For the next week or two, family parties for the honor and
entertainment of the newly-married ones were frequent. Life seemed to
them bright and joyous, except when they remembered that Max would
probably soon be ordered away, perhaps to some distant quarter of
the globe. An unwelcome anticipation not to them only, but to his
father and the others at Woodburn, and in a slighter degree to all the
connection. But orders had not come yet, and they still hoped they
might be delayed for weeks, giving opportunity for many quiet home
pleasures. Yet there were drawbacks to even those, in the fact that
several of the near connection were ailing from colds caught during
their round of festivities--Grandma Elsie and Chester Dinsmore being
of those most seriously affected. Chester was confined to the house
for several days, under the doctor's care, and it was against medical
advice that he then returned to his labors at his office. Lucilla was
troubled and anxious, and, as usual, went to her father for sympathy
and advice. They had a chat together in the library at Woodburn.
"I feel for you, daughter," Captain Raymond said, "but keep up your
courage; 'all is not lost that is in danger.' I have been thinking that
a southerly trip in the yacht might prove of benefit to both Grandma
Elsie and Chester, and quite agreeable to the members of my family and
other friends for whom we could find room."
"Oh, father, that would be delightful!" she exclaimed, her eyes
sparkling with pleasure. "And I hope you will persuade Harold to make
one of the company, for Grace's sake, and so that we will not be
without a physician."
"Yes, that is a part of my plan, and I have little doubt of its
acceptance, Grace's companionship being a great attraction to my young
brother-in-law."
"'Speak of angels and you will hear the flutter of their wings,'"
laughed Lucilla, as at that moment Harold appeared in the doorway.
"Am I the angel, and may I fly in?" he asked, joining in the laugh.
"Certainly, you are just in the nick of time to advise us in a matter
of importance which we were discussing," replied the Captain, inviting
him by a gesture to an easy chair near at hand, then repeating to him
the substance of what he had been saying to Lucilla, finishing with a
request for his opinion in regard to the plan.
"I like it extremely," Harold said. "I think nothing could be better
for either mother or Chester, and the sooner we make ready and start
the better for both, if they will be persuaded to go; of which I have
little doubt."
"I am somewhat afraid Chester may refuse for business reasons," sighed
Lucilla.
"I think we can persuade him of the folly of that," said her father.
"It would be far wiser and better to give up business for a time for
the gaining of health, than to so wreck that by overtaxing strength of
body and mind as to shorten his days or make himself an invalid for
life."
"It certainly would," said Harold, "and I hope that among us we can
convince him that duty, as well as pleasure, calls him to make one of
our party."
"Duty to his wife as well as to himself," said Lucilla, in a lively
tone; "for I should neither willingly go without him or stay behind
with him."
"Where are Vi, Grace and the children?" asked Harold. "I have not seen
or heard anything of them since I came in."
"Max and Eva have taken them driving in our fine new carriage--father's
wedding gift," replied Lucilla, with a smiling glance into her father's
eyes. "That is, all but Ned who rides his pony alongside."
"Ah, and here they come now!" exclaimed Harold, glancing from the
window, "the carriage has just turned in at the gates."
And with that the three arose and hastened out to the veranda, to greet
and assist them to alight. But the moment the carriage drew up before
the entrance the door was thrown open and Max, then Chester, sprang out
and turned to hand out the ladies--Grandma Elsie, Eva, Violet, Grace
and her sister Elsie, while at the same time Ned was dismounting from
his pony.
Warm greetings were exchanged, and as the weather was now too cool for
comfortable sitting upon the veranda the Captain led the way to the
library--a favorite resort with them all.
"Your call is an agreeable surprise, mother," he said to Grandma Elsie,
as he drew forward an easy chair for her; "Harold had just been telling
us that you were almost ill with a cold."
"I have a rather bad one, but thought a drive through the bracing air,
and in such pleasant company, might prove beneficial rather than
otherwise," she answered in cheery tones, adding "And I knew Harold was
here and could take me home in his conveyance."
"Certainly, mother, and will be very glad of your good company," said
Harold, while at the same time Violet exclaimed, "But why go at all
to-night, mother? Why not stay here with us?"
"Thank you, daughter," was the smiling reply; "that would be pleasant,
but there are some things to be attended to at home."
"And not being well, she would better have her doctor close at hand,"
remarked Harold, in playful tone. "Mother, we have been contriving a
plan to help you and Chester to get the better of your colds."
"Ah, what is that?" she asked, and Harold, turning to the Captain,
said, "Let mother hear it from you, Brother Levis, if you please."
"We are thinking of taking a southward trip in the 'Dolphin,'
mother--visiting the Bermudas, Bahamas and other of the West Indies
and the coast of Brazil."
"Why, that would be a lovely trip!" she exclaimed. "Many thanks to you,
Captain, for including me among your invited guests."
"Many thanks to you, mother, if you consent to make one of our party,"
he returned, looking greatly pleased to find her so ready to approve of
and share their plans.
Eager, excited remarks and queries now followed in rapid succession
from the others present--"When was the start to be made? Who besides
Grandma Elsie and the Captain were to compose the party?"
"All who are here now are invited and expected to go; some others of
our friends also," replied the Captain, "and I hope no one will refuse."
