hat I prefer
an evening wedding to a morning one, anyhow."

It was almost dark ere the long-looked-for bridal _trousseau_ arrived.
Varrick drew a great breath of relief.

He welcomed the shadows of night with the greatest joy. He never
afterward remembered how he lived until the hour of eight rolled round.

He had not long to wait in the little anteroom where she was to join
him. The few invited guests who were so fortunate as to receive
invitations were all present.

A low murmur of admiration ran around that little group as the heavy
silken _portieres_ that separated the anteroom from the reception parlor
were drawn aside, and Hubert Varrick entered with the beautiful heiress
leaning on his arm.

In her gloved right hand she carried a prayer-book of pearl and gold. A
messenger had brought it, handing it to her just as she was about to
enter the anteroom.

"It is from an unknown friend," whispered the boy, so low that even
Varrick did not catch the words. "A simple wish accompanies it," the boy
went on, "and that is, when the ceremony is but just begun, you will
raise the little book to your lips for the sake of the unknown friend
who sends it to you."

Gerelda smiled and promised, thoughtlessly enough, that she would
comply.

"Are you ready, my darling?" said Hubert.

His thoughts were so confused at the time, that he had paid little heed
to the messenger or noticed what he had brought to Gerelda, or what
their conversation was about, or that the boy fled like a dark-winged
shadow down the corridor after he had executed his errand.

She took her place by his side. Ah! how proud he was of her superb
beauty, of her queenly carriage, and her haughty demeanor! Surely she
was a bride worth winning--a queen among girls!

Slowly and solemnly the marriage ceremony began. Varrick answered
promptly and clearly the questions put to him. Then the minister turned
to the slender, staturesque figure by his side.

"Will you take this man to be your lawful, wedded husband, to love,
honor, and obey him till death do you part?" he asked.

At that moment all assembled thought they heard a low, muffled whistle.

Before making answer, Gerelda raised the beautiful pearl and gold
prayer-book and kissed it.

She tried to speak the words: "I will;" but all in an instant her lips
grew stiff and refused to utter them.

No sound save a low gasp broke the terrible stillness.

She had kissed the little prayer-book as she had s