Grandmother Elsie

hem fall fair

forged shows

ls, that courtes

tire affect

's "Fair

Walter were there for the first time since their severe illness, a trifle pale and thin still,

; the grandchildren there, whom she had been nursing, having also recovered their health;

sorely missed, especially

," Mrs. Travilla remarked as she poured the coffee. "We have

hear this morning-the

Solon with it," said Harol

in bringing the mail-bag, wh

nes in eager expectation, while their gran

on several letters which he now held in his hand. "Here, Tom," to the servant in waiting, "take these to your mis

ou shall all share the pleasure of their perusal with me after praye

pen in her hand, having already given them a cursory examination lest the

ly at him as he stood at her side, "the deed is indeed do

shall have them both with us ere long," he responded, bending down to touch

for you, dearest mamma!" Violet sighed, kneeling close

it, mamma. The telegram told nothing but the hour when it was to be, and I w

h I suppose it was very stup

th my sister Elsie, mam

land, m

s most dead," remark

er said, "but is improving fast,

stonishment, was beginning anothe

s going to read the letters? They w

e since he wrote us last, just after their arrival in Rome," the mother said. "He

n the other; "and so good a mother richly deserves good, thoughtful sons and daughters, ever ready

eed she does!" the

ent a loving glance round the little circle; then all b

was steadily improving. Then came a description of the rooms they were occupying; both as they were

told who were present at the ceremony, who performed it, how the several act

th Lester, and that from all he could see and hear, his

, his energy and helpfulness; "the best and kindest of brothers," she called him, and

s she robed herself for her bridal with none to assist but Dinah; how sad was her heart, dearly as she loved Lester, and how full of longing for home an

perhaps be allowed to be a ministering spirit to me i

ou think about it

of the things that is not revealed; yet I see no harm in taking comfort in the thought that it may be so.

trust she will never see cause to regret the step she has tak

Thank you, papa, that is a good thought, and conso

e others discussed its contents, Violet stole quietly from the room, unobserved as she thought.

misses Elsie sorely; I sometimes think almost more than

being so great a sorrow as the death of their father, seemed in some

gether (how lonely and deserted it seemed!) and t

dear friends! with never a disagreement, hardly a

ken aloud. A soft sweet v

cling the closer together, Vi dearest," the voice went on, while two lov

e me that I should indulge in such grief while you are left

he hard conditions of life in this lower world, dear daughter; but we must not let them mar our peace an

way her tears. "Ah, how much I still h

Oh the joy, the bliss of knowing that nothing can ever part us from Him! And then to know, too, that

as this than being fully employed. So I ask you to take charge of Rosie and Walter for a few hours. They are not yet well enough for ta

Rosie, since the sickness began with her children and ours. Thank you for your trust, I shall do my best," Violet s

full of joy and gratitud

r; she could now at times, with great effort, speak a word or two, but friends and physicians had scarcely a hope

feelings, she could show them only by the expression of her cou

sted occasionally by other friends and relatives, and could not fail to read in their fa

s said to her, but hoping that she did, spoke often to

be with her a great deal, but it had not been

there was double reason for thankfulness for the restoration to health of the little ones at Ion and the Laurels; releasi

Laurels with her father and his wife, adding, "I can now hold

if you consider yourself at all under my authority you w

aid, "Yes, my dear father, that is still one of my great happinesses, as it has been almost ever since I can

ll, daintily gloved hand, holdi

hout my knowledge and permission. Nor must you, Rose," he added with playful authority, tu

make no rash promises. You know I never

usually shown yourself

xerted," she saucily returned. "My dear,

years. I think it would hardly be wort

wishes in this matter-or commands, call them what you will; es

r again, "I have taken the liberty of in

authority in any house of mine fully equal, if not superior to my own. If the mistress of the mansion be subject to your contr

t I have invited the guests all the same. You do not ask

g the items of news that Donald Keith is in our city. So I dispatched Solon with a carriage and a hastily

rm welcome. But will it not make it necessary

ur dinner hour-if they come at all to-day, and if they should b

e enjoyment of either grown people or children. As regards talent, sweetness

asure. "She seems all that to me; but I thought it might be that mother

them from missing the dear mother who had been so constantly with them of late. She played quiet little games with them, told

ook weary-for they were still weak from their recent illnes

tenderly into each little face, then drawing out her watch and turning to the old nurse, whispered, "It i

ompleted when the sound o

" she said half aloud, and presently hast

was coming leisurely

the young girl asked in a

men is in de drawin'-room," Prilla answered, ha

iolet with a brightening counten

inscribed, "L.

room, met her cousin with outstr

e, Cousin Donald! We have

id, with a look of delight. "Allow me to introduce my friend, Captain Raymond, of

-but at Donald's concluding sentence she turned to him again with a look of surprised inquiry, wh

eceived my hasty note, Donald, and accepted for yourself and friend? That was right. You are both most welcome,

rtain of that before

and with an admiring glance from Mrs. Dinsmore's still fresh, bright

e sweetly pure and innocent expression which old Mrs. Dinsmore had been wont to stigma

gnificent physique, with fine dark eyes and an abundance of dark brown curling hair and be

tly left the room to reappe

the captain in conversation, and Donald

l, I hope?" he rema

and Edward this morning. They we

?" he said in a tone of su

'm afraid," she went on in half tremulous tones, in answer to his inquiring l

and has gone to a

lling the story as su

l with typhoid fever. Elsie at once said she must go to him, she could not let him die for lack of good nursing. So grandpa and mamma consented to

uise offered to go with them, but was taken

em had an excellent effect. So they were married, Cousin Donald. Just th

ith warm sympathy, "and very, very noble a

any right-minded woman would do for th

t over the arrival of "Cousin Donald," whom they liked and admired extremely;

ir grandfather introduced them with a look of paternal pride, when their mot