CHAPTER XVIII.
"Where are we going to-day, papa?" asked little Elsie the next morning atthe breakfast table.
"I do not know yet, my child," he replied. "I have been thinking," hecontinued, addressing the company in general, "that it would probably bebetter for us to break up into quite small parties, each going its ownway, now that the Fair has become so crowded."
"Yes," Mr. Dinsmore said, "I will take my wife and daughter with me, ifthey do not object; you, I presume, will do likewise with your wife andchildren, and the others--Rosie, Walter, and Evelyn--can make up a thirdparty, and dispose of their time and efforts at sight-seeing as theyplease."
At that Mr. Lilburn turned toward Miss Annis Keith and said, with ahumorous look and smile, "You and I seem to be left entirely out of thecalculation, Miss Keith. Shall we compose a fourth party, and see what wecan find to amuse and interest us?"
"Thank you, sir," she replied; "but are you sure I might not prove ahindrance and burden?"
"Quite sure; and your companionship, if I can secure it, will beall-sufficient for me."
"Then we will consider the arrangement made, for I should be sorry indeedto intrude my companionship upon those who do not desire it," she said,with a sportive look at the captain.
"Cousin Ronald," said the latter gravely, "I think you owe me a vote ofthanks for leaving Cousin Annis to you. I am sure it should be accounted avery generous thing for me to do."
"Certainly, captain, when you have only Cousin Vi, those two half-growndaughters, and two sweet children for your share," laughed Annis.
"As many as he can keep together," remarked Walter. "Well, I'm going offby myself, as I happen to know that my sister Rosie and Evelyn have beenalready engaged by other escorts."
"Walter, you deserve to be left at home," said Rosie severely.
"At home?" laughed Walter, "you would have to get me there first."
"You know what I mean; this yacht is home to us while we are living onit."
"And a very pleasant one it is; a delightful place to rest in when one istired; as I realize every evening, coming back to it from the Fair."
"Then we won't try to punish you by condemning you to imprisonment in it,"said the captain.
"Papa, I should like to go to the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Buildingagain to-day, unless the rest of our party prefer some other place," saidGrace.
"That would suit me as well as any," said Violet.
"Me also," added Lucilla.
"Then that shall be our destination," returned the captain.
The young men--Harold and Herbert Travilla, Chester and Frank Dinsmore,and Will Croly--joined the party from the _Dolphin_, as usual, in thePeristyle; good-mornings were exchanged, then they broke up into smallerparties and scattered in different directions; Captain Raymond with hiswife and children going first into the great Manufactures and Liberal ArtsBuilding, where they spent some hours in looking at such of the beautifuland interesting exhibits as they had not examined in former visits; makinga good many purchases of gifts for each other for friends and relativesand the servants and caretakers left at home.
Chester was disappointed and chagrined that he was not invited toaccompany them, particularly as it was his and Frank's last day at theFair--but he joined Walter and Herbert, while Harold took charge of theirmother, and the other young folks went off in couples.
"Where shall we betake ourselves, Miss Annis?" asked Mr. Lilburn.
"I think I should like to look at some of the paintings in the Fine ArtsBuilding, if you care to do so," replied Annis.
"I should like nothing better," he returned; "so we will go there first."
They spent all the morning there--there were so many pictures worthy oflong study that it was difficult to tear themselves away from any one ofthem.
"'The return of the _Mayflower_,'" read Mr. Lilburn as they paused beforea picture of a young girl standing upon the seashore, looking out eagerlyover the water toward a sail which she sees in the distance; such animpatience and tender longing in her face that one knew it seemed almostimpossible for her to wait the coming of some dear one she believes to beon board; one whose love and care are to shelter her from cold and stormand savage foes who might at any moment come upon and assail her. "Ah, thedear lass is evidently hoping, expecting, waiting for the coming of herlover," he said. "Happy man! What a joyous meeting it will be when thegood ship comes to anchor and he steps ashore to meet her loving welcome."
"Yes, I can imagine it," Annis said. "They have doubtless been separatedfor months or years, and a glad reunion awaits them if he is really on thevessel."
For a moment they gazed in silence, then with a sigh he said, "She's abonny lass and doubtless he a brave, well-favored young fellow; both onthe sunny side of life, while I--ah, Miss Annis, if I were but twentyyears younger----"
"What then, Mr. Lilburn?" she asked sportively. "You would be lookingabout for such a sweet young creature and trying to win her heart?"
"Not if I might hope to win that of the dear lady by my side," he returnedin low, loverlike tones. "She is full young enough and fair enough for me.Miss Annis, do you think I--I could ever make myself a place in yourheart? I am no longer young, but there's an auld saying that 'it is betterto be 'an auld man's darling than a young man's slave.'"
"I have not intended to be either," she answered, blushing deeply anddrawing a little away from him. "Single life has its charms, and I am byno means sure that--that I care to--to give it up."