"Thanks, warm thanks," said Chester. "I should be delighted to go, but
fear business will prevent."
"As your physician, Ches, I strongly advise you not to let it," said
Harold. "A good rest now in a warm climate may restore you to vigorous
health, while if you stay at home and stick to business you are likely
to either cut your life short or make yourself a confirmed invalid for
the rest of it."
"Do you really think so, cousin doctor?" was Chester's rejoinder in a
troubled voice.
"I do most emphatically," returned Harold. "You may be very thankful,
cousin, that this good opportunity offers."
"I am," said Chester. Then turning to the Captain. "Thank you very
much, sir, for the invitation, which I accept, if my wife will go with
me."
"You needn't doubt that," laughed Lucilla. "There is nothing I like
better than a trip on my father's yacht, with him and all my dear ones
about me."
"And it's just the same with all the rest of us," said Grace.
"And how is it with Max and Eva?" asked the Captain.
"I know of nothing more enjoyable than that--a trip on the 'Dolphin'
taken in the company of one's dear ones," replied Evelyn with a loving
look into the eyes of her young husband.
"Just my opinion," he said, with a smile; "the only question with me
is, Will Uncle Sam allow me a sufficiently long leave of absence."
"Your leave of absence has nearly expired?" his father said,
inquiringly.
"Yes, sir; so nearly that I should hardly feel surprised to receive
orders any day."
"Well, I hope, instead, you may get another leave, allowing you time to
make one of our party."
"It would be a very great pleasure to me, sir," said Max. "But I have
had so long a one already that I can hardly hope for another very soon."
"Oh, Max!" exclaimed Grace, "do write at once asking to have it
extended; it would double our pleasure to have you along."
"Yes, Max, do," said Lucilla. "I can hardly bear the thought of going
without you."
Evelyn, sitting close at his side, looked her entreaties, while Violet
said, "Yes, Max, do; it will double our enjoyment to have you and Eva
along."
Then Chester, Grandma Elsie, Harold and the children added their
entreaties, expressing their desire for his company on the trip and Ned
exclaimed, "Yes, Brother Max, do get leave to go along; we'll want you
to make fun for us with your ventriloquism."
"Is that all you want me for, Neddie boy?" laughed Max. "If so, Cousin
Ronald will answer your purpose quite as well, if not better."
"But two can make more fun than one; and I want you besides, because I
am really fond of you--the only brother I've got."
"Ah, that sounds better," said Max; "but I really can't go without
Uncle Sam's permission."
"Then please do ask him to give it."
"Yes, do, Max," said Grace; "I really think he might give it,
considering what good service you did at Manila."
"It was not very much that I accomplished personally," returned Max
modestly, "and the two months' rest I have had is probably quite as
much as I may be supposed to have earned. Especially as it gave me the
opportunity to secure my wife," he added, with a very affectionate look
at Evelyn.
"I wish you might be able to go with us, Max, my son," said the
Captain, "for leaving ventriloquism entirely out of the account, I
should be very glad to have your company. But the service, of course,
has the first claim on you."
"So I think, sir; and as for the ventriloquism, my little brother is so
hungry for, Cousin Ronald can supply it should you take him as one of
your passengers."
"And that we will, if he and his wife can be persuaded to go," returned
the Captain, heartily.
"Oh, good, papa!" cried Ned, clapping his hands in glee, "then we'll
have at least one ventriloquist, if we can't have two."
"And, after all, the ventriloquism was really all you wanted me for,
eh?" said Max, assuming a tone and look of chagrin.
"Oh, no! no! Brother Max," cried Ned, with a look of distress. "I
didn't mean that! you know you're the only brother I have and I'm
really fond of you."
"As I am of you, little brother, and have been ever since you were
born," said Max, regarding the little fellow with an affectionate smile.
"Oh, Max, I wish you hadn't gone into the navy," sighed Lucilla.
"I don't," he returned, cheerfully, "though I acknowledge that it is
hard parting with home and dear ones."
"That is bad, as I know by experience," said their father, "but then we
have the compensating joy of the many reunions."
"Yes, sir; and a great joy it is," responded Max. "How soon, father, do
you think of starting on your southward trip?"
"Just as soon as all necessary arrangements can be made, which, I
suppose, will not be more than a week from this, at farthest. I can
have the yacht made ready in less time than that, and for the sake of
our invalids it would be well to go as promptly as possible."
"Couldn't you make use of the telephone now, to give your invitations,
my dear?" queried Violet.
"Why, yes; that is a wise suggestion. I will do so at once," he
replied, and hastily left the room, promising to return presently with
the reply from Beechwood to which he would call first.
The invitation was accepted promptly and with evident pleasure, as the
Captain presently reported in the library.
"Now, mother, shall I give my invitation in the same way to our own
friends?" he asked, turning to Grandma Elsie.
"Perhaps it would be as well to send it by Harold and me," she said,
"as that will delay it very little, and I can perhaps help them to
perceive what a delightful trip it is likely to prove."
"And then, mamma, you can give us their view by the 'phone," said
Violet.
"I, or some one of the family will," she said. "And now, Harold, we
will go and attend to the matter at once."