, but did not
want to expose her ignorance of his plans.

"I did not know the ladies were going to-day," she remarked.

"It was very sudden," was the reply; "a telegram received this morning
summoned them home because of the alarming illness of Miss Deane's father,
and as Edward had business to attend to that would make it necessary for
him to take a train leaving only an hour later than theirs, he thought it
best to see them on their way as far as our city. He could not do more, as
their destination and his lie in exactly opposite directions."

Though Edward had kept his own counsel, the kind mother had her
suspicions, and was anxious to relieve Zoe's mind as far as lay in her
power.

Zoe's brightening countenance and sigh of relief showed her that her
efforts were not altogether in vain.

"I think Edward was sorry to leave his little wife for so long," she went
on. "He committed her to my care. What will you do with yourself this
morning, dear, while I am busy with the children in the school-room?"

"I don't know, mamma; perhaps learn some lessons. Edward would wish me to
attend to my studies while he is away, and I want to please him."

"I haven't a doubt of that, dear. I know there is very strong love between
you, and the knowledge makes me very happy."

"Mamma," said Zoe, "may I ask you a question?"

"Certainly, dear, as many as you please."

"Did you obey your husband?"

Elsie looked surprise, almost startled; the query seemed to throw new
light on the state of affairs between Edward and his young wife; but she
answered promptly in her own sweet, gentle tones. "My dear, I often wished
he would only give me the opportunity; it would have been so great a
pleasure to give up my wishes for one I loved so dearly."

"Then he never ordered you?"

"Yes, once--very soon after our marriage--he laid his commands upon me to
cease calling him Mr. Travilla and say Edward," Elsie said, with a dreamy
smile and a far-away look in her soft brown eyes.

"He was very much older than I, and knowing him from very early childhood,
as a grown-up gentleman and my father's friend, I had been used to calling
him Mr. Travilla, and could hardly feel it respectful to drop the title.

"The only other order he ever gave me was not to exert myself to lift my
little Elsie before I had recovered my strength after her birth. He was
very tenderly careful of his little wife, as he delighted to call her."

"I wish I had known him," sa