Elsie's New Relations by Martha Finley

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"Oh, I have eyes and can see! besides, papa thinks so, too, and Max and
Gracie."

"Yes, my dear husband! he loves me, and love is very blind," murmured Vi,
half to herself, with a sigh and a far-off look in the lovely azure eyes.
Her thoughts were following him over the deep, wide, treacherous sea.

She stole on tiptoe into the next room for another peep at his sleeping
baby girl, Lulu going with her; then hearing the tea-bell, they went down
to the dining-room together.

They gathered about the table, a large cheerful party, the travellers full
of satisfaction in being at home again, the others so glad to have them
there once more.

Zoe was very merry and Rosie in almost wild spirits, but Max and Lulu, to
whom all was new and strange, were quite quiet and subdued, scarcely
speaking except when spoken to, "Mamma," Rosie said, when they had
adjourned to the parlor, "it's lovely out of doors, bright moonlight and
not a bit cold; mayn't I take Max and Lulu down to the lakelet?"

"Do you think the evening air would be injurious to them, Arthur?" Mrs.
Travilla asked, turning to her cousin.

"I think there is malaria in it, and would advise them to stay within
doors until after breakfast to-morrow morning," he answered, drawing Rose
to a seat upon his knee.

"Then you'd better let us go," she said archly, "so you can have some
more patients. Don't you like to have plenty of patients?"

"That's a leading question, little coz," he said laughingly, toying with
her curls. "When people are sick I like to have an opportunity to exercise
my skill in trying to relieve and cure them, but I hope I don't want them
made sick in order to furnish me with employment."

"I want to show Lulu and Max the beauties of Ion, and don't know how to
wait till to-morrow," she said.

"Then take them about from one room to another, and let them look out
through the windows upon its moonlit lawn, alleys, gardens and lakelet."

"Oh, yes, yes! that will do!" she cried, leaving his knee in haste to
carry out his suggestion.

Max and Lulu, nothing loath, accepted her invitation, and they ran in and
out, up stairs and down, the young strangers delighted with the views thus
obtained of their new home and its surroundings.

Rosie said she hoped they would not be required to begin lessons
immediately, but would be allowed a few days in which to enjoy walks,
rides, drives, and boating.

"I'll ask grandpa and mamma if we may," she added, as they re-entered the
parlor. She hastened to present her petition, and it was granted; the
children were told they should have a week in which to enjoy themselves
and recover from the fatigue of their journey, and would be expected to
show their appreciation of the indulgence by great industry afterward.

Lulu was standing a little apart from the rest, gazing out of the window
upon the moonlit lawn, when a step drew near; then some one took her by
the arm, and in a twinkling she found herself seated upon a gentleman's
knee.

Looking up into his face, she saw that it was Mr. Horace Dinsmore who had
thus taken possession of her.

"Well, my little dark-eyed lassie," he said, "no one has thought it worth
while to introduce us, but we won't let that hinder our making
acquaintance. Do you know who I am?"

"I heard Rosie call you Uncle Horace."

"Then suppose you follow Rosie's example. If you are as good as you are
bonny, I shall be proud to claim you as my niece."

"But I'm not," she said frankly. Then hastily correcting herself, "I don't
mean to say I'm bonny, but I'm not good. Aunt Beulah used to say I was the
worst child she ever saw."

"Indeed! you are honest, at all events," he said, with a look of
amusement. "And who is Aunt Beulah?"

"The person Gracie and I lived with before papa got married to Mamma Vi."

"Ah! well I shall not regard her opinion, but wait and form one for
myself, and I shall certainly be much surprised if you don't turn out a
pattern good girl, now that you are to live with my sweet sister Elsie. In
the mean while, will it please you to call me Uncle Horace?"

"Yes, sir, since you ask me to," Lulu replied, looking much gratified.

At this moment the door opened, and Mr. Lacey walked in. He had come for
his wife, and when he and the others had exchanged greetings, she rose to
make ready for departure.

Calhoun Conly rose also, saying to his brother, "Well, Art, perhaps it
would be as well for us to go, too; our friends must be tired after their
long journey, and will want to get to bed early."

"Suppose you all delay a little and unite with us in evening family
worship," said Mr. Dinsmore. "It is a good while since I have had all
three of my children present with me at such a service."

All complied with his request, and immediately afterward took leave. Then
with an exchange of affectionate good-nights the family separated and
scattered to their rooms.

