CHAPTER V.
A pause in the conversation upon the veranda was broken by anexclamation from little Ned. "Cousin Arthur is coming!" he cried as acarriage turned in at the great gates and came swiftly up the driveway.
"Yes," said his father, stepping forward to meet and welcome Dr. Conly,"always a visitor we are delighted to see, whether we are sick or well.Good-morning, sir! We are all glad to see you as friend and guest,though fortunately not in need of your professional services at present.I hope the demands of other patients are not so pressing that we may notkeep you here till after dinner."
"Thank you, but I can stay for only a hasty call," replied the doctor,alighting and shaking hands with one after another as they crowded abouthim.
"You look like the bringer of good news, cousin," said Grandma Elsie,regarding him with a pleased smile.
"Yes," he said, "I feel myself a very fortunate and happy man to-day,and have come to tell my news and ask the sympathy and congratulationsof you my relatives and friends. My Marian and I have a son--a finehealthy babe, now some hours old--mother and child are doing as well aspossible."
The congratulations were poured forth without stint. Then Mr. Dinsmoreasked, "What do you propose to call the lad?"
"Ronald. It is Marian's choice and I am well content, for it is a goodname, and I highly esteem the dear old cousin who has showed suchkindness to the mother."
"Yes, he is worthy of it," said Grandma Elsie. "I have always felt proudto own him as my kinsman."
"And Ronald and Conly go well together, making a very pretty name, to mythinking," said Rosie.
"Have they heard the news at Beechwood yet?" asked Lucilla.
"I think not," replied the doctor; "but I shall take it in my way home,as it will make the drive only a little longer and I need delay therebut a moment." Then with a hasty adieu he took his departure.
"Art is a very happy man to-day," Mr. Dinsmore remarked with a pleasedsmile, as they watched the doctor's gig on its way down the drive.
"Yes; I know of no one more worthy of happiness, and it does me good tosee it," said the captain.
"And no doubt dear Marian's heart is overflowing with love andgratitude," said Grandma Elsie in low, soft tones. "I quite want to seeher and her new treasure."
"Both she and Art will be very proud to show it to their friends andrelatives," remarked Violet with a smile, "though he will be careful notto admit even relatives for some days yet. He is very kind and carefulas both husband and physician."
"Yes," said Rosie; "he will take excellent care of Marian and have herwell in time to attend the wedding, I hope."
"I think we can manage that, daughter, as we have not fixed upon theday," her mother said with playful look and tone.
"Oh, yes, mamma! and I do intend it to be at least six weeks before Ileave girlhood for married life," returned Rosie, laughing and blushingas she spoke.
"It is too serious a step to be taken hastily, my dear young sister,"remarked the captain in a tone between jest and earnest; "a step thatonce taken cannot be retraced--a venture involving the happiness ormisery of perhaps a lifetime; certainly the lifetime of one if not ofboth."
"Oh, you frighten me!" cried Rosie, drawing a long breath and liftingher hands with a gesture of alarm and despair; "what shall I do? Wouldyou recommend single blessedness--you who have twice tried laying holdof the other horn of the dilemma?"
"Only for a time," he said. "Look well before you leap, as I did, andthen you will be in little danger of wanting to leap back again."
"You don't? you never do?" she queried in mock surprise and doubt.
"Never!" he said with a smiling, admiring glance into Violet'sbeautiful eyes, watching him with not a shade of doubt or distrust intheir azure depths; "never for a moment have I been conscious of theslightest inclination to do so."
"Thank you, my dear," Violet said. "And, Rosie, let me tell you for yourencouragement that I have known no more regret than has he. I am verysure that if it were in our power to reconsider, the question would bedecided exactly as it was years ago."
"I believe it," responded Rosie heartily, "and that Will and I will beable to say the same when we too have lived together for years. He isgood as gold, I know, and I shall try to be worthy of him."
The call to dinner here put an end to the conversation and the talk atthe table was upon other themes.
