disease yet; at least so far as to relieve me of the pain I suffer."

"I hope so, indeed. How patiently you have borne it all these long
years," she answered with earnest sympathy of tone and look.

"So he has; he deserves the greatest amount of credit for it," said
Lucy, as John and Archie in turn claimed Elsie's attention for a
moment. "But come now, let me take you to mamma and grandma, and then
to your own room. Aunt Chloe and your luggage will be along presently,
I suppose."

"Yes, they are coming up the avenue now."

Lucy led the way to a large pleasant, airy apartment in one of the
wings of the building, where they found Mrs. Carrington busily
occupied in cutting out garments for her servants, her parents Mr. and
Mrs. Norris with her, the one reading a newspaper, the other knitting.
All three gave the young guest a very warm welcome. She was evidently
a great favorite with the whole family.

These greetings and the usual mutual inquiries in regard to the health
of friends and relatives having been exchanged, Elsie was next carried
off by Lucy to the room prepared for her special use during her stay
at Ashlands. It also was large, airy, and cheerful, on the second
floor--opening upon a veranda on one side, on the other into a similar
apartment occupied by Lucy herself. Pine India matting, furniture of
some kind of yellow grained wood, snowy counterpanes, curtains and
toilet covers gave them both an air of coolness and simple elegance,
while vases of fresh flowers upon the mantels shed around a slight but
delicious perfume.