eed!" clasping her hand and drawing her to her feet.

"It would seem very ungrateful in me to refuse, after all you have done
for me and mother, if you think it's right and best. Will you go to
the minister whose church I attended, and who came to see mother?"

"Certainly, anyone you like," and he put her hand on his arm and led
her away.

The clergyman listened sympathetically to her brief history of Ostrom's
kindness, then performed a simple ceremony which his wife and daughters
witnessed. As they were about to depart he said, "I will send you a
certificate."

"Don't trouble yourself to do that," said the groom. "I'll call for it
some evening soon."

Never had she seen Ostrom in such gay spirits as on their return; and,
woman-like, she was happy chiefly because she had made him happy. She
also felt a glad sense of security. Her mother's dying wish had been
fulfilled; she had now a protector, and would soon have a home instead
of a boarding place among strangers.

Her husband speedily found the rooms to which the reader has been
introduced. The street on which they were located was no thoroughfare.
Its farther end was closed by a fence and beyond were fields. With the
exception of those who dwelt upon it or had business with the
residents, few people came thither. To this locality, Ostrom brought
his bride, and selected rooms whose windows were above those of the
surrounding houses. So far from regretting this isolation and
remoteness from the central life of the town, Alida's feelings
sanctioned his choice. The sense of possessing security and a refuge
was increased, and it was as natural for her to set about making the
rooms homelike as it was to breathe. Her husband appeared to have
exhausted his tendencies toward close economy in the choice of
apartments, and she was given more money than she desired with which to
furnish and decorate. He said, "fix everything up to suit your mind,
and I'll be satisfied."

This she did with such skill, taste, and good management that she
returned a large portion of the sum he had given her, whereupon he
laughingly remarked that she had already saved more than she owed him.
He seemed disinclined to accompany her in the selection of their simple
outfit, but professed himself so pleased with her choice of everything
that she was gratified and happy in the thought of relieving him from
trouble.

Thus their married life began under what appeared to her the most
prom