A Daughter of Fife

He gave her this short homily, as he stood before her in Mary's little

parlor, just ere the wedding service began. Maggie listened to him with a

touching gratitude and humility. In her eyes David was something more than

a brother. He had laid his hand upon the altar and was set apart for its

ministering. And he looked, every inch of him, the priest of his people.

For David had always considered the proper habit of his order a subject

worthy of his careful attention; and on this auspicious occasion he was

dressed with the utmost care. Even among the varied and splendid uniforms

of the military officers present, David Promoter's rich and sombre

vestment was very noticeable. No one could deny that he was a singularly

handsome and distinguished-looking man. It was upon his arm Mary Campbell

entered, and her delicate beauty, enhanced by a white robe of some

diaphanous material, made a telling contrast to the young minister's tall

form, and black raiment.

Maggie, on her father-in-law's arm, was but a few steps in advance of

them. They saw Allan turn and watch her coming to him, and the light on

his face transfigured it. This was the woman he had been born to meet; the

woman that was the completion of his own nature. Once more he caught at a

venture the beautiful eyes through which had come their first recognition;

and he saw that they met his full of glad confidence and happy expectation.

Dr. Balmuto's charge was a very solemn and a very loving one. The tears

were on his cheeks as Maggie stood before him. He spoke to her as gently

as if she were his own daughter. He bade her look forward to the joyful

duties of her lot. He laid her hand in Allan's hand with a blessing. Then

from every lip arose the triumphant strains of the one hundred and

twenty-eighth psalm--the happy, hopeful wedding psalm--and with the

gracious benediction, Allan and Maggie turned with smiling faces toward

their future.

The first months of their married life were to be spent in Continental

travel. Maggie was to see all the famous places, which, as yet, were only

names to her, and Allan was to see them again through her eyes. They went

away in the gay, splendid fashion of the time, in an open landau drawn by

four horses, with outriders. The guests crowded the hall and the open

door; the servants gathered below them; the tenants lined the road to the

small station which they had selected for their starting point. And thus

in a very triumph of joy they started upon their long life journey.