The Two Elsies | Page 7

her loved patient, always striving to anticipate
his every want, and doing her best to entertain him and make him
forget his pain.
She was talking of their expected guests.
"I am so glad they are coming, papa," she said, "for I hope it will cheer
you and do you much good to see your brother."
"And sister," he added with a faint smile; "your Aunt Elsie is a very
lovely and interesting woman."
"Yes, but I hope they will let me have my father to myself sometimes,"
she said, laying her cheek lovingly against the hand that was clasping
hers. "I'm hardly willing to share you even with Uncle Lester."
"No, not all the time," he responded; "we must have an hour alone
together now and then. I should not like to be deprived of it any more
than you."

She had lifted her head, and was gazing toward the river. "Papa, I think
they are here!" she exclaimed. "There is a carriage coming up the
drive."
"Ah, I hope so," he said, his pale cheek flushing with pleasure; and
excitement lending him momentary strength, he hastily stepped from
the hammock, and with Evelyn went forward to greet and welcome the
travellers as they alighted, the hack having now drawn up before the
entrance.
Both Lester and Elsie were much moved at sight of their brother--so
sadly changed from the vigorous man from whom they parted less than
a year before.
Elsie had much ado to hide her emotion, and even Lester's voice was
husky and tremulous as he returned Eric's greeting and made inquiries
regarding his health.
"It is much the same as when I wrote you," Eric answered, holding fast
to his brother's hand, and gazing with a look of strong affection into his
face. "And you are quite well?"
"Quite, thank you; but about yourself, Eric? Would it not be well to
have other advice?"
"I believe there is none better than I have had, brother," Eric said. Then
turning to caress the little one in its nurse's arms, "What a fine little
fellow! a truly beautiful child, Sister Elsie. Ah, Lester I rejoice that you
have a son to keep up the family name. May he live to be a great
blessing to you both!"
"How sweet and pretty he is!" Evelyn said, caressing him in her turn.
"Aunt Elsie, shall I show you to your room?"
"If you please, dear." And they passed on into the house together, while
Eric dropped exhausted into an easy-chair, and Lester took possession
of another close at his side.

"You are very weak, Eric," he remarked, in a tone of mingled affection
and concern; "and I fear suffer a great deal of pain."
"Yes, a good deal at times; but," he added with a joyous smile, "I shall
soon be in that land where there shall be no more pain, and the
inhabitants shall not say 'I am sick.'"
"Don't speak of it," said Lester hoarsely; "I must hope there are yet
years of life in this world before you."
"What a very pleasant room; what a delightful prospect from that
window looking toward the river!" Elsie exclaimed, as Evelyn led the
way into the spacious, airy apartment set apart for the occupation of
herself and husband during their stay.
"I think it is," Evelyn returned in a quiet tone; "that was the reason papa
and I selected it for you. We have two other spare rooms, but this is the
largest and has the loveliest views from its windows."
"Thank you, dear. Is your mamma well?"
"I suppose so; she was when we heard last, a day or two ago. She is at
Newport, Aunt Elsie; she found herself so worn out, she said, with
attending to the claims of society, that a trip to the seashore was quite a
necessity. Do you put the claims of society before everything else,
Aunt Elsie?"
"Indeed no," returned Elsie, with a happy laugh. "I'm afraid I put them
last on my list: husband, baby, mother, grandpa, brothers and sisters, all
come before society with me."
"So they shall with me when I'm a woman," said Evelyn with decision;
"and papa shall always, always be first. I don't know how mamma can
bear to be away from him so much; especially now when he is so weak
and ailing. And I am quite mortified that she is not here to welcome
you. She said she would be back in time, but now writes that she finds
Newport so delightful, and the sea-breezes doing her so much good,
that she can't tear herself away just yet."

"Well, dear, as she is your mother and my sister, we will try not to
criticise or find fault with her," responded Elsie, in a gently soothing
tone.