<h2><SPAN name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII" />CHAPTER VII.</h2>
<p><span style="margin-left: 12em;">"Therein he them fall fair did entertain,</span><br/>
<span style="margin-left: 12.5em;">Not with such forged shows as fitter been</span><br/>
<span style="margin-left: 12.5em;">For courting fools, that courtesies would faine,</span><br/>
<span style="margin-left: 12.5em;">But with entire affection plain."</span><br/>
<span style="margin-left: 15em;">—<i>Spenser's "Fairy Queen."</i></span><br/></p>
<p>One bright morning in November the Ion family were gathered about the
breakfast-table. Rosie and Walter were there for the first time since
their severe illness, a trifle pale and thin still, but nearly in usual
health, and very glad to be permitted to take their old places at the
table.</p>
<p>Mrs. Dinsmore had returned from her sojourn at the Laurels, the home of
her daughter Rose; the grandchildren there, whom she had been nursing,
having also recovered their health; and so the places of the eldest son
and daughter of the house were the only vacant ones.</p>
<p>Both Elsie and Edward were sorely missed, especially by the mother and
Violet.</p>
<p>"It seems time we had letters again from our absentees, papa," Mrs.
Travilla remarked as she poured the coffee. "We have had none since the
telegram giving the hour for the wedding."</p>
<p>"No, but perhaps we may hear this morning—the mail has not come yet."</p>
<p>"Yes, grandpa; here comes Solon with it," said Harold, glancing from the
window.</p>
<p>In a few moments the man came in bringing the mail-bag, which he handed to
Mr. Dinsmore.</p>
<p>All looked on with interest, the younger ones in eager expectation, while
their grandfather opened it and examined the contents.</p>
<p>"Yes, daughter, there is a letter from each of them, both directed to
you," he said, glancing over the addresses on several letters which he now
held in his hand. "Here, Tom," to the servant in waiting, "take these to
your mistress. Don't read them to the neglecting of your breakfast," he
added with a smile, again addressing Mrs. Travilla.</p>
<p>"No, sir; they will keep," she answered, returning the smile; "and you
shall all share the pleasure of their perusal with me after prayers.
Doubtless they give the particulars we all want so much to learn."</p>
<p>They all gathered round her at the appointed time. She held the letters
open in her hand, having already given them a cursory examination lest
there should be some little confidence intended for none but "mother's"
eye.</p>
<p>"Papa," she said, looking up half tearfully, half smilingly at him as he
stood at her side, "the deed is indeed done, and another claims my
first-born darling as his own."</p>
<p>"You have not lost her, Elsie dearest, but have gained a son; and I trust
we shall have them both with us ere long," he responded, bending down to
touch his lips to the brow still as smooth and fair as in the days of her
girlhood.</p>
<p>"Poor dear Elsie! how she must have missed and longed for you, dearest
mamma!" Violet sighed, kneeling close to her mother's chair and putting
her arms around her.</p>
<p>"What is it? all about Elsie's wedding?" asked Herbert. "Please let us
hear it, mamma. The telegram told nothing but the hour when it was to be,
and I was so surprised, for I never understood that that was what she went
away for."</p>
<p>"Nor I," said Harold; "though I suppose it was very stupid in us not to
understand."</p>
<p>"Who did get married with my sister Elsie, mamma?" asked little Walter.</p>
<p>"Mr. Leland, my son."</p>
<p>"But I thought he was most dead," remarked Rosie in surprise.</p>
<p>"He has been very ill," her mother said, "but is improving fast, though
not yet able to sit up."</p>
<p>Rosie, opening her eyes wide in astonishment, was beginning another
question when Harold stopped her.</p>
