THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES A LIST OF THE ELSIE BOOKS BY MARTHA FINLEY ELSIE DINSMORE ELSIE'S HOLIDAYS AT ROSE- LANDS ELSIE'S GIRLHOOD ELSIE'S WOMANHOOD ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD ELSIE'S CHILDREN ELSIE'S WIDOWHOOD GRANDMOTHER ELSIE ELSIE'S NEW RELATIONS ELSIE AT NANTUCKET THE TWO ELSIES ELSIE'S KITH AND KIN ELSIE'S FRIENDS AT WOOD- BURN CHRISTMAS WITH GRANDMA ELSIE ELSIE AND THE RAYMONDS ELSIE YACHTING WITH THE RAYMONDS ELSIE'S VACATION ELSIE AT VIAMEDE ELSIE AT ION ELSIE AT THE WORLD'S FAIR ELSIE'S JOURNEY ON INLAND WATERS ELSIE AT HOME ELSIE ON THE HUDSON ELSIE IN THE SOUTH ELSIE'S YOUNG FOLKS ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP ELSIE AND HER LOVED ONES ELSIE AND HER NAMESAKES ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP BY MARTHA FINLEY NEW YORK DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY PUBLISHES COPTBIGHT, 1903, BY DODD, MEAD & COMPANY. Furs* edition pubhshea October, 1902. / J ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP. CHAPTEK I. "Lu, dear, can you give me an early break fast to-morrow morning?" asked Chester, as they made their preparations for retiring that first night in their new home. "I think so," she returned, giving him an affectionate look and smile. "How early would you like to have it ?" "About seven, I think. I have told our coachman, Jack, that I want the carriage at eight. He will drive me into town and then return, so that carriage and horses will be ready at a reasonably early hour for the other three owners our brother and sister and yourself." "It was certainly very kind and thought ful in you to give such an order," she said with a smile, "but we would much prefer to have your company in all our drives and visits." "And I should very much like to give it to 2 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP you; but there is business that should have been attended to some time ago, and must not be longer delayed." "If it is, it shall not be your wife's fault," she replied. "The cook is still in the kitchen, and I will go and give my order for a seven- o'clock breakfast." "Lu, dear," Chester said, on her return, "it will not be at all necessary for you to rise in time for so early a breakfast, I can pour my own coffee and eat alone." "No, you can't have that privilege while I'm your wife ;" she responded, with a saucy look and smile. "I intend to pour your cof fee, and see that you have an appetizing breakfast and do justice to it.'* "Your presence will make it doubly enjoy able, dearest," he returned, putting an arm about her, and giving her a look of loving admiration, "but you must not be robbed of needed rest and sleep." "Thank you, my dear husband," she re plied; "but I am accustomed to early rising and it agrees with me. Oh, I think I shall ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 3 greatly enjoy taking early breakfast with you. Isn't it delightful to begin our married life in so lovely a home of our very own ?" "It is, indeed ! and we owe it to your good, kind, and most generous father." "He is that, most emphatically," re sponded Lucilla. "The dearest, best, and kindest father in the world." "Seven o'clock the next morning found them cosily seated at a little round table in their pretty dining-room, enjoying a deli cious breakfast of fresh fruits, broiled fowl, hot muffins and coffee. These, added to good health, cheerful spirits, and a fondness for each other's society, made them a happy couple. The meal was enlivened with cheerful chat. "I am sorry you have to hurry so," Lu cilla said, as she filled her husband's cup for the second time. "I really think you ought to have at least a little longer holiday." "I expect to take it piecemeal, nights and mornings, in the society of my wife," re turned Chester, with affectionate look and 4 ELSIE'S ..WINTER TRIP smile. "I was very glad to get this case," he added, "for if I succeed with it it will bring me in some thousands." "I shall be glad of that for your sake," said Lucilla ; "but don't work too hard. You know you are not very strong ; therefore you need to take good care of yourself." "Ah, my dear, be careful how you en courage me in self-indulgence," laughed Chester. "I am too much inclined that way as it is." "Are you?" she exclaimed with mirthful look and tone. "I really had not found it out, but thought you one of the foolishly in dustrious people who will even throw away health in order to get on rapidly with their work." "And I," laughed Chester, "took you for a woman of such discernment that you must have found out before this what a lazy, in competent fellow you have thrown yourself away upon." "No; with all my discernment I have yet to make that discovery. I did not marry the ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 5 fellow you describe but a bright, talented, industrious young man. And I wont have him slandered." At that moment a servant came in with the announcement that the carriage was at the door. "Ah! Jack is quite punctual, and I am just ready," said Chester, pushing back his chair, getting up and going round to his wife's side of the table. "I will now take away the slanderer of your bright, talented, industrious young man," he remarked in sportive tone; "you shall be relieved of his presence until perhaps five o'clock this after noon." Before he had finished, Lucilla was stand ing by his side, her hand in his. "Oh, dear ! I wish you didn't have to go," she sighed. "We have been together all the time for weeks past. and now I hardly know how I can do without you." "Suppose you come along then. There is plenty of room in the carriage, and in the office, and I could find you something to 6 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP read, or some work on the typewriter, if you prefer that." "Any time that I am needed there I shall be ready to go," she returned with merry look and tone ; "but to-day I have matters to attend to about the house, and perhaps father and Mamma Vi may want some little assist ance from me in their preparations for to night." "Yes, I daresay. What a round of parties we are likely to have to go through as part of the penalty for venturing into the state of matrimony." "Yes," laughed Lucilla, "but I hope you think it pays." "Most assuredly. But now good-bye, dear est, for some hours when we shall have the pleasure of meeting to atone to us for the present pain of parting." Lucilla followed him to the veranda, where they exchanged a parting caress, then watched as he entered the carriage and it drove swiftly through the grounds and out into the highway. Her eyes were still following it when a pleasant, ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 7 manly voice near at hand said "Good morn ing Mrs. Dinsmore." She turned quickly and sprang down the steps to meet the speaker. "Father, dear father!" she cried, spring ing into his outstretched arms, and putting hers about his neck, "Oh, how glad I am to see you ! How good in you to come ! Chester has just done eating his breakfast and gone off to his business, and I haven't quite fin ished my meal. Wont you come in and eat with me ?" "Ah, that would hardly do, daughter," was the smiling reply. "You know I am ex pected to take that meal with wife and chil dren at Woodburn. But I will go in with you and we will have a chat while you finish your breakfast." "And you can take a cup of coffee and a little fruit, can't you, father ?" "Yes, thank you, daughter. That would hardly interfere with the Woodburn break fast. And shall we not take a little stroll about your grounds when we leave the break fast-room ?" g ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP "I should greatly enjoy doing so along with my dear father," she answered with a smiling look up into his face, as they took their places at the inviting-looking table. She poured his coffee, then they ate and chatted pleasantly the while about family matters and the entertainment to be given at Wood- burn that evening. "How are Max and Eva this morning?" the Captain asked at length. "I don't know whether they are up yet or not/' replied Lucilla. "You know, papa, they had not the same occasion for early ris ing that Chester and I had." "True enough and Max is fully entitled to take his ease for the present. Don't you think so ?" "Yes, indeed, papa. I am very glad the dear fellow is having a good holiday after all he has gone through. Oh, I wLh he had chosen some business that would allow him to stay at home with us !" "That would be pleasanter for us, but our country must have a navy and officers to corn- mand it." ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 9 "Yes, sir ; and so it is well that some men fancy that kind of life and employment." "And no doubt Max inherits the taste for a seafaring life from me and my fore bears." "Father," said Lulu, "you will let me be your amanuensis again, will you not?" "Thank you for your willingness to serve me in that, daughter," the Captain returned pleasantly, "but you will find quite enough to do here in your own house, and both your Mamma VI and your Sister Grace have taken up your work in that line sometimes one and sometimes the other following my dictation upon the typewriter." "Oh, I am glad that they can and will, for your sake, father, but I hope I shall be per mitted to do a little of my old work for you once in a while." "That is altogether likely," he said. "But now as we have finished eating and drinking shall we not take our stroll about the grounds ?" "They did so, chatting pleasantly as was 10 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP their wont; then returning to the veranda they found Max and Evelyn there. Morning greetings were exchanged, then Evelyn, saying that their breakfast was just ready, invited the Captain to come in and share it. But he declined, giving the same reason as before to Lucilla's invitation. "I am going home now to breakfast with wife and children," he said, "and I hope you older ones of my flock will join us a little later." "We will all be glad to do that, father," said Max. "At least I can speak for myself and think I can for these two daughters of yours. Woodburn is to me a dear old home where some of the happiest hours of my life have been spent." "And you can't love it much better than Lu and I do," added Evelyn. "No, he can't," assented Lucilla. "Lovely as is this Sunnyside of ours, its chief at traction to me is its near neighborhood to Woodburn the home where I have passed such happy years under my father's loving ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP H care." The bright, dark eyes she lifted to his face as she spake were full of daughterly love and reverence. "I am very glad you can look back upon them as happy years, daughter," he said, his eyes shining with pleasure and parental af fection; "and that Max is with you in that. I am glad, too, that you all appreciate this new home that I have taken so much pleasure in preparing for you." "We'd be the basest of ingrates, if we didn't, father dear!" exclaimed Lucilla. "I for one, feel that you have done, and are do ing far more for me than I deserve." "Which is nothing new for our father," remarked Max with a smile and look into his father's face that spoke volumes of filial re gard, respect and devotion. "And I am fortunate indeed in having children so dutiful, affectionate and appre ciative," returned the Captain feelingly. He then took leave and went back to Woodburn, Lucilla accompanying him part of the way, then returning to Sunnyside to 12 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP give her orders for the day. That attended to, she joined Max and Eva upon the veranda. "The carriage is coming, Lu," said Eva; "are you ready for a drive? and have you decided where you wish to go ?" "Yes," was the reply, "I want to go over to Woodburn for a bit of a chat with Mamma Vi about the preparations for this evening, in which I suppose you and Max will join me ; and then wouldn't you like to drive over to Fairview for a call upon Aunt Elsie ?" "Yes, indeed! I think she and uncle are entitled to the first call from me, much as I want to see all the near and dear ones." "I perfectly agree with you in that, Eva," said Max. "They have filled the place of parents to you, and I for one," he added with a very loverlike smile, "am grateful to them for it." "As I am with still more reason," added Evelyn. A few moments later found them on their way to Woodburn. There was a glad wel- ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 13 come there followed by a few minutes' lively chat, principally in regard to the coming event of the evening the expected gather ing of invited guests, relatives, neighbours and friends to welcome the return of the newly-married couples from their bridal trip. "Is there anything I can do to help with your preparations, Mamma Vi ?" asked Lu- cilla. "Thank you, Lu, but they are almost all made now, except what the servants will do," returned Violet, adding laughingly. "And if they were not, it would surely hardly be the correct thing to let one of our brides be at the trouble of assisting with them." "Both of them would be very glad to give their help, if it were desired or needed," said Evelyn. "We feel privileged to offer assist ance, because it is our father's house," she concluded with a smiling, affectionate look at the Captain. "That is right, daughter," he said, both his tone and the expression of his counte- 14: ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP nance showing that he was pleased with her remark. "Oh, Lu, I have been making some changes in the rooms that were yours, but are mine now," said Grace. "Papa has provided some new pieces of furniture both there and in our little sitting-room and I want to show them to you, Eva and Max." She rose as she spoke, the others following her example. "Are the rest of us invited, Gracie ?" asked Violet, in an amused tone. "Oh, yes, indeed !" was the gay rejoinder, "father and you, Elsie and Ned. Company that is always acceptable to me wherever I go." "And to all of us," added Lucilla. "Most especially so to one who has often sighed in vain for it," said Max. "Have you wanted us sometimes when you were far away on the sea, Brother Max?" asked Ned with a look of loving sympathy up into his brother's face. "Yes, indeed, Ned ; and expect to do so again before very long." ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 15 They were passing through the hall and up the stairway as they talked. "Oh, the dear old rooms look lovely, lovely!" exclaimed Lucilla, as they passed into the little sitting-room she had formerly shared with her sister Grace, glanced around it and through the open doors into the two bedrooms. "It almost makes me homesick to be living in them again." "Well, daughter, you may come back whenever you choose," her father said, with a look of mingled amusement and affection. "Why, Lu, I thought you loved that pretty new home papa has taken such pains to make ready for you and Eva and Max and Ches ter," exclaimed Elsie. "Yes, so I do; but this old home has the added charm of being papa's also." "Yes ; but the other is so near that you can see him every day, and oftener, if you choose." "And talk to him at any moment through the telephone, if she prefers that to coming over here," said the Captain. 16 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP "Oh, yes! how nice it is that our houses are all connected by telephone/' exclaimed Evelyn. "Father, if I may, I think I'll go to yours and speak to Aunt Elsie now." "Certainly, daughter," he returned, promptly leading the way. "I do so like that name from you, father dear," she said softly and smiling up into his face as they reached the instrument. "And I am glad my boy Max has given mt the right," he returned, bending down to kiss the ruby lips and smooth the shining hair. "Shall I ring and call for you ?" he asked* "If you please." It was Mrs. Leland who answered it. "Hello, what is it?" "It is I, Aunt Elsie," returned Evelyn. "I just called to know if you were in; be cause if you are, we are coming over directly to make you a call." "I think I shall be by the time you can get here," was the reply in a tone of amusement. "But please don't delay, as we were about to start for Sunnyside in a few minutes." ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 1? "Oh, were you! Then we will drive over at once and accompany you on the trip." "Thank you; that will be most pleasant." Eva stepped aside and Lucilla took her place. "Yes, Aunt Elsie, you will be a most wel come visitor in both divisions of Sunnyside. Please don't neglect mine." "I certainly do not intend to," was the cheerily-spoken response, "for your half of the dwelling is doubtless quite as well worth seeing as the other, and its occupants seem very near and dear." "Thank you. Good-bye now till we arrive at Fairview." "We would better start for that place presently," said Max. "We can view the beauties of this any day. Wont you go with us, Grace? There is a vacant seat in the carriage." "Yes, do; we'd be glad to have you," urged both Eva and Lucilla, the latter add ing, "You have hardly yet taken a look at our new homes with us in them." jg ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP "Yes, go, daughter; I think you will en joy it," her father said in reply to a question ing glance from her beautiful blue eyes, di rected to him. "Thank you all three," she said. "I will go if I may have ten minutes in which to get ready." "Fifteen, if necessary," replied Max, in sportive tone. "Even that great loss of time will be well paid for by the pleasure of your good company." "A well-turned compliment, brother mine," returned Grace, as she tripped away in search of hat and wrap; for the air was cool in driving. "Why shouldn't Elsie go too ? There is plenty of room for her; and Ned can ride alongside on his pony, which I see is down yonder ready saddled and bridled," said Max, putting an arm round his little sister, as she stood by his side, and looking smil ingly at her, then at Ned. "Can't they go, father and Mamma Vi ?" Both parents gave a ready consent, the ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 19 children were delighted with the invitation, and presently the party set out on their way to Fairview. It was a short and pleasant drive, and they were greeted with a joyous welcome on their arrival at Evelyn's old home, Mr. and Mrs. Leland and their four children meeting them on the veranda with smiles, pleasant words and caresses for Grace, Eva, Lucilla and Elsie. Then they were taken within and to the dining-room, where a delicate and ap petizing lunch was awaiting them. "It is a little early for lunch," said Mrs. Leland, "but we knew you would be wanting to get back to Sunnyside soon, in order not to miss the numerous calls about to be made you by friends and connections who are all anxious to see the pretty new home and its loved occupants. "We will be glad to see them, Aunt Elsie," said Evelyn, "and to show our lovely homes ; and I can assure you that no one can be more welcome there than you and uncle and these dear cousins of mine." 20 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP "And please understand that Eva has ex pressed my sentiments as fully as her own/* added Lucilla in a sprightly tone. "Mine also," said Max. "But don't any one of you feel that this meal is to be taken in haste/' said Mr. Le- land, hospitably, "that is very bad for diges tion and we may take plenty of time, even at the risk of having some of your callers get to Sunnyside ahead of us." His advice was taken and much pleasant chat indulged in while they ate. "You and uncle, of course, expect to be at Woodburn to-night, Aunt Elsie?" said Evelyn. "Oh, yes ; and expect to have you all here to-morrow night. There is to be quite a round of parties as doubtless you know to celebrate the great event of your and Lu's entrance into the bonds of matrimony. There will be none Saturday night, but the round will begin again Monday evening by a party at Ion given by mamma, Edward and Zoe. Tuesday evening we are all to go to the ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 21 Oaks; then after that will be the Laurel's, Roselands, Beechwood, Pinegrove, Ashlands and others." "Don't forget Aunt Rosie's at Riverside, mamma/' prompted Allie, her nine-year-old daughter. "No," returned her mother, "that would be quite too bad, for there is no one more ready to do honor to these dear friends of ours; especially now when they have just begun married life." "Ah, Aunt Elsie, that sounds as though you considered it something to one's credit to have left a life of single blessedness for one in the married state," laughed Lucilla. "A state which I have found so pleasant that I think no one deserves any credit for entering it," was Mrs. Leland's smiling re joinder. "And I have noticed," said Max, "that as a rule those who have tried it once are very ready to try it again widows and widowers seem in more haste to marry than bachelors and maids." 22 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP " 'Marry in haste and repent at leisure/ " quoted Grace, laughingly. "Father takes care that his children don't do the first, per haps to secure them from the second." "And we all have great confidence in our father's wisdom; as well as his strong affec tion for us, his children," remarked Max. A sentiment which the others his wife and sisters promptly and cordially en dorsed. CHAPTER II. IMMEDIATELY on leaving the table, they all entertainers and entertained set out on the short drive to Sunnyside, where, on arriving, they found their relatives and friends from Beechwood and the Oaks wait ing to offer their congratulations and wish them happiness and prosperity in their mar ried life. Being all acquaintances and friends of so long standing, they were shown over the whole house by the happy owners, and cor dial congratulations were freely bestowed. "In view of the comforts, conveniences and beauties of the establishment, I should like to see Chester and offer my congratula tions on his success in winning a lovely wife, and having so delightful a home to share with her," remarked Mrs. Horace Dinsmore, as she was about leaving. "But I can't stay 24 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP longer if I am to make due preparation for attending the party at Woodburn to-night," she added. "And you wouldn't miss that for some thing, would you ?" laughed Mrs. Hugh Lil- burn. "I am sure I wouldn't." "No ; for I daresay we will have a delight ful time. I know no better entertainers than the Captain and Vi." "Nor do I," said Mrs. Leland; "and this being so extra an occasion they will doubt less do their best." "I think they will, and I hope no invited guest will stay away or be disappointed," said Grace, with a merry look and smile. "No danger of either calamity, Gracie," said Mrs. Dinsmore. "Ah, there's our car riage at the door," and with a hasty good-bye and a cordial invitation to all present to make frequent visits at the Oaks, she and her husband and daughter departed. The Beechwood friends lingered a little longer, as did those from Fairview and Woodburn. But at length Grace said she ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 25 thought it time to go home for, of course, there were some matters she ought to attend to in preparation for the evening. "Shall I send you in the carriage ?" asked Lucilla. "Oh, no, thank you, sister dear ; the short walk will be good for me," returned Grace gaily, "for Elsie, too, I think, and for Ned; though he, I suppose, will prefer to ride his pony." "Yes, of course I will," said Ned. "He needs to be taken home, anyway." They made their adieus and passed out on the veranda. A servant brought the pony up, and Ned was about to mount when the little steed re marked, "I think a young gentleman might feel ashamed to ride while his lady sisters must go afoot." "You do!" exclaimed Ned, drawing back with a look of mingled surprise and chagrin. "Well, they said they wanted to walk pre ferred it to riding; and and besides they couldn't both ride on your back at once." g6 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP "Two do ride the same horse at once some times," seemed to come very distinctly from the pony's lips. "Who is making you talk, I wonder?" cried Ned, turning to look about him. "Oh, Brother Max, it was you, wasn't it?" as he caught sight of his brother and sisters stand ing near. "What was ?" asked Max quietly. "The person making the pony talk. I al most thought for a minute it really was the pony; though, of course, ponies can't talk. And I didn't mean to be selfish. Gracie won't you ride him home ? Elsie and I can walk just as well as not." "Yes, of course we can; it's a very short and very pleasant walk," returned Elsie, with prompt cheerfulness. "So Gracie dear, you ride the pony." "Thank you both," said Grace, "but I really prefer to walk, as I have had very little exercise to-day." "There, you silly little pony, see what a mistake you made!" cried Ked gleefully, as he mounted his steed. ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 37 "Well, little master, didn't you make a mistake, too ?" the pony seemed to ask. "Oh, Brother Max, I know it's you, so only good fun," laughed Ned. "Good-bye all. I'll get home first and tell papa and inamma you are coming, Gracie and Elsie." With the last words, he galloped down the avenue, leaving Max and his sisters standing on the veranda looking after him. "Doesn't he ride well?" exclaimed Grace, in a tone that spoke much sisterly pride and affection. The others gave a hearty assent, Max adding, "He is a dear little, bright little chap. I am decidedly proud of my only brother." "As I am of my little one ; but still more so of my older one," said Lucilla. "But I must go back to my remaining guests. Good bye, my two dear sisters. I shall expect and hope to see you both over here every day." "It is very likely you will see us here at least that often," laughed Grace, "and we will expect an honest return of each and every visit." 