girl, made a sensation quite after Chula Vista's own heart.
When it became known that the doctor had pronounced Scott's wound not
dangerous but requiring care and quiet, the situation was all that could
be desired. They would have been happier still could they have heard
Polly's ultimatum, delivered the following morning when she and Scott were
alone together a few minutes before Clara's wedding. Scott had insisted
that the wedding should not be postponed for even a day.

"You're needed in Athens, Hard," he said. "With Bob and me both in the
discard, you've got to stand by the ship." So the wedding had been set for
ten o'clock, Polly's train leaving for the railroad junction at noon.

"Now, Marc, listen to me," Polly said. Her tone was severe. "I've never
been really stern with you since our acquaintance. I've always given in
and let you have the biggest piece of cake. Now I mean what I say. I'm not
going back and leave you here, sick and alone. Besides, Mrs. Conrad
changed her mind last night. She's going to Athens with Mr. Hard."

"There's Mabel Penhallow--she'd look after me," replied Scott, mildly.

"Well, she shan't. Let her look after that fat thing she's going to marry.
No, I'm going to stay here until you're well again, and by that time my
reputation will be in shreds--perfect shreds."

"Well, I think it will, too, but what can I do?"

"You can let me tell that minister to come right over here and marry us
when he's through with the others," said Polly, firmly. Then, with tears
in her eyes: "Oh, Marc, don't you see I don't like doing underhand things
any more than you do, but I can't go away and leave you like this? I know
my people and I know what they'll say. They'll say I did the right
thing."

"Well, girlie, I don't know--I'd rather like to see Hard and Mrs. Conrad
married, myself. Don't you think maybe you could get the Padre to do both
jobs over here?"

Thus it was that a double wedding took place in the small room which the
invalid occupied. Chula Vista, or at least those citizens who were allowed
to witness the ceremony, were loud in their praises of the brides. Ed
Merriam was particularly impressed and begged earnestly that it might be
made a triple affair, but, as Mr. Penhallow justly observed, you can
overdo even a good thing if you try hard enough. Ed was obliged to content
himself with the role of spectator. Mr. Penhallow, himself, was a busy
man. He not only acted as best man at both ceremon