e in the lower hall, with Adelaide weeping almost
hysterically in his arms.

"You are the only brother I have left," she sobbed. "Poor, poor dear
Walter and Arthur! Oh, that dreadful, dreadful war!"

He caressed and soothed her with tender words. "Dear sister, I will do all
I can to make up their loss to you. And our father is left us; your
husband spared, too. And let us not forget that almighty Friend, that
Elder Brother on the throne, who will never leave or forsake the feeblest
one who trusts in Him."

"Oh, yes, I know, I know! He has been very good to me; but I must weep for
the dear ones gone----"

"And He will not chide you--He who wept with Martha and Mary over their
dead brother."

The children were awed into silence and stillness by the scene; but as
Adelaide withdrew herself from her brother's arms, while he and her
husband grasped each other by the hand in a cordial greeting, little Elsie
drew near her, and taking gently hold of her hand, dropped upon it a kiss
and a sympathizing tear.

"Darling!" said Adelaide, stooping to fold the child in her arms; then
looking up at her niece, "What a wonderful likeness, Elsie! I can hardly
believe it is not yourself, restored to us as you were at her age."

The morning greetings were soon exchanged, and Adelaide led the way to her
pleasant sitting-room.

"What is the latest news from home, Adelaide?" asked Mr. Dinsmore, with
evident anxiety. "I have not heard a word for months past."

"I had a long letter from Lora yesterday;" she answered; "the first since
the close of the war. Her eldest son, Ned, and Enna's second husband, were
killed in the battle of Bentonville, last March. Lora's husband has lost
an arm, one of his brothers a leg; the others are all killed, and the
family utterly ruined.

"The Carringtons--father and sons--have all fallen, Sophie is here, with
her orphan children; her mother-in-law, with her own daughter, Lucy Ross.
Philip has escaped unhurt. They will all be here next week to attend May's
wedding.

"Papa, Louise--you know that she too has lost her husband--and Enna are
all at the Oaks; for Roselands is a ruin, Ion not very much better, Lora
says."

"And the Oaks has escaped?"

"Yes, almost entirely; not being visible from the road. Papa sends a
message to you. He is too heart-broken to write. He knows he is welcome in
your house; he is longing to see you, now his only son----" Adelaide's
voice faltered, and it was a moment ere sh