Elsie's New Relations

less heart, wh

ht us like our

t Hill

the thought of soon seeing again their loved home at Ion, while Max and Lulu looked forward with pleasing anticipations

lightful that they ought to feel the liveliest grat

g, on the arrival of our travellers late in

autumn glory, the gardens gay with many flowers of the most varied and brilli

ook upon Max and Lulu, and taking a hand of each, said in sweetest tones, "Welc

ax adding, "I am very glad, Grandma Elsie,

such a pretty place. Oh, how

ore, Jr., of the Oaks, and Mrs. Rose Lacey from the Laurels-and her cousins Calhoun and Arthur Conly; while a little in the rear of them were the ser

elatives and friends, then pressed forward with their words of welcome,

n his arms. She was much fatigued

ur," he said, "and I am very gla

er father charged me t

hur, after a moment's scrutiny of the child. "Give

om," adde

rom the stranger, and

m fully equal to it," and he moved on through the hall an

ir rooms to rid themselves of the dus

me again?" Edward asked, with a smiling lo

furnished room, "especially such a home, and to be shared with such nice people;

never expects to of yours," returned Edward, catching her

d the dust from my face. Here come our trunks," as two of the men s

the dozen or more that I have small choice

pose I'll have to choose for myself. But you mustn't com

servants had so many words of welcome to say to them-the younge

ssed and blessed and remarked upon as to his real or fanc

lady and come back wid husband and baby," remarked Aunt Dicey. "

turned, with a glance of mingled love and joy, first at her husba

at Max and Lulu were lingering near, as if n

kind and pleasant look, "has no one attended to y

shown into a very pleasant room furnished tast

ening into the hall, the oth

g or should feel frightened or lonely in the night, you can run

w kind and good you are to me! and to my brother and sister, t

be a mother to you, dear child, and to your brother and sister, since my dear daughter is too young for so great care and responsibility. I love you all, and I want you to come freely to

d thank you ever so much! And I mean to try ever so hard to be good," she added, with a blush and hanging her head shamefacedly. "I know I'm often very n

succeed at last," Elsie said. "And now I will leave you to wash and dress. I see

She found her sleeping sweetly in Violet's bed, the latter bendin

whispered, turning her head at the

eplied Elsie. "I think we are all

nate disposition-but still more because she is my husban

sad look and smile into Violet's azure eyes, "for I have often felt j

resent. He will see her again to-morrow, and will probably be able

l not think it necessary to stay with

g with you all," Violet answered, moving away from the bedside. "Ah!"

ther said, "and now I must go and attend

ank you!" Viole

fore my especial charge, as yours, perhaps a trifle more," Els

ntly sent to ask if Lulu was in need of help, and to say tha

swered Lulu, "and then I'll come in to Mamma Vi and you to have

d Miss Wilet," returned Agnes. "An' she'

Vi?" asked Lulu, as she presently ente

dear. You know we have company to-night, and I am particu

re that she should be. Mrs. Scrimp was so different; she had never cared whether Lulu's attire was tasteful and becoming or qu

right?"

a minute," Violet answered. "Tie her sash A

range lady any relati

my aunt, ma

not nearly so pret

t no one else could be ha

exclaimed Lulu in a tone of hones

, little girl," she said,

ee! besides, papa thinks s

, half to herself, with a sigh and a far-off look in the lovely azure ey

his sleeping baby girl, Lulu going with her; then hearing

the travellers full of satisfaction in being at home

quiet and subdued, scarcely speaking except when spoken to, "Mamma," Rosie said, when they had adjourned to the par

be injurious to them, Arthur?" Mrs.

o stay within doors until after breakfast to-morrow morn

chly, "so you can have some more patients.

people are sick I like to have an opportunity to exercise my skill in trying to relieve an

eauties of Ion, and don't know how

and let them look out through the windows upon

he cried, leaving his knee in h

n in and out, up stairs and down, the young strangers delighted w

in lessons immediately, but would be allowed a few day

and it was granted; the children were told they should have a week in which to enjoy themselves and recover from the f

pon the moonlit lawn, when a step drew near; then some one took her by the

that it was Mr. Horace Dinsmore wh

thought it worth while to introduce us, but we won't let

ie call you

. If you are as good as you are bonny, I

erself, "I don't mean to say I'm bonny, but I'm not good.

vents," he said, with a look of a

lived with before papa

tainly be much surprised if you don't turn out a pattern good girl, now that you are to liv

k me to," Lulu replied,

He had come for his wife, and when he and the others had

aps it would be as well for us to go, too; our friends must be t

ily worship," said Mr. Dinsmore. "It is a good while since I hav

took leave. Then with an exchange of affectionate good-

utting her arm around her, asked, with a gentle kiss, "Do y

s such a nice home that I

wake refreshed. I shall leave the door open between your room and mine, so that you

o good to me, and to Gracie and Max," Lulu s

en of my dear husband? Ah, I must go! Mamma calls me," she added, hurryi

her head on her pillow, when some one glided noiselessly to

losed in sleep, and saw by the moonlight a swe

e," she murmu

without a good-night kiss from mamma, and you must have

und the neck of her visitor. "Oh, I do love you!" sh

in my children in their half-hour with mamma in her dressing-room before breakf

a'am; I'll co

own and go to sleep. You