<p>"Wait, Rosie, don't you see mamma is going to read the letters? They will
tell us all about it, I presume."</p>
<p>"I shall read Edward's first, it gives a very minute account of what they
have done since he wrote us last, just after their arrival in Rome," the
mother said. "He is a good boy to take the trouble to tell us everything
in detail; is he not, papa?"</p>
<p>"Yes," Mr. Dinsmore assented, seating himself by her side and taking Rosie
upon one knee, Walter on the other; "and so good a mother richly deserves
good, thoughtful sons and daughters, ever ready to do all in their power
to promote her happiness, or afford her pleasure. Does she not, children?"</p>
<p>"Yes, grandpa, indeed she does!" they replied in chorus.</p>
<p>Her sweet soft eyes glistened with happy tears as she sent a loving glance
round the little circle; then all becoming perfectly quiet and attentive,
she began to read.</p>
<p>Edward's first item of news was that the marriage had just taken place;
the next that Lester's health was steadily improving. Then came a
description of the rooms they were occupying; both as they were when first
seen by Elsie and himself and as they had become under his renovating and
improving hands.</p>
<p>After that he drew a vivid picture of Elsie's appearance in her bridal
robes, told who were present at the ceremony, who performed it, how the
several actors acquitted themselves, and what refreshments were served
after it was over.</p>
<p>He said he thought happiness was working a rapid cure with Lester, and
that from all he could see and hear, his success as both painter and
sculptor was already assured.</p>
<p>Elsie's themes were the same, but she had much to say of Edward's kind
thoughtfulness, his energy and helpfulness; "the best and kindest of
brothers," she called him, and as she read the words the mother's eyes
shone with love and pride in her eldest son.</p>
<p>But her voice trembled, and the tears had to be wiped away once and again
when she came to that part of the letter in which Elsie told of her
feelings as she robed herself for her bridal with none to assist but
Dinah; how sad was her heart, dearly as she loved Lester, and how full of
longing for home and mother and all the dear ones so far away; then of the
comfort she found in the idea that possibly the dear departed father might
be near her in spirit.</p>
<p>"Was it wrong, mamma," she asked, "to think he might perhaps be allowed to
be a ministering spirit to me in my loneliness? and to find pleasure in
the thought?"</p>
<p>"Mamma, what do you think about it?" asked Herbert.</p>
<p>"I do not know that we have any warrant for the idea in the Scriptures,"
she answered; "it seems to be one of the things that is not revealed; yet
I see no harm in taking comfort in the thought that it may be so. My poor
lonely darling! I am glad she had that consolation. Ah, papa, what a
different wedding from mine!"</p>
<p>"Yes," he said, "and from what we thought hers would be. But I trust she
will never see cause to regret the step she has taken. Lester is worth
saving even at the sacrifice she has made."</p>
<p>His daughter looked at him with glistening eyes. "Thank you, papa, that is
a good thought, and consoles me greatly for both our darling and
ourselves."</p>
<p>She went on with the reading of the letter; there were but a few more
sentences; then, while the others discussed its contents, Violet stole
quietly from the room, unobserved as she thought. But in that she was
mistaken. Her mother's eyes followed her with a look of love and sympathy.</p>
<p>"Dear child!" she said in a low aside to her father, "she misses Elsie
sorely; I sometimes think almost more than I do, they were so inseparable
and so strongly attached."</p>
<p>Vi's heart was very full, for Elsie's marriage, though far, far from being
so great a sorrow as the death of their father, seemed in some respects
even more the breaking up of a life that had been very sweet.</p>
