E-text prepared by Mark Nodine and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made available by Internet Archive/American Libraries (http://www.archive.org/details/americana) Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustration. See 38353-h.htm or 38353-h.zip: (https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/38353/pg38353-images.html) or (https://www.gutenberg.org/files/38353/38353-h.zip) Images of the original pages are available through Internet Archive/American Libraries. See http://www.archive.org/details/elsieswidowhoods00finl ELSIE'S WIDOWHOOD A Sequel to "Elsie's Children" by MARTHA FINLEY "Alone she wanders where with HIM she trod, No arm to stay her, but she leans on God." --O. W. HOLMES New York Dodd, Mead and Company Publishers Copyright, 1880, by Dodd, Mead & Company. PREFACE. It was not in my heart to give to my favorite child, Elsie, the sorrows of Widowhood. But the public made the title and demanded the book; and the public, I am told, is autocratic. So what could I do but write the story and try to show how the love of Christ in the heart can make life happy even under sore bereavement? The apostle says, "I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation;" and since trouble, trial and affliction are the lot of all in this world of sin and sorrow, what greater kindness could I do you, dear reader, than to show you where to go for relief and consolation? That this little book may teach the sweet lesson to many a tried and burdened soul, is the earnest prayer of your friend, THE AUTHOR. CONTENTS. PAGE CHAPTER I 7 CHAPTER II 18 CHAPTER III 28 CHAPTER IV 38 CHAPTER V 47 CHAPTER VI 59 CHAPTER VII 68 CHAPTER VIII 80 CHAPTER IX 91 CHAPTER X 101 CHAPTER XI 114 CHAPTER XII 127 CHAPTER XIII 140 CHAPTER XIV 151 CHAPTER XV 165 CHAPTER XVI 178 CHAPTER XVII 194 CHAPTER XVIII 207 CHAPTER XIX 220 CHAPTER XX 236 CHAPTER XXI 247 CHAPTER XXII 263 CHAPTER XXIII 279 CHAPTER XXIV 296 CHAPTER XXV 323 ELSIE'S WIDOWHOOD. CHAPTER I. "All love is sweet, Given or returned. Common as light is love, And its familiar voice wearies not ever." --_Shelley._ "Come in, Vi, darling," said Mrs. Travilla's sweet voice, "we will be glad to have you with us."