Shortly after the conclusion of the meal Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore returnedto Ion, while the others, some on horseback, the rest in the familycarriage, went over to the Oaks to call upon the relatives there andconsult with them on the arrangements for the wedding, particularly thedress of the bride and her attendants--a subject of great interest tothe ladies, especially such to the young girls, but one which the twogentlemen--Captain Raymond and young Mr. Dinsmore--were so entirelywilling to leave to their decision that they presently excusedthemselves and walked out into the grounds, Mr. Dinsmore wishing toconsult the captain in regard to some improvements that he had incontemplation.
Then Rosie announced her errand and gave her invitation to Maud andSydney. It was accepted promptly and with evident pleasure by both. ThenRosie went on to speak of her idea of having the two little Elsies actas flower girls.
"My niece and my cousin, and both bearing mamma's name; about the samesize, too; would it not be pretty?" she asked, and received a chorus ofapproving replies.
"Oh, I'd like to!" cried Elsie Dinsmore, clapping her hands in delight."It's ever so good in you, Cousin Rosie, to choose us! and I suppose wewill be dressed alike, won't we?"
"That is my idea," said Rosie, "and I presume your mothers will notwithhold their consent."
"Oh, you will let us, mamma--you and Cousin Vi--won't you?" cried thechild, turning to them.
"I am entirely willing, if that suits Cousin Vi and her Elsie," repliedher mother.
"As it will, I am sure," said Violet.
"Yes, mamma," said her Elsie, "I shall like it, for I am sure you andthe other ladies will choose a pretty dress for us."
"Probably no prettier than some that you already own," Violet returnedwith an amused look. "Try not to think or care too much for dress,daughter; there are so many things which are much more important."
"But it isn't wrong to like to be tastefully dressed, is it, mamma?"asked the little girl with a slightly troubled look.
"No, I think not, dear," returned her mother with a loving smile intothe inquiring eyes; "if it were wrong to love pretty things, surely Godwould not have made so many for our eyes to look upon--the beautifulflowers and fruits, the sunset clouds, the stars, to mention only afew--but he--our kind Heavenly Father--loves to give us enjoyment."
"And I do enjoy all the pretty things very much indeed, mamma,"responded the little girl with a look of relief and pleasure, "and I'mglad it isn't wrong; I like to see pretty clothes on you and my sistersquite as much as on myself. And don't you think papa likes to have usall nicely dressed?"
"I am sure he does; and you may feel very certain that papa approves ofnothing but what is right."
"Those are exactly mine and my husband's sentiments upon the subject inquestion," remarked Mrs. Dinsmore in a lively tone. "But now let us hearwhat those girls are talking about."
"You will be married in church?" Maud was saying inquiringly.
"No," said Rosie in a tone of decision; "I mean to follow the goodexample of my mother and older sisters in having a home wedding."
"And you will want ushers? I was just going to ask who were to serve inthat capacity."
"I believe Mr. Croly has engaged my brothers Harold and Herbert, whoare his most intimate friends," replied Rosie; "but of course there willbe plenty of time for all those arrangements."
"I dare say he will ask Uncle Harold to be best man," said Grace.
"Very likely," said Rosie, "and Herbert, Chester, and Frank for ushers.We may as well make it a family affair," she added with a satisfiedlittle laugh.
"And if either you or Will conclude that you would prefe
r a largernumber it will be an easy matter to think of, and invite them to serve alittle later," remarked Violet.
"Yes, there is plenty of time," said their mother, smiling lovingly intoRosie's bright eyes. "I am in no hurry to give my youngest daughter toeven so entirely a good, worthy, and amiable young man as WilliamCroly."
"Please do not look at it in that way, mother dear. Please remember thatyou are not to lose your daughter, but to gain another good son."
"That is right, Rosie; I do believe it is going to prove a gain allround," said Violet.
"Why, of course it is," said Maud; "that is settled; so now let usconsider and decide the important question what colours we are to wearon the grand occasion. Lu, you wore canary colour at Betty Norris'wedding; suppose I take that this time and you wear pink; it will becomeyou quite as well, I think."
"I suppose so," said Lucilla, "and am perfectly willing to wear it."
"And pink beside my white will look very pretty," said Rosie. "Lu is tobe maid of honor, you know, girls."
