Mildred's New Daughter

“I have no great apprehensions of that, my little girl,” he returned with a fatherly smile. “You are the only nieces we have to provide for – except Dorothy here for me, and I don’t mean to let her go for a good while yet,” smiling affectionately upon her; “so it would be a sad pity if we couldn’t open our hearts enough to give you a few wedding clothes. But I must go now, and I think it would be well for you and Dorothy to start out pretty soon to attend to that important shopping which I hear you have on hand.”

With that the three gentlemen withdrew from the room, and after a few minutes’ chat with their aunt about the purchases to be made that morning, Dorothy and Blanche started out also.

They returned to Ethel at dinner time to report as good success with their shopping as hers of the previous day. Blanche had bought a gray travelling dress of a different shade from that of her sister, a hat and gloves to match it, besides various smaller articles needed to complete her trousseau, and Ethel admired and approved to the entire satisfaction of the purchasers.

“Now,” said Dorothy, “I think we need do very little, if any more, shopping for some weeks, when the spring fashions have come out; but there is plenty of sewing connected with what we have already bought to keep us all three busy. How I wish you were ready to come to us at once, so that we could get fairly to work immediately.”

“Dorothy, how very kind you are,” said Ethel, giving her a bright look and smile. “I doubt if many girls in your place would think it any concern of theirs whether our sewing was done in season or not, or offer us any assistance with it.”

“Ah, but you see I am naturally fond of such doings as you have on hand at present,” laughed Dorothy. “Now, can’t you decide to close out earlier than you have been intending to – say in two or three weeks, if not sooner? I know perfectly well that aunt and uncle would be delighted to have you come to them so much sooner than you have intended, to say nothing of the boys and the girl Dorothy.”

“Then perhaps you may be glad to hear of something that occurred this morning while you two were shopping. A woman called in to say that, hearing I was going to give up the house this spring, she would like to look at it with a view to taking it. So I took her over it from attic to cellar. She seemed to think it would exactly suit her, and if it would not inconvenience me to move out sooner than I had intended – say in a week or two – she would be very glad to take it off my hands, buying the fixtures, most of the furniture, and the goods also – as she means to keep the same kind of stock – and settling for the rent I should have to pay the landlord if I had stayed on as long as I had intended.”

“Oh, delightful!” cried Dorothy. “I hope you closed with the offer at once?”

“No, not exactly,” replied Ethel, smiling at Dorothy’s earnestness, “but I told her I would give her my answer to-morrow or next day. I wanted time you see to consult my uncles, and to make sure I should not inconvenience anybody by accepting the invitation from Uncle George and Aunt Sarah so much earlier than they and we had expected.”

“I can assure you you needn’t hesitate one minute about that,” returned Dorothy. “Suppose you come up and talk with Aunt Sarah and the uncles this evening and have it settled. Then you can see some pretty things we were showing Blanche this morning.”

“Oh, yes, Ethel; some lovely gifts to us from Uncle Albert and the two aunts.”

“Oh, hush!” cried Dorothy, “don’t tell what they are, but let her be surprised as you were this morning.”

“Why, you cruel thing! the idea of keeping her waiting so long!” exclaimed Blanche in simulated wrath.

“Oh, I can wait,” laughed Ethel; “mysteries and expectations are really delightful things sometimes. Now I think of it, as we do not often have much custom in the evenings, Harry and you and I, Blanche, might go to Uncle George’s after tea and talk the matter over with him and Uncle Albert; see the pretty things too, and thank them and the aunts for their gifts.”

The others thought well of the plan and it was duly carried out

The uncles highly approved of the immediate closing up of Ethel’s business, and the coming to their houses of both nieces and nephew without any unnecessary delay. In consequence they were all, in less than a fortnight, installed as temporary members of their Uncle George’s family, the girls very busy with the necessary preparations for their approaching nuptials, and Dorothy equally so as their most kind helper.

The young lady cousins next door took a languid interest and prepared some little wedding gifts for each of the prospective brides, but that was the utmost of their helpfulness.

