face or attire," Mr. Dinsmore said, taking a more
critical survey; "you are altogether pleasing in your doting father's
eyes, my darling. But you must not stand any longer. You will need all
your strength for your journey." And he would have led her to a sofa.

But she gently declined. "Ah, I am much too fine to sit down just now, my
dear, kind father, I should crush my lace badly. So please let me stand. I
am not conscious of weariness."

He yielded, saying with a smile, "That would be a pity; for it is very
beautiful. And surely you ought to be allowed your own way to-night if
ever."

"To-night and ever after," whispered the happy groom in the ear of his
bride.

A loving, trustful look was her only answer.

A continued rolling of wheels without, and buzz of voices coming from
veranda, hall, and reception rooms, could now be heard.

"The house must be filling fast," said Mr. Dinsmore, "and as host I should
be present to receive and welcome my guests, Travilla," and his voice
trembled slightly, as he took Elsie's right hand and held it for a moment
closely clasped in his; "I do not fear to trust you with what to me is a
greater treasure than all the gold of California. Cherish my darling as
the apple of your eye; I know you will."

He bent down for another silent caress, laid the hand in that of his
friend, and left the room.

"And you do not fear to trust me, my little friend?" Travilla's tones,
too, were tremulous with deep feeling.

"I have not the shadow of a fear," she answered, her eyes meeting his with
an earnest, childlike confidence.

"Bless you for those words, dearest," he said; "God helping me you never
shall have cause to regret them."

A door opened, and a handsome, dark eyed boy, a miniature likeness of his
father, came hurrying in. "Elsie! Papa said I might come and see how
beautiful you are!" he cried, as if resolutely mastering some strong
emotion, "but I'm not to say anything to make you cry. I'm not to hug you
hard and spoil your dress. Oh, but you do look like an angel, only
without the wings. Mr. Travilla, you'll be good, _good_ to her, won't
you?" and the voice almost broke down.

"I will, indeed, Horace; you may be sure of that. And you needn't feel as
if you are losing her, she'll be back again in a few weeks, please God."

"But not to live at home any more!" he cried impetuously. "No, no, I
wasn't to say that, I----"

"Come here and kiss me, my dear little brother," Elsie said