CHAPTER XIX.
It was a pleasant surprise to Lucilla to find Grandma Elsie and Walterthere, and to learn that they had come to stay several days. So it waseasy to avoid being left alone with Captain Keith, and there was no moreprivate talk between them. When the carriage drove up to take him to histrain she was on the veranda with the others, and he shook hands withher in her turn, saying, "Good-bye, Miss Lu. I shall hope to hear fromyour father that you are well and happy."
"Thank you; good-bye, and I wish you a safe journey," she said in reply,but without lifting her eyes to his face.
Just as she was ready for bed her father came to her room to bid hergood-night as he so often did.
Taking her in his arms and looking searchingly into her eyes, "Is thereanything wrong with you--anything troubling you, daughter?" he askedtenderly.
"Yes, papa," she said, colouring and dropping her eyes. "Oh, why did youlet Captain Keith talk to me of--of love, when you have so often told meI was much too young to even think of such things?"
"Well, dear child," he said, "I knew it would be risking little ornothing, as I was certain I had too large a place in your heart to leaveany room for him, but it seemed the only way to thoroughly convince himof that was to let him try to push himself in there. And he did try?"
"Yes, papa; and when I told him you had forbidden me to listen to suchthings, he said you had given him leave to speak about it to me; andthat surprised me more than his speaking. You didn't want me to say yes,father?"
"No, daughter; no, indeed! I should not have let him speak if I had notbeen very sure that my dear child loved me too well to leave me for himor anybody else."
"Oh, I am so glad!" she exclaimed with a sigh of relief and laying herhead down on his breast, "though I couldn't believe that my dear fatherwanted to be rid of me, or felt willing that I should love anybody elsebetter than I love him."
"No, dear daughter, you need never be afraid of that. But, now,good-night. Go at once to your bed, for you are looking very weary."
She obeyed, slept sweetly and peacefully till her usual hour for rising,and, as was her usual custom, joined her father in a stroll about thegrounds before the breakfast hour.
"How would you and Grace like to have your friends Eva and Sydney herefor a few days, daughter?" he asked as they paced along side by side.
"Oh, I think it would be very pleasant, papa!" she answered in a joyoustone. "I know Gracie would like it, and I think Sydney would, too. Evaalways does. I believe she loves you almost as well as if you were herfather as well as ours."
"Ah! that is pleasant news for me," he said with a smile. "I am fond ofher, too, though, of course, not with just the fondness I feel for myown children."
"Oh, I am glad you don't! I shouldn't want you to love her as well asyou do me. Will you invite the girls, papa?"
"Yes; we will call to them through the telephone after breakfast."
They did so, there was a joyful acceptance from each, and before thedinner hour they had both arrived. Sydney had not gone with Maud andDick. It had been decided before the wedding that it would be better forher to remain in a more northern region till fall, then go South to makeher home with her sister.
"I was glad of your invitation, captain," she said when he helped herout of the carriage, "for I was finding it dreadfully lonesome withoutmy sister."
"Ah! so I suspected, as did my wife, and we thought it might relieveyour loneliness a little to spend a few days here with us."
"Yes; it was so kind," she responded, "so very kind! And you are here,too, Cousin Elsie, and Walter! Oh, I am sure we are going to have a finetime."
"Yes, indeed, I always do have the best of times here," said Evelyn;"especially when Grandma Elsie and Walter add their attractions tothose of the Woodburn folks."
"We will all try to make it as delightful as we can," said Grace. "Papahas kindly excused Lu and me from lessons while you stay; so we can busyourselves with fancy work or anything we like, when we are not drivingor walking; and we have some new books and periodicals that one can readaloud while the rest are doing fancy work or whatever they please. Wecan play games, too, so I think we will not lack for amusement."
"No, we never do, here," said Eva.
And they did not; time passed swiftly and pleasantly in the round ofoccupations and amusements suggested by Grace. Friday and Saturdaysoon slipped by, and Sunday came, bringing its sacred duties andpleasures--religious services at home, at church, then the Sundayschools, and after that the home Bible class, which all found sopleasant. They gathered upon the veranda, each with a Bible in hand;for even little Ned could now read fluently, and generally find thereferences for himself.
"Will you not lead us to-day, mother?" asked the captain when all wereseated.
"No," she said with her pleasant smile, "I very much prefer to have thatburden borne by my son-in-law, Captain Raymond."
"And you wish him to select the subject?"
"Yes; he cannot fail to fix upon a good and interesting one."
"And how is it with you, my love?" he asked, turning to Violet.
"Suppose we take thanksgiving as our subject," she said; "we all have somuch, so very much, to be thankful for."
"Indeed we have!" he returned emphatically, "and I think no bettersubject could be found. Neddie, my boy, can you tell papa something youhave to be thankful for?"
"Oh, yes, papa! eyes to see with, ears to hear with, hands and feet, andthat I can use them all; for I saw a boy the other day that can't walkat all, though he has feet, but must lie on a bed or sit in a chair allthe time; while I can walk, and run, and jump whenever I want to."
