Grandmother Elsie

ry s

the race o

n, doom'd to ta

ow

me again after their summ

f the newly risen sun; the bright waters of the lakelet also, as, ruffled by the breeze, they broke gently about the prow of the pr

med a strange quiet about the place: when the men spoke to each other it was in subdued tones; there was

pacing the veranda to and fro with slow, meditative step, while Bruno, crouching beside the door, followed his move

ooped for an instant to touch the dog's head caressingly with a "Poor Bruno! do you miss your playfel

keen, searching eye, "You are looking better and brighter than

several hours. And yo

er. How are

ow, and 'Mamma' can be spared for a short ride with her father," she said, smiling l

w more days of such close confinement and assiduous nursin

sted her into the saddle as he spoke, then v

rs?" Elsie asked, sending an inq

to myself this once," he answered, as they tu

gayety in look and tone. "Ah! papa, never a day passes, I think I might almost say never an hour, in whic

ply, "you and your love are among

ere was sickness among the little ones, and whither Mrs. Dinsmore had gone to assist in the nursing of her grandchildren; of the recent death of Enna at Magnol

nd grandfather who loved her so-though making most earnest, unselfish efforts to conceal it from all, especially her mothe

affectionate pride in her loveliness of person an

he grief of her old father, with whom her faults seemed to be buried in her grave, while he cher

nd felt this, the death of his y

l not have him with us much longer,

d. "But, dear papa, be comforted! he may live for years yet, and should i

me assurance in regard to all

etween them fo

remark, was thinking more particularly of his ha

heir summer's sojourn at the North, and ere it expired Virginia had contracted a

brilliant position and prospects"-but without the knowledge of any other relative. No opportunity of making inquiries about the character or

thur that Virginia's letters were no longer shown to any one, and seemed to irritate and depress their mother so unmistakably that they

hter, adding that he very much feared Virginia h

he had been blest with such a father as min

hters have," added Mr. Dinsmore,

lovable in spite of my failures in right train

earnestly and prayerfully to train them up in the way they should go. And God is faithful to hi

lence, "we must not forget how much is due to the tra

e seed of the righteous. 'I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upo

pport as the inheritance of both my children and myself; inherited

of a long line of God-fearing men and women. But I see nothing

n now? I ought not to be long a

road; we shall reach it in a moment, and our ri

n his decision,

leading to the city, they saw a boy on horseback

ving it about his head in evident desire to attract their attention;

eried, lifting his cap and bowing to the lady and her

es

ram for

and glanced at the contents, then, handing

dropping upon the paper. "Father, what shall we

tly as possible. Dear daughter, do not grieve too sorely for her; t

ill! but oh my hea

the news to he

ens. But perhaps the dear child may suffer less in hearing the sad news from her mot

right-that the blow will be somewhat softened to Elsie coming t

a walk as they entered the avenue at Ion, "I shall reserve

, adding interrogatively, "You will b

nd all going well

o the stable. Violet, Edward, Harold and Herbert,

in cheerful but subdued tones; no one forgetting for a moment the illness of the little pet brother and sister, but all inqui

rning their greetings with affectionate warmth and smiling sweetly upon them. "But you must let me go at

r pleasure because her loved face had seldo

n of sadness and anxiety came over it as she turned quickly away and we

traces of tears on her mother's cheeks

hither he went to await the summons to breakfast, "what has been distressing m

sfied for the present with the assurance that your mother's distress is for another's woe. You know what a tender, sym