t Lester Leland has
robbed me of my sister."

"She is married? and has gone to a home of her own?"

Violet answered by telling the story as succinctly as possible.

"He was in Italy pursuing his art studies," she said. "They had become
engaged shortly before he went, and a few weeks ago we heard he was very
ill with typhoid fever. Elsie at once said she must go to him, she could
not let him die for lack of good nursing. So grandpa and mamma consented
to her going with Edward and our faithful old Ben--papa's foster-brother
and body-servant, who travelled for years with him in Europe--for
protectors.

"Of course she took a maid too, and Aunt Louise offered to go with them,
but was taken sick in New York, so had to be left behind.

"They found Lester very but not hopelessly ill, and the joy of seeing them
had an excellent effect. So they were married, Cousin Donald. Just think
how sad for poor Elsie! away from mamma and all of us except Edward!"

"It was sad for her, I am sure!" he said with warm sympathy, "and very,
very noble and unselfish in her to leave all for him."

"Yes; and yet not more, I think, than any right-minded woman would do for
the man she loved well enough to marry."

Harold and Herbert came in at that moment full of boyish enthusiasm and
delight over the arrival of "Cousin Donald," whom they liked and admired
extremely; in especial for his fine figure, soldierly bearing, and
pleasant, kindly manner.

They had hardly done shaking hands with him and Captain Raymond, to whom
their grandfather introduced them with a look of paternal pride, when
their mother and "Grandma Rose" returned to the drawing-room, and dinner
was announced.

CHAPTER VIII.

"A man's heart deviseth his way; but the Lord directeth his
steps."--_Prov._ 16:9.

The boys were greatly disappointed on learning from the talk at the
dinner-table that Cousin Donald's furlough was so short that he could give
but two days to his Ion friends.

There were many expressions of regret. Then Mr. Dinsmore said, "If you
must leave us so soon we must make good use of our time, by taking you at
once to see relatives, friends, and places of interest in the
neighborhood. If you and the captain are not too weary to enjoy a ride or
drive, we will go to Roselands for a call this afternoon, then on to the
Oaks to take tea with my son Horace and his family."

"You can assure us of a welcome at both places?" Donald said inquiringly