<p>She sought the studio she and Elsie had shared together (how lonely and
deserted it seemed!) and there gave vent to her feelings in a burst of
tears.</p>
<p>"O Elsie, darling! we were so happy together! such dear friends! with
never a disagreement, hardly a thought unshared! And now I am alone! all
alone!"</p>
<p>She had unconsciously spoken aloud. A soft sweet voice echoed the last
word.</p>
<p>"Alone! ah, my darling, no! not while your mother lives. You and I must
cling the closer together, Vi dearest," the voice went on, while two
loving arms enfolded her and a gentle kiss was imprinted upon cheek and
brow.</p>
<p>"Dearest mamma!" cried Violet, returning the caress, "forgive me that I
should indulge in such grief while you are left me—you and your dear
love, the greatest of earthly treasures."</p>
<p>"Yes, dear child, your grief is very natural. These changes, though not
unmixed calamities, are one of the hard conditions of life in this lower
world, dear daughter; but we must not let them mar our peace and
happiness; let us rejoice over the blessings that are left, rather than
weep for those that are gone."</p>
<p>"I will, mamma," Violet said, wiping away her tears. "Ah, how much I still
have to rejoice in and be thankful for!"</p>
<p>"Yes, dear, we both have! and not the least the love of Him who has said,
'Lo, <i>I</i> am with you <i>alway</i>.' Oh the joy, the bliss of knowing that
<i>nothing</i> can ever part us from <i>Him</i>! And then to know, too, that some
day we shall all be together in His immediate presence, beholding His face
and bearing His image!"</p>
<p>Neither spoke again for some moments, then the mother said, "Vi, dearest,
there is nothing more conducive to cheerfulness at such a time as this
than being fully employed. So I ask you to take charge of Rosie and Walter
for a few hours. They are not yet well enough for tasks or for out door
sports, but need to be amused. And your grandpa and grandma want me to
drive with them to the Laurels and Roselands."</p>
<p>"Yes, do go, mamma, and try to enjoy yourself. You have seen so little of
Aunt Adelaide since she came, or of Aunt Rosie, since the sickness began
with her children and ours. Thank you for your trust, I shall do my best,"
Violet said with cheerful alacrity. "Ah, the recovery of the darlings is
one of the many mercies we have to be thankful for!"</p>
<p>"Yes, Vi, and my heart is full of joy and gratitude to the Great
Physician."</p>
<p>At Roselands Mrs. Conly still lay helpless on her couch, her condition
having changed very slightly for the better; she could now at times, with
great effort, speak a word or two, but friends and physicians had scarcely
a hope of any further improvement; she might live on thus for years, or
another stroke might at any moment bring the end.</p>
<p>Cut off from all other means of communicating her thoughts and feelings,
she could show them only by the expression of her countenance, which was
sullen, fierce, despairing, piteous by turns.</p>
<p>She had the best of care and nursing from her sisters, her sons, and her
old mammy, assisted occasionally by other friends and relatives, and could
not fail to read in their faces and the tones of their voices tender pity
and sympathy for her in her sore affliction.</p>
<p>They could not tell whether she understood all that was said to her, but
hoping that she did, spoke often to her of the loving Saviour and tried to
lead her to Him.</p>
<p>Hitherto the Ion friends had not been able to be with her a great deal,
but it had not been necessary, as Adelaide was still at Roselands.</p>
<p>She, however, expected soon to return to her own home, and there would
then be greater need of their services; therefore there was double reason
for thankfulness for the restoration to health of the little ones at Ion
and the Laurels; releasing, as it did, both Mrs. Dinsmore and Mrs.
