e North, but
now were filled with content and happiness at the thought of soon seeing
again their loved home at Ion, while Max and Lulu looked forward with
pleasing anticipations and eager curiosity to their first sight of it,
having heard various glowing descriptions of it from "Mamma Vi" and Rosie.

Their father, too, had spoken of it as a home so delightful that they
ought to feel the liveliest gratitude for having been invited to share its
blessings.

It was looking very beautiful, very inviting, on the arrival of our
travellers late in the afternoon of a warm, bright October day.

The woods and the trees that bordered the avenue were in the height of
their autumn glory, the gardens gay with many flowers of the most varied
and brilliant hues, and the lengthening shadows slept on a still green
and velvety lawn.

As their carriage turned into the avenue, Elsie bent an affectionate,
smiling look upon Max and Lulu, and taking a hand of each, said in
sweetest tones, "Welcome to your new home, my dears, and may it prove to
you a very, very happy one."

"Thank you, ma'am," they both responded, Max adding, "I am very glad,
Grandma Elsie, that I am to live with you and Mamma Vi."

"I, too," said Lulu; "and in such a pretty place. Oh, how lovely
everything does look!"

The air was delightful, and doors and windows stood wide open. On the
veranda a welcoming group was gathered. Elsie's brother and sister--Horace
Dinsmore, Jr., of the Oaks, and Mrs. Rose Lacey from the Laurels--and her
cousins Calhoun and Arthur Conly; while a little in the rear of them were
the servants, all--from old Uncle Joe, now in his ninety-fifth year, down
to Betty, his ten-year-old great-granddaughter--showing faces full of
eager delight.

They stood back respectfully till greetings had been exchanged between
relatives and friends, then pressed forward with their words of welcome,
sure of a shake of the hand and kind word from each member of the family.

Mr. Dinsmore held little Gracie in his arms. She was much fatigued and
exhausted by the long journey.

"Here is a patient for you, Arthur," he said, "and I am very glad you are
here to attend to her."

"Yes," said Violet, "her father charged me to put her in your care."

"Then let her be put immediately to bed," said Arthur, after a moment's
scrutiny of the child. "Give her to me, uncle, and I will carry her
up-stairs."

"To my room," added Violet.

But the child shrunk from the stran