, dear child, you are more His than mine, and I dare not, would not +interfere if He has sent you work; but the question is, has He done so?" + +"If you please, papa, we will take a little time to consider that +question; shall we not?" + +"Yes," he said, "it need not be decided to-day. The right training and +educating of those children would certainly be a good work, and could it +be so managed that I could do all the hard and unpleasant part of it----" +he said musingly. + +"Oh no! no! my dear father," she hastily interposed, as he paused, leaving +his sentence unfinished, "the work should be mine if undertaken at all." + +"Perhaps," he said, "it might be tried for a short time as a mere +experiment, to be continued only if the children do not prove +ungovernable, or likely to be an injury to our own; for our first duty is +to them." + +"Yes indeed, papa!" responded his daughter earnestly. "And nothing can be +really decided upon until Capt. Raymond comes. He may have other plans for +his children." + +"Yes, it is quite possible he may think best to place Max and Lulu at +school somewhere." + +"But poor little sick Gracie!" said Violet, the tears springing to her +eyes. "Mamma, I do want to have her to love and pet, and I think if we had +her here with our good old mammy to nurse her, and Cousin Arthur to attend +her, she might grow to be strong and healthy." + +"Dear child! I am glad to hear you say that!" said Elsie, "for it is just +as I have been thinking and feeling. My heart yearns over the poor +motherless children, and that little feeble one very especially." + +Capt. Raymond was deeply touched when, shortly after his arrival at Ion to +claim his bride, he learned what was in her heart and her mother's toward +his children. + +After due deliberation it was settled that the experiment should be tried. +Arrangements were made for the whole family to spend the summer in two +adjoining cottages at a lovely seaside resort on the New England coast, +Mrs. Dinsmore to be mistress of one house, Violet of the other, while the +captain could be with her, which he had reason to expect would be for +several months. + +In the fall he would probably be ordered away; then Violet would return to +Ion with her mother and the rest of the family, taking his children with +her, if Mr. Dinsmore and Elsie should still feel willing to take them in +charge. He had a high opinion of Dr. Conly's skill as a physician, and +was extremely anxious to place Gracie under his care. Also he thought that +to no other persons in the world would he so joyfully commit his children +to be trained up and educated as to Mr. Dinsmore, his daughter and +granddaughter, and he was more than willing to delegate to them his own +authority during his absences from home. + +The marriage would take place at Ion, the bride and groom start northward +the same day on a wedding tour. On the return trip to the spot which was +to be their home for the summer, they would call for the captain's +children. + +In the mean time the others would complete their arrangements for the +season, journey northward also, and take possession of their seaside +cottage. + +It was a sore disappointment to the whole family at Ion, but especially to +Violet and her brother, that Elsie Leland could not be present at the +wedding. Lester's health was almost entirely restored, but he felt it +important to him as an artist to prolong his stay in Italy for at least +some months. + +Edward had remained with them through the winter, had left them in April, +intending to make an extensive European tour before returning to his +native land, but would surely hasten home for Vi's wedding if his mother's +summons reached him in season. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + "Here love his golden shafts employs, here lights + His constant lamp, and waves his purple wings." + --_Rowly_. + + +It was Saturday evening. Edward Travilla, travelling leisurely through +France, had stopped in a village not many miles from Paris, to spend the +Sabbath. + +Having taken his supper and afterward a stroll through the village, he +retired to his room to read and answer a budget of letters just received +from America. + +The first he opened was from his mother. It told of Violet's approaching +marriage and urged his immediate return that he might be present at the +ceremony. + +"We are all longing to see you," she wrote, "your mother more, I believe, +than any one else. If you have not had enough of Europe yet, my dear boy, +you can go back again soon, if you wish, perhaps taking some of us with +you. And Vi will be sorely disappointed if you are not present on the +occasion so important to her." + +"I must certainly go," he mused, laying down the letter. "I should not +like to miss it. Vi will be as lovely a bride as Elsie was. I have never +been able to decide which of the two is the more beautiful; but I wonder +that she is allowed to marry so young--just nineteen! I should have had +her wait a year or two at least." + +There was a step in the hall without, a rap on the door. + +"Come in," Edward said, and Ben appeared. + +"Marse Ed'ard, dey tells me dars a 'Merican gentleman bery sick in de room +cross de hall hyar; gwine ter die, I reckon." + +"Indeed!" Edward said with concern. "I should be glad to be of assistance +to him. Is he quite alone, Ben? I mean has he no friends with him?" + +"I b'lieves dar's a lady long wid him, Marse Ed'ard, but I mos'ly has to +guess 'bout de half ob what dese Frenchers say." + +"You don't know the name, Ben?" + +"No, sah, couldn't make it out de way dey dispronounces it. But I +understands, sah, dat dese folks--meanin' de sick gentleman and de +lady--and we's de only 'Mericans in de town." + +"Then here, Ben, take my card to the lady and ask if I can be of service +to them. Say that I am a countryman of theirs and shall be most happy to +do anything in my power." + +Ben came back the next moment with a face full of grave concern. "Marse +Ed'ard," he said, "it's Mistah Love and Miss Zoe." + +"Is it possible!" cried Edward, starting up. "And is he really so very +ill?" + +"Berry sick, Marse Ed'ard, looks like he's dyin' sho nuff." + +"Oh, dreadful! And no one with him but his daughter?" + +"Dat's all, sah. De young lady come to de do', and when I give her de +card, she look at it and den at me an' say, 'O Ben! I thought we hadn't a +friend in all dis country! and papa so very sick! Please tell Mr. Travilla +we'll be glad to see him.'" + +Edward went to them at once, bidding Ben remain near at hand lest he +should be needed to do some errand. + +The Loves had remained in Rome for a few weeks after Elsie's marriage, +during which Edward had met them frequently, his liking for the father and +admiration of the daughter's beauty and sprightliness increasing with +every interview. + +He had found Mr. Love a sensible, well-informed Christian gentleman. The +daughter was a mere child--only fifteen--extremely pretty and engaging, +but evidently too much petted and indulged, her father's spoiled darling. + +Edward knew that she was an only child and motherless, and was much +shocked and grieved to hear that she was likely to lose her only remaining +parent. + +Zoe herself opened the door in answer to his gentle rap. + +"O Mr. Travilla!" she said, giving him both hands in her joy at seeing a +friendly face in this hour of sore distress, but with tears streaming down +her cheeks, "I am so glad you have come! Papa is so sick, and I don't know +what to do, or where to turn." + +"My poor child! we must hope for the best," Edward said, pressing the +little hands compassionately in his. "You must call upon me for help and +let me do whatever I can for you and your poor father, just as if I were +his son and your brother." + +"Oh, thank you! you are very kind. Will you come now and speak to him?" +and she led the way to the bedside. + +"Travilla!" the sick man exclaimed, feebly holding out his hand. "Thank +God for sending you here!" + +Edward took the offered hand in his, saying with an effort to steady his +tones, "I am glad indeed to be here, sir, if you can make use of me, but +very sorry to see you so ill." + +The hand he held was cold and clammy, and death had plainly set his seal +upon the pale face on the pillow. + +"Shall I send Ben for a physician?" Edward asked. + +"Thank you. I have had one; he will be here again presently, but can do +little for me," the sick man answered, speaking slowly and with frequent +pauses. "Zoe, my darling, go into the next room for a moment, dear. I +would be alone with Mr. Travilla for a little while." + +The weeping girl obeyed at once, her father following her with eyes that +were full of anguish. + +"'Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive,'" repeated +Edward in low tones, tremulous with deep sympathy. + +How this scene brought back that other, but a year and a half ago, when +his own father lay wrestling with the king of terrors! + +"Yes, yes, precious promise! for she will soon be that, my poor darling!" +groaned the sufferer. "That I must leave her alone in the world, without +one near relative, alone in a strange land, penniless too, oh this is the +bitterness of death!" + +"I will be a friend to her, sir," Edward said with emotion, "and so I am +sure will my mother and grandfather when they learn her sad story. Tell me +your wishes in regard to her, and I will do my best to see them carried +out." + +As briefly as possible, for his strength was waning, Mr. Love made Edward +acquainted with the state of his affairs. He had retired from business the +previous year with a comfortable competence, and being somewhat out of +health, had undertaken a European tour with the hope of benefit, if not +entire recovery. + +The improvement had been very decided for a time, but within the last few +days distressing news had reached him from America; news of the failure, +through the extensive peculation of one of its officers, of a bank in +which the bulk of his savings had been invested. + +He had other property, but as the law made each stockholder liable for +double the amount of his stock, that too was swallowed up and he thus +utterly ruined. + +The terrible shock of the disaster had so increased his malady that it had +become mortal; he was too utterly prostrated to rally from it, and knew +that his hours on earth were numbered. + +He had a little ready money with him, enough he thought to pay his funeral +expenses and Zoe's passage back to her native land, but such a mere child +as she was, always used to depending upon him to see to all their affairs, +she would not know how to manage, and would probably be robbed of the +little she had. And even if she should arrive safely in her own country, +what was to become of her then? Without means, no one upon whom she had +any claim for assistance, and too young and ignorant to do anything to +earn her own living. + +Edward was deeply moved by the sad recital. "My dear Mr. Love," he said, +"make yourself quite easy about Miss Zoe. I will attend to all these +matters about which you have spoken. I am about to return home myself, and +will be her companion and protector on the voyage. Nor shall she want for +friends or any needed assistance after we arrive." + +"God bless you! you have lifted a heavy load from my heart!" faltered the +dying father, with a look of deep gratitude. "You are young, sir, but I +can trust you fully. There are few older men whom I would as willingly +trust." + +"And you can die in peace, trusting in the Saviour of sinners?" + +"Yes; He is all my hope, all my trust." + +"I have been told there is a Protestant minister in the village. Shall I +send Ben for him?" + +"Yes, thank you; I should be glad to see him, though I feel that he or any +man could be of little assistance to me now, if the work of repentance and +faith had been left for this hour." + +Edward went to the door, called Ben and sent him on the errand, then +coming back to the bedside, "Mr. Love," he said, flushing and speaking +with some little hesitation, "will you give your daughter to me if she is +willing?" + +"Give her to you?" the sick man asked as if not fully comprehending. + +"Yes, sir; give her to me to wife, and I will cherish her to life's end." + +There was a flash of joy in the dying eyes, quickly succeeded by one of +hesitation and doubt. "Is it love or compassion only that moves you to +this most generous offer?" he asked. + +"It is both," Edward said. "I have admired and felt strongly attracted to +her from the first day of our acquaintance, though I did not recognize it +as love until now. We are both so young that I should not have spoken yet +but for the peculiar circumstances in which we are placed; but I truly, +dearly love the sweet girl and earnestly desire to be given the right to +protect, provide for and cherish her as my dearest earthly treasure so +long as we both shall live." + +"But your friends, your relatives?" + +"I think my mother would not object, if she knew all. But I am of age, so +have an undoubted right to act for myself even in so vitally important a +matter." + +"Then if my darling loves you, let me see you united before I die." + +At this moment the door of the adjoining room opened and Zoe's voice was +heard in imploring, tearful accents: "Mayn't I come back now? O papa, I +cannot stay away from you any longer!" + +Edward hastened to her, and taking both her hands in his, "Dear Miss Zoe," +he said, "I love you, I feel for you, I want to make you my very own, if +you can love me in return, that I may have the right to take care of you. +Will you be my dear little wife? will you marry me now, to-night, that +your father may be present and feel that he will not leave you alone and +unprotected?" + +She looked up at him in utter surprise, then seeing the love and pity in +his face, burst into a passion of grief. + +"Leave me! papa going to leave me!" she cried. "Oh, no, no! I cannot bear +it! He must, he will be better soon! O Mr. Travilla, say that he will!" + +"No, my darling!" replied a quivering voice from the bed, "I shall not +live to see the morning light, and if you love Mr. Travilla tell him so +and let me see you married before I die." + +"Can you, do you love me, dear little Zoe?" Edward asked in tenderest +tones, passing his arm about her waist. + +"Yes," she said half under her breath, with a quick glance up into his +face, then hid her own on his breast, sobbing, "Oh, take care of me! for +I'll be all alone in the wide world when dear papa is gone." + +"I will," he said, pressing her closer, softly pushing back the fair hair +from the white temple and touching his lips to it again and again. "God +helping me, I will be to you a tender, true, and loving husband." + +"Come here, Zoe, darling," her father said, "our time grows short;" and +Edward led her to the bedside. + +"O papa, papa!" she sobbed, falling on her knees and laying her wet cheek +to his. + +Edward, with heart and eyes full to overflowing, moved softly away to the +farther side of the room, that in this last sad interview the constraint +of even his presence might not be felt. + +Low sobs and murmured words of tenderness and fatherly counsel reached his +ear, and his heart went up in silent prayer for both the dying one and her +just about to be so sorely bereaved. + +Presently footsteps approached the door opening into the passage, a gentle +tap followed, and he admitted the minister who had been sent for, +beckoning Ben to come in also. + +A few whispered words passed between Edward and the minister, then both +drew near the bed. + +A brief talk with the dying man, in which he professed himself ready and +willing to depart, trusting in the atoning blood and imputed righteousness +of Christ, a short fervent prayer for him and his child, then Edward, +leaning over the still kneeling, weeping Zoe, whispered, "Now, dearest!" + +The tear-dimmed eyes looked up inquiringly. + +"We are going to belong to each other, are we not?" he said very low and +tenderly. "The minister is ready now to speak the words that will make us +one for the rest of our lives." + +Without speaking she rose, wiping away her tears, put her hand within his +arm, and the ceremony began. + +When it was over Edward took her in his arms, saying softly as he pressed +his lips again and again to her forehead, her cheek, her lips, "My wife, +my own dear little wife!" + +"My child! my darling!" murmured the father, feebly reaching for her hand. + +Edward took it and put it into his. + +The dying fingers closed feebly over it. "Lord, I thank thee for this +great