Travilla from the cares and labors which had occupied them for some weeks
past.</p>
<p>The latter gave expression to that thought while driving to the Laurels
with her father and his wife, adding, "I can now hold myself in readiness
to take Aunt Adelaide's place at any moment."</p>
<p>"Not with my consent," said Mr. Dinsmore emphatically; "if you consider
yourself at all under my authority you will take a week at least of entire
rest and relaxation."</p>
<p>She looked at him with her own sweet smile, full of filial love and
reverence, and putting her hand in his, said, "Yes, my dear father, that
is still one of my great happinesses, as it has been almost ever since I
can remember. Ah, it is often very restful to me just to resign myself to
your wise, loving guidance and control!"</p>
<p>His fingers closed over the small, daintily gloved hand, holding it in a
warm and tender clasp.</p>
<p>"Then do not forget that you are not to undertake anything that can tax
your strength, without my knowledge and permission. Nor must you, Rose,"
he added with playful authority, turning an affectionate, smiling glance
upon her; "you too are worn out and must have rest."</p>
<p>"Well, my dear," she said laughingly, "I make no rash promises. You know I
never have equalled Elsie in submissiveness."</p>
<p>"No; and yet you have usually shown yourself amenable to authority."</p>
<p>"Perhaps because it has so seldom been exerted," she saucily returned. "My
dear, we have not yet had our first quarrel."</p>
<p>"And have lived together for thirty odd years. I think it would hardly be
worth while to begin after so long a delay."</p>
<p>"Nor do I," she said, "therefore shall probably yield to your wishes in
this matter—or commands, call them what you will; especially as they are
in full accord with my own inclinations."</p>
<p>"Elsie," he said, turning to his daughter again, "I have taken the liberty
of inviting some guests to Ion this morning."</p>
<p>"Liberty, papa!" she exclaimed. "It would be impossible for you to take
liberties with me or mine; I consider your rights and authority in any
house of mine fully equal, if not superior to my own. If the mistress of
the mansion be subject to your control," she added, with a bright look up
into his face, and much of the old time archness in her smile, "surely all
else must be."</p>
<p>"Thank you, daughter; then I have not taken a liberty, but I have invited
the guests all the same. You do not ask how it happened or who they are,
but I proceed to explain.</p>
<p>"In glancing over the morning paper, while you and Rose were attiring
yourselves for the drive, I saw among the items of news that Donald Keith
is in our city. So I dispatched Solon with a carriage and a hastily
written note, asking Donald to come out to see us, bringing with him any
friend or friends he might choose."</p>
<p>"I am glad you did, papa; they shall have a warm welcome. But will it not
make it necessary for us to return home earlier than we intended?"</p>
<p>"No, not at all, it is not likely they will arrive until near our dinner
hour—if they come at all to-day, and if they should be there earlier,
Violet is quite capable of entertaining them."</p>
<p>"Yes," said Mrs. Dinsmore, "I know of no one more competent to minister to
the enjoyment of either grown people or children. As regards talent,
sweetness of disposition, and utter unselfishness combined, our Vi is one
in a thousand."</p>
<p>"Thank you, mamma, for saying it," Elsie said, her eyes shining with
pleasure. "She seems all that to me; but I thought it might be that
mother love magnified her good qualities and made me blind to her
imperfections."</p>
<p>Violet, in the nursery at home, was showing herself worthy of these
encomiums by her efforts to amuse the little ones and keep them from
missing the dear mother who had been so constantly with them of late. She
played quiet little games with them, told them beautiful stories, showed
them pictures and drew others for them, dressed dolls for Rosie and cut
paper horses for Walter.</p>
<p>Several hours were passed thus, then seeing them begin to look weary—for
they were still weak from their recent illness—she coaxed them to lie
down while she sang them to sleep.</p>
<p>The closed eyes and soft breathing telling that they slept, she rose and
bent over them a moment, gazing tenderly into each little face, then
drawing out her watch and turning to the old nurse, whispered, "It is time
for me to dress for dinner, mammy. I'll go now, but if they wake and want
me let me know at once."</p>
<p>Her toilet was scarcely completed when the sound of wheels caught her
ears.</p>
<p>"There! mamma has come! Dear, dear mamma!" she said half aloud, and
presently hastened from the room to meet and welcome her.</p>
