great rate and she has consented to have her wedding here because
she wants to be there herself. The day is set for Thanksgiving and
the Lord be with us for everything has got to be just so and she
is no more good at helping now that he’s come. They are all going
back to New York as soon as possible after it’s over and I hope to
be forgiven for stating plainly that it will be the happiest day’
of my life.

Respectfully,

L. COOKE.


Upon receipt of this astounding news Arethusa took the train and flew to
the scene where such momentous happenings were piling up on one another.
Her arrival was unexpected and the changes which she found ensued and
ensuing were of a nature bewildering in the extreme. Aunt Mary had quit
her regime of soup and sleep and was not only more energetically vigorous
as to mind than ever, but strengthening daily as to bodily force. It might
have been the excitement, for Burnett was there, Clover was _en route_,
and Mitchell was expected within twenty-four hours. Other great changes
were visible everywhere. A corps of servants from town had fairly swamped
Lucinda and twenty carpenters were putting up an extra addition to the
house in which to give the wedding room to spread. Nor was this all, for
Aunt Mary had turned a furniture man and an upholsterer loose with no
other limit than that comprised by the two words "_carte blanche_."

Mrs. Rosscott still continued to wait upon Aunt Mary, but another maid had
arrived to await upon Mrs. Rosscott. The latter had shed her black uniform
and bloomed forth in rose-hued robes. Mr. Stebbins was kept on tap from