Elsie's Vacation and After Events

icate it, but she has never been one to complain of even a pretty serious ailment. She is not old yet; we may hope to keep her with us for many, many years. But then she is so good-so

loving mother to whom we carry all our troubles and perplexities, sure of comfort, the best of advi

ifling ailment. What seemed to her but a slight one, causing discomfort, and at times quite a good deal of pain

her trouble to her cousin and family physician, Dr. Arthur Conly, and she had learned from him that it was far more serious than she h

at there was more than a possibility of a successful result-bringi

osed it to be-gave her a shock at the thought of the sudden parting from all her dear ones-fath

those he died to redeem, and to the dear ones gone before, there to await the coming of those who will be

u could be spared by any of those who know and love you. Even I should feel it an

prolonging my days here upon earth; for otherwise I should feel that I was rushing into the

essary or expedient. But ah, my dear father! How distressed he will be when he learns all that you have just told me! I w

n; would it not be better--" Arthur began,

think," she returned, with a

I think you would prefer to have

cerned from some of the suffering of anticipat

ns to be made and I do not want long to contemplate

He lingered but a few moments longer

smore, "I have just left Cousin Elsie in he

ith a slightly startled look, as he rose from his eas

ly. "She has been consulting me and ther

let me know the worst, at once," he said, with almost a groan. "Why has a

t, deeply sympathizing tone. "It is astonishing to me that she has been able to endure so much for weeks or m

rnness and entreaty, hastily leading the way as he spoke to the little reception room op

aying strong emphasis upon the fact that there was reason to ho

rling, my darling! would that I could bear all the suffering for you! Arthur, w

-morrow, uncle, both she and I wishin

boudoir, where he found her alone, lying on a lounge, her eyes clos

looked up lovingly into his, "Oh, my darling, idol of my heart," he groaned, "would that

arm about his neck; "suffering and danger to you would be far harder for me than

that he is, he felt that he must spar

side, and take my hand in yours while we talk together of some matters that need to be settl

"My dear father, I do not mean to distress you. Arthur holds out strong hope of cure and years of

o far as your eternal welfare is concerned; should you

t the thought of being forever with the Lord-near him and like him-thrills my heart with joy unspeakable, while added to that is a great gladness in the prospect of reunion with the dear husband who has gone before me to that hap

in his hands, trusting in his infinite wisdom and love; knowing that if called to

blessed land, never again to part, the time of separation will seem to have been very sh

victory won. 'And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and his servants shall serve him; and they shall see his face; and his name shall

oh, that it may please him to spare you to me as the light, comfort, joy of my remaining days! Yet should it please him to take you to himself-ah, I cannot, dare not a

ll with the dear Master, and he will fulfil to you his precious promise, 'As thy days, so shall thy strength b

ce I will trust and not be afraid for you, my belov

thee and not to be afraid, be the way ever so dark and dreary, remembering thy grac

, low and tremulously, lifting to hi

s, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neith

have I to do with doubt or fear

Arthur tells me that with the help of an?sthetics there

sily borne, dear papa," she said,

resigned sufferer never lived!" was his

look up into his eyes, "I cannot bear to see you so distressed. Arthur holds out strong hope of cure, of speedy and entire recovery; and

nd my two older daughters, at least; while the others I can leave in the safest of earthly hands, even those of my dear and honored father, whose l

s, and most of all because they are the offspring of my own beloved child. Should I o

Father's care without a doubt or fear," she said, with a gentle sigh

ake any alteration in my will; and, as you know, you and brother Horace are my executors. To-morrow I mu

an unfavorable result and that I am able to sa

unger ones need know nothing of the danger till the morning of the operation. I would spare them all the suffering of anticipation that I can; and were I but

st!" Mr. Dinsmore said, in moved tones, bending over her and

k of her children before herself," s

rd in the hall without, then a gentle rap on the doo

side, asking, in some alarm and anxiety, "Mamma, dear, are you sick?" bendin

boy," she answered, lifting to hi

thing her hair, and patting her cheek lovingly, while he spoke

re still mother's dear, dear baby

ou dearest mamma," laughed Walter, repeating

nsmore, with a proudly affectionat

ys telling me I must try to be a manly boy. But I came up to remind you and mamma that it

Dinsmore exclaimed in surprise, as his daught

rs and feel quite able to join the family now. I am not in pain a

Cousin Arthur's always ready enough to order us to keep to our rooms if there'

ther's offered arm, moved on in the direction of th

y and servants were already gathered for the evening service; but she parried them all

e servants having retired from the room-he noticed a look of keen, almost anguished anxi

well!" he exclaimed, hasti

of us can expect always to escape all illness. I am going back to my room now and, though able to d

you will let me carry you;

day may possibly come when I shall tax your young strength to that extent, but it is

me emotion, "I shall step into your room

aps you will let me play the nurse for

ces are really needed I shall not hesitate to let yo

you," and taking her in his arms as he spoke, he bore her to her boudoir and laid her tenderly down on its couch. "Oh,

his, "can you not rest content till to-morrow? Wh

as he turns his eyes on you, and the unusually sober, serious look of Cousin Arthur

know all to-morrow or the next day. It is only for your own

entreated; "for surely no certainty ca

her eyes gazing into his, full of tenderest mother

lose, "if I, your eldest son, might but take and bear it al

ar son. Do not grieve for me; do not be too anxious; remember that he whose love for me is far greater than any earthly love appoints it all, and it shall be for good. 'We know that all t

iss, if it shall please him to take you to himself; but oh, how hard it will be for your children to learn to liv

hen, at the sound of approaching footsteps in the

" she said softly. "Dear little woman! I wou

sweet and refreshing sleep, but oh, do not for a moment hesitate to summon me if there is an

in his wife till some moments of solitude had enabled him so to conquer his e

m her husband of his talk of that evening with Dr. Conly, and what the physician had t

rcome at the thought of the trial she must so s

ong, tender embrace, Rose shedd

e?" she said at last. "Oh, how willingl

the low sweet voice. "Your presence will be a great support while con

be taken you will be left to comfort my dear father and children. Yet I think t

his, "be comforted. Be strong and of a good courage! Do no

your advice," he answered, with emotion, as in his t