She only smiled mysteriously when they asked her if she had been lonesome . That night , for the first time , she mentioned her father 's name in her prayers . She never forgot to do so afterwards . She always said , `` bless mother -- and father , '' with an instinctive pause between the two names -- a pause which indicated new realization of the tragedy which had sundered them . And the tone in which she said `` father '' was softer and more tender than the one which voiced `` mother . '' Rachel never visited the Cove again . Isabella Spencer discovered that the children had been there , and , although she knew nothing of Rachel 's interview with her father , she told the child that she must never again go to that part of the shore . Rachel shed many a bitter tear in secret over this command ; but she obeyed it . Thenceforth there had been no communication between her and her father , save the unworded messages of soul to soul across whatever may divide them . David Spencer 's invitation to his daughter 's wedding was sent with the others , and the remaining days of Rachel 's maidenhood slipped away in a whirl of preparation and excitement in which her mother reveled , but which was distasteful to the girl . The wedding day came at last , breaking softly and fairly over the great sea in a sheen of silver and pearl and rose , a September day , as mild and beautiful as June . The ceremony was to be performed at eight o'clock in the evening . At seven Rachel stood in her room , fully dressed and alone . She had no bridesmaid , and she had asked her cousins to leave her to herself in this last solemn hour of girlhood . She looked very fair and sweet in the sunset-light that showered through the birches . Her wedding gown was a fine , sheer organdie , simply and daintily made . In the loose waves of her bright hair she wore her bridegroom 's flowers , roses as white as a virgin 's dream . She was very happy ; but her happiness was faintly threaded with the sorrow inseparable from all change . Presently her mother came in , carrying a small basket . `` Here is something for you , Rachel .
One XXXXX the boys from the harbor brought it up .
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