y other occasion, I should assuredly
have alluded to the marriage. But, you see, I never wrote to any one
while away," Cora explained.

"Now, Uncle Clarence, just take Cora's explanation and apology for both
of us, will you, for it fits me as well as it does her? And now you two
may keep the ball rolling, while I go out and order dinner and engage
the hack," said Sylvan, starting for the office.

When he was gone Clarence asked Cora to give him all the details of the
extraordinary marriage, and she complied with his request.

"It will make a country talk," said the young man, with a sigh, which
Cora echoed.

"And you say they will be home on the first of July?" he inquired.

"Yes," said Cora.

"I wish I had known in time. I would have had old Rockhold Hall prepared
as it should be for the reception of my father's bride, though I do so
strongly disapprove the marriage. Do you know, Cora, that old house has
never had its furniture renewed within my memory? Some of the rooms are
positively mouldy and musty. And whoever heard of a wealthy man like my
father bringing his wife home to a neglected old country house like
Rockhold, without first having it renovated and refurnished?"

"I do not believe he ever once thought of the propriety or necessity of
repairing and refitting. His mind is quite absorbed in his new and vast
speculations. He spent every day down in Wall Street while we stayed in
New York city."

"Well, Corona, this is the twenty-eighth of June, and we have four days
before us; for I do not suppose the newly married pair will arrive
before the evening of the first of July; so we must do the best we can,
my dear, to make the house pleasant in this short time."

"And Uncle Fabian and his wife will be at Rockhold about the same
time," added Cora.

"I knew Fabian would be at North End on the first of July, but I did not
know that he would go on to Rockhold. I thought he would go on to their
new house. So we shall have two brides to welcome, instead of one."

"Yes. And now, Uncle Clarence, will you please ring for a chambermaid? I
must go to a bed room and get some of this railroad dust out of my
eyes," said Cora.

At nine o'clock in the very warm evening, the three were sitting near
the open windows, when they started at the sound of a hearty, genial
voice in the adjoining room, inquiring for accommodations for the night.

"It is Fabian!" cried Mr. Clarence, springing up in joy and rushing out
of the