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

st, security, and mutual tenderness, The

O

and down another they went, the boy whistling, laughing, capering about, the dog bounding after, catching up with his playfellow and leaping upon him, now on this side

oice, and Lulu came running down the

asked the lad, standing

, down! be

u brought Grandma Elsie from the post-office this morning was from Aunt Elsie; and they are at home by this tim

? what do I care abou

prove a nice friend for me; not a bit like R

Nero's head; "she may not be very fond of you, and certainly does not a

Anyhow, I'd dearly love to have a real friend near my own age

d. If she was a boy I'd be as glad of

impulsive way, stepping closer and putting her arm about his neck. "H

, you know, and you're right good c

other with you, Maxie; now

uldn't get along half so well without you. I'm glad

n. Oh, Max, I feel

hy

they were so very, very fond of

o; and she and all of the

elyn lost hers; and Rosie has her nice, kind mother with her, while Evelyn's is away in Europe, and like enough isn't half so nice as Grandma Elsie anyhow. Oh, Max, I fe

dearly, how can you behave toward him as you do sometimes-causing him so much distress of mind? I've seen such a gri

choking voice, as she turned and

Lu, don't take it so hard;

almost fiercely, jerking herself loose-for he had caught a fold of her dress in his hand-and rushing away to the fart

; and now her thoughts turned remorsefully upon the conduct he had condemned. It was no news to her that she had more than once caused her

w sorry I am, and how dearly I do love him though I am so often naughty. I am glad I did tell him, and that he forgave me and told me he loved me just as well as any other o

often turned upon Evelyn, and she had scarcely alighted from the carriage on their arrival at Ion before

he was not decidedly pretty, but graceful and refined in appearance, with an earnest, intelligent countenance and very fine ey

inking within herself, when the two Elsies, releasing each other from a long, tender em

is is my dear mother

affectionately, and bade her welcome to Ion, adding, "And i

; "but it seems hardly appropriate, for you look not very m

sed laugh; "I for one have never approved of mamma

nd Mrs. Dinsmore. She was introduced to the others in turn, every one greeting her with the utmost kindness. Rosie gave her a has

side," Evelyn answered with a shy, sweet smile, as she

as del

lyn into a distant corner and told her how glad she was of her coming, because she wante

ar ones about her, you know, that it cannot be expected that she will feel much interes

ou know me better, for I'm not a bit good; I get into terrible passions when anybo

I shall not like you any the less for having some faults. You see, if you wer

on you speak!" said Lulu, regarding her

atest pains with me," she said, in tones tremulous with emotion. "We were almost always a

think I know a little how you feel, for my papa is with us only once in a while

ope he may com

nd Gracie; so I am muc

elyn, sending an admiring glance across the room

other, and that's a grea

beautiful and sweet, a

a step-mother can't

velyn said with a sigh;

see mine

ctively. "My father and your mother are far away in this

u sometimes want t

I believe I'd rather stay here-at least while

said Evelyn, gently; "at least till you are quite grown

ou gave him a great deal of trouble and heartache?" a

, in surprise. "How could I, or an

, twinkling away a tear; "and yet I have been so passionat

ith emotion, and pressing Lulu's hand affectionately in hers. "Oh, I can never be thankful enough," she went on, "that the day my dear

lu to herself, with a great pain at her heart; and as soon as she found herself alone in

o "Grandma Elsie" with a request for permission to

n the carriage, because it is not safe for you to walk that distance alone. I think you and Evelyn are going to be friends, and I

l be so nice!" cried Lulu, joyously; th

t then, readily consented to be he

t he?" queried Max, complacently, as they

t a sister, to

fact, I'm taking this walk quite as much to please myself as you. It's a very pleasant

e to see Evelyn than anybody else. Oh, Max, I do hope,

ha

d very fond of each other. Weren't

"but that's all I can say till w

her now; we had such a nice long ta

ame to the gate to meet them. She shook hands with Max, k

here Mrs. Leland presently joined them. T

unt Elsie?"

answered kindly. "Your uncle and I will drive

at will be very nice. Auntie, yo

elieve it is no hardship for us to go to Ion on any erran

seemingly lacking either leisure or inclination to join them, and the friendship g

d found the other deeply interested in it. Then

go to school

d smile, "I am to study at home a

d Lulu, her eyes spa

her to offer to let me do so," said Evelyn. "I shall try very

re like you, Eva-so good and grateful. I'm afraid you wouldn't care for me at all if you knew what a bad, ungrateful thing I am. I've given ever s

to be," returned Eva, in a surprised tone. "And I'm sure you

trying to be sweet-tempered and all that," said L

I asked Him with all my heart," said Evelyn, softly; "that, in His great love and conde

most always the temptation comes so suddenly I don't seem to have