Lulu was not quite ready for bed when Violet came in, and putting her arm
around her, asked, with a gentle kiss, "Do you feel strange and lonely in
this new place, little girl?"

"Oh, no, Mamma Vi! it seems such a nice home that I am very glad to be in
it."

"That is right," Violet said, repeating her caress. "I hope you will sleep
well and wake refreshed. I shall leave the door open between your room and
mine, so that you need not feel timid, and can run right in to me whenever
you wish. Good-night, dear."

"Good-night, Mamma Vi. Thank you for being so good to me, and to Gracie
and Max," Lulu said, clinging to her in an affectionate way.

"My child," returned Violet, "how could I be anything else to the children
of my dear husband? Ah, I must go! Mamma calls me," she added, hurrying
away as a soft, sweet voice was heard coming from the adjoining room.

Lulu finished undressing, said her prayers, and had just laid her head on
her pillow, when some one glided noiselessly to the bedside and a soft
hand passed caressingly over her hair.

The child opened her eyes, which had already closed in sleep, and saw by
the moonlight a sweet and beautiful face bending lovingly over her.

"Grandma Elsie," she murmured sleepily.

"Yes, dear. Rosie and Walter never like to go to sleep without a
good-night kiss from mamma, and you must have the same now, as you are to
be one of my dear children."

Lulu, now wide awake, started up to put both arms round the neck of her
visitor. "Oh, I do love you!" she said, "and I'll try hard to be a good
child to you."

"I believe it, dear," Elsie said, pressing the child to her heart. "Will
you join my children in their half-hour with mamma in her dressing-room
before breakfast? I shall be glad to have you, but you must do just as you
please about it."

"Thank you, ma'am; I'll come," said Lulu.

"That is right. Now lie down and go to sleep. You need a long night's
rest."

CHAPTER VII.

"Her fancy followed him through foaming wares
To distant shores."
--Cowper.

Violet in her night-dress and with her beautiful hair unbound and hanging
about her like a golden cloud, stood before her dressing-table, gazing
through a mist of unshed tears upon a miniature which she held in her
hand.

"Ah, where are you now, love?" she sighed half aloud.

Her mother's voice answered close at her side, in gentle, tender accents,
"In God's keeping, my darling. He is the God of the sea as well as of the
land."

"Yes, mamma, and his God as well as mine," Violet responded, looking up
and smiling through her tears. "Ah, what comfort in both assurances, and
in the precious promise, 'Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in
all places whither thou goest.' It is his and it is mine."

"Yes, dearest. I feel for you in your loneliness," her mother said,
putting her arms around her. "Elsie is very happy in her husband and
baby, Edward in his wife; they need me but little, comparatively, but you
and I must draw close together and be a comfort and support to each other;
shall we not, my love?"

"Yes, indeed, dearest mamma. Oh, what a comfort and blessing you are to
me, and always have been! And I am happier and less lonely for having my
husband's children with me, especially my darling little Gracie. I feel
that in caring for her and nursing her back to health I shall be adding to
his happiness."

"As no doubt you will," her mother said. "It will be a pleasure to me to
help you care for her, and the others also. Now, good-night, daughter; we
both ought to be in bed."

Violet presently stretched herself beside the sleeping Gracie with a
murmured word of endearment drew the child closer to her, and in another
moment was sharing her slumbers.

When she awoke the sun was shining, and the first object her eyes rested
upon was the little face by her side. The pallor and look of exhaustion it
had worn the night before were quite gone, a faint tinge of pink had even
stolen into the cheeks.

Violet noted the change with a feeling of relief and thankfulness, and
raising herself upon her elbow, touched her lips lightly to the white
forehead.

The child's eyes flew open and with a sweet engaging smile, she asked,
"Have you been lying beside me all night, mamma?"

"Yes, Gracie. You have had a long sleep, dear; do you feel quite rested?"

"Yes, mamma, I feel very well. This is such a nice soft bed, and I like to
sleep with you. May I always?"

"For all winter, I think, dear. I like to have your papa's baby girl by my
side."

"I'm very much obliged to him for finding me such a sweet, pretty new
mamma. I told him so one day," remarked the child innocently, putting an
arm about Vi's neck.

"Did you?" Violet asked with an amused smile; "and what did he say?"

"Nothing; he just smiled and hugged me tight and kissed me ever so many
times. Do you know what made him do that, mamma?"

"Because he likes to have us love one another. And so we will, won't we,
dear?"

"Yes, indeed! Mamma, I feel a little hungry."

