Grandmother Elsie

usly upon

ant vess

mistress of

ess of th

s La

steamer, and she, greatly exhausted by grief, anx

ently went to his state-room, leaving Ben to attend

grow uneasy lest Mrs. Conly should not arrive in season. Another hour pas

ked, waked by Ben's loud r

and de steamah'll be startin' fo' long. I don' know whar to

ard in dismay, springing from his berth to open the door. "Why, yes," looking a

se berry sorry, sah, dat I didn't come soonah to ax you 'bout it,

n't have gone for her, because she gave me no address

am to be d

f asking my sister to wait for the next steamer," Edwa

ew, but only to come hurrying back the n

l. Remains with me. Send

wholly unmingled with satisfaction in the thought of be

good if we could have gone for her," he remarked. "But go, make

roused by Ben's knock and overheard a part of what passed

ie?" she queried in a start

ter Edward said; but go to

elegram; this time from their grandfather, saying the child

unt Louise! I wish we knew her exact condition. Do

ind. Don't let it worry you, sister dear. You h

g not to be anxious or troubled about anything, but to o

the quotation. "It is, as you say, a sweet command

still I have not recovered from my fatigue, and

nd that after it you may feel equal to a turn on deck with me. It will be moonli

eing so long cramped up in the cars. You are a dear, good brother to me, Ned," she added, laying her hand affectionately on his arm a

returned, bending over her and tenderly smoothing her luxu

rupted sportively. "No great fea

have grown to be a full head taller than you. But truth compels me to ackn

judgment so much oftener than I who have so seldom left mamma's side.

for the moment strongly inclined to joi

ge for grandpa and the children before long, and the

ld be, Ned!" she said, s

we shall find Lester convalescent, and by good nursing and our cheering co

When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall th

eighth chapter of Romans. I do not know what could be more c

hat neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor heigh

," remarked Edward earnestly, "they would owe her an eternal debt of gratit

th understanding to the simple.' 'The law of Thy mouth

otch up de anchor and start de wessel, Marse Ed'

r dear native land?" queried Edward in a lively tone. "'Twill take but a momen

with alacrity and hastily ma

mfortable seats for them in the front rank

to fall as she saw

der and clinging more closely to him, "shall we ever return? ever see

ous undertaking it used to be; and we are under the same protecting care here as on land. 'And the Lord, he it is that

ow true it is that in keeping His commands there is great reward! I am fully con

y round. The tones of Elsie's voice had

in cordial greeting. "How are you, Miss Elsie? and you, Ned? Really you are the last people I expe

Philip

s expressions of gratification at the unexpected meeting. They accepted his offered hand, made kind inquiries

ly. But ma and the girls are in Paris now, went last June and expect t

Edwar

d ever have believed your careful mother-not to speak of your g

jority a few months hence, and have been considered wort

tation in committing me to his care,"

der you worthy of all trust, Ned; only that Mrs. Travilla and the

ker with a slightly puzzled expression; but Edward, who f

ion to my honored grandfather can never be other than extremel

s, but something in her manner prevented him), "I call my own father the governor-

ed upon the various objects of interest wit

re she stayed until evening. Then Edward came for her, and they passed an hour very enjoy

ed in an undertone far from hilarious. "I fear he will, a

clusion that the better plan will be for you to take the first favorable opp

ld acquaintances, and he evidently full of a curiosity that will assuredly lead to his asking some questions

a seat on Elsie's other side. He seemed to be, as of old, on the b

much of each other. He had heard a report of her engagement, but refused to credit it. "She had always been fond of him and it wasn't likely she would throw herself away on so

monplaces, then invited her to t

tigued and must retire at once." And with a kindly "Good-night," she wit

with surprise, and did not reco

med his seat by Philip's side the latter

st state either when we left home, because of care and nursing of the sick c

k on what

intances we are, and the life-long friendship of our mothers. Lester Leland, Elsie's

thed did you say? why-why, I've always expected to marry her my

u entertained such an idea," returned Edward

in the world-each the eldest child of intimate and dear frien

othing unless it ha

ayed speaking out plainly only because I considere

ssure you once for all, that Elsie never has and neve

every cent of it. But as to her never caring for anybody else if that fellow was out o' the way, I don't believe

act that Elsie avoided being alone with him, never appearing on deck without her brother, and