Elsie's New Relations

lored with do

but mutual tr

and kindness

ry

tween her father and his wife, with her little grandson on her lap. She doated on the babe, and was often to be seen with it in her arms.

let, sat side by side, cosily chatting of things past and present, while

sorbed listener, especially when her husband spoke; eagerly drinking in every wor

irer," remarked Elsie, regarding her young sist

lieve everything she does is right in his eyes; indeed, their mutua

band an oracle?" asked El

Yes, I do, but then he is wiser than our Ned, you know. Tell me n

-in-law," Elsie said with earnest sincerity; "but," s

evis is the best of hu

t and stern than o

necessary with a child of L

stepmother," Elsie said, with a

" returned Vi

me any anxiety or trouble, and to be Captain R

nd Gracie is a d

I hope he will make just such a man as his father.

y chivalrous in his manner t

l ladies; but especially those of this family. He is like his f

ng up came quickly toward them, and taking possession of a low chair near at hand, "Was it Max you were talking of,

now," said Violet "Why

so early. Ah, here comes the captain now," as the door opened and Capt

let, but Zoe was alread

her mother to ask if she were

as she made room for him on the sofa by her side. "Is anythi

ight have a little serious talk with the older two. Y

derly sympathizing accents. "May I not sh

the cares and burdens to myself," he answered, smiling lovingly upon her,

e of my precious privileges to be allowed to share your bu

her I do right to give your mother and grandfather so troublesome a charge as Lul

its mother, and was now standing near t

nd is making himself miserable with the fear that L

should I not have a little trouble as well as other people? Lulu is an attractive child to me, very bright and orig

re easily led than driven. But she is sometimes very impertinent, and I would by no means have her indulged in that. I wish y

e was speaking. "What punishment do you p

he offence," he replied. "I can only say, ple

g winter was discussed and settled. Then the captain spoke of reading matter, asked advice in regard to suitable

Elsie said, with an affectionate, smiling look at her father. "I well remember ho

ere old enough to read them, mamma,

pinching her rosy cheek. "If I were Edward, I should curtail

eing treated like a child, grandpa," she said, w

ard, leaning down over her

y, looking up into his face with laughing

that I was considered a mere child at your age.

uch," she retorted, and at th

ne with Violet in their own room, he told her all about it, blaming himself severely for not having been so watchful

my dear, I beg of you to watch him closely when I am away, and if he

look. "I don't know what I can do but talk

, for he loves and admires you greatly. But let him be punished by being separated,

ffectionate boy like Max!" she exclaimed. "May we not be a little more l

ent and quite determined not to offend in that way again. I really think my boy wants to do right, but he is a heedless, tho

father's constant care a

your grandfather and mother, who, I am inclined to think, are more capable than I of giving him proper training. I

, her eyes shining with pleasure, "and I do

their own fault if the

than her mother and older sisters, and had been much

dn't offered to let Lulu Raymond live with us at Ion. I don't at all like the way she beh

Lulu has been subjected to since her mother's death, you might have shown as bad a temper

ed rejoinder. "But she doesn't appreciate her in the least," Rose went on, "b

exerted," Mrs. Travilla said, "but we will hope to see her imp

and sister she loves so dearly and sent away alone to boarding-school. I shall neve

Rosie, opening her eyes

e," her mother said with a sigh. "But we will not ta

nishment, for I thought you were never na

avilla said, smiling at Rosie's bewildered look. "But now I want you to promise me,

e won't try me too much by impertinence to you or

nd then you may be able to inf

ow how to b

ch she is less fortunate than yourself, and you will soon find a feeling of love toward her springing up in your he

se you. But do tell me, did grandpa punis

not pleased with you,' but I think I felt it more than many a child would a wh

dearly yet, and he often says you were

ld be a nice companion for you, and until this evening I have not s

sorry for her, too, because she hasn't a dear, wise, kind mother like mine," Rosie added, putting her arms abo