, marvel of marvels!
it is captured by her of the rosy cheeks and dancing eyes who has
already secured the ring and fascinated the artilleryman, and they reach
the door, and Ray has squeezed out to the steps, and some of the
emotional cousins have retreated sobbing to deserted nooks and corners
about the house, and at last she comes forth and springs lightly down
the stairs, and the rice rattles after her along the broad walk, and the
groomsmen line the gate-way and usher her into the carriage, and stand
there ready to volley them with old slippers, and Ray is just about
springing in beside her, when down comes Blake with his seven-league
strides, bearing a sobbing little sunny-haired maiden of seven in his
arms.

"Hold on!" he shouts. "This is my little sweetheart, and she shan't be
left out in the cold."

And Marion leans from the carriage, and Ray stands to one side, as the
weeping little one holds out her arms.

"Oh, Miss Ma--wion, I haven't had one kiss. They all cwowded so, and I
was the only one." And her sobs break forth afresh.

"My own little kitten!" she cries, as the child is seized and folded to
her heart. "How could I have come away without seeing my baby scholar?"
And the mite is hugged and kissed and comforted and sent back to Blake's
strong arms, rapturous because she has had Queen Marion's last embrace,
and then Ray springs to her side and the door slams, and the horses
plunge, and away they drive amid a shower of blessings and old slippers;
and they have gone a block before she notes his silence, and, turning,
sees that his eyes are closed, that a tear is glistening on his bronzed
cheek.

"Will,--husband," she whispers, lovingly, tenderly, half-reproachfully.
"What is it?" And her little hand steals into his.

For a moment there is no reply. His arm is quickly thrown around her and
she is drawn close to his breast; his lips are pressed to her forehead,
but he utters no word.

At last she hears the answer,--

"My darling. I am wondering what I ever did to deserve one moment of
your love. I am wondering what man _could_ deserve--you; and, I--was
praying God's guidance that I might never disappoint your trust."

* * * * *

It is many a long year since that bright summer. Men have come and men
have gone. Vows have been made and vows and hearts together have been
broken, and yet, some lives, though into each "some rain must fall,"
have been full of sunshine.

O