And surely you ought to be allowed your own way to-night if ever." "To-night and ever after," whispered the happy groom in the ear of his bride.
A loving, trustful look was her only answer.
A continued rolling of wheels without, and buzz of voices coming from veranda, hall, and reception rooms, could now be heard.
"The house must be filling fast," said Mr.Dinsmore, "and as host I should be present to receive and welcome my guests, Travilla," and his voice trembled slightly, as he took Elsie's right hand and held it for a moment closely clasped in his; "I do not fear to trust you with what to me is a greater treasure than all the gold of California.

Cherish my darling as the apple of your eye; I know you will." He bent down for another silent caress, laid the hand in that of his friend, and left the room.
"And you do not fear to trust me, my little friend ?" Travilla's tones, too, were tremulous with deep feeling.
"I have not the shadow of a fear," she answered, her eyes meeting his with an earnest, childlike confidence.
"Bless you for those words, dearest," he said; "God helping me you never shall have cause to regret them." A door opened, and a handsome, dark eyed boy, a miniature likeness of his father, came hurrying in.

"Elsie! Papa said I might come and see how beautiful you are!" he cried, as if resolutely mastering some strong emotion, "but I'm not to say anything to make you cry.

I'm not to hug you hard and spoil your dress.

Oh, but you do look like an angel, only without the wings.