Elsie's Young Folks in Peace and War

by Martha Finley

  CHAPTER XII.

  Crag Cottage had been at Evelyn's desire so added to in the past yearsthat it could now accommodate a large number of guests. There were somany who were near and dear to her, and whom she loved to gather abouther, that she could not be content till this was done. Now the familiesof Fairview, Ion, and Woodburn were all spending the summer there;also Ronald Lilburn and Annis, his wife--though just now several ofthe gentlemen had gone to Cuba to learn of the welfare of Harold andHerbert Travilla, about whom their mother had grown very solicitous.They had been gone long enough for hopes to be entertained of theirspeedy return, but there was no certainty in regard to the time oftheir arrival at the cottage.

  It was late in the afternoon. The elder people were gathered on thefront porch overlooking the river, most of the younger ones amusingthemselves about the grounds. Grandma Elsie was gazing out upon theriver, with a slightly anxious expression of countenance.

  "Looking for the _Dolphin_, mamma?" asked her daughter Violet.

  "Yes; though it is hardly time to expect her yet, I fear."

  "Oh, yes, mamma, for there she is now!" exclaimed Violet, springing toher feet in her delight, and pointing to a vessel passing up the river,which had just come into sight.

  Many of those on the porch and the young folks in the grounds had alsocaught sight of her, and a joyous shout was raised: "The _Dolphin!_ the_Dolphin!_ there she is! the folks have come!"

  "Oh, can we run down and get aboard of her, mamma?" asked ElsieRaymond. "I'm in such a hurry to see papa and get a kiss from him."

  "You won't have long to wait for that, I am sure," returned her mother,with a smile. "But it will be better to wait a few minutes and getit here. There are so many of us that if we should all go down to thelanding we would be very much in the way."

  Others thought the same, and the ladies and children waited where theywere while Mr. Leland and Edward, his eldest son, went down the windingpath that led to the little landing-place at the foot of the hill, togreet the friends on board the yacht and give any assistance that mightbe needed.

  They found all well but the two doctors, Harold able to walk up to thehouse with the help of a sustaining arm, Herbert having to be borneon a litter. The mother's heart ached at sight of his wan cheeks andsunken eyes, but he told her the joy of her presence and loving carewould soon work a change for the better. He was speedily carried to acomfortable bed, and everything done to cheer, strengthen, and relievehim.

  Nor was Harold's reception any less tenderly affectionate andsympathizing. His mother was very glad that he was not so ill as hisbrother, and hoped the pure air and cooler climate would soon restorehim to his wonted health and strength.

  "I hope so, mother dear," he said, forcing a playful tone and a smile,"and that they will soon do as much for Herbert also. He, poor fellow,is not fit to be up at all, and I think it will be well for me toretire early."

  "You must do just what you deem best for your health, my dear boy,"said his mother. "But shall I not send for a physician, as I fearneither of you is well enough to manage the case of the other?"

  "No, no, mother, please don't!" exclaimed Herbert; "Harold is wellenough to prescribe for me, and I prefer him to any other doctor."

  "As I should, if he were quite well," she said, regarding Harold witha proud, fond smile, which he returned, saying in cheerful tones, "Mytrouble is more weariness than illness, mother, and I hope a few daysof rest here in the pleasant society of relatives and friends willquite restore me to wonted health and vigor."

  "I hope so, indeed," she said, "and that Herbert may not be far behindyou in recovering his."

  In the meantime joyful greetings were being exchanged among therelatives and friends upon the porch, and the returned travellers weretelling of what they had seen and heard in their absence, especially onthe coast of Cuba. It was all very interesting to the auditors, but thetale was not half told when the tea-bell summoned them to their eveningmeal.

  Chester had a good deal more to tell Lucilla as they wandered aboutthe grounds together after leaving the table. And she was greatlyinterested.

  "I should like to get aboard a battleship," she said; "particularly the_Oregon_. What a grand vessel it must be!"

  "It is," said Chester, "and did grand work in that battle; a battlewhich will go down in history as a most remarkable one. I am proud ofthe brave tars who fought it, and not less so of the fine fellows whokept up the fires under the engines, which were as necessary to thegaining of the victory as was the firing of the guns."

  "But, oh, the terrible carnage!" exclaimed Lucilla, with a shudder.

  "Yes, that was awful; and what a wonder--what a cause for gratitude toGod--that but one was killed and so few badly wounded on our ships."

