By the Light of the Soul

the Monday before Thanksgiving. The s

would be well worth looking at in her wedding-clothes, but she also told herself that it was quite possible that some remarks might be made to her disparagement if she had the wedding to which her inclination prompted her. She longed for a white gown, veil, bridesmaids, and the rest, but s

with its shade of purple, a delicate intimation of the remembrance of mourning in the midst of joy. The church was filled with people, but there were no bridesmaids. Some of Ida's scholars acted as ushers. Wollaston Lee was among th

the wedding ceremony and the bridal trip, had been a very perplexing one. Harry had some western cousins, far removed, both by blood and distance. Aunt Maria and her brother were the only relatives on his former wife's side. Aunt Maria had received an invitation, both from Harry and th

re the wedding. "Maria won't come, and neither will her brother's wife, and she can't b

oblem with her usual pr

o board at Mrs. White's until we r

he now was to take poor little Maria out of pity. She, in reality, did pity Maria, for a good many reasons. She was a shrewd woman, and she gauged Miss Ida Slome pitilessly. However, she had to admit that she had shown some consideration in one respect. In the midst of her teaching, and preparations for her wedding, she had planned a lovely dress for Maria. It was unquestionable but the realization of her own loveliness, and her new attire had an alleviating influence upon Maria. There was a faint buzz of admiration for her when she entered the church. She looke

ng mirror in her mother's room, which was now resplendent with its new furnishings, and she admitted t

she has looked out for you about your dres

l little person, and she loved herself so much that for the first time it seeme

the best," said she. "One never knows ab

s wife and put in the place of her own mother, and yet, as a musical refrain is the haunting and ever-recurrent part of a composition, so was her own charming appea

isplaying to the utmost the sweet curves of her lips. Her cheeks retained their lovely brilliancy of color. Harry trembled, and his face looked pale and self-conscious, but Ida displayed no such weakness. She replied with the utmost self-poise to the congratulations which she received after the ceremony. There was an informal reception in the church

d. He himself was conscious that he conducted himself rather awkwardly and foolishly. A red spot burned on either cheek. He spoke jerkily, and it seemed to him that everything he said was silly, and that people might repeat it and laugh. He was relieved when it was all over and he and Ida were in the cab, driving to the station. When they were rolling rapidly throug

charming, thanks to you, d

r, wasn't it? I never saw her look so pretty before," returned Id

appier," said Harry. "It was a lo

dged from his remarks that she had been married on account of

." Privately she rather did resent her husband's speech, but she nev

treated by the female portion of the White family, irritated her. She began to consider that, now her father had married, his wife was a member of her family, and not to be decried. Maria ha

ly lovely," said she, w

each other. Then Lillian, who was

d what to call her?" she a

ia; "it is nobody's business." Then she arose and

rved Mrs. Jonas Whit

e her hands full with that

"She was real sassy. Well, her mother had a

ding two evenings, when the market was closed. It was a warm November, and the moon was full. Maria quite enjoyed her drive with Mr. Henry White, and he never said one word about her father's marriage, and her new mother-her pronoun of a mother-all the way. Mr. Henry White had too long a neck, and too large a mouth, which was, moreover, too firmly set, otherwise Maria fel

his father, next day, "she's about wild, with

well," said

ping? If women folks would only stop being so durned kind, an

" said Mr.

e. Ida's former boarding-house mistress had cooked a large turkey, and made some cakes and pies and bread. Miss Zella Holmes drove around for Maria in a livery carriage, and all these supplies were stowed in beside them. On the way they stopped at

rtments, and it was exactly as if she saw old friends with new heads. The sideboard in the dining-room glittered with the wedding silver and cut-glass. New pictures hung on the sitting-room and parlor walls, beside the new paper. Wedding gifts lay on the tables. There had been many wedding gifts. Miss Zella Holmes flew about the house, with the

ox up in the garret," said Miss Holmes. Then she noticed Maria's face. "They will come in handy

sappeared; Maria did not know where, but she missed the face of it as if it had been the face of a friend. Miss Holmes

ime for them,"

d affected frills to conceal it. Out of this mass of red frills arose her little, alert head and face, homely, but full of vivacity. Maria

se it should be to her as if he had a new head? She therefore remained in the dining-room, trembling. She heard her father's voice, loud and merry. "Where is Maria?" Still, Maria did not stir. Then her father came hurrying into the room, and behind

e girl?" he asked, wit

ria. She gave a helpless little clin

ew mother, darli

kissed her exactly as if she had been an uncommonly well-constructed doll, with

tunity to ask Maria, aside, if she had been well, and if she had been happy and

w mother, aren't you, darling?

rs with Miss Holmes,

nk She is lovely