In alternate storm and sunshine their lives passed on, until the

appointed day arrived that was to see them bound, not by the

graceful true-lovers' knot, which either might untie, but by a chain

light as downy fetters if borne in mutual love, and galling as

ponderous iron links, if heart answered not heart and the chafing

spirit struggled to get free.

Hartley Emerson loved truly the beautiful, talented and

affectionate, but badly-disciplined, quick-tempered, self-willed

girl he had chosen for a wife; and Irene Delancy would have gone to

prison and to death for the sake of the man to whom she had yielded

up the rich treasures of her young heart. In both cases the great

drawback to happiness was the absence of self-discipline,

self-denial and self-conquest. They could overcome difficulties,

brave danger, set the world at defiance, if need be, for each other,

and not a coward nerve give way; but when pride and passion came

between them, each was a child in weakness and blind self-will.

Unfortunately, persistence of character was strong in both. They

were of such stuff as martyrs were made of in the fiery times of

power and persecution.

A brighter, purer morning than that on which their marriage vows

were said the year had not given to the smiling earth. Clear and

softly blue as the eye of childhood bent the summer sky above them.

There was not a cloud in all the tranquil heavens to give suggestion

of dreary days to come or to wave a sign of warning. The blithe

birds sung their matins amid the branches that hung their leafy

drapery around and above Irene's windows, in seeming echoes to the

songs love was singing in her heart. Nature put on the loveliest

attire in all her ample wardrobe, and decked herself with coronals

and wreaths of flowers that loaded the air with sweetness.

"May your lives flow together like two pure streams that meet in the

same valley, and as bright a sky bend always over you as gives its

serene promise for to-day."

Thus spoke the minister as the ceremonials closed that wrought the

external bond of union between them. His words were uttered with

feeling and solemnity; for marriage, in his eyes, was no light

thing. He had seen too many sad hearts struggling in chains that

only death could break, ever to regard marriage with other than

sober thoughts that went questioning away into the future.

The "amen" of Mr. Delancy was not audibly spoken, but it was

deep-voiced in his heart.

There was to be a wedding-tour of a few weeks, and then the young

couple were to take possession of a new home in the city, Which Mr.

Emerson had prepared for his bride. The earliest boat that came up

from New York was to bears the party to Albany, Saratoga being the

first point of their destination.




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