ged to hide it gracefully. He readily consented to act the part of
best man for Checkers; and Sadie, of course, was to be Pert's maid of
honor. Most of the evening was spent in discussing other available
material in the way of bridesmaids and groomsmen, and it was agreed
that with a few importations from Little Rock, they would be able to
present an attractive wedding party.

"Now, I have an idea," said Arthur, "which I think is a good one.
Checkers ought to know those fellows before they are asked to be his
groomsmen; we'll go up to Little Rock to-morrow, and I 'll invite them
to meet him at an informal dinner at one of the hotels."

"A very good scheme," assented Pert.

"And I 'll invite the party here to supper for the night before the
wedding," put in Sadie.

"It 's very kind of you both," said Checkers, "and I appreciate it more
than I can tell you."

Early the next morning the two boys went to Little Rock. Arthur
invited four of the most desirable of his acquaintances to dinner that
evening, and luckily they all accepted.

Most of Checkers' day was taken up in fulfilling missions for Pert and
her mother. He returned to the hotel late in the afternoon, and had
barely time to don his new dress-suit and join Arthur in the rotunda
before their guests arrived.

They were jolly good fellows, all of them. Checkers was duly
presented, and after a preliminary cocktail the party adjourned to the
private dining-room, where a round table was prettily laid for six.
Checkers felt apprehensive for Arthur, when he noticed three different
glasses at each plate; but Arthur took early occasion to state that he
was "on the water-wagon," and he hoped that the boys would "not let it
make any difference with them, or with the gayety of the evening"--and
it did n't. After the first edge of their hunger was turned the
jollity grew apace. Checkers in his happiest vein related numberless
humorous anecdotes, among them his experience of Remorse and the gold
piece. Each of them told his particular pet joke, and all were
boisterously applauded.

"Now, waiter," exclaimed Arthur, suddenly righting his down-turned
champagne glass, "fill them up again all around, and give me some.
Gentlemen, I want to propose a double toast, and I 'll ask you to drink
it standing--a bumper." All arose expectantly. "Let us drink," he
said, "to the health and happiness of the sweetest, fairest, most
lovable girl God ever put upon this earth--it i