CHAPTER XIV.
"Her world was ever joyous; She thought of grief and pain As giants in the olden time, That ne'er would come again." MRS.

HALE'S ALICE RAY.
"Then all was jollity, Feasting, and mirth." ROWE'S JANE SHORE.
It was with a start, and a momentary feeling of perplexity as to her whereabouts, followed almost instantly by the glad remembrance that she was indeed at _home_, that the little Elsie awoke the next morning.

She sat up in the bed and gazed about her.

Everything had a new, fresh look, and an air of simple elegance, that struck her as very charming.
A door on her right, communicating with her father's sleeping apartment, was slightly ajar, and she could hear him moving about.
"Papa!" she called, in her sweet, silvery tones.
"Good-morning, daughter," he said, appearing in answer to her summons.
"Why, how bright my little girl is looking this morning!" "Yes, papa, I feel so well and strong I do believe I can walk to the dining-room.

Please, may I get up now ?" "Yes; Aunt Chloe may dress you, and call me when you are ready," he replied, bending down to give her a kiss.
Chloe was just coming in from a small adjoining room which had been appropriated to her use, and exclaimed with delight at her darling's bright looks.
"Dress her very nicely, Aunt Chloe," said Mr.Dinsmore, "for I think it is quite possible we may have visitors to-day; and besides, I want her to look her best for my own enjoyment," he added, with a loving look and smile directed toward his little girl.
Chloe promised to do her best; and he seemed entirely satisfied with the result of her labors, as well he might, for Elsie looked very lovely in her simple white dress, and little embroidered pink sacque, which seemed to lend a faint tinge of color to her pale cheeks.