"I hope to be able some day to convince you that you do," he returnedentreatingly, as she turned hastily away and moved on toward anotherpicture.
She had liked the old gentleman very much indeed; he was so genuinely kindand polite, so intelligent and well informed; and he had evidently enjoyedher society too, but she had never dreamed of this--that he would want heras a wife; she would sooner have thought of looking up to him in adaughterly way--but as he had said he wanted a wifely affection from her,could she--could she give it? For a brief space her brain seemed in awhirl; she saw nothing, heard nothing that was going on about her--couldthink of nothing but this surprising, astonishing offer, and could notdecide whether she could ever accept it or not. She could not, at thatmoment she rather thought she never could. She kept her face turned awayfrom him as he stood patiently waiting by her side. Both had lost interestin the paintings. He was watching her and saw that she was much disturbed,yet he could not decide whether that disturbance was likely to befavorable to his suit or not. Presently he drew out his watch. "It is pastnoon, Miss Keith," he said; "suppose we take a gondola and cross the pondto the Japanese Tea House, where we can get a lunch."
"I am willing if you wish it," returned Annis in low, steady tones, butwithout giving him so much as a glimpse of her face. He caught sight ofit, however, as they entered the boat; then their eyes met, and he wassatisfied that she was not altogether indifferent to his suit. But he didnot think it wise to renew it at that moment. They sat in silence for alittle, then he spoke of the scenes about them; and while they took theirlunch, the talking they did ran upon matters of indifference.
As they left the building they came unexpectedly upon the captain and hisparty.
"Ah! where now, friends?" he asked.
"That is a question that has not yet been decided," replied Mr. Lilburn."Where are you going?"
"I am about to take Grace, Elsie, and Ned back to our floating home,"returned the captain, "for I fear they have already become more fatiguedthan is good for them."
"And if you will allow it, I will go with you, captain," said Annis.
"Certainly," he returned; "your company is always acceptable, CousinAnnis, and I see that you look as though a few hours of rest would notcome amiss to you. Let us take this steam launch, which is justapproaching, and we will be at our destination in a few minutes."
"Let us all get on board and go as far as the Peristyle, where Lu and Iwill wait for you, Levis," said Violet.
"A good idea," he replied. "Why
, there is Walter on the boat, and I canleave you in his care, if Cousin Ronald does not wish to make one of theparty."
"Ah! then I will wander along by my ain sel,'" returned the old gentlemanlaughingly as he lifted his hat to Annis and the others, then went on hisway, musing as to the best course to pursue to bring about an acceptanceof his suit.
"I want you and your little brother and sister to retire promptly to yourberths, Grace, and try to get a good nap," the captain said when they hadreached the deck of the _Dolphin_. "And, Cousin Annis, I hope you'll notthink me impertinent if I advise you to do the same."
"Not at all," she returned, with a smile, "it is just what I was intendingto do. I have a slight headache, but hope to sleep it off."
"I hope you may, indeed," he said in a kindly, sympathetic tone. "Ipresume it is the result of fatigue and that a few hours of rest and sleepwill make all right again."
She went at once to her state-room, and changing her dress for a loosewrapper lay down with the determination to forget everything in sleep. Butthought was too busy in her brain; she was too much excited over thesurprising offer made her that morning. She knew instinctively that Mr.Lilburn had not given up the hope of securing what he had asked for--thathis suit would be renewed at the first opportunity--and what shouldshe--what could she say? It was not the first offer she had had, but--noother suitor was ever so good, so noble, so--oh, he was everything onecould ask or desire (what difference that he was old enough to be herfather), but would his sons welcome her advent into the family? And herown dear ones--sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews--be willing to partwith her. Perhaps not; but surely they could do very well without her andhe--the dear old gentleman--ought surely to be considered; if she couldmake his last days happier and more comfortable--it could not be wrong forher to do so, for the others could be happy without her. Ah, perhaps theywould soon almost forget her. And there with Elsie Travilla her dear,dearest friend and cousin; how pleasant to live near enough for almostdaily intercourse with her!
"I will ask for guidance," she finally said half aloud, and, rising,knelt beside her couch, earnestly beseeching her best friend to make herway plain before her face, to lead and guide her all her journey through.Then, calmed and quieted by casting her burden on the Lord, she lay downagain and presently fell into a deep, sweet sleep. She was awakened by agentle tap on the door, then Violet's voice asking:
"Can I come in for one moment, Cousin Annis?" At that she rose and openedthe door, saying.
"Indeed you can, Vi. But what--who----?" as Violet handed her a bunch ofScotch heather, her eyes dancing with mirth and pleasure as she did so,for at the sight of the flowers a crimson flush had suddenly suffusedAnnis' cheek.
