Elsie at Home

and his entire family, excepting, of course, his eld

ue into the highway, "I have enjoyed little Ronald's bir

Ronald is only a baby boy-just about half as old as I am-but he's a very

s papa who did it, I

a, why don't you do such

aptain with a smile. "Your brother Max has, however, and I hope that, some of t

! And will he teach

d, with an amused look; "at least, not till

mamma tells me so when she wants m

die boy," Violet said

little gentleman-kind, courteous, and thoughtful for others," the cap

t off those important letters

invitation from himself and his wife, and from her and Cousin Cal, and sent it by the early morning mail. I

pportunity to make the acquaintance of Rosie's future mother-in-law,-the father-in-law t

ded the captain. "By the way, my dear, we must keep open house for the ent

l the expense and does the planning, with the housekeeper's assistance, and she directs the serva

be discovered," returned the captain, rega

said Grace. "I liked him very much when he visit

quick, inquiring look upon his eldest daughte

nd at West Point-showing us about and explaining things. But even if he hadn't been so kind and oblig

am not mistaken I am fully ten

ook like it. And you are such g

out being very near of an age," laughed her fathe

th a bright smile up into his eyes.

eh?" he laughed. "But Max and Ned seem to

a!" exclaimed Ned earne

le fellow. "And I presume brother Max would say the same if he were here. Ah, we

pon the beautiful grounds with shining eyes. "I am alwa

father is somewhere else," she add

t papa," said Grace. "I'd rather live in a h

rned. "I am entirely sure of the love o

hope," added Violet

sponded; then, as the carriage drew up before the entrance to the ma

d Violet; "do you not think they might a

ce also; for she loo

d with a smile, as he gave her a troubled look; "I am not at all sick; it is only weariness." And sh

en Violet and the three went upstairs, lea

s to write when you came home, papa

" he added hastily, as if just struck by the thought. "If so, daughter, I would not have you exert yourself to do the work now. It can wait

e to help you in any and every way that I c

nder, fatherly fashion; "and you are a very great help and comfort to me; so much so t

me that you do. So you needn't be in the least afraid of ever being robbed of this one of your treasures.

said. "Well, we will look at the letters and decide wh

while they talked. A pile of letters lay upon it. He t

er," he said, "and from someone in this

Maud or Sydney,

tly that of a man. Well, you may open it and see

I do not want to," she said, not offer

have my full permission to read it,"

ally prefer to have you re

roke the seal, and gl

n invitation to you to go with him to a boating p

ieve my father wil

us that he should?" he

o have me go; and hardly even then,

to his side, and kissing her several times. "I am not willing to have you a young lady y

ing her arms about his neck, "and I hope you won't ever, ever grow tired of keeping me for yo

resses. "But when that time comes do not hesitate to tell me: for, rest assured, your happiness is very dear

ot care to go; I should much prefer to kee

hat is

ou are to take Mamma Vi, Gracie, and

But I dare say both your mamma and Grace woul

not to break engagements without very strong re

o as you please about it, and I am glad to see that you are so good

ust I answer Chester's not

would be as well for you to write the answer; but, if

it on the

r it, I see n

ch easier and quicker than w

ver," he suggested; "for, on thinking the matter over, you m

l, and she considered his propositio

till to-morrow morning-before writing my answer. And now I will

down the letters and took the cover from the machine as he spoke, then supplied her with paper and envelopes, put

as Lulu took the last

e you are busy; but I

and very glad to have you

ants written for him, and you are just in time

ould be worth far more than mine," returned Violet in a sprightly t

nd out what that is," he answered, regarding Lucilla with a sm

, and I am so used to being directed and controlled by him that

s keenly aroused," said Violet,

to accept,-especially as we are expecting to take that day for our shopping expedition to the city,-but papa seems to think I should hardly decline on that account. Still he lea

are sometimes very doubtful blessings," the c

ely you are not in earnest? surely you know

She sprang to his side and he d

k with his hand, "and I, too, was but jesting; I am troubled with

ising considering what a dear, good father he is. Well, I have read the note, Lu, and I think, if I were

ied. "I do not know why to-morrow would not su

free to accept Ches

feel as if I might en

her asked, as she paused, le

ure you would not rath

d though I still call you my little girl, that is more as a term of endearment than anything else; and I really thin

uct myself exactly as I think you would wish; so now I will answer Chester's note with an acceptance of his invitation," she added,

he responded, stepping to her side and putting the pa

s altogether favourable, then directed an envelope, placed the note in it, and sealed it, saying, "There! it is all

arly as much as the boating party,

successful in finding very suitable and handsome weddi

ore than a hun

s that for it? You dear,

y, "and should be sorry to let my daughters give oth

ook. "I have no doubt Rosie will appreciate your and

y, very kind to us," said L

dly she took my children in when I was unabl

have callers," exclaimed Lucilla, and, as she spoke, they al

eir errand was to speak of the boating party, and ask if Grace could go; also if Lucilla had received Chester's invitat

t Grace is not strong enough for the exertion she would be likely

acie could go and would enjoy it. But I

his kind invitation," Lulu said,

l possible care of her. Won't it seem a trifle hard to her to have to stay

s satisfied with her father's decisions; thinking he knows what is best for her. Also she lo

ght laugh, "but variety is the spice of life, and possibly Miss

nt variety is not, and has not been, lacking in her exper

ody who seemed to me happier or more light-hearted t

said Lucilla, giving him a

very late?" the captain said, add

ng should happen to detain us you need not be uneasy. We w

, and I think should be starting for home," said Mau

se don't let me go at all if you expect to be the least bit anxious about

with a smile. "But it pleases me that you are so ready and willing to do whatever you find m

onceited-giving me so much more commendation than I de

ow conceited and vain. I do not think you that now; but, rememb

and it makes me, oh, so happy," s

iolet said, regarding her husband and his

my daughter to go to her bed and take her beauty

la, "I need all of that ki