mercy! 'Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace.'" + +The words came low and faintly from the lips already growing cold in +death, a gasp for breath followed, and all was still, no sound in the +room but Zoe's wild weeping, while with silent caresses Edward held her to +his heart. + +They laid him to rest in the nearest Protestant cemetery, for such had +been his request. + +In answer to a question from her young husband, Zoe said, "No, no. I shall +not wear mourning! I detest it, and so did papa. He made me promise I +would not wear it for him. I shall dress in white whenever it is suitable. +That is if you like it," she added quickly. "Oh, I shall try to please you +always, dear Edward, for you are all I have in the world, and so, so dear +and good to me!" and her head went down upon his breast. + +"My darling little wife!" he said, holding her close, "you are so dear and +lovely in my eyes that I find you beautiful in everything you wear. Yet I +am glad you do not care to assume that gloomy dress." + +There was no time to be lost if they would catch the next steamer for +America, which Edward felt it important to do; so within an hour after the +funeral they were en route for Paris, and that night found them on board, +beginning their homeward voyage. + +Zoe in her deep grief shrank from contact with strangers and clung to her +young husband. So they kept themselves much apart from their +fellow-passengers. Edward devoting himself to Zoe, soothing her with fond +endearing words and tender caresses, and every day their hearts were more +closely knit together. + +But she seemed half afraid to meet his kindred. + +"What if they dislike and despise me!" she said. "O Edward, if they do, +will you turn against me?" + +"Never, my love, my darling! Have I not promised to love and cherish you +to life's end? But if you knew my sweet mother, you would have no fear of +her. She is a tender mother, and her kind heart is large enough to take +you in among the rest of her children. You saw my sister Elsie in +Rome--would you fear her?" + +"Oh, no; she was so lovely and sweet!" + +"But not more so than our mother; they are wonderfully alike, only mamma +is, of course, some years the older. Yet I have often heard it remarked +that she looks very little older than her eldest daughter." + +He talked a great deal to her of the different members of the Ion family, +trying to make her acquainted with them all and their manner of life, +which he described minutely. + +The picture he drew of mutual love and helpfulness between parents and +children, brothers and sisters, was a charming one to Zoe, who had had a +lonely, motherless childhood. + +"Ah, what a happy life is before me, Edward!" she said, "if only they will +let me be one of them! But whether they will or no, I shall have you to +love me! You will always be my husband and I your own little wife!" + +"Yes, darling, yes, indeed!" he answered, pressing the slight, girlish +figure closer to his side. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + "Benedict the married man." + --_Shakspeare_. + + +Violet's wedding-day was drawing near and Edward had not been heard from, +still they hoped he was on his way home and would yet arrive in season. +Each day they looked for a telegram saying what train would bring him to +their city, but none came. + +Edward had not written because a letter would travel no faster than +themselves, and did not telegraph because so little could be said in that +way. All things considered, it seemed as well to take his mother and the +rest entirely by surprise. + +He had no fear that his little wife would meet with other than a kind +reception, astounded as doubtless they would be to learn that he had one. +But he would have the surprise come upon them all at home, where no +stranger eye would witness the meeting; therefore sent no warning of his +coming lest some one of them should meet him at the depot. + +Yet the first object that met his eye on turning about from assisting Zoe +to alight from the train, was the Ion family carriage, with Solon standing +at the horses' heads. + +"Ki! Marse Ed'ard, you's here sho nuff!" cried the man, grinning with +satisfaction. + +"Yes, Solon," Edward said, shaking hands with him. "Who came in with you?" + +"Nobody, sah. You wasn't spected particular, kase you didn't send no word. +But Miss Elsie tole me fotch de kerridge anyhow, an' mebbe you mout be +here." + +"So I am, Solon, and my wife with me," presenting Zoe, who timidly held +out her little gloved hand. + +Solon took it respectfully, gazing at her in wide-eyed and open-mouthed +wonder. "Ki! Marse Ed'ard, you don' say you's ben an' gwine an' got +married! Why dere's weddin's an' weddin's in de family!" + +"So it seems, Solon," laughed Edward, putting Zoe into the carriage and +taking his place beside her, "but as I am older than Miss Vi, my turn +should come before hers. All well at Ion?" + +"Yes, sah, an' mighty busy wid de necessary preparations for Miss Wilet's +weddin'." + +"What an elegant, comfortable, easy-rolling carriage!" remarked Zoe, +leaning back against the cushions, "it's a pleasant change from the cars." + + +"I am glad you find it so, dear," Edward responded, gazing upon her with +fond, admiring eyes. + +"Yes, but--O Edward, how will I be received?" she cried, creeping closer +to him and leaning her head on his shoulder. "I can hardly help wishing I +could just be alone with you always." + +"Don't be afraid, dearest," he said, putting his arm round her and kissing +her tenderly again and again. "When you know them all you will be very far +from wishing that." + +The whole family were gathered upon the veranda when the carriage drove +up. As it stopped, the door was thrown open, and Edward sprang out. There +was a general exclamation, of surprise and delight, a simultaneous +springing forward to give him an affectionate, joyous greeting; then a +wondering murmur and exchange of inquiring glances, as he turned to hand +out a slight girlish figure, and drawing her hand within his arm, came up +the veranda steps. + +Elsie stood nearest of all the waiting group, heart and eyes full of +joyous emotion at sight of the handsome face and manly form so like his +father's. + +"Darling mother!" he exclaimed, throwing his free arm about her and giving +her an ardent kiss. Then drawing forward the blushing, trembling Zoe. "My +little wife, mother dear you will love her now for my sake, and soon for +her own. She is all ours--alone in the world but for us." + +Before the last words had left his lips Zoe felt herself folded in a +tender embrace, while the sweetest of voices said, "Dear child! you are +alone no longer. I will be a true mother to you--my Edward's wife--and you +shall be one of my dear daughters." + +A gentle, loving kiss accompanied the words, and all Zoe's fears were put +to flight; glad tears rained down her cheeks as she clung about the neck +of her new-found mother. + +"Oh, I love you already," she sobbed. + +Mrs. Dinsmore next embraced the little bride with a kind, "Welcome to Ion, +my dear." + +Then Mr. Dinsmore took her in his arms, saying, with a kiss and a look of +keen but kindly scrutiny into the blushing face, "Edward has given us a +surprise, but a very pretty and pleasant-looking one. I am your grandpa, +my dear." + +"Oh, I am glad! I never had a grandpa before. But you hardly look old +enough, sir," she said, smiling, while the blush deepened on her cheek. + +The others crowded round; each had a kiss and kind word of welcome for her +as well as for Edward. + +Then the news of the arrival having spread through the house, the servants +came flocking about them, eager to see and shake hands with "Marse Ed'ard" +and his bride. + +Zoe went through it all with easy grace, but Elsie noted that her cheek +was paling and her figure drooping with weariness. + +"She is tired, Edward; we will take her to your apartments, where she can +lie down and rest," she said. "All this excitement is very trying after +her long and fatiguing journey. You both should have some refreshment too. +What shall it be?" + +"Thank you, mamma; I will consult her when I get her up there, then ring +and order it," Edward said, putting his arm round Zoe's waist and half +carrying her up the stairs, his mother leading the way. + +"There, Zoe, what think you of your husband's bachelor quarters?" he asked +gayly, as he deposited her in an easy-chair, took off her hat, and stood +looking fondly down at her, Elsie on the other side, looking at her too +with affectionate interest. + +"Oh, lovely!" cried Zoe, glancing about upon her luxurious surroundings. +"I am sure I shall be very happy here with you, Edward," with a fond look +up into his face; then turning toward Elsie, she added timidly, "and this +sweet mother." + +"That is right, dear child," Elsie said, bending down to kiss her again, +"call me mother or mamma, as Edward does, and never doubt your welcome to +my heart and home. Now I shall leave you to rest, and Edward must see that +all your wants are supplied." + +"O Edward, how sweet, how dear, and how beautiful she is!" cried Zoe, as +the door closed on her mother-in-law. + +"Just as I told you, love," he said, caressing her. "She takes you to her +heart and home without even waiting to inquire how I came to marry in +haste without her knowledge or approval." + +"Or asking who I am or where I came from. But you will tell her everything +as soon as you can?" + +"Yes; I shall wait only long enough to see you eat something and lying +down for a nap, so that you will not miss me while I have my talk with +her." + +Zoe, in this her first appearance among them, had produced a favorable +impression upon all her new relatives; but the uppermost feeling with +each, from the grandfather down, was one of profound astonishment that +Edward had taken so serious a step without consulting those to whom he had +hitherto yielded a respectful and loving obedience. + +Elsie could not fail to be pained to find her dearly loved father and +herself so treated by one of her cherished darlings, yet tried to put the +feeling aside and suspend her judgment until Edward had been given an +opportunity to explain. + +The younger children gathered about her, with eager questioning as she +rejoined them in the veranda. + +"I can tell you nothing yet, dears," she answered in her accustomed sweet +and gentle tones, "but no doubt we shall know all about it soon. I think +she is a dear little girl whom we shall all find it easy to love. We will +do all we can to make her happy and at home among us, shall we not?" + +"Yes, mamma, yes indeed!" they all said. + +Mr. Dinsmore rose, and motioning to his wife and daughter to follow him +went to the library. + +Elsie read grave displeasure in his countenance before he opened his lips. + +"Dear papa, do not be angry with my boy," she said pleadingly, going to +him where he stood, and putting her arms about his neck. "Shall we not +wait until we have heard his story?" + +"I shall try to suspend my judgment for your sake, daughter," Mr. Dinsmore +answered, stroking her hair caressingly, "but I cannot help feeling that +Edward seems to have strangely failed in the loving respect and obedience +he should have shown to such a mother as his. He has taken very prompt +advantage of his arrival at his majority." + +"Yet perhaps with good reason, papa," she returned, still beseechingly, +her eyes filling with tears. + +"We will not condemn him unheard," he answered, his tones softening, "and +if he has made a mistake by reason of failing to seek the advice and +approval of those who so truly desire his happiness, it is he himself who +must be the greatest sufferer thereby." + +"Yes," she returned with a sigh, "even a mother's love is powerless to +save her children from the consequences of their own follies and sins." + +Edward, scarcely less desirous to make his explanation than his mother was +to hear it, hastened in search of her the moment he had seen Zoe +comfortably established upon a sofa in his dressing-room. + +He found her in the library with his grandfather evidently awaiting his +coming. They were seated together upon a sofa. + +"Dearest mother," Edward said, dropping upon his knees by her side and +clasping her in his arms, "how can I ever thank you enough for your +kindness this day to me and my darling! I fear I must seem to you and +grandpa an ungrateful wretch; but when you know all, you will not, I +trust, blame me quite so severely." + +"We are not blaming you, my dear boy, we are waiting to hear first what +you have to say for yourself," Elsie answered, laying her hand fondly upon +his head. "Sit here by my side while you tell it," she added, making room +for him on the sofa. + +He made his story brief, yet kept nothing back. + +His hearers were deeply moved as he repeated what Mr. Love had told him of +the lonely and forlorn condition in which he must leave his petted only +child, and went on to describe the hasty marriage and the death scene, so +immediately following. Their kind hearts yearned over the little orphaned +bride, and they exonerated Edward from all blame for the part he acted in +the short, sad drama. + +"Cherish her tenderly, my dear boy," his mother said, with tears in her +soft eyes, "you are all, everything to her, and must never let her want +for love or tenderest care." + +"Mother," he answered in moved tones, "I shall try to be to my little wife +just the husband my father was to you." + +"That is all any one could ask, my son," she returned, the tears coursing +down her cheeks. + +"Do not expect too much of her, Edward," Mr. Dinsmore said. "She is a +mere child, a petted and spoiled one, I presume, from what you have told +us, and if she should prove wayward and at times unreasonable, be very +patient and forbearing with her." + +"I trust I shall, grandpa," he answered. "I cannot expect her to be quite +the woman she would have made under my mother's training; but she is young +enough to profit by mamma's sweet teachings and example even yet. I find +her very docile and teachable, very affectionate, and desirous to be and +do all I would have her." + +Zoe came down for the evening simply but tastefully attired in white, +looking very sweet and fair. She was evidently disposed to be on friendly +terms with her new relatives, yet clung with a pretty sort of shyness to +her young husband, who perceived it with delight, regarding her ever and +anon with fond, admiring eyes. + +It excited no jealousy in mother or sisters. Such an emotion was quite +foreign to Elsie's nature and found small place in the heart of any one of +her children. + +Violet, spite of the near approach of her own nuptials, was sufficiently +at leisure from herself to give time and thought to this new sister, +making her feel that she was so esteemed, and winning for herself a large +place in Zoe's heart. + +Indeed all exerted themselves to make Zoe fully aware that they considered +her quite one of the family. That very evening she was taken with Edward +to Vi's room to look at the trousseau, told of all the arrangements for +the wedding and the summer sojourn at the North, and made the recipient of +many handsome presents from Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore, Elsie, and Violet. + +But for her recent sad bereavement she would have been a very happy little +woman indeed. As it was she was bright and cheerful when with the family, +but had occasional paroxysms of grief when alone with Edward, in which she +wept bitterly upon his breast, he soothing her with tenderest caresses and +words of endearment. + +Violet's wedding was strictly private, only near relatives being present; +but in accordance with the wishes of the whole family, she was richly +attired in white silk, orange blossoms, and costly bridal veil. + +Zoe, leaning on Edward's arm, watched her through the ceremony with +admiring eyes, more than half regretting that the haste of her own +marriage had precluded the possibility of so rich and becoming a bridal +dress for herself--a thought which she afterward expressed to Edward in +the privacy of their own apartments. "Never mind, my sweet," he said, +holding her close to his heart "I couldn't love you any better if you had +given yourself to me in the grandest of wedding-dresses." + +"How nice in you to say that!" she exclaimed, laying her head on his +breast and gazing fondly up into his face. "Didn't Captain Raymond look +handsome in his uniform?" + +"Yes, indeed; don't you think I have as much reason to envy his appearance +as a groom as you Vi's as a bride?" + +"No, indeed!" she cried indignantly, "he's not half so nice as you are! I +wouldn't exchange with her for all the world!" + +"Thank you; that's a very high compliment, I think; for I greatly admire +my new brother-in-law," Edward said, with a gleeful laugh, and repeating +his caresses. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + "My cake is dough." + --_Shakespeare_. + + +It was a warm afternoon late in June. + +"There! I'm done with lessons for a while anyway, and glad of it too!" +exclaimed Lulu Raymond, coming into Mrs. Scrimp's sitting-room and +depositing her satchel of school-books upon the table. + +"So am I, Lu, for now you'll have time to make that new dress for my +dollie, won't you?" Gracie said languidly, from the sofa where she lay. + +"Yes, little pet, and ever so many other things. But oh dear! holidays +aren't much after all when you can't go anywhere or have any fun. I do +wonder when we'll see papa again." + +"Pretty soon, Lu," cried a boyish voice in tones of delight, and turning +quickly she found Max at the window, wearing a brighter face than he had +shown her for many a day, and holding up a bulky letter. + +"O Max!" she cried, "is it from papa?" + +"Yes; and I'm coming in to read it to you if you and Gracie are alone." + +"Yes, we are; Aunt Beulah's gone out calling and Ann's busy in the +kitchen." + +"Then here I am!" he said, vaulting lightly in through the window. + +Lulu laughed admiringly. "I'd like to try that myself," she said. + +"Oh, don't, Lu!" said Gracie, "Aunt Beulah would scold you like anything." + +"Let her scold! who cares!" returned Lulu with a scornful toss of the +head, while Max, who had gone to the side of Gracie's sofa, stooped over +her, and softly patting the thin pale cheek, asked how she felt to-day. + +"'Bout the same as usual, Maxie," she said, with a languid smile. + +"O Max, hurry and tell us what papa says in the letter!" cried Lulu +impatiently. "Is it good news?" + +"First-rate, girls! couldn't be better! He's coming here next week and +going to take us all away with him!" + +"Oh! oh! oh! how delightful!" cried Lulu, clapping her hands and dancing +about the room, while Grace clasped her hands in ecstasy, saying, "Oh, I +am so glad!" + +"Come, Lu, sit down here beside us and be quiet," said Max, seating +himself beside Grace on the sofa, and motioning toward a low rocking-chair +near at hand. "I'm going to read the letter aloud, and then I have +something to show you." + +Lulu took possession of the rocking-chair, folded her hands in her lap, +and Max began. + +The letter was written from Saratoga, where the captain and his bride had +paused for a few days on their wedding tour, and was addressed to all +three of his children. + +He told them of his marriage, described Violet, her mother, and the life +at Ion in glowing terms, spoke very highly of Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore and +the younger members of the family, then told of their kind offer to share +their happy home with his children if they should prove themselves good +and obedient. + +But here Lulu interrupted the reading with a passionate outburst. "A +step-mother! I won't have her! Papa had no business to go and give her to +us!" + +"Why, Lu!" exclaimed Max, "of course he had a right to get married if he +wanted to! And I'm very glad he did, for I'm sure they must be much nicer +folks to live with than Mr. Fox and Mrs. Scrimp." + +"Just like a silly boy to talk so!" returned Lulu, with a mixture of anger +and scorn in her tones. "Step-mothers are always hateful and cross and +abuse the children and won't let their father love them any more, +and----" + +"Now who's been telling you such lies, sis?" interrupted Max. "There are +bad ones and good ones among them, the same as among other classes of +people. And papa says his new wife is sweet and kind and good to +everybody. And if she loves him won't she want to be good to his children? +I should think so, I'm sure. Now let me read the rest of his letter." + +In that the captain went on to tell of the cottages by the sea engaged for +the summer, and that thither he and Violet purposed to go the next week, +taking his children with them. He wound up with some words of fatherly +affection and hope that brighter days than they had known for a long time +were now in store for them. + +There was a postscript from Violet: "I am longing to see the dear children +of my husband, especially poor, little sick Gracie. I am sure we shall +love each other very much for his dear sake." + +"There now, Lu, you see she means to be kind to us," was Max's satisfied +comment, as he refolded the missive and put it back into the envelope. + +Lulu was one who never liked to retreat from a position she had once +taken. "Oh, it's easy to talk," she said, "acting's another thing. I'm not +going to be caught with chaff." + +"See here!" said Max, showing a photograph. + +"Oh, what a pretty lady!" cried Gracie, holding out an eager hand for it. + +Max gave it to her, and Lulu sprang up and bent over her to get a good +view of it also. + +"Who is it?" she asked. + +"Isn't she pretty? isn't she perfectly beautiful, and sweet-looking as she +can be?" said Max, ignoring the question. + +"Yes, she's just lovely; but why don't you say who she is, if you know?" + +"She's papa's new wife, the new mamma you are determined to believe is +going to be so hateful." + +"I'm sure she won't. She does look so sweet, I just love her already!" +Gracie said. + +Lulu, too proud to retract, yet strongly drawn toward the possessor of so +sweet and lovely a countenance as was pictured there, kept silence, gazing +intently upon the photograph which Gracie still held. + +"Whose is it, Max?" asked the latter. + +"Mine I suppose, though papa doesn't say; but we'll find out when he +comes." + +"Oh, I'm so glad, so glad he's coming soon! Aren't you, Maxie?" + +"I never was gladder in my life!" cried Max. "And just think how nice to +go and live by the sea all summer! There'll be lots of fun boating and +bathing and fishing!" + +"Oh, yes!" chimed in Lulu, "and papa is always so kind about taking us to +places and giving us a good time." + +"But I can't have any!" sighed Gracie from her couch. + +"Yes, papa will manage it somehow," said Max; "and the sea air and plenty +to eat will soon make you ever so much stronger." + +They chatted on for some time, growing more and more delighted with the +prospect before them; then Max said he must go. + +He wanted to take the photograph with him, but generously yielded to +Gracie's entreaties that it might be left with her till he came again. + +She and Lulu were still gazing upon it and talking together of the +original--Max having gone--when Mrs. Scrimp came in, looking greatly vexed +and perturbed. + +She too had received a letter from Capt. Raymond that day, telling of his +marriage and his intentions in regard to his children; directing also that +they and their luggage should be in waiting at a hotel near the depot of +the town at the hour of a certain day of the coming week when he and his +bride expected to arrive by a train from the West. + +There would be a two hours' detention there while they waited for the +train that was to carry them to their final destination, which would allow +time for an interview between the captain and herself. + +The news was entirely unexpected and very unwelcome to Mrs. Scrimp. She +would have much preferred to keep the little girls, for the sake of the +gain they were to her and a real affection for Gracie; also because of +having neglected to follow out the captain's directions in regard to +them--Gracie in particular--she felt no small perturbation at the prospect +of meeting and being questioned by him. + +As was not unusual she vented her displeasure upon Lulu, scolding because +her school-books and hat had not been put in their proper places, her hair +and dress made neat. + +"I'll put them away presently, Aunt Beulah. You'll not be bothered with me +much longer," remarked the delinquent nonchalantly, her eyes still upon +the photograph Gracie was holding. + +"What's that?" asked Mrs. Scrimp, catching sight of it for the first time. + +"Our new mamma," the children answered in a breath, Gracie's tones full of +gentle joyousness, Lulu's of a sort of defiant exultation, especially as +she added, "Papa's coming next week to take us away to live at home with +him." + +"On shipboard?" + +"No, in a cottage by the sea." + +"Humph! he'll soon sail away again and leave you with your step-mother, +just as I told you." + +"Well, I don't care, she looks enough kinder and sweeter than you do." + +"Indeed! I pity her, poor young thing!" sighed Mrs. Scrimp, scanning the +photograph with keen curiosity. "She's very young--a mere child I should +say--and to think of the trouble she'll have with you and Max!" + +"We're not going to be a trouble to her," said Lulu, "we're never a +trouble to people that treat us decently." + +"I think your father might have given me an earlier warning of these +changes," grumbled Mrs. Scrimp. "I'll have to work myself sick to get you +two ready in time." + +"Oh, no, Aunt Beulah, you needn't," said little Gracie, "the new mamma can +get somebody to make our clothes for us. Papa will pay for it." + +"Of course he will," said Lulu. "You needn't do anything but have those we +have now all washed and ironed and packed up ready to go." + +"That's all you know about it!" returned Mrs. Scrimp sharply. "You haven't +either of you a suitable dress for travelling in, especially in company +with your father's rich wife. I'll have to go right out now to the stores +and buy material, get a dress-maker to come in to-morrow bright and early, +and help her myself all I can. There'll be no rest for me now till you're +off." + +There was no rest for anybody else in the interim except Gracie. As Ann +remarked rather indignantly to Lulu, adding, "She's as cross as two +sticks." + +"What makes her so cross?" asked Lulu. "I should think she'd be so glad +she's going to be rid of me that she'd feel uncommonly good-natured." + +"Not she!" laughed Ann, "she counted on the money your father pays for +years to come; but he's gone and got married and her cake is dough sure +enough." + +"I'm glad he did," returned Lulu emphatically. "I've made up my mind that +such a sweet-looking lady as our new mamma must be a great deal nicer and +kinder than Aunt Beulah, if she is a step-mother." + +"She _is_ sweet-lookin', that's a fact," said Ann. "I only wish I was +goin' to make the change as well as you." + +The eventful day came at last to the children; all too soon to Mr. Fox and +Mrs. Scrimp, neither of whom relished the task of giving account of past +stewardship; for conscience accused both of unfaithfulness to the +captain's trust. + +The three children were gathered in the hotel parlor, impatiently awaiting +the arrival of the train. Mrs. Scrimp sat a little apart, fidgety and ill +at ease, though ensconced in a most comfortable, cushioned arm-chair; and +Mr. Fox paced the veranda outside, wondering if Max had dared or would +dare to inform his father of the cruel treatment received at his hands, +and if so, whether the captain would credit the story. + +Violet and the captain had thus far had a delightful honeymoon, finding +their mutual love deepening every hour, yet were not so engrossed with +each other as to quite forget his children; they had talked of them +frequently, and were now looking forward to the coming interview with +scarcely less eagerness than the young people themselves. + +"We are almost there; it's the next station," said the captain with +satisfaction, beginning to collect satchels and parcels. + +"Oh, I am glad!" exclaimed Violet. "I long to see the dear children and to +witness their delight in being taken into--their father's arms." The +concluding words were spoken tremulously and with starting tears as a gush +of tender memories came over her. + +Her husband understood it, and clasping her hand fondly in his bent over +her with a whispered, "My darling! my own sweet precious little wife!" + +She answered him with a look of love and joy. Then after a moment's +silence, "Do you think, Levis, that they will be pleased that--that you +have given them a step-mother?" she asked timidly and with a sigh. + +"If they don't fall in love with your sweet face at first sight I shall be +exceedingly surprised," he said, gazing upon her with the fondest +admiration. + +"Ah, I cannot hope so much as that!" she sighed; "children are so apt to +hear and treasure up unkind remarks about stepmothers; but I shall hope to +win their hearts in time. It seems to me we cannot fail to love each other +with such a bond of union as our common love to you." + +"No, I trust not," he said, with a bright, happy smile. "I think they are +warm-hearted children; I'm sure they love their father; and it does seem +to me utterly impossible that they should fail to love the dearest, +loveliest, sweetest little lady in the world merely because she has become +that father's wife." + +The whistle blew loudly, the train rushed on with redoubled speed, +slackened, came to a stand-still, and in another minute the captain had +alighted and was handing out Violet. + +"Papa! oh, I'm so glad you're come at last!" cried a boyish voice at his +side. + +"Max, my dear boy!" + +There was a hasty, hearty embrace, Violet standing smiling by, then the +captain said, "Violet, my love, this is my son," and Max, moved by a +sudden impulse, threw his arms about her neck and kissed her in a rapture +of delight, so sweet and beautiful did she appear in his eyes. + +"Oh, I beg your pardon!" he stammered, releasing her and stepping back a +little, afraid he had taken too great a liberty. But venturing a second +glance into her face, he saw that she was smiling sweetly through her +blushes. + +"No apology is needed, Max," she said cheerily. "My brothers are always +ready with a kiss for mamma and sisters. And, since I am not old enough to +be your mother, you will let me be your older sister; won't you?" + +"Oh, thank you, yes!" said Max. "Papa, let me carry the parcels. My +sisters are waiting for us there in the hotel on the other side of the +street. Gracie couldn't run across as I did, and Lu stayed with her." + +"That was quite right," said his father. "I am in great haste to see my +darlings, but would rather not do so in a crowd." + +There was a very strong affection between the captain and his children. +The hearts of the little girls beat fast, and their eyes filled with +tears of joy as they saw him cross the street and come into the room where +they were. With a cry of joy they threw themselves into his arms, and he +clasped both together to his heart, caressing them over and over again, +Violet looking on with eyes brimful of sympathetic tears. + +The next moment the captain remembered her, and releasing the children, +introduced her. "This, my darlings, is the sweet lady whose picture I sent +you the other day, I am sure you will love her for papa's sake and her own +too." + +"Will you not, dears?" Vi said, kissing them in turn. "I love you already +because you are his." + +"I think I shall," Lulu said emphatically, after one long, searching look +into the sweet azure eyes; then turned to her father again. + +But Gracie, putting both arms round Violet's neck, held up her face for +another kiss, saying in joyous tones, "Oh, I do love you now! my sweet, +pretty new mamma!" + +"You darling!" responded Violet, holding her close. "I've wanted to have +you and nurse you well again ever since I heard how weak and sick you +were." + +The words, reaching the ear of Mrs. Scrimp, as she hovered in the +background, brought a scowl to her brow. "As if she--an ignorant young +thing--could do better for the child than I!" she said to herself. + +"Ah, Mrs. Scrimp!" the captain said, suddenly becoming aware of her +presence, and turning toward her with outstretched hand, "how d'ye do? +Allow me to introduce you to Mrs. Raymond." Violet offered her hand and +was given two fingers, while a pair of sharp black eyes looked coldly and +fixedly into hers. + +Violet dropped the fingers, seated herself, and drew Gracie into her lap. + +"Am I not too heavy for you to hold?" the child asked, nestling +contentedly in the arms that held her. + +"Heavy!" exclaimed Violet, tears starting to her eyes as they rested upon +the little thin, pale face. "You are extremely light, you poor darling! +but I hope soon to see you grow fat and rosy in the sea air your papa will +take you to." + +The captain had just left the room in search of Mr. Fox, taking Max with +him. + +"You will