Martha Finley

“ But then I say to myself, 'But I shall always be my dear father's child and we need not—we will not love each other the less because another claims a share of my affection.' Is that not so, papa?"
"Yes, daughter; and I do not believe anything can ever make either one of us love the other less. But it is growing late and about time for my eldest daughter to be seeking her nest, if she wants to be up with the birds in the morning and ready to share a stroll with her father through these beautiful grounds before breakfast." ”

“ I am quite sure that my daughter Grace's company will add to my enjoyment of the drive," was the captain's kindly response.
"And, Grandma Elsie, cannot you find some use for the stay-at-homes?" asked Max. "Chester and myself for instance. Would there be any objection to having 'Old Glory' set waving from the tree tops to-day?"
"None whatever," she returned with her sweet smile. "I, for one, never weary of seeing it 'wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.'"
"I think anyone who does isn't worthy to be called an American!" exclaimed Lucilla with warmth. ”

“ An assertion which no one was in the least inclined to contradict.
"He certainly is to me—his wife," said Violet, giving him a look that spoke volumes of respect and love.
"And I certainly know of no man who has less reason to complain of the lack of appreciation by his nearest and dearest," responded the captain in tones slightly tremulous with feeling, and a look of fond, proud affection, first at his wife, then at his children, each in turn.
"This is certainly a happy home-coming to us all," said Max, "to me in especial, I think, as the one who has seen so little of it for years past. ”

“ I haven't a doubt of it," said Mrs. Embury; "and as they are in good circumstances it will no doubt be something handsome."
"Of course it will," said Dick. "Sister Betty was always a generous soul, taking delight in giving."
"Being related to you both, Bob and Sid, I want to give you something worth while. What would you like it to be?" said Mrs. Keith.
"Oh, never mind, Isa," exclaimed Dr. Johnson, jocosely, "your husband is to tie the knot, and if he does it right—as no doubt he will—he will give me my bride, and that will be the best, most valuable gift any one could bestow upon me." ”

“ But Grace, little Elsie, and the others were crowding around with expressions of surprise and pleasure and many congratulations and good wishes. For everybody who knew them loved both Max and Eva.
But now came the call to breakfast and they repaired to the dining room and gathered about the table, as cheerful and gay a party as could be found in the whole length and breadth of the land.
"You seem likely to have a rapid increase in your family, captain," said Dr. Harold Travilla, with a smiling glance directed toward Lucilla, Max, and Eva, seated near together. ”

“ Oh, I have them all now—except the mother," she added with a slight laugh—"for of course your Mamma Vi is much too young to be that to me."
"Yes; as she is to be a mother to Max, Gracie, and me. But with such a father as ours one could do pretty well without a mother. Don't you think so?"
"Yes; he seems to be father and mother both to those of his children who have lost their mother."
"He is indeed. But now I must obey his last order by getting to bed as quickly as I can."
"I, too," laughed Evelyn; "it seems really delightful to have a father to obey." ”

“ Mrs. Travilla had seated herself in the veranda and seemed to be doing nothing but gaze out upon the lovely landscape—the velvety, flower-bespangled lawn, the bayou, and the fields and woods beyond. But the slight patter of little feet drew her attention from that and turning she found Elsie and Ned at her side.
"Grandma, will it be disturbing if I talk to you and ask some questions?" asked the little girl.
"No, dear child, not at all," was the kindly-spoken reply. "I am always glad to help my dear little grandchildren to information when it is in my power. ”

“ It is just to come to the Lord Jesus confessing that you are a helpless, undone sinner and asking him to help you—to take away the love of sinning and wash you in his own precious blood. The Bible tells us 'He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him.' And he says, 'Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.' So that if you come, truly seeking him with all your heart—desiring to be saved, not only from eternal death but from sin and the love of it—he will hear and save you. ”

“ Bidding good-by to Eva at the gate into Fairview Avenue, Max rode rapidly onward and entered the Woodburn grounds just in the rear of his father's carriage, then dismounted at the veranda in time to take part in assisting the ladies and children to alight.
"Oh, how delightful it is to be at home again!" exclaimed Grace, dancing about and gazing this way and that into the beautifully kept grounds. "I am always glad to go, but still gladder to get back." ”

