Elsie's Widowhood

by Martha Finley

  CHAPTER II.

  "Marriage is a matter of more worth Than to be dealt in by attorneyship." --_Shakespeare._

  Lester Leland would sail in a few weeks for Europe. He was going toItaly to study the great masters, and with the determination to spare noeffort to so perfect himself in his art that his fame as the first ofAmerican sculptors should constitute a prize worthy to lay at the feetof his peerless Elsie.

  Their engagement was presently made known to all the connection, andwith no pledge or request of secrecy, her parents deeming such a coursewisest and kindest to all parties. Elsie had many suitors, and it wasbut just to them to let it be understood that her selection was made.

  The communication was by note to each family, which note contained alsoan invitation to a family dinner at Ion, given in honor of the newlyaffianced pair.

  Of course the matter called forth more or less of discussion in eachhousehold, every one feeling privileged to express an opinion in regardto the suitableness of the proposed match.

  It created some surprise at the Oaks, but as Lester was liked and hisgenius admired by them all, there were no unfavorable comments.

  At Ashlands the news was received in much the same way, Herbertremarking, "Well, as it isn't Vi, I don't care a pin."

  Everybody at Fairview was delighted. At Pinegrove it was pronounced "anodd affair," but just like the Travillas; in choosing their friends andassociates they never seemed to look upon wealth as a recommendation, orthe want of it as an objection.

  It was at breakfast-time that the note of invitation, addressed to oldMr. Dinsmore, reached Roselands. He glanced over it, then read it aloud.

  "My great-granddaughter engaged to be married!" he remarked, as he laidit down. "I may well feel myself an aged patriarch! Though 'few and evilhave the days of the years of my life been,'" he added, low andmusingly, ending with a heavy sigh.

  "No such thing, father!" said Mrs. Conly, in a quick, impatient tone."I'm not going to hear you talk so about yourself; you who have beenalways an honorable, upright, polished gentleman."

  "But what a wretched mesalliance is this!" she commented, with covertdelight, taking up the note and glancing over its contents. "A poorartist, destitute of fame and money alike, to mate with an heiress tohundreds of thousands! Why, poor as I and my children are, I should haverejected overtures from him for one of my girls with scorn andindignation."

  "Which would have been a decided mistake, I think, mother," remarkedCalhoun, respectfully. "Leland is a fine fellow, of good family, andvery talented. He'll make his mark some day, and you may live to takepride in saying that the wife of the famous sculptor Leland is a nieceof yours."

  "A half grandniece," she corrected, bridling. "But I shall be an ancientdame indeed before that comes to pass."

  "I have found him a very gentlemanly and intelligent fellow," remarkedArthur; "and as for money, Elsie is likely to have enough for both."

  "So she is," said the grandfather.

  "And he is thoroughly good, and will make a kind and appreciativehusband," added Isadore.

  Virginia looked scornful and contemptuous. "He's too goody-goody forme," she said, "but just like the Travillas in that, so will fit inexactly, I presume. Well, if people like to make fools of themselves, Idon't see that we need be unhappy about it. We'll accept the invitation,of course, mamma?" turning to her mother; "and the next question is,what shall we wear?"

  "We must make handsome dinner toilets, of course," was the reply; "for,though none but relatives and connections are to be present, it will bea large company."

  "Yes, and I've no fancy for being outshone by anybody, and Aunt Rose issure to be very elegantly attired; Cousin Rose Lacey and Cousin Horace'swife no less so. Talk of my fondness for dress! It's small compared totheirs."

  "It is principally the doing of the husbands," said Isadore. "Both--or Imight say all three, for Uncle Horace is no exception--are very fond ofseeing their wives well dressed."

  "An excellent trait in a gentleman--the determination that his nearestfemale relatives shall make a good appearance," remarked Mrs. Conly,significantly, glancing from father to sons.

  "But the ability to bring it about is not always commensurate with thedesire, mother," said Isadore.

  "Thank you, Isa," said Calhoun, following her from the room, for she hadrisen from the table with her last words; "my mother does not seem tocomprehend the difference between our circumstances and those of some ofour relatives, and I am sure has no idea of the pain her words sometimesgive to grandpa, Art, and myself."

  "No, Cal, or she could never be so cruel," Isa answered, laying her handaffectionately on his arm and looking lovingly into his eyes. "I knowthat my brothers deny themselves many an innocent gratification for thesake of their mother and sisters: and Cal, I do appreciate it."

  "I know you do, Isa. Now tell me what you will want for this--"

  "Nothing," she interrupted, with an arch smile up into his face. "Do yoususpect me of praising your generosity for a purpose? I have everythingI want for the occasion, I do assure you. But, Cal, what do you supposeUncle Horace will think of Elsie's choice?"

  "He will not object on the score of Leland's lack of wealth, unless I amgreatly mistaken. But here he comes to speak for himself," he added, asa horseman was seen coming up the avenue at a brisk canter.

  They were standing in the hall, but now stepped out upon the veranda togreet Mr. Dinsmore as he alighted, giving his horse in charge to a youngnegro who came eagerly forward to do the service, quite sure that hewould be suitably rewarded.

  It was the lad's firm conviction that "Massa Horace" possessed aninexhaustible supply of small coin, some of which was very apt to betransferred to the pockets of those who waited upon him.