28 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP "We'll get it, too," cried Elsie; "Lu could never stay away a whole day from papa." "It would certainly take very strong com pulsion to make me do so," said Lucilla. "Good-bye again. I hope to see you both in my old home a few hours hence, and here some time to-morrow." With that she passed into the house while her sisters hastened away in the direction of Woodburn. "It will soon be time to send the carriage for Chester," said Max, accompanying her, "Suppose I give the order now." "Yes, do," she replied, "I'd like to have him here as soon as possible; and if he should not be quite ready, Jack and the car riage can be kept waiting." "Certainly. I'll go and give the order, then rejoin you and our guests in the draw ing-room." As Max stepped out upon the veranda again two carriages came driving up the avenue one bringing Mr, and Mrs. Lacey ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 39 from the Laurels, the other Mr. and Mrs. Croly from Riverside. "Oh, Max, how glad I am to see you again!" exclaimed Rosie, as he assisted her to alight. "It seems an age since you went away, and you have been exposed to such perils I hope I shall have a chance to hear the story of your experiences in that fight at Manila. Such a chance as I couldn't get at any of the late parties." "Thank you, I hope we will have time and opportunity for a number of talks," he re plied, releasing the hand she had put into his and turning to greet Mrs. Lacey, whom he addressed as Aunt Rose, and whose greet ing was quite as cordial as her niece's had been. "You "have the Eairview and Beechwood folks here now I see," remarked Mrs. Croly, glancing toward their waiting vehicles. "Yes; walk in and let us have you all to gether," returned Max. "We will make a small party in anticipation of the large one to be held at Woodburn some hours hence." 30 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP "Yes," assented Kosie, "we are all rela tives and friends, and I for one can never see too much of Sister Elsie or Cousin Eonald, to speak of only one of each family." Hearty greetings were exchanged, a short time spent in cheerful chat, then one set of visitors after another took their departure till at length Max, Evelyn and Lueilla were left alone, though looking almost momenta rily for Chester's homecoming. "It has probably been a hard day with him. I fear he will be too weary for much enjoyment to-night," sighed Lueilla. "I hope not," said Max. "The meeting with so many relatives and friends will prob ably be restful. Ah, there's the carriage now, just coming up the driveway." It brought Chester, and he showed himself to be in excellent spirits, though somewhat weary with the labors of the day. He re ported that all seemed to be going right with the business in hand, and he had little doubt that he should gain his hoped-for reward. His audience of three listened with keen in- ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 31 terest to all he had to say. When he had fin ished Eva rose saying, "I must go now and attend to housekeeping matters so that Max and I may be ready in good season for our Woodburn festivities." "Stay, Eva/' said Lucilla, "I have ordered an early light tea for the four of us. We wont want a very hearty meal to spoil our ap petites for the refreshments to be served at 'Woodburn." "No, certainly not ; it is very kind in you to provide for us as well as for yourselves," returned Evelyn ; Max adding, "It is, indeed, sister mine." "Well, really," laughed Lucilla, "it was for my own pleasure quite as much as for yours." And tears came into the eyes gazing with sisterly affection into those of Max. "I want to entertain you while I can," she added, "for there is no knowing when Uncle Sam may be ordering you quite out of reach." "Oh, don't let us talk of that !" exclaimed Eva. "Let us banish it from our thoughts for the present." 32 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP "That is good advice," said Max, his voice a trifle huaky ; "it's what I'm trying to do for the present; for however much a man may love the service a little wife such as mine must be far nearer and dearer." "Yes," said Chester; "if you had only chosen the law, we might now be partners in my office, as well as in this house." "And I perhaps might ruin the business by my stupidity," returned Max, with play ful look and tone. "Hark! there's the tea-bell," said Lucilla. "I invite you all out to the dining-room." After a pleasant social half hour spent at the tea-table, each couple retired to their own apartments to dress for the evening enter tainment at Woodburn. "This is one of the occasions for the wear ing of the wedding-gown, is it not?" Max said inquiringly to Evelyn, as they passed into her dressing-room. "Yes," she said lightly. "You will not mind seeing me in it for the second time, will you ?" ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 33 "I shall be very glad to. It is both beau tiful and becoming," he returned, with a fond look and smile. "Ah, my Eva, I think no one ever had a sweeter bride than mine," he added, passing his arm about her and drawing her into a close embrace. "They say love is blind and it must be that which makes me look so lovely in your eyes ; for my features are by no means so good and regular as those of some others your sisters Lu and Grace, for instance," returned Eve lyn, with a pleased little laugh. "Those sisters of mine are both beauti ful in my eyes, but there is something to me still sweeter in this dear face," he answered to that, giving her a fond caress as he spoke. "And your love is so sweet to me, I am so glad to belong to you," she returned low and feelingly, laying her head on his breast while glad tears shone in her eyes. "I have only one cause for grief left," she went on pres ently "that we cannot live together all the time, as Lu and Chester may; yet spite of 34 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP that I would not change with her or anybody else." "I hope not, darling," he said, laughingly. "Nor would I any more than you. I think we were made for each other." "So do I ; and when compelled to part for a season we will console ourselves by looking forward to the joy of the reunion." "So we will, dear one; and in the mean time we will have the pleasure of correspond ence." "Yes, indeed! a letter from my husband will be a great treasure and delight to me." "Not more than will be one from my wife to me," he returned, giving her a gleeful caress. Meantime, Chester and his Lucilla were similarly engaged. Chester was very proud and fond of his bride and anxious to show her to neighbours and friends in her wedding dress; so expressed his satisfaction when he saw it laid out in readiness for the occasion. "I am glad it pleases you," said Lucilla, "and I own to liking it right well myself. ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 35 Eva is going to wear hers, too. So it will seem something like a repetition of our wed ding day." "Which makes it very suitable for your father's house. It was a disappointment to him, I know, not to have his daughter and son married in his own house." "Yes, I suppose so; but dear father is so unselfish that he preferred to let us have our own way, especially on Eva's account." "I know it, and mean to try to copy his example in that seeking to please others rather than myself." "As I do; I should like to resemble him in character and conduct as much as some persons tell me I do in features and expres sion." "Yes; you are very like him in both," Chester said, with an affectionate and admir ing look and smile; "in character and con duct also, if your admiring husband be any judge." The Sunnyside couples were the first of the guests to reach Woodburn though, in 36 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP fact, they hardly considered themselves guests, or were deemed such by the family there ; it was but going home to their father's house, where they had an hour of keen en joyment before other relatives and guests be gan to arrive. Everything went smoothly; the company was made up of congenial spirits, the enter tainment was fine and evidently enjoyed, and when they bade good-night and scattered to their, homes it was with the expectation of meeting again the next evening at Fairview. The Dinsmores of the Oaks had planned to give the second entertainment, but Mr. and Mrs. Leland claimed it as their right, be cause of their near relationship to Evelyn, and the fact that Fairview had been her home for so many years. They were now nearing the end of the week; this was Thursday, the Fairview party would be held on Friday evening and Saturday all preferred to spend quietly in their own homes or withthe nearest and dear est. And that was the plan carried out. The ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 37 Fairview party passed off as successfully as had the Woodburn one, and Saturday and Sunday brought a rest from festivities which was welcome to all. CHAPTER III. LTJCILLA could never stay long away from her old home in her father's house; she was there every day and often two or three times a day. "Father," she said, on that first Saturday after taking possession of the new home, "mayn't we Sunnyside folks come over here and join your Bible class to-morrow even- ing?" "My dear child, it is just what I would have you do," he returned, with a gratified and loving smile. "Don't forget that Wood- burn is still your home one of your homes at least and that you are always welcome and more than welcome to join us when you will. You are my own daughter as truly as ever you were." "And just as glad to be as ever I was," she ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 39 exclaimed, with a bright, loving look and smile. "And to do your bidding at all times, father dear," she added. "Provided it does not interfere with Ches ter's," Max, who happened to be present, suggested a little mischievously. "Hardly any danger of that, I think," re marked his father, with a slightly amused look; "Chester is a reasonable fellow, and I have no intention of interfering with his rights." "And he thinks almost as highly of my father's wisdom as I do," said Lucilla. "But not more than Max and I do," said Evelyn, giving the Captain a very filial and admiring look; "and you will take us in as members of your class, too, wont you father?" "It is just what I desire to do," was the pleased reply. "Max has always been a mem ber when at home; and you, you know, are now his better half." Eva shook her head and with a merry, laughing look at Max, said, "!N"ot just that, father; I should say the smaller partner in the firm." "That will do, too," smiled the Captain, "since the most costly goods are apt to be done up in the smallest packages." "Ah, Eva, my dear, you are answered," laughed Max. "What is to be the subject of to-morrow's lesson, Captain ?" asked Mrs. Elsie Travilla, sitting near. "I have not decided that question yet,. mother, and should be glad of a suggestion from you," he replied in a kindly, respectful tone. "I have been thinking a good deal lately of the signs of the times," she said, "and whether they do not show that we are near- ing the end of this dispensation. That might perhaps be a profitable and interest ing question to take up and endeavor to solve." "No doubt it would be," he replied, "and I hope you will come prepared to give us some information as to what the Scriptures ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 41 say on the subject, and what are the views of Biblical scholars who have been giving it particular attention." "I will do what I can in that line, and hope you, Captain, and others will come pre pared to take part in considering the sub ject." "Certainly a most interesting one," said Violet. "And one which must lead to great search ing of the Scriptures as the only infallible source of information," added the Captain. "Yes," said Grandma Elsie, "they are the only authority on that subject. And how thankful we should be that we have them." Sabbath afternoon proved bright and clear, and brought to Woodburn quite a gathering of the relatives and friends; for all loved the Bible studies they had for years taken together. Mr. Lilburn, as the eldest, was persuaded to take the lead. "I understand," he said, "that to-day we are to take up the question whether the sec- 42 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP ond coming of our Lord Jesus Christ may, or may not, be near. The Scriptures are our sole authority, and you are all invited to bring forward anything from them which may seem to you to have a bearing on the subject." Then turning to Mrs. Travilla, "Cousin Elsie," he said, "you are, prob ably, the one among us the most thoroughly prepared to do so; please let us hear from you." "I doubt if I am better prepared than some of the rest of you," she replied, "but I have been very much interested in the sub ject; particularly of late, and have searched the Bible for texts bearing upon it, some of which I will read. Here in the first chapter of Acts we read that the disciples asked, 'Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you : and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 43 and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they be held, He was taken up and the clouds re ceived him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward Heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Gallilee, why stand ye gazing up into Heaven ? This same Jesus which is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into