Elsie at Ion

BY
MARTHA FINLEY

NEW YORK
DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY
Publishers

Copyright, 1893,

BY

Dodd, Mead & Company.
——
All rights reserved.

ELSIE AT ION.

CHAPTER I.

Violet and Lulu were still alone upon the veranda where the captain had left them while he drove into the village on that first evening after their home-coming from beautiful Viamede. They had now taken possession of two easy-chairs standing close together, and were enjoying the quiet and an extended view of the well-kept grounds and the green fields and wooded hills that lay beyond.

For some moments neither had spoken; then Violet broke the silence. “Lulu, I have been thinking of that poor Mrs. McAlpine and her daughter whom you met when your father took you and Max out to the far West. Tell me something about them if you feel inclined.”

“Yes, Mamma Vi; they were refined, lovable people and I like to think and talk of them; except that it makes me sad to think what a hard, trying life they led and are yet leading, I suppose.”

“Yes, my heart bleeds for them; the poor mother especially,” sighed Violet. “Foully robbed of her husband’s love, what charm has life in this world left for her?”

“If I were in her place I’d just make up my mind not to care for him or his love, and be happy in loving my children and being loved by them!” exclaimed Lulu in indignant tones. “I’d never break my heart for such a wretch!”

“He is certainly not worth it,” was Violet’s response. “Ah, there is your father!” as a carriage turned in at the great gates opening upon the high-road.

It came swiftly up the drive, halted at the front entrance, and the captain, quickly alighting, handed out a girlish figure clad in a plain, dark dress and hat.

“Miss McAlpine, my dear, Lulu, it is your old friend Marian.”

“Welcome, my poor dear girl,” said Violet, taking Marian’s hand in a kindly pressure and giving her a kiss.

“O Marian, Marian, what a delightful surprise!” was Lulu’s greeting as she threw her arms about her friend and kissed her again and again.

“Just as I meant it should be,” the captain remarked with a pleased smile.

But Marian seemed speechless with emotion, clinging to Lulu and sobbing as if her heart would break.

“O you poor dear!” Lulu said, gently patting and stroking her, “don’t cry so bitterly; we will do all we can to make you happy. You must be very tired with your long journey, but you can rest now in this sweet home of ours.”

“Yes, take her up to the spare room nearest your own, Lulu,” said the captain, “and see that she has everything she needs.”

“And we will have her tea sent up to her,” added Violet.

“She took that in the village, my dear,” said the captain, “and as she is very weary had better get to bed as soon as she can. I see that her trunk has already been carried up.”

“O sir, how kind, how kind you are to me!” Marian exclaimed sobbingly, putting her hand into his and lifting grateful eyes to his face.

“Ah, my poor child, it would be a great delight to me could I but relieve all your sorrows,” he returned in moved tones. “That is beyond my power; but cast all your burdens on the Lord and he will sustain you, fulfilling to you his gracious promise, ‘As thy days, so shall thy strength be.’ You need rest; do not lie awake grieving, but try to obey the scriptural injunction, ‘casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you.’”