ment on the selections, which really we could but pronounce perfect. 66 Well," said he, wiping the perspiration from his glowing face, and laughing heartily, "I have enjoyed this work more than anything I have done for years; it gives me a boyish enthusiasm worth more to me than all the money value of the articles and labor. And now, as I am through with my part, I will let you and Mrs. H. arrange and bring order out of this confusion." When they returned from their bridal trip their cosy little home was ready for them, ready for the select tea party, which she gave to the two families and the dear old guardian. In all our city there was no more honest, honorable, respected wife and daughter; no prouder, happier woman, as she stepped cheerfully around her little home, as faithfully performing household duties as if there was no thought of over a million of dollars waiting the slow process of law to settle her right to claim it. John tells as a nice little joke on her, that she confided to him that her chief object in marrying was to become a Daughter of Rebekah; and her good old guardian says: 'Indeed, child, I have known far worse reasons than that for marrying, and but few better ones." 66 When Hannah's mother, Nannie Holton, was first married, there was no Rebekah Degree, and not until long after the death of the first husband, and after her marriage to the second, was that degree established; otherwise, much of this tale could not have been written. The brotherhood and sisterhood would have protected the widow, would have advised, warned of danger and imposition, and saved her from its consequences. In these days, and only at this late date, have we not only the Daughters of Rebekah, who are wives of the members of the fifth degree, but the daughters and sisters of such members now are also entitled to that degree. CHAPTER XIX. Ir may seem an easy thing to break a will; we may feel that we have conclusive evidence, which shall at once render null and void said "last will and testament;" we may know certain facts beyond the shadow of a doubt to our own minds, but when we come to state those bare facts, dates or statistics, to be sworn to in open court, they may suddenly shrink and dwindle down to insignificance. After the first excitement of the occasion with us there came a revulsion of feeling, and for months after we had subsided into a state of perfect quiet; the subject was dropped entirely, if not forgotten. We ourselves had never for one moment doubted that Hannah Dare was the niece and lawful heir to at least half of the vast estate of Mrs. J. B. Hargrave. Several years back Mrs. Hargrave had mentioned to me the fact of having received frequent |