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  ELSIE'S CABIN.]

  ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP.

  BY MARTHA FINLEY, AUTHOR OF "ELSIE DINSMORE," "ELSIE'S GIRLHOOD," "MILDRED KEITH," etc., etc.

  NEW YORK: DODD, MEAD & COMPANY, 1902.

  COPYRIGHT, 1902,

  BY

  DODD, MEAD & COMPANY.

  _First edition published October, 1902._

  ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP.

  CHAPTER I.

  "Lu, dear, can you give me an early breakfast to-morrow morning?" askedChester, as they made their preparations for retiring that first nightin 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 thecarriage at eight. He will drive me into town and then return, so thatcarriage and horses will be ready at a reasonably early hour for theother three owners--our brother and sister and yourself."

  "It was certainly very kind and thoughtful in you to give such anorder," she said with a smile, "but we would much prefer to have yourcompany in all our drives and visits."

  "And I should very much like to give it to you; but there is businessthat should have been attended to some time ago, and must not be longerdelayed."

  "If it is, it shall not be your wife's fault," she replied. "Thecook is still in the kitchen, and I will go and give my order for aseven-o'clock breakfast."

  "Lu, dear," Chester said, on her return, "it will not be at allnecessary for you to rise in time for so early a breakfast, I can pourmy 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 coffee, and seethat you have an appetizing breakfast and do justice to it."

  "Your presence will make it doubly enjoyable, 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 replied; "but I am accustomed toearly rising and it agrees with me. Oh, I think I shall greatly enjoytaking early breakfast with you. Isn't it delightful to begin ourmarried life in so lovely a home of our very own?"

  "It is, indeed! and we owe it to your good, kind, and most generousfather."

  "He is that, most emphatically," responded Lucilla. "The dearest, best,and kindest father in the world."

  Seven o'clock the next morning found them cosily seated at a littleround table in their pretty dining-room, enjoying a delicious breakfastof fresh fruits, broiled fowl, hot muffins and coffee. These, added togood 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," Lucilla said, as she filled herhusband's cup for the second time. "I really think you ought to have atleast a little longer holiday."

  "I expect to take it piecemeal, nights and mornings, in the society ofmy wife," returned Chester, with affectionate look and smile. "I wasvery glad to get this case," he added, "for if I succeed with it itwill bring me in some thousands."

  "I shall be glad of that for your sake," said Lucilla; "but don't worktoo hard. You know you are not very strong; therefore you need to takegood care of yourself."

  "Ah, my dear, be careful how you encourage 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 notfound it out, but thought you one of the foolishly industrious peoplewho will even throw away health in order to get on rapidly with theirwork."

  "And I," laughed Chester, "took you for a woman of such discernmentthat you must have found out before this what a lazy, incompetentfellow you have thrown yourself away upon."

  "No; with all my discernment I have yet to make that discovery. I didnot marry the fellow yon describe--but a bright, talented, industriousyoung man. And I wont have him slandered."

  At that moment a servant came in with the announcement that thecarriage 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 sideof the table. "I will now take away the slanderer of your bright,talented, industrious young man," he remarked in sportive tone; "youshall be relieved of his presence until perhaps five o'clock thisafternoon."

  Before he had finished, Lucilla was standing by his side, her hand inhis.

  "Oh, dear! I wish you didn't have to go," she sighed. "We have beentogether all the time for weeks past and now I hardly know how I can dowithout 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 read, or somework on the typewriter, if you prefer that."

  "Any time that I am needed there I shall be ready to go," she returnedwith merry look and tone; "but to-day I have matters to attend toabout the house, and perhaps father and Mamma Vi may want some littleassistance from me in their preparations for to-night."

  "Yes, I daresay. What a round of parties we are likely to have togo through as part of the penalty for venturing into the state ofmatrimony."

  "Yes," laughed Lucilla, "but I hope you think it pays."

  "Most assuredly. But now good-bye, dearest, for some hours--when weshall have the pleasure of meeting to atone to us for the present painof parting." Lucilla followed him to the veranda, where they exchangeda parting caress, then watched as he entered the carriage and it droveswiftly through the grounds and out into the highway. Her eyes werestill following it when a pleasant, manly voice near at hand said"Good morning Mrs. Dinsmore."

  She turned quickly and sprang down the steps to meet the speaker.

  "Father, dear father!" she cried, springing into his outstretched arms,and putting hers about his neck, "Oh, how glad I am to see you! Howgood in you to come! Chester has just done eating his breakfast andgone off to his business, and I haven't quite finished my meal. Wontyou come in and eat with me?"

