us hiding the tear
which dropped from the delicate buds she was fashioning into the words,
"Joy to the Bride," intending the whole as the center of the wreath to
be placed over the altar just where all could see it.

"The handsomest man I ever saw," was the verdict of most of the girls as
they came hack to their work, while Wilford drove on to the farmhouse
where Katy had been so anxiously watching for him.

When he came in sight, however, and she knew he was actually there, she
ran away to hide her blushes and the feeling of awe which had come
suddenly over her for the man who was to be her husband. But Helen bade
her go back, and so she went coyly in to Wilford, who met her with
loving caresses, and then put upon her finger the superb diamond which
he said he had thought to send as a pledge of their engagement, but had
finally concluded to wait and present himself. Katy had heard much of
diamonds, and seen some in Canandaigua; but the idea that she, plain
Katy Lennox, would ever wear them, had never once entered her mind; and
now as she looked at the brilliant gem sparkling upon her hand, she felt
a thrill of something more than joy at that good fortune which had
brought her to diamonds. Vanity, we suppose it was--such vanity as was
very natural in her case, and she thought she should never tire of
looking at the precious stone; but when Wilford showed her next the
plain broad band of gold, and tried it on her third finger, asking if
she knew what it meant, the true woman spoke within her, and she
answered, tearfully:

"Yes, I know, and I will try to prove worthy of what I shall be to you
when I wear that ring for good."

Katy was very quiet for a moment as she sat with her head nestled
against Wilford's bosom, but when he observed that she was looking
tired, and asked if she had been working hard, the quiet fit was broken,
and she told him of the dress "we had made," that "we" referring solely
to Helen and Marian, for Katy had hardly done a thing. But it did not
matter; she fancied she had, and she asked if he did not wish to see her
dresses. Wilford knew it would please Katy, and so, though he cared very
little about it, he followed her into the adjoining room where they were
still spread out upon the tables and chairs, with Helen in their midst,
ready to pack them away. Wilford thought of Mrs. Ryan and the check, but
he shook hands with Helen very civilly, saying to her, playfully:

"I suppose that you are wil