The Two Elsies | Page 2

rest from the work
you will not let alone when at home, will certainly be of great benefit to
you."
He shook his head in dissent. "I should have to talk and to listen; in
short, to make myself agreeable. I have no right to inflict my
companionship on Mrs. Ross's guests on any other condition; and all
that would be a greater exertion than I feel fit to undertake."
"There was a time when you were willing to make a little exertion for
my sake," she returned in a piqued tone, "but wives are not to expect
the attention freely bestowed upon a sweetheart, and so I must go alone
as usual."
"Mamma, what a shame for you to talk so to poor papa!" exclaimed
Evelyn indignantly. "You know--"
"Hush, hush, Evelyn," said her father in a gently reproving tone, "be
respectful to your mother, always."
"Yes, sir," returned the child, with a loving look into his eyes. Then to
her mother, "I beg your pardon, mamma, I did not mean to be rude;
but--" with a scrutinizing glance at the richly attired figure before her.
"Well?" laughingly interrogated the lady, as the child paused with a
slight look of embarrassment and a heightened color.

"Nothing, mamma, only--"
"Something your correct taste disapproves about my attire?"
"Yes, mamma; your dress is very handsome; quite rich and gay enough
for a ball-room; but--wouldn't a simpler, plainer one be more suitable
for a lawn-party?"
"Well, really!" was the laughing rejoinder; "the idea of such a chit as
you venturing to criticise her mother's taste in dress! You spoil her,
Eric; making so much of her and allowing her to have and express an
opinion on any and every subject. There, I must be going; I see Patrick
is at the door with the carriage. So good-by, and don't overwork
yourself, Eric."
"Mamma," Evelyn called after her, "Patrick is to go for the doctor, you
know."
"Oh, yes; I'll tell him," Mrs. Leland answered, and the next moment the
carriage was whirling away down the drive.
"There, she is gone!" said Evelyn. "Oh, papa, when I am a woman I
shall not marry unless I feel that I can always be content to stay with
my husband when he is not able to go with me."
"But business may prevent him very often when sickness does not, and
you may grow very weary of staying always at home," he said, softly
smoothing her hair, then bending to touch his lips to her smooth white
forehead and smile into the large dark eyes lifted to his as she knelt at
the side of his chair.
"No, no! not if he is as dear and kind as you are, papa. But no other
man is, I think."
"Quite a mistake, my pet; the world surely contains many better men
than your father."
"I should be exceedingly angry if any one else said that to me," she

returned indignantly.
At that he drew her closer to him with a little pleased laugh. "We love
each other very dearly, do we not, my darling?" he said; then sighed
deeply.
"Indeed we do!" she answered, gazing anxiously up into his face. "How
pale and ill you look, papa! do lie down and rest."
"Presently, when my work has progressed a little farther," he said,
putting her gently aside, straightening himself and resuming his pencil.
Evelyn was beginning a remonstrance, but at the sound of wheels upon
the drive sprang to the window, exclaiming, "Can mamma be coming
back already? She has perhaps changed her mind about attending the
party. No," as she caught sight of the vehicle, "it is the doctor. I'm
glad."
"Go, receive him at the door, daughter, and show him in here," said Mr.
Leland; "and as I desire a private interview, you may amuse yourself in
the grounds while he stays."
"Yes, sir; and oh, I do hope he will be able to give you something that
will make you well directly," the little girl replied, bestowing a look of
loving anxiety upon her father, then hastening to obey his order.
She received the physician at the front entrance, with all the graceful
courtesy of a refined lady, ushered him into the library, then putting on
a garden-hat, wandered out into the grounds.
It was the month of roses, and they were to be found here in great
variety and profusion; they bordered the walks, climbed the walls, and
wreathed themselves about the pillars of the porches, filling the air with
their rich fragrance, mingled with that of the honeysuckle, lilac,
heliotrope, and mignonette.
Evelyn sauntered through the garden, pausing here and there to gather
one and another of the most beautiful and sweet-scented of its floral

treasures, arranging them in a bouquet for her father;