“ And I am so glad that my dear father is so strong and well, and not so very old," she added with a smile and a look of loving admiration up into his face.
"I am not very young, daughter," he returned pleasantly, "though I think my natural strength has not abated, and life seems as enjoyable to me as ever. But the happy thought is that God our heavenly Father rules and reigns and shall choose all our changes for us; for to his wisdom and love there is no limit. ”

“ I think we know each other too thoroughly to indulge any such doubts and fears. Still, as I have great faith in your father's wisdom, and courting times are not by any means unpleasant, I feel in no haste to bring them to an end. You make such a delightful lover, Max, that the only thing I feel in a hurry about is the right to call the dear captain father. ”

“ Percival looked inquiringly at Violet.
"Yes, cousin," she said with a smile, "I think we can make you very comfortable; and that without inconveniencing anybody; especially as Grandpa and Grandma Dinsmore decline to return in the Dolphin. They go from here to Philadelphia by rail, to visit her relations there or in that region. So you need not hesitate about it for a moment, and," glancing at her brother, "you will have your doctor along to see that you are well taken care of and not allowed to expose yourself on deck when you should be down in the saloon or lying in your berth." ”

“ Max and Evelyn were again sauntering along near the bayou, enjoying a bit of private chat before separating for the night.
"What do you think of Maud's proposition, Eva?" he asked.
"It seems hardly worth while to think about it at all, Max," she replied in a mirthful tone; "at least not if one cares for a trousseau; or for pleasing your father in regard to the time of—taking that important step; tying that knot that we cannot untie again should we grow ever so tired of it." ”

“ I wish everybody had as good, kind, capable, and helpful friends and relatives as ours, and as able to give them such royal entertainment."
"Cousin Elsie is the very person to have large means," said Maud, "for she seems to be always thinking of others and what she can do for their comfort and happiness. There is not a particle of selfishness or self-righteousness about her."
"I heartily agree with you there," said Dick. "I have known her since I was the merest child and she has always seemed to live to do good and show kindness to all around her. ”

“ But what will you and Elsie do while we older people are shopping?"
"Why, my dear, there will be so many of us that we will hardly all want to go at once," remarked Violet. "I think there will always be someone willing to stay with the little folks."
"Yes, mamma," said Grace, who had drawn near, "I shall. Shopping is apt to tire me a good deal, and I think I shall prefer to spend the most of the time on the Dolphin."
"Yes, daughter, it will certainly be better for you," her father said, giving her an appreciative smile. ”

“ Violet, "and Cousin Ronald and Max are men."
"Of course they are, and could not talk in the sweet tones of my little girl," said a rough masculine voice that seemed to come from the doorway into the hall.
Involuntarily nearly everybody turned to look for the speaker, but he was not to be seen.
"And who are you and your girl?" asked another voice, seeming to speak from the farther end of the veranda.
"People of consequence, whom you should treat with courtesy," answered the other, who seemed to stand in the doorway. ”

“ CHAPTER II. "They are going to have a Christmas tree at Ion, one at Fairview, one at Roselands, and I suppose one at the Oaks," remarked Ned Raymond one morning at the breakfast table. "But I guess folks think Elsie and I have grown too old for such things," he added in a tone of melancholy resignation and with a slight sigh.
"A very sensible conclusion, my son," said the captain cheerfully, with a twinkle of amusement in his eye. "But now that you have grown so manly you can enjoy more than ever giving to others. ”

“ Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud but giveth grace unto the humble.'"
It was Grace's turn and she repeated, with a look of joy, "'For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. Oh, Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.'"
"I have a little one, papa," said his daughter Elsie: "'Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God.'"
"This is mine and it is short too," said Ned. ”

“ It so happened that Evelyn Leland and Lucilla Raymond stood so near together that their hands almost touched and that the bouquet fell to both—each catching it with one hand. Their success was hailed by a peal of laughter from all present, Chester Dinsmore and Max Raymond particularly seeming to enjoy the sport.
The bride came tripping down the stairway, closely followed by her groom, and the adieus began ”

