wide his arms he took the lad into a
warm embrace, which was returned as heartily as given.

"Now, Elsie, it's my turn to have a hug and kiss from you," Horace said,
as Mr. Travilla released him; "everybody's had a turn but me. Miss King
and Rosebud and all."

Elsie had the little one in her arms, caressing it fondly.

"Yes, my dear little brother," she said, giving Rosebud to her mammy, "you
shall have as hard a hug as I can give, and as many kisses as you want. I
love you dearly, dearly, and am as glad to see you as you could wish me to
be."

"Are you much fatigued, Elsie dear?" asked Rose, when the greetings were
over, even to the kindly shake of the hand and pleasant word to each of
the assembled servants.

"Oh, no, mamma, we have traveled but little at night, and last night I had
nine hours of sound, refreshing sleep."

"That was right," her father said, with an approving glance at Travilla.

Mrs. Travilla led the way to a suite of beautiful apartments prepared for
the bride.

Elsie's taste had been consulted in all the refitting and refurnishing,
and the whole effect was charming. This was, however, her first sight of
the rooms since the changes had been begun.

The communicating doors were thrown wide, giving a view of the whole suite
at once, from the spot where Elsie stood between Mr. Travilla and his
mother. She gazed for a moment, then turned to her husband a face
sparkling with delight.

"Does it satisfy you, my little wife?" he asked, in tones that spoke
intense enjoyment of her pleasure.

"Fully, in every way; but especially as an evidence of my husband's love,"
she answered, suffering him to throw an arm about her and fold her to his
heart.

There had been words of welcome and a recognition of the younger lady as
now mistress of the mansion, trembling on the mother's tongue, but she now
stole quietly away and left them to each other.

In half an hour the two rejoined their guests, "somewhat improved in
appearance," as Mr. Travilla laughingly said he hoped they would be found.

"You are indeed," said Aunt Wealthy, "a lily or a rose couldn't look
lovelier than Elsie does in that pure white, and with the beautiful
flowers in her hair. I like her habit of wearing natural flowers in her
hair."

"And I," said her husband, "they seem to me to have been made for her
adornment."

"And your money-hoon's over, Elsie; how odd it seems to think you've been
so long married. And did you get through