."

"Oh," exclaimed Grace, "I am glad I didn't live in those dreadful days!"

"Yes," said her father, "we have great reason for gratitude that the lines
have fallen to us in such pleasant places, and times of peace."

CHAPTER XV.

The _Dolphin_ lay at anchor in Mackinaw Bay only a day or two, in which
time her passengers visited the fort, the village, and the cave of which
Captain Raymond had spoken as the scene of that dreadful slaughter of the
French by the Indians; then started on the return voyage to Chicago.

They were still favored with pleasant weather, and passed most of the time
on deck. Mr. Lilburn seemed to appreciate the society of Miss Annis Keith,
generally contriving to get a seat in her immediate vicinity, and to
engage her in conversation; that did not strike anyone as strange,
however, for Annis was a general favorite with both old and young, she
showing a cousinly regard for all her relatives; especially for Mrs.
Travilla; for the two had been almost lifelong friends. In these few days
that they had been together they had had many private chats in which they
recalled their early experiences at Pleasant Plains and the Oaks, and
Elsie had urged Annis to return with her to Ion and spend the coming
winter there.

This invitation Annis was considering, and the more she thought upon it
the stronger grew her inclination to accept it. But she must go home first
to make some arrangements and preparations, she said.

The two were conversing together thus, as they drew near the end of their
little trip, not caring that their talk might be audible to those about
them.

"Surely it is not necessary that you should take much time for
preparation, Annis," remarked Mr. Dinsmore. "We of Ion and its vicinity
have abundance of stores and dress-makers near at hand. And you would
better see all that you can of the Fair now, for it will soon be a thing
of the past."

"That is true, Cousin Annis," said the captain; "you would better stay
with us and see as much as possible."

"You are all very kind, cousins," she answered. "But I fear I am crowding
you."

"Not at all," he and Violet replied, speaking together; the latter adding,
"We have all slept comfortably, and in the daytime there is certainly
abundance of room."

"If you don't stay, Cousin Annis," Rosie said, with a merry look, "we will
have to conclude that you have not had room enough to make you quite
comfortable."

"Then I certainly must sta