have to be very careful not to overfeed that child, or you will +have her down sick," remarked Mrs. Scrimp with asperity, addressing +Violet. "She ought never to eat anything at all after three o'clock in the +afternoon." + +Vi's heart swelled with indignation. "No wonder she is little more than +skin and bone, if that is the way she has been served!" she said, giving +Mrs. Scrimp as severe a look as her sweet, gentle countenance was capable +of expressing. + +"She'd have been in her grave long ago if she hadn't been served so!" +snapped Mrs. Scrimp. "I'm old enough to be your mother, Mrs. Raymond, and +having had that child in charge for over two years--ever since her own +mother died--I ought to know what's good for her and what isn't. She is +naturally delicate, and to be allowed to overload her stomach would be the +death of her. I can't eat after three o'clock, and neither can she." + +"A grown person is no rule for a child," observed Violet, gently smoothing +Gracie's hair; "children need to eat enough to supply material for growth +in addition to the waste of the system. Was it by the advice of a +competent physician you subjected her to such a regimen?" + +"I've always had medical advice for her when it was needed," snapped Mrs. +Scrimp. + +The captain re-entered the room at that moment. He had made short work +with Mr. Fox, paying his bill, and sending him away with his ears tingling +from a well-merited rebuke for his savage treatment of a defenceless +child. + +It was Mrs. Scrimp's turn now; there was no evading the direct, pointed +questions of the captain, and she was compelled to acknowledge that she +had followed out her own theories in the treatment of Gracie, instead of +consulting a physician, even after he had directed her to seek medical +advice and treat the child in careful accordance with it. + +"Well, madam," he remarked with much sternness and indignation, "if my +little girl is an invalid for life, I shall always feel that you are +responsible for it." + +"I've been a mother to your children, Capt. Raymond," she exclaimed, +growing white with anger, "and this is your gratitude!" + +"A mother!" he said, glancing from her to Vi, "I hope there are few such +mothers in the world. My poor starved baby! papa's heart aches to think of +what you have had to endure," he added in moved tones, the big tears +shining in his eyes, as he lifted Gracie on his knees and fondled her +tenderly. + +Mrs. Scrimp rose and took an abrupt and indignant leave, her bill having +been already settled. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +NEW RELATIONSHIPS AND NEW TITLES. + + +"Are you hungry, Gracie darling?" her father asked with tender solicitude. + +"No, papa," she said, "we had our breakfast just a little while before +Aunt Beulah brought us here." + +"Well, if ever you suffer from hunger again it shall not be your father's +fault," he returned with emotion. + +Taking out his watch, "We have a full half hour yet," he said. "Max, my +son, do you know of any place near at hand where oranges, bananas, cakes, +and candies are to be had?" + +"Oh, yes, papa! just at the next corner." + +"Then go and lay in a store for our journey," handing him some money. + +"May I go too, papa?" asked Lulu, as Max set off with alacrity. + +"No, stay here; I want you by my side," he said, smiling affectionately +upon her. + +"I'm glad you do! O papa, I have wanted you so badly!" she exclaimed, +leaning her cheek against his arm and looking up lovingly into his face, +"and so have Max and Gracie. Haven't we, Gracie?" + +"Yes, indeed!" sighed the little one. "O papa, I wish you didn't ever have +to go away and leave us!" + +"I hope to stay with you longer than usual this time, and when I must go +away again to leave you in a very happy home, where no one will wish to +ill-use you," he said, with a glad look and smile directed toward his +bride. + +"No one at Ion or in any house of my dear mother's will ever show them +anything but kindness and love if they are good and obedient," said Vi. +"We all obey grandpa, but we love to do it, because he is so dear and +never at all unreasonable." + +"No, I am sure he is not," assented the captain, "and I shall esteem it a +great favor if he will count my darlings among his grandchildren. How +would my little Gracie like to have a dear kind grandpa and grandma?" he +asked, smoothing back the curls from the little pale face. + +"Oh, ever so much, papa!" she responded with a bright and joyous smile. "I +never had any, papa, had I?" + +"Not since you were old enough to remember." + +Max did his errand promptly and well, returning just in time to go with +the others on board the train. + +They took a parlor car and travelled with great comfort, a happy family +party, father and children rejoicing in being together again after a long +separation, Violet sympathizing in their joy and finding herself neither +forgotten nor neglected by any one of the little group of which she formed +a part. + +Ever and anon her husband's eyes were turned upon her with a look of such +proud delight, such ardent affection as thrilled her heart with love, joy, +and gratitude to the Giver of all good. + +Max's eyes too were full of enthusiastic admiration whenever his glance +met hers, and with boyish gallantry he watched for opportunities to wait +upon her. + +Gracie regarded her with loving looks and called her mamma, as if the word +were very sweet to say. + +Lulu alone was shy and reserved, never addressing Violet directly and +answering in monosyllables when spoken to by her, yet showed nothing like +aversion in look or manner. + +All went well for some hours, Max and Lulu partaking freely of the fruit +and confectionery their father had provided, Gracie much more sparingly, +eating less than he would have allowed her, being a sensible little girl +and fearful of such unwonted indulgence. + +But so unaccustomed were her digestive powers to anything but the most +restricted diet that they gave way under the unusual strain, and she +became so ill that Violet and the captain were filled with alarm. + +Fortunately they were rapidly nearing their destination, and were soon +able to lay her upon the pretty, comfortable bed prepared for her and Lulu +in the new home by the sea, and summon a physician. + +The Dinsmores and Travillas had arrived some days before and made all +arrangements for a delightful welcome to the bride and groom. Both +cottages were in perfect order, and a bountiful feast, comprising all the +delicacies of the season, was set out in the dining-room of that over +which Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore presided. + +But Gracie's illness interfered somewhat with the carrying out of their +plans, dividing their emotions between pity and concern for the little +sufferer, and joy over the return of the newly married pair. + +The feast waited while the ladies, the captain, Mr. Dinsmore, and the +physician were occupied with the sick child. + +Max and Lulu, quite forgotten for the moment by their father and Violet, +and much troubled about their little sister, would have felt very forlorn, +had not Harold, Herbert, and Rosie set themselves, with the true +politeness to which they had been trained, to making the little strangers +comfortable and at home. + +They seated them in the veranda, where they could enjoy the breeze and a +view of the sea, and talked to them entertainingly of the various +pleasures--bathing, boating, fishing, etc.--in store for them. + +Presently Mr. Dinsmore came out with a prescription which he asked Harold +to take to the nearest drug-store. + +"May I go too, sir?" asked Max. "Wouldn't it be well for me to learn the +way there, so that I can do the errand next time?" + +"That is well thought of, my boy," Mr. Dinsmore said, with a pleased look. +"But are you not too tired to-night for such a walk? it is fully a quarter +of a mile." + +"No, sir, thank you; a run will do me good after being so long cramped up +in the cars." + +"Ah," Mr. Dinsmore said, taking Max's hand and shaking it cordially, "I +think I shall find you a boy after my own heart--active, independent, and +ready to make yourself useful. Shall I number you among my grandchildren?" + +"I shall be very happy to have you do so, sir," returned Max, coloring +with pleasure. + +"Then henceforth you may address me as grandpa, as these other young +folks do," glancing at Rosie and her brothers. "You also, my dear, if you +like," he added, catching Lulu's dark eyes fixed upon him with a half +eager, half wistful look, and bending down to stroke her hair caressingly. + +"Thank you, sir," she said, "I think I shall like to. But oh, tell me, +please, is Gracie very sick?" + +"I hope not, my dear; the doctor thinks she will be in her usual health in +a day or two." + +The boys were already speeding away. + +The doctor had sent every one out of the sick-room except Mrs. Dinsmore +and Captain Raymond. The child clung to her long-absent father, and he +would not leave her until she slept. + +Elsie led the way to Violet's room, and there they held each other in a +long, tender, silent embrace. + +"My darling!" the mother said at length, "how I have missed you! how glad +I am to have you in my arms again!" + +"Ah, mamma! my own dearest mamma, it seems to me you can hardly be so glad +as I am!" cried Vi, lifting her face to gaze with almost rapturous +affection into that of her mother. "I do not know how I could ever bear a +long separation from you!" + +"You are happy?" + +"Yes, mamma, very, very happy. I could never live without my husband now. +Ah, I did not dream of half the goodness and lovableness I have already +found in him. But ah, I am forgetting his children, Max and Lulu!" she +added, hastily releasing herself from her mother's arms. "I must see where +they are and that they are made comfortable." + +"Leave that to me, Vi dear," her mother said; "you should be attending to +your toilet. I think the little sick one will fall asleep presently, when +she can be left in Mammy's care, while we all gather about the +supper-table; and we must have you and Zoe there in bridal attire." + +"Zoe! I hardly saw her in my anxiety about Gracie!" exclaimed Violet. +"Does she seem happy, mamma, and like one of us?" + +"Yes, she is quite one of us; we all love her, and I think she is happy +among us, though of course grieving sadly at times for the loss of her +father. The trunks have been brought up, I see. That small one must belong +to the two little girls." + +"Yes, mamma, and suppose we let it stand here for the present so that I +can readily help Lulu find what she wishes to wear this evening." + +"Yes, dear. I will go down and invite her up. Ah, here is mamma!" as Mrs. +Dinsmore tapped at the half-open door, then stepped in. She embraced +Violet with motherly affection. "A lost treasure recovered!" she said +joyously. "Vi, dear, you have no idea how we have missed you." + +After a moment's chat, Rose and Elsie went down together to the veranda, +where they found Lulu, making acquaintance with the other members of the +family. + +"This is a new granddaughter for us, my dear," Mr. Dinsmore said to his +wife. + +"Yes, shall I be your grandma, my child?" asked Rose, giving Lulu an +affectionate kiss. + +"And I too?" Elsie asked, caressing her in her turn. + +"Two grandmas!" Lulu said, with a slightly bewildered look, "and neither +of you looking old enough. How will anybody know which I mean, if I call +you both so?" + +"I think," said Mrs. Dinsmore, smiling, "it will have to be Grandma Rose +and Grandma Elsie." + +"Yes," said Mrs. Travilla, "that will do nicely. Now, my dear little girl, +shall I take you upstairs that you may change your dress before tea?" + +Lulu accepted the invitation with alacrity. They found Violet beginning +her toilet while her maid unpacked her trunk. + +"Lulu, dear," she said, as the child came in, "you want to change your +dress I suppose? Have you the key of your trunk?" + +"Yes, ma'am," taking it from her pocket. + +"Agnes," said Vi, "leave mine for the present (you have taken out all I +want for the evening) and unpack that other." + +The child drew near her young step-mother with a slightly embarrassed air. +"I--I don't know what to call you," she said in a half whisper. + +Violet paused in what she was doing, and looking lovingly into the +blushing face, said, "You may call me cousin or auntie, whichever you +please, dear, till you can give me a little place in your heart; then, as +I am not old enough to be your mother, you may call me Mamma Vi. What is +it you wish to say to me?" + +"Mayn't I go into some other room to wash and dress?" + +"Certainly, dear," Violet answered. Turning inquiringly to her mother, +"What room can she have, mamma?" + +"There is a very pleasant little one across the hall," Elsie said. "If +Lulu would like to have it for her own, it might be as well to have her +trunk sent in before unpacking." + +"Oh, I should like to have a room all to myself!" exclaimed Lulu. "I had +at Aunt Beulah's. Gracie slept with her, in the room next to mine." + +"I supposed you and Gracie would prefer to be together in a room close to +your papa's," Elsie said; "but there are rooms enough for you to have one +entirely to yourself." + +"Then she shall," Violet said, smiling indulgently upon the little girl. +"Would you like my mother or me to help you choose what to wear to-night? +I want you to put on your best and look as pretty as ever you can." + +Lulu's face flushed with pleasure. "Yes, ma'am," she said, going to her +trunk, which Agnes had now opened; "but I haven't anything half so +beautiful as the dress your sister has on." + +"Haven't you? Well, never mind, you shall soon have dresses and other +things quite as pretty as Rosie's," Violet said, stooping over the trunk +to see what was there. + +The child's eyes danced with delight. "Oh, shall I? Aunt Beulah never +would get me the pretty things I wanted, to look like other girls, you +know, or let my dresses be trimmed with ruffles and lace like theirs. I +used to think it would be dreadful to have a step-mother, but now I'm sure +it isn't always." + +Violet smiled. "I hope we shall love each other very much, and be very +happy together, Lulu," she said. "Now tell me which dress you want to wear +this evening." + +"This white muslin," said the little girl, lifting it and shaking out the +folds. "I believe it's the best I have, but you see it has only two +ruffles and not a bit of lace. And this sash she bought for me to wear +with it is narrow and not at all thick and handsome." + +"No, it is not fit for Capt. Raymond's daughter to wear!" Vi exclaimed a +little indignantly, taking the ribbon between her thumb and finger. "But I +can provide you with a better, and you may cut this up for your doll." + +"Oh, thank you!" cried Lulu, her eyes sparkling. "Step-mothers are nice +after all." + +"But Lulu, dear," Elsie said, standing beside the little girl, and +caressing her hair with her soft white hand, "that is not a pretty or +pleasant name to my ear; especially when applied to so young and dear a +lady as this daughter of mine," looking tenderly into Vi's fair face. "Try +to think of her as one who dearly loves and is dearly loved by your +father, and ready to love his children for his sake." + +"Yes, and for their own too," Violet added, "just as I love my darling +little sister Rosie. Now, Lulu, I think you have no more than time to make +your toilet. She will find everything needful in that room, will she, +mamma?" + +"Yes; water, soap and towels. Can you do everything for yourself, my +child?" + +"Yes, ma'am, except fastening my dress and sash." + +"Then run in here or call to me when you are ready to have that done," +said Violet. + +Lulu was greatly pleased with her room. It had a set of cottage furniture, +many pretty ornaments, an inviting-looking bed draped in white, and lace +curtains to the windows; one of which gave her a fine view of the sea. + +She made haste to wash and dress, thinking the while that their father's +marriage had brought a most delightful change to herself, brother and +sister. + +"What soft, sweet voices they all have in talking," she mused. "Grandma +Rose, Grandma Elsie, and Mamma Vi. I'll call her that, if she'll let me, +it's a pretty name. I like it, and I believe I have given her a little +place in my heart already." + +Just then Agnes knocked at the door to ask if she wanted anything. + +"Yes," Lulu said, admitting her, "I'm ready to put on my dress and would +like you to button it for me." + +"An' put dese on fo' you too, Miss?" and Agnes held up to the child's +astonished and delighted eyes a set of pink coral, necklace, bracelets and +pin, and a sash of broad, rich ribbon just matching in color. + +"Oh," cried Lulu half breathlessly, "where did they come from?" + +"Miss Wilet sent 'em," returned Agnes, beginning her work; "an' she tole +me to ax you to come in dar when I'se done fixin' ob you, an' let her see +if eberyting's right. Humph! 