Busy though they were – very busy with their preparations – Ethel and Blanche managed to find time to carry on a brisk correspondence with Percy and Stuart, whose letters kept them informed of the progress made from week to week in the building of their houses and the laying out of the grounds, assuring them that they confidently hoped to have the pretty homes ready in good season for their occupants. Their fathers, so they wrote, would give them, not the grounds and houses alone, but furniture for them also, and it was their intention to buy carpets, curtains, and parlor furniture at least, in Philadelphia when they went on for their brides. These would be sent immediately to Pleasant Plains, as their town was called, and arranged in the houses by their Aunt Annis and others of the family who intended to remain at home while the bridal party made their wedding trip, visiting various places of note in the Eastern and Middle States.

“Oh, how pleasant!” exclaimed Dorothy on hearing of these arrangements; “you can go right into your own homes just as soon as you reach the town. I should like nothing better if I were in your place.”

“It suits us exactly,” said Ethel.

“Aunt Sarah was saying only this morning that it was time to be preparing invitations to the wedding and sending them out,” remarked Dorothy, “and she wants you girls to make out a list of the relatives and friends of the bridegroom that are to be, who ought to receive cards, so that she can attend to the business, which is just in her line, as she can do it sitting in her chair and with very little exertion.”

“It is most kind in aunt, and we will write at once for such a list,” replied Ethel, looking highly gratified; for both she and Blanche wished to show every attention to the relatives of Percy and Stuart, but had not thus far felt that they had any right to invite them, or anyone, to the house of their uncle; and he had expressed a wish to have the ceremony performed in his own parlor.

The letters were promptly written, sent by the next train for the West, and a reply containing the requested list came by the return of mail.

It gave the names of relatives only, few besides the Keiths, Aunt Wealthy Stanhope, and such of the Dinsmores as were related to Mrs. Marcia Keith, the maternal grandmother of Percy and Stuart, including, of course, those of New Jersey who had for years so kindly befriended Ethel, Blanche, and their younger brother and sister.

The girls had few friends or acquaintances outside of the families of their two uncles, and desiring a quiet wedding because of their recent bereavement, none others were invited.

They were very busy with their preparations, yet had time enough to take matters easily and not be so overworked as to mar their good looks or exhaust their strength. They were almost at leisure and looking rosy and happy, when their intended partners for life walked in upon them some days before the one appointed for the important ceremony.

The arrival was not unexpected, for it had been agreed upon that they should come in good season to allow time for each young couple to make their purchases of household goods and have them shipped for Pleasant Plains before the wedding.

Some two or three days were spent most enjoyably in this fascinating work of choosing the adornments of their future homes, Dorothy sometimes accompanying them, by invitation, that they might have the benefit of her excellent taste and judgment.

In the meantime letters of acceptance or declination, accompanied by gifts – principally of handsome jewelry or silver ware – came pouring in from the invited relatives, causing the most pleasurable excitement Ethel and Blanche had ever known.

Dorothy heartily rejoiced with and for them, fairly going into ecstasies over a diamond pin for each, from Mr. Horace Dinsmore and his father, and lovely bracelets from Mr. Travilla and his wife, the dear Cousin Elsie of whom they had often heard Mrs. Landreth speak.

These handsome gifts were accompanied by letters expressing kindly interest and the hope of making the acquaintance of the young brides at some future day, but declining to attend the wedding, as it was not convenient for any of them to leave home just at that time.

Aunt Wealthy, too, declined for the same reason, and because of her advanced years, but sent a piece of silver ware to each of the brides and a warm, even urgent invitation for a visit to her on their homeward way.

“Dear old auntie!” exclaimed Percy on reading the letter, which Ethel had handed to him, “I think, Stuart, we should try to manage it; if our brides are willing,” he added with a smiling glance at the two girls sitting near. “It will not take us very much out of our way, and would be such a gratification to her.”

“With all my heart, if the ladies do not object,” returned Stuart with an enquiring look at them. “I do not believe either of them would regret it, for she is, as you say, ‘a dear old lady.’ A very amusing one, also, at times,” he added with a mirthful look.

“Oh, yes; I have heard your mother and sisters speak of her, Percy, and I should like nothing better than to pay her a little visit in her own house, and engage her to make a return, if possible,” Ethel said, her eyes sparkling with pleasure at the very idea.