"Yes; and I for one highly approve your choice, Rosie," said Evelyn withan affectionate, admiring look at Lucilla.
"Yes; and suppose we dress your little flower girls in pink, also,"suggested Mrs. Dinsmore.
That idea seemed to suit everybody.
"I like that colour," remarked Elsie Dinsmore sagely, "but I shall beparticular about having very handsome material."
"It shall be handsome enough to accord well with the others," said hermother with an amused laugh.
"I think straw colour becomes me," remarked Maud; "so that is what Ishall wear, if the rest of the party approve."
"And blue will be the thing for Gracie and me," said Sydney. "What doyou say to that, Gracie?"
"I am satisfied if Rosie and the rest approve," was Grace'spleasant-toned reply.
"So that is settled," said Sydney. "Wouldn't it be well for us all to gointo the city to-morrow, see what we can find there to suit us, andorder other things sent for?"
"What do you say to that, mamma?" asked Rosie.
"I see no objection to it," replied Grandma Elsie. "But we will consultthe captain in regard to that matter," she added, as at that moment heand her brother came in.
"Ah! upon what is my valuable opinion desired, mother?" he asked inplayful tones; then, in response to the explanation given, said that hethought it a very good plan, as it would surely do no harm to beginneeded preparations promptly.
"Then, papa, won't you excuse Gracie and me from lessons for the nextfew days?" asked Lucilla.
"I will; you may consider the remainder of the week a holiday," hereplied.
"For Ned and me too, papa?" asked Elsie.
"Yes; if you think you can assist in the shopping."
"I should like to help choose my own things if you and mamma arewilling," she said with a persuasive look from one to the other.
"I think you will be allowed a voice in the selection," he replied,patting her cheek as she leaned upon his knee, looking up affectionatelyand pleadingly into his face.
"Yes," said Violet, "and I am sure we shall be able to find dress goodsand whatever else is needed, that will suit all three of us."
"And it will be four days' holiday we'll have," remarked Ned withsatisfaction.
"You are planning to have your wedding a good deal after the pattern ofCousin Betty's, Rosie," remarked Mrs. Dinsmore.
"Yes; in some respects, for I thought it a very pretty wedding; but thatceremony took place in the church, while I mean to be married at home;also there will probably be a difference in the number of attendants andtheir dress," replied Rosie. "And by the way, mamma," she added, turningto her mother, "we must send Betty an invitation in good season for herto arrange matters so that she can come to my wedding. I was one of herbridesmaids, you remember, and should be sorry indeed to neglect her atthis time."
"She shall not be forgotten, daughter," was Grandma Elsie's readyresponse; "we will shortly make out a list of those you wish to invite,that none may be forgotten or overlooked."
"Yes, mamma; if our list contains only relatives and very intimatefriends we will be quite a large party, should all accept."
"Now about to-morrow's shopping," said Sydney. "We need to settle whenwe will set out on our expedition, where we will meet, or whether wewill divide our forces and each division decide questions of taste andexpense independently of the others."
"As there are so many of us I think the latter plan would be the betterone," said Grandma Elsie.
"And as regards dress goods, we can secure samples and hold aconsultation over them before making the purchases," said Violet; addingwith a smiling glance at her Elsie, "that will be only fair where two ormore are to be dressed alike."
"I like that plan, mamma," said the little girl, "and I do intend to besatisfied with whatever you and papa choose for me."
"With some help from my mamma and me," said the other Elsie in a tonethat seemed to imply some fear that their choice might not be altogetherto her taste.
"Tut! tut!" said her father. "You need not be in the least afraid thatsuch good judges will fail to select as handsome and suitable materialas could be desired."
"But please, Uncle Horace, let her have a vote on the question," saidViolet pleasantly. "There may be several pieces of goods of the chosencolour, equally desirable; nor is it necessary that the two dressesshould be off the same piece; only that they match in colour."
"And I feel sure there will be no difficulty in settling upon which willbe satisfactory to all parties," added Mrs. Dinsmore.
With a little more chat all the arrangements for the morrow's shoppingexpedition were concluded. Then the Woodburn party bade good-bye andreturned to their home.