Elsies Motherhood | Page 5

to leave the
school-room during the hours of recitation, without permission." Indeed
he had reached the foot of the staircase before the last word had left her
lips; she being very slow and precise in speech and action, while his
movements were of the quickest.
"What now is to be done in this emergency?" soliloquized the
governess, unconsciously thinking aloud. "Miss Gertrude Ross,"
turning to a girl of nine whose merry blue eyes were twinkling with fun,
"follow your brother at once and inform him that I cannot permit any
such act of insubordination; and he must return instantly to the
performance of his duties."

"Yes ma'am," and Gertrude vanished; glad enough of the opportunity to
see for herself who were the new arrivals. "Phil," she said, entering the
drawing-room where the guests were already seated, "Miss Fisk says
you're an insubordination and must come back instantly."
"Gertude," said her mother, laughing "come and speak to Mr. Travilla
and your little friends. Why yes, Phil, to be sure; how came you here
when you ought to be at your lessons?"
"Because I wanted to see Elsie Travilla," he answered nonchalantly.
"Yes, but you should have asked for permission. I ought to send you
back."
"But you won't, ma, you know that as well as I do. I'll not go back a
step while Elsie stays."
"Well, well, it seems you are bound to have your own way, as usual,"
Lucy answered, half laughing, half sighing, then resumed her talk with
Mr. Travilla.
Seeing that the little Travillas had listened to this colloquy in blank
amazement, she felt much mortified at Phil's behavior, and on receiving
the invitation threatened to leave him at home as a punishment. But this
only made matters worse: he insisted that go he would, and if she
refused permission he should never, never love her again as long as he
lived. And she weakly yielded.
"Lucy," said her mother, when the guests were gone, and the children
had left the room, "you are ruining that boy."
"Well, I don't see how I can help it, mamma how could I bear to lose
his affection?"
"You are taking the very course to bring that about; it is the weakly
indulged, not the wisely controlled, children who lose, first respect, and
then affection for their parents. Look at Elsie's little family for instance;
where can you find children ruled with a firmer hand, or more

devotedly attached to their parents?"
Eddie was at that moment saying to his father, "Papa, isn't Phil Ross a
very, very naughty boy, to be so saucy and disobedient to his mamma?"
"My son," answered Mr. Travilla with gentle gravity, "when you have
corrected all Eddie Travilla's faults it will be time enough to attend to
those of others." And the child hung his head and blushed for shame.
It was Mr. and Mrs. Horace Dinsmore who did the honors at Ion early
in the evening, receiving and welcoming each bevy of guests, and
replying to the oft repeated inquiry for the master and mistress of the
establishment, that they would make their appearance shortly.
Elsie's children, most sweetly and becomingly dressed, had gathered
about "Aunt Rosie," in a corner of the drawing-room, and seemed to be
waiting with a sort of intense but quiet eagerness for the coming of
some expected event.
At length every invited guest had arrived. All being so thoroughly
acquainted, nearly all related, there was an entire absence of stiffness
and constraint, and much lively chat had been carried on; but a sudden
hush fell upon them, and every eye turned toward the doors opening
into the hall, expecting--they knew not what.
There were soft foot-falls, a slight rustle of silk, and Adelaide entered
followed by Mr. Travilla with Elsie on his arm, in bridal attire. The
shimmering satin, rich, soft lace and orange blossoms became her well;
and never, even on that memorable night ten years ago, had she looked
lovelier or more bride-like; never had her husband bent a prouder,
fonder look upon her fair face than now as he led her to the centre of
the room, where they paused in front of their pastor.
A low murmur of surprise and delight ran round the room, but was
suddenly stilled, as the venerable man rose and began to speak.
"Ten years ago to-night, dear friends, I united you in marriage. Edward
Travilla, you then vowed to love, honor and cherish till life's end the

woman whom you now hold by the hand. Have you repented of that
vow? and would you be released?"
"Not for worlds: there has been no repentance, but my love has grown
deeper and stronger day by day."
"And you, Elsie Dinsmore Travilla, also vowed to love, honor and obey
the man you hold