Heaven.' And," continued Grandma Elsie, "the Apostle John gives us the same prom ise here in the first chapter of the Revela tion," turning to the passage as she spoke, then reading it aloud, " 'Behold, he cometh with clouds ; and every eye shall see him.' ' "I have heard the idea advanced that death is the coming of Christ to the dying one," remarked Chester, in a tone of inquiry. "But we are told," said Mrs. Travilla, "that 'as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west ; so shall also 44 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP the coming of the Son of Man be.' That de scription certainly could not apply to the death hour of any Christian, nor to the con version of any sinner." "And his second coming is spoken of in the same way in a number of places in the different gospels," said Evelyn. "Here, in Luke, we have Christ's own words, 'Whoso ever shall be ashamed of Me and of My words, of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He shall come in His glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels.' And again in Matthew 16: 27, Tor the Son of Man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works.' " "The disciples wanted to know when that second coming would be," remarked Violet; "here in Matthew 24 : 3, we are told, 'And as He sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disci ples came unto Him privately, saying, "Tell us when shall these things be and what shall be the sign of Thy coming and of the end of the world?" And Jesus answered and said ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 45 unto them, "Take heed that no man deceive you." ' "I shall not read the whole chapter, for I know it is familiar to you all; but in the 27th verse he says, 'For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west ; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from Heaven, and the powers of the Heavens shall be shaken : And then shall ap pear the sign of the Son of Man in Heaven : And then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of Heaven with power and great glory. And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of Heaven to the other. 7 " persons/' remarked Grandma El- 46 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP sie, "tell us it is not worth while to consider at all the question of the time when Christ will come again; quoting the text, 'But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels in Heaven, but my Father only/ But again and again our Saviour repeated his warning, 'Watch, therefore ; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. . . Therefore be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh.' ' "I do not quite understand this," said Grace. "Luke says, here in the 21st chapter, 20th verse quoting the words of the Master 'And when ye shall see Jerusalem com passed with armies, then know that the deso lation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out.' How could they depart out of the city while it was compassed with armies ?" "There is a satisfactory explanation," re plied her father, "in the twelfth year of Nero, Cestius Gallus, the president of Syria, ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 47 came against Jerusalem with a powerful army. Josephus says of him: 'He might have assaulted and taken the city, and there by put an end to the war; but without any just reason, and contrary to the expectation of all, he raised the siege and departed.' The historians, Epiphanius and Eusebius, tell us that immediately after the departure of the armies of Cestius Gallus, and while Ves pasian was approaching with his army, all who believed in Christ left Jerusalem and fled to Pella and other places beyond the river Jordan." "Every one of them, papa ?" asked Ned. "Yes; Dr. Adam Clarke says 'It is very remarkable that not a single Christian per ished in the destruction of Jerusalem, though there were many there when Cestius Gallus invested the city.' ' "Papa," asked Elsie, "don't you think God put it in the heart of that Cestius Gal lus to go away with his troops before Ves pasian got there; so that the Christians had an opportunity to escape ?" 48 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP "I certainly do, daughter," was the Cap tain's emphatic reply. "Had not the earlier prophets foretold the destruction of Jerusalem?" asked Lucilla. "Yes," said Mr. Lilburn ; "even as early a one as Moses. Here in the 28th chapter of Deuteronomy he says 'The Lord shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the east of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth ; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not under stand.' " "The Romans ?" Elsie said, inquiringly. "Yes ; their ensign was an eagle and their language the Latin, which the Jews did not understand. The prophesy of Moses con tinues. In the 52d verse he says, 'And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fenced walls come down; wherein thou trustedst, throughout all thy land: and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates through out thy land, which the Lord thy God hath given thee. And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters, which the Lord thy God hati ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 49 given thee, in the siege and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee.' " "Oh, how dreadful!" exclaimed Elsie. "And did all that happen at the siege of Jerusalem ?" "Yes; it lasted so long that famine was added to all the other sufferings of the be sieged. So dreadful was it that mothers would snatch the food from their children in their distress, and many houses were found full of women and children who had died of starvation. Josephus tells of human flesh being eaten; particularly of a lady of rank who killed, roasted and ate her own son. And so the prophecy of Moses was fulfilled." "Oh, how dreadful, how dreadful !" sighed Elsie. "Yes," said Mr. Lilburn, "it was the ful fillment of our Saviour's prophecy as he be held Jerusalem and wept over it, saying, 'If thou hadst known, even thou at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy 50 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP peace ! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.' That is told us in the 19th chapter of Luke. In the 21st we read, 'And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled/ " "Have those times been fulfilled yet?" asked Ned. "No, not yet," replied Mr. Lilburn; "the Turks still have possession of Jerusalem, though the Jews have begun to return to Pal estine and the Turkish power grows weaker. But the time of the Gentiles will not be ful filled until the work of the Gospel is fin ished." ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 51 "And when will that be, Cousin Ronald ?" asked Ned. "I cannot say exactly," answered the old gentleman, "but the trend of events does seem to show that we are nearing that time such a feeling of unrest all over the world, some men comparatively a few accumu lating enormous quantities of wealth by pay ing their laborers a mere pittance for their work, while the cost of living goes higher and higher. This is a land of plenty, and but for the grasping selfishness of some, none need lack for abundance of the necessaries of life." "I wish nobody did lack for plenty to eat and drink, and wear," said Elsie, "and I want to do all I can to help those who haven't enough." "I hope you will, daughter," the Captain said, in a tone of pleased approval. "And now the important thing for us to consider is what is our duty, in view of the very pos sible nearness of Christ's second coming." "He has told us again and again to watch 52 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP and be ready," said Grandma Elsie ; "yet we are not to be idle, but to work while it is called to-day; to occupy till he comes; to be not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." CHAPTEE IV. FOE the next week or two, family parties for the honor and entertainment of the newly-married ones were frequent. Life seemed to them bright and joyous, except when they remembered that Max would probably soon be ordered away, perhaps to some distant quarter of the globe. An unwel come anticipation not to them only, but to his father and the others at Woodburn ; and in a slighter degree to all the connection. But orders had not come yet, and they still hoped they might be delayed for weeks, giving op portunity for many quiet home pleasures. Yet there were drawbacks to even those, in the fact that several of the near connection were ailing from colds caught during their round of festivities Grandma Elsie and Chester Dinsmore being of those most sen- 54 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP ously affected. Chester was confined to tEe house for several days, under the doctor's care, and it was against medical advice that he then returned to his labors at his office. Lucilla was troubled and anxious, and, as usual, went to her father for sympathy and advice. They had a chat together in the li brary at Woodburn. "I feel for you, daughter," Captain Ray mond said, "but keep up your courage ; 'all is not lost that is in danger/ I have been think ing that a southerly trip in the yacht might prove of benefit to both Grandma Elsie and Chester, and quite agreeable to the members of my family and other friends for whom we could find room." "Oh, father, that would be delightful!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with pleas ure. "And I hope you will persuade Harold to make one of the company, for Grace's sake, and so that we will not be without a physician." "Yes, that is a part of my plan, and I have little doubt of its acceptance, Grace's com- ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 55 panionship being a great attraction to my young brother-in-law." " 'Speak of angels and you will hear the flutter of their wings/ " laughed Lucilla, as at that moment Harold appeared in the door way. "Am I the angel, and may I fly in?" he asked, joining in the laugh. "Certainly, you are just in the nick of time to advise us in a matter of importance which we were discussing," replied the Cap tain, inviting him by a gesture to an easy chair near at hand, then repeating to him the substance of what he had been saying to Lu cilla, finishing with a request for his opinion in regard to the plan. "I like it extremely," Harold said. "I think nothing could be better for either mother or Chester, and the sooner we make ready and start the better for both, if they will be persuaded to go; of which I have little doubt." "I am somewhat afraid Chester may re fuse for business reasons," sighed Lucilla. 56 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP "I think we can persuade him of the folly of that," said her father. "It would be far wiser and better to give up business for a time for the gaining of health, than to so wreck that by overtaxing strength of body and mind as to shorten his days or make himself an invalid for life." "It certainly would," said Harold, "and I hope that among us we can convince him that duty, as well as pleasure, calls him to make one of our party." "Duty to his wife as well as to himself," said Lucilla, in a lively tone; "for I should neither willingly go without him or stay be hind with him." "Where are Yi, Grace and the children ?" asked Harold. "I have not seen or heard anything of them since I came in." "Max and Eva have taken them driving in our fine new carriage father's wedding gift," replied Lucilla, with a smiling glance into her father's eyes. "That is, all but Ned who rides his pony alongside." "Ah, and here they come now !" exclaimed ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 57 Harold, glancing from the window, "the car riage has just turned in at the gates." And with that the three arose and has tened out to the veranda, to greet and assist them to alight. But the moment the carriage drew up before the entrance the door was thrown open and Max, then Chester, sprang out and turned to hand out the ladies Grandma Elsie, Eva, Violet, Grace and her sister Elsie, while at the same time Ned was dismounting from his pony. Warm greetings were exchanged, and as the weather was now too cool for comfortable sitting upon the veranda the Captain led the way to the library a favorite resort with them all. "Your call is an agreeable surprise, mother," he said to Grandma Elsie, as he drew forward an easy chair for her ; "Harold had just been telling us that you were almost ill with a cold." "I have a rather bad one, but thought a drive through the bracing air, and in such pleasant company, might prove beneficial gg ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP rather than otherwise," she answered in cheery tones, adding "And I knew Harold was here and could take me home in his con veyance." "Certainly, mother, and will be very glad of your good company," said Harold, while at the same time Violet exclaimed, "But why go at all to-night, mother? Why not stay here with us ?" "Thank you, daughter," was the smil ing reply; "that would be pleasant, but there are some things to be attended to at home." "And not being well, she would better have her doctor close at hand," remarked