doctor.

Then another voice from the wood said, "Well, comrades, let us sit
down here under the trees and wait for our turn."

All this had caused quite an excitement and a great buzz of talk among
the comparatively stranger guests; yet they seemed to enjoy the dainty
fare provided and ate heartily of it as they talked, listening, too,
for a renewal of the efforts of the ventriloquists.

But the latter refrained from any further exercise of their skill, as
the time was drawing near when the bride and groom were to set out
upon their bridal trip. They and their principal attendants repaired
to the house, where the bride exchanged her wedding gown for a very
pretty and becoming travelling dress, her bridesmaids and intimate
girl friends assisting her. Her toilet finished, they all ran down
into the lower hall--already almost crowded with other guests--and,
laughing and excited, stood awaiting her appearance at the head of the
stairway. She was there in a moment--her bouquet of orange blossoms in
her hand.

The hands of the laughing young girls were instantly extended toward
her and she threw the bouquet, saying merrily:

"Catch it who can, and you will be the first to follow me into wedded
happiness."

It so happened that Evelyn Leland and Lucilla Raymond stood so near
together that their hands almost touched and that the bouquet fell to
both--each catching it with one hand. Their success was hailed by a
peal of laughter from all present, Chester Dinsmore and Max Raymond
particularly seeming to enjoy the sport.

The bride came tripping down the stairway, closely followed by her
groom, and the adieus began; not especially sad ones, as so many of
the near and dear relatives left behind expected to see them again ere
many weeks should pass--and quite a goodly number followed them down
to the edge of the bayou, where lay the boat that was to carry them
over the first part of their wedding journey. They stepped aboard amid
showers of rice, accompanied by an old shoe or two, merry laughter,
and many good wishes for a happy and prosperous trip; and as they
seated themselves, a beautiful horseshoe formed of lovely orange
blossoms fell into the bride's lap.

The little vessel was bountifully adorned with flags of various
sizes--by the previous arrangement of Dr. Percival, who knew them both
to be devoted admirers of the flag of our Union--and as the vessel
moved away there came again from among the trees at a little dist