Elsie and Her Namesakes. Finley Martha

by that time?" asked Elsie.

      "Hardly, I think," smiled Grace; "but it will be another week before we sail away in our Dolphin; and if they are not all finished then they can be sent after us to Viamede."

      "I suppose, grandma, you will be wanting us all at Ion for Christmas," said Ned. "Uncle Harold, do you think I will be well enough to go?"

      "No, my boy; but we can have a fine Christmas here in your own home," replied his uncle in kindly tones.

      "Oh, yes, of course we can. There is no place better than home, anyhow; at least, not if grandma and you, uncle, are here with us."

      "Just what I think," said Elsie; "and you will be here, won't you, grandma and uncle?"

      "Part of the time," replied Mrs. Travilla; "and I think it likely that most of your other relatives will make a call on you some time during the day."

      "And you will stay with us between this time and that, and tell us your nice true stories, won't you, grandma?" entreated Ned.

      "I have planned to be here a part of almost every day until we go on board the Dolphin, Neddie dear," she said, smiling kindly on him as she spoke.

      "And you will, too, won't you, uncle?" queried the little fellow, with an entreating look up into Harold's face.

      "Yes; I intend to give my little patient all the care he needs from his uncle doctor," was the pleasant-toned reply.

      "Thank you, sir; that is good; I am glad I have such a kind uncle that knows how to treat sick folks," returned Ned, closing his eyes, composing himself for a nap, and adding, "I am tired and sleepy now. Please everybody excuse me if I do not keep awake to enjoy your company."

      An hour later the little boy awoke, looking and feeling stronger and better than he had at any time since the beginning of his illness; and he continued to gain as the days passed on, listening with pleasure while his grandma and others tried to entertain him with stories, and now and then joining in some quiet little game that called for no exertion of strength.

      At last it was Christmas eve, and he and Elsie went early to bed and to sleep after hanging up their stockings for Santa Claus to fill. They knew there was to be a Christmas tree, but the sight of it was to be deferred till the next morning, because after his night's rest Ned would be better able to enjoy it.

      Over at Sunnyside Evelyn sat beside the crib of her sleeping babe, busy with her needle, fashioning a dainty robe for the darling, when Lucilla stole softly in, came to her side, and speaking in an undertone, not to disturb the little sleeper, said:

      "Chester and I are going over to Woodburn to help in the trimming of the Christmas tree, and should be happy to have your company. Will you go along?"

      "Thank you, Lu; I should like to but for leaving baby, and I won't disturb her, taking her up to carry her along, she is sleeping so sweetly."

      "You are quite right; it would be a shame to rouse her out of that sweet sleep. The darling; how lovely she is!" responded Lucilla, leaning over the crib and feasting her eyes with a long, tender gaze into the innocent little face. "But could not you trust her to the care of her nurse for a half hour or so?"

      "Thank you, but I think I am more needed here than there just now. There will be a good many to join in the fun of trimming the tree – good fun, too, it will be, I know."

      "Yes; and you have already sent over your and Max's lovely gifts. Well, good-by, sister dear. You will be missed, but no one will blame you for staying beside your darling."

      Eva was missed and her absence regretted, but the work of trimming the tree went merrily on, the captain, Violet, Harold, Grace, Chester and Lucilla all taking part in the work, while visiting relatives came pouring in, bringing both Christmas and wedding gifts. There was a merry time, and Grace seemed almost overwhelmed by the multitude of rare and beautiful presents, some of them very costly, bestowed upon her. There were laces, jewelry, gold and silver tableware, several handsome pictures for her walls, pretty toilet sets, books; and from Harold's mother and Grace's father certificates of valuable stock, which would add largely to the income of the young couple.

      The tree was a particularly large and handsome one when brought in, and made a grand appearance, indeed, at the conclusion of the work of its trimmers.

      There were many expressions of gleeful admiration, then all were invited to the dining-room and feasted with cakes and ices.

      "Dearest, I fear this has been almost too much for you," Harold said in a low aside to his betrothed when the last of the guests had bidden adieu and departed. "I hope excitement is not going to keep you awake."

      "I will try not to allow it to do so," she returned in the same low key, and smiling up into his eyes. "I hope to show myself to-morrow a patient to be proud of."

      "As you are to-night, love, and always," returned Harold gallantly, taking her hand and carrying it to his lips.

      "In the estimation of my very partial lover doctor," laughed Grace.

      "Ah, yes; and in that of many others. The lover is craving a tête-à-tête with his best beloved, but the doctor knows she should at once retire to her couch of rest. Good-night, darling. Only a week now till I can claim you for my very own."

      "Good-night, my best and dearest of physicians; I will follow your prescription, as has been my wont in the past," returned Grace, gently withdrawing her hand from his grasp, then gliding into the hall and up the stairway, while Harold passed out to the veranda, where the captain and Violet, arm in arm, were pacing to and fro, chatting cosily of what they had been doing and were still to do to make the morrow a specially happy day to their children and servants. They paused in their walk at sight of Harold.

      "You are not going to leave us to-night?" they asked.

      "Yes; I have a patient to visit, and must hasten, for it is growing late."

      "Well, come in as early as you can to-morrow," said Violet, and the captain seconded the invitation warmly.

      "You may be sure I will do that," laughed Harold, "for both the enjoyment of your society and the good of my patients here. Au revoir."

      "Dear fellow!" exclaimed Violet, looking after him as he moved with his firm, elastic tread down the driveway and through the great gates into the road beyond; "he is worth his weight in gold, both as brother and physician, I think."

      "And I am pretty much of the same opinion," smiled the captain. "Now shall we go upstairs and oversee the doings of Santa Claus with those stockings?"

      "Yes; for I presume the youthful owners of the stockings are already safe from disturbance in the Land of Nod. Will Grace hang her stocking up, do you think?"

      "Hardly, I suppose; but we might steal a march upon the darling after she, too, has reached that Land of Nod."

      They had passed up the stairway while they talked, and were now near the door of Grace's sitting-room, and hearing their voices, though their tones were rather subdued for fear of waking the children, she opened it and came smilingly out.

      "Ah, papa and mamma, I presume you are about to personate old Santa Claus, and I should like to help a little," she laughed, holding up to view a string of coral beads and a pretty purse of her own knitting.

      "Ah," said her father, "those will give pleasure, I know. The children will be well satisfied with those articles of Santa Claus's selection. Ah, this reminds me of the first Christmas in this house, and the delight of my two daughters – Lu and Grace – over the treasures they found in their stockings. Suppose you hang up yours to-night in memory of that time."

      "Oh, father dear, I, having already had so many, many gifts far beyond my deserts, should feel ashamed to be seeking more," Grace replied with a look of ardent, filial love up into his face.

      "But do you think you could be wrong or foolish in following your father's advice?" was Violet's smiling query.

      "Not if it be given seriously and in earnest, mamma," returned Grace, giving her father a look of loving inquiry.

      "You may as well take it in earnest, daughter mine," he answered, drawing her to his side, putting an arm about her and giving