  "Yes, indeed! and truly I believe that was because we were fighting forthe deliverance of the downtrodden and oppressed. Don't you, Chester?"

  "Most assuredly I do," was his emphatic rejoinder. "Has there been anynews from Manila?" he asked presently.

  "No," she said, "but we are looking every day for a letter from Max.Oh, I do hope he is still unharmed! That victory of Dewey's seems to meto have been as great and wonderful as this later one at Santiago."

  "So I think. Ah, Lu, darling, I wish Max might be ordered home soon,both for his own sake and ours."

  "Yes; but try to be patient," she returned, in a light and cheery tone."I am sure we are having pleasant times as things are, and we areyoung enough to wait, as my father says. I am still almost three yearsyounger than he thinks a girl ought to be to undertake the cares ofmarried life."

  "I don't mean you shall have much care, and I am sure you are fullycapable of all you would be called upon to do. My darling, if you don'thave an easy life it shall be from no fault of mine."

  "I am sure of that, Chester, and not in the least afraid to trust myhappiness to your keeping. But I am willing to wait somewhat longer toplease father and to have Max present--especially as Eva's bridegroom.Oh, I think a double wedding will be just lovely!"

  "If one didn't have to wait for it," sighed Chester. "Yet it is a greatconsolation that we can be together pretty nearly every day in theyear."

  "Yes, you are a very attentive lover, and I appreciate it."

  Later in the evening, when most of the guests had retired to theirapartments for the night, the captain and his eldest daughter had a bitof private chat upon the porch, for she still retained her love forthat, and it was hardly less enjoyable to him.

  "You don't know how I missed this bit of private talk with you, father,while you were away on your little trip," she said, with a loving lookup into his eyes as she stood by his side with his arm about her waist.

  "Probably not more than I did, daughter mine," he returned, strokingher hair caressingly, then pressing his lips to her forehead and cheek."Pacing the deck alone I missed my little girl more than I can tellher."

  "Ah, didn't you almost wish you had granted my request to be allowed togo along with you?" she asked, with a pleased little laugh.

  "No, my child; you are too great a treasure for me willingly to exposeyou to the risks of such a voyage at such a time."

  "You dear father! you are so kindly careful of me, and of all yourchildren."

  "It behooves a man to be careful of his treasures," he said. "I shouldhave greatly enjoyed your companionship, daughter, if I could have hadit without risk to you."

  "I should have liked to see the warships and the scene of the battle,"she said. "What a terrible battle it was, father--for the Spaniards, atleast."

  "Yes," he sighed. "May the time soon come when men shall learn war nomore, but shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spearsinto pruning hooks."

  "It doesn't seem as though that time can be very near," she said."Papa, do you think Max is in much danger there in Manila?"

  "I hardly know, daughter; I hope we shall hear from him soon. I hardlythink there will be much, if any more, fighting for him to do there atpresent. But his next letter will proba
bly enable us to judge betterabout that."

  "Oh, I hope it will come soon!" she exclaimed in a tone of ardentdesire.

  "As I do," he sighed. "I cannot but feel anxious about my dear boy;though the worst seems to be over, there."

  The next morning's mail brought the desired letters to father, sisters,and ladylove. The captain's gave news of the doings of the army andnavy, and after a private perusal he read the greater part of italoud to the family and friends. It told of the irksomeness of theirsituation, the weariness of the watching and waiting for troops thatdid not come, the admiral's patience and forbearance in taking thedelay so quietly, the troubles with the insurgents under Aguinaldo,and the commanders of the warships of several European nations. "Weknow," he said, "that those fellows are looking out for the first signof weakness on our part, or the first disaster that might befall us,intending to take advantage of it to intervene. I can tell you, father,that Admiral Dewey is a credit to his country and that country'snavy. He is very kind-hearted, and takes excellent care of his men;he is gentle, kind to all, but thorough, determined, and energetic;everything under his control must be as perfect as possible. Whenit comes to the necessity for fighting he believes in being mostthoroughly prepared, and striking quick, hard blows, soon putting theenemy in a condition where it cannot fight. He says little or nothingabout what he expects, but seems to be always ready for whateverhappens. The behavior of the foreign ships must be a constant worry tohim, though he says little or nothing about it. The Germans here seemto study methods of annoying us. Their ships are constantly coming inor going out of Manila Bay at all hours, and on the most frivolouspretexts--sometimes at night, in a way that makes our lookouts thinkthem Spanish torpedo boats; and should we send a shot at one of themit might cause the gravest international complications. And the Germannavy officers make the Spanish officers their chosen companions.

