an
since I entered the church," she said softly, as Guy seated her in the
carriage. "Does it seem real to you, Guy?"

"Well, hardly, dearest; but I am going to prove the reality of it, and use
the authority just granted to me, by insisting that you put aside the
thoughts that have made your face so sad. Let us think of the new, happy
life before us, and forget the trials we have passed through. We are going
to be very happy together, my little wife."

"Yes, I am sure of that. I believe our quiet and unconventional wedding
will bring us quite as much happiness as if we had been married with all
the fuss that generally attends affairs of this kind."

(They were driving back to Mrs. Graham's, where a few friends had been
invited to meet them before they left for a short trip.)

"Yes, indeed," was the reply; "and I think we will enjoy it in a greater
degree than if we were surrounded by a crowd of distracting friends, though
I believe it is usually considered the one time in a person's life when
friends are most appreciated. Why it should be so I cannot see, if all love
is like ours. I have obtained my heart's desire at last. This happy day has
been long delayed, but is none the less dear for the waiting, and you can
never say again that you feel 'alone' in the world."

Dexie gave him a grateful look, as there was no time for words before the
carriage stopped at Mrs. Graham's hospitable doorway, where smiling faces
awaited them. Kisses and congratulations were not wanting, and the few
friends who had accompanied them to church followed them into the house. A
few hours later the happy married pair left for New York, where they spent
a pleasant season viewing the sights of the metropolis.

On returning to Boston, Guy was offered a position in a large
establishment, the headquarters of the firm, doing business in Lennoxville,
in which he was previously engaged. This arrangement proved agreeable to
all parties, and made it unnecessary for Dexie to return to the scene of
her former trials.

Dexie soon found herself mistress of a charming little house, situated in
one of Boston's beautiful suburbs, where her windows looked out on a lovely
prospect. Here the time flew by so rapidly in caring for her dainty rooms
and blossoming borders that her thoughts seldom dwelt on the unhappy weeks
which preceded her marriage.

It was a delightful surprise when the dear old piano came with the rest of
her belongings from home, but the