"It is so good to be home again! I wonder how we ever made upour minds to go away!" exclaimed Rose as she went roaming aboutthe old house next morning, full of the satisfaction one feels atrevisiting familiar nooks and corners and finding them unchanged.

"That we might have the pleasure of coming back again,"answered Phebe, walking down the hall beside her little mistress,as happy as she.

"Everything seems just as we left it, even to the rose leaves weused to tuck in here," continued the younger girl, peeping into oneof the tall India jars that stood about the hall.

"Don't you remember how Jamie and Pokey used to play FortyThieves with them, and how you tried to get into that blue one andgot stuck, and the other boys found us before I could pull you out?"asked Phebe, laughing.

"Yes, indeed, and speaking of angels, one is apt to hear the rustlingof their wings," added Rose, as a shrill whistle came up the avenueaccompanied by the clatter of hoofs.

"It is the circus!" cried Phebe gaily as they both recalled the redcart and the charge of the clan.

There was only one boy now, alas, but he made noise enough forhalf a dozen, and before Rose could run to the door, Jamie camebouncing in with a "shining morning face," a bat over his shoulder,a red and white jockey cap on his head, one pocket bulging with abig ball, the other overflowing with cookies, and his mouth full ofthe apple he was just finishing off in hot haste.

"Morning! I just looked in to make sure you'd really come and seethat you were all right," he observed, saluting with bat and doffingthe gay cap with one effective twitch.

"Good morning, dear. Yes, we really are here, and getting to rightsas fast as possible. But it seems to me you are rather gorgeous,Jamie. What do you belong to a fire company or a jockey club?"asked Rose, turning up the once chubby face, which now wasgetting brown and square about the chin.

"No, ma'am! Why, don't you know? I'm captain of the Base BallStar Club. Look at that, will you?" And, as if the fact were one ofnational importance, Jamie flung open his jacket to display uponhis proudly swelling chest an heart-shaped red flannel shielddecorated with a white cotton star the size of a tea plate.

"Superb! I've been away so long I forgot there was such a game.And you the captain?" cried Rose, deeply impressed by the highhonor to which her kinsman had arrived.

"I just am, and it's no joke you'd better believe, for we knock ourteeth out, black our eyes, and split our fingers almost as well as thebig fellows. You come down to the Common between one and twoand see us play a match, then you'll understand what hard work itis. I'll teach you to bat now if you'll come out on the lawn," addedJamie, fired with a wish to exhibit his prowess.

"No, thank you, captain. The grass is wet, and you'll be late atschool if you stay for us."

"I'm not afraid. Girls are not good for much generally, but younever used to mind a little wet and played cricket like a good one.Can't you ever do that sort of thing now?" asked the boy, with apitying look at these hapless creatures debarred from the joys andperils of manly sports.

"I can run still and I'll get to the gate before you, see if I don't."And, yielding to the impulse of the moment, Rose darted down thesteps before astonished Jamie could mount and follow.

He was off in a moment, but Rose had the start, and though oldSheltie did his best, she reached the goal just ahead, and stoodthere laughing and panting, all rosy with fresh October air, a prettypicture for several gentlemen who were driving by.

"Good for you, Rose!" said Archie, jumping out to shake handswhile Will and Geordie saluted and Uncle Mac laughed at Jamie,who looked as if girls had risen slightly in his opinion.

"I'm glad it is you, because you won't be shocked. But I'm so happyto be back I forgot I was not little Rose still," said Atalanta,smoothing down her flying hair.

"You look very like her, with the curls on your shoulders in the oldway. I missed them last night and wondered what it was. How areUncle and Phebe?" asked Archie, whose eyes had been lookingover Rose's head while he spoke toward the piazza, where a femalefigure was visible among the reddening woodbines.

"All well, thanks. Won't you come up and see for yourselves?"

"Can't, my dear, can't possibly. Business, you know, business. Thisfellow is my right-hand man, and I can't spare him a minute.Come, Arch, we must be off, or these boys will miss their train,"answered Uncle Mac, pulling out his watch.

With a last look from the light-haired figure at the gate to thedark-haired one among the vines, Archie drove away and Jamiecantered after, consoling himself for his defeat with apple numbertwo.