"Yes, those are all great blessings," his father said. "And now, Elsie,can you think of some others?"
"Oh, so many, papa! more than I can count," the little girl answeredearnestly. "A dear, kind father and mother, and grandma among them; and,oh, so many dear relations besides; 'specially my sisters and brothers.And I am so glad I was born in this Christian land and taught about Godand the dear Saviour; and have a Bible to read, and know that I may prayto God, and that he will hear me and help me to be good--to love andserve him. But, oh! I can't name all my blessings, papa, they are sovery, very many."
"That is very true, daughter," he replied; "and we can all say the same;our blessings are more than we can count. But the best of all is thegift of God's dear son. 'God so loved the world, that he gave his onlybegotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, buthave everlasting life.' 'Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.''I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to myGod while I have being.' So says the Psalmist, and surely we can allecho his words from our very hearts. Mother, you seem to have selecteda passage. Will you please read it?"
"Yes," she said; "here in Corinthians where the apostle is speaking ofthe sting of death and the victory over the grave, he cries exultingly,'But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our LordJesus Christ.' Then he goes on, 'Therefore my beloved brethren be yesteadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.'"
"Yes; and let us all heed that exhortation," said the captain. "Evelyn,you seem to have a text ready. Will you please read it?"
"These words of Jesus," she said, "'I will not leave you comfortless; Iwill come to you,' are they not words to be thankful for?"
"They are, indeed!" he said. "What can be more comforting than thepresence of the Master? His presence and his love. 'He that hath mycommandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he thatloveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and willmanifest myself to him.' Ah! what is there more worthy to be thankfulfor than the love of Christ! But when should we give thanks, Walter?"
"Always, sir. Here in Ephesians I read, 'Giving thanks always for allthings unto God the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.' Againin first Thessalonians, 'We give thanks to God always for you all,making mention of you in o
ur prayers.'"
Then Sydney, Lucilla, and Grace read in turn:
"'Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks; forthat thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.'"
"'And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also ye arecalled in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell inyou richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalmsand hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to theLord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of theLord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.'"
"'Continue in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving.'"
They read, in turn, again and again, finding the Bible full ofexhortations to thanksgiving, then joined in singing hymns ofpraise--not with their voices only, but with joy, and thankfulness intheir hearts because of the good gifts of God, both temporal andspiritual, to them all.
So closed the Sabbath day, and after it followed a night of sweet sleepand peaceful rest.
At the breakfast table the next morning Walter asked: "Where are wegoing to spend our summer? Isn't it time to be thinking about it?"
The question seemed to be addressed to no one in particular. There was amoment's silence; then the captain said:
"Suppose you give us your ideas and wishes on that subject, Walter."
"Well, I haven't much choice, sir; there are so many places that areabout equally agreeable to me. Anywhere with mother and the rest ofyou."
"Then what place would you prefer, mother?" asked the captain.
"It is a question I have hardly considered yet," she replied. "Perhapsit might be well to hold a family council on the subject."
"May I offer a suggestion?" asked Evelyn modestly, blushing as shespoke.
"Certainly, my dear," said Mrs. Travilla.
"We will be glad to hear it," said the captain.
"Then it is that all who think they would find it agreeable will spendat least a week or two with me in my cottage on the Hudson. It wasrented for a time, but is vacant now, and I want very much to be in itfor a while, yet certainly not alone."
"It is most kind in you to invite us, Evelyn, dear," said Mrs. Travilla,"but our party would much more than fill it."
"Unless we should go in relays," laughed Violet; "perhaps it might bemanaged in that way, if Eva is very desirous to have us there."
"And perhaps there are hotels in the vicinity where most of us could beaccommodated," said the captain. "We are much obliged for yourinvitation, Eva, and will consider the question and talk it over withthe others who may choose to be of our party."
"Oh, I think it would be fun to go there!" exclaimed Sydney. "If I canhave my way, I'll pay you a little visit there, and pass the rest of thetime at the seashore."
"That is what I should like to do," said Lucilla.
"And I also," added Grace; "if papa and mamma approve, and would be withus in both places."
"Of course I meant that," Lucilla hastened to say; "we would not halfenjoy ourselves without them; and the children," she added, glancing atElsie and Ned.
"It seems to me we're getting pretty big to be called that," said Ned alittle scornfully. "I'll be a man one of these days."
"Not quite that yet, little brother," laughed Lucilla.
The talk in regard to the summer's excursion was renewed after familyworship, as they all sat together upon the veranda. Various places weretalked of, various plans discussed, but nothing could be fully decidedupon without consultation with the other near relatives who mightdecide to be of the party.
"Hello! here comes Doctor Herbert," exclaimed Walter, as a doctor's gigturned in at the great gates and came driving rapidly up to the house.
"What is it, Doc?" springing up and hastening down the steps as the gighalted before them.
"A letter for mother," answered Herbert, handing it to Walter as hespoke. "Good-morning, mother, and all of you. You are looking well andhave no need of a doctor, I suppose?"
