And she now looked forward to the time when they would be married, that
she might have the pleasure of seeing them again. She was forming plans
as to what she would do for Stella. She felt that she was able to do
much for her, as her property was rising in value all the time, and her
income far exceeded her expenditures. Her idea was that a couple, to be
in style when they are married, should visit Europe or some other
country; and, furthermore, it would be also nice for her to be able to
say her niece had gone abroad on her wedding tour. She also remembered
how delighted Stella was to read books of travel when she was at her
house, and she heard her say, "I do hope some day I will be able to see
my own and other countries, for the extent of my travel has only been
from Orangeville to San Jose and return."
About a week before the day set for Stella's wedding, Mrs. Wheelwright
went to Roseland and called on her sister, Mrs. Marston. In course of
conversation, Mrs. Wheelwright said: "Well, Helen, it is Penloe's and
Stella's wish to have no one invited to the wedding but yourself; for,
if they invited friends, they could not draw the line and they could not
invite all, and not only so but they think it far better to have a quiet
wedding. Their marriage is so different to that of any other couple,
there being none of that peculiar excitement connected with their
marriage."
Mrs. Marston said: "I thought that would be about the kind of wedding
they would have. What I would have liked would be to give Stella a big
wedding at my own house, with all her friends present, but I knew she
would wish to be married at her home in a very quiet way."
Mrs. Wheelwright said: "Well, Helen, we shall look for you on Wednesday
of next week. They will be married at eleven in the morning, by the Rev.
B.F. Holingsworth."
On the morning of the wedding, Stella's aunt arrived at ten, Penloe and
the minister came half an hour later. At eleven Penloe and Stella stood
up to be made one in the eyes of the law. The Blessed Infinite Spirit
had made them one some time ago. It is not necessary to remark how
lovely the bride looked, for she always looked lovely, and she did not
wear at her wedding a white silk or satin gown; for she wore a rich
white dress, and it was one that she could wear any time; it became her
exceedingly well. After the usual marriage ceremony was over, the
minister offered a short fervent prayer, after which Penloe and Stella
stood in silent prayer for about two minutes, then Penloe kissed Stella.
The joyful couple then received the congratulations of their relatives.
When Mrs. Marston kissed Stella, she gave her a little package. A few
minutes later Stella excused herself and went to her room, to open the
package her aunt had given her. On opening the package, she found it
contained a small, light-brown covered book, with a note which read as
follows:
"SUNNYDOWN, Roseland, Calif.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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