“I, too,” exclaimed Blanche. “Oh, it would be lovely! better than going to the Eastern States, if we cannot do both.”

“Oh, we can do both,” said Stuart, “if we do not stay too long at any one place.”

“Yes, of course, we do not expect ever to have another honeymoon,” laughed Percy. “If nobody objects, I’ll write at once to Aunt Wealthy that we hope and expect to accept her invitation.” A moment of silence, then Blanche said:

“I think you are safe in doing so, as we have all expressed a desire to make the visit.”

“Yes; then I’ll write to-night,” said Percy. “Oh, by the way, I received a letter from Cousin Horace Dinsmore, junior – who is about my own age – accepting an invitation I sent him the other day to be one of our groomsmen.”

“I am pleased to hear it,” said Ethel. “Having heard a great deal about the family I have wanted very much to see them.”

“Which I intend you shall one of these days, if I have to take you all the way down there,” laughed Percy.

“Possibly you maybe able to induce them to pay us a visit this coming summer or fall,” said Stuart. “I own to a strong desire to see them myself; so many years having passed since there was an exchange of visits that I have no recollection of any of the family.”

“I should think not,” laughed Percy; “for if I am not mistaken none of them have visited our part of the country since you were born. I was taken down there in my babyhood, but, of course, have no recollection of the circumstances, or of the relatives I saw there. But we have heard so much talk about them, and read so many of their letters, that it almost seems as if we had seen and known them.”

“Yes, I believe you are right,” Stuart said musingly. “I shall be pleased to make the acquaintance of Horace, junior, so am very glad he is coming. It brings up the number of our groomsmen to six – Horace, Harry Eldon, Stuart Landreth, and the three cousins of the brides – George, William, and Albert.”

“And we have the same number of bridesmaids,” remarked Blanche; “your sister and Percy’s two, his and your cousin Mary Keith, our cousin Minnie Eldon, and Dorothy. Aunt Sarah says we must have a rehearsal to-night.”

“Yes,” said Stuart, “and another after Horace Dinsmore gets here, as he will to-morrow, I think.”

“And we expect all our party from Pleasant Plains to be here in the city by that time,” added Percy; “so that we may hope to get all the intended bridesmaids and groomsmen together for that second one.”

“I think they will get in to-night,” said Stuart; “and it will be well if they do, as that will give them – I mean the girls, particularly – time to rest a bit before going through the ordeal.”

“The rehearsal will be scarcely an ordeal, but – ” It was Blanche who spoke, but she paused without finishing her sentence, and assuming a comical expression of pretended fright and apprehension.

“The actual ceremony will?” queried Stuart laughingly.

“Yes; remembering that I have heard more than once that men are deceivers,” she sighed. “Alas! if I should be mistaken in the one to whose keeping I commit my happiness.”

“It would be dreadful,” returned Stuart regarding her with admiring, laughing eyes, “and perhaps equally so should I be mistaken in the little woman to whom I commit mine. But I am not afraid.”

“Nor need you be, Blanche, let me assure you,” said Percy. “Try to be as reasonable and trustful as Ethel, who I feel convinced is not the least afraid of me,” he added with a happy little laugh, and a glance of ardent affection at his betrothed.

“Ah, who shall say that that is not because she is a brave – if not particularly bright woman?” laughed Ethel.

“I,” said Percy; “you, Miss Eldon, are the only person who will be permitted to utter such a slander concerning her in my presence.”

The next few days seemed taken up by a whirl of pleasurable excitement – introductions to new friends, soon to become relatives, the reception of many beautiful presents, the rehearsals of those who were to take part in the ceremony, the trimming of the house with flowers, the trying on of wedding finery, and selecting of flowers – orange blossoms – for the adornment of the brides.

There was scarcely time to think of the pain of the coming partings from brother, uncles, and other relatives; pain it would be, yet not to be compared with that of many a young bride who must leave father, mother, home, and more than one loved brother and sister.

The wedding was a pronounced success; brides and bridesmaids looking their best – groom and groomsmen also – and each going through his or her part of the ceremony in an altogether creditable manner.