'twon't be, kase you oughter hab ribbon for +yo' hair to match wid de sash." + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +GRANDMA ELSIE AND MAMMA VI. + + +Violet's toilet was finished. She wore a white silk trimmed with a great +deal of very rich lace, white flowers in her hair and at her throat, and +looked very bridelike and beautiful. + +So Lulu thought as she came dancing in, full of joyous excitement over her +own unusual adornment. Catching sight of Violet standing in front of her +toilet-table turning over a box of ribbons, "Oh, how beautiful you are!" +she cried, "and how very kind to let me wear these," glancing down at the +ornaments on her own person. + +"Let you wear them, dear child! I have given them to you for your own, and +am looking now for ribbon for your hair to match the sash. I had forgotten +it. Ah, here is just the thing!" + +"Given me these lovely, lovely bracelets and necklace! and this handsome +sash too!" cried Lulu in wide-eyed astonishment. "Oh, you are just too, +too good to me! May I kiss you? and may I call you Mamma Vi now?" + +"Yes, indeed, if you can give me a little place in your heart," Violet +answered, taking the little girl in her arms. + +"Oh, a great big place!" cried Lulu, returning Vi's caresses with ardor. +"Mamma Vi! it's a very pretty name, and you are my own sweet, pretty new +mamma! A great deal nicer than if you were old enough to be my real +mother." + +"Ah, Lulu, it makes me very happy to hear all that!" said her father's +voice behind her, and she felt his hand laid affectionately upon her head. + +She turned round quickly. "Ah, papa! how nice you look too! How is +Gracie?" + +"I left her sleeping comfortably a half hour ago, and have been making my +toilet in another room. Ah, my love!" gazing at Violet with proud, +fondly-admiring eyes, "how very lovely you are!" + +"In my husband's partial eyes," she returned, looking up at him with a +bright, sweet smile. + +"In Lulu's, too, judging from what I heard her say just now," he said, +turning his eyes upon his daughter again. "Ah, how you have improved her +appearance!" + +"Yes, papa, only see these lovely things she--Mamma Vi has given me!" +cried Lulu, displaying her ornaments. + +"A most generous gift," he said, examining the jewelry. "These coral +ornaments are costly, Lulu, and you must be careful of them. Mamma Vi! Is +that the name you have chosen for yourself, my love?" he asked, again +turning to his bride. + +"Yes, if you approve, Levis?" + +"I like it!" he returned emphatically. + +"And the other ladies," remarked Lulu, "say I am to call them Grandma Rose +and Grandma Elsie. And the gentleman told me and Max to call him grandpa." + +"May I come in?" asked Max at the door, which stood wide open. + +"Yes," his father and Violet both answered. + +"Oh!" he cried, gazing at Violet in undisguised admiration, "how lovely, +how splendid you look! What shall I call you?--you said, you know, and of +course anybody can see it, that you're not old enough to be my mother." + +"No," she said, with a look of amusement and pleasure, "so you may use the +name Lulu and Gracie will call me--Mamma Vi." + +"Miss Wilet," said Agnes, appearing at the door, "dey says dey's waitin' +suppah fo' you and de captain." + +"Ah, then we must not linger here! Lulu dear, let Agnes tie this ribbon on +your hair. She can do it more tastefully than I. Max, I see you are +dressed for the evening." + +"Yes, Mamma Vi, your brother Herbert showed me my room--a very nice one in +the story over this--and had my trunk carried up. Am I all right?" + +"You'll do very well," his father said laughingly, but with a gleam of +fatherly pride in his eye. "Give your arm to your sister and we will go +down--if you are ready, little wife." + +The last words were spoken in a fond whisper, close to Violet's ear, as he +drew her hand within his arm, and were answered by a bright, sweet smile +as she lifted her azure eyes to his. + +The two cottages stood but a few feet apart, with no fence or wall of +separation between, and were connected by a covered way; so that it was +very much as if they were but one house. + +The room in which the feast was spread was tastefully decorated with +evergreens, flags and flowers; the table too was adorned with lovely +bouquets and beautifully painted china and sparkled with silver and cut +glass. + +The Dinsmores, Travillas, and Raymonds gathered about it as one family, a +bright, happy party. Edward was there with his Zoe, looking extremely +pretty in bridal attire, each apparently as devoted as ever to the other. + +Max and Lulu behaved themselves admirably, the latter feeling quite +subdued by the presence of her father and so many elegantly dressed and +distinguished-looking people. + +It was certainly a great change from Mrs. Scrimp's little dining-room with +its small, plainly furnished table, the three to sit down to it, and Ann +to wait upon them--a very pleasant change to Lulu. She enjoyed it greatly. + +She and Max scarcely spoke during the meal, occupying themselves in eating +and listening to the lively discourse going on around them, but were well +waited upon, the servants being attentive, and both Elsie and Violet +interesting themselves to see that the little strangers were not +neglected. + +On leaving the table, all repaired to the veranda and front door yard, for +the enjoyment of a moonlight evening and the sea breeze. + +The young Travillas and Raymonds speedily grew quite intimate and were +mutually pleased; but the latter, fatigued with the journey and +excitements of the day, were ready to retire at an early hour. + +They waited only for family worship, conducted for both households by Mr. +Dinsmore, then Violet and they bade good-night and went back to their own +dwelling, leaving the captain to sit some time longer on the veranda with +the other gentlemen. + +"Have you everything you want in your room, Max?" Violet asked in a kindly +tone, as the boy took up his bedroom candle. + +"Yes, thank you, Mamma Vi," he answered cheerfully, but with a longing +look at her. + +"What is it, Max?" she asked, with her sweet smile. "Don't be afraid to +tell me if there is anything you want." + +"I--I'm afraid I oughtn't to ask it," he stammered, blushing vividly, +"I've no right, and--and it might be disagreeable, but--oh, I should like +to kiss you good-night!" + +"You may, Max," she said, laughing, then put her arms round his neck and +gave the kiss very heartily. + +"Thank you," he cried in blushing delight; then hurried away, calling +back, "Ah, good-night, Lu!" + +"Good-night," she answered, looking wistfully at Violet. + +"Shall I have a good-night kiss from you too, dear?" Violet asked, +offering her lips. + +Lulu accepted the invitation in an eager, joyous way, then asked, "May I +see Gracie before I go to bed?" + +"Yes, dear; we will go in very quietly lest we should wake her if she is +asleep." + +They found Gracie awake, Aunt Chloe shaking up her pillow and smoothing +the cover over her. + +"O mamma!" she cried in her little weak voice, "how beautiful you are! +And, Lulu, where did you get those pretty things?" + +"Mamma Vi gave them to me," Lulu said. "O Gracie dear, are you better?" + +"Yes, I don't feel sick now, only weak. She's very good to me, she and +everybody," with a grateful look at her sable nurse. + +"Yes," Violet said, "mammy is always good and kind, especially to a sick +person. Now Lulu and I will kiss you good-night and leave you to go to +sleep again." + +"You are nice and kind to come, both of you," Gracie said, receiving and +returning their caresses. + +"Mammy," Violet said as she turned to leave the room, "I'm afraid you are +not able to take the care of her through the night." + +"Yes, I is, honey darlin'," responded the old woman with warmth. "I'll hab +a quilt spread down dar on de flo', and I'll lie dar an' sleep, an' ef de +chile stirs I'll wake right up and gib her eberyting she wants." + +"Mamma Vi, don't you want to see my room?" Lulu asked as they neared its +door. "I think it is ever so pretty." + +"So it is," Violet said, stepping inside with her, "and I am very glad you +like it. If you think of anything else you want in it, don't hesitate to +ask for it; both your papa and I wish to do all in our power to make his +children happy." + +"Thank you. Oh, it is so nice to have a new mamma! such a sweet, kind +one," Lulu exclaimed with impulsive warmth, setting down her candle and +throwing her arms about Violet's neck. + +"Dear child!" Violet said, returning the embrace, "I am very glad you are +beginning to love me. I hope we shall all love each other better every day +and be very happy together. You won't forget to ask God's protection +before you sleep, and thank him for his love and care? What a mercy that +we met with no accident on our journey!" + +"Yes, indeed! and I won't forget to say my prayers, Mamma Vi." + +They exchanged an affectionate good-night, and Violet went to her own +room. + +Agnes was there, waiting to assist her in disrobing, to take down her +hair, and put things in place. + +As the maid withdrew, her duty finished, Elsie came softly in. + +"Dearest mamma!" cried Vi joyously, "I am so glad you have come! I thought +you would." + +"Yes, daughter, I have just seen Rosie and Walter in bed, and could not +deny myself the pleasure of one of the old-time private talks with my dear +Vi. Ah, you don't know how I have missed them ever since Capt. Raymond +carried you away from Ion!" + +They were standing together with their arms about each other. + +"Mamma," Violet said with an earnest, tenderly affectionate look into her +mother's face, "how very beautiful you are! and how youthful in +appearance! there is not a line in your face, not a silver thread in your +hair, and it still has that exquisite golden tinge it has had ever since I +can remember." + +"Ah, dear child! we can see many beauties in those we love that are +imperceptible to other eyes," Elsie returned with a quiet smile. + +"But, mamma, every one sees you to be both young and beautiful in looks. +You look far too young to be addressed as grandma by Max and Lulu, or even +Gracie. I wish you would not allow it, but let them call you auntie." + +"It does not make me really any older, or even to feel or look so," the +mother said, with a low silvery laugh of amusement at Violet's +earnestness. + +"But I don't like it, dear mamma." + +"Then I am sorry I gave them permission; yet having done so, I do not like +to recall it. But, daughter dear, old age will come to us all, if we live, +and it is quite useless to fight against the inevitable." + +"Yet we needn't hurry it on, mamma." + +"No; but consider; had I and my eldest daughter married as early in life +as my mother did I might now have own grandchildren as old as Max and +Lulu. Beside," she added gayly, "how can I hope to deceive people into +supposing me young when I have three married children." + +"Yes, mamma, that is true," Violet said, after a moment's thought; "and +perhaps the children may be more ready to submit to the guidance and +control of a grandma than of an aunt. Oh, how thankful I am that when +their father is no longer here to govern them, they will not be left to my +management alone!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +REBELLION. + + +The next morning Violet began her housekeeping; a not very arduous +undertaking, as competent servants had been brought from Ion for her +establishment as well as for that next door. + +It was pleasant to her and the captain to sit down to a well-appointed +table of their own. + +Max and Lulu too, coming in fresh and rosy from a stroll along the beach, +thought it extremely nice that at last they had a home of their own with +their father and so sweet and pretty a new mamma to take the head of the +table. + +The oysters and fish, just out of the ocean that morning, and Aunt +Phillis's corn-bread and muffins were very delicious to the keen young +appetites, and as Gracie was reported much better, every one was in good +spirits. + +The captain and Violet had both been in to see her and ask how she had +passed the night, before coming down to the breakfast-room. + +Immediately after the meal the captain conducted family worship. That +over, Max and Lulu seized their hats, and were rushing out in the +direction of the beach, but their father called them back. + +"Where are you going?" he asked. + +"Down by the waves," said Lulu. + +"To the beach, sir," said Max. + +"Without a word to any one!" he remarked a little severely. "How do you +know that you are not wanted by your mamma or myself? We are going +directly for a drive on the beach and I had intended to take you both +along. Now I am inclined to leave you behind." + +The children hung their heads, looking crestfallen and disappointed. + +"O Levis, please let them go!" pleaded Violet, laying her hand +persuasively on her husband's arm. "I am sure they did not mean to do +wrong." + +"Well, my love," he answered, "I will overlook it for this time for your +sake. But, Max and Lulu, you must understand that you are under authority +and are not to leave the house without first reporting yourselves to your +mother or me and asking permission, stating where you desire to go and +about how long you expect or wish to stay." + +"Yes, sir," said Max; "but if you and Mamma Vi should both happen to be +out?" + +"Then you may go to Grandpa Dinsmore or Grandma Elsie." + +"Yes, sir," Max answered in a pleasant tone; adding, "I'm sorry to have +displeased you, papa, and will be careful in future to obey the orders +you've just given." + +But Lulu remained silent, and her countenance was sullen. She had been so +long in the habit of defying Mrs. Scrimp's authority that now she was +disposed to resist even her father's control in small matters, and think +she ought to be permitted to go and come at her own sweet will, and the +thought of being subjected to the sway of her new mother and her relatives +seemed to the proud, passionate child almost beyond endurance. + +The expression of her face did not escape her father's observation, but he +thought it best to take no notice of it, hoping her angry and rebellious +feelings would soon pass away and leave her again the pleasant, lovable +child she had been a few moments since. + +The carriage was already at the door. + +"I think the air would do Gracie good," he remarked to Vi, "and the drive +not prove too fatiguing if I support her in my arms. We have room for one +more than our party. Will not your mother go with us?" + +"Thank you; I'll run in and ask her," Vi said, tripping away. + +Elsie accepted the invitation, remarking gayly, "I have no housekeeping +cares to prevent me. I'm just a daughter at home in her father's house," +giving him a loving look and smile, "as I used to be in the glad, free +days of my girlhood." + +The captain came down with Gracie in his arms, hers about his neck, her +little pale face on his shoulder. She looked thin and weak, but very +happy. + +Grandma Elsie and Mamma Vi greeted her with loving inquiries and tender +kisses. + +"Do you feel strong enough for the drive, dear?" asked the former. + +"Yes, ma'am; with papa to hold me in his strong arms." + +"Papa's dear baby girl!" murmured the captain low and tenderly, imprinting +a gentle kiss on the pale forehead. + +Mr. Dinsmore came over, handed the ladies and Lulu into the carriage, then +held Gracie till her father was seated in it and ready to take her again. + +It was a bright, fair morning with a delicious breeze from the sea, and +all enjoyed the drive greatly, unless perhaps Lulu, who had not yet +recovered her good humor. She sat by her father's side, scarcely speaking, +but no one seemed to notice it. + +Gracie was asleep when they returned, and her father carried her up to her +room and laid her down so gently that she did not wake. + +The others had paused in the veranda below. Zoe and Rosie came running +over to say the bathing hour was near at hand, and to ask if they were +going in. + +"I am not," Elsie said. + +"Nor I," said Violet, "I'm a little tired and should prefer to sit here +and chat with mamma." + +"I'd like to go in," said Max. "When papa comes down I'll ask if I