hink of that," she said with a tremble in her voice,
"but perhaps I can coax Will to settle down somewhere in this
neighbourhood--bringing his father and mother along so that they won't
be lonely."

"A very nice plan, Rosie dear, if you can manage to carry it out,"
remarked Violet.

"And I have hope that Will, at least, will favour the plan; for he
seemed much pleased with this neighbourhood when he was here," said
Rosie, adding with a laugh and blush, "and I know my wishes carry great
weight with him."

"And we will hope that those of his parents may coincide with yours,"
added her mother gently; "for I am sure my Rosie would not wish to be
the cause of unhappiness to them."

"No, indeed, mamma; I can assure you it is my earnest desire to add to
their happiness; not to take from it. I am strongly in hopes, however,
that when they come to know you and all the rest of my dear relatives
here, they will esteem it a delight to live in your midst."

"And I don't believe they can help it," said Grace. "I am sure everybody
who knows Grandma Elsie, mamma, and papa--not to mention all the other
dear people--loves them and their pleasant society."

"In all of which I am sure you are quite right, Gracie," said Evelyn.

"I, too," said Lulu. "But now let us hear the plans for the wedding."

"They are yet to be made," laughed Rosie.

"You will want a grand one?" Lulu said in a tone of mingled assertion
and inquiry.

"Not so very," Rosie answered with a slight shake of her pretty head. "I
think only the relatives and most intimate friends. They alone will make
quite a party, you know. I'll want some bridesmaids. You'll be one, Lu,
won't you? Unless you fear the truth of the old saying, 'Twice a
bridesmaid never a bride.'"

"Pooh! what difference need that make?" returned Lulu; "since I don't
intend ever to marry."

"You don't?" exclaimed Rosie.

"No; for there is not another man in the world whom I could love half so
dearly as I love my father."

"Oh, well! that is only because you and the right one haven't happened
to meet yet."

"Yes, Lulu," said Grandma Elsie, "at your age I thought and felt just as
you do now, but some years later I found that another had gained the
first place in my heart."

"But my father is so much kinder and more lovable than ever yours was,"
was the answering thought in Lucilla's mind, but unwilling to hurt the
dear lady's feelings she refrained from expressing it, and only said
with a l