the summer, they would call for the captain's
children.

In the mean time the others would complete their arrangements for the
season, journey northward also, and take possession of their seaside
cottage.

It was a sore disappointment to the whole family at Ion, but especially to
Violet and her brother, that Elsie Leland could not be present at the
wedding. Lester's health was almost entirely restored, but he felt it
important to him as an artist to prolong his stay in Italy for at least
some months.

Edward had remained with them through the winter, had left them in April,
intending to make an extensive European tour before returning to his
native land, but would surely hasten home for Vi's wedding if his mother's
summons reached him in season.

CHAPTER XVI.

"Here love his golden shafts employs, here lights
His constant lamp, and waves his purple wings."
--_Rowly_.

It was Saturday evening. Edward Travilla, travelling leisurely through
France, had stopped in a village not many miles from Paris, to spend the
Sabbath.

Having taken his supper and afterward a stroll through the village, he
retired to his room to read and answer a budget of letters just received
from America.

The first he opened was from his mother. It told of Violet's approaching
marriage and urged his immediate return that he might be present at the
ceremony.

"We are all longing to see you," she wrote, "your mother more, I believe,
than any one else. If you have not had enough of Europe yet, my dear boy,
you can go back again soon, if you wish, perhaps taking some of us with
you. And Vi will be sorely disappointed if you are not present on the
occasion so important to her."

"I must certainly go," he mused, laying down the letter. "I should not
like to miss it. Vi will be as lovely a bride as Elsie was. I have never
been able to decide which of the two is the more beautiful; but I wonder
that she is allowed to marry so young--just nineteen! I should have had
her wait a year or two at least."

There was a step in the hall without, a rap on the door.

"Come in," Edward said, and Ben appeared.

"Marse Ed'ard, dey tells me dars a 'Merican gentleman bery sick in de room
cross de hall hyar; gwine ter die, I reckon."

"Indeed!" Edward said with concern. "I should be glad to be of assistance
to him. Is he quite alone, Ben? I mean has he no friends with him?"

"I b'lieves dar's a lady