remark, although Mrs. Hawkins asked Jonas if he'd seen
Mandy anywhere, and Tilly James's school chum, Eliza Allen, managed to
occupy two seats, so as to have one for Tilly when she came.

At exactly five minutes of ten, Professor Strout emerged from the rear
of the platform and proceeded towards the new organ. He, like the
ushers, was in a dress suit, with a white rose in the lapel of his coat.
He was greeted with applause and bowed his acknowledgements. He took his
seat at the organ and played a soft prelude, during which the Rev. Caleb
Howe entered and advanced to the altar.

Then loud cheers were heard from the assembled crowd outside. The organ
stopped and the sexton again filled the air with merry peals. The sight
outside was one which those inside could not see, and therefore could
not appreciate. What was that coming up the road? Mason's Corner had
never seen an equipage like that before. An open carriage, drawn by four
cream-colored horses, with white manes and tails and silver-tipped
harness. A coachman in livery sat upon the box, while a footman, in
similar livery, rode behind. Following behind this were other carriages,
containing the other members of the bridal party.

Within the church every eye was turned upon the door through which the
party was to come. Professor Strout's sharp eye saw the first couple as
they reached the entrance, and the strains of Mendelssohn's Wedding
March, that have preceded so many happy bridals, sounded through the
church. The party included Ezekiel and Huldy, Deacon Mason and wife, Mr.
Sawyer and Miss Alice Pettengill, and a handsome, richly dressed lady
unknown to any of the villagers, who was escorted by Mr. Isaac
Pettengill.

Ezekiel and Huldy advanced and took their positions before the minister,
while the remainder of the party took seats in one of the bridal pews.

When the ceremony was over the audience naturally expected that the
wedded couple would leave the church by the right-hand aisle, on both
sides of which, from end to end, white silk ribbons had been drawn to
keep the passage clear.

But no! Shouts and cheers were again heard from outside the church,
again the church bell rang out, and once more the melody of the Wedding
March fell upon the ears of the Professor's auditors, while to their
astonishment Ezekiel and his wife seated themselves quietly in the front
bridal pew. Again every eye was turned, every neck was craned, and
Samuel Hill and Tilly James wal