"I'm glad to hear it, for here comes Agnes with a glass of nice rich milk
for you. And when you have drunk it she will wash and dress you. We will
all have to hurry a little to be ready in good time for breakfast," she
added, springing from the bed and beginning her toilet. "Grandpa Dinsmore
never likes to have us late."

"Miss Rosie and Miss Lulu's up and dressed and gone into Miss Elsie's
room, Miss Wilet," remarked Agnes, holding the tumbler she had brought to
Gracie's lips.

"Ah, that is well," said Violet, with a pleased look. "Lulu has stolen a
march on us, Gracie."

The week that followed their arrival at Ion was a delightful one to all,
especially the children, who had scarce anything to do but enjoy
themselves. The weather was all that could be desired, and they walked,
rode, drove, boated, fished, and went nutting.

Mr. Dinsmore and Edward were every day more or less busied with the
affairs of the plantation, but some one of the older people could always
find time to be with the children, while Zoe never failed to make one of
the party, and seemed almost as much a child as any of the younger ones.

Every nook on the plantation and in its neighborhood was explored, and
visits were paid to Fairview, the Laurels, the Pines, the Oaks, Roselands
and Ashlands; the dwellers at each place having first called upon the
family at Ion.

Both Max and Lulu had long desired to learn to ride on horseback, and
great was their delight on learning that now this wish could be gratified.

A pony was always at the service of each, and lessons in the art of
sitting and managing it were given them, now by Mr. Dinsmore and now by
Edward, who was a great admirer of his brother-in-law, Captain Raymond,
had become much attached to him, and took a very kindly interest in his
children.

Gracie was given a share in all the pleasures for which she was considered
strong enough, and when not able to go with the others on their
expeditions, was well entertained at home with toys and books filled with
pictures and stories suited to her age.

Both Elsie and Violet watched over the little girl with true motherly love
and care; she warmly returning the affection of both, but clinging
especially to Violet, her "pretty new mamma."

Gracie was a docile little creature, and seemed very happy in her new
life. She was deeply interested in the riding lessons of her brother and
sister, and when, near the end of the week, Dr. Arthur, to whom she was
becoming much attached, set her on the back of a Shetland pony and led it
about the grounds for a few minutes, promising her longer rides as her
strength increased, she was almost speechless with happiness.

With the second week lessons began for the children. Each task had its
appointed hour, and they were required to be as systematic, punctual and
well prepared for recitations as pupils in an ordinary school, but at the
same time great care was taken that neither mind nor body should be
overtaxed, and they enjoyed many liberties and indulgences which could not
have been granted elsewhere than at home.

The mornings were spent by Rosie and Lulu in the school-room in study and
recitation, under the supervision of either "Grandma Elsie" or "Mamma Vi."

Grace and Walter would be there also at the start, but their short and
easy tasks having been attended to, they might stay and amuse themselves
quietly, or if inclined for noisy sport, go to the nursery or play-room to
enjoy it there.

Max conned his lessons alone in his own room, joining the others only when
the hour arrived for reciting to Mr. Dinsmore, who took sole charge of his
education, and of the two little girls, so far as concerned Latin and
arithmetic. Rosie and Max were together in both these studies, but
Lulu--because of being younger and not so far advanced--was alone in both,
much to her dissatisfaction, for she was by no means desirous to have Mr.
Dinsmore's attention concentrated upon herself for even a short space of
time.

His keen dark eyes seemed to look her through and through, and though he
had never shown her any sternness, she was quite sure he could and would
if she gave him any occasion.

But for that there was no necessity, his requirements being always
reasonable and only such as she was fully capable of meeting. She had a
good mind, quick discernment and retentive memory, and she was quite
resolved to be industrious and to keep her promise to her father to be a
good girl in every way. Also her ambition was aroused to attempt to
overtake her brother and Rosie.

She was moderately fond of study, but had a decided repugnance to plain
sewing, therefore looked ill-pleased enough upon discovering that it was
to be numbered among her daily tasks.

"I hate sewing!" she said with a scowl, "and when I'm old enough to do as
I please, I'll never touch a needle and thread."

It was afternoon of their first school day, and the little girls had just
repaired to the school-room in obedience to directions given them on their
dismissal for the morning.

All the ladies of the family were there, gathered cosily about the fire
and the table at which Grandma Elsie was busily cutting out garments that
seemed to be intended for a child, yet were of coarser, heavier material
than any of the family were accustomed to wearing.