Rose lingered a moment, feeling much inclined to continue her runand pop in upon all the aunts in succession, but, remembering heruncovered head, was about to turn back when a cheerful "Ahoy!ahoy!" made her look up to see Mac approaching at a great pace,waving his hat as he came.

"The Campbells are coming, thick and fast this morning, and themore the merrier," she said, running to meet him. "You look like agood boy going to school, and virtuously conning your lesson bythe way," she added, smiling to see him take his finger out of thebook he had evidently been reading, and tuck it under his arm, justas he used to do years ago.

"I am a schoolboy, going to the school I like best," he answered,waving a plumy spray of asters as if pointing out the lovely autumnworld about them, full of gay hues, fresh airs, and mellowsunshine.

"That reminds me that I didn't get a chance to hear much aboutyour plans last night the other boys all talked at once, and you onlygot a word now and then. What have you decided to be, Mac?"asked Rose as they went up the avenue side by side.

"A man first, and a good one if possible. After that, what Godpleases."

Something in the tone, as well as the words, made Rose look upquickly into Mac's face to see a new expression there. It wasindescribable, but she felt as she had often done when watchingthe mists part suddenly, giving glimpses of some mountaintop,shining serene and high against the blue.

"I think you will be something splendid, for you really look quiteglorified, walking under this arch of yellow leaves with thesunshine on your face," she exclaimed, conscious of a suddenadmiration never felt before, for Mac was the plainest of all thecousins.

"I don't know about that, but I have my dreams and aspirations,and some of them are pretty high ones. Aim at the best, you know,and keep climbing if you want to get on," he said, looking at theasters with an inward sort of smile, as if he and they had somesweet secret between them.

"You are queerer than ever. But I like your ambition, and hope youwill get on. Only mustn't you begin at something soon? I fanciedyou would study medicine with Uncle that used to be our plan, youknow."

"I shall, for the present at least, because I quite agree with you thatit is necessary to have an anchor somewhere and not go floatingoff into the world of imagination without ballast of the right sort.Uncle and I had some talk about it last night and I'm going to beginas soon as possible, for I've mooned long enough," and givinghimself a shake, Mac threw down the pretty spray, adding halfaloud:

Rose caught the words and smiled, thinking to herself, "Oh, that'sit he is getting into the sentimental age and Aunt Jane has beenlecturing him. Dear me, how we are growing up!"

"You look as if you didn't like the prospect very well," she saidaloud, for Mac had rammed the volume of Shelley into his pocketand the glorified expression was so entirely gone, Rose fancied shehad been mistaken about the mountaintop behind the mists.

"Yes, well enough I always thought the profession a grand one,and where could I find a better teacher than Uncle? I've got intolazy ways lately, and it is high time I went at something useful, sohere I go," and Mac abruptly vanished into the study while Rosejoined Phebe in Aunt Plenty's room.

The dear old lady had just decided, after long and earnestdiscussion, which of six favorite puddings should be served fordinner, and thus had a few moments to devote to sentiment, sowhen Rose came in she held out her arms, saying fondly: "I shallnot feel as if I'd got my child back again until I have her in my lapa minute. No, you're not a bit too heavy, my rheumatism doesn'tbegin much before November, so sit here, darling, and put yourtwo arms round my neck."

Rose obeyed, and neither spoke for a moment as the old womanheld the young one close and appeased the two years' longing of amotherly heart by the caresses women give the creatures dearest tothem. Right in the middle of a kiss, however, she stopped suddenlyand, holding out one arm, caught Phebe, who was trying to stealaway unobserved.

"Don't go there's room for both in my love, though there isn't in mylap. I'm so grateful to get my dear girls safely home again that Ihardly know what I'm about," said Aunt Plenty, embracing Phebeso heartily that she could not feel left out in the cold and stoodthere with her black eyes shining through the happiest tears.

"There, now I've had a good hug, and feel as if I was all rightagain. I wish you'd set that cap in order, Rose I went to bed in sucha hurry, I pulled the strings off it and left it all in a heap. Phebe,dear, you shall dust round a mite, just as you used to, for I haven'thad anyone to do it as I like since you've been gone, and it will dome good to see all my knickknacks straightened out in your tidyway," said the elder lady, getting up with a refreshed expression onher rosy old face.

"Shall I dust in here too?" asked Phebe, glancing toward an innerroom which used to be her care.

