sted having it rented just as it stands--ready
furnished," replied Elsie; "but she feared--as do we also--that strangers
might abuse the property; then, as I thought it over, it occurred to me
that we might rent it ourselves for a summer residence; and when away
from it, leave it in charge of Patrick and his wife, who have no children
to do mischief, and who have lived so long in the family--so your mother
told us--that their character for trustworthiness is well established."

"Yes, indeed it is!" said Evelyn; "and that seems to me the best plan
that could possibly be devised except that--"

"Well dear, except what?" Elsie asked pleasantly, as the little girl
paused without finishing her sentence.

"I fear it will be a great expense to you and Uncle," was the
half-hesitating reply, "and that you will get but little good of it,
being so far away nearly all the year."

"You are very thoughtful for one so young," said Elsie in surprise.

"It is because papa talked so much with me about his affairs, and the
uses of money, the difficulty of earning and keeping it, and the best
ways of economising. He said he wanted to teach me how to take care of
myself, if ever I were left alone in the world."

"That was wise and kind," said Elsie; "and I think you must have paid
good attention to his teachings. But about the expense we shall incur in
making the proposed arrangement: there is a large family of us, and I do
not doubt that we shall have help with both the use of the house and the
paying of the rent."

"And your mamma is very rich I've heard." remarked Evelyn half
inquiringly.

"Very rich and very generous," returned her aunt.

"Are we to leave soon? and to go directly to your home?" asked Evelyn.

"It will be probably several weeks before your uncle can get everything
arranged, and then he wants to spend some time sketching the scenery
about Lake George and among the Adirondacks," replied Elsie; "and we are
to go with him. Shall you like it?"

"Oh, yes indeed!" Evelyn exclaimed, her face lighting up with pleasure,
then with gathering tears and in low, tremulous tones, "Papa had promised
to take me to both places some day," she said.

CHAPTER VII.

FAIRVIEW AND ION.

It had been a cloudy afternoon and the rain began to fall as, shortly
after sunset, the Lelands left the cars for the Fairview family carriage.

"A dismal home-coming for you, my love," remarked Lester, as the coachman
closed the door on