ery, from a gentleman
who is not related to her. Even a marriage engagement does not make
the acceptance of costly gifts wise.

_Preparation for a Wedding_

The preparation which the bridegroom makes for the new home, is, of
course, by far the larger share of its establishment. He provides the
home, furnishes it with everything but the linen, which the bride will
bring, and the ornamental decorations, including silver for the table,
which the wedding guests may, in these days of lavish presents, be
expected to furnish.

Even if he does not choose to set up a house-home at once, the
provision for the future is all his, and he has to bring to the
wedding the wherewithal to make a home, whether it be in household
furniture or only the certificates of wealth with which to provide for
the bride. This is a matter of pride with even the poorest
lover,--with all save that small class of men who, either from the
most worldly of motives or, in the very opposite extreme, from motives
so high that they will not permit personal pride to stand in the way
of the real union of hearts, submit to the indignity of becoming
pensioners rather than donors.

Whatever the custom for the division of responsibility in regard to
the home and the future, in actual life, in every true home
responsibility is equal, and convenience alone decrees what the bride
and the bridegroom shall each contribute to the common hoard.

The bridegroom also provides a part of the wedding, and although his
share is minimized, yet it is often a costly and important part. He
should provide the flowers which the bride and her attendants carry.
The bride usually chooses her flowers, which are ordinarily white
roses, lilies of the valley, or fragrant white flowers of her favorite
kind.

Besides providing the wedding ring, the bridegroom usually presents to
the bride some gift. It is perhaps the deed of the house he has bought
and furnished for her. Or it may be jewelry, or anything else that she
desires and that he may have it in his power to bestow. The bride
makes him no special gift other than her hand, as that is her supreme
gift.

The personal provision of the bridegroom sometimes consists of a new
wardrobe throughout, besides his wedding suit. If he is wise he will
wear his new suits somewhat before he appears in them as newly
married. His wedding suit will consist of evening dress, if he is to
be married in the evening, complete with white gloves and ti