man in
Boston," so the story ran, and what was better yet, many of the
neighbors were to be invited. Almost every day, whether pleasant or
not, Jenny Lincoln came over to discuss the matter, and to ask if it
were not time to send for William, who was to be one of the groomsmen,
while she, together with Ida, were to officiate as bridesmaids. In
this last capacity Ella had been requested to act, but the tears came
quickly to her large mournful eyes, and turning away she wondered how
Mary could thus mock her grief!

From one fashionable watering place to another Mrs. Campbell had taken
her, and finding that nothing there had power to rouse her drooping
energies, she had, towards the close of the summer, brought her back
to Chicopee, hoping that old scenes and familiar faces would effect
what novelty and excitement had failed to do. All unworthy as Henry
Lincoln had been, his sad death had cast a dark shadow across Ella's
pathway. Hour after hour would she sit, gazing upon the locks of
shining hair, which over land and sea had come to her in a letter from
the father, who told her of the closing scene, when Henry called for
her, to cool the heat of his fevered brow. Every word and look of
tenderness was treasured up, and the belief fondly cherished that he
had always loved her thus, else why in the last fearful struggle was
she alone remembered of all the dear ones in his distant home?

Not even the excitement of her sister's approaching marriage could
awaken in her the least interest, and if it were mentioned in her
presence she would weep, wondering what she had done that Mary should
be so much happier than herself, and Mrs. Campbell remembering the
past, could but answer in her heart that it was just. Sometimes Ella
accused her sister of neglect, saying she had no thought for any one,
except George Moreland, and his elegant house in Boston. It was in
vain that Mary strove to convince her of her mistake. She only shook
her head, hoping her sister would never know what it was to be
wretched and desolate as she was. Mary could have told her of many
weary days and sleepless nights, when there shone no star of hope in
her dark sky, and when even her only sister turned from her in scorn;
but she would not, and wiping away the tears which Ella's unkindness
had called forth, she went back to her home, where busy preparations
were making for her bridal.

Never before had Mrs. Perkins, or the neighborhood generally, had so
muc