"Yes, we want a call from that one," said Violet. "Come in, won't you,if it is for only five minutes?"
"Well, yes; since you are so urgent and I know of no urgent call for myservices elsewhere," answered Herbert, suiting the action to the word.
"Good-morning, my son," was his mother's smiling salutation, as he bentdown to give her an affectionate caress. "I suppose you want to hearwhat Rosie has to say. I will just glance over her letter, then readaloud whatever I think she would deem suitable for you all to hear."
It was a pleasant, cheerful letter; all seemed to be going right withthe young couple, they very happy in each other. They were at NiagaraFalls, expecting soon to leave there for some place on the Hudson, andafterward to visit the seashore; but their plans were not yet definitelyarranged; nor would they be until Will's parents and Rosie's homefriends, intending to go North for the summer, were heard from in regardto their plans and purposes.
"Well," said Herbert, when the reading of the letter was concluded, "Ithink we will have to hold a family council, taking in the Crolys, anddecide those momentous questions. Right quickly, too, for the weather isgrowing very warm, and if you all stay here our firm may have too muchto do."
"I think you are right, doctor," said the captain, "and lest you andHarold and Arthur should be overworked, I intend to see that thatcouncil is held promptly."
"Well, captain, suppose we appoint this evening as the time, andRoselands as the place, as the Crolys are there, and not so able as therest of us to go about from place to place."
"That seems a very good plan," said his mother, "but I think it will notbe necessary for us all to attend. I prefer to leave the decision withthe gentlemen of our party. Can you go, Herbert?"
"To the family council, mother? Oh, yes!"
"That is well," she said with a smile, "but I meant can you go Northwith us?"
"For a part of the time, I think; we three doctors can doubtless taketurns in having a vacation."
"You ought to, I think," said Violet. "Doctors certainly need rest asmuch, or more, than most other people."
"Yes, they do, indeed!" said the captain; "they are, as a rule, verymuch overworked, I think."
"Some of them hardly so much as they might like to be," laughed Herbert."You will be coming home soon, mother?" turning to her.
"Yes; probably to-morrow," she answered.
He chatted a little longer, then drove away. The young people presentlywent off into the grounds, leaving Grandma Elsie, Violet, and thecaptain still sitting in the veranda, they busied with their fancy work,he looking over the morning paper.
"If you find anything very interesting, my dear, mamma and I will beglad to hear it," said Violet.
"Yes," he said, "and here is something interesting, though far frombeing pleasant news. Davis, one of the burglars whom Lucilla caught, hasescaped from prison; gone no one knows where, and may be even nowlurking in this neighbourhood. I must watch over my daughter or he mayattempt to do her some harm. At the time of the trial he seemed to feelvery revengeful toward her."
"Oh, that is dreadful!" cried Violet. "Indeed we must be watchful overpoor dear Lu. You will not tell her, Levis?"
"I think I shall," he said reflectively; "she will need to be carefulabout venturing to a distance from the house, even within the grounds,without a protector; therefore I must warn her and forbid her to runany unnecessary risk. I hope it may not be long before the fellow willbe caught and returned to his prison."
"And I think it might be well for us to hasten our departure for theNorth for her safety," said Violet. "She would be safer there, would shenot?"
"Probably," he replied, "and we will make haste to be off on thataccount."
"Yes; I think you should, by all means," said her mother. "Anything thatI can do to assist your preparations, Vi, will be gladly done."
"I will set to work at once," exclaimed Violet.
"And I shall call my daughters in at once and set them about theirpreparations," said the captain, throwing
aside his paper and startingeven as he spoke.
The young people were much surprised by his summons and directions tohis daughters, but he did not go into a lengthened explanation; merelysaid that he had decided to start northward in a day or two, andnecessary preparations must be made as promptly as possible.
His daughters were accustomed to rendering prompt and unquestioningobedience to their father's commands, and did so now, though muchwondering at this sudden move.
Some hours later he called Lucilla aside and told her the whole story.She turned pale for a moment, then, lifting fearless eyes to his,"Father," she said, "don't be uneasy about me. I will trust in the Lordand not be afraid; I will trust in his care and yours, and I shall besafe. I am thinking of those sweet verses in the thirty-seventh Psalm,'But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strengthin the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them and deliver them:he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trustin him.'"
"Yes, dear child, trust in him and you will be safe," returned thecaptain with emotion. "I shall not go over to Roselands this evening, asI had intended, but will talk through the telephone to the friendsgathered there to discuss the questions when we shall start for theNorth and in what spots locate ourselves for the summer."
He did so, and before they were through with their conference it wasdecided that he, with his family, Evelyn, Sydney, Grandma Elsie, Walter,and all the Lelands should at once pack up, and in two days start forEva's cottage on the Hudson.
Little preparation was needed but the packing of trunks; all were readyat the set time, started away in good health and spirits, and,travelling by rail, soon reached their destination; where we will leavethem for the present.
THE END.
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