t mantled her cheek; "but you
hardly know yet, hardly understand, what a risk you run in asking me to
share your life."

"Ah," he said, "my only fear is that you may be disappointed in me; and
yet if so, it shall not be for lack of love and tenderest care, for to me
it seems that no dearer, sweeter lass ever trod this earth."

"Ah, you don't know me!" she repeated, with a slight smile. "I am not
afraid to trust you, and yet I think it would be better for us to wait a
little and enjoy the days of courtship. One reason why I would defer
matters is that we will never again have an opportunity to see this
wonderful Fair, and I have seen but little of it yet; also I would not
willingly miss spending as much time as possible with my dear brother and
sisters whom I am about to leave for a home with you, and I must make some
preparation in the matter of dress too."

"Ah, well, my bonny lass, 'if a woman will, she will you may depend on't,
and if she won't, she won't and there's an end on't.' So I'll even give up
to you, comforting mysel' that ye'll be mine at last; and that in the mean
time I shall have your dear companionship while together we explore the
streets and buildings of this wonderful White City."

At that moment others came upon the scene and put an end to the private
talk.

The next two weeks were those of delightful experience to all our friends,
to Annis in particular, spent in visits to that beautiful Court of Honor,
and to various interesting exhibits to be found in other parts of the
Fair, with an occasional change of scene and occupation by a shopping
excursion to Chicago in search of wedding finery.

She would not allow herself to anticipate the pain of the partings from
the dear brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, that lay before her,
but gave herself up to the enjoyment of the present; in especial of the
intercourse with him who was the chosen companion of her future life on
earth.

The yacht could not furnish night accommodations for all, but usually all
the relatives and friends gathered about its supper table and afterward
spent an hour or more upon its deck in rest that was particularly
enjoyable after the day's exertion, and in cheerful chat over their varied
experiences since separating in the morning; for they were now much too
large a company to keep together in their wanderings in and about the
White City.

But the time approached when they must separate. The trousseau--with the
ex