e drove off.

"Oh!" suddenly exclaimed old Aaron Rockharrt, rummaging in the breast
pocket of his coat and drawing thence a white envelope and handing it to
Sylvan; "here, take this and give it to the minister as soon as we come
before him."

The young man received the packet and looked inquiringly at the elder.
It was really the marriage fee for the officiating clergyman, and a very
ostentatious one also; but the Iron King did not condescend to explain
anything. He had given it to his grandson with his orders, which he
expected to be implicitly obeyed without question. They reached the
church, the same church in which they had heard the dean preach on the
previous Sunday. They alighted from the carriage and entered the
building, old Aaron Rockharrt leading the way with his bride-elect on
his arm, Sylvan and Cora following. The church was vacant of all except
the minister, who stood in his surplice behind the chancel railing, and
the sexton who had opened the door for the party, and was now walking
before them up the aisle.

The church was empty, because this, though the wedding of a millionaire,
was one of which it might be said that there was "No feast, no cake, no
cards, no nothing."

The party reached the altar railing, bowed silently to the minister, who
nodded gravely in return, and then formed before the altar--the
venerable bridegroom and beautiful bride in the center, Sylvan on the
right of the groom, Cora on the left of the bride. The young man
performed the mission with which he had been intrusted, and then the
ceremony was commenced. It went on smoothly enough until the minister in
its proper place asked the question:

"Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?"

There was an awful pause.

No one had thought of the necessity of having a "church father" to give
away the bride.

The officiating clergyman saw the dilemma at a glance, and quietly
beckoned the gray-haired sexton to come up and act as a substitute. But
Sylvan Haught, with a twinkle of fun in his eyes, turned his head and
whispered to the new comer:

"'After me is manners of you.'"

Then he took the bride's hand and said mightily:--

"I do."

The marriage ceremony went on to its end and was over. Congratulations
were offered. The register was signed and witnessed.

And old Aaron Rockharrt led his newly married wife out of the church and
put her into the carriage. Then turning around to his grandchildren he
said:

"You can