Mildred at Roselands Read online

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  A LIST OF THE ELSIE BOOKS AND OTHER POPULAR BOOKS BY MARTHA FINLEY

  _ELSIE DINSMORE._ _ELSIE'S HOLIDAYS AT ROSELANDS._ _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 WOODBURN._ _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._

  _MILDRED KEITH._ _MILDRED AT ROSELANDS._ _MILDRED'S MARRIED LIFE._ _MILDRED AND ELSIE._ _MILDRED AT HOME._ _MILDRED'S BOYS AND GIRLS._ _MILDRED'S NEW DAUGHTER._

  _CASELLA._ _SIGNING THE CONTRACT AND WHAT IT COST._ _THE TRAGEDY OF WILD RIVER VALLEY._ _OUR FRED._ _AN OLD-FASHIONED BOY._ _WANTED, A PEDIGREE._ _THE THORN IN THE NEST._

  MILDRED AT ROSELANDS

  A SEQUEL TO MILDRED KEITH

  BY MARTHA FINLEY

  "A sweet attractive kinde of grace, A full assurance given by lookes. Continuall comfort in a face The lineaments of Gospell bookes." --Mathew Roydon

  NEW YORK DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY Publishers

  Copyright, 1880, by Dodd, Mead & Company.

  NOTE.

  My story may seem to end somewhat abruptly; but is to be continued in afuture volume. The date of this tale is about four years earlier thanthat of Elsie Dinsmore--the first of the Elsie Series--and any one whocares to know more of the little heiress of Viamede, will find thenarrative of her life carried on in those books.

  M. F.

  MILDRED AT ROSELANDS.

  Chapter First.

  "Prayer ardent opens heaven." --Young.

  It was near noon of a bright warm day early in October. Mrs. Keith wasalone in her pretty sitting-room, busily plying her needle at the openwindow looking out upon the river.

  Occasionally she lifted her head and sent a quick, admiring glance atits bright, swiftly-flowing waters and the woods beyond, beautiful andgorgeous in their rich autumnal robes.

  There was a drowsy hum of insects in the air; and mingling with itthe cackle of a rejoicing hen, the crowing of a cock and other ruralsounds; the prattle of childish voices too came pleasantly to her ear,from the garden behind the house where the little ones were at play,calling, once and again, a tender, motherly smile to her lips.

  Yet a slight cloud of care rested on her usually calm and placidfeatures and thought seemed very busy in her brain.

  It was of Mildred she was thinking. Father and mother both had noticedwith a good deal of anxiety, that the young girl did not recover fullyfrom the severe strain of the long weeks of nursing that had fallen toher lot during the past summer.

  She was mush paler and thinner than her wont, had frequent headachesand seemed weak and languid, a very little exertion causing excessivefatigue.

  Only last night they had lain awake an hour or more talking about it,and consulting together as to what could be done for the "dear child."

  They feared the severity of the coming winter would increase hermalady, and wished very much that they could send her away for somemonths, or a year, to a milder climate; but the difficulty--apparentlyan insuperable one--was to find means.

  It took no small amount to feed, clothe and educate such a family astheirs, and sickness had made this year one of unusual expense.

  As the loving mother sat there alone she had turned over in her mindplan after plan for accomplishing this, which for her child's good, sheso ardently desired to do; but only to reject each in turn as utterlyimpracticable.

  Aunt Wealthy, she knew, would gladly receive Mildred into her pleasanthome for as long a time as her parents might be willing to spare her;but still there was the money to be provided for the journey, andbesides a yet milder climate than that of Lansdale was desirable.

  But the slight cloud lifted from Mrs. Keith's brow, and a sweetexpression of perfect peace and content took its place as she bethoughtof her best Friend and His infinite love and power. He could clearaway all these difficulties and would do so in answer to prayer, if inHis unerring wisdom He saw that it would be for their real good--theirtruest happiness.

  Her heart went up to him in a silent petition; and then a sweet, gladsong of praise burst half unconsciously from her lips.

  As she ceased a rap at the door into the hall--which as well as theouter one, stood wide open--caught her ear.

  She turned her head to see a tall gentleman, a fine looking,middle-aged man standing there and regarding her with a pleased smile.

  "Uncle Dinsmore! is it possible! Oh how glad I am to see you!" shecried, dropping her work and springing toward him with both handsextended.

  He took them, drew her to him and kissing her affectionately, first onone cheek, then on the other, said gayly, "I flattered myself you wouldbe, else I should not have traveled some hundreds of miles for theexpress purpose of paying you a visit. Fair and sweet as ever, Marcia!Time deals more gently with you than is his wont with the most of theworld."

  "Ah, I remember you as always given to pretty compliments," shereturned, with a pleased, but half incredulous smile, as she drewforward the most comfortable chair in the room and made him seathimself therein, while she relieved him of his hat and cane.

