verybody does, and you might as well begin
now as any time."

"Thank you, I shall avail myself of the privilege in future."

The weather was warm for the time of year, and on leaving the table the
whole party repaired to the front porch, where Harry quickly provided
every one with a seat.

"That is a beautiful maple yonder," remarked Mr. Travilla.

"Yes, sir," returned Harry; "we have a row of them all along the front of
the lot; and as Mrs. Dauber says, they are 'perfectly gordeous' in the
fall."

"The maple is my favorite among the shade leaves," remarked Miss Stanhope,
joining in the talk, "from the time it trees out in the spring till the
bare become branches in the fall. Through this month and next they're a
perpetual feast to the eye."

"Aunt, how did you decide in regard to that investment you wrote to
consult me about?" asked Mr. Dinsmore, turning to her.

"Oh, I concluded to put in a few hundreds, as you thought it safe, on the
principle of not having all my baskets in one egg."

"Small baskets they would have to be, auntie," Harry remarked quietly.

"Yes, my eggs are not so many, but quite enough for an old lady like me."

As the evening shadows crept over the landscape the air began to be
chilly, and our friends adjourned to the parlor.

Here all was just as when Elsie last saw it; neat as wax, everything in
place, and each feather-stuffed cushion beaten up and carefully smoothed
to the state of perfect roundness in which Miss Stanhope's soul delighted.

Mrs. Travilla, who had heard descriptions of the room and its appointments
from both her son and Elsie, looked about her with interest: upon the old
portraits, the cabinet of curiosities, and the wonderful sampler worked by
Miss Wealthy's grandmother. She examined with curiosity the rich
embroidery of the chair cushions, but preferred a seat upon the sofa.

"Dr. and Mrs. King and Miss Lottie!" announced Simon's voice from the
doorway, and the three entered.

Lively, cordial greetings followed, especially on the part of the two
young girls. Mrs. Travilla was introduced, and all settled themselves for
a chat; Lottie and Elsie, of course, managing to find seats side by side.

"You dearest girl, you have only changed by growing more beautiful than
ever," cried Lottie, squeezing Elsie's hand which she still held, and
gazing admiringly into her face.

Elsie laughed low and musically.

"Precisely what I was thinking of you, Lottie. It must be your