possession of the little fellow is a pleasant thing to see. By the way,
where are Cousin Ella and her little ones?"

"Hugh has taken them out driving," replied Mr. Lilburn. "There is
nothing the bit bairnies like better than that."

"I am sorry to miss seeing them, but it is time we were on our homeward
route," Elsie said, consulting her watch.

They were kindly urged to remain longer, but declined, bade adieu, and
were presently driving on toward Ion.




CHAPTER VIII.


At Ion Rosie was pacing the veranda as her mother and Harold drove up.
She hailed them eagerly as they alighted.

"At last! I began to think you must have yielded to a most urgent
invitation to stay to dinner at Roselands, Beechwood, or Woodburn."

"No," said her mother; "invitations were not lacking, but were steadily
declined for the sake of my daughter Rosie, who I knew would be sadly
disappointed if her mother failed to keep her promise not to remain long
away from her to-day. So here we are; and I see you have news to
impart," she added with a smiling glance at a letter in Rosie's hand.