"No, dear, I'd rather do that myself. Go in if you like, nothing ischanged. I must go and see to my pudding." And Aunt Plentytrotted abruptly away with a quiver of emotion in her voice whichmade even her last words pathetic.

Pausing on the threshold as if it was a sacred place, the girlslooked in with eyes soon dimmed by tender tears, for it seemed asif the gentle occupant was still there. Sunshine shone on the oldgeraniums by the window; the cushioned chair stood in itsaccustomed place, with the white wrapper hung across it and thefaded slippers lying ready. Books and basket, knitting andspectacles, were all just as she had left them, and the beautifultranquility that always filled the room seemed so natural, bothlookers turned involuntarily toward the bed, where Aunt Peaceused to greet them with a smile. There was no sweet old face uponthe pillow now, yet the tears that wet the blooming cheeks werenot for her who had gone, but for her who was left, because theysaw something which spoke eloquently of the love which outlivesdeath and makes the humblest things beautiful and sacred.

A well-worn footstool stood beside the bed, and in the high-piledwhiteness of the empty couch there was a little hollow where agray head nightly rested while Aunt Plenty said the prayers hermother taught her seventy years ago.

Without a word, the girls softly shut the door. And while Phebe putthe room in the most exquisite order, Rose retrimmed the plainwhite cap, where pink and yellow ribbons never rustled now, bothfeeling honored by their tasks and better for their knowledge of thefaithful love and piety which sanctified a good old woman's life.

"You darling creature, I'm so glad to get you back! I know it'sshamefully early, but I really couldn't keep away another minute.Let me help you I'm dying to see all your splendid things. I saw thetrunks pass and I know you've quantities of treasures," criedAnnabel Bliss all in one breath as she embraced Rose an hour laterand glanced about the room bestrewn with a variety of agreeableobjects.

"How well you are looking! Sit down and I'll show you my lovelyphotographs. Uncle chose all the best for me, and it's a treat to seethem," answered Rose, putting a roll on the table and lookingabout for more.

"Oh, thanks! I haven't time now one needs hours to study suchthings. Show me your Paris dresses, there's a dear I'm perfectlyaching to see the last styles," and Annabel cast a hungry eyetoward certain large boxes delightfully suggestive of French finery.

"I haven't got any," said Rose, fondly surveying the finephotographs as she laid them away.

"Rose Campbell! You don't mean to say that you didn't get oneParis dress at least?" cried Annabel, scandalized at the bare idea ofsuch neglect.

"Not one for myself. Aunt Clara ordered several, and will becharmed to show them when her box comes."

"Such a chance! Right there and plenty of money! How could youlove your uncle after such cruelty?" sighed Annabel, with a facefull of sympathy.

Rose looked puzzled for a minute, then seemed to understand, andassumed a superior air which became her very well as she said,good-naturedly opening a box of laces, "Uncle did not forbid mydoing it, and I had money enough, but I chose not to spend it onthings of that sort."

"Could and didn't! I can't believe it!" And Annabel sank into achair, as if the thought was too much for her.

"I did rather want to at first, just for the fun of the thing. In fact, Iwent and looked at some amazing gowns. But they were veryexpensive, very much trimmed, and not my style at all, so I gavethem up and kept what I valued more than all the gowns Worthevery made."

"What in the world was it?" cried Annabel, hoping she would saydiamonds.

"Uncle's good opinion," answered Rose, looking thoughtfully intothe depths of a packing case, where lay the lovely picture thatwould always remind her of the little triumph over girlish vanity,which not only kept but increased "Uncle's good opinion."

"Oh, indeed!" said Annabel blankly, and fell to examining AuntPlenty's lace while Rose went on with a happy smile in her eyes asshe dived into another trunk.

"Uncle thinks one has no right to waste money on such things, buthe is very generous and loves to give useful, beautiful, or curiousgifts. See, all these pretty ornaments are for presents, and you shallchoose first whatever you like."

"He's a perfect dear!" cried Annabel, reveling in the crystal,filigree, coral, and mosaic trinkets spread before her while Rosecompleted her rapture by adding sundry tasteful trifles fresh fromParis.

"Now tell me, when do you mean to have your coming-out party? Iask because I've nothing ready and want plenty of time, for Isuppose it will be the event of the season," asked Annabel a fewminutes later as she wavered between a pink coral and a blue lavaset.

