already a full supply of everything necessary or desirable, in the way of
dress, for both baby and myself."

"Then you will be ready for the trip as soon as any of us?" her
grandfather said inquiringly.

"Yes, sir; I could pack to-day and start this evening if desired to do
so," she answered with a smile.

"We will not put you to the test," he said, "but we hope to sail next
Tuesday."




CHAPTER III.

"We all do fade as a leaf." (Is. lxiv. 6.)


A fortnight had passed since the day of the reader's introduction to the
dwellers in Crag Cottage; the June roses were blooming about it in even
richer profusion than before; tree, and shrub and vine were laden with
denser foliage; the place looked a very bower of beauty to the eyes of
Lester and his Elsie as the hack which had brought them from the nearest
steamboat-landing slowly wound its way up the hill on which the cottage
stood.

On the vine-covered porch Eric lay in a hammock, his little daughter, as
usual, by his side.