morning was perfect, and Jim was in possession of his bride. They,
with Miss Snow, occupied one carriage, while Mr. Benedict and the
Balfours filled the other. Not a member of the company started homeward
until the bridal party was seen climbing the hill in the distance, but
waited, commenting upon the great event of the morning, and speculating
upon the future of the pair whose marriage they had witnessed. There was
not a woman in the crowd who did not believe in Jim; and all were glad
that the little tailoress had reached so pleasant and stimulating a
change in her life.

When the voyagers had passed beyond the scattered farm-houses into the
lonely country, Jim, with his wife's help, released himself from the
collar and cravat that tormented him, and once more breathed freely. On
they sped, shouting to one another from carriage to carriage, and Mike
Conlin's humble house was reached in a two hours' drive. There was
chaffing at the door and romping among the trees while the horses were
refreshed, and then they pushed on again with such speed as was possible
with poorer roads and soberer horses; and two hours before sunset they
were at the river. The little woman had enjoyed the drive. When she
found that she had cut loose from her old life, and was entering upon
one unknown and untried, in pleasant companionship, she was thoroughly
happy. It was all like a fairy story; and there before her rolled the
beautiful river, and, waiting on the shore, were the trunks and remnants
of baggage that had been started for their destination before daylight,
and the guides with their boats, and with wild flowers in their
hat-bands.

The carriages were dismissed to find their way back to Mike Conlin's
that night, while Jim, throwing off his coat, assisted in loading the
three boats. Mr. Balfour had brought along with him, not only a large
flag for the hotel, but half a dozen smaller ones for the little fleet.
The flags were soon mounted upon little rods, and set up at either end
of each boat, and when the luggage was all loaded, and the passengers
were all in their places--Jim taking his wife and Miss Snow in his own
familiar craft--they pushed out into the stream, and started for a race.
Jim was the most powerful man of the three, and was aching for work. It
was a race all the way, but the broader chest and harder muscles won. It
was a regatta without spectators, but as full of excitement as if the
shores had been fringed with a che