. The earnestness of Checkers' answers caused a quiet smile
to pass around, which culminated in down-right laughter at the ardor
with which he kissed the bride when the time came; but he was wholly
oblivious. Marching out to the accustomed music, he could scarcely
maintain a decorous step, so great was his elation.

Their short drive to the house, during which he folded Pert in his
arms, and knew that she was his--all his--he felt to be the moment of
his supremest earthly happiness.

The others followed quickly. The guests arrived, and soon there were
congratulations, feasting, music and merry-making galore.

But all things--good things--have an end, and perhaps it is just as
well that they have; at least, in this case Checkers and Pert, as they
crossed the threshold of their own little home, breathed a happy sigh
at the thought that they were alone at last--together.

IX

The succeeding days brought one continuous round of simple pleasures.
Christmas and the holidays followed hard upon the wedding, and New
Year's Day being Sunday, Pert invited the members of the wedding party
to the house for from Friday to the Monday following.

At this season of the year there was nothing of actual work to be done
upon the place, and Checkers was free to hunt with the men or drive
with the girls, as he elected.

Whether it be for the reason that "misery loves company," or for the
much more probable and kindly reason that "our truest happiness lies in
making others happy," it is certain that most young married couples
have a very strong "weakness" for match-making. And Pert and Checkers
were no exception to this rule.

They decided that Arthur's truest good demanded that he marry Sadie;
and poor little Sadie showed but too plainly in what direction her
happiness lay.

But in spite of Pert's well-laid plans to leave them in quiet corners
together, in spite of her many little tactful suggestions, Arthur
remained unresponsive. He was attentive in a perfunctory way, but that
was all. And often Pert would blush to find him gazing at her with a
wistful, far-away look in his eyes, which told more surely than words
what was in his heart. In fact, Sadie timidly suggested to Pert one
day that Arthur was always distrait and silent after seeing her and
Checkers together; and that instead of making him desire a domestic
little home of his own, it seemed to embitter and sour him.

So, after the house party Checkers settled