A wedding feast followed; then came the leave-takings and the scattering of the guests and the bridal party, the latter taking the cars for New York, where they spent some days in sight-seeing; from there they went on to Boston, where a week was spent visiting places in the city and its vicinity interesting from a historical point of view. Then they returned to New York, went up the Hudson on a fine steamer to West Point, where they spent a day and a night; then by boat again up to Albany, where they made but a brief halt, then took the cars for Saratoga, spent a few days there, during which they visited the battlefield – all being intensely interested in everything connected with the struggle that had made us a nation.

Their next pause was at Niagara, where they made a brief stay to see the Falls. From there they went to Lansdale, O., to pay the promised visit to Aunt Wealthy, which would be their last halt on their homeward way.

CHAPTER XXIII

It was on a lovely June morning that our bridal party arrived in Lansdale. They were met at the depot by Aunt Wealthy’s nephew Mr. Harry Duncan, and driven directly to the pretty cottage which had been for so many years the home of the dear old lady. She met them on its porch with both hands outstretched in cordial greeting to the dearly loved grandnephews, and their wives of whom this was her first sight, gave them the tenderest of greetings, then led them within doors and gave them in charge to Mrs. Duncan and Mrs. Lottie Allison, who conducted them to their respective rooms and left them there to refresh themselves by the removal of the dust of travel and a change of raiment.

An excellent dinner, served in Aunt Wealthy’s dining room and partaken of by all the members of the three families, followed in due season, the dear old lady herself taking the head of the table and doing the honors as gracefully as though she had seen but half the years which had actually passed over her head.

Ethel felt strongly drawn to her and the attraction seemed mutual.

“I am greatly obliged to you, boys,” Aunt Wealthy said in her sweet, silvery tones, glancing from Ethel to Blanche and back again, “for furnishing me with two such sweet and lovable grand-nieces. I only wish I could keep you and them near me without robbing our dear ones in your native town. Now if you could persuade your parents and grandparents to leave Pleasant Plains for Lansdale and you to settle here also, it would be very delightful to your old auntie.”

“It would be very delightful for us to have her near at hand,” returned Percy with a smile, “but surely much easier to carry her there with us, than to bring all our numerous tribe here. What do you say to the idea of joining our party when we start for home again, Aunt Wealthy?”

“Ah, no, laddie! I’m too old a fixture to be moved,” returned the old lady, shaking her head. “I am only living from day to day with the feeling that home is all ready for me in that better land and that I may at any moment hear the glad summons to go to it and the dear Master who has prepared it for me.”

“And yet how very peaceful and happy you look, auntie,” remarked Blanche. “Do you not dread that summons at all?”

“Oh, no, child. Why should I or anyone dread a call to go home to the Father’s house on high? I can truly say I do not dread it half so much as I should the earthly journey from here to Pleasant Plains. That would cause me much weariness; the other none at all.”

“I think you are to be envied, Aunt Wealthy,” said Blanche. “I don’t think it is altogether because you are old and weary of life either, because our dear young sister Nannette seemed as glad to go to that dear home as anybody could be.”

“I hope you will tell us all about her while you are here,” remarked Mrs. Duncan, with a look of interest.

“Yes,” said Mrs. Allison, “and also about your wedding, for we have heard absolutely nothing so far.”

“Our mothers, and the rest at Pleasant Plains, have been too busy to write, I presume,” observed Stuart; “but you shall have all the particulars you care for from us before we leave.”

“Yes, you must please tell us all about it this evening when Dr. and Mrs. Prince will be in to hear it too.”

“Now, Aunt Wealthy, do you know that, as usual, you have lowered my father’s rank?” queried Mrs. Allison with an amused look and smile. “You will forget, you dear old soul, that he is a King – not merely a prince.”

“Ah, yes; it is a sad mistake and one that I make very often, and I fear I’m too young now to hope to reform in that respect.”

“Ah, well, auntie, do not be discouraged,” said Mr. Duncan; “you know you are getting older every day and may hope to arrive finally at years of discretion.”

“Ah, Harry, Harry, you are a sad fellow, considering that you belong to the family of such a fine young father; such an one should never think of making game of his old auntie in that fashion,” returned Miss Stanhope with affected gravity, but a twinkle of fun in her eye. Then turning to Percy, “Did Mr. Travilla and Elsie get to your wedding?” she asked.