Harold, in playful tone. "Mother, we have bee contriving a plan to help you and Ches ter to get the better of your colds." "Ah, what is that?" she asked, and Har old, turning to the Captain, said, "Let mother hear it from you, Brother Levis, if you please." "We are thinking of taking a southward trip in the 'Dolphin/ mother visiting the ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 59 Bermudas, Bahamas and other of the West Indies and the coast of Brazil." "Why, that would be a lovely trip!" she exclaimed. "Many thanks to you, Captain, for including me among your invited guests." "Many thanks to you, mother, if you con sent to make one of our party," he returned, looking greatly pleased to find her so ready to approve of and share their plans. Eager, excited remarks and queries now followed in rapid succession from the others present "When was the start to be made? Who besides Grandma Elsie and the Captain were to compose the party ?" "All who are here now are invited and ex pected to go; some others of our friends also," replied the Captain, "and I hope no one will refuse." "Thanks, warm thanks," said Chester. "I should be delighted to go, but fear business will prevent." "As your physician, Ches, I strongly ad vise you not to let it," said Harold. "A good 60 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP rest now in a warm climate may restore you to vigorous health, while if you stay at home and stick to business you are likely to either cut your life short or make yourself a con firmed invalid for the rest of it." "Do you really think so, cousin doctor?" was Chester's rejoinder in a troubled voice. "I do most emphatically," returned Har old. "You may be very thankful, cousin, that this good opportunity offers." "I am," said Chester. Then turning to the Captain. "Thank you very much, sir, for the invitation, which I accept, if my wife will go with me." "You needn't doubt that," laughed Lucil- la. "There is nothing I like better than i trip on my father's yacht, with him and all my dear ones about me." "And it's just the same with all the rest of us," said Grace. "And how is it with Max and Eva ?" asked the Captain. "I know of nothing more enjoyable than that a trip on the 'Dolphin' taken in the ELSIE'8 WINTER TRIP 61 company of one's dear ones," replied Evelyn with a loving look into the eyes of her young husband. "Just my opinion," he said, with a smile; "the only question with me is, Will Uncle Sam allow me a sufficiently long leave of ab sence." "Your leave of absence has nearly ex pired?" his father said, inquiringly. "Yes, sir; so nearly that I should hardly feel surprised to receive orders any day." "Well, I hope, instead, you may get an other leave, allowing you time to make one of our party." "It would be a very great pleasure to me, sir," said Max. "But I have had so long a one already that I can hardly hope for an other very soon." "Oh, Max!" exclaimed Grace, "do write at once asking to have it extended ; it would double our pleasure to have you along." "Yes, Max, do," said Lucilla. "I can hardly bear the thought of going without yon." 62 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP Evelyn, sitting close at his side, looked her entreaties, while Violet said, "Yes, Max, do ; it will double our enjoyment to have you and Eva along." Then Chester, Grandma Elsie, Harold and the children added their entreaties, ex pressing their desire for his company on the trip and ISTed exclaimed, "Yes, Brother Max, do get leave to go along; we'll want you to make fun for us with your ventriloquism." "Is that all you want me for, Neddie boy?" laughed Max. "If so, Cousin Ronald will answer your purpose quite as well, if not better." "But two can make more fun than one; and I want you besides, because I am really iond of you the only brother I've got." "Ah, that sounds better," said Max; "but I really can't go without Uncle Sam's per mission." "Then please do ask him to give it." "Yes, do, Max," said Grace; "I really think he might give it, considering what good service you did at Manila." ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 63 "It was not very much that I accom plished personally," returned Max modestly, "and the two months' rest I have had is prob ably quite as much as I may be supposed to have earned. Especially as it gave me the opportunity to secure my wife/* he added, with a very affectionate look at Evelyn. "I wish you might be able to go with us, Max, my son," said the Captain, "for leaving ventriloquism entirely out of the account, I should be very glad to have your company. But the service, of course, has the first claim on you." "So I think, sir; and as for the ventrilo quism, my little brother is so hungry for, Cousin Ronald can supply it should you take him as one of your passengers." "And that we will, if he and his wife can be persuaded to go," returned the Captain, heartily. "Oh, good, papa !" cried Ned, clapping his hands in glee, "then we'll have at least one ventriloquist, if we can't have two." 64 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP "And, after all, the ventriloquism was really all you wanted me for, eh ?" said Max, assuming a tone and look of chagrin. "Oh, no! no! Brother Max," cried 'Ned, with a look of distress. "I didn't mean that ! you know you're the only brother I have and I'm really fond of you." "As I am of you, little brother, and have been ever since you were born," said Max, regarding the little fellow with an affection ate smile. "Oh, Max, I wish you hadn't gone into the navy," sighed Lucilla. "I don't," he returned, cheerfully, "though I acknowledge that it is hard parting with home and dear ones." "That is bad, as I know by experience," said their father, "but then we have the com pensating joy of the many reunions." "Yes, sir ; and a great joy it is," responded Max. "How soon, father, do you think of starting on your southward trip?" "Just as soon as all necessary arrange ments can be made, which, I suppose, will ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 65 not be more than a week from this, at far thest. I can have the yacht made ready in less time than that, and for the sake of our invalids it would be well to go as promptly as possible." "Couldn't you make use of the telephone now, to give your invitations, my dear?" queried Violet. "Why, yes; that is a wise suggestion. I will do so at once," he replied, and hastily left the room, promising to return presently with the reply from Beechwood to which he would call first. The invitation was accepted promptly and with evident pleasure, as the Captain pres ently reported in the library. "Now, mother, shall I give my invitation in the same way to our own friends?" he asked, turning to Grandma Elsie. "Perhaps it would be as well to send it by Harold and me," she said, "as that will delay it very little, and I can perhaps help them to perceive what a delightful trip it is likely to prove." (Jg ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP "And then, mamma, you can give us their view by the 'phone," said Violet. "I, or some one of the family will," she said. "And now, Harold, we will go and at tend to the matter at once." CHAPTER V. CAPTAIN RAYMOND'S invitation proved scarcely less agreeable to Mr. and Mrs. Dins- more than to their younger friends and rela tives, and their acceptance was telephoned to Woodburn before the Sunnyside party had left for their homes. All heard it with satis faction, for Grandpa and Grandma Dins- more were pleasant traveling companions. Some lively chat followed, in regard to needed preparations for the trip, and in the midst of it a servant came in with the after noon mail. The Captain distributed it and among Max's portion was a document of official ap pearance. Evelyn noted it with a look of ap prehension, and drew nearer to her young husband's side. "Orders, my son?" asked the Captain, $8 ELSIE'S "WINTER TRIP when Max had opened it and glanced over the contents. "Yes, sir; I am to go immediately to "Washington, upon the expiration of my leave which will be about the time the rest of you set sail in the 'Dolphin.' r The announcement seemed quite a damper upon the previous high spirits of the little company, and there were many expressions of disappointment and regret. "Well," said Chester, getting on his feet as he spoke, "I must go home now; there is a little matter in regard to one of my cases that must be attended to at once, since I am likely to leave the neighborhood so soon." "And if my husband goes, I must go, too," said Lucilla, in a lively tone, rising and tak ing up the wrap she had thrown off on com ing into the warm room. "It is near the dinner hour; you would better stay, all of you, and dine with us," said the Captain. All thanked him, but declined, each hav- ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 69 ing some special reason for wishing to go home at that particular time. "Well, come in and share a meal with us whenever you will," said the Captain. "I think you know, one and all, that you are heartily welcome." "Yes, father, we do," said Max, "and we are always glad when you care to breakfast, dine, or sup with us." "Any of us but papa ?" asked Ned. "Yes, indeed ; all of you from Mamma Vi down," laughed Max, giving the little fellow an affectionate clap on the shoulder as he passed him on his way out to the hall. "Yes, Ned, each one of you will always be a most welcome visitor," said Chester. "Indeed you will, you may be very sure of that," added Lucilla and Eva. "So sure are we of that, that you need not be surprised to see any of us at any time," laughed Violet. "Nor will we be surprised or grieved to see any or all of you at any time." "No, indeed! I want my daughters and sons also all to feel entirely at home always 70 ELSIE'S WWTER TRIP in their father's house," the Captain said, with his genial smile. "Thank you, father dear, and don't forget that Sunnyside is one of your homes, and we are always ever so glad to open its doors to you," said Lucilla, going to him and hold ing up her face for a kiss, which he gave with warmth of affection. "And not Lu's side only, but ours as well," added Evelyn, holding out her hand and looking up lovingly into his face. He took the hand, drew her closer to him and gave her a caress as affectionate as that he had just bestowed upon Lucilla. The rest of the good-byes were quickly said, and both young couples were wending their homeward way. They were all in thoughtful mood, and the short walk was taken in almost unbroken silence. Eva's heart was full at thought of the ap proaching separation from her young hus band. How could she bear it? He seemed almost all the world to her, now that they had been for weeks such close companions, ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 71 and life without his presence would be lonely and desolate indeed. She passed up the stair way to their bedroom, while he paused in the hall below to remove his overcoat and hat. Her eyes were full of tears, as she disposed of her wraps, then crossed the room to her mirror to see that dress and hair were in perfect order. "No improvement needed, my own love, my darling," Max said, coming up behind her and passing an arm about her waist. At that she turned and hid her face upon his breast. "Oh, Max, my husband, my dear, dear husband," she sobbed, "how can I live away from you? You are now more than all the world to me." "As you are to me, dear love. It is hard to part, but we will hope to meet again soon ; and in the meantime let us write to each other every day. And as there is no war now you need not feel that your husband is in any special danger." "Yes, thank Gtxl for that," she said, "and 72 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP that we may .know that we are both in his kind care and keeping wherever we are." "And surely you will be less lonely than you were before our marriage father claims you as his daughter, Chester and little !NTed are your brothers, Lu and Grace your sisters." "Yes, oh yes; I have a great deal to be thankful for, but you are to me a greater blessing than all the world." "As you are to me, dearest," was his re sponse, as he held her close to his heart, pressing warm kisses on cheek and brow and lip. Meanwhile, on the other side of the hall, Chester and Lucilla were chatting about the Captain's plan for a winter trip. "I think it will be just delightful, Ches ter," she said, "since I am to have you along. I am so glad you are going, sorry as I am that ill-health makes it necessary." "Yes, my dear," he returned with a smile, "I am fortunate, indeed, in having so loving a wife and so kind and able a father-in-law. ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 73 1 am truly sorry that I must leave some im portant business matters to which I should like to give attention promptly and in per son, but I intend to put that care aside and enjoy our holiday as fully as possible. I heartily wish Max could go with us. I think it would almost double the pleasure of the trip." "As I do," responded Lucilla, with a sigh ; "lout it seems one can never have all one wants in this world. I doubt if it would be good for us if we could." "No, it assuredly would not. Now, my dear, I am going down to the library to look at some papers connected with one of my cases, and shall probably be busy over them until the call to dinner." The next few days were busy ones with those who were to have a part in the southern trip of the "Dolphin." Woodburn and Sun- nyside were to be left in the care of Christine and Alma, with a sufficient number of serv ants under them to keep everything in order. Max went with the others to the yacht, 74: ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP spent a half hour there, then bade good-bye, went ashore and took a train for Washing ton. It was Eva's first parting from her husband, and she shut herself into her state room for a cry to relieve her pent-up feelings of grief and loneliness. But presently there was a gentle little tap at the door and Elsie Raymond's sweet voice asked, "Sister Eva, dear, don't you want to come on deck with me and see them lift the anchor and start the 'Dolphin' on her way?" "Yes, dear little sister ; thank you for com ing for me," replied Evelyn, opening the door. "All the rest of us were there and I thought you would like to be there, too," con tinued the little girl, as they passed through the saloon and on up the stairway. "Yes, little sister, it was very kind in you to think of me." "But I wasn't the only one; everybody seemed to be thinking of you and looking round for you. So I asked papa if I should come for you, and he said yes." ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 75 "It was very kind in both him and you, little sister Elsie," Eva said, with a smile. "Our dear father is always kind, and I am very glad to be his daughter." "So am I," returned Elsie, with a happy little laugh. "I think he's the dearest, kind est father that ever was made." They had just reached the deck at that moment, and as they stepped upon it they caught sight of Harold and Grace standing near, looking smilingly at them, pleased with Elsie's tribute to her father, which they had accidentally overheard. "Oh, Uncle Harold, you'll take Sister Eva to a good place to see everything from, wont you?" exclaimed Elsie. "Yes, little niece, the everything you mean," he returned, laughingly. "There is room for us all. Come this way," he added, and led them to that part of the deck where the other passengers were grouped. There they were greeted with kindness and given a good place for seeing all the prepara tions for starting the vessel on her way to 76 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP the Bermudas. She was soon moving swiftly in that direction, and, a cool breeze having sprung up, her passengers left the deck for the warmer and more comfortable saloon. "Elsie and JN^ed wouldn't you like your grandma to tell you something about the islands we are going to?" asked Mrs. Tra- villa; the two little ones being, as usual, quite near her. "Yes, indeed! grandma," both answered, in eager tones, seating themselves one on each side of her. "I heard papa say it wouldn't be a very long voyage we would take at the start, because the Bermudas were only about six hundred miles away from our coast," said Elsie. "They belong to England, don't they, grandma?" "Yes; but they were named for a Span iard, Bermudez, who first sighted them in 1527; they are also called Somers's Isles from Sir George Somers, an Englishman, who was shipwrecked there in 1609. That was what led to their colonization from Vir ginia two years later when it was itself only four years old." ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 77 "Are they big islands, grandma? and are Acre many of them ?" asked Ned. "No, there are perhaps five hundred of them, but the whole group measures only about twelve thousand acres in all. They occupy a space only about twenty miles long by six broad." "Then the group isn't worth very much, I suppose." "Yes, because its situation makes it a natural fortress which can hardly be over rated. They form a bond of union between two great divisions of British America; on each side of them is a highway between the Gulf of Mexico and the North Atlantic. There are many picturesque creeks and bays, large and deep, the water so clear as to re veal, even to its lowest depths, the many va rieties of fish sporting among the coral rocks, and the beautifully variegated shells." "And it has a warm climate, hasn't it, grandma ?" asked Elsie. "I think that is why we are going there." "Yes, the climate is said to be like that of 78 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP Persia, with the addition of a constant sea- breeze." "I shall like that," responded the little girl with satisfaction. "But what kind of people live there, grandma ?" "A good many whites and still more col ored people." "Slaves, grandma?" asked Ned. "No; the islands belong to England, and years ago she abolished slavery in all her do minions." "What are the names of some of them, grandma? the islands, I mean." "The largest, which is fifteen miles long, is called Bermuda ; St. George is three and a half miles long and is the military station of the colony; it commands the entrance of the only passage for large vessels. Its land locked haven and the narrow and intricate channel leading into it are defended by strong batteries." "You have been there, haven't you, grandma ?" "Yes; years ago," she said, with a sigh, ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 79 thinking of the loved partner of her life who had been with her then and there. "And your Granpa Dinsmore and I were there at the same time," remarked Grandma Dinsmore, sitting near; and she went on to give a graphic account of scenes they had witnessed there, Mr. Dinsmore presently joining in a way to make it very interesting to the children. CHAPTER VI. GBANDPA DINSMORE had hardly finished relating his reminiscences of his former vis its to the Bermudas when a sailor-lad came down the companionway with a message from the Captain an invitation to any or all his passengers to come up on deck, as there was something he wished to show them. It was promptly and eagerly accepted by the young folks, somewhat more slowly and sedately by the older ones. "What is it, papa? Have you something to show us?" queried ISTed, as he gained his father's side. "Something lying yonder in the sea, my son, the like of which you have never seen before," replied the Captain, pointing to a large object in the water at some little dis tance. "Ah, a whale!" exclaimed. Dr. Travilla, ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 81 who had come up on Ned's other side. "To what genus does he belong, Captain ?" "He is a bottlenose; a migratory species, confined to the North Atlantic. It ranges far northward in the summer, southward in the winter. In the early spring they may be found around Iceland and Greenland, West ern Spitsbergen, in Davis Strait and prob ably about Novaia Zemlia." "Oh, do they like to live right in among the icebergs, papa ?" asked Elsie. "No, they do not venture in among the ice itself, but frequent open bays along its mar gin, as in that way they are sheltered from the open sea." "The group gathered about the Captain on the deck now comprised all his cabin passen gers, not one of whom failed to be interested in the whale, or to have some remark to make or question to ask. "This one seems to be alone," remarked Lucilla. "Do they usually go alone, papa ?" "No ; they are generally found in h*rds of from four to ten; and many differed Verda 82 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP may be found in sight at the same time. The old males, however, are frequently solitary; though sometimes one of them may be seen leading a herd. These whales don't seem to be afraid of ships, swimming around them and underneath the boats till their curiosity is satisfied." "I suppose they take them the ships for a .kind of big fish," laughed Ned. "Why is this kind of whale called bottle- nosed, papa?" asked Elsie. "That name is given it because of the ele vation of the upper surface of the head above the rather short beak and in front of the blow hole into a rounded abrupt promi nence." "Blow hole," repeated Ned, wonderingly; what's that, papa ?" "The blow holes are their nostrils through which they blow out the water collected in them while they are down below the waves. They cannot breath under the water, but must come up frequently to take in a fresh supply of air. But first they must expel the ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP g3 air remaining in their lungs, before taking in a fresh supply. They send that air out with great force, so that it rises to a consid erable height above the water, and as it is saturated with water-vapor at a high temper ature, the contact with the cold outside air condenses the vapor which forms a column of steam or spray. Often, however, a whale begins to blow before its nostrils are quite above the surface, and then some sea-water is forced up with the column of air." They were watching the whale while they talked; for it followed the yacht with seem ing curiosity. At this moment it rolled over nearly on its side, then threw its ponderous tail high into the air, so that for an instant it was perpendicular to the water, then van ished from sight beneath the waves. "Oh, dear," cried ISTed, "he's gone ! I wish he'd stayed longer." "Perhaps he will come back and give us the pleasure of seeing him spout," said the Captain." "Do you mean throw the water up out of 84 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP ite nostrils, papa?" asked Ned. "Oh, I'd like that!" "Ah, there's the call to supper," said his father, as the summons came at that moment. "You wouldn't like to miss that?" "No, sir," returned Ned, in a dubious tone. "But couldn't we let the supper wait till the whale comes up and gets done spout- ing?" "Perhaps some of the older people may be too hungry to wait comfortably," returned his father ; "and the supper might be spoiled by waiting. But cheer up, my son ; the whale is not likely to come up to the surface again before we can finish our meal and come back to witness his performance." That assurance was quite a relief to Ned's mind, so that he went very cheerfully to the table with the others, and there did full jus tice to the viands. No one hurried with the meal, but when they left the table it was to go upon deck again and watch for the reappearance of the ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 85 whale. They had been there for but a mo ment when, to the delight of all, it came up, not too far away to be distinctly seen, and at once began spouting or blowing; discharg ing the air from its lungs in preparation for taking in a fresh supply; the air was sent out with great force, making a sound that could be heard at quite a distance, while the water-vapor accompanying the air was so condensed as to form a column of spray. It made five or six respirations, then swam away and was soon lost to sight. Then the company returned to the cabin as the more comfortable place, the evening air being decidedly cool. Ned. seated himself close to his father, and, in coaxing tones, asked for something more about whales. "Are there many kinds, papa?" he queried. "Yes, my son, a good many; more than you could remember. Would you like me to tell you about some of the more interesting ones F "Oh, yes, indeed, papa!" was the em- 86 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP phatic and pleased response, and the Captain began at once. "There are the whalebone or true whales, which constitute a single family. They have no teeth, but, instead, horny plates of baleen or whalebone, which strain from, the water the small animals upon which the whale feeds." "Oh, yes, I know about whalebones," said !N~ed. "Mamma and sisters have it in their dresses. And it comes out of the whale's mouth, does it, papa?" "Yes; it is composed of many flattened, horny plates placed crosswise on either side of the palate, and separated from one an other by an open space in the middle line. They are smooth on the outer side, but the inner edge of each plate is frayed out into a kind of fringe, giving a hairy appearance to the whole of the inside of the mouth when viewed from below." "Whalebone or baleen is black, isn't it, papa?" asked Ned. "Not always; the color may vary from ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 87 black to creamy white; and sometimes it is striped dark and light." "Is there much of it in one whale, papa ?" "Yes, a great deal on each side of the jaw ; there are more than three hundred of the plates, which, in a fine specimen, are about ten or twelve feet long and eleven inches wide at their base; and so much as a ton's weight has been taken from a large whale." "And is the baleen all they kill the whales for, papa?" "Oh, no, my son ! the oil is very valuable, and there is a great deal of it in a large whale. One has been told of which yielded eighty-five barrels of oil." "Oh, my ! that's a great deal/' cried ~Ned. "What a big fellow he must have been to hold so much as that." "The whale is very valuable to the people of the polar regions," continued the Captain. "They eat the flesh, and drink the oil." "Oh, papa! drink oil!" cried little Elsie, with a shudder of disgust. "It seems very disgusting to us," he said, 88 