Elsie Yachting with the Raymonds

rrived, but they found everybody up, and ready with a joyful welcome, in both that house and the next two, occupied by the Dinsm

from one and all Cousin Donald received a very warm welcome. They were evide

t, talking of what had occurred to one and another during the absence of the Captain, Max, and Lulu, questioning Cousin Donald in regard to

vessel will come within reach, so that we may hav

answered. "I suppose a visit from such a vessel is b

king upon the sea, as he spoke. "Why, there is one in pl

upon a porch which gave them a good view of t

Max, my son," t

tting it into his father's han

the 'Wanita,' Captain Wade, an old friend of mine; we were boys together in the Naval Academy." Hi

s so kind and indulgent they were almost sure he w

ng journey," Violet said, with a look into her husband's eyes that seeme

look was as fo

t my little wife, unless she absolutely refuses to accompany me; we will stay

ng quite engrossed with the 'Wanita,' taking

in eager beseeching tones, "Papa, if you go on board

," he said, smiling at the look of entreaty in her face and its

, fairly dancing with delight. "There's nothi

dear?" asked the Capta

and your company is particularly desirable on a

. "We must have them-Wade and his officers-her

ghtful!" cried Lulu

laughed her father; "they may have or receive orders to leave

eral voices; for nearly every one had now taken a look at the

tain ex

d Zoe. "Will it be a dinner, t

Sister Zoe," he returned, with a twinkle

, "I am not prepared to a

ls and suggestions, but nothing was po

beach or the cottage porches, chatting and gazing out over the sea, or na

the time giving an account of her trip out West and weeks of sojourn in the town of Minersville, the acquaintances she had made, and all that had happened during the

historical interest in their vicinity. Evidently the trip to the far West and

ed upon the porches enjoying the delicious sea-breeze, and the view of the rolling waves,

on the porch of the Raymond cottage, where were Grandma Elsie, Edward Travilla, Donald Ke

A carriage drew up in front of the house, and from it ali

his is very kind in you. I had hardly hoped to see you until to-morrow, and not

ut I deserve no thanks, as I came quite as much for my own satisfaction as for yours. I und

usement; then, as they had stepped into the midst of the group upon the porch,

own people, but the younger ones also, seeming to take a great deal of interest in them,-Max especially,-listenin

pe to live to see you a naval officer as brave, talented

look of deepest respect and affection as he replied,

such a father," returned Captain Wade. "I have known him since he was a boy

a look of reverence and filial love; "it is very kind in you to tell me that, though it's no news

ugh. "I like to hear a boy talk in that way of his f

d Violet, lightly, but with an earnest undertone in her sweet voice, "and no one i

" said Lulu, with impulsive warmth, "for

he said, putting an arm round her as she stood close a

ve, giving all a cordial invitation to re

rrow," said Captain Raymond, "but that wo

re together, Raymond, is likely to be all too

essed; "and I hope we shall have the p

Rosie Travilla, as the carriage drove away with C

ve naval officers are the very

you have made the acquaintance of only two or three in the c

?" asked Donald Keith, with a good-humoure

m at the moment, and I do really think

aying a good deal for us if your father is a

and the little party soon

night in the old way she liked so much. He took her in his arms with a fond car

ck and laying her cheek to his, "but you are always a great de

," her father replied, car

l the money in the world without you, or with a fat

my children, more than words can express. Now I must bid you good-nig

see the 'Wanita;' or at least that it won't rain. Perhaps it would be all

take the weather our heavenly Fathe

so; but I do hope it wil

r the time, I hope and expect to see you do so pleasantly,-which you wel

sulky about it, I just hope you'll punish me well for my naughtiness

another hug. "My dear child, if you care at all for Papa's happiness,-as I am sure you do,-try

ood-night, and lef

eep. When she woke, it was already broad daylight. She sprang

oud. "Just as I'd like to have it, if only i

o take a little run on the beach before the summons to breakfast; bu

"why couldn't it keep of

ther's voice close at her side, while hi

ce. "I didn't know you were here. Yes, sir, it is the rain I'm mourning over,-I

e trip all the more enjoyable by cooling the air nicely for us. However, should it prove too inclement for our contemplated little jaunt, we must try to r

sings, and don't really deserve any of them," she answered, putting her hand into his, and le

ach one of us," he sai

into his face. "I didn't know anything from the time my hea

ll discover should sickness and pain ever give you long hours o

rather it would come to me than to you. Oh, it was so hard to see you suffer

e and helpful my children were to me then," he sai

t it seemed doubtful if they would be able to take their proposed trip to visit Captain Wade and his man-of-war. But by the time breakfast and family worship were ov

dward, Zoe, Rosie Travilla, Evelyn Leland, Mr. Keith, and the Raymonds, not in

obscuring the sun, but no rain falling; the officers of the "Wanita" were very polite and attentiv

; the decks, the store-rooms, the magazine and shell rooms, the passages, the engine and fire rooms (into

Captain Raymond and Mr. Keith more than anything else, while th

for a delightful drive before dinner, which they to

terest in the navy had been aroused in the breasts of the young people, and they watched the offic

quite resolved to make the very best of his opportunities shou

, but on the coming Monday must begin to review his studies preparatory

with you; and as I'm very anxious to pass as good an examination as possible, I want to study

while they last, though I do not mean that it shall be all work and no play even afte

ne, that told how delightful he would esteem it to be ready to join in the pastimes of the rest of t

enough sleep in season for that," the

. "I'll take an afternoon siesta i

y must be well attended to, and the more fun and frolic yo

books working hard for a couple of hours before breakfast. It still wanted fifteen or

e there, looking ov

id. "I am ready to recite wh

in said, taking the book; "then

id, "I am going in to the city directly after we have had breakfast a

ining, for he esteemed it one of his greatest pleasures and

the boy was; "I have an errand which I shall tell to no one but Cousin Donald a

laimed Max; "Oh, Papa,

y boy," replied his father. "I shall take you and Cousin Donald, if he

that if the yacht proved such as he would like to own, he meant to buy it, and if the plan was agreeable to his wife, to spend the rest

son some lessons in navigation," he

better!" exclaimed Max, hardl

"But now remember that our errand is a secret

amma Vi and the res

made the pu

came at that moment an

pect of going to the city with his father on so delig

season, and by the time family prayers were

alls me to the city, but I hope to return in season to take my

l try to be ready for either by the time you return. But i

ome haste, I must defer my expl

gave her a hasty good-by kiss; "you have always been so good since my

with a twinkle of fun in his eye, as he hastily kissed the