  "Ah, that would hardly do, daughter," was the smiling reply. "You knowI am expected to take that meal with wife and children at Woodburn. ButI will go in with you and we will have a chat while you finish yourbreakfast."

  "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 theWoodburn breakfast. And shall we not take a little stroll about yourgrounds when we leave the breakfast-room?"

  "I should greatly enjoy doing so along with my dear father," sheanswered with a smiling look up into his face, as they took theirplaces at the inviting-looking table. She poured his coffee, then theyate and chatted pleasantly the while about family matters and theentertainment to be given at Woodburn 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. "Youknow, papa, they had not the same occasion for early rising thatChester and I had."

  "True enough and Max is fully entitled to take his ease for thepresent. Don't you think so?"

  "Yes, indeed, papa. I am very glad the dear fellow is having a goodholiday after all he has gone through. Oh, I wish he had chosen somebusiness that would allow him to stay at home with us!"

  "That would be pleasanter for us, but our country must have a navy andofficers to command it."

  "Yes, sir; and so it is well that some men fancy that kind of life andemployment."

  "And no dou
bt Max inherits the taste for a seafaring life from me andmy forebears."

  "Father," said Lulu, "you will let me be your amanuensis again, willyou not?"

  "Thank you for your willingness to serve me in that, daughter," theCaptain returned pleasantly, "but you will find quite enough to do herein your own house, and both your Mamma Vi and your Sister Grace havetaken up your work in that line--sometimes one and sometimes the otherfollowing my dictation upon the typewriter."

  "Oh, I am glad that they can and will, for your sake, father, but Ihope I shall be permitted to do a little of my old work for you once ina while."

  "That is altogether likely," he said. "But now as we have finishedeating and drinking shall we not take our stroll about the grounds?"

  They did so, chatting pleasantly as was their wont; then returning tothe veranda they found Max and Evelyn there.

  Morning greetings were exchanged, then Evelyn, saying that theirbreakfast was just ready, invited the Captain to come in and shareit. But he declined, giving the same reason as before to Lucilla'sinvitation.

  "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 canspeak 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 ofmy 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 attraction to me is its near neighborhood to Woodburn--thehome where I have passed such happy years under my father's lovingcare." The bright, dark eyes she lifted to his face as she spoke werefull 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 affection; "andthat Max is with you in that. I am glad, too, that you all appreciatethis 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!" exclaimedLucilla. "I for one, feel that you have done, and are doing far morefor me than I deserve."

  "Which is nothing new for our father," remarked Max with a smile andlook into his father's face that spoke volumes of filial regard,respect and devotion.

  "And I am fortunate indeed in having children so dutiful, affectionateand appreciative," returned the Captain feelingly.

  He then took leave and went back to Woodburn, Lucilla accompanying himpart of the way, then returning to Sunnyside to give her orders forthe 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? andhave you decided where you wish to go?"

  "Yes," was the reply, "I want to go over to Woodburn for a bit of achat with Mamma Vi about the preparations for this evening, in which Isuppose you and Max will join me; and then wouldn't you like to driveover to Fairview for a call upon Aunt Elsie?"

  "Yes, indeed! I think she and uncle are entitled to the first call fromme, much as I want to see all the near and dear ones."

  "I perfectly agree with you in that, Eva," said Max. "They have filledthe place of parents to you, and I for one," he added with a veryloverlike 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 aglad welcome there followed by a few minutes' lively chat, principallyin regard to the coming event of the evening--the expected gathering ofinvited guests, relatives, neighbours and friends to welcome the returnof the newly-married couples from their bridal trip.

  "Is there anything I can do to help with your preparations, Mamma Vi?"asked Lucilla.

  "Thank you, Lu, but they are almost all made now, except what theservants will do," returned Violet, adding laughingly. "And if theywere not, it would surely hardly be the correct thing to let one of ourbrides be at the trouble of assisting with them."

  "Both of them would be very glad to give their help, if it were desiredor needed," said Evelyn. "We feel privileged to offer assistance,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 ofhis countenance 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 offurniture both there and in our little sitting-room and I want to showthem to you, Eva and Max." She rose as she spoke, the others followingher 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 andNed. 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," saidMax.

  "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 hisbrother's face.

  "Yes, indeed, Ned; and expect to do so again before very long."

  They were passing through the hall and up the stairway as they talked.

  "Oh, the dear old rooms look lovely, lovely!" exclaimed Lucilla, asthey passed into the little sitting-room she had formerly shared withher sister Grace, glanced around it and through the open doors into thetwo bedrooms. "It almost makes me homesick to be living in them again."

  "Well, daughter, you may come back whenever you choose," her fathersaid, with a look of mingled amusement and affection.