  "The other day our admiral learned that one of the German vessels hadviolated neutrality by landing provisions in Manila. He summoned theflag lieutenant to his cabin and when the officer came--'Oh, Brumby,'he said, 'I wish you to take the barge and go over to the Germanflagship. Give Admiral von Diederich my compliments, and say that Iwish to call his attention to the fact that the vessels of his squadronhave shown an extraordinary disregard of the usual courtesies ofnaval intercourse, and that finally one of them has committed a grossbreach of neutrality in landing provisions in Manila, a port which Iam blockading.' The admiral spoke in a quiet, gently modulated voice,but as the lieutenant turned to go he called him back and added in awrathful tone, 'And, Brumby, tell Admiral von Diederich that if hewants a fight, he can have it right now.'

  "The message had the desired effect, and we have had much lessannoyance from the Germans since.

  "The English squadron here is equal to the German, and I am glad tobe able to say that the British officers lose no opportunity to showtheir friendship for us. I am told that the German admiral askedCaptain Chichester, the British commander, what the English would doin case the Germans should protest against an American bombardment ofManila, and that the messenger received the answer: 'Say to Admiralvon Diederich that he will have to call on Admiral Dewey to find outwhat the British ships will do in such an event. Admiral Dewey is theonly man authorized to answer that question.' I cannot vouch for theexact truthfulness of this report," Max went on, "but I can for thehostility of the Germans and the friendliness of the English. And wehear reliable reports of sailors' fights in Hong-Kong, in which Britishand Yankee bluejackets fight shoulder to shoulder against German seamensubjects of the Kaiser."

  "Oh, that is good!" exclaimed Lucilla, as her father paused in hisreading, "and I hope we and the British will always be friends afterthis. Don't you think, father, that joining together we could rule theworld?"

  "Yes; and I hope, with you, that we may always be friends; though itis not necessary that we should always take part in each other'squarrels."

  "I hope Max is well?" said Violet inquiringly.

  "Yes," said his father, "he tells me he is, and that he came throughthe battle without the slightest wound."

  "I hope the President will let Dewey come home soon, and Brother Maxwith him," said little Elsie. "Doesn't he say anything about it, papa?"

  "No, my child, except that he fears it will be months, if not years,before we see each other again. But we won't despair; it may be thatthe war will be short, and peace return our dear boy to us sooner thannow seems likely."

  The captain seemed to have finished reading the part of Max's letterwhich he thought best for all to hear, and was folding it up. "Mother,"he said, turning to Mrs. Travilla, "the air out here is delightful thismorning; don't you think it might do Harold good to lie yonder in thehammock? and that he could come out with the assistance of my arm?"

  "I certainly do," she said, "and thank you for your kind offer. Bothhe and Herbert will be deeply interested in the contents of Max'sletter--if you are willing to let them see or hear it."

  "Certainly, mother," the captain hastened to say. "I will carry it inand read it to them before we bring Harold out."

  And so he did. They were both greatly interested, and upon theconclusion of the reading Harold was glad to accept the offer of thecaptain to help him out to the porch and into a hammock, where hecould lie at ease and enjoy the companionship of other members of theparty, older and younger. They were all ready to wait upon him andto do whatever they could for his comfort and entertainment. Nonemore so than Grace, whose ministrations he seemed to prefer to anyother. As the days went on they were often left alone together, whilehusbands and wives and lovers devoted themselves to each other; Mrs.Travilla herself to her sicker son, and Evelyn to her housekeeping andcorrespondence, especially the letters to Max, her affianced.

  Grace was fond of Harold, as she thought any one might be of so kind anuncle, whose medical skill had many times relieved suffering for her,and who had always shown kindly sympathy in her ailments. She wantedto make a suitable return for it all, so endeavored to amuse him withcheerful chat, music, and reading aloud anything that he seemed to careto hear.

  He fell more deeply in love with her day by day, and often found itdifficult to refrain from telling the tale to her, and pleading for areturn. His mother saw it all, and at length advised him to speak toGrace's father, tell him the whole story, and crave permission to doand say what he could to win her heart.

  "I have thought it might be best to wait some years, mother," he said."I fear he will be astonished, indignant, and deprive me of her sweetsociety."

