After All;

lhe same flower , which palpitated on her undulating breast . These were the bridesmaids , fair to see , sweet girls , who were luscious living poems . But there was the bride , fairer than them all , clothed in dazzling white , relieved by rivieres of sweet smelling voilets and moss roses , while a spray of the time-honoured orange blossom was half hid among her tangling hair—a scene which would have sent Sir John Suckling mad . To Arthur she seemed

a perfect angel ; and when the gauze veil was thrown over her , it appeared only to heighten her perfection . Brightly the sun shone on this fair picture , which seemed too pure , too beautiful for earth . Arthur was in no hurry for the ceremony so long as he could entrance himself with the sight of his precious darling ; but Mr . E . Slim , his best man , was rather anxious to fulfil his duties and get the affair over . Slim by name but not by naturefor he was a well-built

, , formidable fellow , ancl good-natured withal . He hacl been the piccolo player in the " Crotchetty Society ; " strange that these big men should so frequently choose the smallest instruments , and vice versa . But so it was . He was getting rather impatient as he struggled with his gloves . He had been casting suspicious glances in the direction of Miss Louisa Delcote , and it was not difficult to see that he had fallen a hopeless victim to her undeniable

charms . We need not , however , describe the details of the marriage ceremony , which was performed in grand style , without a single hitch , and all faces were radiant with joy . Merrily , madly rang the bells in mellow harmony , while the gay carriages drove back to the mansion from the church . Deli ghtedl y they rang through the breezy air , ancl with a Poe-like swell the melting golden sounds floated into liquid song . Gushingly the euphonious volume welled in " their ears , swinging and ringing , rhyming and chiming , until they lost the rapturous sounds altogether .

A sumptuous breakfast and many guests . The toasts had begun , and the "best man" was elevating and expounding the virtues of the bridegroom , while the fair companion at his side , no other than Lousia Delcote , the second bridesmaid , encouraged him as he nervously stumbled on , for some of the boldest spirits would rather board a shi p than stand up before a brilliant assemblage to make a speech . He managed however to style his friend " A real decent )

sort of a fellow , of the right kidney , ancl I don't mind betting there isn't a better to be found . No pun intended , " and of course they laughed . "You may laugh , " said Mr Slim ; " but I tell you , I wish I were in his place , for he ' s married the lovliest and nicest woman I ever saw , bar one , " and he looked down at his companion amid another storm of applause , while Lousia Delcote blushed at the obvious allusion . " They say marriages are made in Heaven , " he

continued , " but I hope to perform the principal part in one before I go there , and I trust the day will be as happy and auspicious as to-day is . My advice to all you lonely bachelors is diametrically opposite to that of Mr . Punich , though I once held similar views . I say , marry , ay , marry , and that as soon as you ' re able . I intend to rectify my own error at the earliest possible moment , " and again he looked at the blushing damsel who had so charmed him . " That ' s advice

my , and don't blame me if you ' re not happy ; and now , ' Long life and happiness to the bride and bridegroom , God bless them , '" and he replenished his champagne glass , and sat down like a warrior who had valiantl y slain a formidable foe . Toast after toast followed in quick succession , while the happy pair sped on their way to that queen of fashionable watering-places , aristocratic Brighton , to spend their golden honeymoon .

Imagine the fleet years to be flown with joyous , lightsome wings , bringing with them happy cares and burdens of love . The Oakrush estates are luxurious in their growth and products . The grounds round the myrtle-mantled mansion , with sweet-scented honeysuckle climbing over the picturesque porch , are kept in the trimmest order , and everything indicates a pastoral peace . Ah ! there is a bri ght boy of some nine summers , merrily throwing a coloured ball