Elsie at Home | Page 9

family
council and talk the matter over."
"Yes, mamma; that sounds as though you accept Solomon's teaching
that 'In the multitude of counsellors there is safety.' And since he was
the wisest of men we may surely consider ourselves safe in so doing.
So, if you like, you may tell Lu and Gracie on what errand I came."
"Tell it yourself, child," returned her mother with an amused look.
At that Rosie held up a letter to the view of Lucilla and Grace, saying,
with a smile and blush, "It is from Will Croly. He has grown tired of
waiting and begs to have matters hurried up somewhat: proposes that I
change my name next month, though the prescribed year of waiting
would thereby be shortened by two months or more."
"Oh, do let him have his way, then!" exclaimed Grace--"at least if he
will promise not to carry you off at once after the wedding--for there
could not be a lovelier month for it than beautiful June, the month of
roses."
"So I should say," chimed in Lucilla, then added hastily, "though I
think I'd make him wait till June of next year, rather than leave such a

mother as Grandma Elsie so soon."
At that Rosie glanced at her mother and her eyes filled with unbidden
tears.
"I can't bear to think of that," she said with a tremble in her voice, "but
perhaps I can coax Will to settle down somewhere in this
neighbourhood--bringing his father and mother along so that they won't
be lonely."
"A very nice plan, Rosie dear, if you can manage to carry it out,"
remarked Violet.
"And I have hope that Will, at least, will favour the plan; for he seemed
much pleased with this neighbourhood when he was here," said Rosie,
adding with a laugh and blush, "and I know my wishes carry great
weight with him."
"And we will hope that those of his parents may coincide with yours,"
added her mother gently; "for I am sure my Rosie would not wish to be
the cause of unhappiness to them."
"No, indeed, mamma; I can assure you it is my earnest desire to add to
their happiness; not to take from it. I am strongly in hopes, however,
that when they come to know you and all the rest of my dear relatives
here, they will esteem it a delight to live in your midst."
"And I don't believe they can help it," said Grace. "I am sure everybody
who knows Grandma Elsie, mamma, and papa--not to mention all the
other dear people--loves them and their pleasant society."
"In all of which I am sure you are quite right, Gracie," said Evelyn.
"I, too," said Lulu. "But now let us hear the plans for the wedding."
"They are yet to be made," laughed Rosie.
"You will want a grand one?" Lulu said in a tone of mingled assertion
and inquiry.

"Not so very," Rosie answered with a slight shake of her pretty head. "I
think only the relatives and most intimate friends. They alone will
make quite a party, you know. I'll want some bridesmaids. You'll be
one, Lu, won't you? Unless you fear the truth of the old saying, 'Twice
a bridesmaid never a bride.'"
"Pooh! what difference need that make?" returned Lulu; "since I don't
intend ever to marry."
"You don't?" exclaimed Rosie.
"No; for there is not another man in the world whom I could love half
so dearly as I love my father."
"Oh, well! that is only because you and the right one haven't happened
to meet yet."
"Yes, Lulu," said Grandma Elsie, "at your age I thought and felt just as
you do now, but some years later I found that another had gained the
first place in my heart."
"But my father is so much kinder and more lovable than ever yours
was," was the answering thought in Lucilla's mind, but unwilling to
hurt the dear lady's feelings she refrained from expressing it, and only
said with a little laugh of incredulity, "I suppose I should not be too
certain, but I am entirely willing to run the risk of again acting as
bridesmaid."
"So that much is settled," returned Rosie in a tone of satisfaction. "I
have always counted upon Eva as another," she continued, "but----"
"Thank you, Rosie dear, but of course I cannot serve--under present
circumstances," returned Evelyn in a tone of gentle sadness.
No one spoke again for a moment; then Violet broke the silence by
asking, "How many do you think of having, Rosie?"
"Perhaps six," was the reply, in a musing tone, "at least including

flower girls and maid of honour. Gracie, you will be one of the
bridesmaids, will you not?"
"If papa does not object, as I hardly