"Perhaps you may change your mind by that time," she answered Lulu, with
pleasant tone and smile; "and I hope you will find it more agreeable now
than you expect. You are a kind-hearted little girl, I know, and when I
tell you these clothes are for a little Indian girl who needs them sadly,
I am quite sure you will be glad to help in making them."

Lulu's brow cleared. "Yes, ma'am," she said with a little hesitation, "if
I could sew nicely, but I can't."

"The more need to learn then, dear. Mamma Vi is basting a seam for you,
and will show you how to sew it."

"And when we all get started there'll be some nice story read aloud, won't
there, mamma?" asked Rosie.

"Yes; your sister Elsie will be the reader to-day, and the book Scott's
'Lady of the Lake.'"

"Oh, how nice!" cried Rosie in delight; "it's such a lovely book, and
sister Elsie's such a beautiful reader."

"In my little sister's opinion," laughed Mrs. Leland.

"And that of all present, I presume," said "Grandma Rose."

"I am fortunate in having so appreciative an audience," returned Elsie
gayly.

Lulu had accepted a mute invitation to take a seat by Violet's side.

"Mamma Vi," she whispered with heightened color, "I can't sew as well as
Gracie, and I'm ashamed to have anybody see my poor work."

"Never mind, dear, we won't show your first attempts, and you will find
this coarse, soft muslin easy to learn on," Violet answered in the same
low tone. "See, this is the way," taking a few stitches. "Your father told
me he wanted his dear little girls to learn every womanly accomplishment,
and I feel sure you will do your best to please him. Take pains, and you
may be able to send him some specimen of your work as a Christmas gift.
Would you not enjoy that?"

"Yes, ma'am, yes indeed!" returned the little girl, setting resolutely to
work.

"Mamma," said Gracie, coming to Violet's other side, "mayn't I have some
work, too? I like sewing better than Lulu does. Aunt Beulah taught me to
overseam and to hem."

"Then you may help us, little girlie," Violet said, kissing the little
fair cheek, "but must stop the minute you begin to feel fatigued; for I
must not let papa's baby girl wear out her small strength."

Presently, all having been supplied with work, the reading began. Every
one seemed able to listen with enjoyment except Lulu, who bent over her
task with frowning face, making her needle go in and out with impatient
pushes and jerks.

Violet watched the performance furtively for a few minutes, then gently
taking the work from her, said in a pleasant undertone, "You are getting
your stitches too long and too far apart, dear. We will take them out, and
you shall try again."

"I can't do it right! I'll never succeed, if I try ever so hard!" muttered
Lulu, impatiently.

"Oh, yes, you will," returned Violet with an encouraging smile. "Keep
trying, and you will be surprised to find how easy it will grow."

The second attempt was quite an improvement upon the first, and under
Violet's pleased look and warm praise Lulu's ruffled temper smoothed down,
and the ugly frown left her face.

In the mean while Gracie was handling her needle with the quiet ease of
one accustomed to its use, making tiny even stitches that quite surprised
her new mamma.

With all her faults Lulu was incapable of envy or jealousy, especially
toward her dearly loved brother and sister, and when at the close of the
sewing hour Gracie's work was handed about from one to another, receiving
hearty commendation, no one was better pleased than Lulu.

"Isn't it nice, Grandma Elsie?" she said, glancing at her little sister
with a flush of pride in her skill, "a great deal better than I can do,
though she's two years younger."

"It's only because I couldn't run about and play like Lulu, and so I just
sat beside Aunt Beulah and learned to hem and back-stitch and run and
overseam," said Gracie. "But Lulu can do everything else better than I
can."

"And she will soon equal you in that, I trust," said Violet, with an
affectionate glance from one to the other; "I am quite sure she will if
she continues to try as she has done to-day. And it makes my heart rejoice
to see how you love one another, dear children."

"I think everybody loves Gracie, because she's hardly ever naughty," said
Lulu; "I wish I'd been made so."

CHAPTER VIII.

"Where'er I roam, whatever realms to see,
My heart untravelled fondly turns to thee."
--Goldsmith.

"How very pretty, Zoe!" said Violet, examining her young sister-in-law's
work, a piece of black satin upon which she was embroidering leaves and
flowers in bright-colored silks.

"Oh, isn't it!" cried Lulu, in delighted admiration. "Mamma Vi, I'd like
to learn that kind of sewing."

"So you shall, dear, some day; but mamma's theory is that plain sewing
should be thoroughly mastered first. That has been her plan with all her
children, and Rosie has done scarcely any fancy work yet."

