MARTHA FINLEY Ultimate Collection – Timeless Children Classics & Other Novels. Finley Martha

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      "That wouldn't balance the scales either," he said laughingly; "and besides, Mr. Travilla has now some right to be consulted."

      "Papa, I could never love him again, if he should object to my giving you all but a few hundred thousands."

      "He would not. He says he will never touch a cent of your property; it must be settled entirely upon yourself, and subject to your control. And that is quite right; for he, too, is wealthy."

      "Papa, I don't think I deserve so much; I don't want the care of so much. I do wish you would be so good as to take half for your own, and continue to manage the other half for me as you think best."

      "What you deserve is not the question just now. This is one of the talents which God has given you, and I think you ought, at least for the present, to keep the principal and decide for yourself what shall be done with the interest. You are old enough now to do so, and I hope do not wish to shirk the responsibility, since God, in His good providence, has laid it upon you."

      He spoke very gravely and Elsie's face reflected the expression of his.

      "No, I do not wish it now, papa," she said, in a low, sweet voice. "I will undertake it, asking Him for wisdom and grace to do it aright."

      They were busy for the next hour or two over the papers.

      "There!" cried Elsie, at length, "we have examined the last one, and I think I understand it all pretty thoroughly."

      "I think you do. And now another thing; ought you not to go and see for yourself your property in Louisiana?"

      Elsie assented, on condition that he would take her.

      "Certainly, my dear child, can you suppose I would ever think of permitting you to go alone?"

      "Thank you, papa. And if poor mammy objects this time, she may take her choice of going or staying; but go I must, and see how my poor people are faring at Viamede. I have dim, dreamy recollections of it as a kind of earthly paradise. Papa, do you know why mammy has always been so distressed whenever I talked of going there?"

      "Painful associations, no doubt. Poor creature! it was there her husband—an unruly negro belonging to a neighboring planter—was sold away from her, and there she lost her children, one by accidental drowning, the others by some epidemic disease. Your own mother, too, died there, and Chloe I think never loved one of her own children better."

      "No, I'm sure not. But she never told me of her husband and children, and I thought she had never had any. And now, papa, that we are done with business for the present, I have a request to make."

      "Well, daughter, what is it?"

      "That you will permit me to renew my old intimacy with Lucy Carrington; or at least to call on her. You remember she was not well enough to be at the wedding; she is here at Ashlands with her baby. Mr. and Mrs. Carrington called here yesterday while you were out, and both urged me not to be ceremonious with Lucy, as she is hardly well enough to make calls and is longing to see me."

      "And what answer did you give them?" he asked with some curiosity.

      "That I should do so if possible; that meant if I could obtain your permission, papa."

      "You have it. Lucy is in some sort taken into the family now, and you are safely engaged; to say nothing of your mature years," he added laughingly, as she seated herself on his knee again and thanked him with a hug and kiss.

      "You dear good papa!"

      "Some girls of your age, heiresses in their own right, would merely have said, 'I'm going,' never asking permission."

      "Ah, but I like to be ruled by you. So please don't give it up. Now about Enna?"

      "If I had any authority in the matter, I should say, you shall not give her a cent. She doesn't deserve it from you or any one."

      "Then I shall wait till you change your mind."

      Mr. Dinsmore shook his head. "Ah! my little girl, you don't realize how much some one else's opinions will soon weigh with you," he answered, putting an arm about her and looking with fatherly delight into the sweet face.

      "Ah, papa!" she cried, laying her cheek to his, "please don't talk so; it hurts me."

      "Then, dearest, I shall not say it again, though indeed I was not reproaching you; it is right, very right, that husband and wife should be more than all the world beside to each other."

      Elsie's cheek crimsoned. "It has not come to that yet, father dear," she murmured, half averting her blushing face; "and—I don't know which of you I love best—or how I could ever do without either: the love differs in kind rather than in degree."

      He drew her closer. "Thank you, my darling; what more could I ask or desire?" A slight tap on the door and Mrs. Dinsmore looked in. "Any admittance?" she asked playfully.

      "Always to my wife," answered her husband, releasing Elsie and rising to hand Rose a chair.

      "Thanks, my dear, but I haven't time to sit down," she said. "Here is a note of invitation for us all to spend the day at Roselands. Shall we go?"

      "Certainly, if it suits you, Rose," replied Mr. Dinsmore; "and Elsie;" he added, "will you go, daughter?"

      "If you wish it, papa," she answered cheerfully; yet there was a slight reluctance in her tone.

      He gave her a kind, fond look. "You are your own mistress, and can accept or decline as your judgment and wishes dictate."

      "But you would rather have me go, papa?"

      "I would, because it would seem more kind and courteous. But what is the objection in your mind? Perhaps it could be removed."

      "I wanted so much to see Lucy this morning," Elsie answered with a blush; "but to-morrow will do."

      "But both might be accomplished if mamma and Adelaide like to have Cæsar drive them and the little ones over to Roselands. Then you and I will mount our horses and away to Ashlands for a call, leaving there in good time to join the dinner party at Roselands. How will that do?"

      "Oh, bravely, you dear darling papa! always contriving for my enjoyment."

      Mr. Dinsmore followed his wife from the room. "'Twill be an early return of Carrington's call," he said, "but I have a little business with him."

      "Yes, I'm very glad: it is a good plan; but don't hurry Elsie away. She and Lucy will want a long talk."

      "I promise to be careful to obey orders," he answered, sportively. "Is that all?"

      "Yes; only see that you don't stay too long, and keep the dinner waiting at Roselands."

      "Mamma," asked Elsie, bringing up the rear as they entered the sitting-room, "can't you go, too—you and Aunt Adelaide? Four make as nice a party as two, and the babies can be driven over quite safely, with their mammies, to take care of them."

      "No," said Rose, "I never accept such late invitations; I shall——"

      "My dear," said her husband, "we would be very glad."

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