the wedding."

"Yes, sir; I suppose that is what they mean. Aunt Rosie's will be the
only real wedding dress, and I heard mamma say it was very handsome
indeed. And I like my new suit you bought me to wear to the wedding; and
your new one, too."

"I am glad you are satisfied," his father said. "The dress of the ladies
will be noticed much more than yours or mine, but it is only right that
men and boys should take pains to be neatly and suitably attired. Now I
think we may follow your mother and sisters and see what they have to
show us."

The dresses were pronounced by all beautiful, perfect in regard to fit,
trimming, and suitability to the occasion on which they were to be worn;
very becoming, also, the captain remarked in an aside to his wife; a
remark to which she gave a hearty and unqualified assent.

"We'll wear these dresses to Ion to-night, won't we, mamma?" asked
Elsie.

"Oh, no, child!" replied Violet; "the rehearsal will be gone through
with in ordinary attire, and these grand dresses kept perfectly fresh
for the wedding. Come, now, we must make haste with the change, for the
tea bell will ring presently. It is well you took a good nap this
afternoon, for I fear you are likely to be kept up late."

"Probably a little later than usual," said their father, "though, as
to-morrow is to be so exciting a day, I intend to bring you all home in
pretty good season; that you may be able to take such a night's rest as
will give you the needed strength to go through the trying ordeal."

"There, papa," laughed Grace, "you talk as if we were all going to be
married."

"Dear me, but I am glad we are not!" exclaimed Lucilla, "and that I am
not the one that is."

"Quite a lucid remark, my child," laughed her father. "But now I will
leave you to make the necessary changes in your dress that you may be
ready for a drive on leaving the tea table."

They hastened to obey, helping each other and laughing and chatting
merrily as they worked. They were ready when the summons to the tea
table came, and, directly after leaving it, all entered the family
carriage and drove to Ion, greatly enjoying the balmy air, the easy
motion over the smooth roads, and all the sweet sights and sounds of
lovely summer time in the country. They never wearied of those familiar
things, daily blessings though they were.

The sun was near its setting when they reached Ion, where they found a
gathering of friends and relatives unusual in its