  "So I have taken you by surprise?" he said inquiringly and with asatisfied look.

  "I did not even know you were at the North. When did you leaveRoselands? Were they all well? Are any of them with you?"

  "One question at a time, Marcia," he said with a good-humored laugh."I left home in June, bringing all the family with me as far asPhiladelphia. They are visiting now in eastern Pennsylvania. I went onto New York a month ago to see Horace off for Europe, then concludedto come on into Ohio and Indiana, to have a look at this great westerncountry, your Aunt Wealthy and yourself. I purpose spending a week ortwo with you, if quite convenient and agreeable, then to return, takingLansdale in my way, and paying a short visit there."

  "Convenient and agreeable!" she cried, with a joyous laugh, and gladtears shining in her eyes, "sunlight was never more welcome, and thelonger you stay, the better. You came by the stage? Where is yourluggage?"

  "Yes, by the stage. My valise is--Ah!" half rising from his chair, withextended hand, as a handsome, intelligent looking lad of fifteen orsixteen, in working dress, but neat and clean, came in from the hall,carrying a valise.

  "I found this on the porch," he began, but broke off abruptly at sightof the stranger.

  "Rupert, our eldest son," said Mrs. Keith, with a glance full ofmotherly pride directed toward the lad. "Rupert, this is UncleDinsmore, your Cousin Horace's father."

  The two shook hands warmly, Rupert saying, "I am very glad to see you,sir, I have heard mother speak of you so often."

  The gentleman answering, "Thank you, my boy. Yes, your mother and I arevery old friends, though I am older than she, by a score of years ormore."

  "That must be your uncle's, Rupert, take it to the spare room," saidMrs. Keith, glancing at the valise.

  "A fine looking fellow, but all Keith, isn't he, Marcia?" remarked heruncle, as the lad left the room. Then as Cyril bounded in at anotherdoor, "Ah! this one's a Stanhope! Come and shake hands with your uncle,my man."


  Don and the two little girls were close behind Cyril, and these hadscarcely been introduced, when Mr. Keith came in from his office,bringing with him Mildred, Zillah and Ada, whom he had met on the way.

  Mr. Dinsmore was a stranger to them all, but every one seemed glad thathe had come to visit them, and he was quite charmed with the cordialityof his reception, and the bright, intelligent faces, and refinedmanners of both parents and children.

  They made him very welcome, very comfortable, and spared no exertionfor his entertainment.

  Being an observant man, he soon discovered that Mildred, toward whomhe felt specially drawn from the first, was ailing, and immediatelyproposed taking her home with him to spend the winter in the sunnySouth.

  This was on the afternoon of the day succeeding that of his arrival, ashe and Mr. and Mrs. Keith sat conversing together in the parlor, theyoung people having scattered to their work or play.

  The father and mother exchanged glances, each reading in the other'sface a longing desire to accept the invitation for their child, mingledwith the sad conviction that it was impossible to do so.

  This Mr. Keith presently put into words, accompanied with warm thanksfor the intended kindness to Mildred.

  "Tut, tut," said Mr. Dinsmore, "don't talk of kindness, the obligationwill be on my part; and as to the impossibility, it is all in yourimaginations. I, of course, shall bear all the expense of the journey,and--No, Marcia, don't interrupt me. I owe it to you, for I can neverrepay the kindness you showed your aunt in her last sickness, and topoor Horace and myself after she was gone. And you owe it to your childnot to refuse for her what is really necessary to her restoration tohealth."

  "Dear uncle, you are most kind, you must let me say it," said Mrs.Keith, with tears in her eyes. "I will not deny that the expense isthe greatest obstacle, for the family purse is low at present, andI will not let my pride stand in the way of the acceptance of yourgenerous offer, but there are other difficulties. I do not see how Icould get her ready in the few days to which you have limited yourvisit here."

  "I'll stretch it to a fortnight, then, if that'll answer," hereturned, in a short, quick, determined way, that bespoke him littleused to opposition to his will. "Besides," he went on, "what need ofso much preparation? purchases can be made to much better advantagein Philadelphia, and sewing done at Roselands, where we have twoaccomplished seamstresses among the servants. I've heard Mrs. Dinsmoreboast that one of them can cut and fit, make and trim a dress as wellas any mantuamaker she ever saw."

  Mrs. Keith expressed a lively sense of his kindness, but suggested thatin all probability Mrs. Dinsmore found plenty of employment for the twowomen in sewing for herself and family.

  Her uncle scouted the idea, asserting that they had not enough to do tokeep them out of mischief.

  Mrs. Keith was driven from her last refuge of excuse, and truth totell was not sorry to have it so. Mr. Keith gave consent, Mildred wassummoned and the plan laid before her to her great astonishment anddelight.

