tly both clock
and I came to the floor with a terrible crash. My first thought was
for the hooks and eyes, which undoubtedly were scattered with the
fragments of the clock, but fortunately every hook was in its place,
and only one eye was straightened. I draw a veil over the scolding
which I got, and the numerous threats that I should stay at home.

As the clock was broken we had no means for judging of the time, and
thus we were among the first who arrived at Captain Howard's. This
gave Juliet and Anna an opportunity of telling Agnes of my mishap. She
laughed heartily, and then immediately changing the subject she
inquired after Cousin Emma, and when we had heard from her. After
replying to these questions Anna asked Agnes about Penoyer, and when
she had seen him.

"Don't mention it," said Agnes, "but I have a suspicion that he
stopped yesterday at the depot when I did. I may have been mistaken,
for I was looking after my baggage and only caught a glimpse of him.
If it were he his presence bodes no good."

"Have you told Carrie?" asked Juliet.

"No, I have not. She seems so nervous whenever he is mentioned," was
Agnes' reply.

I thought of the obligations once referred to by Agnes, and felt that
I should breathe more freely when Carrie really was married. Other
guests now began to arrive, and we who had fixed long enough before
the looking-glass repaired to the parlor below. Bill, who saw Sally
married, had convinced me that the story of the broomstick was a
falsehood, so I was prepared for its absence, but I wondered then, not
more than I do now, why grown-up people shouldn't be whipped for
telling untruths to children as well as children for telling untruths
to grown-up people.

The parlor was now rapidly filling, and I was in great danger of being
thrust into the corner, where I could see nothing, when Aunt Eunice
very benevolently drew me near her, saying I should see if no one else
did. At last Mr. Ashmore and Carrie came. Anna can tell you exactly
what she wore, but I cannot. I only know that she looked most
beautifully, though I have a vague recollection of fancying that in
the making of her dress the sleeves were forgotten entirely, and the
neck nearly so.

The marriage ceremony commenced, and I listened breathlessly, but this
did not prevent me from hearing some one enter the house by the
kitchen door. Aunt Eunice heard it, too, and when the minister began
to say something about Mrs. Ashmore she aros