ger, and clung to Mr. Dinsmore.

"No, thank you, I will take her up myself," he said. "I am fully equal to
it," and he moved on through the hall and up the broad stairway, Violet
and the doctor following.

The others presently scattered to their rooms to rid themselves of the
dust of travel and dress for the evening.

"Well, little wife, is it nice to be at home again?" Edward asked, with a
smiling look at Zoe, as they entered their apartments.

"Yes, indeed!" she cried, sending a swift glance around the neat and
tastefully furnished room, "especially such a home, and to be shared with
such nice people; one in particular who shall be nameless," she added,
with an arch look and smile.

"One who hopes you will never tire of his company, as he never expects to
of yours," returned Edward, catching her in his arms and snatching a kiss
from her full red lips.

"Now don't," she said, pushing him away, "just wait till I've washed the
dust from my face. Here come our trunks," as two of the men servants
brought them in, "and you must tell me what dress to put on."

"You look so lovely in any and every one of the dozen or more that I have
small choice in the matter," laughed the young husband.

"What gross flattery!" she exclaimed. "Well, then, I suppose I'll have to
choose for myself. But you mustn't complain if I do that some time when
you don't want me to."

The two Elsies had lingered a little behind the others--the old servants
had so many words of welcome to say to them--the younger one in especial,
because she had been so far and so long away.

And the babe must be handed about from one to another, kissed and blessed
and remarked upon as to his real or fancied resemblance to this or that
older member of the family.

"It do 'pear pow'ful strange, Miss Elsie, dat you went away young lady and
come back wid husband and baby," remarked Aunt Dicey. "And it don't seem
but yistiday dat you was a little bit ob a gal."

"Yes, I have come back a great deal richer than I went," Elsie returned,
with a glance of mingled love and joy, first at her husband, then at her
infant son. "I have great reason to be thankful."

At that moment Mrs. Travilla became aware that Max and Lulu were lingering
near, as if not knowing exactly what to do with themselves.

"Ah, my dears," she said, turning to them with a kind and pleasant look,
"has no one attended to you? Come with me, and I will show you your
rooms."

They followed her up t