develop character and instill culture.

At this period Mrs. Folsom boarded in the city of Buffalo, and the daughter availed herself of her Central School certificate, which admitted her to the sophomore class at Wells College without preliminary examination. Here again she became a prime favorite, and it was during her sojourn at this institution that the flowers sent her from Albany, and the many evidences of regard which the Governor bestowed, began to cause a whisper that his attachment amounted to something more than mere friendly kindliness. The whisper grew into a much more definite utterance when Miss Folsom was graduated and was the recipient of beautiful floral tributes from the White House conservatories. Governor Cleveland had become President of the United States, and the fact that he was a bachelor, coupled with the other fact that his exalted position kept him ever in the bright light of public scrutiny, conspired to set many tongues wagging as to the possible outcome of his acquaintance with the fair graduate, who, in June, 1885, said farewell to Alma Mater and went to spend the summer, or a part of it, at the residence of her grandfather, the late Colonel John B. Folsom, of Folsomdale, Wyoming County, N. Y., two miles out of Cowlesville. The old place is a typical homestead, possessing all the homely characteristics of farm-life combined with much of solid comfort and refinement.

Exactly what understanding existed between the President and Miss Folsom at the time she went abroad may not be definitely known outside of the circle immediately interested, but it is likely they were betrothed ere her departure. Both parties maintained a guarded silence, and their engagement escaped parade in the newspapers until a date near the time fixed for the wedding.

Little was heard from Miss Folsom until, on the 27th of May, 1886, the Red Star steamer Noordland, from Antwerp, sailed into the port of New York, having just transferred to a United States revenue cutter Miss Folsom, her mother, and her cousin, Mr. Benjamin Folsom. The party came comparatively unannounced. Colonel Lamont was present as the President's representative. At the pier the bride-elect was welcomed by Miss Cleveland, and the party was speedily installed at the Gilsey House, where the ladies of the Cabinet joined in a reception and kindly welcome to the modest and beautiful young woman who was soon to make such a stir in American society. On Sunday, May 30th, the President visited his betrothed in New York.

Miss Folsom kept herself secluded during her stay in the metropolis, but as the wedding-day had been fixed for the 2d of June, there was much social sensation over the event. A wedding in the White House was decided upon, and elab

orate preparations were set on foot. The Execu. tive Mansion became a scene of hasty labors on the part of upholsterers, decorators, and florists; there were crowds of callers, most of whom were unsuccessful in seeing the President, who escaped much annoyance by driving out to his country place, "Pretty Prospect," and turning his visitors over to the tender mercies of the doorkeepers.

By Wednesday, June 2d, the Blue Room, in which the ceremony was to take place, had been converted into a bower of loveliness. The south side was a solid bank of dark-green foliage, against which stood out the red and pink and white of azaleas and camelias. The fire-places were filled with potted plants, while the mantels were nearly concealed beneath banks of flowers. The east mantel was covered with purple pansies, bordered with a line of yellow, and fringed with ferns. On this purple bed appeared the inscription, "June 2d, 1886," in white pansies. On the west mantel was a bank of crimson roses, bordered with maiden's-hair fern, and bearing the monogram "C. F." in white moss roses. The mirrors were bordered by parti-colored garlands composed of roses and other rare flowers. Great palms stood on either side of the doorway leading to the main hall, and a scroll, composed of pinks and bearing the national motto, "E Fluribus Unum," was fixed immediately above the centre doorway.

The East Parlor was decorated differently,