Are the bride and groom ready ?" "Yes." Releasing the child, Mr.Travilla drew Elsie's hand within his arm.

For an instant he bent his eyes with earnest, questioning gaze upon her face.
It wore an expression that touched him to the heart, so perfectly trustful, so calmly, peacefully happy, yet with a deep tender solemnity mingling with and subduing her joy.

The soft eyes were misty with unshed tears as she lifted them to his.
"It is for life," she whispered; "and I am but young and foolish; shall you never regret ?" "Never, _never_; unless you grow weary of your choice." The answering smile was very sweet and confiding.

"I have not chosen lightly, and do not fear because it is for life," was its unspoken language.
And truly it was no hasty, ill-considered step she was taking, but one that had been calmly, thoughtfully pondered in many an hour of solitude and communion with that unseen Friend whom from earliest youth she had acknowledged in all her ways, and who had, according to His promise, directed her paths.

There was no excitement, no nervous tremor, about her then or during the short ceremony that made them no more twain but one flesh.