"It is hard for you," he said tenderly; "so different from what you and
all of us have looked forward to. But you have been very brave, dear; and
what a blessing that your coming is working such a cure for Lester!"

"Yes, oh yes! God is very good to me, His blessings are unnumbered!"

"It seems a sad sort of bridal for you," he said, "but I shall telegraph
the hour to mamma immediately, and they will all be thinking of and
praying for you."

"Oh, that is a comfort I had not thought of!" she exclaimed, with glad
tears shining in her eyes. "What a blessing you are to me, brother dear!"

Lester was not able to leave his bed or likely to be for weeks, but that
she might devote herself the more entirely to him Elsie had consented to
be married at once.

She laid aside her mourning for the occasion, and Dinah helped her to
array herself for her bridal in a very beautiful evening dress of some
white material which had been worn but once before.

"Pity dars no time to get a new dress, Miss Elsie," remarked the
handmaiden half regretfully. "Doe sho' nuff you couldn't look no sweeter
and beautifuller dan you does in dis."

"I prefer this, Dinah, because they all--even dear, dear papa--have seen
me in it," Elsie said, hastily wiping away a tear; "and I remember he said
it became me well. Oh, I can see his proud, fond smile as he said it, and
almost feel the touch of his lips; for he bent down and kissed me so