she seemed like a dream of loveliness. With her came
little Tota in a high state of glee and excitement. She was Stella's
only bridesmaid. Then we all passed out towards the church hut. The bare
space in front of it was filled with hundreds of natives, who set up
a song as we came. But we went on into the hut, which was crowded with
such of the natives as usually worshipped there. Here Mr. Carson, as
usual, read the service, though he was obliged to sit down in order to
do so. When it was done--and to me it seemed interminable--Mr. Carson
whispered that he meant to marry us outside the hut in sight of all the
people. So we went out and took our stand under the shade of a large
tree that grew near the hut facing the bare space where the natives were
gathered.

Mr. Carson held up his hand to enjoin silence. Then, speaking in the
native dialect, he told them that he was about to make us man and wife
after the Christian fashion and in the sight of all men. This done, he
proceeded to read the marriage service over us, and very solemnly and
beautifully he did it. We said the words, I placed the ring--it was her
father's signet ring, for we had no other--upon Stella's finger, and it
was done.

Then Mr. Carson spoke. "Allan and Stella," he said, "I believe that the
ceremony which has been performed makes you man and wife in the sight
of God and man, for all that is necessary to make a marriage binding
is, that it should be celebrated according to the custom of the country
where the parties to it reside. It is according to the custom that has
been in force here for fifteen years or more that you have been married
in the face of all the people, and in token of it you will both sign the
register that I have kept of such marriages, among those of my people
who have adopted the Christian Faith. Still, in case there should be
any legal flaw I again demand the solemn promise of you both that on the
first opportunity you will cause this marriage to be re-celebrated in
some civilized land. Do you promise?"

"We do," we answered.

Then the book was brought out and we signed our names. At first my
wife signed hers "Stella" only, but her father bade her write it Stella
Carson for the first and last time in her life. Then several of the
indunas, or headmen, including old Indaba-zimbi, put their marks in
witness. Indaba-zimbi drew his mark in the shape of a little star, in
humorous allusion to Stella's native name. That register is befo