ard that seemed to come from some distance among
the trees, and hardly had it ceased when there was a loud call, "Come
on, my merry men, and let us get our share of this grand wedding
feast."

"Tramps about! and bold ones they must be!" exclaimed one of the
neighborhood guests.

"Really I hope they are not going to make any trouble!" cried another.
"I fear we have no weapons of defence among us; and if we had I for
one would be loath to turn a wedding feast into a fight."

"Hark! hark!" cried another as the notes of a bugle came floating on
the breeze, the next minute accompanied by what seemed to be the sound
of a drum and fife playing a national air, "what, what can it mean? I
have heard of no troops in this neighborhood. But that's martial
music, and now," as another sound met the ear, "don't you hear the
tramp, tramp?"

"Yes, yes, it certainly must be troops. But who or what can have
called them out?" asked a third guest, starting to his feet as if
contemplating rushing away to try to catch a glimpse of the
approaching soldiers.

"Oh, sit down and let us go on with our breakfast," expostulated still
another. "Of course they are American troops on some trifling errand
in the neighborhood and not going to interfere with us. There! the
music has stopped and I don't hear their tramp either. Dr. Percival,"
turning in his host's direction and raising his voice, "can you
account for that martial music playing a moment since?"

"I haven't heard of any troops about, but am quite sure they will not
interfere with us," returned the doctor. "Please, friends, don't let
it disturb you at all." Little Ned Raymond was looking and listening
in an ecstasy of delight.

"Oh, Cousin Ronald and brother Max, do some more!" he entreated in a
subdued, but urgent tone. "Folks do believe it's real soldiers and
it's such fun to see how they look and talk about it."

The martial music and the tramp, tramp began again and seemed to draw
nearer and nearer, and several dogs belonging on the place rushed away
in that direction, barking furiously.

It seemed to excite and disturb many of the guests, and Violet said,
"There, my little son, I think that ought to satisfy you for the
present. Let our gentlemen and everybody else have their breakfast in
peace."

"Good advice, Cousin Vi," said Mr. Lilburn, "and the bit laddie may
get his fill of such fun at another time."

"Really I don't understand this at all," remarked a lady seated at t