have our
children so near, and I was thinking of making the purchase for them
myself. It was only this morning I learned that the place was for sale."

"Ah!" laughed Mrs. Croly, "don't try to get ahead of us. We want the
place ourselves, and it won't hurt the young folks to wait for it till
we are gone; especially as we intend it to be as much a home for them
immediately as if they were sole proprietors."

"And they will enjoy it all the more for having their kind parents with
them," was Mrs. Travilla's pleased response.

Then they fell to talking of alterations and additions to the dwelling,
and plans for furnishing and decorating it and the grounds.

"I am very glad indeed that you and your husband have decided to settle
in this neighbourhood," said Mrs. Travilla; "glad that we are to have
the pleasure of your society, and that Rosie's married home will not be
at a distance from that of her childhood. I have been very fortunate in
being able thus far to keep all my children near me."

"Yes, I think so; and I do not wonder that they and you wish to keep
together. I feel just so in regard to my one. Ah! who are those two
ladies approaching on the driveway?"

"One I call mamma," Mrs. Travilla said with a smile; "she is my father's
second wife, and has been my dear mother since I was a little girl of
ten. The other is Aunt Adelaide, a half sister of my father, who
married a brother of Mamma Rose--Mr. Edward Allison of Philadelphia."

"Ah, yes! I recognize Mrs. Dinsmore, now that they have drawn nearer,
and Mrs. Allison as someone to whom I have been introduced; but I have
met so many strangers in the last few days that I suppose I may be
excused for not remembering her name and connection with you and our
Rosie," she concluded with a smile, adding, "You will excuse me, I know,
for claiming Rosie as mine as well as yours, because it is so sweet to
me to have a daughter at long last."

"I am very glad you feel it so," Mrs. Travilla returned with a sweet,
sympathising look and smile, "and I hope my Rosie will prove to you the
sweet and lovable daughter that she has always been to me."

Just at that moment the other ladies joined them, and the four entered
into a lively conversation, talking of Riverside and the improvements
needed there, what a lovely home it would make for the Crolys, how
pleasant it would be to have them so near, and how delightful for Rosie
that thus she would escape the dreaded separation from