CHAPTER IV.
For the next week or two, family parties for the honor andentertainment of the newly-married ones were frequent. Life seemed tothem bright and joyous, except when they remembered that Max wouldprobably soon be ordered away, perhaps to some distant quarter ofthe globe. An unwelcome anticipation not to them only, but to hisfather and the others at Woodburn, and in a slighter degree to all theconnection. But orders had not come yet, and they still hoped theymight be delayed for weeks, giving opportunity for many quiet homepleasures. Yet there were drawbacks to even those, in the fact thatseveral of the near connection were ailing from colds caught duringtheir round of festivities--Grandma Elsie and Chester Dinsmore beingof those most seriously affected. Chester was confined to the housefor several days, under the doctor's care, and it was against medicaladvice that he then returned to his labors at his office. Lucilla wastroubled and anxious, and, as usual, went to her father for sympathyand advice. They had a chat together in the library at Woodburn.
"I feel for you, daughter," Captain Raymond said, "but keep up yourcourage; 'all is not lost that is in danger.' I have been thinking thata southerly trip in the yacht might prove of benefit to both GrandmaElsie and Chester, and quite agreeable to the members of my family andother friends for whom we could find room."
"Oh, father, that would be delightful!" she exclaimed, her eyessparkling with pleasure. "And I hope you will persuade Harold to makeone of the company, for Grace's sake, and so that we will not bewithout a physician."
"Yes, that is a part of my plan, and I have little doubt of itsacceptance, Grace's companionship being a great attraction to my youngbrother-in-law."
"'Speak of angels and you will hear the flutter of their wings,'"laughed Lucilla, as at that moment Harold appeared in the doorway.
"Am I the angel, and may I fly in?" he asked, joining in the laugh.
"Certainly, you are just in the nick of time to advise us in a matterof importance which we were discussing," replied the Captain, invitinghim by a gesture to an easy chair near at hand, then repeating to himthe substance of what he had been saying to Lucilla, finishing with arequest for his opinion in regard to the plan.
"I like it extremely," Harold said. "I think nothing could be betterfor either mother or Chester, and the sooner we make ready and startthe better for both, if they will be persuaded to go; of which I havelittle doubt."
"I am somewhat afraid Chester may refuse for business reasons," sighedLucilla.
"I think we can persuade him of the folly of that," said her father."It would be far wiser and better to give up business for a time forthe gaining of health, than to so wreck that by overtaxing strength ofbody and mind as to shorten his days or make himself an invalid forlife."
"It certainly would," said Harold, "and I hope that among us we canconvince him that duty, as well as pleasure, calls him to make one ofour party."
"Duty to his wife as well as to himself," said Lucilla, in a livelytone; "for I should neither willingly go without him or stay behindwith him."
"Where are Vi, Grace and the children?" asked Harold. "I have not seenor heard anything of them since I came in."
"Max and Eva have taken them driving in our fine new carriage--father'swedding gift," replied Lucilla, with a smiling glance into her father'seyes. "That is, all but Ned who rides his pony alongside."
"Ah, and here they come now!" exclaimed Harold, glancing from thewindow, "the carriage has just turned in at the gates."
And with that the three arose and hastened out to the veranda, to greetand assist them to alight. But the moment the carriage drew up beforethe entrance the door was thrown open and Max, then Chester, sprang outand turned to hand out the ladies--Grandma Elsie, Eva, Violet, Graceand her sister Elsie, while at the same time Ned was dismounting fromhis pony.
Warm greetings were exchanged, and as the weather was now too cool forcomfortable sitting upon the veranda the Captain led the way to thelibrary--a favorite resort with them all.
"Your call is an agreeable surprise, mother," he said to Grandma Elsie,as he drew forward an easy chair for her; "Harold had just been tellingus that you were almost ill with a cold."
"I have a rather bad one, but thought a drive through the bracing air,and in such pleasant company, might prove beneficial rather thanotherwise," she answered in cheery tones, adding "And I knew Harold washere and could take me home in his conveyance."
"Certainly, mother, and will be very glad of your good company," saidHarold, while at the same time Violet exclaimed, "But why go at allto-night, mother? Why not stay here with us?"
"Thank you, daughter," was the smiling reply; "that would be pleasant,but there are some things to be attended to at home."
"And not being well, she would better have her doctor close at hand,"remarked Harold, in playful tone. "Mother, we have been contriving aplan to help you and Chester to get the better of your colds."
"Ah, what is that?" she asked, and Harold, turning to the Captain,said, "Let mother hear it from you, Brother Levis, if you please."
"We are thinking of taking a southward trip in the 'Dolphin,'mother--visiting the Bermudas, Bahamas and other of the West Indiesand the coast of Brazil."
"Why, that would be a lovely trip!" she exclaimed. "Many thanks to you,Captain, for including me among your invited guests."
"Many thanks to you, mother, if you consent to make one of our party,"he returned, looking greatly pleased to find her so ready to approve ofand share their plans.
Eager, excited remarks and queries now followed in rapid successionfrom the others present--"When was the start to be made? Who besidesGrandma Elsie and the Captain were to compose the party?"
"All who are here now are invited and expected to go; some others ofour friends also," replied the Captain, "and I hope no one will refuse."
