he glory of this satin and lace at the time of the
marriage ceremony. Think of the surprise and pleasure your unexpected
grandeur in it will cause."

"But what if the stunning surprise should have a bad effect upon
somebody," laughed Maud. "I think I'll risk it, however. Oh, Cousin
Elsie! I do not know how to thank you for this great kindness!" she
added with tears of joy and gratitude in her eyes.

"Then don't try, Maud, dear," Mrs. Travilla returned with a bright,
sweet look into the young girl's face. "The happiness I can see that it
gives you is even a greater reward than the trifling kindness deserves.
And how fortunate it is that the dress fits so perfectly--as if it had
just been made for you."

A few moments later Maud and Mr. Dinsmore were on their way back to The
Oaks. They found Mrs. Sue Dinsmore and Sydney on the veranda, waiting in
eager curiosity to learn on what business Maud had been wanted at Ion.

"To receive and bring home this package," returned Maud gaily to their
excited questioning. "Come with me up to my room, and I will display to
you its contents. You come, too, Cousin Horace, that you may witness
their surprise and dismay. There, don't say you haven't time, for it
needn't take you five minutes."

"Well, perhaps I can spare that many," he returned laughingly, following
the three as they tripped up the stairway.

Maud made quick work of opening the package and displaying its contents
to their view.

"Oh, oh, how beautiful! how lovely! perfectly exquisite!" were the
excited exclamations of Mrs. Dinsmore and Sydney. "Whose are they? where
did they come from?"

"They are Cousin Elsie's wedding dress and veil," replied Maud. "And she
lends them to me to be married in. But it is to be a secret. Nobody is
to know anything about it till I appear with them on--when I am to add
the name of Percival to those I already bear," she concluded in a tone
that seemed to indicate that she was jesting to hide an inclination to
indulge in tears.

"I highly approve," said Mrs. Dinsmore. "The things--dress and veil--are
beautiful, and will make our bride look bewitchingly lovely; I strongly
approve, too, of the plan of keeping the matter a close secret until the
bride enters the room on the bridegroom's arm. But does the dress fit
you, Maud?"

"Perfectly; as if it had just been made for me!" exclaimed Maud in tones
of delight. "Oh, I do feel so glad, and so thankful to dear Cousin
Elsie! I fear it must b