e missive, tore it open and glanced at the contents,
then, handing it to Elsie, paid the boy and dismissed him.

"Oh, my poor darling!" she exclaimed, her tears dropping upon the paper.
"Father, what shall we do? tell her at once? Perhaps that would be best."

"Yes; I think it is her right. But of course it must be done as gently as
possible. Dear daughter, do not grieve too sorely for her; try to trust
her as well as yourself in your heavenly Father's hands."

"I will, papa, I will! but oh my heart bleeds for her!"

"Will you break the news to her? or shall I?"

"My kindest of fathers! you would if possible spare me every trial, bear
all my burdens. But perhaps the dear child may suffer less in hearing the
sad news from her mother's lips, as, in her place, I could bear it better
from yours than from any other."

"Unselfish as ever, my darling," he said, "but I believe you are
right--that the blow will be somewhat softened to Elsie coming to her
through the medium of her tender and dearly loved mother."

"I think, papa," Mrs. Travilla said, checking her horse to a walk as they
entered the avenue at Ion, "I shall reserve my communication until my poor
child has had her breakfast."

He expressed approval of her decision, adding interrogatively, "You will
breakfast with the family this morning?"

"Yes, sir; if I find all going well in the sick-room."

A servant was in waiting to lead the horses away to the stable. Violet,
Edward, Harold and Herbert, just returned from their ride, were on the
veranda.

Edward hastened to assist his mother to alight, and all gathered about her
and their grandfather with morning greetings spoken in cheerful but
subdued tones; no one forgetting for a moment the illness of the little
pet brother and sister, but all inquiring anxiously how they and "Mamma"
had passed the night, and what was cousin Arthur's report of their
condition this morning.

"No worse, my dears; and we will hope that they may soon be decidedly
better," the mother answered, returning their greetings with affectionate
warmth and smiling sweetly upon them. "But you must let me go at once to
the sick-room, and if all is well I shall be down presently to breakfast
with grandpa and you."

That announcement was heard with the greater pleasure because her loved
face had seldom been seen at the table for some days past.

The face was bright and hopeful as she spoke, but an unwonted expression
of sadness and anxiety c