As the last word left her lips, the seemingly distant voices again rose in song, the words coming distinctly to every ear:
| "Jerusalem the golden, |
| With milk and honey blest, |
| Beneath thy contemplation |
| Sink heart and voice opprest. |
| I know not, O I know not |
| What joys await us there, |
| What radiancy of glory, |
| What bliss beyond compare. |
| "They stand, those halls of Zion, |
| All jubilant with song, |
| And bright with many an angel, |
| And all the martyr throng. |
| The Prince is ever in them, |
| The daylight is serene; |
| The pastures of the blessèd |
| Are decked in glorious sheen, |
| "There is the throne of David; |
| And there, from care released, |
| The shout of them that triumph, |
| The song of them that feast. |
| And they, who with their Leader, |
| Have conquered in the fight, |
| For ever and for ever |
| Are clad in robes of white. |
| "O sweet and blessèd country, |
| The home of God's elect! |
| O sweet and blessèd country, |
| That eager hearts expect! |
| Jesus, in mercy bring us |
| To that dear land of rest; |
| Who art, with God the Father, |
| And Spirit, ever blest," |
"Thank you very much, gentlemen," said Mildred as the last notes died away. "What lovely words those are! Ah, they make one almost envious of that dear woman who has already reached that happy land where sin and sorrow are unknown."
"And death never enters," added Grandma Elsie low and feelingly. "Oh, 'blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.'"
CHAPTER XXII.
The wedding morning dawned bright and clear. All the invited guests who had passed the night on shore were early arrivals upon the yacht, which then immediately started across the lake, heading for Michigan City.
The crew had outdone themselves in making everything about the vessel even more than ordinarily clean and bright, and everyone was arrayed in holiday attire. The young men of the party had taken care to provide abundance of flowers, especially for the saloon where the ceremony was to take place.
There they all assembled, drawn by the familiar strains of the Bridal Chorus from "Lohengrin," played by Violet on the small pipe organ which the captain's thoughtfulness had provided for his wife's amusement and his own pleasure, as well as that of his daughters.
A hush fell upon them as Cyril entered and took his appointed place, followed closely by the bridal party, which consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore and the bride and groom; Annis preferring to be without bridesmaids, and Mr. Dinsmore having expressed a desire to take a father's part and give her away.