Elsie at Home

een their rooms. "I have been down in the grounds with papa for the last half hour, and he bade me come an

suit me as well as to-morrow; but why

nsmore has been so good as to invite me to attend a boat ride and picnic wi

emarked Grace, "and I hope you

joy it without you; and papa says you are too feeble to go on such an expedition without

right; he always knows what

very anxious that he should, either; though I dare say it will be very pl

e, looking both pleased and interested. "Now please tell me what dres

room. I'll run and ask him what he would advise or direct about it. It is a matter of great impo

s ago will be very suitable, I think." Then he bade her help Grace and also change her own dres

air is so pleasant. But I wish I had no occasion to change my dress, because I

vements," he said. "I shall sit here for s

er the advertisements you may find something that will he

replied. "I will loo

I can; for I don't like to lose a minute of my father's morning call," sh

don't want to miss altogether our morning chat with

I think them becoming, pret

etter taste or judgment ab

ought for us, selecting them without the help or advice of anyone. There, sister dear, your dress is o

been examining and the question of the desirability of this and that article as a

fast and, while we are eating, talk the matter over with your mamma. S

de until we see the things,

itable that we have not thought of. I hope it will be a pleasure t

into his eyes, "you are always thinking of

"perhaps because it reacts upon mysel

oom; morning greetings were exchanged, then they seated themselv

the city. Violet had not heard Rosie express a desire for any particular thing, but thought t

you to-day, papa? and

captain replied. "And would you like t

ng: "But I have only a little money. I'm afraid it won't be e

od children, and I feel inclined to give you each a prese

, Ned adding: "I s'pose it's for us to buy so

u are not compelled to do so; you can spend it

to choose me for a flower girl at her wedding, and I'd like to give her something very pret

your papa and sisters will help us in

?" asked Ned. "I want to buy the pret

now, as you have all finished eating, we will go to the library and have fami

let said as they entered their carriage; "the air is bracing, the weather

nd were successful in finding what they esteemed beautiful gifts for the coming bridal. And Rosie's pleasure on receiving them was as great as they, th

and very suitable for such a trip as we have taken to-day," remarked Violet as

nswered Lucilla with

gh I shall not insist if y

member, papa, how I missed going to the 'squantum' with the rest of you because I took off t

unhappy time for both the rebell

uch to dress in white for the clambake, some weeks after that, but you wouldn't allow it. I was

ith a smile, "and in the years that have passed since then you have l

m experience that he is far wiser than

, daughter; for the welfare of all his

now," little Elsie said with a b

ive us money to spend, and ever so many other nice things; or t

elightful drive, a fine time in the city, and now here we are at our own

once to your rooms and make yourselves neat for the evening

ened up the broad stairway, follow

for to see you, cap'in," said a servant,

he been h

minutes, I

aying that he had a little professional work on hand which must be done that evening if he was to take to-morrow for a holiday. "I came over, captain," he added, "to thank you for allowing me

and that she is only a few months older now than she was then. I do not want her to begin to think of lovers for several years yet, and am objecting to your suit for that reaso

it hard not to be permitted to speak and use my best efforts to win the prize I

rked with a smile. "And by the way, my young friend, don't you suppose it may be a tr

e so when you stole Cousin Violet's heart; and Cousin Elsie's husband had taken her from her

cares and responsibilities that should not be allowed to fall too soon upon young shoulders, and it is m

etween a smile and a sigh. "But I think you may trust your daughter with me to-morrow without much fear that I will abuse your confidence. And I

elieving that, as yet, her father holds the first place in her heart. I cannot hope that it will be so alwa

irst myself. It sounds dreadful selfish, but fathers have to give way to lovers and husbands if the human race is to continue. I hope to be here in the morning, captain, a little after nine o'clock, with a carriage, to ta

purpose to be the faithful guardian of her safety, and perfectly trustworthy as regards the matter of which

ul to the trust. Good-evening," Chester

aptain also, that Lucilla should

e Fairview carriage was seen to turn in at the great gates and come swiftly up the drive. As it drew up before the entrance they perceived with pleasure that it contained Mr. and Mrs. Leland and Evelyn, Grandma El

g, "I suppose you are invited to to-morrow's picnic; I

as given me permission to accept it; but he thinks Gracie is not strong

ave Gracie's company. Rather than do without it I would even take Brother Levis' too," she

ar had caug

nnot go, as I have had no invitation. Also as I have already declined the invitation for

le laugh. "It is very far from being a trial to have to s

d have time and inclination

ink it advisable to seize all the pleas

folks can g

em; but this is only for the un

hand in that?"

ung gentlemen friends-my broth

eard from your friends, the C

, to Cousin Arthur. Speak of angels! here he comes!" she exclaimed, as, at that

ning, and announced to his cousins Elsie and Rosie that he had received a telegram from the Crolys tha

it suits you all at Rosel

"At all events they all seemed pleased; which I t

he Crolys will prove so agreeable as guests,

that the Crolys will find us all so ag

a seat among us, doctor?" a

direction, a sick patient needing prompt attention. Good-evenin

he acquaintance of your future mother-in-law," said

me I think she must be a lovely and lovable wo

ify," remarked the captain with an affectionate, app

d I feel entirely sure of Zoe, the only oth

rs. Travilla's sweet voice. "And if I am a good mother, I can assure you tha

captain heartily. "It would be a sorry sort of man or woma

n't you tell me you were going into t

ave to-morrow free for the picnic. We all went to t

lsie. "I see Grace looks weary. Dear child, if you feel lik

o miss a minute of your call," returned Grace

at we bought," said Ned, "

the articles here to show

d; but Aunt Rosie will see them some o

ime comes," Rosie said, putting an arm about him

nd, he gave us-Elsie and me-each ten dollars to do what we pleased with. L

your bed time. Say good-night to grandma and the rest,

r their departure the captain held his evening service and then advised Lucilla and Gr

rose the next morning feeling none the wo

d no pains to make himself agreeable to his companion, but was careful not to do or say anything of which her father could disapprove.

e go?" as

so we all were. We were rowing a

eried her father w

the fish, made coffee, and we had our dinner. We girls spread a tablecloth on the grass and got out the good things in the baskets. They were in great plenty, q

re not sorr

her, for letting me go," she added, turnin

d it. There is an old saying that 'all work and no play makes Jack a

ork and no play," she exclaimed, giving him a look of ardent affection.

pa's greatest delight to give pleasure to his

have never known a more generous or unself

hen I am the person under discussion no greater flat

m saying anything on the su

e staying at home without me?" asked Luci

we did," re

his daughter and his aman

answered?" she exclaimed. "P

nd if I had not I should not let you work

into his eyes. "I am somewhat tired, but not too much so to use the typewriter, if you wanted

so valuable to me that I cannot consent to have her broken down with too much of either work or plea

l tone; "and I want to begin my night's sleep early enough to be rea

thout the pleasant company of my early bird of

s very nice in you to say that," she said, "