Elsie's New Relations

ort, all the pe

aggregate of

ares of-daughter

cred joys of

nah

for showing attention to the three young married ladies, or any one of them, there was quite an influx of callers for a week or t

of course, declined all such invitations; and it was only oc

but scarcely yet more than a bride, she felt a trifle forlorn going into soc

thereby gaining much assistance with their evening stu

devolved largely upon Lester and Elsie Leland, who laughingly de

said Rosie. "I only wish they'd have the po

emarked Mr. Dinsmore, "since you

mamma wouldn't allow it?" she asked

er allows anything wh

an arm around his neck, "I believe it isn't worth while to fre

ned laughingly. "Fretting is an u

r husband, "for I was always fond of parties; but of course, just now I cou

st happiness is found at home. And," he added with a smile, "it is quite to the advantage of your plans for study that so

haking her finger warningly at him, "Take care," she said,

over to

ing her hand from his grasp, an

ff corner?" asked Mrs. Leland's cheery voice from the mi

tween man and wife, in which the public

r, her soft brown eyes gazing lovingly upon them, "but we won't pry into your sec

ly machinery worked smoothly, with no jarring or jostling; eve

give a good report of each day in their diaries, which, of their

nswered that they preferred it; they wanted to know if she thought

ink so, and that she could report them to their father as worthy

our over her tasks, or even the sewing lessons, which I know are particularly distasteful to her. Dear child, you have

ame, never to praise, but with Mamma Vi it was just the other way. She was almo

o find him regarding her w

x, my dear boy?" she

e a boy likes a kiss from a sweet, pretty lady that he

lips. "Max, you may feel as free always to ask

and now found so many excuses for not being prepared at the proper time for recitation; and if he so much as looked grave over the failure, was

ittle wife; but no, he could not do that if he would have her a fit companion for him intellectually as wel

ing fault with Zoe (Elsie would hardly have listened for a moment to that), and she comforted him with w

d be likely to interest and at the same time instruct her. Also considered her needs, as well as

from the conversation of the highly educated and intelligent o

but she was so much used to self-indulgence, so unaccustomed to self-control, that her good r

more after dismissing her pupils to their play, when Zoe came to

ghter?" Elsie asked in tender, motherly ton

ied Zoe, dropping upon her knees at Elsie's feet, and hiding her

ave all the help I can give," Elsie said, smoothin

he is, though he didn't say a word; but he look

at he was deep in thought about something that had no connection wit

tten to watch the time and hadn't looked at the lessons. So I told him, and said I was sorry I wasn't ready for him,

little wife learning lessons whether she is willing or

g. Somebody calls, or I'm inclined for a ride, a drive or a walk, or I get engaged in sewing or fancy work, or my music, or a story-book that's

?" Elsie asked, with an affectionate look and smi

ger assent, an

re you, my dear, I should have a regular study hour, putting it early in the day, before callers begin to come, and I should not allow it to be lightly

ightened very muc

lapping her hands with glee, "and I'll begin at once. I'll think

yet not in your own strength alone," Elsie added

one. "And now, I'll run back to my room and try

d to them. Edward came in at length, and was greeted with a bright look and th

" he answered gravely, "at least for the present, until you a

y me a little longer, Ned; I've been talking with mamma, and I'm

y approval. "But we will have to put off the recitations until after tea. I must drive over to

ng the books aside and starting to her feet, "and

kissing her on cheek and lips, asked in tender tones, "Ha

on't mind it now if-if only you love your foolish, carele

liar treasure," he responded, with another

rd to her new plan, explaining it to Edward, and asking his advice about the best

f I can't get time in that way for all I w

nt; and certainly not to fancy work; I shall insist on plenty of rest and sleep and a

to be cross if the stud

vels, fancy work, and other eq

ng up lovingly into his face, "it's ever so nice to have somebody to take care of me and lo

red to take care of you, as long as you need me, li

n the hall on th

; "I think you'll not have any too

haste," returned Zoe,

oat, turned a rather surprised, inqu

Ronald Lilburn is coming. Maybe he will be here by to-morrow. Mamma heard he wasn't well, and she wrote and invite

ie, but why shouldn't Zoe h

or the Raymonds something (you know what) that must

"Well, I think you may trust me not to tell. Bu

out it; and grandpa and mamma and al

not to let the secret slip out unintentiona

said, laughing

curled up in the corner of a sofa with a book

looke

rb you if I ta

red Lulu, half closing her b

coming, and I'm ever so glad, as

said Lulu. "Is he a bo

merry laugh. "He has grown-up sons, and

his coming!" exclaimed Lulu, in a to

stories about the brownies in Scotland and about Bruce and Wallace and the blac

ow as much pleased and interested in the news