  "Oh, Uncle Dinsmore, how kind!" she exclaimed, her cheeks flushing,her eyes sparkling. "It seems too good to be true, that I shall seeRoselands, the beautiful place mother has so often described to us!But no, no, it will never do for me to go and leave mother to bearthe cares and burdens of housekeeping and the children all alone!"she cried with sudden change of tone. "How could I be so selfish asto think of it for a single moment. Mother dear, I don't want to go,indeed I do not."

  "But my dear child, I want you to go," Mrs. Keith said, smiling throughunshed tears. "You need rest and change of scene; and though I shallmiss you sadly, I shall enjoy the thought that you are gaining in manyways, and in the prospect of soon having you at home again."

  "Yes," said Mr. Dinsmore, "travel is improving, and you can go on withyour studies at Roselands if you fancy doing so: we have an excellent,thoroughly educated lady as governess, and masters coming from the citytwice a week to give instruction in music and drawing. You shall sharetheir attentions if you will.

  "Come, it is not worth while to raise objections; for I can overrulethem all, and am quite determined to carry my point.

  "Mr. Keith," he added, rising and looking about for his hat, "supposewe take a walk round the town, leaving the ladies to talk over thenecessary arrangements."

  The gentlemen went out together, but the next moment Mr. Dinsmorestepped back again to hand Mrs. Keith a letter, saying, as he did so,

  "I owe you an apology, Marcia, for my forgetfulness. Horace entrustedthis to my care and it should have been given you immediately on myarrival. Au revoir, ladies!" and with a courtly bow he was gone.

  Mrs. Keith broke the seal and unfolded the sheet. There was anenclosure, but she did not look at it until she had read the note,which she did almost at a glance, for it was plainly written and verybrief.

  Dear Marcia.--Excuse a hasty line, as I am going aboard the steamer which is to carry me to Europe.

  "I know my father wants to take Mildred with him on his return to Roselands. I hope you will let her go, and that you will do me the great kindness of accepting the enclosed trifle, to be used in providing her with an outfit such as you may deem suitable. It is a very small part of the debt I have owed you ever since the death of my loved mother.

  Your affectionate cousin, Horace Dinsmore."

  "The dear generous fellow!" she exclaimed, tears starting to her eyes:then as she unfolded the bank note, "A trifle, indeed! Mildred, child,it is a hundred dollars!" and the tears rolled down her cheeks.

  "But you will not take it, mother, surely!" said Mildred, her cheeksflushing hotly; her pride up in arms at once at the thought of comingunder such an obligation, even to a relative.

  "My child," said Mrs. Keith, "I could not bear to hurt him as I wellknow he would be hurt by a rejection of his kindness. We will acceptit: if not as a gift, as a loan to be repaid some day when we areable. Another reason why I feel that we ought not to let pride leadus to refuse this, is that it seems to have come--it and your uncle'sinvitation also--so directly in answer to prayer."

  She went on to tell Mildred of their anxiety in regard to her, and inparticular of the petitions she had been putting up on her behalf, justbefore Mr. Dinsmore's arrival.

  "Ah!" she said in conclusion, "how good is our God! He has fulfilled tome his gracious promise, 'And it shall come to pass, that before theycall, I will answer, and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.'"

  A moment's silence, then Mildred said in half tremulous tones, "Oh, itis a blessed thing to trust in God! I hope my faith will grow to beas strong as yours, mother, and I hope I am thankful for this money,but--mother, am I very wicked to feel it something of a trial to haveto take it?"

  "I hope not," Mrs. Keith answered, with a smile and a sigh, "I do notwant to see my children too ready to take help from others. I trustthey will always prefer any honest work by which they may earn theirbread, to a life of luxury and ease and dependence. That they willalways remember the command, 'Every man shall bear his own burden' but,since we are also told to bear one another's burdens, and that it ismore blessed to give than to receive, I must believe there are caseswhere it is right, yes, even a duty, to accept some assistance fromthose who give freely and gladly, and from their abundance, as I knowCousin Horace does."

  "Well, I must try not to be so selfish as to grudge him hisblessedness," remarked Mildred, playfully, though tears still shone inher eyes. "But, mother, how are you to do without me?"

  "Oh, very nicely! Zillah and Ada are growing very helpful, Annie is nolonger a mere baby, and--why, there is Celestia Ann!" she exclaimedjoyously, suddenly breaking off her sentence, as a casual glancethrough a window showed her the tall, muscular figure of their formerand most efficient maid-of-all-work coming in at the gate.

  "Oh! if she has only come to stay, I shall feel as if I can be spared,"cried Mildred, "Mother, how strangely difficulties are being taken outof the way."