The motion was carried by acclamation, merry jesting and laughter followed, and in the midst of it all the door was thrown open and a visitor announced.

“Mr. Lilburn, ladies and gentlemen.”

Grandma Elsie hastily laid aside her crocheting and hurried forward with both hands extended.  “Cousin Ronald! what a joyful surprise!  Welcome, welcome to Ion!”

“Thanks, a thousand thanks, my fair kinswoman, my bonny leddy, my sweet Cousin Elsie,” returned the old gentleman, taking the offered hands in his and imprinting a kiss upon the still round and blooming cheek.  “I have ventured to come without previous announcement o’ my intention, or query about the inconvenience I might cause in your household arrangements, or—­”

“No fear of that, sir,” Mr. Dinsmore interrupted, offering his hand in return.  “I know that you are, and always will be, a most welcome guest in my daughter’s house.  You have given us a very pleasant surprise, and the fault will not be ours if we do not keep you all winter.”

The others, from Mrs. Dinsmore down to Walter, followed suit with greetings no less joyous and cordial, for the old gentleman was a great favorite at Ion, and with the whole connection.

He was presently installed in the easiest chair, in the warmest corner, and hospitably urged to take some refreshment.

But he declined, saying he had had his supper in the village, before driving over, and wanted nothing more till morning.

Then he went on to account for his sudden appearance.  He had been sojourning some hundreds of miles farther north, had not been well, and his physician advising an immediate change to a more southerly climate, he had set out at once for Ion, without waiting to let them know of his intentions; feeling sure of just such a welcome as he had received.

“And a month’s warning could not have made you more welcome than you are, cousin,” said his hostess.

The conversation broken in upon by Mr. Lilburn’s arrival, was not renewed that evening, but the subject was introduced again the next morning at the breakfast table, and some questions in regard to it were decided.  All could not be, however, without consultation with the captain and Violet, and with Lester and Elsie Leland.

Both families were speedily informed, through the telephone, of the arrival of Mr. Lilburn, and that afternoon saw them all gathered at Ion again to do him honor, and to complete their arrangements for the holiday festivities.

During the intervening weeks there was a great deal of traveling back and forth between the three houses, and to and from the city; for their plans involved a good deal of shopping on the part of both the older people and the children.

The latter were so full of pleasureable excitement that at times they found no little difficulty in giving proper attention to their studies.  Such was especially the case with Rosie and Lulu, but both Grandma Elsie and Capt.  Raymond were quite firm, though in a kind and gentle way, in requiring tasks to be well learned before permission was given to lay them aside for more congenial employment.