Elsies Vacation and After Events | Page 2

her father said, "and I think we will have interesting letters from
him in the meantime."
"And perhaps I'll learn to like writing letters, when it's just to please
Maxie and comfort him," said Grace, wiping away her tears and trying
to smile.
"I hope so, darling," her father replied, bestowing another kiss upon the
sweet little tear-stained face. "But now, my dears," he added, "put on
your hats; it is time to go back to the Dolphin."
They hastened to obey, and he led them to the parlor, where they found
the rest of the party ready to accompany them on board the yacht.
The sun was setting as they reached the Dolphin's deck and they found
a luxurious repast ready for them to partake of by the time outdoor
garments could be laid aside and wind-tossed hair restored to order.
The captain missed the bright face of his first-born at the table, but,
exerting himself for the entertainment of the others, seemed even more
than usually cheery and genial, now and then indulging in some
innocent jest that made his little girls laugh in spite of themselves, and
at length almost forget, for the moment, their parting from Max, and

their grief over the thought that he would no longer share their lessons
or their sports, and would be at home only after what, in the prospect,
seemed to them a long, long time; and then but for a little while.
On leaving the table all gathered upon deck. There was no wind, but the
yacht had a steam engine and used her sails only on occasions when
they could be of service. Stars shone brightly in the sky overhead, but
their light was not sufficient to give an extended view on land or water,
and as all were weary with the excitement and sightseeing of the day,
they retired early to their berths.
Poor Grace, worn out with her unusual excitement, and especially the
grief of the parting with Max, was asleep the instant her head touched
the pillow. Not so with Lulu; her loneliness and depression banished
sleep from her eyes for the time, and presently she slipped from her
berth, threw on a warm dressing-gown, and thrust her feet into felt
slippers. The next moment she stole noiselessly into the saloon where
her father sat alone looking over an evening paper.
He was not aware of her entrance till she stood close at his side, her
hand on his shoulder, her eyes fixed, with a gaze of ardent affection,
upon his face.
"Dear child!" he said, looking up from his paper, and smiling
affectionately upon her; then tossing the paper aside and putting an arm
about her waist, he drew her to his knee and pressed fatherly kisses
upon lip and cheek and brow, asking tenderly if anything was wrong
with her that she had come in search of him when he supposed her to be
already in bed and sound asleep.
"I'm not sick, papa," she said in reply; "but oh, I miss Maxie so!" The
words were almost a sob, and she clung about her father's neck, hiding
her face on his shoulder.
"I, too, miss my boy more than words can tell," he replied, stroking her
hair with gently caressing touch, and she was sure his tones trembled a
little with the pain of the thought of Max left alone among strangers;
"but I thank God, our Heavenly Father, that I have by no means lost my

eldest son, while I still have another one and three dear daughters to
add to my happiness in our sweet home."
"I do want to add to it, you dear, dear, good papa!" she said, hugging
and kissing him over and over again. "Oh, I wish I was a better girl for
your sake, so that my wrong-doing would never give you pain!"
"I think--and am very happy in the thought--that you are improving,"
he said, repeating his caresses; "and it is a great comfort to me," he
continued, "that my little girls need not be sent away from home and
their father to be educated."
"To me also, papa," she returned. "I am very thankful that I may live
with my dear father always while we are spared to each other. I don't
mean to ever go away from you, papa, but to stay with you always, to
wait on you and do everything I can to be a great help, comfort, and
blessing to you; even when I'm grown up to womanhood."
"Ah!" he returned, again smoothing her hair caressingly and smiling
down into her eyes; then holding her close, "I shall be very glad to keep
you as long as you may prefer life with me, my own dear, dear child,"
he said in