"You see what," she said, "and the who is Cousin Ronald. Oh, Cousin Annis,I am so glad if only you won't reject him! and he's a dear old man; almosttoo old for you, I acknowledge, but don't say no on that account. Be 'anold man's darling,' there's a dear! for then we'll have you close besideus in that lovely Beechwood."
A silent caress was Annis' only reply, and Violet slipped away, leavingher once more alone. For a brief space Annis stood gazing down at theflowers in her hand with a tender smile on her lips, the roses coming andgoing on her cheek. They seemed to be whispering to her of priceless loveand tenderness; for Mr. Lilburn was a hale, hearty man, looking muchyounger than his years: he might outlive her, but years of genialcompanionship might well be hoped for in this world, to be eventuallyfollowed by a blissful eternity in another and better land, for they werefollowers of the same Master, travelling the same road--toward the citywhich hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Yes, she didindeed love the dear old man; she knew it now, and her heart sang for joyas she hastened to array herself in the most becoming dress she had athand and pinned his flowers in the bosom of her gown.
He was alone in the saloon as she entered it, and turning at the sound ofher light step, came forward to greet her with outstretched hand, his eyesshining with pleasure at the sight of his flowers and the sweet, blushingface above them.
"Ah, my darling! you do not despise my little gift," he said low andtenderly, taking quiet possession of her hand. "May I hope you will showequal favor to the giver?"
"If--if you think--if you are sure, quite sure, you will never repent andgrow weary of your choice," she stammered, speaking scarcely above herbreath.
"Perfectly sure!" he returned. "My only fear is that I may fail to makethis dear lady as happy as she might be with a younger and more attractivecompanion."
"I have never seen such an one yet," she said, with a half smile, "and Ido not fear to risk it. I shall be only too glad to do so," with a lowhalf laugh, "if you have no fear of being disappointed in me."
"Not a ghost of a fear!" he responded.
As he spoke the door of Mrs. Travilla's state-room opened and she steppedout upon them. Catching sight of them standing there hand in hand, she wasabout to retreat into her room again, but Mr. Lilburn spoke:
"Congratulate me, Cousin Elsie, upon having won the heart of the sweetestlady in the land; or if that be too strong, one of the sweetest."
"I do, I do," Elsie said, coming forward and bestowing a warm embrace uponAnnis, "and I could not have asked anything better, seeing it will bringone whom I so dearly love into our immediate neighborhood." Even as shespoke they were joined by other members of the party, the news of thestate of affairs was instantly conjectured by them, and joyfulcongratulations were showered upon Cousin Ronald, tender embraces andwords of love upon Annis.
Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore were there, but the young couples who had left theolder people that morning and gone off to explore other parts of the Fairhad not returned; but presently a slight commotion on deck, followed bythe sound of their voices, told of their arrival; in another minute theywere in the saloon, and Croly, leading Rosie to her mother, said:
"Will you give this dear girl to me, Mrs. Travilla? She doesn't deny thatshe loves me, and she is dearer to me than words can tell."
"Then I cannot refuse," returned the mother, with emotion, "knowing as Ido that you are all a mother could ask in a suitor for her dear daughter'shand. But do not ask me to part from her yet; she is--you are both--youngenough to wait at least a year or two longer."
"So I think," said Rosie's grandfather, coming up and laying a hand on hershoulder. "It would be hard to rob my dear eldest daughter of the last ofher daughters; to say nothing about grandparents and brothers."
"Well, sir, I thank both her mother and yourself for your willingness tolet her engage herself to me, but I at least shall find it a little hardto wait," said Croly. "I am well able to support a wife now, and--don'tyou think we know each other well enough, and that early marriages aremore likely to prove happy than later ones?"
"No, I don't agree to any such sentiment as that; old folks may asreasonably look for happiness--perhaps a trifle more reasonably--thanyoung ones."
The words seemed to be spoken by someone coming down the cabin stairway,and everybody turned to look at the speaker; but he was not to be seen.
"Oh, that was Cousin Ronald!" exclaimed Violet, with a merry look at him,"and no wonder, since he has gone courting again in his latter days."
"What! is that possible!" exclaimed Mr. Hugh Lilburn, in evidentastonishment. "And who? Ah, I see and am well content," catching sight ofAnnis' sweet, blushing face. "Father, I offer my hearty congratulations."
A merry, lively scene followed, mutual congratulations were exchanged,jests and badinage and spirited retorts were indulged in, and in the midstof it all there were other arrivals; Walter returned bringing with him thetwo Dinsmores and the Conly brothers and their wives; they were told thenews, and the captain noticed that Chester cast a longing glance at Lulu,then turned with an entreating, appealing one to him. But the captainshook his head in silent refusal, and Chester seemed to give it up, andwith another furtive glance at Lucilla, which she did not see, herattention being fully occupied with the others, he too joined in themirthful congratula
tions and good wishes.