CHAPTER XIV.
"My Father's house on high, Home of my soul, how near At times to Faith's discerning eye Thy pearly gates appear." Harold and his cousins had scarcely more than fully recovered from the effects of their almost drowning when Captain Raymond again received orders to join his ship, and it was decided that the time had come for all to leave the island.
Bob and Betty received letters from their brother and sister in Louisiana, giving them a cordial invitation to their homes, Dick proposing that Bob should study medicine with him, with a view to becoming his partner, and Molly giving Betty a cordial invitation from herself and husband to take up her residence at Magnolia Hall.
With the approval of their uncle and other relatives, these kind offers were promptly accepted.
Letters came about the same time from Lansdale, Ohio, inviting the Dinsmores, Travillas, and Raymonds to attend the celebration of Miss Stanhope's one hundredth birthday, which was now near at hand.
Mr.Harry Duncan wrote for her, saying that she had a great longing to see her nephews and nieces once more, and to make the acquaintance of Violet's husband and his children.
The captain could not go, but it was decided that all the others should.
The necessary arrangements were quickly made, and the whole party left the island together, not without some regret and a resolution to return at some future day to enjoy its refreshing breezes and other delights during the hot season.
On reaching New York they parted with the captain, whose vessel lay in that harbor.
Bob and Betty left them farther on in the journey, and the remainder of the little company travelled on to Lansdale, arriving the day before the important occasion which called them there.
Mrs.Dinsmore's brother, Richard Allison, who, my readers may remember, had married Elsie's old friend, Lottie King, shortly after the close of the war of the rebellion, had taken up his abode in Lansdale years ago.
Both he and his sister May's husband, Harry Duncan, had prospered greatly.

Each had a large, handsome dwelling adjacent to Miss Stanhope's cottage, in which she still kept house, having never yet seen the time when she could bring herself to give up the comfort of living in a home of her own.
She had attached and capable servants, and amid her multitude of nieces and grand-nieces, there was almost always one or more who was willing--nay, glad, to relieve her of the care and labor of housekeeping, taking pleasure in making life's pathway smooth and easy to the aged feet, and her last days bright and happy.
She still had possession of all her faculties, was very active for one of her age, and felt unabated interest in the welfare of kindred and friends.

She had by no means outlived her usefulness or grown querulous with age, but was ever the same bright, cheerful, happy Christian that she had been in earlier years.
The birthday party was to be held under her own roof, and a numerous company of near and dear relatives were gathering there and at the houses of the Duncans and Allisons.
Richard and Lottie, Harry and May were at the depot to meet the train on which our travellers arrived.
It was an altogether joyous meeting, after years of separation.
The whole party repaired at once to Miss Stanhope's cottage, to greet and chat a little with her and others who had come before to the gathering; prominently among them Mr.and Mrs.Keith from Pleasant Plains, Indiana, with their daughters, Mrs.Landreth, Mrs.Ormsby, and Annis, who was still unmarried.
Very glad indeed were Mrs.Keith and Mr.Dinsmore, Rose and Mildred, Elsie and Annis to meet and renew the old intimacies of former days.
Time had wrought many changes since we first saw them together, more than thirty years ago.

Mr.and Mrs.Keith were now old and infirm, yet bright and cheery, looking hopefully forward to that better country, that Celestial City, toward which they were fast hastening, and with no unwilling steps.

Dr.and Mrs.Landreth and Mr.and Mrs.Dinsmore had changed from youthful married couples into elderly people, while Elsie and Annis had left childhood far behind, and were now--the one a cheery, happy maiden lady, whom aged parents leaned upon as their stay and staff, brothers and sisters dearly loved, and nieces and nephews doated upon; the other a mother whom her children blessed for her faithful love and care, and delighted to honor.
This renewal of intercourse, and the reminiscences of early days which it called up, were very delightful to both.
The gathering of relatives and friends of course formed far too large a company for all to lodge in one house, but the three--Aunt Wealthy's and those of the Duncans and Allisons--accommodated them comfortably for the few days of their stay, or rather the nights, for during the day they were very apt to assemble in the parlors and porches of the cottage.
It was there Elsie and her younger children and Violet and hers took up their quarters, by invitation, for the time of the visit.
"But where is the captain, your husband ?" inquired Aunt Wealthy of Violet on giving her a welcoming embrace.