  "Astonished he probably will be," she said, "but surely not indignant;and when he has fully considered the matter, remembering that there isno tie of blood between you, I think he will not withhold his consent,provided you are willing to defer marriage till she is of suitable age."

  "I hope you are right, mother, but such a mixture of relationships asit would make--I fear he will think that an insurmountable difficulty."

  "But to rob his dearly loved daughter of a life of wedded happiness hewill think still worse, if I am not greatly mistaken in him. And as forthe mixture of relationships, you can still be brother to him and yoursister Violet, and Grace remain his daughter."

  "You are the best of comforters and advisers, mother," he said, "and Iwill take your advice, and make a clean breast of it to the captain atthe earliest opportunity."

  He did so before the day was over. Seeing the captain in the grounds,he joined him with a request for a bit of private chat.

  "Certainly," said the captain, leading the way to the summerhouse onthe edge of the cliff. "If you want assistance in any way that I cangive it, I need hardly tell you that it will be a pleasure to me to doso; especially as you are the brother of my dear wife."

  "Thank you, Brother Levis, I do not doubt that in the least; andyet----" He stammered and paused, coloring deeply.

  "I think you need not hesitate to tell me," the captain said, with alook of surprise. "I feel very sure you would not ask anything wrong orunreasonable.
"

  "No; my request is neither, I think. It is that I may, if I can, winthe heart and hand of your daughter Grace."

  "Surely, surely you must acknowledge that that is unreasonable!"exclaimed the captain, in a tone of astonishment not unmixed withindignation. "Such a mixture of relationships--making you your sister'sson-in-law, and my daughter my sister-in-law!"

  "My mother's idea is that we might keep to our own relationships asthey are now; and she thinks as there is absolutely no tie of bloodbetween us there could be nothing wrong in such a marriage."

  "No, perhaps not absolutely wrong, but very distasteful to me. Besides,as you yourself must acknowledge, Grace is entirely too young to marry."

  "But all the time growing older, as well as more and more beautiful,and I can wait. She is worth waiting for as long as Jacob served forRachel. And would it not be wise to give her to a physician, who willmake her health his constant care?"

  "Perhaps so," returned the captain, with a rather perplexed and sadsort of smile; "and if you have won her heart and are willing to waittill she is of suitable age, I--don't forbid you to tell her--howdearly you love her--if you can."

  "A thousand thanks, Brother Levis!" exclaimed Harold, seizing thecaptain's hand in a vise-like grasp, and giving it a hearty shake.

  "I don't know how to put my love into words--it seems to me they wouldbe powerless to express it--but I shall try and hope to win a returnby untiring devotion."

  "She has a loving heart, and her father finds it hard to be called uponto resign the first place in it," the captain said, with an involuntarysigh.

  "But let us hope that it will be for her happiness, captain; and Ithink we both love her well enough to resign a good deal for that."

  "Her father certainly does," said the captain. "Dear child! she hasbeen a great comfort and blessing to me since my eyes first rested uponher dear little face. She has never caused me a pang, except by herill-health and feebleness."

  "I have known her long enough and well enough to be sure of that," saidHarold. "She certainly has a lovely disposition, as well as a beautifulface and form. I feel that to win her for my own will be the greatestgood fortune that could possibly come to me."

  "I am glad you appreciate the worth of my dear child," the captainsaid, with emotion, "and if you have won her heart I am not afraid totrust her happiness to your keeping. But, understand, I cannot let youtake her at once."

  "Yes, I understand, and shall not take any unfair advantage ofyour reluctantly granted permission, Brother Levis; but if I canwin her consent, her heart, I shall be a very happy man, and waitcontentedly--or at least ungrumblingly--until you grant us leave tobecome husband and wife."

  Harold was not long in availing himself of the consent given. He was onthe watch for an opportunity to tell his tale of love to the one mostdeeply concerned. He coaxed her out to that very spot where he and herfather had had their private talk, there told her what she was to him,and asked if she could return his affection and willingly give herselfto him. She was evidently much surprised, listened with an agitated airand face suffused with blushes, then said low and hesitatingly:

  "Oh, Uncle Harold! how can you? You are so good and wise--so much olderthan I am--and--and father has often told me that I am only a littlegirl--not nearly old enough to think about--about such things--and so Iam sure he wouldn't want you to talk to me as you did just now."

