ckening his own
pace as he sensed something out of the ordinary. The house door stood
open as Gratton had left it, and the two entered hastily. Jim looked
from face to face with keen, shrewd eyes, ignored Jarrold, who said a
mirthful "Evenin', Jim," and turned to Gloria for explanation.

"Miss Gloria wanted----" began Gratton. But Jim Spalding lifted a big
hand as though to ward off the words.

"I'm here, miss," he said when Gloria's white face only stared at him."
You ain't sick, are you?"

"No, Jim, I--I am going to be married, and----"

"Married!" Jim looked incredulous and then puzzled as again his eyes
went swiftly from one to the other of the three men's faces.

"Yes, Jim. And I want you to be a witness."

Jim flushed up and shifted uneasily. He had never been at a wedding; he
did not know what a "witness" had to do. And to witness the wedding of
Miss Gloria, who had never appeared to come down to earth long enough to
know that there was such a man as Jim Spalding on the same sphere with
her----He managed an uneasy "Yes'm," and backed off toward the door.

"Now, if you folks is ready," began the "judge" again.

"Right now?" muttered Jim. "You're gettin' married right now?"

"Yes," said Gloria wearily. And to Summerling: "I am ready."

"But I ain't!" cried Spalding. He got to the door and started down the
hall. "Wait a minute, will you?"

Gratton hurried after him, his face hot with rage, while Steve Jarrold
guffawed loudly and then, under Gloria's startled look, dropped his
eyes.

"Come back here, Spalding," commanded Gratton angrily. "Whatever you've
got to do can wait a minute----"

"_You_ wait," growled Jim. "I'll be back quick enough."

* * * * *

Mark King was awakened by old Jim rushing into the room, lighting a lamp
hastily, and making a deal of clatter. He sat up, demanding:

"Has Ben come?"

Jim began chuckling. After all, a wedding was a wedding, and therefore
a matter well worth a man's allowing himself to get a bit excited. From
a cupboard he began dragging forth his one and only serviceable suit of
clothes, dingy black, shiny affairs, but Jim's "best." He kicked off his
breeches, drew on the black trousers, and caught up the coat.

"No, Ben ain't back," he grinned at King. "Guess he'll be surprised when
he does come. His girl's gettin' herself married. To that city guy,
Gratton. Right now in the house!"

"What!" King had heard well enough, but that