Elsie at Home. Finley Martha

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      Everyone approved of that idea.

      "Now, it will be in order, I suppose, to settle about the material and colour of our dresses," remarked Lucilla.

      "Perhaps it might be as well to first decide at what time of year they are to be worn," suggested Mrs. Travilla in her gentle tones.

      "Yes, mamma, but – you do not want to disappoint Will, do you? And June is really the prettiest month in the year for a wedding, I think," said Rose.

      "None lovelier, daughter," her mother responded with a slight sigh, "but October, my own wedding month, seems to me no less suitable."

      "Why, yes, to be sure! if only Will could be satisfied to wait till then."

      "It will be hardly longer than the time he was given to understand he must expect to wait," returned her mother pleasantly, "or than he ought to think my Rose worth waiting for. But at all events, daughter, we must consult with your grandpa before deciding. Have you had any talk with him on the subject?"

      "No, mamma; I preferred coming to you first, and am almost sure grandpa will think it a matter for you to decide."

      "Probably; yet I shall want his opinion; and besides he is your guardian as well as your grandfather."

      "Along with you, mamma; and I love him as both, he is so dear and kind."

      "He is indeed," assented her mother. "He has told me more than once or twice that my children are scarcely less dear to him than his own."

      "Partly because our father was his dear friend as well as his son-in-law," added Violet softly.

      "Yes; they were bosom friends before I was born," her mother said with a far-away look in her eyes.

      "Then you must have been very much younger than he, Grandma Elsie," remarked Grace, half inquiringly.

      "Sixteen years younger. I was in my ninth year when I saw him first, and more than twice that age before I thought of him as anything but a dear, kind friend – my father's friend and mine."

      "And after that he seemed to you to grow younger, did he not, mamma?" asked Rosie.

      "Yes; when he joined us in Europe I had not seen him for two years, and as regarded age he seemed to have been standing still while I grew up to him; and in the daily and intimate intercourse of those months I learned that his worth was far greater than that of any other man of my acquaintance – excepting my father. Ah, there was never a better man, a truer friend, a kinder, more devoted husband and father than he."

      The sweet voice trembled with emotion; she paused for a moment, then went on:

      "He does not seem dead to me – he is not dead, but only gone before into the immediate presence of the dear Master, where I hope one day to join him for an eternity of bliss.

      Again there was a brief silence, presently broken by the coming of the captain and his two younger children. All three seemed pleased to find Rosie there, greeted her affectionately, and then the captain remarked, glancing from one to another:

      "It strikes me that you are all looking about as grave as if assembled to discuss the affairs of the nation. Can I have a voice in the subject, whatever it is?"

      "Yes, Brother Levis," replied Rosie, "I am trying to make arrangements for – doing what you have done twice. And perhaps, since you have had so much practice, you may be more capable than these other friends and relatives of giving me advice."

      "Something that I have done twice? What can that be?"

      "Will Croly wants to help me," returned Rosie with a laugh and a blush.

      "Ah! now I understand. Is the vexing question as to the colour and material of the wedding gown?"

      "Mamma thinks the first thing is to settle when the ceremony is to be performed. She does not seem to sympathise in Will's haste to have it over."

      "Which is not at all surprising," returned the captain, glancing at his two older daughters. "I can quite understand the feeling. But what is the time proposed by Will?"

      "June of this year."

      "June seems a very suitable month, but if you were my daughter I should say not June of this year – since you are both young enough to wait for that of next or the year after."

      "Ah, sir! that was not the way you talked when you wanted to rob mamma of one of her daughters."

      "No; but I was some years older than Mr. Croly is now, and your sister Violet very womanly in her ways."

      "And I am not? Ah, well! perhaps it is fortunate for me that the decision rest with mamma and grandpa."

      "So you, too, are in haste?" queried the captain, regarding her with a look of amusement.

      "Not at all," she returned, drawing herself up with an air of pretended indignation. "Who would be in haste to leave such a home and mother as mine? If I consulted only my own feelings I should be more than willing to wait another year."

      "Then why not decide to do so?" he asked with a quizzical look.

      "Because I really have some regard for the wishes of my betrothed."

      "And it makes it hard for you that the different ones you love cannot agree so that you might please them all," remarked Grace, then exclaimed, "Ah, here comes grandpa!" as at that moment the Ion carriage turned in at the great gates.

      Mr. Dinsmore seldom let a day pass without a more or less extended interview with his eldest daughter, and had now come for a call at Woodburn, bringing his wife with him.

      When the usual greetings had been exchanged the subject of Rosie's approaching marriage and the letter from Mr. Croly, urging that it take place speedily, were introduced, and after some discussion it was decided to let him have his own way. The day was not fixed upon any farther than that it should be near the end of the month of June, and with that Rosie seemed satisfied.

      "Now, mamma," she said, "I think we may go on and discuss minor details, such as dresses and ornaments for bride and attendants."

      "Very well, daughter; you may give us your views on the subject. You will want your own dress of some rich white material, I suppose?"

      "Yes, mamma; of Bengaline silk, richly trimmed with lace; and I must have a veil and orange blossoms; also a bouquet of bride roses and smilax. Lu and Grace, you will want white silk dresses, won't you?"

      "Yes," they replied. "And bouquets of white flowers," added Lucilla.

      "Oh, papa, you will let me act as one of the bridesmaids, will you not?" asked Grace, turning to him.

      "I have no objection," he replied. "You may both serve, since Rosie wishes it and I see you are pleased with the idea. As for the matter of dress you may settle that for yourselves."

      "Oh, thank you, sir!" both exclaimed joyously, Grace adding, "But won't you please tell us, papa, just how much we may spend?"

      "Any amount which your mamma and Grandma Elsie do not consider too СКАЧАТЬ