Grandmother Elsie

r heart wa

of love and youth, a

ade by his deathlike

gfel

eakfasted, and would assist Aunt Chloe and Dinah in watching beside them for the next

there was no gloom in any face or voice: their few words were spoken in cheerful tones, and each seemed unselfishly intent upon promoting the comfort and happiness of all t

that it was a treat to have her with them at breakfast and at fami

en then return at once to her sick little ones, but putting on a garden hat invited h

a upon the broad, gravelled walk, "the air is so sweet and pure at

company," Elsie responded, gathering a lovely, sweet-scente

eak feelingly of the beauty and fragrance that surrounded

od, and never to be troubled with the least rebellious feeling, or any doub

may we say with the Psalmist, 'I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord foreve

le brother and sister, and about Lester, I needed the les

ildren one unneeded pang. I am sure you could never think I-your tender mother-would give you the slightest pain exce

her's arm and looking searchingly into the sweet, compassionate face, while he

at stood cl

th an arm about her waist. "You are right, my child-I have news for you. Oh, not the worst, de

. O dearest mother, do not hinder me!" and she clasped her hands in piteo

neither leave nor take my little ones, and he would never consent to leave me

can I let him die all alone in a stranger l

more asked, coming up and laying his hand a

and leave him to die alone? to die for lack of the good nu

ee what can be done in the way of finding a suitable escort, and if tha

ward had followed him, anxious to express the symp

ficient? Mamma, if you will permit me, I shall gl

es tremulous with emotion, while his grandfathe

you can trust me to him! Who loves me better? except

her with my life!" exc

ravilla answered, turning upon her fathe

re experienced per

dear grandpa, don't say that! There is no ti

and if nothing better offers in the mean while, and your mother consents to Edward's proposition, you s

, while her mother said, "Ah yes, that is a

. "Edward, do you do likewise, and I will examine the morning papers for information in regard to trains and the sailin

fathers, and go back at once to my sick darling

daughter's waist, she drew her on toward the

ly and bidding her "'Be strong and of a good courage,' my darling, for '

l. "Oh, how glad I am that God reigns! and that I know

losed upon her mother, and fo

ce, and with their arms about each ot

will let me help you, my poor dear sister? help in thin

er so ill! and yet how can I stay away from Lester when he is sick and alone in a strange land, with not a friend to speak a cheering word, smooth his

e done it for papa," Violet a

ul, went to the library, looked over the papers, and had just found the information he sought, when the sound of horses' hoofs on th

ut to assist

ce," she said. "Is

our sick little ones. Ah, here he is to speak for himself!" as the

"Is there any

of what,

" she said half angrily; "dan

you could carry home unless you came in

id, stepping from the carriage and taking a c

The disease has not y

's a good thing to have over. How soon

e, I shall not be needed here-at leas

o see what you can do for your grandfat

nsmore exclaimed in a t

rs. Conly answered coldly; "but he is not

morning paper?" queried Edward, joining them a

listening with some curios

you will reach New York in time to take the next steamer, if you meet

ir, and have no dou

. Conly in surprise. "What should call

ng the news of the morning, Elsie's wish, a

ld consider a female companion an absol

urse," said Mr. Dinsmore and

tive or friend. I said a companio

rs that we have for our preparations," said her brother, "but I k

there are other relatives. I would go myse

ment on that score; it shall not cost you a penny," her brothe

ke such a journey without the support of female companionship. And I can be spared from home if you and Arthur will look after father; I have no young child now, and Aunt Maria is fully capable of taking

nd I accept it even without waiting to co

et about my preparations immediatel

villa had been a surprised but sil

ur mother, Arthur

two sweet cousins-Elsie senior and Elsie junior-I willingly con

to-n

that they took their departure, Mr. Dinsmore saying, as he bade

eyes were following the Roselands' carriage d

cessity for Aunt Louise's company, and, inde

randfather of his sister," Mr. Dinsmore ans

Edward. "She is so unlike you that

I think it will be an advantage to you, and especially to your sister, to have with you a woman of her age and knowledge of the w

of our little party, we would not for the world deprive dear mamma of the sup