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP with a smile, "but in that very cold climate it is an absolute necessity needful, in order to keep up the heat of the body by a bounti ful supply of carbon." "Whales are so big and strong it must be very dangerous to go near them, I suppose," said Elsie, with an inquiring look at her father. "That is the case with some of the spe cies," he said, "but not with all. The Green land whale, for instance, is inoffensive and timorous, and will always flee from the pres ence of man, unless roused by the pain of a wound or the sight of its offspring in danger. In that case, it will sometimes turn fiercely upon the boat in which the harpooners are who launched the weapon, and, with its enor mous tail, strike it a blow that will shatter it and drive men, ropes and oars high into the air. That Greenland whale shows great af fection for both its mate and its young. When this whale is undisturbed, it usually remains at the surface of the water for ten minutes and spouts eight or nine times ; then ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 89 it goes down for from five to twenty minutes, then conies back to the surface to breath again. But when harpooned, it dives to a great depth and does not come up again for half an hour. By noticing the direction of the line attached to the harpoon, the whalers judge of the spot in which it will rise and generally contrive to be so near it when it shows itself again, that they can insert an other harpoon, or strike it with a lance be fore it can go down again." "Poor thing !" sighed little Elsie, "I don't know how men can have the heart to be so cruel to animals that are not dangerous." "It is because the oil, whalebone and so forth, are so valuable," said her father. "It sometimes happens that a stray whale blun ders into the shallow waters of the Bermu das, and not being able to find the passage through which it entered, cannot get out again ; so is caught like a mouse in a trap. It is soon discovered by the people, and there is a great excitement; full of delight, they quickly launch their boats filled with men 90 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP armed with guns, lances and other weapons which would be of little use in the open sea, but answer their purpose in these shoal waters. "As soon as the whale feels the sharp lance in its body it dives as it would in the open sea ; but the water is so shallow that it strikes its head against the rocky bed of the sea with such force that it rises to the surface again half stunned. "The hunters then take advantage of its bewildered condition to come close and use their deadly weapons till they have .killed it. The fat and ivory are divided among the hunters who took part in the killing, but the flesh is given to any one who asks for it." "Is it really good to eat, papa?" asked ISFed. "Those who are judges of whale flesh say there are three qualities of meat in every whale, the best resembling mutton, the sec ond similar to pork, and the third resembling beef." "The whales are so big and strong; don't ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 91 they ever fight back when men try to kill them, papa ?" asked Elsie. "Yes," he replied, "sometimes a large whale will become beligerent, and is then a fearful antagonist, using its immense tail and huge jaws with fearful effect. I have heard of one driving its lower jaw entirely through the plankings of a stout whaling boat, and of another that destroyed nine boats in succession. ~Not only boats, but even ships have been sunk by the attack of an in furiated old bull cachalot. And an Ameri can ship, the 'Essex,' was destroyed by the vengeful fury of a cachalot, which acciden tally struck itself against the keel. Probably it thought the ship was a rival whale; it re tired to a short distance, then charged full at the vessel, striking it one side of the bows, and crushing beams and planks like straws. There were only a few men on board at the time, most of the crew being in the boats en gaged in chasing whales; and when they re turned to their ship they found her fast sink ing, so that they had barely time to secure a 92 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP scanty stock of provisions and water. Using these provisions as economically as they could, they made for the coast of Peru, but only three lived to reach there, and they were found lying senseless in their boat, which was drifting at large in the ocean." "I wonder any one is willing to go whaling when they may meet with such dreadful ac cidents," said Evelyn. "I suppose it must be very profitable to tempt them to take such risks," remarked Chester. "It is quite profitable," said the Captain; "a single whale often yields whalebone and blubber to the value of thirty-five hundred or four thousand dollars." "I should think that might pay very well, particularly if they took a number." "Our whale fishing is done mostly by the New Englanders, isn't it, papa?" asked Grace. ''Yes," he said, "they went into it largely at a very early date ; at first on their own coasts, but they were deserted by the whales before ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 93 the middle of the eighteenth century; then ships were fitted out for the northern seas. But for a number of years the American whale-fishery has been declining, because of the scarcity of whales and the substitutes for whale oil and whalebone that have been found. However, IsTew Bedford, Massachu setts, is the greatest whaling port in the world. "Now it is nearing your bedtime, my boy, and I think you have had enough about the whale and his habits for one lesson." "Yes, papa; and I thank you very much for telling it all to niB," replied Ned, with a loving, grateful look up into his father's face. CHAPTER VII. SOME two hours later the Captain was tak ing his usual evening walk upon the deck, when Lucilla and Evelyn joined him. "We feel like taking a little stroll, father, and hope you will not object to our com pany," remarked Evelyn, as they reached his side. "I could not, with truth, say it was un pleasant to me, daughter," he returned, with a smile, and passing a hand caressingly over her hair, as she stood close at his side. "The fact is, I am very glad of the companionship of you both." "And we are both thankful to hear you say it, I am sure," returned Lucilla, in a sprightly tone, and with a bright, loving look up into his eyes. "I'd be heart-broken if I thought my father didn't love me enough to care to have me near him." ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 95 "And I should be much distressed if I had reason to believe my daughter didn't care to be near me. If Grace were as strong and healthy as you are, it would double the pleas ure to have her with us. She has gone to her stateroom, I suppose." "Yes, papa, and most of the others have retired to their rooms, too. Dr. Harold and Chester are playing a game of chess, and so will hardly miss Eva and me." "Perhaps not; so we will take our prome nade undisturbed by anxiety about them," laughed the Captain, offering an arm to each. It was a beautiful evening; the moon was shining in a clear sky and making a silvery pathway upon the waters. "Where do you suppose Max is now, fa ther ?" asked Evelyn, with a slight sigh. "Probably in Washington; though it is possible he may have received his orders and gone aboard his vessel." "And doubtless he is thinking of you, Eva, as you are of him," said Lucilla, speaking in low, tender tones. 96 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP "Itfo doubt of it," said their father, "for he is very fond of his sweet, young wife. As we all are, daughter dear," he added, softly patting the small, white hand resting upon his arm. "Dear father," she said, with emotion, ""it is so kind in you to give me the fatherly af fection I have so missed and longed for in years past." "And daughterly affection from you is an adequate return," he said pleasantly. "I ex pect to enjoy that in all this winter's wan derings by sea and land." "Wanderings which I am very glad to be allowed to share," she said; and then they talked of the various places they expected to visit while on this winter trip. At length Evelyn, saying it was high time for her to join Grace in the stateroom they shared together, said good-night and re turned to the cabin, but Lucilla delayed her departure a little longer it was so pleasant to have her father all to herself for a bit of private chat before retiring for the night. ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 97 They paced the deck silently for a few moments, then she said: "Father, I have thought a good deal of that talk we had in our Bible lesson some time ago, about the second coming of Christ. Do you think it his coming is very near ?" "It may be, daughter. The signs of the times seem to indicate its approach. Jesus said, 'Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only.' He has given us signs, however, by which we may know that it is near; and judging by them we may, I think, know that it is not very far off now." "Then, papa, doesn't it seem as if we ought to be busied with religions duties all the time ?" "I think whatever duties the Lord gives us in His Providence may, in some sense, be called religious duties for me, for instance, the care of wife, children and dependents. We are to go on with household and family duties, those to the poor and needy in our neighborhood; also to take such part as we 98 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP can in the work of the church at home and for foreign missions, and so forth; all this, remembering his command, 'Occupy till I come,' and endeavoring to be ready to meet him with joy when he comes." "And isn't a very important part trying to win souls to Christ ?" "It is, indeed, and 'he that winneth souls is wise.' Leading a truly Christlike life may often win them to join us in being his dis ciples, even though we refrain from any word of exhortation; though there are times when we should not refrain from giving that also." "As you did to me, father," she said, with a loving look up into his face. "Oh, I shall try to be a winner of souls. The Bible makes the way clear, again and again, in a very few words. You know it tells us Jesus said to Nicodemus, 'God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' ' "Yes ; and Peter said to Cornelius and his ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 99 kinsmen and friends, after telling them of Jesus, 'To Him give all the prophets wit ness, that through His name whosoever be- lieveth in Him shall receive remission of sins.' And Paul and Silas, when asked by the jailor, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved ?' replied, 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.' Salvation is God's free gift, without money and without price. One must believe in His divinity, His ability and willingness to save, taking salvation at His hands as a free, unmerited gift. But now, dear child," he added, taking her in his arms, with a fond caress, "it is time for you and that not very strong husband of yours to be seeking your nest for the night. 'The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; the Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gra cious unto thee; the Lord lift up His coun tenance upon thee, and give thee peace.' " he added in solemn tones, laying a hand ten derly upon her head as he spoke. "Thank you, dear father," she said, in tones half tremulous with emotion, "I do so 100 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP love that blessing from your lips. And Ches ter and I both think I have the beet father ra the world." "It is pleasant to have you think that," he returned, with a smile and another caress, %ut no doubt there are many fathers in the world quite as good, kind and affectionate as yours ; perhaps if my daughters were less af fectionate and obedient than they are, they might find their father more stern and se vere. Now, good-night and may you have peaceful sleep undisturbed by troubled dreams." CHAPTER VHL THE next morning was bright and clear, the air so much warmer than that which had been left behind on their own shores, that one and all repaired to the deck after break fast, and preferred to remain there during the greater part of the day. Mr. Horace Dinsmore, his wife and daughter were sit ting near together, the ladies occupied with some crocheting, and Mr. Dinsmore with a book in hand, which he did not seem to be reading, when Elsie and Ked Raymond, who had been gamboling about the deck, came dancing up to them with a request for "more about Bermuda." "You don't want to be surprised by the pretty things you will see there, eh ?" queried their grandpa. "N"o, sir ; we want to hear about them first 102 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP and see them afterward; if it isn't troubling you too much," said Elsie, with a coaxing look up into his face. "Well, considering that you are my great grandchildren, I think I must search my memory for something interesting on the subject. There are many picturesque creeks and bays. There are four pretty large islands Bermuda, the largest, being fifteen miles long. The strange shapes of the islands and the number of spacious lagoons make it neces sary to travel about them almost entirely in boats; which is very pleasant, as you glide along under a beautiful blue sky and through waters so clear that you can see even to their lowest depths, where the fish sport among the coral rocks, and exquisitely variegated shells abound." "Oh, I shall like that!" exclaimed Elsie. "Are the fish handsome, too, granpa ?" "Some of them are strikingly so," he re plied. "One called the parrot-fish is of a green color as brilliant as that of his bird namesake. His scales are as green as the ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 103 fresh grass of spring-time, and each one is bordered by a pale brown line. His tail is banded with nearly every color of the rain bow, and his fins are pink." "Is he good to eat, grandpa?" asked Ned. "No, his flesh is bitter and poisonous to man and probably to other fishes. So they let him well alone." "Well, I suppose he's glad of that," laughed Ned. "The more I hear about Ber muda, grandpa, the gladder I am that we are going there." "Yes ; and you may well be thankful that you have so good and kind a father, and that he owns this fine yacht." "Yes, sir, I am that ; but I'd rather be his son than anybody else's if he didn't own any thing but me." "And I'm just as pleased to be his daugh ter," said Elsie. "And I to be his grandfather-in-law," added Mr. Dinsmore, with comically grave look and tone. 104 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP "Yes, sir; Grandpa Travilla would have been his papa's father-in-law if he had lived, wouldn't he ?" "Yes ; and almost as old as I am. He was my dear, good friend, and I gave him my daughter to be his wife." "That was you, grandma, wasn't it?'