Her invitation was not extended to other members of the party, as their plans were already made. Mr. and Mrs. Lilburn had already left them to visit their relatives at Pleasant Plains, and Mr. and Mrs. Horace Dinsmore had announced their intention of visiting theirs in the neighborhood of Philadelphia.
“We will reach New York presently,” remarked the captain, after a little, “and there we will leave the train and go aboard the Dolphin, if, as I have every reason to expect, she is lying at the dock there; and we can all journey up to Crag Cottage in her.”
“Which will be a pleasant change from travelling on land in a car,” remarked Lucilla.
“You will go with us, will you not, Chester?” asked Evelyn.
“Thank you,” he returned heartily; “I must leave my wife with you and hurry on home to attend to some professional matters that I have neglected too long in my desire to fully recover my health.”
“Be careful that you don’t lose it again,” said Dr. Travilla, warningly.
“Oh, yes, for your wife’s sake be careful,” urged Lucilla, a look of anxiety on her usually bright, happy face.
“You may trust me for that, I think,” Chester returned laughingly. A few hours later they reached New York, and as they left the train Evelyn was overjoyed to find herself in her husband’s arms. His furlough had been granted. He had already been aboard the Dolphin and was able to assure them that everything there and at Crag Cottage was in order for their reception.
They had already bade good-by to Mr. and Mrs. Horace Dinsmore, who were going on at once to Philadelphia, Chester with them as far as that city, so the party for the Dolphin went aboard of her without any unnecessary delay, and immediately journeyed in her up to their desired haven.
It was a short voyage, made doubly pleasant by the happy reunion of near and dear ones, for it was a great joy to Max to have his wife again by his side, and father, young stepmother, sisters and brother close at hand; all showing delight in the reunion and great affection for him. The presence of Grandma Elsie and her son, the good and lovable physician, was no drawback upon the felicity of any one of them.