Elsies Kith and Kin | Page 4

past four,
which will give us plenty of time, as it is an easy matter to drive from
here to Union in ten minutes."

"Thank you," she said. "I accept the invitation with pleasure, and
promise to be ready at the minute."
"You are the best little woman about that," he returned, with an
appreciative look and smile. "I don't remember that you have ever yet
kept me waiting, when told beforehand at what time I intended to start."
"Of course not," she said, with a pleased laugh; "because I was afraid,
if I did, I shouldn't be invited so often: and I'm always so glad to go
with you."
"Not gladder than I am to have you," he said, with a very lover-like
glance and smile. "I always enjoy your society, and am always proud to
show my friends and acquaintances what a dear little wife I have. I dare
say I'm looked upon as a very fortunate fellow in that respect, and
sometimes envied on account of having drawn such a prize in the
matrimonial lottery."
They had left the table while he spoke, and with the last words he
passed his arm round her waist.
"Dear me, Ned, what a gallant speech!" she said, flushing with delight;
"you deserve a reward:" and she held up her face for a kiss.
"I am overpaid," he said, when he had bestowed it.
"In spite of the coin being such as you have a right to help yourself to
whenever you will?" she returned with a merry laugh. "O Ned, my
lover-husband!" she added, laying her head on his breast, "I am so
happy in belonging to you, and I can never love you enough for all
your goodness to me!"
"Darling, are you not equally good and loving to me?" he asked in
tender tones, and holding her close.
"But I owe every thing to you," she responded with emotion. "If you
had not come to my aid when my dear father was taken from me, what
would have become of me, a mere child, without a near relative in the

world, alone and destitute in a foreign land?"
"But I loved you, dearest. I sought my own happiness, as well as yours,
in asking you to be my wife. So you need never feel burdened by the
idea that you are under any special obligation to me, to whom you are
the very sunshine of life."
"Dear Ned, how very kind in you to say so," she responded, gazing
with ardent affection into his eyes; "but it isn't burdensome to be under
obligation to you, any more than it is a trial to be ruled by you," she
added, with playful tenderness; "and I love to think of all your
goodness to me."
It was five minutes past four by Zoe's watch, and she just about to go to
her dressing-room to put on her hat and cloak, when visitors were
announced,--some ladies who always made a lengthened call at Ion; so
she at once resigned herself to the loss of her anticipated drive with her
husband.
"O Ned!" she whispered in a hasty, vexed aside, "you'll have to go
alone."
"Yes, dear," he returned; "but I'll try to get back in time to take you a
drive in the other direction."
They stepped forward, and greeted their guests with hospitable
cordiality.
They were friends whose visits were prized and enjoyed, though their
coming just at this time was causing Zoe a real disappointment.
However, Edward's promise of a drive with him at a later hour so far
made amends for it, that she could truthfully express pleasure in seeing
her guests.
Edward chatted with them for a few moments, then, excusing himself
on the plea of business that could not be deferred, left them to be
entertained by Zoe, while he entered his waiting carriage, and went on
his way to the village, where he expected to meet his business

acquaintance.
CHAPTER II.
"The truth you speak doth lack some gentleness."--SHAKSPEARE.
Edward had met and held his desired interview with his business
acquaintance, seen him aboard his train, and was standing watching it
as it steamed away and disappeared in the distance, when a feminine
voice, close at hand, suddenly accosted him.
"O Mr. Travilla! how are you? I consider myself very fortunate in
finding you here."
He turned toward the speaker, and was not too greatly pleased at sight
of her.
"Ah! good-evening, Miss Deane," he said, taking her offered hand, and
speaking with gentlemanly courtesy. "In what can I be of service to
you?"
"By inviting me to Ion to spend the night," she returned laughingly.
"I've missed my train, and was quite in despair at the thought of staying
alone over night in one of the miserable