"But mamma has promised to let me learn all I can about it this winter,"
remarked Rosie, with much satisfaction.

"Mamma," Zoe said, with a blush, "I'm afraid I ought to join your
plain-sewing class. I should be really ashamed to exhibit any of my work
in that line."

"Well, dear child, I shall be glad to receive you as a pupil if you
desire it," Elsie returned, giving her a motherly glance and smile.

"Hark!" exclaimed Zoe, hastily gathering up her work, her cheeks rosy and
eyes sparkling with pleasure. "I hear Edward's step and voice," and she
tripped out of the room.

"How fond she is of him!" Violet remarked, looking after her with a
pleased smile.

"Yes," said her mother, "it does my heart good to see how they love each
other. And I think we are all growing fond of Zoe."

"Yes, indeed, mamma!" came in chorus from her three daughters.

"I'm sure we are; my husband and I as well as the rest," added Mrs.
Dinsmore.

"And, Vi," said Elsie Leland laughingly, "I really think mamma's new sons
are as highly appreciated in the family as her new daughter, and that all
three doat upon their new mother. Mamma, Lester says you are a pattern
mother-in-law, and I answer, 'Of course; mamma is a pattern in every
relation in life.'"

"My child, don't allow yourself to become a flatterer," returned her
mother gravely.

"Zoe, Zoe, where are you?" Edward was calling from below.

"Here," she answered, running down to meet him. "I've been in the
school-room with mamma and the others," she added, as she gained his
side, and looking up brightly into his face as she spoke.

"Ah," he said, bending down to kiss the ruby lips. "I thought you were to
be my pupil."

"Oh, so I am! except in purely feminine accomplishments. See!" holding up
her work. "I've been busy with this. It was the sewing hour, and sister
Elsie read aloud to us while we worked."

"Ah, yes! I have been reader many a time while mamma and sisters plied the
needle."

"How nice! you are such a beautiful reader! But she is almost as good."

"Not only almost, but altogether," he returned gayly as he held open the
door of her boudoir for her to enter, then followed her in. "I've come now
to hear your recitations. I suppose you are quite prepared," he added,
drawing up a chair for her, and glancing at a pile of books lying on the
table.

"No," she said, coloring and dropping her eyes with a slightly mortified
air. "I meant to be, but so many things happened to interfere. I had a
letter to write, then some ladies called, and then----"

"Well?" he said interrogatively, as she paused, coloring still more
deeply.

"I wanted to finish the book I was reading last night. I really couldn't
fix my thoughts on stupid lessons until I knew what became of the
heroine."

Edward, standing by her side and looking down at her, shook his head
gravely. "Duties should be attended to first, Zoe, pleasures indulged in
afterward."

"You are talking to me as if I were nothing but a child!" she cried
indignantly, her cheeks growing hot.

"The dearest, most lovable child in the world," he said, bending down to
stroke her hair and look into her face with laughing eyes.

"No, sir, I'm your wife. What did you marry me for if you considered me
such a child?" she cried with a half pout on her lip, but love-light in
the eyes lifted to his.

"Because I loved you and wanted the right to take care of you, my bonny
belle," he said, repeating his caress.

"And you do, the best care in the world, you dear boy!" she exclaimed
impulsively, throwing her arms about his neck. "And if it will please you,
I'll set to work at the lessons now."

"Then do, love; I have letters to write, and we will sit here and work
side by side."

Both worked diligently for an hour or more; they had a merry time over the
recitations, then drove together to the nearest village to post Edward's
letters and get the afternoon mail for Ion.

Violet was made happy by a long letter from her husband.

She had barely time to glance over it, learning when and where it was
written, and that he was well at the time of writing, when the tea-bell
rang.

She slipped the precious missive into her pocket with a little sigh of
satisfaction, and joined the others at the table with a very bright and
happy face.

She had not been the only fortunate one; her mother had cheering news from
Herbert and Harold, Mrs. Dinsmore some sprightly, gossipy letters from her
sisters Adelaide and May, whose contents furnished topics of lively
discourse, in which Violet took part.

She had not mentioned her own letter, but at length Edward, noting the
brightness of her countenance, asked, "Good news from the captain, Vi?"

"Yes, thank you," she said; "he was well and seemingly in excellent
spirits at the time of writing, though he says he misses wife and children
sorely."

All three of his children turned toward her with eager, questioning looks,
Max and Lulu asking, "Didn't papa write to us, too?"

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