"I came out when I went to Europe, but I suppose Aunty Plen willwant to have some sort of merry-making to celebrate our return. Ishall begin as I mean to go on, and have a simple, sociable sort ofparty and invite everyone whom I like, no matter in what 'set' theyhappen to belong. No one shall ever say I am aristocratic andexclusive so prepare yourself to be shocked, for old friends andyoung, rich and poor, will be asked to all my parties."

"Oh, my heart! You are going to be odd, just as Mama predicted!"sighed Annabel, clasping her hands in despair and studying theeffect of three bracelets on her chubby arm in the midst of herwoe.

"In my own house I'm going to do as I think best, and if people callme odd, I can't help it. I shall endeavor not to do anything verydreadful, but I seem to inherit Uncle's love for experiments andmean to try some. I daresay they will fail and I shall get laughed at.I intend to do it nevertheless, so you had better drop me nowbefore I begin," said Rose with an air of resolution that was ratheralarming.

"What shall you wear at this new sort of party of yours?" askedAnnabel, wisely turning a deaf ear to all delicate or dangeroustopics and keeping to matters she understood.

"That white thing over there. It is fresh and pretty, and Phebe hasone like it. I never want to dress more than she does, and gowns ofthat sort are always most becoming and appropriate to girls of ourage."

"Phebe! You don't mean to say you are going to make a lady ofher!" gasped Annabel, upsetting her treasures as she fell back witha gesture that made the little chair creak again, for Miss Bliss wasas plump as a partridge.

"She is one already, and anybody who slights her slights me, forshe is the best girl I know and the dearest," cried Rose warmly.

"Yes, of course I was only surprised you are quite right, for shemay turn out to be somebody, and then how glad you'll feel thatyou were so good to her!" said Annabel, veering around at once,seeing which way the wind blew.

Before Rose could speak again, a cheery voice called from thehall, "Little mistress, where are you?"

"In my room, Phebe, dear," and up came the girl Rose was going to"make a lady of," looking so like one that Annabel opened herchina-blue eyes and smiled involuntarily as Phebe dropped a littlecurtsey in playful imitation of her old manner and said quietly:"How do you do, Miss Bliss?"

"Glad to see you back, Miss Moore," answered Annabel, shakinghands in a way that settled the question of Phebe's place in hermind forever, for the stout damsel had a kind heart in spite of aweak head and was really fond of Rose. It was evidently "Love me,love my Phebe," so she made up her mind on the spot that Phebewas somebody, and that gave an air of romance even to thepoorhouse.

She could not help staring a little as she watched the two friendswork together and listened to their happy talk over each newtreasure as it came to light, for every look and word plainlyshowed that years of close companionship had made them verydear to one another. It was pretty to see Rose try to do the hardestpart of any little job herself still prettier to see Phebe circumventher and untie the hard knots, fold the stiff papers, or lift the heavytrays with her own strong hands, and prettiest of all to hear her sayin a motherly tone, as she put Rose into an easy chair: "Now, mydeary, sit and rest, for you will have to see company all day, and Ican't let you get tired out so early."

"That is no reason why I should let you either. Call Jane to help orI'll bob up again directly," answered Rose, with a very badassumption of authority.

"Jane may take my place downstairs, but no one shall wait on youhere except me, as long as I'm with you," said stately Phebe,stooping to put a hassock under the feet of her little mistress.

"It is very nice and pretty to see, but I don't know what people willsay when she goes into society with the rest of us. I do hope Rosewon't be very odd," said Annabel to herself as she went away tocirculate the depressing news that there was to be no grand balland, saddest disappointment of all, that Rose had not a single Pariscostume with which to refresh the eyes and rouse the envy of heramiable friends.

"Now I've seen or heard from all the boys but Charlie, and Isuppose he is too busy. I wonder what he is about," thought Rose,turning from the hall door, whither she had courteouslyaccompanied her guest.

The wish was granted a moment after, for, going into the parlor todecide where some of her pictures should hang, she saw a pair ofbrown boots at one end of the sofa, a tawny-brown head at theother, and discovered that Charlie was busily occupied in doingnothing.