* asked Ned, turning to Mrs. Travilla. "Yes, dear," she said, with a smile and a sigh, "and if he had stayed with us until now you would have loved him as you do Grandpa Dinsmore." "Yes, indeed, grandma," came softly and sweetly from the lips of both children. There was a moment of subdued silence, then Grandpa Dinsmore went on. "There are many pretty creatures to be seen in the waters about Bermuda. There is a kind of fish called angels, that look very bright and pretty. They have a beautiful blue stripe along the back, and long stream ers of golden yellow, and they swim very gracefully about. But they are not so good as they are pretty. They pester the other ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 105 fishes by nibbling at them, and so, often, get into a quarrel, fighting with a long, sharp spine which they have on each gill-cover, making ugly wounds with it on those they are fighting. "Among the outer reefs we will, perhaps, see a speckled moray. He looks like a com mon eel, except that his body is dark-green necked with bright yellow spots, which makes him quite a handsome fellow. There is a fish the Bermuda fishermen call the 'Spanish hogfish,' and when asked why they give it that name they say, 'Why, sir, you see it lazes around just like a hog, and car ries the Spanish colors.' ' "Spanish colors? What are they, grand pa ?" queried Ned. "The fish," said Mr. Dinsmore, "is brown ish red from his head to the middle of his body, and from there to the end of his tail a bright yellow ; and those are the colors of the Spanish flag." "I'm glad we are going to Bermuda," re marked Elsie, with a happy little sigh, "for 106 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP I'm sure there must be a great deal there worth seeing." "And your father is just the kind of man to help you to a sight of all such things," re sponded Mr. Dinsmore. "Yes, sir," said Elsie, "papa never seems to think it too much trouble to do anything to give us pleasure." "Ah, what father would, if he had such a dear little girl and boy as mine ?" queried a manly voice just behind them, while a gentle hand was laid caressingly on Elsie's head. "Oh, papa, I didn't know you were so near," she exclaimed, with a laugh and a blush. "Wont you sit down with us ? Grand pa Dinsmore has been telling us very inter esting things about Bermuda." "And papa can probably tell some that will be more interesting," remarked Mr. Dinsmore, as the Captain took possession of Elsie's seat and drew her to one upon his knee. That suited the little maid exactly ; in her ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP opinion no seat was more desirable than "papa's knee." "Now, papa, we're ready to hear all you know about Bermuda," said Ned, with a look of eager interest. "Perhaps you are more ready to hear than I to tell," the Captain answered, with an amused smile. "At any rate, I want, first, to hear what you have been told, lest I should waste my time and strength in repeating it." The children eagerly repeated what had been told them, the Captain added a few more facts about the beautiful things to be seen in the clear Bermuda waters the coral reefs and the plants and animals that cover them; then the call to dinner came, and all left the deck for the dining-saloon. Almost the whole party were on deck again immediately upon leaving the table. The older ones were scattered here and there in couples or groups, but Elsie and Ned sauntered along together chatting in low tones, as if not wanting to be overheard by the older people. 108 EL8I&8 WINTER TRIP "Yes, I am sorry," sighed Elsie, in reply to something her brother had said; "Christ mas is such a delightful time at home, and, of course, we can't expect to have one here on the yacht. "No," said Ned, brightening, "but, of course, we can give Christmas gifts to each other, if if we get to Bermuda in time to buy things. I s'pose there must be stores there." "Surely, I should think. I'll ask mamma or papa about it." "Have you any money ?" "Yes ; I have two dollars Fve been saving up to buy Christmas gifts. How much have you?" "Fifty cents. It isn't much, but it will buy some little things, I guess." "Yes, of course it wilL But, oh, Ned, Christmas comes Monday. To-morrow is Sunday; so we couldn't do any shopping, even if we were on the land ; and we may as well give it up." ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP 109 "Yes, but we are having a very good time here on the 'Dolphin/ aren't we, Elsie ?" "Yes, indeed! and it would be really shameful for us to fret and worry over miss ing the usual Christmas gifts and pleas ures." The two had been so absorbed in the sub ject they were discussing that they had not noticed an approaching step, but now a hand was laid on a shoulder of each, and their fa ther's loved voice asked, in tender tones: "What is troubling my little son and daugh ter? Tell papa, and perhaps he may find a way out of the woods." "Yes, papa; they are not very thick woods," laughed Elsie. "It is only that we are sorry we can't have any Christmas times this winter, or remember anybody with gifts, because we can't go to any stores to buy any thing." "Are you quite sure of all that, daughter ?" he asked, with a smile, smoothing her hair caressingly as he spoke. HO ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP "I thought I was, but perhaps my father knows better," she answered, with a pleased little laugh. "Well, I think a man of my age ought to know more than a little girl of yours. Don't you?" "Oh, yes, indeed! and I know my father knows many, many times more than I do. Is there any way for us to get gifts for all these dear folks on the yacht with us, or for any of them, papa ?" "Yes, I remembered Christmas when we were getting ready to leave home, and pro vided such gifts as seemed desirable for each one of my family to give to others. I will give you each your share to-night before you go to your berths, and you can decide how you will distribute them to whom you will give each one." "But, papa, I " Elsie paused, blush ing and confused. "Well, dear child, what is it?" asked her father, in gentle, affectionate tones. "I was thinking, papa, that they could ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP hardly be our gifts when you bought them and with your own money, not ours." "But I give them to you, daughter, and you may keep or give them away, just as you like. That makes them your gift quite as truly as if they had been bought with your own pocket money. Does it not ?" "Oh, yes, papa, so it seems to me, and I know it does since you say so," exclaimed Elsie joyously; !Ned joining in with, "Oh, that's just splendid, papa ! You are the best father in the world ! Elsie and I both think so." "Well, it is very pleasant to have my chil dren think so, however mistaken they may be," his father said, with a smile and an af fectionate pat on the little boy's shoulder. "Well, my dears, suppose we go down at once and attend to these matters. It will be better now than later, I think, and not so likely to keep you from getting to sleep in good season to-night." The children gave an eager, joyful assent, and their father led them down to the state- 112 ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP room occupied by Violet and himself, and opening a trunk there, brought to light a quantity o pretty things ribbons, laces, jewelry, books and pictures; also cards with the names of the intended recipients to be attached to the gifts, as the young givers might see fit. That work was undertaken at once, their father helping them in their selection and attaching the cards for them. It did not take very long, and they returned to the deck in gay spirits. "For what purpose did you two children take papa down below ? or was it he who took you ?" asked Lucilla, laughingly. "I think it was papa who took us," said ^Isie, smiling ,*p into his face as she spoke. "Wasn't it, papa ?" "Yes," he said, "and whoever asks about it may be told it was father's secret confer ence." "Oh," cried Lucilla, "it is a secret then, is it? I don't want to pry into other people's affairs ; so I withdraw my question." ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP H3 "Perhaps papa intends to take his other children you and me, Lu down in their turn," remarked Grace, laughingly, for she was sitting near her father, and had over heard the bit of chat. "I really had not thought of doing so," said the Captain, "but it is a good idea. Come, now, both of you," he added, leading the way. "I suppose you two have not for gotten that to-morrow will be Sunday and the next day Christmas?" he said, inqui ringly, as they reached the saloon. "Oh, no, papa; you know you helped us, before we left home, in selecting gifts for Mamma Vi and the children and others," said Grace. "But how are we going to keep Christmas here on the yacht ?" "Pretty much as if we were at home on the land," he answered, with a smile. "There is a Christmas tree lying down in the hold. I intend having it set up here early Monday morning, and some of the early risers will perhaps trim it before the late ones are out of bed. Then it can be viewed, and the gifts ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP distributed when all are ready to take part in the work and fun. Now, if you wish I will show you the gifts I have pre pared for my family not including your selves," he interpolated, with a smile. "Our guests and servants here and the crew of the vessel." The offer was gladly accepted, the gifts viewed with great interest and pleasure, the girls chatting meanwhile with affectionate and respectful familiarity with their loved father. "I like your plan, father, very much in deed," said Lucilla; "and as it is easy and natural for me to wake and rise early, I should like to help with the trimming of the tree, if you are willing." "Certainly, daughter, I shall be glad to have you help and to put the gifts intended for you on afterward," he added, with a smile. "Yes, sir; and perhaps your daughters may treat you in the same way," she re turned demurely. "I suppose you would ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP H5 hardly blame them for following your ex ample F "I ought not to, since example is said to be better than precept. We will put these things away now, go back to our friends on deck, and try to forget gifts until Christmas morning." CHAPTER IX. !A& on former voyages on the "Dolphin," Sabbath day was kept religiously by all on board the vessel. Religious services prayer, praise and the reading of a sermon were held on deck, for the benefit of all, after which there was a Bible lesson led by Mr. Milburn, the subject being the birth of Jesus and the visits of the wise men from the east ; also the story of Bethlehem's shepherds and their angel visitants followed by their visit to the infant Saviour. The children went to bed early that night that as they said Christmas might come the sooner. Then the Captain, his older daughters, Chester, and Harold, had a little chat about what should be done in the morn ing. The young men were urgent that their assistance should be accepted in the matter of setting up and trimming the tree; the girls ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP also put in a petition for the privilege of helping with the work. To Lueilla their father answered, "You may, as I have said, for you are naturally an early bird, so that I think it cannot hurt you." Then turning to Grace,