  "Why, Lu, I thought you loved that pretty new home papa has taken suchpains to make ready for you and Eva and Max and Chester," exclaimedElsie.

  "Yes, so I do; but this old home has the added charm of being papa'salso."

  "Yes; but the other is so near that you can see him every day, andoftener, if you choose."

  "And talk to him at any moment through the telephone, if she prefersthat to coming over here," said the Captain.

  "Oh, yes! how nice it is that our houses are all connected bytelephone," exclaimed Evelyn. "Father, if I may, I think I'll go toyours 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 andsmiling up into his face as they reached the instrument.

  "And I am glad my boy Max has given me the right," he returned, bendingdown 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 youwere in; because if you are, we are coming over directly to make you acall."

  "I think I shall be by the time you can get here," was the reply in atone of amusement. "But please don't delay, as we were about to startfor Sunnyside in a few minutes."

  "Oh, were you! Then we will drive over at once and accompany you on thetrip."

  "Thank you; that will be most pleasant."

  Eva stepped aside and Lucilla took her place.

  "Yes, Aunt Elsie, you will be a most welcome visitor in both divisionsof Sunnyside. Please don't neglect mine."

  "I certainly do not intend to," was the cheerily-spoken response, "foryour half of the dwelling is doubtless quite as well worth seeing asthe 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 canview the beauties of this any day. Wont you go with us, Grace? There isa vacant seat in the carriage."

  "Yes, do; we'd be glad to have you," urged both Eva and Lucilla, thelatter adding, "You have hardly yet taken
a look at our new homes withus in them."

  "Yes, go, daughter; I think you will enjoy it," her father said inreply to a questioning glance from her beautiful blue eyes, directed tohim.

  "Thank you all three," she said. "I will go if I may have ten minutesin which to get ready."

  "Fifteen, if necessary," replied Max, in sportive tone. "Even thatgreat loss of time will be well paid for by the pleasure of your goodcompany."

  "A well-turned compliment, brother mine," returned Grace, as shetripped 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; andNed can ride alongside on his pony, which I see is down yonder readysaddled and bridled," said Max, putting an arm round his little sister,as she stood by his side, and looking smilingly at her, then at Ned."Can't they go, father and Mamma Vi?"

  Both parents gave a ready consent, the children were delighted withthe invitation, and presently the party set out on their way toFairview.

  It was a short and pleasant drive, and they were greeted with a joyouswelcome on their arrival at Evelyn's old home, Mr. and Mrs. Leland andtheir four children meeting them on the veranda with smiles, pleasantwords and caresses for Grace, Eva, Lucilla and Elsie. Then they weretaken within and to the dining-room, where a delicate and appetizinglunch was awaiting them.

  "It is a little early for lunch," said Mrs. Leland, "but we knew youwould be wanting to get back to Sunnyside soon, in order not to missthe numerous calls about to be made you by friends and connections whoare 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 showour lovely homes; and I can assure you that no one can be more welcomethere than you and uncle and these dear cousins of mine."

  "And please understand that Eva has expressed my sentiments as fully asher 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. Leland, hospitably, "that is very bad for digestion and we maytake plenty of time, even at the risk of having some of your callersget 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, AuntElsie?" said Evelyn.

  "Oh, yes; and expect to have you all here to-morrow night. There isto be quite a round of parties--as doubtless you know--to celebratethe great event of your and Lu's entrance into the bonds of matrimony.There will be none Saturday night, but the round will begin againMonday evening by a party at Ion given by mamma, Edward and Zoe.Tuesday evening we are all to go to the Oaks; then after that will bethe Laurel's, Roselands, Beechwood, Pinegrove, Ashlands and others."

  "Don't forget Aunt Rosie's at Riverside, mamma," prompted Allie, hernine-year-old daughter.

  "No," returned her mother, "that would be quite too bad, for there isno one more ready to do honor to these dear friends of ours; especiallynow when they have just begun married life."

  "Ah, Aunt Elsie, that sounds as though you considered it something toone's credit to have left a life of single blessedness for one in themarried state," laughed Lucilla.

  "A state which I have found so pleasant that I think no one deservesany credit for entering it," was Mrs. Leland's smiling rejoinder.

  "And I have noticed," said Max, "that as a rule those who have tried itonce are very ready to try it again--widows and widowers seem in morehaste to marry than bachelors and maids."

  "'Marry in haste and repent at leisure,'" quoted Grace, laughingly."Father takes care that his children don't do the first, perhaps tosecure them from the second."

  "And we all have great confidence in our father's wisdom; as well ashis strong affection for us, his children," remarked Max.

  A sentiment which the others--his wife and sisters--promptly andcordially endorsed.