to Elsie, which her father allowed her to answer in a little note
enclosed in his; and sometimes he read her a little of his own, or of
Miss Rose's letter, which she always considered a very great treat.

New York City was their last halting place on their route, and there
they spent nearly two weeks in shopping and sight-seeing. Mr. Dinsmore
purchased an elegant set of furniture for his wife's boudoir, and
sent it on to his home, with his orders to Mrs. Murray concerning
its arrangement. To this he added a splendid set of diamonds as his
wedding gift to his bride, while Elsie selected a pair of very costly
bracelets as hers.

They arrived in Philadelphia on Tuesday afternoon, the next morning
being the time appointed for the wedding. Mr. Dinsmore himself went to
his hotel, but sent Elsie and her nurse to Mr. Allison's, as he had
been urgently requested to do, the family being now in occupation of
their town residence.

Elsie found the whole house in a bustle of preparation. Sophy met her
at the door and carried her off at once to her own room, eager to
display what she called "her wedding dress." She was quite satisfied
with the admiration Elsie expressed. "But I suppose you bought ever so
many new dresses, and lots of other pretty things, in New York?" she
said inquiringly.

"Yes; papa and I together. And don't you think, Sophy, he let me help
him choose some of his clothes, and he says he thinks I have very good
taste in ladies' and gentlemen's dress too."

"That was right kind of him, but isn't it odd, and real nice too, that