the surprise come upon them all at home, where no
stranger eye would witness the meeting; therefore sent no warning of his
coming lest some one of them should meet him at the depot.

Yet the first object that met his eye on turning about from assisting Zoe
to alight from the train, was the Ion family carriage, with Solon standing
at the horses' heads.

"Ki! Marse Ed'ard, you's here sho nuff!" cried the man, grinning with
satisfaction.

"Yes, Solon," Edward said, shaking hands with him. "Who came in with you?"

"Nobody, sah. You wasn't spected particular, kase you didn't send no word.
But Miss Elsie tole me fotch de kerridge anyhow, an' mebbe you mout be
here."

"So I am, Solon, and my wife with me," presenting Zoe, who timidly held
out her little gloved hand.

Solon took it respectfully, gazing at her in wide-eyed and open-mouthed
wonder. "Ki! Marse Ed'ard, you don' say you's ben an' gwine an' got
married! Why dere's weddin's an' weddin's in de family!"

"So it seems, Solon," laughed Edward, putting Zoe into the carriage and
taking his place beside her, "but as I am older than Miss Vi, my turn
should come before hers. All well at Ion?"

"Yes, sah, an' mighty busy wid de necessary preparations for Miss Wilet's
weddin'."

"What an elegant, comfortable, easy-rolling carriage!" remarked Zoe,
leaning back against the cushions, "it's a pleasant change from the cars."

"I am glad you find it so, dear," Edward responded, gazing upon her with
fond, admiring eyes.

"Yes, but--O Edward, how will I be received?" she cried, creeping closer
to him and leaning her head on his shoulder. "I can hardly help wishing I
could just be alone with you always."

"Don't be afraid, dearest," he said, putting his arm round her and kissing
her tenderly again and again. "When you know them all you will be very far
from wishing that."

The whole family were gathered upon the veranda when the carriage drove
up. As it stopped, the door was thrown open, and Edward sprang out. There
was a general exclamation, of surprise and delight, a simultaneous
springing forward to give him an affectionate, joyous greeting; then a
wondering murmur and exchange of inquiring glances, as he turned to hand
out a slight girlish figure, and drawing her hand within his arm, came up
the veranda steps.

Elsie stood nearest of all the waiting group, heart and eyes full of
joyous emotion at sight of the handsome face and manly form so like his
father's.

"