who was a bashful
soul, exceedingly shy, and sparing of his husbandly attentions, gave
Edward frequent opportunities during their trip of cultivating a more
familiar acquaintance with her than he had ever imagined possible.

"Some women appear to better advantage after marriage and Maria Dole
is one of them," he said in a very decided manner to his sister after
having been engaged in a long conversation with the newly-made wife.
"She can converse now and she never could before."

"Yon mean, brother, you were afraid of each other before. It was my
fault; you both knew what my wishes were, and it spoiled all. To have
carried out the romance of the thing, you ought to have discovered her
perfections before it was too late."

Louise quite forgot for the moment her brother's affliction, but on
second thought said no more.

"I am sorry Mr. Hanford is going to take her so far from any
settlement," said Edward, not appearing to notice what had been said,
"he tells me his nearest neighbor is ten miles distant."

"How lonely Maria will be, I'm glad we are all to visit her in the
Spring," said Louise, alluding to a promise made to that effect.

"Mr. Hanford rather insists upon my going out with them now, but I
could not promise until I had seen the Doctor. If I decide to go I can
overtake him by the next steamer, as he will stop for a day or two at
St. Paul."

The next day after the above conversation, the party having arrived at
Pendleton, separated; Mr. and Mrs. Hanford continuing up the river to
the head of navigation, while the Sherman family were introduced to
comfortable quarters provided by the forethought of Dr. Goodrich.

By the advice of his friends, who plainly saw, that under the
circumstances, he could not content himself to remain where he was,
Edward decided to join Mr. Hanford at St. Paul, and the following
chapter will chronicle the result.

CHAPTER XIV.

ROUGH ROADS--THE HAPPY BRIDEGROOM--JACOB MENTOR'S
EXPERIENCE--FAIRY KNOLL--A JOYFUL MEETING.

The prospect of a change from steamboat navigation, always so
delightful on the upper Mississippi, to jolting and jarring over a
rough extent of country in a heavy, lumbering wagon, suited to the
unimproved state of the roads, was anything but agreeable to Mr. and
Mrs. Hanford, as they surveyed the uncomely vehicle drawn up before
their hotel.

Edward had overtaken them, and with Mr. and Mrs. Hanford, stood
waiting on the porch, while Mr.