"The voice of the Bliss was heard in the land, so I dodged till shewent upstairs, and then took a brief siesta while waiting to pay myrespects to the distinguished traveler, Lady Hester Stanhope," hesaid, leaping up to make his best bow.

"The voice of the sluggard would be a more appropriate quotation,I think. Does Annabel still pine for you?" asked Rose, recallingcertain youthful jokes upon the subject of unrequited affections.

"Not a bit of it. Fun has cut me out, and the fair Annabella will beMrs. Tokio before the winter is over if I'm not much mistaken."

"What, little Fun See? How droll it seems to think of him grown upand married to Annabel of all people! She never said a word abouthim, but this accounts for her admiring my pretty Chinese thingsand being so interested in Canton."

"Little Fun is a great swell now, and much enamored of our fatfriend, who will take to chopsticks whenever he says the word. Ineedn't ask how you do, Cousin, for you beat that Aurora allhollow in the way of color. I should have been up before, but Ithought you'd like a good rest after your voyage."

"I was running a race with Jamie before nine o'clock. What wereyou doing, young man?"

"'Sleeping I dreamed, love, dreamed, love, of thee,'" beganCharlie, but Rose cut him short by saying as reproachfully as shecould, while the culprit stood regarding her with placidsatisfaction: "You ought to have been up and at work like the restof the boys. I felt like a drone in a hive of very busy bees when Isaw them all hurrying off to their business."

"But, my dear girl, I've got no business. I'm making up my mind,you see, and do the ornamental while I'm deciding. There alwaysought to be one gentleman in a family, and that seems to be rathermy line," answered Charlie, posing for the character with anassumption of languid elegance which would have been veryeffective if his twinkling eyes had not spoilt it.

"There are none but gentlemen in our family, I hope," answeredRose, with the proud air she always wore when anything was saidderogatory to the name of Campbell.

"Of course, of course. I should have said gentleman of leisure. Yousee it is against my principles to slave as Archie does. What's theuse? Don't need the money, got plenty, so why not enjoy it andkeep jolly as long as possible? I'm sure cheerful people are publicbenefactors in this world of woe."

It was not easy to object to this proposition, especially when madeby a comely young man who looked the picture of health andhappiness as he sat on the arm of the sofa smiling at his cousin inthe most engaging manner. Rose knew very well that theEpicurean philosophy was not the true one to begin life upon, butit was difficult to reason with Charlie because he always dodgedsober subjects and was so full of cheery spirits, one hated to lessenthe sort of sunshine which certainly is a public benefactor.

"You have such a clever way of putting things that I don't knowhow to contradict you, though I still think I'm right," she saidgravely. "Mac likes to idle as well as you, but he is not going to doit because he knows it's bad for him to fritter away his time. He isgoing to study a profession like a wise boy, though he would muchprefer to live among his beloved books or ride his hobbies inpeace."

"That's all very well for him, because he doesn't care for societyand may as well be studying medicine as philandering about thewoods with his pockets full of musty philosophers andold-fashioned poets," answered Charlie with a shrug which plainlyexpressed his opinion of Mac.

"I wonder if musty philosophers, like Socrates and Aristotle, andold-fashioned poets, like Shakespeare and Milton, are not safercompany for him to keep than some of the more modern friendsyou have?" said Rose, remembering Jamie's hints about wild oats,for she could be a little sharp sometimes and had not lectured "theboys" for so long it seemed unusually pleasant.

But Charlie changed the subject skillfully by exclaiming with ananxious expression: "I do believe you are going to be like AuntJane, for that's just the way she comes down on me whenever shegets the chance! Don't take her for a model, I beg she is a goodwoman but a mighty disagreeable one in my humble opinion."

The fear of being disagreeable is a great bugbear to a girl, as thisartful young man well knew, and Rose fell into the trap at once,for Aunt Jane was far from being her model, though she could nothelp respecting her worth.

"Have you given up your painting?" she asked rather abruptly,turning to a gilded Fra Angelico angel which leaned in the sofacorner.

"Sweetest face I ever saw, and very like you about the eyes, isn'tit?" said Charlie, who seemed to have a Yankee trick of replying toone question with another.

"I want an answer, not a compliment," and Rose tried to looksevere as she put away the picture more quickly than she had takenit up.

