ly accepted and in a few minutes they had all
crowded into the captain's carriage and were driving down the avenue.

The little ones were very merry, and the captain did not check their
mirth. He was, in fact, in very good spirits himself, because thus far
Grandma Elsie's cure had progressed so favorably. It continued to do so
from that time till in two weeks she was able to be up and about a part
of every day, and Violet returned to Woodburn, though daily, when the
weather permitted, she drove over to Ion and spent an hour or more with
her mother.

Quite frequently the captain drove her over himself, and leaving her
there, went on into the village to attend to some business matter,
calling for her on his return.

On one of these occasions, going into the parlor he found there his
wife, her mother, eldest sister and grandparents in earnest conversation
with the doctor.

When the customary greetings had been exchanged, Grandma Elsie said to
him, with a smile, "Captain, these good people seem to have leagued
together to send, or to take me, to Viamede to spend the winter, Cousin
Arthur having given it as his opinion that a warmer climate than this
would probably be of benefit just at this time."

"In which I presume he is quite right, mother," returned the captain.
"And surely there is no difficulty in the way?"

"Nothing insurmountable," she replied.

"But we want some one to go on in advance and see that everything is in
order for mamma's comfort," said Violet, giving her husband a look that
was half entreating, half one of confident assurance that he would deny
nothing to her or her loved mother which it was at all in his power to
bestow.

"That, I think, would certainly be the better plan," he returned
pleasantly, "and if no one more competent than myself is to be had and
it suits my wife to accompany me, my services may be considered as
offered."

Hearty thanks were at once bestowed upon him by all present.

But he disclaimed all title to them, saying, "I now have everything in
order at Woodburn, so that I may feel quite easy in leaving it for even
a protracted stay; and to get a view of Viamede will be a new and
doubtless very pleasant experience to me, with wife and little ones
along; my daughters can go on with their studies under my tuition, there
as well as at home, and my intended visit to Max can be paid before
starting for the far South. I only fear," he added, with a pleasant
glance at Mrs. Lela