perstition for ages had placed
birthdays under a ban, yet Gertrude herself preferred this day, and all
concurred. Beautiful presents had already arrived from America, and
letters from schoolmates and friends, several of whom, however, had sent
their presents to Harrisville. Nearly a thousand invitations in all,
mostly to friends in America, had been mailed, including a hundred to
friends traveling on the British Isles, and on the continent. May Ingram
had met in London Claude Searles, son of Hugh Searles, and a graduate of
Oxford University. She had an invitation mailed to Claude, and he
promised to come.

Alfonso and Leo arrived from Holland the night before, and each brought
paintings of their own skill as presents. Alfonso had done an exquisite
full-length portrait of Gertrude in white, the dress, the same that she
wore at Smith College graduation. All wondered about Leo's gift. Gertrude
herself cut the strings, and pushed back the paper, while her sister
Lucille looked first at her own beautiful likeness and then at Leo. Her
face grew crimson, as she said, "Leo, this is just what I most wanted for
Gertrude. Thank you! Thank you!" and she came near kissing the handsome
artist.

The mother had bought a plentiful supply of those things which daughters
most need. The father's gift was the promised check for $1000, and a
mysterious long blue envelope sealed, with the name "Mrs. Gertrude
Ingram" written on the outside. Underneath her name were the tantalizing
words, "To be opened when she reaches New York."

"Oh, I so wonder what is inside," said Gertrude.

May Ingram's gift was unique; a mahogany box, inlaid with the rare
edelweiss, encasing a Swiss phonograph, that was adjusted to play "Elsa's
Dream Song" from Lohengrin on Gertrude's marriage anniversary, till her
golden wedding should occur.

Next morning after the sun had gilded the domes and spires of Paris, the
Harrises sat at breakfast in a private room, fragrant with fresh cut
flowers. Gertrude wore at her throat her lover's gift, and she never
looked prettier or happier. All the morning till 11 o'clock everybody was
busy, when the ushers and friends began to arrive. Soon came the American
ambassador, his wife and children. At 11:45 a bishop of New York City,
Claude Searles of London, and intimate friends of the Harrises and George
Ingram followed, till the private parlors were full.

The orchestra of twenty pieces of Grand Opera House, stationed in the
rec