eeks yet."

"But you must be careful," returned Mellen, "dear child; I cannot reach
home safely only to see your health give way."

"Oh, nonsense, Grant, don't begin to fidget! I am ever so well; make him
believe it, Bessie."

"I think so," Bessie replied; "you are stronger than you look."

"Elsie requires great care," said Mellen, decidedly.

Elsie did not look displeased; she liked being considered weak and
delicate; it made her more petted and at liberty to indulge her
numberless caprices in the most interesting manner.

The family had that evening entirely to themselves, and it passed off
very pleasantly. Elizabeth and Elsie joined in the old songs Mellen
loved, and they all talked and laughed gaily, forgetful of the clouds
that lowered above that house.

The next morning when the family met in the breakfast-room the post had
arrived, and Dolf presented Elsie and Elizabeth with several letters;
only the journals were left for Mellen, and he said, laughingly:

"The division is not just--Bessie having two letters; you might give me
one."

"I'm too selfish," she answered.

"Mine is from Mary Harrington," observed Elsie. "Bess, you shall not
read yours till you have given us our coffee. I'll just see what the
widow says."

Elizabeth poured out the coffee while Elsie opened her note.

"She is coming to-day," she exclaimed; "I told you so. She sends all
sorts of messages to you, Grant; calls you a god-like, wonderful
creature, and is dying to see you."

"Oh, of course," said Mellen.

"She asks after Mr. Rhodes, Bessie--poor old fellow--she has quite
turned his head."

"What is that?" asked Mellen.

So Elsie explained how the widow delighted in worrying Miss Jemima, had
made desperate love to the stout man on every occasion; and in laughing
at her quaint speeches Elizabeth quite forgot her own epistles.

"Why, where are your letters?" asked Elsie.

"I forgot them," returned Elizabeth, drawing them from under her plate,
and adding as she glanced at the superscription of the upper one, "it is
only from the dressmaker."

Elsie snatched the other, and cried out:

"Why, this is from Tom Fuller; oh, see what it says."

"From Tom? oh, I am so glad; I have been expecting a letter for a week
past."

Elizabeth took the letter, and her face lighted up joyously as she broke
the seal and began to read.

"Well," said Elsie, impatiently, "what does he say? read it out."

Elizabeth uttered an exclamation of