and aided in the preparations for her
mother's departure, which would take place some weeks earlier than her
own and that of her uncle and aunt.

But naturally quiet and undemonstrative, she usually kept her feelings
locked up within her own breast, and in consequence was sometimes accused
by her mother of being cold-hearted and indifferent.

Yet, as the day of separation drew near, Laura grew more affectionate
toward her child than she had ever been before.

That was joy to Evelyn, but made the parting more bitter when it came.
Mother and child wept in each other's arms, and Evelyn whispered with a
bursting sob, "O mamma, if you would only give it up and go with us!"

"Nonsense, child! it is quite too late for that now," returned Laura,
giving her a last embrace and hurrying into the carriage which was to
convey her to the depot; for she was to travel by rail to New York City,
and there take the steamer for Europe.

Lester went with her to the city, to see her safe on board the vessel,
leaving his wife and child behind. Elsie's tender heart was full of pity
for Evelyn--robbed of both parents, and left lonely and forlorn.

"Dear child, be comforted," she said, embracing her tenderly, as the
carriage disappeared from sight down the drive, "you have not departed
from your best Friend. 'When my father and mother forsake me, then the
Lord will take me up.'

"And be assured your uncle and I will do all in our power to make you
happy. I am not old enough to be a mother to you, but let me be as an
older sister.

"And I will share my dear mother with you," she added with a sweet,
bright smile. "Everybody loves mamma, and she has a heart big enough to
mother all the motherless children with whom she comes in contact."

"Thank you, dear Aunt Elsie," Evelyn responded, smiling through her
tears, then hastily wiping them away; "I am sure I shall love your mamma
and be very grateful if she will count me among her children while my own
mamma is so far away. Sure too, that I shall be as happy with you and
Uncle Lester as I could be anywhere without papa."

"I hope so, indeed," Elsie said; "and that you will find pleasant
companions in the Ion young people. Both my sister Rose and Lulu Raymond
must be near your age; you probably come in between them."

"And I suppose they are very nice girls?" remarked Evelyn, inquiringly."

"_I_ think they are," said Elsie; "they have their faults like the rest
of us, but many good qualit