[Illustration: ELSIE'S CABIN.] ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP. BY MARTHA FINLEY, AUTHOR OF "ELSIE DINSMORE," "ELSIE'S GIRLHOOD," "MILDRED KEITH," etc., etc. NEW YORK: DODD, MEAD & COMPANY, 1902. COPYRIGHT, 1902, BY DODD, MEAD & COMPANY. _First edition published October, 1902._ ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP. CHAPTER I. "Lu, dear, can you give me an early breakfast to-morrow morning?" asked Chester, as they made their preparations for retiring that first night in their new home. "I think so," she returned, giving him an affectionate look and smile. "How early would you like to have it?" "About seven, I think. I have told our coachman, Jack, that I want the carriage at eight. He will drive me into town and then return, so that carriage and horses will be ready at a reasonably early hour for the other three owners--our brother and sister and yourself." "It was certainly very kind and thoughtful in you to give such an order," she said with a smile, "but we would much prefer to have your company in all our drives and visits." "And I should very much like to give it to you; but there is business that should have been attended to some time ago, and must not be longer delayed." "If it is, it shall not be your wife's fault," she replied. "The cook is still in the kitchen, and I will go and give my order for a seven-o'clock breakfast." "Lu, dear," Chester said, on her return, "it will not be at all necessary for you to rise in time for so early a breakfast, I can pour my own coffee and eat alone." "No, you can't have that privilege while I'm your wife;" she responded, with a saucy look and smile. "I intend to pour your coffee, and see that you have an appetizing breakfast and do justice to it." "Your presence will make it doubly enjoyable, dearest," he returned, putting an arm about her, and giving her a look of loving admiration, "but you must not be robbed of needed rest and sleep." "Thank you, my dear husband," she replied; "but I am accustomed to early rising and it agrees with me. Oh, I think I shall greatly enjoy taking early breakfast with you. Isn't it delightful to begin our married life in so lovely a home of our very own?" "It is, indeed! and we owe it to your good, kind, and most generous father." "He is that, most emphatically," responded Lucilla. "The dearest, best, and kindest father in the world." Seven o'clock the next morning found them cosily seated at a little round table in their pretty dining-room, enjoying a delicious breakfast of fresh fruits, broiled fowl, hot muffins and coffee. These, added to good health, cheerful spirits, and a fondness for each other's society, made them a happy couple. The meal was enlivened with cheerful chat. "I am sorry you have to hurry so," Lucilla said, as she filled her husband's cup for the second time. "I really think you ought to have at least a little longer holiday."