Grandmother Elsie

s way; but the Lord direct

lk at the dinner-table that Cousin Donald's furlough was s

ng you at once to see relatives, friends, and places of interest in the neighborhood. If you and the captain are not too weary to enjoy

at both places?" Donald said inq

est fear on that score," was

he least fatigued, and if the ladies are to be

olet which seemed to express a hope that

igue from recent nursing of the sick and the long drive of the morning, Elsie ad

ionately at her; "she has shut herself up with those same

e pony. Cousin," turning to Donald, "we have both riding and carriage horses at y

scussion it was arranged that the whole part

the table. Mr. Dinsmore and the captain headed the cavalcade, Donald and V

deal of enjoyment in recalling the scenes, doings, and happenings of the pa

his description of the suite of apartments he had had fitted up f

nd a man to be envied, yet perhaps less so than he who should

except the invalid, then rode on to the Oaks, where they found

Ion by moonlight

dies awaited them in the parlor, and some time was spe

eeing my little favorites, Rosie and

view with you. They are in bed now, but I hope they w

e been qu

and though about again, still need co

or of communication between and had a little pr

Keith, are extremely nice p

returned Donald, "rela

e most charming part of it is beauty that will last; beauty of heart and intellect. Can she be Miss Violet's own mother? There

not only to Violet, but to two

a family characteristic," he added meditatively. "Mr. and Mrs. D

y only eighteen years older than his daughte

you of Violet's

w like you, Keith, I'd certainly not look elsewhere while I could see a

upon her prospective wealth as a far greater obstacle, having no fancy for playing

intention of t

ave I? Well, good-nig

s asking her husband. "You have had by far the

ly as both a man and a Christ

as so nice a friend," w

, though the captain must be the older by several years.

uests found Mr. Dinsmore there fondling his little

ailed with delight, Walter pre

is, saying, "Your dark eyes and ha

your own, sir?" Rosie ask

a year or two younger than I take

y boys?" inq

one. We call him Max. He i

I am?" said Rosie

are eleven, a

m eleven and

d like 'em to come here and p

th a smile and a half sigh. "I am not with them enough to g

aches us;" and the child's eyes turned lovingly

were exchanged, and Walter's

e. The evening was enlivened with music and conversation, and all retired to rest at a seasonabl

e hours, then the shining of a brigh

ich he had noticed in riding by, was in flames. The next moment he had snatched u

re's a fire and we'll be n

, do you say?'" muttered th

re!" repe

sprang up, now wide awake, an

tage down

ad as a vessel foundering or burning a

s, there! I hear

. Dinsmore was in the lower hall giving directions

oo and ladders, and follow me as fast as you can. Ah, captain! and Donald too! You have seen the fire, I suppo

ainly

they all three set off at full speed in the direction of the bur

ying out furniture from the lower rooms, some bringing water in buckets from a spring ne

o go," Mr. Dinsmore said. "A

body thought of her in time, and now it's too late, for the stairs ar

old woman to be burnt alive?" cri

r help!" as a wild shriek rent the air, a black face full of terror and despair s

nds in passionate entreaty; "will you ebery one ob you leave de po' ole woman to burn up in dis awful fiah? Is

the captain, "quic

red Solon close it hand. "

with a rope, Raym

ve her with the help

it is worth far more than her

" said Mr. Dinsmore, "th

ee! the flames are already burs

side them. "It is to be used to reach that window, boys," he

s much as a man's life is

ain, taking hold of it, Mr. Dinsmore

the wall; in another the captain was ascending

he window a

exclaimed the old negress, "y

down as fast as you can," he said hurri

"I can't, massa! I'se ole an

on to the top round of the ladder, took her in his arms,

screaming with fright; then a tongue of flame shooting out from below caught her cotton gown, and

n and dragged him out of harm's Way, othe

oaning, but her rescuer

, and laid him gently down upon a sofa; one of

emotion. "I'm afraid he has paid

ide to Roselands for Dr. Arthur. Tell him we don't know how ser

aiming, "Why, sho' anuff, dar's de doctah hi

and bring

re had reached Roselands, and he had hastened to the spot to

signs of life; he moved his

hurt, sir?" a

"Ah!" as he fell back again, "both back and ankle seem to have had a wrench.

there are people enough on the ground now to le

peaking aside to

ter ready in a few moments," he

Dinsmore. "You accompan

ainly

Was she much injured by the

gged the doctor to attend to her

d, saying she had escaped without any broken bones,