The Two Elsies A Sequel to Elsie at Nantucket, Book 10

knows when we s

KSP

s so cold and repellant that they were not sorry that she shut herself up in her own

departure immediately after seeing Eric laid in his grave; but Lester's dutie

e estate, but Laura was given the right to make

at his daughter should reside with her guardian, she was not aware of that fact; and feeling well

est to approach her on the subject, he found among h

into her hand, bidding h

n at his side, asking in tearful tones, "Un

usy over a pile of papers laid thereon; but pushing back his ch

caressing her hair and cheek; "your mother will be m

and it's my home, you know, the dear home where ev

not desire to carry out the dying wis

care now, and mamma is so sorely distressed at the thought of separation; and-and i

"I will do my utmost to fill his place to you, and I hope you will come to me always with your troubles and

ar, kind uncle, and very much like papa; you remind m

ond of his little daughter. And now about this question. I shall not compel your obedience to your father's wishes-at least not for the presen

you can persuade your

make it all smooth

gain, "I will go now and try what I can do to induce mamma to accept your kind

Evelyn," he returned in a kindly tone

carriage of an intimate friend of he

ausing near the half-open parlor door, she saw them sitting side

might, vainly trying to interest herself in a book; her thought

following her mother into her bedroom, gave a deta

with us, will you not?" s

nlivening society than that of your uncle and aunt? indeed, no! You will have to choose between them and me

eling in her eyes, "it is not a question of loving you

st, Evelyn. I have decided upon new plans for myself, and should prefer to have you go wit

g down beseechingly into her eyes, "why will you persist in speaking so doubtfully of my love for

know you must have some natural affection

l at my feet, and you shall

You were included in it also, but I shall have less care if I leave you behind; and though I have always intended that you should have the trip so

, his consent would have to be gained,

n; "I should be very loath to add to your c

etermination on the part of their sister-in-law; for her behavior toward them thu

tions for her mother's departure, which would take place som

lings locked up within her own breast, and in consequence was som

, Laura grew more affectionate toward h

Mother and child wept in each other's arms, and Evelyn whispered with

last embrace and hurrying into the carriage which was to convey her to the depot; f

, leaving his wife and child behind. Elsie's tender heart was full of

disappeared from sight down the drive, "you have not departed from your best

power to make you happy. I am not old enough to be

right smile. "Everybody loves mamma, and she has a heart big enough t

sure I shall love your mamma and be very grateful if she will count me among her children while my own mamma i

companions in the Ion young people. Both my sister Rose and Lulu

very nice girls?" remark

ey have their faults like the rest

mily, doing full justice to every good trait and touching but lightly upon faults and failings. Evelyn proving an interested listener. Fairview and then Viamede came under a similar

nt Elsie," Evelyn remarked in a pause in the n

one knew her but to love her,' none can live in her constant companio

said Evelyn, with an affectionate, admiri

th pleasure. "My dear, precious mother! I could hardl

kly returned the little girl. "I a

ce, or felt ashamed of having gone all the way to Italy to join my sick and s

interest and delight, "please tell me the whole

it would be difficult to say which enjoyed the

and good, Aunt Elsie," was Evely

er to me than my own," Elsie responded, half abs

ing with mournful eyes upon the lovely gr

he house while mamma and I are away? If it should be left long unoccupie

en, as I thought it over, it occurred to me that we might rent it ourselves for a summer residence; and when away from it, leave it in charge of Patrick and his wif

that seems to me the best plan that c

ed pleasantly, as the little girl p

s the half-hesitating reply, "and that you will get but

ul for one so young,"

he difficulty of earning and keeping it, and the best ways of economising. He said he

But about the expense we shall incur in making the proposed arrangement: there is a large family of us,

ich I've heard." remarked

ery generous," r

and to go directly to y

nd then he wants to spend some time sketching the scenery about Lake George and amo

easure, then with gathering tears and in low, tremulous tones, "