"Have I given up painting? Oh, no! I daub a little in oils, slop alittle in watercolors, sketch now and then, and poke about thestudios when the artistic fit comes on."

"How is the music?"

"More flourishing. I don't practice much, but sing a good deal incompany. Set up a guitar last summer and went troubadouringround in great style. The girls like it, and it's jolly among thefellows."

"Are you studying anything?"

"Well, I have some lawbooks on my table good, big, wise-lookingchaps and I take a turn at them semioccasionally when pleasurepalls or parents chide. But I doubt if I do more than learn what 'aallybi' is this year," and a sly laugh in Charlie's eye suggested thathe sometimes availed himself of this bit of legal knowledge.

"What do you do then?"

"Fair catechist, I enjoy myself. Private theatricals have been therage of late, and I have won such laurels that I seriously think ofadopting the stage as my profession."

"Really!" cried Rose, alarmed.

"Why not? If I must go to work, isn't that as good as anything?"

"Not without more talent than I think you possess. With genius onecan do anything without it one had better let the stage alone."

"There's a quencher for the 'star of the goodlie companie' to whichI belong. Mac hasn't a ray of genius for anything, yet you admirehim for trying to be an M.D.," cried Charlie, rather nettled at herwords.

"It is respectable, at all events, and I'd rather be a second-ratedoctor than a second-rate actor. But I know you don't mean it, andonly say so to frighten me."

"Exactly. I always bring it up when anyone begins to lecture and itworks wonders. Uncle Mac turns pale, the aunts hold up theirhands in holy horror, and a general panic ensues. Then Imagnanimously promise not to disgrace the family and in the firstburst of gratitude the dear souls agree to everything I ask, so peaceis restored and I go on my way rejoicing."

"Just the way you used to threaten to run off to sea if your motherobjected to any of your whims. You are not changed in thatrespect, though you are in others. You had great plans and projectsonce, Charlie, and now you seem to be contented with being a'jack of all trades and master of none'".

"Boyish nonsense! Time has brought wisdom, and I don't see thesense of tying myself down to one particular thing and grindingaway at it year after year. People of one idea get so deucedlynarrow and tame, I've no patience with them. Culture is the thing,and the sort one gets by ranging over a wide field is the easiest toacquire, the handiest to have, and the most successful in the end.At any rate, it is the kind I like and the only kind I intend to bothermyself about."

With this declaration, Charlie smoothed his brow, clasped hishands over his head, and, leaning back, gently warbled the chorusof a college song as if it expressed his views of life better than hecould:

"Some of my saints here were people of one idea, and though theywere not very successful from a worldly point of view while alive,they were loved and canonized when dead," said Rose, who hadbeen turning over a pile of photographs on the table and just thenfound her favorite, St. Francis, among them.

"This is more to my taste. Those worn-out, cadaverous fellowsgive me the blues, but here's a gentlemanly saint who takes thingseasy and does good as he goes along without howling over his ownsins or making other people miserable by telling them of theirs."And Charlie laid a handsome St. Martin beside the brown-frockedmonk.

Rose looked at both and understood why her cousin preferred thesoldierly figure with the sword to the ascetic with his crucifix. Onewas riding bravely through the world in purple and fine linen, withhorse and hound and squires at his back; and the other was in alazar-house, praying over the dead and dying. The contrast was astrong one, and the girl's eyes lingered longest on the knight,though she said thoughtfully, "Yours is certainly the pleasantestand yet I never heard of any good deed he did, except divide hiscloak with a beggar, while St. Francis gave himself to charity justwhen life was most tempting and spent years working for Godwithout reward. He's old and poor, and in a dreadful place, but Iwon't give him up, and you may have your gay St. Martin if youwant him."

"No, thank you, saints are not in my line but I'd like thegolden-haired angel in the blue gown if you'll let me have her. Sheshall be my little Madonna, and I'll pray to her like a goodCatholic," answered Charlie, turning to the delicate, deep-eyedfigure with the lilies in its hand.

"With all my heart, and any others that you like. Choose some foryour mother and give them to her with my love."

So Charlie sat down beside Rose to turn and talk over the picturesfor a long and pleasant hour. But when they went away to lunch, ifthere had been anyone to observe so small but significant a trifle,good St. Francis lay face downward behind the sofa, while gallantSt. Martin stood erect upon the chimneypiece.