<p>But instead a servant was coming leisurely up the broad stairway.</p>
<p>"Where is mamma, Prilla?" the young girl asked in a slightly disappointed
tone.</p>
<p>"Miss Elsie not come yet, Miss Wilet. De gentlemen is in de drawin'-room,"
Prilla answered, handing two visiting-cards to her young mistress.</p>
<p>"'Donald Keith, U.S.A.,'" read Violet with a brightening countenance, as
she glanced at the first.</p>
<p>On the other was inscribed, "L. Raymond, U.S.N."</p>
<p>Violet hastening to the drawing-room, met her cousin with outstretched
hand and cordial greeting.</p>
<p>"I am so glad you have come, Cousin Donald! We have all wanted you to see
Ion."</p>
<p>"Thank you, Cousin Violet; you can't have wished it more than I, I am
sure," he said, with a look of delight. "Allow me to introduce my friend,
Captain Raymond, of the navy. You see I took your grandfather at his word
and brought a friend with me."</p>
<p>Violet had already given her hand to her cousin's friend—as such he must
have no doubtful welcome—but at Donald's concluding sentence she turned
to him again with a look of surprised inquiry, which he was about to
answer, when the door opened and Mr. Dinsmore, his wife and daughter came
in.</p>
<p>There were fresh greetings and introductions, Mr. Dinsmore saying, as he
shook hands with the guests, "So you received my hasty note, Donald, and
accepted for yourself and friend? That was right. You are both most
welcome, and we hope will find Ion pleasant enough to be willing to
prolong your stay and to desire to visit us again."</p>
<p>"Thank you, I was certain of that before I came," said Donald.</p>
<p>"And I surely am now that I am here," remarked the captain gallantly, and
with an admiring glance from Mrs. Dinsmore's still fresh, bright, and
comely face to the more beautiful ones of Elsie and her daughter.</p>
<p>Elsie's beauty had not faded, she was still young and fair in appearance,
with the same sweetly pure and innocent expression which old Mrs. Dinsmore
had been wont to stigmatize as "that babyish look." And Violet's face was
peerless in its fresh young beauty.</p>
<p>As for the captain himself, he was a man of commanding presence, noble
countenance, and magnificent physique, with fine dark eyes and an
abundance of dark brown curling hair and beard; evidently Donald's senior
by some years, yet not looking much, if at all, over thirty.</p>
<p>The two older ladies presently left the room to reappear shortly in dinner
dress.</p>
<p>While they were gone Mr. Dinsmore engaged the captain in conversation,
and Donald and Violet talked together in a low aside.</p>
<p>"Your sister is well, I hope?" he remarked interrogatively.</p>
<p>"Elsie? We had letters from her and Edward this morning. They were well at
the time of writing."</p>
<p>"They are not at home then?" he said in a tone of surprise and
disappointment.</p>
<p>"Oh, no! had you not heard?" and Violet's eyes filled. "It is very
foolish, I'm afraid," she went on in half tremulous tones, in answer to
his inquiring look, "but I can't help feeling that Lester Leland has
robbed me of my sister."</p>
<p>"She is married? and has gone to a home of her own?"</p>
<p>Violet answered by telling the story as succinctly as possible.</p>
<p>"He was in Italy pursuing his art studies," she said. "They had become
engaged shortly before he went, and a few weeks ago we heard he was very
ill with typhoid fever. Elsie at once said she must go to him, she could
not let him die for lack of good nursing. So grandpa and mamma consented
to her going with Edward and our faithful old Ben—papa's foster-brother
and body-servant, who travelled for years with him in Europe—for
protectors.</p>
<p>"Of course she took a maid too, and Aunt Louise offered to go with them,
but was taken sick in New York, so had to be left behind.</p>
<p>"They found Lester very but not hopelessly ill, and the joy of seeing them
had an excellent effect. So they were married, Cousin Donald. Just think
how sad for poor Elsie! away from mamma and all of us except Edward!"</p>
<p>"It was sad for her, I am sure!" he said with warm sympathy, "and very,
very noble and unselfish in her to leave all for him."</p>
<p>"Yes; and yet not more, I think, than any right-minded woman would do for
the man she loved well enough to marry."</p>
<p>Harold and Herbert came in at that moment full of boyish enthusiasm and
delight over the arrival of "Cousin Donald," whom they liked and admired
extremely; in especial for his fine figure, soldierly bearing, and
pleasant, kindly manner.</p>
<p>They had hardly done shaking hands with him and Captain Raymond, to whom
their grandfather introduced them with a look of paternal pride, when
their mother and "Grandma Rose" returned to the drawing-room, and dinner
was announced.</p>
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