  Greetings were exchanged and Mr. Dinsmore said, "I am on my way to Ion.Suppose you order your pony, Isa, and ride over with me. They will beglad to see you. I want a few moments chat with my father, and that willgive you time to don your hat and habit."

  Isadore was nothing loath, and within half an hour they were on theirway.

  "You have heard the news?" her uncle remarked inquiringly.

  "Of Elsie's engagement? Yes, sir. You were discussing it with grandpaand mamma, were you not?"

  "Yes," and he smiled slightly.

  "You don't think as she does about it, uncle?"

  "No, I am fully satisfied; that the young man is well-bred, good,amiable, honest, intelligent, educated, talented and industrious seemsto me quite sufficient. My only objection is that the engagement seemslikely to be a long one. And yet that has the advantage of leaving thedear child longer in her father's house."

  "Of which I for one am very glad," said Isa. "What a sweet girl she is,uncle!"

  "Yes; she strongly resembles her mother in person and character; hasalways seemed to me a sort of second edition of her."

  They found the Travillas, old and young, all out on the veranda enjoyinga family chat before scattering to their various employments for theday.

  Grandpa, though seldom a day passed without a visit from him to Ion, waswelcomed with all the effusion and delight that might reasonably havebeen expected if he had not been seen for a month. His daughter's eyesshone with filial love and pleasure as they exchanged their accustomedaffectionate greeting, and, as he took possession of the comfortablearm-chair Mr. Travilla hastened to offer, his grandchildren clusteredabout him, the little ones climbing his knees with the freedom andfearlessness of those who doubted neither their right nor their welcome.

  But in the meantime Isadore was not forgotten or overlooked. She too wasquite at home at Ion and always made to feel that her visits wereesteemed a pleasure.

  There was a slight timidity of manner, a sweet half shyness about theyounger Elsie this morning that was very charming. Her eyes droopedunder her grandfather's questioning look and smile and the color cameand went on her fair cheek.

  He said nothing to her, however, until the younger ones had beensumm
oned away to their studies, then turned to her with the remark, "Imust congratulate Lester Leland when next I see him. Well, my dearchild, I trust you have not made a hasty choice?"

  "I think not, grandpa; we have known each other quite intimately forseveral years," she answered, casting down her eyes and blushing deeply."You do not disapprove?"

  "I have no right to object if your parents are satisfied," he said. "Butthere, do not look uncomfortable; I really think Lester a fine fellow,and am quite willing to number him among my grandchildren."

  She gave him a bright, grateful look; then she and Isa stole awaytogether for a little girlish confidence, leaving the older people to amore business-like discussion of the matter.

  On every subject of grave importance Mr. Dinsmore was taken into thecounsels of his daughter and her husband. His approval on this occasion,though they had scarcely doubted it, was gratifying to both.

  There were no declinations of the invitation to the family dinner-party,and at the appointed time the whole connection gathered at Ion--a largeand goodly troop--the adults in drawing-room and parlors, the littleones in the nursery.

  There was the Roselands branch, consisting of the old grandfather, withhis daughter, Mrs. Conly, and her numerous progeny.

  From the Oaks came Mr. Horace Dinsmore, Sr., and Mr. Horace Dinsmore,Jr., with their wives and a bright, beautiful, rollicking year-old boy,whom the proud young father styled Horace III.; also Molly's halfbrother and sister, Bob and Betty Johnson, to whom their uncle and auntstill gave a home and parental care and affection.

  All the Howards, of Pinegrove, were there too--three generations, two ofthe sons bringing wives and little ones with them.

  The Carringtons, of Ashlands, were also present; for, though notactually related to the Travillas, the old and close friendship, and thefact that they were of Mrs. Rose Dinsmore's near kindred, seemed toplace them on the footing of relationship.

  But we are forgetting Mrs. Travilla's sister Rose. She was now Mrs.Lacey, of the Laurels--a handsome place some four miles from Ion--andmother of a fine son, whom she and her husband brought with them to thefamily gathering and exhibited to the assembled company with no littlejoy and pride.

  It remains only to mention Lester Leland and his relatives of Fairview,who were all there, received and treated as honored guests by theirentertainers, with urbane politeness by all the others, except Mrs.Conly and Virginia, who saw fit to appear almost oblivious of theirexistence.

  They, however, took a sensible view of the situation, and were quiteindifferent as to the opinions and behavior toward them of the twohaughty women.

  No one else seemed to notice it; all was apparent harmony and good will,and Lester felt himself welcomed into the family with at least a show ofcordiality from the most of the relatives of his betrothed.

  She behaved very sweetly, conducting herself with a half shy, modestgrace that disarmed even Aunt Conly's criticism.

  A few happy weeks followed, weeks rosy and blissful with love's youngdream, then Lester tore himself away and left his Elsie mourning; forhalf the brightness and bloom of life seemed to have gone with him.

  Father and mother were very patient with her, very tender andsympathizing, very solicitous to amuse and entertain and help her torenew her old zest for simple home pleasures and employments, the oldenjoyment of their love and that of her brothers and sisters.

  Ah! in after days she recalled it all--especially the gentle, tenderpersuasiveness of her father's looks and tones, the caressing touch ofhis hand, the loving expression of his eye--with a strange mixture ofgladness and bitter sorrow, an unavailing, remorseful regret that shehad not responded more readily and heartily to these manifestations ofhis strong fatherly affection. There came a time when a caress from himwas coveted far more than those of her absent lover.