and Cousin Elsie so different from us?
I mean all of us at Roselands."

"I don't know," returned Walter reflectively; "maybe because they're
Christians. You know it says in the Bible we're to return good for
evil."

"Yes, and so heap coals of fire on our enemies' heads. And, Wal, I feel
'em burn now. I'd give anything not to have coaxed and teased Ed into
shooting that time, and not to have scared him and the others with those
frightful disguises."

"So would I: and we'll never do the like again, Dick, never; will we?"

"I reckon not: and we must ride over to Ion after breakfast, and tell
'em so, and thank 'em for these beauties and the other things."

"Yes; didn't the note invite us to spend the day there?"

"Why so it did! But I'd forgot; the sight of the ponies knocked it all
out of my head."

So great was the delight of the lads in their new acquisitions, that not
even the repeated assertions of their mothers and other members of the
family--seconded by the reproaches of their own consciences--that they
did not deserve it, could materially damp their joy.

An ungracious permission to accept the invitation to Ion, was granted
them with the remark that Calhoun and Arthur, who were included in it,
would be there to keep them in order, and also to report upon their
conduct.

Calhoun, troubled and mortified by the suspicions which he imagined must
have been entertained against him at both the Oaks and Ion since the
escapade of Dick and Walter, had kept himself closely at home during the
past week, and studiously avoided meeting either his uncle or Travilla:
but this invitation, as the holding out of the olive branch of peace,
was joyfully accepted.

The four rode over to Ion together, directly after breakfast, and found
themselves greeted with the greatest kindness and cordiality by Mr.
Travilla, Elsie and the children, all gathered in the veranda awaiting
their coming.

The two culprits, shame-faced in view of their ill-deserts, yet
overflowing with delight in their ponies, poured out mingled thanks and
apologies, and promises for the future.

"Never mind, my lads, we'll say nothing more about it," Mr. Travilla
said in his kind, cheery way, Elsie adding, "You are very welcome, and
we are sure you do not intend ever again to try to alarm our darlings,
or tempt them to do wrong."

She led the way to her beautiful summer parlor, a large, lofty
apartment, with frescoed walls and ceiling; the floor a mosaic