"Can wait its turn. I always like to keep the best till the last."

Harold hardly acknowledged to himself that he was very eager to hear news
from Elsie; even more than to read the loving words from his mother's pen.

"Very well, then; there seems to be no secret," said May, glancing over
the contents; and seating herself by his side she began.

After speaking of some other matters, Rose went on: "But I have kept my
greatest piece till now. Our family is growing; we have another grandson
who arrived about two weeks ago; Harold Allison Travilla by name.

"Elsie is doing finely; the sleepy little newcomer is greatly admired and
loved by old and young; we make as great a to-do over him as though he
were the first instead of the fourth grandchild. My husband and I are
growing quite patriarchal.

"Elsie is the loveliest and the best of mothers, perfectly devoted to her
children; so patient and so tender, so loving and gentle, and yet so firm.
Mr. Travilla and she are of one mind in regard to their training,
requiring as prompt and cheerful obedience as Horace always has; yet
exceedingly indulgent wherever indulgence can do no harm. One does not
often see so well-trained and yet so merry and happy a family of little
folks.

"Tell our Harold--my poor dear brother--that we hope his name-child will
be an honor to him."

"Are you not pleased?" asked May, pausing to look up at him.

"Yes," he answered, with a quiet, rather melancholy smile; "they are very
kind to remember me so. I hope they will soon bring the little fellow to
see me. Ah, I knew Elsie would make just such a lovely mother."

"Nothing about the time of their return," observed May, as she finished
reading; "but they will hardly linger long after the close of the war."

May had left the room, and Harold lay languid and weak upon his cot. A
Confederate officer, occupying the next, addressed him, rousing him out of
the reverie into which he had fallen.

"Excuse me, sir, but I could not help hearing some parts of the letter
read aloud by the lady--your sister, I believe----"

"Yes. Of course you could not help hearing, and there is no harm done,"
Harold answered with a friendly tone and smile. "So no need for
apologies."

"But there is something else. Did you know anything of a Lieutenant Walter
Dinsmore, belonging to our side, who fell in the battle of Shiloh?"

"Yes; knew and loved him!" exclaimed Harold, raising himself on his elbow,
and turning a kee