  "But I spoke to him first, and gained his permission to tell you ofmy love. He probably will not let us marry for some years to come,even if you care for me in that way; but he is willing that we shouldbecome engaged if we choose, and be lovers till he thinks you are oldenough to marry. And oh, darling! if you care for me, and will promiseto be mine at some future day, it will make me the happiest of men.Oh, dearest! can't you love me in that way, even just a little?" heconcluded imploringly, taking her hand in his and holding it in atenderly affectionate pressure.

  "I can't help loving you, Uncle Harold, you are so, _so very_ good andkind to me. But I never thought of--of your being my lover; for I'm notwise and good enough for you."

  "I should put it just the other way, that I am not half wise and goodenough for you, my darling, my fairy queen," he said, venturing to putan arm about her, draw her into a close embrace, and press an ardentkiss upon her lips.

  She made no resistance, and a few more words of love and whisperedtenderness caused the sweet, blushing face to grow radiant withhappiness. She did not deny that she returned his affection, but atlength owned in a few low-breathed, hesitating words that she did.

  Her face was beaming when they returned to the house, and when she cameto her father for the usual good-night caress, he folded her close tohis heart and gazing searchingly into the sweet, blushing face, saidtenderly:

  "My darling little daughter looks very happy to-night. Won't you letyour father into the secret of it?"

  "Yes, indeed, papa; I never meant to keep anything from you," shemurmured, half under her breath, and hiding her blushing face on hisbreast. "I always mean to tell you every thing worth while, because welove each other so very, very dearly. I am happy because of what UncleHarold has been telling me; and he says he told you first, so you know.And you are willing, papa?"

  "Yes, daughter, when the right time comes, since it seems it will makeyou happy. But," he sighed, "it is a little hard for your father tofind other men getting the love of his dear daughters away from him."

  "Oh, papa, dear, dearest papa, don't think that!" she said, with tearsin her voice. "I've always loved you dearly, and it seems to me that Ilove you better just now than I ever did before."

  "Ah, is that so, daughter mine?" he said, giving her another tendercaress; "it makes me happy to hear it, and to believe that my dearGrace will never cease to love me, and will always feel sure of herfather's loving sympathy in all her joys and sorrows."

  "It is very sweet to know that, papa dear," she said. "Oh, I am justthe happiest girl, with so many and such dear loved ones. But even withall the others, father, I couldn't do without your love."

  "I hope not, dear child. It would be hard indeed for me to doubt that,or to be deprived of yours. But now bid me good-night and go to yourrest, for late hours have always been bad for you."

  "Yes, sir, I know; and my dear, kind father is always so tenderlycareful of me," she said, giving and receiving a close, loving embrace.

  It had been a sultry day, followed by a delightful evening, a cool,refreshing breeze coming from the river, and a full moon in a clearsky making it almost as light as day in the grounds, about which theelder members of the party were scattered. The captain left the porchwhere he and his daughter Grace had had their little chat, and joineda group under the trees on the lawn. It consisted of Mrs. Travilla--orGrandma Elsie, as his first set of children had been accustomed to callher--her daughters, Mrs. Leland and Mrs. Raymond, and her sons Harold,Herbert, and Walter. There was a slight flutter of excitement amongthem as he joined them and took possession of a vacant seat.

  "I am glad you have come, captain," said Mrs. Travilla. "Harold hasjust been telling us of your great kindness to him, and I want to thankyou for it."

  "Ah! what was that?" he asked in a tone that seemed to expresssurprise. "There are few things I would not do for you or yours,mother."

  "I believe that, and you have given him the right to win, if he can, aprecious treasure; and to give to me the dearest of little daughters."

  "Ah, yes!" he said, as if just comprehending her meaning, "and to herfather she is such a treasure as any man might covet and be rejoiced towin."

  "An opinion in which I am sure we will all agree," said Violet. "I, whocertainly know her well, think she is an inestimable treasure."

  "An opinion in which we can all join you, I am sure," added Herbert,"and I think my brother a most fortunate man."

  "That is exactly what he thinks of himself," said Harold, with a happylaugh. "Though there has to be a long, long waiting spell before thefull extent of that happiness can be realize
d."

  "How our young folks are pairing off!" remarked Mrs. Leland, with aslight sigh.

  "Ah, yes," said Violet, "but fortunately they don't pair off withstrangers and leave us. That makes it much easier to bear, doesn't it,my dear?"

  "Yes; except for the mixture of relationships," returned the captain atrifle ruefully.

  "Is the thing to be kept a secret?" queried Mrs. Leland.

  "I am entirely willing it should be known in the connection," saidCaptain Raymond.