ies too."

Desirous to divert Evelyn's thoughts from her sorrows, Elsie went on to
give a lively description of Ion, and a slight sketch of the character
and appearance of each member of the family, doing full justice to every
good trait and touching but lightly upon faults and failings. Evelyn
proving an interested listener. Fairview and then Viamede came under a
similar review, and Elsie told the story of her mother's birth and her
infant years passed in that lovely spot. After that of her honeymoon and
of the visits paid by the family in later days.

"What a very sweet lady your mamma must be, Aunt Elsie," Evelyn remarked
in a pause in the narrative; "I am glad I shall see and know her."

"Yes, dear; you well may be," Elsie responded with a happy smile; "'none
knew her but to love her,' none can live in her constant companionship
without finding it one of the greatest blessings of their lives."

"I think you must resemble her, auntie," said Evelyn, with an
affectionate, admiring look into Elsie's bright, sweet face."

"It is my desire to do so," she answered, flushing with pleasure. "My
dear, precious mother! I could hardly bear to leave her, Eva, even for
your uncle's sake."

"But I am very glad you did," quickly returned the little girl. "I am so
glad to have you for my aunt."

"Thank you, dear," was the pleased rejoinder. "I have never regretted my
choice, or felt ashamed of having gone all the way to Italy to join my
sick and suffering betrothed and become his wife, that I might nurse him
back to health."

"Oh, did you?" exclaimed Evelyn, looking full of interest and delight,
"please tell me the whole story, won't you? I should so like to hear it."

Elsie willingly complied with the request, and it would be difficult to
say which enjoyed the story most--she who told it, or she who listened.

"I think you were brave, and kind and good, Aunt Elsie," was Evelyn's
comment when the tale was told.

"I had a strong motive--the saving of a life dearer to me than my own,"
Elsie responded, half absently, as if her thoughts were busy with the
past.

Both were silent for a little, Evelyn gazing with mournful eyes upon the
lovely grounds and beautiful scenery about her home.

"Aunt Elsie," she said at length, "do you know what is to be done with
the house while mamma and I are away? If it should be left long
unoccupied it will fall into decay, and the grounds become a wilderness
of weeds."

"Your mother sugge