asty meal was over, Mrs. Waugh, in her voluminous
cloth cloak, fur tippet, muff, and wadded hood; Jacquelina, enveloped in
several fine, soft shawls, and wearing a warm, chinchilla bonnet; and
Dr. Grimshaw, in his dreadnaught overcoat and cloak, and long-eared fur
cap, all entered the large family carriage, where, with the additional
provision of foot-stoves and hot bricks, they had every prospect of a
comfortable mode of conveyance.

Old Oliver, in his many-caped drab overcoat, and fox-skin cap and
gloves, sat upon the coachman's box with the proud air of a king upon
his throne. And why not? It was Oliver's very first visit to the city,
and the suit of clothes he wore was brand new!

Thurston's new gig was furnished with two fine buffalo robes--one laid
down on the seats and the floor as a carpet, and the other laid over as
a coverlet. His forethought had also provided a foot-stove for Marian.
And never was a happier man than he when he handed his smiling companion
into the gig, settled her comfortably in her seat, placed the foot-stove
under her feet, sprang in and seated himself beside her, tucked the
buffalo robe carefully in, and took the reins, and waited the signal to
move on.

Melchisedek, or as he was commonly called, Cheesy, mounted upon Marian's
pony, rode on in advance, to open the gates for the party. Mrs. Waugh's
carriage followed. And Thurston's gig brought up the rear. And thus the
travelers set forth.

The sun had now risen in cloudless splendor, and was striking long lines
of crimson light across the snow, and piercing through the forest
aisles. Flocks of saucy little snow-birds alighted fearlessly in their
path; but the cunning little gray rabbits just peeped with their round,
bright eyes, and then quickly hopped away.

I need not describe their merry journey at length. My readers will
readily imagine how delightful was the trip to at least two of the
party. And those two were not Dr. Grimshaw and Jacquelina.

Thurston pleaded so hard for a private marriage when they got to
Washington that at last Marian consented.

So one day they drove out to the Navy Yard Hill, and there in the
remotest and quietest suburb of the city, in a little Methodist chapel,
without witnesses, Thurston and Marian were married.

Thurston and Marian found an opportunity to be alone in the drawing-room
for the few moments preceding his departure. In those last moments she
could not find it in her heart to withhold one