to the
woods, but were held at bay and finally driven off by the gallant defence
of her home made by my aunt, assisted by her son, then quite a young boy.

"But get Elsie to tell you the story; she can do it far better than I;
especially as she was living at Ion at that time, and though a mere
child, has still a vivid recollection of all the circumstances."

"Yes," Elsie said, "including the attacks upon Ion--first the quarter,
when they burnt the schoolhouse, and afterward the mansion--and several
sad scenes connected with them."

"How interesting to hear all about them from an eye-witness," exclaimed
Evelyn. "I am eager to have you begin, Aunt Elsie."

"Perhaps I may be able to do so this evening," returned her aunt; "but
now I must give my orders for the day, and then it will be time for our
drive."

"What does your mamma say?" asked Lester of Evelyn, when Elsie had left
them alone together.

"Not very much that I care for, uncle," sighed the little girl. "She's in
good health, but very tired of foreign cookery; wishes she could have
such a breakfast every morning as she has been accustomed to at home.
Still she enjoys the sights, and thinks it may be a year, or longer,
before she gets back. She describes some of the places, and paintings and
statuary she has seen; but that part of the letter I have not read yet."

"Do you wish you were with her, Eva?" he asked, smoothing her hair as she
stood by his side, and gazing down affectionately into her eyes.

"No, uncle; I should like to see mamma, of course, but at present I like
this quiet home far better than going about among crowds of strange
people."

He looked pleased. "I am glad you are content," he said.

Elsie was full of life and gayety as they set out upon their drive. Her
husband remarked it with pleasure.

"Yes," she said lightly, "it is so nice to be going back to my old,
childhood's home after so long an absence; to see mammy, too--dear old
mammy! And yet it will hardly seem like home either, without mamma."

"No," he responded; "and it is quite delightful to look forward to having
her there again in a week or two."

They had turned in at the great gates leading into the avenue, and
presently Elsie, glancing eagerly toward the house, exclaimed with
delight, "Ah, there is mammy on the veranda! watching for our coming, no
doubt. She knew we were expected at Fairview yesterday, and that I would
not be long in finding my way to Ion."

Evelyn, l