may." + +"Mamma," said Rosie, "I don't care to go in to-day, but may I go down on +the beach and watch the bathers?" + +"Yes, daughter. Take a servant with you to carry some camp-chairs and to +watch over Walter, if he wants to go with you." + +"You'll come too, won't you?" Rosie said to Lulu; "it's good fun to watch +the people in the water." + +"I'll have to ask leave first," replied Lulu in a sullen tone. "Can you +wait till papa comes down?" + +"That is not necessary since your father has invested me with authority to +give you permission," remarked Violet pleasantly. "You may go if you will +keep with Rosie and the others. But, Lulu, my dear, I wish you would first +go up to your room, take off those coral ornaments and put them away +carefully. They do not correspond well with the dress you have on, and +are not suitable for you to wear down on the beach at this time of day." + +She had noticed, on first seeing the child that morning, that she had them +on, but said nothing about it till now. + +"You said you gave them to me to keep!" cried Lulu, turning a flushed and +angry face toward her young step-mother; "and if they are my own, I have a +right to wear them when and where I please, and I shall do so." + +"Lucilla Raymond, to whom were you speaking?" asked her father sternly, +stepping into their midst from the open door-way. + +The child hung her head in sullen silence, while Vi's face was full of +distress; Elsie's but little less so. + +"Answer me!" commanded the captain in a tone that frightened even insolent +Lulu. "I overheard you speaking in an extremely impertinent manner to some +one. Who was it?" + +"Your new wife," muttered the angry child. + +The captain was silent for a moment, trying to gain control over himself. +Then he said calmly, but not less sternly than he had spoken before, "Come +here." + +Lulu obeyed, looking pale and frightened. + +He leaned down over her, unclasped the coral ornaments from her neck and +arms, and handing them to Violet, said, "My dear, I must ask you to take +these back. I cannot allow her to keep or wear them." + +"O Levis!" began Vi in a tone of entreaty; but a look and a gentle "Hush, +love!" silenced her. + +"Now, Lucilla," he said, resuming his stern tone of command, "ask your +mamma's pardon for your impertinence, and tell her you will never be +guilty of the like again." + +"I won't!" exclaimed Lulu passionately. + +At that, her father, with a look of utter astonishment at her presumption, +took her by the hand and led her into the house, upstairs and to her own +room. + +"My daughter," he said, "I must be obeyed. I could not have believed you +would be so naughty and disobedient so soon after my return to you, for I +thought you loved me." + +He paused for a reply, and Lulu burst out with passionate vehemence, "You +don't love me, papa! I knew you wouldn't when you got a new wife. I knew +she'd steal all your love away from your own children!" + +In that moment of fierce, ungovernable anger all Vi's sweet kindness was +forgotten and old prejudices returned in full force. + +The captain was too much shocked and astonished to speak for a moment. He +had not dreamed that his child possessed so terrible a temper. + +"You were never more mistaken, Lulu," he said at length in a moved tone; +"I never loved my children better than I love them now. Are you not sorry +for your rebellious reply to me a moment since? will you not tell me so, +and do at once what I have bidden you?" + +"No; I'll never ask her pardon!" + +"You will stay in this room in solitary confinement until you do, though +it should be all summer," he said firmly, went out, locked the door on the +outside, and put the key into his pocket. + +Zoe and Rosie had hastened away the moment the captain appeared upon the +scene in the veranda, and as he led Lulu into the house Violet burst into +tears. + +"O mamma!" she sobbed, "what shall I do? I wish I had not said a word +about the ornaments, but just let her wear them! I never meant to make +trouble between my husband and his children! I never should have done so +intentionally." + +"My dear child, you have no cause to blame yourself," Elsie said +soothingly. + +"No, not a bit of it, Mamma Vi," cried Max, coming to her side. "I love Lu +dearly, but I know she has a very bad temper, and I think it's for her own +good that papa has found it out already, so that he can take means to help +her conquer it. Dear me! I should never dare to say 'I won't' to him. Nor +I shouldn't want to, because he's such a good father to us, and I love him +dearly." + +"Dear Max," Violet said, smiling through her tears as she took his hand +and pressed it affectionately in hers. "I am sure he is a good, kind, +loving father; his children could never doubt it if they had heard all he +has said to me about them, and I trust you will never do anything to give +him pain." + +The captain rejoined them presently, asking the ladies with an assumed +cheerfulness if they intended bathing. + +They answered in the negative, and turning to Max he said kindly, "My son, +if you wish to do so, I will take you with me. The surf is fine this +morning and I feel inclined to go in." + +"Oh, thank you, papa!" cried Max, "it will be splendid to go in with you!" + +The captain re-entered the house and Violet followed. He turned at the +sound of her quick, light step, saw the distress in her face, the tears in +her eyes, and was much moved thereby. + +"My love, my darling!" he said, taking her in his arms, "do not let this +thing trouble you. Ah, it pains me deeply that a child of mine should have +already brought tears to those sweet eyes." + +"O Levis!" she sobbed, hiding her face on his breast, "forgive her for my +sake. Don't insist on her asking my pardon. I would not have her so +humiliated." + +"There are few things you would ask, love, that I would not grant," he +said tenderly, softly smoothing the golden hair; "but for my daughter's +own sake I must compel her obedience. What would become of her if left to +the unrestrained indulgence of such a temper and spirit of insubordination +as she has shown this morning?" + +"I know you are right," she sighed, "but I cannot help feeling sorry for +her, and oh it almost breaks my heart to think that I was the cause of the +trouble." + +"Ah, but in that you are mistaken, sweet wife," he said, repeating his +caresses; "Lulu's own evil temper was the exciting cause. I could see that +she was in a sullen, rebellious mood from the time that I called her in +before our drive. That I must begin already to discipline one of my +children gives me a sad heart, but I must try to do my duty by her at what +ever cost of pain to her or myself." + +As her father turned the key in the lock, Lulu stamped with passion, and +clenched her fists until the nails were buried in the flesh. "I'll never +do it!" she hissed between her tightly-shut teeth, "no, never! if he +keeps me here till I die. I just wish I could die and make him sorry for +treating me so!" + +Then throwing herself on the bed she sobbed herself to sleep. + +She must have slept several hours, for she was waked by the opening of her +door, and starting up found her father standing beside her with a small +salver in his hand. On it were a plate of graham bread, a china bowl +containing milk, and a silver spoon. + +"Here is your dinner, Lucilla," he said, speaking in a quiet, grave tone, +as he set the salver on a little stand in a corner between the windows; +"unless you are ready to obey me. In that case, I shall take you down to +your mamma, and when you have begged her pardon and told me you are sorry +for your rebellious words and conduct toward me, you can eat your dinner +with us." + +"I don't want to go downstairs, papa," she said, turning her face away +from him. "I'd rather stay here. But I should think you'd feel mean to eat +all sorts of good things and give me nothing but skim-milk and that black +bread." + +"I give you that bread because it contains more nutriment than the white," +he said. "As to the good things the rest of us may have to eat, you shall +share them as soon as you are ready to submit to my authority, but not +till then." + +He waited a moment for a reply, but receiving none, went out and locked +the door. + +When he came again at tea-time, bringing a fresh supply of the same sort +of fare, he found the first still untouched. + +Lulu was very hungry, and really for the last hour had quite longed to eat +the bread and milk, but from sheer obstinacy would not touch it. She +thought if she held out long enough in her refusal to eat it, something +better would be furnished her. + +But now she fairly quailed before the glance of her father's eye as he set +the second salver down and seating himself said, "Come here to me!" + +She obeyed, looking pale and frightened. + +He drew her in between his knees, put one arm round her, and taking the +bowl he had just brought in the other hand, held it to her lips, with the +command, "Drink this! every drop of it!" + +When that was done, he commanded, "Now break this bread into that other +bowl of milk, take your spoon and eat it." + +Now thoroughly frightened, she did not dare disobey. + +He sat and watched her till the meal was finished, she feeling that his +stern eye was upon her, but never once venturing to look at him. + +"Have you anything to say to me, Lucilla?" he asked as he rose to go. + +"No, sir," she answered, with her eyes upon the carpet. + +"My child, you are grieving me very much," he said, took up the salver and +went out. + +Lulu did love her father--though not nearly so well as her own +self-will--and his parting words brought a gush of tears from her eyes. +She was half inclined to call to him to come back, and say she would obey. + +But no! her heart rose up in fierce rebellion at the thought of asking +pardon of his "new wife." "I'll never do it!" she repeated half aloud, +"and when I get sick and die from being kept shut up here papa will wish +he hadn't tried to make me." + +So she hardened her heart day after day and refused to yield. + +Her fare continued the same, her father bringing it to her three times +daily, now in silence, now asking if she were ready to obey. + +She saw no one else but the maid who came each morning to put her room in +order; except as she caught sight of one or another from the window. She +liked to look at the sea and watch the vessels sailing by, but was often +seized with a great longing to get down close to the waves. + +After the second day she grew very, very weary of her imprisonment and +indulged in frequent fits of crying as she heard the gay voices of Max and +the young Travillas at sport on the veranda, in the yards below, or knew +from the sound of wheels, followed by an hour or more of quiet, that +drives were being taken. + +She knew she was missing a great deal of enjoyment. Being of an active +temperament, extremely fond of out-door exercise, made this close +confinement even more irksome to her than it would have been to many +another. + +She had nothing to do. She had turned over the contents of her trunk +several times, had found her doll, and tried to amuse herself with it, but +there was little fun in that without a playmate. She had no book but her +Bible, and that she did not care to read; there was too much in it to +condemn her. + +"Papa," she said, when he came with her breakfast on the fourth day, +"mayn't I go and run on the beach for ten minutes and then come back?" + +"What did I tell you about leaving this room?" he asked. + +"I know you said I shouldn't do it till I asked her pardon," she replied, +bursting into a fit of passionate weeping, "but I'll never do that, and if +I get sick and die you'll be sorry for keeping me shut up so." + +"You must not talk to your father in that impertinent manner," he said +sternly. "It is not I who keep you here, it is your own self-will; and +just so long as that lasts you will remain here." + +"I haven't a friend in the world," she sobbed; "my own father is cruel to +me since he----" + +"Hush!" he said in stern indignation. "I will have no more of that +impertinence! Will you force me to try the virtue of a rod with you, +Lucilla?" + +She started and looked up at him with frightened eyes. + +"I should be very loath to do so, but advise you to be very careful how +you tempt me to it any farther," he said, and left her. + +He went down with a heavy heart to the breakfast-room where his wife, Max +and Gracie awaited his coming. + +All three greeted his entrance with loving smiles. Vi was looking very +lovely, and he noticed with gratitude that Gracie's eyes were bright and +her cheeks faintly tinged with pink. She was improving rapidly in the +bracing sea-air and winning all hearts by her pretty ways. + +She ran to meet him, crying, "Good-morning, my dear papa!" + +He took her in his arms and kissed her tenderly two or three times, +longing to be able to do the same by the other one upstairs, put her in +her place at the table and took his own. + +A tempting meal was spread upon it, but he felt that he could scarcely +enjoy it because it must not be shared with Lulu. + +Vi read it all in his face, and her heart bled for him. She had seen +through all these days of conflict with his stubborn, rebellious child, +that his heart was sore over it, though he made great efforts to appear as +usual, and never spoke of Lulu except when it was quite necessary. + +He had had to explain to Gracie why her sister was not to be seen, and to +entreat Vi not to grieve over her unintentional share in occasioning the +struggle, or let it hinder her enjoyment. + +Elsie had made a generous settlement upon each of her married children; so +Vi had abundant means of her own. She longed to spend some of her money on +her husband's children, especially in pretty, tasteful dress for the two +little girls. She asked his consent, deeming it mot right to act without +it. + +He seemed pleased that she had it in her heart to care for them in that +way, but said nothing could be done for Lulu at present, she might do what +she would for Gracie, but the expense must be his; nor could she move him +from that decision. + +She had begun to carry out her plans for Gracie, delighting herself in +making her look as pretty as possible, and each day hoping that Lulu's +submission would make it possible to do the same by her. + +She knew this morning, by her husband's countenance and his coming in +alone, that that hope had again failed, and her heart sank; but for his +sake she assumed an air of cheerfulness and chatted of other things with a +sprightliness and gayety that won him from sad thoughts in spite of +himself. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + "Prithee, forgive me!" + + +"Papa, can't I see Gracie?" Lulu asked when he came in with her dinner. + +"Certainly, if you are ready to obey." + +The child's lip quivered. "I'm so tired of that bread and milk," she said. +"Can't I have something else? I'm sure you and everybody in the house have +a great many good things." + +"We have, and it is a great grief to me that I cannot share them with my +little Lulu. I have very little enjoyment in them because of that." + +"Papa, I'm sorry I've been so naughty, so impertinent to you. I don't mean +ever to be so again; and I'll be a good girl every way after this, if +you'll let me out." + +"Then come with me to your mamma," he said, holding out his hand. + +"I can't ask pardon of her," she said, turning away with a sob. + +"You must, Lucilla," he said in a tone that made her tremble. "You need +not think to conquer your father. I shall keep you here on this plain +fare and in solitary confinement until you are entirely penitent and +submissive." + +He waited a moment, but receiving no reply, went out and locked the door. + +"She is still stubborn," he said to Violet, whom he found alone in their +room across the hall, sighing deeply as he spoke; "and the close +confinement is telling upon her; she grows pale and thin. Oh, how my heart +bleeds for her, my dear child! But I must be firm. This is an important +crisis in her life, and her future character--therefore her happiness for +time and eternity--will depend greatly upon how this struggle ends." + +The next day was the Sabbath, and on returning from church, he went to +Lulu's room. + +Little had passed between them since the talk of yesterday when he carried +in her dinner. He found her now sitting in a listless attitude, and she +did not look up on his entrance. + +He lifted her from her chair, sat down in it himself, and took her on his +knee. + +"Has this holy day brought no good thoughts or feelings to my little +girl?" he asked, gently smoothing the hair back from her forehead. + +"You know I couldn't go to church, papa," she said, without looking at +him. + +"No; I know you could have gone, had you chosen to be a good, obedient +child." + +"Papa, how can you go on trying to make me tell a lie when you have always +taught me it was such a wicked, wicked thing to do?" + +"I try to make you tell a lie! what can you mean, daughter?" he asked in +great surprise. + +"Yes, papa, you are trying to make me ask Mamma Vi's pardon after I have +said I wouldn't." + +"Ah, my child, that was a wicked promise because it was rebellion against +your father's authority, which God commands you to respect. Therefore the +sin was in making it, and it is your duty to break it." + +Then he made her repeat the fifth commandment, and called her attention to +its promise of long life and prosperity, as far as it shall be for God's +glory and their own good, to all such as keep it. + +"I want you to inherit that blessing, my child," he said, "and to escape +the curses pronounced against those who refuse obedience to their +parents." + +Opening the Bible, he read to her, "The eye that mocketh at his father and +despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, +and the young eagles shall eat it." + +She gave him a frightened look, then, with a slight shudder, hid her face +on his breast, but did not speak. + +"Lulu," he said, again softly stroking her hair, "about nine years ago I +came home from a long voyage to find a dear little dark-eyed baby +daughter, and as I took her in my arms, oh how my heart went out in love +to her and gratitude to God for giving her to me! I loved her dearly then. +I have loved her ever since with unabated affection, and never doubted her +love to me until now." + +"Papa, I do love you," she said, hastily brushing away a tear. "I've said +I was sorry for being naughty to you and didn't mean to do so any more." + +"And yet are continuing to be naughty and disobedient all the time. It is +quite possible, Lulu, that you may some day be fatherless; if that time +should come, do you think you will look back with pleasure to these days +of rebellion?" + +At that she cried quite bitterly, but her father waited in vain for a word +of reply. + +He put her on her knees on the floor, knelt beside her, and with his hand +on her head prayed earnestly, tenderly that the Lord would cast out her +wicked temper, forgive her sins, give her a new heart, and make her his +own dear child. + +Rising, he took her in his arms again for a moment, she still sobbing, but +saying not a word, then putting her gently aside, he left the room. + +To her surprise her dinner of bread and milk was presently brought up by +Agnes, who set it down and went out without exchanging a word with her. + +The same thing occurred at supper-time. + +Lulu began to be filled with curiosity not unmingled with apprehension, +but was too proud to question the girl. + +All through the afternoon and evening her thoughts dwelt much upon what +her father had said to her, and the words and tender tones of his prayer +rang in her ears and melted her heart. Beside she had become thoroughly +convinced that what he had said he would do, so that there was no hope of +release until won by obedience. + +She was disappointed that he did not come with her supper nor afterward, +for she had almost resolved to submit. She cried herself to sleep that +night, feeling such a love for her father as she had never known before, +and an intense longing for his kiss of forgiveness. + +She became not willing only, but eager to do his bidding that she might +receive it. + +In the morning she dressed herself with neatness and care and impatiently +awaited his coming. She was sure it must be long past the usual hour when +at last the door opened and Violet came in with the waiter of bread and +milk. + +She set it down and turned to the little girl, who stood gazing at her in +silent surprise. + +"Lulu, dear, your father is very ill," she said in tones quivering with +emotion, and then the child noticed that there were traces of tears about +her eyes and on her cheeks, "He was in terrible pain all night, and is +very little better this morning," she went on. "O Lulu, I had a dear, dear +father once, and he was taken ill very much as yours has been and--in a +few days. Oh, how I loved him! and while he lived I thought I was a good +daughter to him, for I don't remember ever being wilfully disobedient, but +after he was gone my heart reproached me with having neglected +opportunities to give him pleasure, and not having always obeyed quite so +promptly and cheerfully as I might, and I would have given worlds to go +back and be and do all I ought." + +She ended with a burst of tears, covering her face with her hands and +sobbing, "O papa, papa! O my husband, my dear, dear husband!" + +"O Mamma Vi! I will ask your pardon--I do! won't you please forgive me for +being so very, very naughty and impertinent? when you have been so good +and kind to me too," sobbed Lulu, dropping on her knees at Violet's feet. + +"I do with all my heart," Violet said, lifting her up and kissing her. +"And shall we not always love each other for your dear father's sake?" + +"Oh, yes, yes, indeed! I do love you! I don't know what made me be so +wicked and stubborn. Mayn't I go to papa and tell him how sorry I am, and +ask him to forgive me too?" + +"Yes, dear, come; perhaps it may help him to grow better, for I know he +has grieved very much over this," Vi said, taking the child's hand and +leading her into the room where the captain lay. + +As he saw them come in thus his eye brightened in spite of the severe pain +he was enduring. + +With one bound, Lulu was at his side, sobbing, "Papa, papa! I'm so sorry +for all my badness, and all your pain. Please, please forgive me. I've +done it--asked Mamma Vi's pardon, and--and I'll never talk so to her +again, nor ever disobey you any more." + +"I hope not, my darling," he said, drawing her down to give her a tender +fatherly kiss of forgiveness. "I am rejoiced that you have given up your +rebellion so that now I can love and pet you to my heart's content--if God +spares me to get up from this bed of pain. I do forgive you gladly, dear +daughter." + +For several days the captain was very ill, but the best of medical advice +was at hand, the best of nursing was given him by Elsie and Violet, +assisted by Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore and others, and, by the blessing of +Providence, upon these means he recovered. + +Lulu seemed very unhappy and remorseful until it was quite certain that he +would get well, took little interest in any kind of recreation, and was +often found hovering about the door of his room, eager to learn how he was +and if possible gain admission to his presence, or permission to do +something for his relief. + +She was a changed child from that time, perfectly respectful, obedient, +and affectionate toward both her father and Violet. + +When the captain had once begun to mend, the improvement was very rapid, +and he was soon able to share in the drives and other recreations of their +party. + +During his illness Grandma Elsie had been very kind to his children, +acting a mother's part by them, attending to their wants, comforting and +encouraging them with hope of his recovery, and they had grown very fond +of her. + +At first Lulu shrank from all her new mamma's relatives, and even from Max +and Gracie, ashamed of her misconduct and expecting to receive unpleasant +reminders of it. + +But she met with nothing of the kind, except that Max, when she first came +downstairs, said. "It does seem strange, Lulu, that when so many men have +to obey papa the instant he speaks, his own little girl should stand out +so long and stubbornly against his authority;" and Gracie, with her arms +about her sister's neck, sobbed, "O Lu how could you make dear papa so +sorry for so many days?" + +"Was he so sorry?" sobbed Lulu. + +"Yes, indeed; sometimes he hardly ate anything, and looked so sad that the +tears came in my eyes, and in Mamma Vi's too." + +"Oh, I hope that wasn't what made him sick!" cried Lulu, the tears +streaming down her face. "I'll never, never behave so to him again." + +Lulu was still more remorseful as time went on and everybody was so kind +to her, seeming never to remember her naughtiness and disgrace, but giving +her a share in all the pleasures devised for themselves which were +suitable to her age. + +She was especially touched and subdued by the interest Violet took in +seeing her provided with new dresses made and trimmed in the fashion +(which, to her extreme vexation, Mrs. Scrimp had always disregarded), and +with many other pretty things. + +When she thanked her new mamma, she was told, "Your father pays for them +all, dear." + +Then she went to him with tears in her eyes, and putting her arms round +his neck, thanked him for all his goodness, confessing that she did not +deserve it. + +"You are very welcome nevertheless, daughter," he said, "and all I ask in +return is that you will be good and obedient." + +Vi wished to return to Lulu the pink coral ornaments, but that he would +not allow. + +It was a great disappointment to Lulu, for she admired them extremely, but +she showed herself entirely submissive under it. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +MAX. + + +"Papa," said Max one morning, as they rose from the breakfast-table, "I +feel as if a long walk would do me good. I'd like to go farther down the +beach than I ever have yet." + +"Very well, my son, you may go, only keep out of danger and come home in +time for dinner," was the indulgent rejoinder, and the lad set off at +once. + +He presently fell in with two other lads a little older than himself, +boarders in one of the near hotels, and casual acquaintances of his. They +joined him and the three rambled on together, whistling, talking, and +occasionally stooping to pick up a shell, pebble, or bit of seaweed or +sponge. + +At length they reached an inlet that seemed to bar their farther progress, +but looking about they spied an old boat stranded by yesterday's tide a +little higher up the inlet, and were of course instantly seized with a +great desire to get her into the water and set sail in her. + +"Wouldn't it be jolly fun?" cried Bob Masters, the eldest of the trio. +"Come on, boys." + +Max was a rather heedless fellow, and never stopping to consider the right +or wrong of the thing, or whether he were running into danger or not, went +with the others. + +They found the boat, as they thought, in fair condition; there were two +oars in her, and both Max and John Cox, the other lad, thought they knew +pretty well how to use them, while Masters was sure he could steer. + +With a good deal of exertion they set the little craft afloat; then +climbing in they pushed boldly out into deep water and bore down toward +the ocean. + +Max had thought they were only going to cross to the farther side of the +inlet and continue their walk; but almost before he knew it, they were out +upon the sea, and the boat was rocking upon the waves in a way that seemed +to him decidedly alarming. + +"Boys," he said, "let's put back as fast as we can. We don't know anything +about managing a boat out here, and see how big the waves are!" + +"That's because the tide's coming in," laughed Masters, "so if we should +upset it'll wash us ashore." + +"I don't know," said Max, "I'd rather not risk it; there's the undertow to +carry us out again." + +"Oh, you're a coward!" sneered Cox. + +"I'm not going to turn back yet," said Masters; "so stick to your oar, +Raymond, and if the sight of the big waves frightens you, just turn your +back to 'em." + +At that moment a hail came from a fishing-smack not far away. "Halloo! +boys, you'd better put back as fast as you can; that boat's not safe, +especially in the hands of such green-horns as you." + +At the same moment a big incoming wave washed over them, carrying away +their hats and Max's coat, which he had pulled off when taking the oar. + +Masters and Cox were now sufficiently frightened to be willing to turn +back; they made the attempt at once, but found it far more difficult than +they had anticipated. They struggled hard, and several times nearly gave +themselves up for lost; but at last, after many narrow escapes, a huge +wave carried them high on to the beach, and left them there with barely +strength to crawl up out of the way of the next. + +It was a good while before they were able to do anything but lie panting +and gasping on the sand. + +Max had not been long gone when Zoe ran into the cottage of the Raymonds, +to tell of a plan just set on foot in the other house to get up a party +to visit some points of interest several miles distant. + +They were to go in carriages, take a lunch with them, and not return till +late in the afternoon, when all would dine together at Mrs. Dinsmore's +table. + +"Mamma is not going," she said, "and offers to take care of Gracie, if the +child stays behind. Every one seems to fear the ride would be too long and +wearisome for her." + +"Yes, I think so," the captain said, fondling her, for she was sitting on +his knee. + +"I'd like to go, papa," she said, looking up coaxingly into his face, "I +like to go driving, and to sit on your knee." + +"And I love to have my baby girl in my arms, and to give her pleasure," he +responded, repeating his caresses, "but I should feel very sad to see her +made sick." + +"Then I'll be good and not ask to go, papa," she said, with a slight sigh, +laying her head on his shoulder. + +"That's my dear, good little Gracie! You shall have a short drive every +day when I can manage it. Perhaps a moonlight drive along the beach, +to-morrow evening. Will not that be nice?" + +"Oh, ever so nice, dear papa!" she cried, clapping her hands in delight. + +"Mamma not going, Zoe!" exclaimed Violet in a tone of disappointment. +"That will rob the excursion of half its charm for me. Is she not well?" + +"She has a very slight headache, she says, and fears the sun would +increase it. Besides she is so much interested in a book she is reading +that she prefers staying at home to finish it. We had hard work to +persuade grandpa to go without her, but he has consented at last; only, I +believe, because Grandma Rose refused to go without him, and mamma insists +that she is in no danger of a bad headache if she keeps quiet." + +"Yes, grandpa is so fond and careful of her." + +"We have two large carriages, so that there is abundance of room for +everybody," pursued Zoe; "and we hope, Captain, that you will let Max and +Lulu go." + +"Lulu shall certainly, if she chooses," he said, turning with a kind, +fatherly smile to the little girl who stood silently at his side, waiting +with a wistful, eager look, to hear if she were to be of the party, but +ashamed to ask the indulgence because of a vivid remembrance of her late +rebellion and disgrace. + +"Oh, thank you, papa!" she cried joyously, giving him a hug and kiss. +"Mamma Vi, what shall I wear?" + +"Your travelling dress will be the most suitable I think," said Violet. + +"Then I'll run and put it on," returned Lulu, hastening away with cheerful +alacrity. + +"Max shall go too, Captain, shan't he?" queried Zoe, with whom the boy was +a great favorite. + +"He might if he were here," the father answered; "but unfortunately he has +gone off for a long walk and may not be back before dinner-time." + +"And we must start in a few minutes," remarked Vi; "I am really sorry, for +I know Max will regret missing it. Gracie, dear, I'm going over to speak +to mamma; shall I take you with me?" + +"Yes, if you please, Mamma Vi, when I've kissed my dear papa good-by." + +Having done so, she took her doll in her arms and gave her hand to Violet. +She felt a little lonely at the thought of being left behind, but was +quite comforted on learning that little Walter Travilla had decided to +stay at home and play with her. + +The excursionists drove off, and Elsie, having provided the little ones +with amusement, gave herself up to the enjoyment of her book and an +easy-chair set where she could catch the pleasant sea breeze without +feeling the sun. Still, she did not forget the children, but now and then +laid aside her book for a little, while she suggested or invented some +new game for their entertainment. + +So the morning passed quietly and pleasantly. + +It was a little past noon when, stepping out upon the veranda, she caught +sight of a forlorn figure, hatless, coatless, and