sigh as she spoke, nor keep the tears
from filling her eyes.

Her father saw and appreciated the sacrifice she would make for him.

"Thank you, my darling," he said. "It seems selfish in me to ask it of
you, but though partly for my own gratification, it is really still more
for your sake; I think the change will be for your health and
happiness."

"And I have the highest opinion of my father's wisdom," she said, "and
should never, never think of selfishness as connected with him."

Mrs. Dinsmore came in at this moment.

"Ah, my dear," she said, "I was in search of you. What is to be done
about Bob and Betty Johnson? You know they will be coming home in a day
or two for their summer vacation."

"They can stay at Roselands with their cousins Calhoun and Arthur Conly;
or at the Oaks, if Horace and his family do not join us in the trip to
Nantucket."

"Cannot Bob and Betty go with us, papa?" Elsie asked. "I have no doubt
it would be a very great treat to them."

"Our party promises to be very large," he replied; "but if you two
ladies are agreed to invite them I shall raise no objection."

"Shall we not, mamma?" Elsie asked, and Rose gave a hearty assent.

"Now, how much dressmaking has to be done before the family can be ready
for the trip?" asked Mr. Dinsmore.

"Very little," the ladies told him, Elsie adding, "At least if you are
willing to let me wear black dresses when it is too cool for white,
papa. Mamma, he has asked me to lay aside my mourning."

"I knew he intended to," Rose said, "and I think you are a dear good
daughter to do it."

"It is nothing new; she has always been the best of daughters," Mr.
Dinsmore remarked, with a tenderly affectionate look at Elsie. "And, my
dear child, I certainly shall not ask you to stay a day longer than
necessary in this hot place, merely to have new dresses made when you
have enough even of black ones. We must set sail as soon as possible.
Now, I must have a little business chat with you. Don't go, Rose; it is
nothing that either of us would care to have you hear."

CHAPTER II.

"Where the broad ocean leans against the land."

--_Goldsmith_.

Elsie felt somewhat apprehensive that this early laying aside of her
mourning for their father might not meet the approval of her older son
and daughters; but it gave them pleasure; one and all were delighted to
see her resume the dress of the happy days when he was with them.

Zoe, too, was very much please