A SCENE OF SIMPLE GRANDEUR. 267 The village church again sent forth its joyous peals, while within its walls, adorned with rustic beauty, an eager throng of loving faces watched and waited the coming of the beautiful mountain girl, that day a bride. It was a scene of simple grandeur, outvieing cathedral pomp and show when the bridal party, preceded by a troup of bright-eyed children strewing flowers on their path, approached and surrounded the altar where stood the venerable pastor in gown and band waiting with uplifted hands to bless the sacred rite. Six rosy maidens, the favored playmates of Nellie's youth, clad in white flowing robes, stood beside the dark-eyed bride, who leaned with an air of serenity and peace upon the arm of her betrothed. Suddenly a soft strain of melody floated through the air, and, catching up the refrain, every lip joined in the touching, graceful tribute of love. A few simple words spoken-the trembling responses uttered the nuptial benediction pronounced with a pathos which drew unbidden tears from many an eye, and Augustus Murray proudly led forth his wife to share forever after his weal or woe. "Mine now past all recall," he fondly whispered as they emerged from the church door, and the sun. poured down its golden baptism upon their heads. A thrilling glance of tenderness and confiding love was Nellie's only reply; yet it told him more plainly than words that her heart wished no recall from its new-found rest and home. "There!" exclaimed Molly as her straining eye caught the last glimpse of the receding carriages which bore away the newly-wedded pair with the good Doctor and his wife, "they've got clear out o' sight now! O dear! I feel jest as if I couldn't do nothin' but set right down and cry. I never knowed afore how much I liked that Nellie. As I's sayin' to Judith Pease t'other day: 'Judy,' said I to her, 'I'd ruther have Mr. Murray cut off one o' my fingers this minnit than to carry off our Nell.' But he's gone and done it, so there an't no use in my cryin' over it, I s'pose. Let's see what that paper was he gin you, John, jest's he went off." "I don't care nothin' 'bout papers now," muttered John, who had been sitting with his face covered in both hands upon his knees. I "Tan't no use to take on so," said Molly kindly; "it's nat❜ral, you know, for folks to git married. kind o' wish Nell had got a rich man, though." "Poh! she'd ruther have a good one any time. Here, take the paper if you want it, Molly. I don't care for nothin' now." "Law's sakes! what's all this! Do, for gracious sake, look a-here, John !" cried Molly with amazement as she opened the parcel. John slowly raised his head; but as his eye caught sight of the contents, his dejection gave way to utter astonishment. "Money!" he exclaimed; "where on airth did that A DEBT OF GRATITUDE REPAID. 269 come from? and this big lookin' paper? Lein me see. Goodness gracious, Molly, if here an't a deed of that 'ere cottage, and money enuf to stock it with! Do read this ere writin'. My eyes is gittin' kind o' weak latterly, I reckon." "For those faithful friends of my beloved wife, John and Molly Hawkins. A debt of gratitude well deserved and cheerfully repaid." "There, John Hawkins, didn't I never tell ye we was entertainin' angels unawares when we took care of the old fortin'-teller? Nobody never loses nothin' by doin' their duty. What a sight o' picters he must have painted to git all this money, though! Wal, the Lord bless him. He's got a good wife, any how, and I guess as how they're deserving of each other. Come, John, don't stan' there like a stater. Let's go and see our new home. What will Judy say, though ?" CHAPTER XXVIII. "RETRIBUTION speeds its arrow To the heart that spurned its prize: FOR a few weeks previous to the events in the last chapter, fashionable society in Philadelphia had been thrown into a state of feverish expectation by a rumor that their quiet city was to be honored by a visit from one of the nobility from England. Suites of rooms at one of their first hotels had been fitted up in princely style for his lordship's use, and liveried servants having in charge a vast amount of luggage, had already arrived and installed themselves in their apartments, to await the coming of their master. At length, cards of invitation were issued by Capt. Waters and lady, for a grand reception of the distinguished foreigners, Lord and Lady Stratherne; and eager preparations were at once commenced for a brilliant display of fashion and beauty. Meanwhile, the little bridal party approached the close of their long and wearisome journey. As they neared the suburbs of the city, Mr. Murray ordered the before the door of a comfortable-lookg towards Mrs. Jepson with a meaning Had we not better alight here and rehile before proceeding to your sister's? el the need of exchanging these dusty garments to render me at all presentno doubt Nellie does also." s not to be wondered at," Mrs. Jepson "but as we older ones have no such 1 for desiring to appear in our best, 1 excuse us if we go on and announce est way, Mr. Murray," said the Doctor, elf with a weary movement; " for my impatient to get to Lyddy's, where we as we like." my Nellie ?" Mr. Murray asked, looking wife; "for, after all, it is she who must our own wishes, Augustus," said she; o go on or remain, as you please." n," said he, assisting her to alight; "and ople will please to inform Mrs. Waters ee her this evening." a little puzzled at this unexpected moveentered the house leaning upon her husith a cheerful though wearied look. you, my love," said he when they had |