ycoff now appeared looking very grave and reported Hank, "stone
dead."

CHAPTER XXXII.

THE MAY DAY WEDDINGS--MISS ORRECTA LIPPINCOTT'S SURPRISE--HOW
OLD LOVERS BEHAVE.

Spring opened slowly. It is true, at the first fierce glance of the
sun, the sensitive snow dissolved in tears; but he was forced to call
to his aid the strong winds to blow long upon the ice-bound river, ere
it yielded and permitted the beautiful steamers again to ride upon its
throbbing bosom.

There were those who eagerly counted the weeks that brought about
these changes, for each hour drew them nearer to their bridal
morning, and one fair May day, when the earth was decked in her
garments of green, Louise Sherman, arrayed in her bridal robes, was
led by Dr. Goodrich to the marriage altar.

Edward Sherman also was there, to celebrate the same rite, for, in a
few short weeks he had wooed and won Miss Clara Hastings. It was with
no small degree of pride, that he looked upon that tall, elegant woman
and called her wife.

Clara was equally proud of her husband. Talented, handsome, and, as
she supposed, on the road to wealth, she asked no more. Thus they set
out in life together.

The ceremony over, the wedding parties, including Mrs. Sherman,
started on a tour to the old homestead, where it was their intention
to pass a few weeks, and finally to change it for a permanent home in
Minnesota.

They had given Recta timely notice of their coming, and, had she had
no interruption, the housekeeper's preparations would indeed have
been elaborate. She had received and answered Daddy's letter
favorably, and was in daily expectation of a second communication from
the same source. The plan which she had arranged in her own mind was
to remain until after the arrival of the family, and then to spend a
few weeks with a married sister, whose assistance she would require in
the preperation of her bridal outfit. As a general thing Recta's head
was pretty clear, but in this case, she did not count upon the
proverbial impetuosity of a widower, and, consequently, signally
failed.

One bright morning, when all the bed and table linen, and every
bleachable thing to be found in the house, were spread upon the grass;
when feather beds and blankets, and carpets, were hung out to air;
when soap-suds and white-wash stood side by side; when the china
closet had disgorged its treasures, and the silver was spread out for
extra polishing; when all the ing