ours, dear," he
said with a smile, "and what's yours is your own." And that ended the
matter--unfortunately for Checkers.

There was just one question upon which the two had a serious
difference--the case of Arthur Kendall.

"Now, Edward," said Pert one evening (when she called him 'Edward' he
knew that something important was coming), "I want to talk to you about
something that has been worrying me dreadfully."

"What is it, sweetheart?"

"And I want you to promise to do as I ask you."

Checkers felt suspicious, and refused to "go it blind."

"Well, it's about the Kendalls. I want you to make up with Arthur,
somehow--"

"Not on your--"

"Yes, Edward; you must. Remember the Thanksgiving sermon about
forgiveness and loving your neighbors."

"Oh, it's all well enough to love your neighbor, but there 's no
necessity for taking down the fence. Arthur treated me like a
step-child, and--"

"But, Checkers dear, we want Aunt Deb. and Mr. Kendall at the wedding.
They won't come unless Arthur does, and Arthur won't come unless you
make up with him. Consider, Checkers, you 've been unusually blest,
and you ought to be humble and thankful, and do something to show it;
and here's your opportunity. Another thing"--this came
hesitatingly--"he 's the only fellow about here who could make a decent
appearance as your best man."

Checkers went off into peals of laughter. "Oh," he exclaimed, "I begin
to tumble. Forgive your neighbor, if you happen to need
him--afterwards you can shake him again."

Pert joined in the laugh. "It is no such thing," she responded. "If
you half appreciated me, you would n't blame Arthur for being angry at
you for doing what you did to him. He loved me a great deal more than
you do; he never refused me a favor in his life."

"That's just why he lost you. Push Miller used to say--"

"Never mind Push Miller; Arthur is to be at Sadie's to-morrow evening.
You and I are going there to call. You are to shake hands with Arthur
and tell him you 're glad to see him, and be natural and friendly.
Afterwards you can ask him to stand up with you."

"It seems to be settled," said Checkers; and so it eventuated.
Checkers greeted Arthur with frank cordiality, and relieved the tension
by a few well-turned witticisms. No apologies passed between them, and
reference to the past was tacitly barred. Checkers' sunny nature was
not one to harbor a grudge, and if Arthur still felt rebellious, he
mana