"My plots fall short, like darts which rash hands throw
With an ill aim, and have too far to go."
--SIR ROBERT HOWARD.


"I'm so glad it's all over at last!"

"What, my little friend?" and Mr. Travilla looked fondly into the sweet
face so bright and happy, where the beauties of rare intellect and moral
worth were as conspicuous as the lesser ones of exquisite contour and
coloring.

"The wedding and all the accompanying round of dissipation. Now I hope we
can settle down to quiet home pleasures for the rest of the winter."

"So do I, and that I shall see twice as much of you as I have of late. You
can have no idea how I missed you while you were absent. And I am more
than half envious of our bride and groom. Shall our trip be to Europe,
Elsie?"

"Are we to take a trip?" she asked with an arch smile.

"That will be as you wish, dearest, of course."

"I don't wish it now, nor do you, I know; but we shall have time enough to
settle all such questions."

"Plenty; I only wish we had not so much. Yet I don't mean to grumble; the
months will soon slip away and bring the time when I may claim my prize."