e
rang out as she responded to the solemn question:

"Will you have this man to be thy wedded husband?" etc.

Upon Uncle Ephraim devolved the duty of giving her away, a thing which
Aunt Betsy denounced as a "'Piscopal quirk," classing it in the same
category with dancing. Still if Ephraim had got it to do she wanted him
to do it well, and she had taken some pains to study that part of the
ceremony, so as to know when to nudge her brother in case he failed of
coming up to time.

"Now, Ephraim, now; they've reached the quirk," she whispered, audibly,
almost before Katy's "I will" was heard, clear and distinct; but Ephraim
did not need her prompting, and his hand rested lovingly upon Katy's
shoulder as he signified his consent, and then fell back to his place
next to Hannah. But when Wilford's voice said: "I, Wilford, take thee
Katy to be my wedded wife," there was a slight confusion near the door,
and those sitting by said to those in front that some one had fainted.

Looking around, the audience saw the sexton leading Marian Hazelton out
into the open air, where, at her request, he left her, and went hack to
see the closing of the ceremony which made Katy Lennox a wife. Morris'
carriage was at the door, and the newly married pair moved slowly out,
Katy smiling upon all, kissing her hand to some and whispering a good-by
to others, her diamond flashing in the light and her rich silk rustling
as she walked, while at her side was Wilford, proudly erect, and holding
his head so high as not to see one of the crowd around him, until
arrived at the vestibule he stopped a moment and was seized by a young
man with curling hair, saucy eyes, and that air of ease and assurance
which betokens high breeding and wealth.

"Mark Ray!" was Wilford's astonished exclamation, while Mark Ray
replied:

"You did not expect to see me here, neither did I expect to come until
last night, when I found myself in the little village where you know
Scranton lives. Then it occurred to me that as Silverton was only a few
miles distant I would drive over and surprise you, but I am too late for
the ceremony, I see," and Mark's eyes rested admiringly upon Katy, whose
graceful beauty was fully equal to what he had imagined.

Very modestly she received his congratulatory greeting, blushing
prettily when he called her by the new name she had not heard before,
and then at a motion from Wilford, entered the carriage waiting for her.
Close behind her came