"Thanks, warm thanks," said Chester. "I should be delighted to go, butfear business will prevent."
"As your physician, Ches, I strongly advise you not to let it," saidHarold. "A good rest now in a warm climate may restore you to vigoroushealth, while if you stay at home and stick to business you are likelyto either cut your life short or make yourself a confirmed invalid forthe rest of it."
"Do you really think so, cousin doctor?" was Chester's rejoinder in atroubled voice.
"I do most emphatically," returned Harold. "You may be very thankful,cousin, that this good opportunity offers."
"I am," said Chester. Then turning to the Captain. "Thank you verymuch, sir, for the invitation, which I accept, if my wife will go withme."
"You needn't doubt that," laughed Lucilla. "There is nothing I likebetter than a trip on my father's yacht, with him and all my dear onesabout me."
"And it's just the same with all the rest of us," said Grace.
"And how is it with Max and Eva?" asked the Captain.
"I know of nothing more enjoyable than that--a trip on the 'Dolphin'taken in the company of one's dear ones," replied Evelyn with a lovinglook into the eyes of her young husband.
"Just my opinion," he said, with a smile; "the only question with meis, Will Uncle Sam allow me a sufficiently long leave of absence."
"Your leave of absence has nearly expired?" his father said,inquiringly.
"Yes, sir; so nearly that I should hardly feel surprised to receiveorders any day."
"Well, I hope, instead, you may get another leave, allowing you time tomake one of our party."
"It would be a very great pleasure to me, sir," said Max. "But I havehad so long a one already that I can hardly hope for another very soon."
"Oh, Max!" exclaimed Grace, "do write at once asking to have itextended; it would double our pleasure to have you along."
"Yes, Max, do," said Lucilla. "I can hardly bear the thought of goingwithout you."
Evelyn, sitting close at his side, looked her entreaties, while Violetsaid, "Yes, Max, do; it will double our enjoyment to have you and Evaalong."
Then Chester, Grandma Elsie, Harold and the children added thei
rentreaties, expressing their desire for his company on the trip and Nedexclaimed, "Yes, Brother Max, do get leave to go along; we'll want youto make fun for us with your ventriloquism."
"Is that all you want me for, Neddie boy?" laughed Max. "If so, CousinRonald will answer your purpose quite as well, if not better."
"But two can make more fun than one; and I want you besides, because Iam really fond of you--the only brother I've got."
"Ah, that sounds better," said Max; "but I really can't go withoutUncle Sam's permission."
"Then please do ask him to give it."
"Yes, do, Max," said Grace; "I really think he might give it,considering what good service you did at Manila."
"It was not very much that I accomplished personally," returned Maxmodestly, "and the two months' rest I have had is probably quite asmuch as I may be supposed to have earned. Especially as it gave me theopportunity to secure my wife," he added, with a very affectionate lookat Evelyn.
"I wish you might be able to go with us, Max, my son," said theCaptain, "for leaving ventriloquism entirely out of the account, Ishould be very glad to have your company. But the service, of course,has the first claim on you."
"So I think, sir; and as for the ventriloquism, my little brother is sohungry for, Cousin Ronald can supply it should you take him as one ofyour passengers."
"And that we will, if he and his wife can be persuaded to go," returnedthe Captain, heartily.
"Oh, good, papa!" cried Ned, clapping his hands in glee, "then we'llhave at least one ventriloquist, if we can't have two."
"And, after all, the ventriloquism was really all you wanted me for,eh?" said Max, assuming a tone and look of chagrin.
"Oh, no! no! Brother Max," cried Ned, with a look of distress. "Ididn't mean that! you know you're the only brother I have and I'mreally fond of you."
"As I am of you, little brother, and have been ever since you wereborn," said Max, regarding the little fellow with an affectionate smile.
"Oh, Max, I wish you hadn't gone into the navy," sighed Lucilla.
"I don't," he returned, cheerfully, "though I acknowledge that it ishard parting with home and dear ones."
"That is bad, as I know by experience," said their father, "but then wehave the compensating joy of the many reunions."
"Yes, sir; and a great joy it is," responded Max. "How soon, father, doyou think of starting on your southward trip?"
"Just as soon as all necessary arrangements can be made, which, Isuppose, will not be more than a week from this, at farthest. I canhave the yacht made ready in less time than that, and for the sake ofour invalids it would be well to go as promptly as possible."
"Couldn't you make use of the telephone now, to give your invitations,my dear?" queried Violet.
"Why, yes; that is a wise suggestion. I will do so at once," hereplied, and hastily left the room, promising to return presently withthe reply from Beechwood to which he would call first.
The invitation was accepted promptly and with evident pleasure, as theCaptain presently reported in the library.
"Now, mother, shall I give my invitation in the same way to our ownfriends?" he asked, turning to Grandma Elsie.
"Perhaps it would be as well to send it by Harold and me," she said,"as that will delay it very little, and I can perhaps help them toperceive what a delightful trip it is likely to prove."
"And then, mamma, you can give us their view by the 'phone," saidViolet.
"I, or some one of the family will," she said. "And now, Harold, wewill go and attend to the matter at once."