fiance, being under orders from the government, has not been certain of a permanency before. We will take Marjorie with us to Washington, and keep her in school. And now as to trousseau. My white dimity dress is fresh and new, and so is Marjorie's. When we get to Washington, where Mr. Buckingham must spend the winter under orders from the Land Department, he says we can patronize the modiste to our heart's content. It was a fortunate day for me when my husband that is to be was sent out to Oregon to investigate alleged land frauds; and more fortunate still that he discovered that fellow Hankins."
"I wish we'd known this a week ago, Mame. You might have had an ivory-white, all-wool delaine, with lace and satin trimmings, just like mine."
"My little sister, notwithstanding her reputation for strong-mindedness, is a charming bit of femininity, after all," laOghed Mary, as she hurried away.
The near approach of a creaking wagon caused the sisters to approach the window.
"As I live! "cried Jean, "it's the Reverend Thomas Rogers coming up the grade. And that is his little dollfaced wife. Wonder where they came from, and what in creation they 're coming here for."
"You must go out to meet them, Jean," said Mary. " I never want to see them again; but we mustn't be remiss in hospitality."
"He looks as if the world had gone hard with him, poor fellow," laughed Jean. "Don't you wish you had to pull in double harness with the like of him for the rest of your life?"
"I would never have fancied him in the first place if I had had any sense," said Mary. "Wonder who paid their bills," she cried with a hysterical little laugh, as she watched the preacher's wife while she alighted over the wagon-wheel without any attention or assistance.
