“They are going to Trenton and Niagara,” said Mrs. Lester. “If we had gone to Trenton we would have met them there. There is your Uncle Charles waving good-by from the platform.”
“And there were Bessie and Edith,” said Norman, mournfully.
“I think not,” replied Mrs. Lester. “I did not see them.”
“But I am sure I saw them,” said Norman; “and that will take away half my pleasure in getting home. I was looking forward to telling them about all what I had seen.”
At the depôt Mrs. Lester was kindly greeted by Mrs. Eiledon, who insisted upon sending her home in her carriage. After leaving Mrs. Eiledon at Ellesmere, they drove on to the Glen. How beautiful everything looked in this region of valleys and hills! How glorious was the sunset behind those grand, blue mountains! How refreshing the soft evening breezes, after the heat and dust of the cars!
Home again. Norman’s heart leaped up within him.
“How surprised they will be! Mother, put your vail down, and they will think it is Mrs. —— come to pay a visit.”
As they drove through the wood, and came in sight of the cottage, Norman sprang to his feet, and waving his hat round and round, shouted a loud hurra. Even then the party on the veranda did not recognize the returning travelers in the gathering twilight. They fancied them on the distant waters of Lake Superior, and were greatly astonished to see their familiar faces, as they sprung out of the carriage. There was a loud and prolonged shout of welcome, and cordial embraces from mother, and sisters, and aunts, and cousins. Yes, Norman’s little cousins, Bessie and Edith, were there, in spite of the vision he had had of them in the up-train, and their voices were loud and merry all the evening.
It was with deep gratitude to God that Norman and his mother retired to rest that evening. They were thankful that his kind providence had watched over them in their journey of more than three thousand miles, and had brought them home again, to find those whom they loved well and happy.