CHAPTER I.


Hugh Lilburn was very urgent with his betrothed for a speedy marriage,
pleading that as her brother had robbed him and his father of their
expected housekeeper--his cousin Marian--he could not long do without the
wife who was to supply her place. Her sisters, Isadore and Virginia, who
had come up from the far South to be present at the ceremony, joined with
him in his plea for haste. They wanted to see her in her own home, they
said, and that without remaining too long away from theirs. Ella finally
yielded to their wishes so far as to complete her preparations within a
month after the home-coming from the North.

The wedding was a really brilliant affair, and followed up by parties
given by the different members of the family connection; but no bridal
trip was taken, neither bride nor groom caring for it, and Hugh's business
requiring his presence at home.

A few weeks later Calhoun Conly went North for his bride. Some festivities
followed his return; then all settled down for the winter, Harold and
Herbert Travilla taking up their medical studies with Dr. Conly, and
Captain Raymond's pupils resuming such of their lessons as had been
dropped for the time, though the wedding festivities had been allowed to
interfere but little with them, as--with the exception of Marian, now Mrs.
Conly--they were considered too young to attend the parties. A matter of
regret to none of them except Rosie Travilla and Lucilla Raymond, and even
they, though they would have been glad to be permitted to go, made no