re, and Evelyn, following her mother
into her bedroom, gave a detailed account of her late interview with her
uncle.

"Mamma dear, you will go with us, will you not?" she concluded
persuasively.

"No, I shall not!" was the angry rejoinder. "Spend weeks and months in a
dull country place, with no more enlivening society than that of your
uncle and aunt? indeed, no! You will have to choose between them and me;
if you love them better than you do your own mother, elect, by all means,
to forsake me and go with them."

"Mamma," remonstrated poor Evelyn, tears of wounded feeling in her eyes,
"it is not a question of loving you or them best, but of obeying my
father's dying wish."

For a moment Mrs. Leland seemed to be silently musing; then she said, "I
withdraw my request, Evelyn. I have decided upon new plans for myself,
and should prefer to have you go with your uncle. You needn't look hurt,
child; I'm sure it is what you have seemed to desire."

"Mamma," said the little girl, going up to her, standing by the side of
her easy-chair, and gazing down beseechingly into her eyes, "why will you
persist in speaking so doubtfully of my love for you? It hurts me, mamma;
it almost breaks my heart; especially now that you are all I have left."

"Well there, you need not fret; of course I know you must have some
natural affection for your mother," returned Laura carelessly.

"Here, sit down on this stool at my feet, and you shall hear about my
change of plans.

"Mrs. Lang called to tell me they are going to Europe--will sail in a
fortnight--and to ask me to accompany them; and I have accepted the
invitation. You were included in it also, but I shall have less care if I
leave you behind; and though I have always intended that you should have
the trip some day, I think it much the wiser plan to defer it for a few
years till you are old enough to appreciate and make the best use of all
its advantages.

"Beside, your uncle being your guardian, his consent would have to be
gained, and I have no mind to stoop to ask it."

"Mamma, I am satisfied to stay," said Evelyn; "I should be very loath to
add to your cares, or lessen in any way your enjoyment."

It was with no slight feeling of relief that Lester and Elsie heard of
this new determination on the part of their sister-in-law; for her
behavior toward them thus far had been such as to make her presence in
their home anything but desirable.

With an aching heart Evelyn watched