with which she yielded herself to her mother's schemes, "But it shall
not be," she thought, "I will save her," and then she knelt before
her aunt, imploring her to spare her daughter--not to sacrifice her
on the altar of mammon.

But Mrs. Livingstone turned angrily away, telling her to mind her own
affairs. Then 'Lena sought her cousin, and winding her arms around
her neck, besought of her to resist--to burst the chain which bound
her, and be free. But with a shake other head, Anna bade her go
away. "Leave me, 'Lena Rivers," she said, "leave me to work out my
destiny. It is decreed that I shall be his wife, and I may not
struggle against it. Each night I read it in the stars, and the
wind, as it sighs through the maple trees, whispers it to my ear."

"Oh, if my aunt could see her now," thought 'Lena but as if her
mother's presence had a paralyzing power, Anna, when with her, was
quiet, gentle, and silent, and if Mrs. Livingstone sometimes missed
her merry laugh and playful ways, she thought the air of dignity
which seemed to have taken their place quite an improvement, and far
more in keeping with the bride-elect of Captain Atherton.

About this time Mr. Livingstone returned, appearing greatly surprised
at the phase which affairs had assumed in his absence, but when 'Lena
whispered to him her fears, he smilingly answered, "I reckon you're
mistaken. Her mother would have found it out--where is she?"

In her chamber at the old place by the open window they found her,
and though she did not as usual spring eagerly forward to meet her
father, her greeting was wholly natural; but when Mr. Livingstone,
taking her upon his knee, said gently, "They tell me you are to be
married soon," the wildness came back to her eye, and 'Lena wondered
he could not see it. But he did not, and smoothing her disordered
tresses, he said, "Tell me, my daughter, does this marriage please
you? Do you enter into it willingly?"

For a moment there was a wavering, and 'Lena held her breath to catch
the answer, which came at last, while the eyes shone brighter than
ever--"Willing? yes, or I should not do it; no one compels me, else
I would resist."

"Woman's nature," said Mr. Livingstone, laughingly, while 'Lena
turned away to hide her tears.

Day after day preparations went on, for Mrs. Livingstone would have
the ceremony a grand and imposing one. In the neighborhood, the fast
approaching event was discussed, some pronouncing it a m