while ago."

"I have no objection," said Violet, rising. "Come, and I will help you
put it on."

"Your wedding dress, Elsie? you are not old enough to get married,"
laughed Ned. "Is she, papa?"

"No, indeed! very far from it," the captain said. "Even her older
sisters are much too young for that; but they seem to so have named
their new gowns because of having had them made expressly to be worn at
the wedding."

"Yes, sir; I suppose that is what they mean. Aunt Rosie's will be the
only real wedding dress, and I heard mamma say it was very handsome
indeed. And I like my new suit you bought me to wear to the wedding; and
your new one, too."

"I am glad you are satisfied," his father said. "The dress of the ladies
will be noticed much more than yours or mine, but it is only right that
men and boys should take pains to be neatly and suitably attired. Now I
think we may follow your mother and sisters and see what they have to
show us."

The dresses were pronounced by all beautiful, perfect in regard to fit,
trimming, and suitability to the occasion on which they were to be worn;
very becoming, also, the captain remarked in an aside to his wife; a
remark to which she gave a hearty and unqualified assent.

"We'll wear these dresses to Ion to-night, won't we, mamma?" asked