“ At that he put his arm about her and drew her closer. "I but jested, daughter," he said in tender tones, "and am not in the least displeased with you. So your only punishment shall be an order presently to go directly to your room and prepare for bed. But first let us have our usual bit of bedtime chat, which I believe I enjoy as fully as does my little girl herself."
"Oh, father, how kind in you to say that!" she exclaimed in low, but joyous tones. "I do dearly love to make you my confidant—you are so wise and kind and I am so sure that you love me dearly, as your very own God-given property. ”

“ Then releasing them with an injunction not to waste too much time over their toilet, he passed on down the stairway while they went on into their tiring-room.
"Oh, Lu," said Grace as she pulled down her hair before the glass, "haven't we the best and dearest father in the world? I like Chester ever so much, but I sometimes wonder how you can bear the very thought of leaving papa for him."
"It does not seem an easy thing to do," sighed Lucilla, "and yet——"
But she paused, leaving her sentence unfinished.
"Yet what?" asked Grace, turning an inquiring look upon her sister. ”

“ CHAPTER XII. "Cousin Ronald, can't you make some fun for us?" asked Ned at the breakfast table the next morning. "We haven't had any of your kind since we came here."
"Well, and what of that, youngster? must you live on fun all the time?" asked a rough voice directly behind the little boy.
"Oh! who are you? and how did you come in here?" he asked, turning half round in his chair, in the effort to see the speaker. "Oh, pshaw! you're nobody. Was it you, Cousin Ronald? or was it brother Max?" ”

“ But how shall we manage it? have you a good joke for us?"
"No, sir," said Ned, "but you know we have two ventriloquists here and—and I like the kind of fun they make. Don't you?"
"It is certainly very amusing sometimes, and I see no objection if our friends are willing to favor us with some specimens of their skill," was the reply, accompanied by a glance first at Mr. Milburn, then at Max.
"Oh!" exclaimed Maud, "that might be a good entertainment for our wedding guests!" ”

“ In answer to inquiries, "Yes, poor Dick is certainly badly hurt," he said, "and Maud well-nigh distracted with grief and anxiety. She is a most devoted wife and considers him her all."
"But the case is not thought to be hopeless?" Mr. Dinsmore said inquiringly.
"No, not exactly that, but the doctors are not yet able to decide just what the internal injury may be."
"And while there is life there is hope," said Grandma Elsie in determinately cheerful tones. "It is certainly in his favor that he is a strong, healthy man, in the prime of life." ”

“ Lilburn; "as no doubt they will prove with them."
"And how wise as well as kind our father is," said Max, giving the captain an ardently appreciative look and smile; "how patiently and earnestly he has striven to bring his children up for usefulness and happiness in this world and the next."
"That is true," said Violet. "I think no one ever had a better father than yours, Max."
"And certainly no one had a more appreciative wife or children than I," remarked Captain Raymond, with a smile. "We seem to have formed a mutual admiration society this morning." ”

“ By the way, Rosie and her Will, Maud and Dick seem two very happy couples."
"Yes, indeed, father; it is a pleasure to watch them. And do you know
I think Frank Dinsmore is casting longing eyes at our Grace."
"But you don't think the dear child cares at all for him?"
"Oh, no, sir! no, indeed! Grace doesn't care in the least for beaux, and loves no other man half so well as she does her father and mine." ”

“ How sweet are the words, 'I have loved thee with an everlasting love,' 'As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you.' If we are his children we need not fear to trust our all in his hands. We need not desire to choose for ourselves as regards the things of this life, or the time when he shall call us to our heavenly home. ”

“ Lilburn.
"Oh!" cried the little girl, "I'd like to have both of you do it. It's more fun with two than with only one."
"And it might be well to consult cousins Maud and Dick about it," suggested Grandma Elsie. "You can do so to-day, as we are all invited to take lunch at Torriswood."
"Are we? oh, that's nice!" exclaimed Elsie, smiling brightly. "You will let us go, papa, won't you?"
"Yes; I expect to take you there."
"And if we all go Cousin Ronald and Max might make some fun for us there. I guess the Torriswood folks would like it," remarked Ned insinuatingly. ”