“No, ma’am; none of the family except young Horace, who was one of our groomsmen. I own that I was disappointed, for I have a great desire to meet them all; especially Cousin Elsie. She has been here several times, has she not?”

“Yes, years ago when she was quite young – eighteen – and Mr. Travilla came after her, but was not her – yes, he was her lover, but she thought of him only as a kind of uncle. Then her father brought her again when she had found out that she cared for Mr. Torville, and engaged him to marry her. Ah, he’s as pleasant a gentleman as ever you saw!”

“You were at the wedding, were you not, Aunt Wealthy?” asked Stuart.

“Yes, indeed! They wouldn’t have missed me for a good deal, and from the sole of her head to the crown of her foot she was the loveliest bride that I ever saw.”

“So mother has often told me, and that she was as lovely in character as in person,” said Percy.

“An assertion which no one at all acquainted with her would hesitate to confirm,” said Mr. Allison. “I know her well as the daughter of my esteemed brother-in-law, Mr. Horace Dinsmore, and have known her since she was a little lass about nine years old.”

“How I should like to see her!” exclaimed Blanche.

“We have photographs at home,” said Stuart. “I think them lovely, but mother and the others who remember her say they do not do her justice.”

“We have some very good ones here,” said Aunt Wealthy, “and everyone who cares to look at them can do so.”

They were leaving the table as she spoke and Blanche, speaking aside to Stuart, urged him to ask his aunt to show them the old-fashioned treasures in her parlor of which she had heard him and Percy tell.

“Yes, dearest, I will,” he said with a mirthful look. “I own to a great desire to see them myself, having heard so much about them from mother, grandma, and Aunt Mildred.”

But there was no need to prefer the request, as it was to the parlor Miss Stanhope now led the way, and she was presently exhibiting with pardonable pride the old furniture that had been in the family since before her time, her grandmother’s sampler framed and hanging on the wall, the embroidered chair cushions which she said were filled with that grandmother’s own feathers, and were valued by herself more than their weight in gold, though much faded and somewhat worn in spite of the excellent care she had always taken of them – the old, old portraits on the walls, the cabinet of curiosities brought from over the seas by an ancestor who had been a sea captain.

All these were examined with interest, then Percy enquired for the photographs.

“Ah, they are here,” replied Miss Stanhope, taking up a photographic album and handing it to him. “Let us see if you can pick out your Cousin Elsie.”

“Easily,” he returned, “since I have often seen one in mother’s possession;” and as he opened the album his wife, Blanche, and Stuart drew around him to gaze with eager curiosity upon the lovely face which he pronounced an excellent likeness of Mrs. Travilla, judging from those he had seen and the description of her often given him by the members of the family who knew her.

Our little bridal party spent some days at Lansdale, then urgent messages from home hurried them away. They reached Pleasant Plains about the middle of the afternoon of another lovely June day.

As they alighted from the train they were greeted most rejoicingly by their fathers and mothers – Dr. and Mrs. Landreth and Mr. and Mrs. Ormsby – each couple being conducted to a waiting carriage, and presently, when the baggage had been attended to, they were whirled away to the house of the young men’s grandfather, Mr. Keith, where they found the other members of the connection waiting to greet and welcome them.

Then, after a few minutes’ chat, they were conducted to their own new homes, which had been thoroughly cleaned and furnished with the carpets, curtains, and other articles bought in Philadelphia for that purpose.

All four were filled with delight at the neat and tasteful appearance of each dwelling, and the many comforts and conveniences that had been provided through the thoughtful love and effort of parents and friends.

The grounds were prettily laid out, sodded and planted with trees, shrubs, and flowers, and presented an attractive appearance for places so new to cultivation, giving promise of great beauty in coming years; and from porches and balconies charming views might be obtained of the surrounding country and the beautiful swiftly flowing river.

Ethel and Blanche were evidently greatly pleased, and their young husbands scarcely less so.

When all these things had been viewed and rapturously commented upon, the young couples were left to themselves, with an injunction to come over to their grandfather’s again when ready for tea, as all the family were to be assembled there to rejoice together over their safe arrival, and that those to whom the brides were strangers, as yet, might have an opportunity to make their acquaintance.