Elsie at the Worlds Fair | Page 2

joy on learning that every one of the family was on board the Dolphin.
No one cared to tarry long at Annapolis, and they set out on the return trip as soon as Max was free to go with them.
The lovely weather continued, there was nothing to mar the pleasure of the short voyage, the drive and ride that succeeded it--for the carriages and Max's pony, Rex, which he hailed with almost a shout of delight and hastened to mount, were found awaiting them at the wharf--or the arrival at their homes, Ion and Woodburn, which seemed to the young cadet to be looking even more beautiful than ever before.
"Oh, was there ever a lovelier place!" was his delighted exclamation as the carriage, closely followed by Rex, turned in at the great gates giving admission to the Woodburn driveway. "I thought that of it before I left, but it is vastly improved; almost an earthly paradise."
"So I think," said Violet. "It does credit to your father's taste."
"And yours," added her husband, with a pleased smile; "for have I not always consulted with my wife before making any alteration or adding what I thought would be an improvement? And has not the first suggestion come from her more than once?"
"Quite true," she returned, giving him a look of loving appreciation; "in fact, my dear, you are so ready to humor and indulge me in every possible way that I am half afraid to make a suggestion."
"Lest I should have too much pleasure in carrying it out?" he queried, with playful look and tone.
"Oh, certainly!" she replied with a musical laugh; "it would be a sad pity to spoil so good a husband."
"Father, may I ride over the grounds before alighting?" asked Max's voice in eager tones, just at that moment.
"If you wish, my son," the captain answered pleasantly. "But suppose you delay a little and let some of us accompany you?"
"Yes, sir; that will be better," was the prompt, cheerful rejoinder, and in another minute Max had dismounted at the door of the mansion, and stood ready to assist the occupants of the carriage to alight.
"Ah, I see you have been making some changes and improvements here, father," he said, glancing about as he entered the hall door.
"Yes, and in other parts of the house," said Violet. "Perhaps you might as well go over it before visiting the grounds."
"I am at liberty to go everywhere, as of old?" he returned, half in assertion, half enquiringly and turning from her to his father.
"Certainly, my son; it is as truly your father's house, therefore open in every part to you, as it was before you left its shelter for Uncle Sam's Naval Academy," replied the captain, regarding the lad with mingled fatherly affection, pride, and amusement.
"Thank you, sir," returned Max heartily. "Ah, Christine!" as the housekeeper, whom something had detained in another part of the house at the moment of their arrival, now appeared among them, "I'm pleased to see you again; looking so well, too. I really don't think you have changed in the least in all the time I have been away," shaking her hand warmly as he spoke.
"Ah, Master Max, sir, I can't say the same of you," she returned with a pleasant smile into the bright young face. "You are growing up fast and looking more than ever like your father."
"Thank you," laughed Max, his eyes shining, "you couldn't possibly give me a higher compliment than that, Christine."
"Ah, who shall say that I am not the complimented one, Max?" laughed the captain.
"I, papa," cried Lulu. "O Maxie, come upstairs and see the improvements there. You can look at the downstairs rooms and grounds afterward."
"Yes, run along, children," said their father, "and make yourselves ready for the tea table before you come down again."
"Yes, sir," they answered in cheerful tones, Max catching up little Ned as he spoke, and setting him on his shoulder. "Hold on tight, laddie, and your big brother will carry you up," he said, and one chubby arm instantly went round his neck, a gleeful laugh accompanying it as Max began the ascent, his sisters following, Violet and the captain presently bringing up the rear.
"Into our rooms first, Max," said Violet. "You, too, Lulu and Gracie, that you may hear what he has to say about things there."
"Thank you, Mamma Vi," returned Max. "I want to visit every room in the house and have all the family go with me if they like."
"You will find a few additions here and there to the furnishings, but no great changes anywhere, Max," said his father.
"I should hope not, sir, as things seemed to me pretty nearly perfect before I went away," returned Max in a lively tone, "I only wish every one of my mates had as sweet a