dishevelled generally, +yet bearing a strangely familiar look, slowly approaching the other +cottage. A second glance told her who it was. + +"Max!" she exclaimed in astonishment, and forgetting all about her +headache, caught up a sunshade and hurried to meet him. + +"Max! can it be you?" she asked. "Why, my poor boy, where have you been? +and what has happened to you?" + +"O Grandma Elsie!" he said, looking much mortified and ready to cry, "I +did hope I'd be able to get into the house without anybody seeing me! Do +you know where my father is?" + +"Yes; the two families have all gone on an excursion except Gracie, +Walter, and me. But come in out of the sun," she added, leading the way +into the Raymonds' cottage. Max followed her, and won to confidence by her +sweet and kindly sympathy, told her the whole story of his morning's +adventure. + +"O Max, my dear boy! what a narrow escape!" she said, with tears in her +eyes. "What a mercy that you are alive to tell the tale! What a terrible, +terrible shock it would have been to your father to learn that his only +son was drowned! and that while in the act of disobeying him, for you say +he bade you not to go into any danger." + +"Yes, Grandma Elsie, and if he finds it out I'll be pretty sure to get a +severe flogging. I deserve it, I know; but I don't want to take it. You +won't tell on me, will you? Perhaps he'll find it out through the loss of +the coat and hat, but I hope he won't miss them, at I have several +others." + +"No, Max, I shall certainly not tell on you; no one shall ever learn from +me what you have told me in confidence; but I do hope, my dear boy, that +you will not try to deceive your kind, loving father, but will confess all +to him as soon as he comes home, and patiently bear whatever punishment he +sees fit to inflict. It is the only right and honorable course, Max, and +will save you a great deal of suffering from remorse and fear of +detection." + +"But it will be dreadfully hard to confess!" sighed Max. "I believe I +really dread that more than the flogging." + +"Yet take courage, my boy, and do it. Do not allow yourself to indulge in +moral cowardice, but dare to do right, asking help of God, who is able and +willing to give it." + +Max made no reply, but sat there before her, looking very guilty and +miserable. + +"You must be hungry," she said presently, "and it is not easy to be brave +and strong on an empty stomach. Suppose you go to your room and make +yourself neat, then come into the other house and join me and the little +folks in a nice luncheon." + +The proposal was accepted with thankfulness. + +Max looked several degrees less miserable after satisfying his appetite, +yet all the afternoon seemed restless and unhappy. + +Elsie said little to him, but many times silently lifted up her heart on +his behalf, asking that he might have strength given him to do the duty he +felt to be so difficult and painful. + +As the time drew near when the pleasure-seekers might be expected to +return, he slipped away out of her sight. + +Presently the carriages drove up and deposited their load. Max stood +waiting in the veranda, his heart beating very fast and loud, as his +father, Violet, and Lulu came up the path that led from the garden-gate. + +All three greeted him affectionately, expressing their regret that he had +missed the pleasure of the excursion; then Vi and Lulu passed into the +house and on upstairs. + +The captain was about to follow when Max, stepping close to his side, +said, with a slight tremble in his voice, "Papa, I--want to speak to you." + +"Very well, my son, say on," answered the captain, stopping and turning +toward him. + +"It's something I want to tell you, sir," and Max hung his head, his +cheeks flushing hotly. + +His father gave him a searching look, took his hand, and led him into the +parlor. + +"Don't be afraid of your father, Max," he said kindly, "why should you?" + +"Because I've been a bad boy, sir, deserving of a flogging, and expect you +to give it to me," Max burst out desperately. + +"Tell me all about it, my son," the captain said in a moved tone, "and +tell it here," seating himself and drawing the boy to his knee. "Perhaps +it will be easier." + +"Oh, yes, papa, because it makes me know you love me even if I am bad; but +it makes me more ashamed and sorry for having disobeyed you," sobbed Max, +no longer able to refrain from tears as he felt the affectionate clasp of +his father's enfolding arm. + +"Then it has a right effect. My boy, I think if you knew how much I love +you, you would never disobey. It will be a sore trial to me, as well as to +you, if I find it my duty to inflict any severe punishment upon you. But +let me hear your story." + +Max told it in broken accents, for he was full of remorse for having +behaved so ill to so kind a parent. + +When he had finished there was a moment of silence. It was the captain who +broke it. + +"My boy," he said, with emotion, "it was a really wonderful escape, and we +must thank God for it. If you had been drowned, Max, do you know that it +would have gone near to break your father's heart? To lose my first-born, +my only son, and in the very act of disobedience--oh, how terrible!" + +"Papa, I didn't, I really didn't think about its being disobedience when I +got into the boat, because it didn't seem dangerous till we were fairly +out among the waves." + +"Do you think I ought to excuse you on that account?" + +"No, sir; you've reproved me so often for not thinking, and for not being +careful to obey your orders; and I know I deserve a flogging. But, O papa, +please don't let Mamma Vi know about it, or anybody else. Can't you take +me upstairs here when they are all in the other house?" + +"I shall not use corporal punishment this time, Max," the captain said, in +a moved tone. Dressing the boy closer to his side, "I shall try free +forgiveness, for I think you are truly sorry. And then you have made so +frank and full a confession of wrong-doing, that I might perhaps never +have discovered in any other way." + +"O papa, how good you are to me! I don't think I can ever be so mean and +ungrateful as to disobey you again," exclaimed Max, feelingly. "But I +don't deserve to be praised, or let off from punishment, because of +confessing, for I shouldn't have done it if Grandma Elsie hadn't talked to +me about the duty of it, and persuaded me to take courage to do it because +it was right." + +"Bless her for it! the dear, good woman!" the captain said, with earnest +gratitude. "But I think, Max, you do deserve commendation for taking her +advice. I have something more to say to you, my son, but not now, for the +call to dinner will come directly, and I must go and prepare for it." + +There was a hearty embrace between them, and they separated, the captain +going to his room to make his toilet and Max to the other house, where he +soon managed to let Grandma Elsie into the secret of his confession and +its happy result, thanking her with tears in his eyes for her kind, wise +advice. + +Elsie rejoiced with and for him, telling him he had made her heart glad +and that she hoped he would always have courage to do right. + +As Max prepared for bed that night he was wondering to himself what more +his father had to say to him, when he heard the captain's step on the +stairs, and the next moment he came in. + +Max started a little apprehensively. Could it be that his father had +changed his mind, and was about to give him the dreaded flogging after +all? + +But with one glance up into the grave yet kindly face looking down at him, +all his fear vanished. He drew a long breath of relief. + +"My boy," the captain said, laying his hand on Max's shoulder, "I told you +I had something more to say to you, and I have come to say it now. You are +'my first-born, my might and the beginning of my strength.' Never until +you are a father yourself can you know or understand the tide of love, +joy, and thankfulness that swept over me at the news of your birth. Nor do +you know how often, on land and on sea, in storm and in calm, my thoughts +dwell with deep anxiety upon the future of my son, not only for time, Max, +but for eternity." + +The captain paused for a moment, his emotions seemingly too big for +utterance, and Max, throwing his arms around his neck, hid his face on his +breast. + +"Papa," he sobbed, "I didn't know you loved me so much! Oh, I wish I'd +always been a good boy!" + +The captain sat down and drew him to his knee. + +"My dear son," he said, "I have no doubt that you are sorry for every act +of disobedience toward me, and I fully and freely forgive them all; but +what I want you to consider now is your sinfulness toward God, and your +need of forgiveness from him. You are old enough to be a Christian now, +Max, and it is what I desire for you more than anything else. Think what +blessedness to be made a child of God, an heir of glory! to have Jesus, +the sinner's Friend, for your own Saviour, your sins all washed away in +his precious blood, his righteousness put upon you." + +"Papa, I don't know how." + +"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved,' the Bible +says. It tells us that we have all broken God's holy law, that we all +deserve his wrath and curse forever, and cannot be saved by anything that +we can do or Buffer; but that 'God so loved the world that he gave his +only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but +have everlasting life.' He offers this salvation to us as his free gift, +and so we are to take it, for we can have it in no other way. Go to God, +my son, just as you have come to me, with confession of your sins and +acknowledging that you deserve only punishment; but pleading for pardon +through the blood and merits of Jesus Christ. Accept the salvation offered +you by the Lord Jesus, giving yourself to him to be his, his only forever. +'Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, to +give repentance to Israel and remission of sins,' and he will give them to +you if you ask for them with all your heart. He says, 'Him that cometh to +me, I will in no wise cast out.' My son, my dear son, will not you come +now? God's time is always _now_, and only the present is ours." + +"Papa, I will try; I am sorry for my sins against God, and I do want to +belong to him. Papa, won't you pray for me?" + +They knelt down together, and with his son's hand in his the captain +poured out a fervent prayer on the boy's behalf, of confession and +entreaty for pardon and acceptance in the name and for the sake of Him +"who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our +justification." + +Then, with a silent, tender embrace he left him. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + + "Home again, home again, from a foreign shore, + And oh it fills my soul with Joy to see my friends once more." + + +The rest of the summer and early fall passed delightfully to our +sojourners by the sea; though the happiness of the captain and Violet was +somewhat marred by the knowledge that soon they must part for a season of +greater or less duration, he to be exposed to all the dangers of the +treacherous deep. + +But they did not indulge in repining or lose the enjoyment of the present +in vexing thoughts concerning the probable trials of the future. + +It was necessary, however, to give it some consideration, and make +arrangements in regard to his children. + +Thinking of the guidance and control they all needed, the temper and +stubbornness Lulu had shown, the watchful care requisite for Gracie in her +feeble state, he hesitated to ask Mrs. Dinsmore and Elsie if they still +felt inclined to undertake the charge of them. + +But to his great relief and gratitude, those kind friends did not wait for +him to broach the subject, but renewed their offer, saying they had +become much attached to the children, and desired more than ever to give +them a happy home with themselves; upon the conditions formerly stated, +namely, that he would delegate his authority to them during his absence, +and give the children distinctly to understand that he had done so. + +These conditions the captain gladly accepted. He told the children all +about the arrangement he had made for them, and in the presence of the +whole family, bade them obey Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore, Grandma Elsie and +Mamma Vi as they would himself. + +"One master and three mistresses!" Edward remarked lightly; "are you not +imposing rather hard conditions, Captain?" + +"No, I think not, Ned, for I am satisfied that their commands will never +conflict; but should they do so, Mr. Dinsmore, as patriarch of the whole +tribe, is of course the highest authority." + +It had been decided that Harold and Herbert should now enter college. The +others, on being left by the captain, would all return to Ion and spend +the winter there or at Viamede. Edward would take charge of the Ion +plantation, his grandfather giving him some slight supervision at the +start. + +This arrangement would leave Mr. Dinsmore almost without employment, and, +as he liked to be busy, he said he would gladly act the part of tutor to +Max, and also hear some of the recitations of Rosie and Lulu. Grandma +Elsie and Mamma Vi would for the present undertake the rest of the work of +educating the girls and little Walter. + +Their plans settled, they gave themselves up to quiet enjoyment of each +other's society while Capt. Raymond waited for orders. + +Early in October there came a great and joyful surprise. A train had +steamed into the neighboring depot a few moments before, but as they were +not looking for any addition to their party, no one had taken particular +note of the fact. + +But a carriage came driving from that direction, and drew up before the +gate of Mr. Dinsmore's cottage, where the whole family were gathered. + +A gentleman hastily alighted, handed out a lady; a servant-woman +followed--having first handed him an odd-looking, rather large bundle, +which he received with care--then turned to collect packages and parcels, +while the other two hurried to the house, the lady a little in advance. + +"Elsie!" was the simultaneous exclamation of many voices in varied tones +of astonishment and delight, and the next instant there was a wonderful +confusion of greetings and embraces mingled with tears of joy and +thankfulness. + +Lester and his wife had been heard from frequently during the past months, +their letters always cheerful and full of bright hopes and anticipations, +but containing no hint of any intention of returning to America before the +coming spring. + +As they afterward explained, it had been a very sudden resolve, caused by +a severe fit of homesickness, and there really was no time to write. + +Lester shared the joyous welcome given to Elsie; the servant woman having +relieved him of his bundle, of which, in their joyous excitement, no one +had taken particular notice. + +Only waiting, a trifle impatiently, till the greetings and introductions +were over, Elsie Leland took it from her, and with a proud, happy, yet +tearful smile laid it--a lovely sleeping babe--in her mother's arms. + +"Our boy, mother dear. We have named him for his grandpa--Edward +Travilla." + +Elsie Travilla folded the child to her heart, kissed it softly, tenderly, +the great silent tears rolling down her cheeks. + +"Ah, could he but have seen it! our first grandchild," she sighed. + +Then, wiping away her tears, and sending a glance of mingled joy and +maternal pride around the little circle, she folded the babe still +closer, saying, with an arch, sweet smile, "Ah, no one now can deny that I +am in very truth Grandma Elsie!" + + +THE END. + + * * * * * + +=THE MERRY LYNN SERIES= + + +By HARRIET PYNE GROVE Cloth Bound. Jackets in Colors. + + * * * * * + +The charm of school and camp life, out-door sports and European travel is +found in these winning tales of Merilyn and her friends at boarding school +and college. 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BURT COMPANY, 114-120 E. 23d St., NEW YORK= + + * * * * * + +[Illustration] + +=MARJORIE DEAN= + +=POST-GRADUATE= + +=SERIES= + + +By PAULINE LESTER + +Author of the Famous Marjorie Dean High School and College Series. + +All Cloth Bound. Copyright Titles. + +_With Individual Jackets in Colors._ + + MARJORIE DEAN, POST GRADUATE + MARJORIE DEAN, MARVELOUS MANAGER + MARJORIE DEAN AT HAMILTON ARMS + MARJORIE DEAN'S ROMANCE + MARJORIE DEAN MACY + + + * * * * * + +For sale by all booksellers, or sent on receipt of price by the Publishers + +=A.L. 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