we
shall get it. They'll all be asking one another, 'Why not the Church? or
the drawing-room? Why the yard?'" She nodded portentously.

Mrs. Milo came nearer. "They'll never suspect," she promised. "Outdoor
weddings are very fashionable."

"Maybe. But what I can't understand is this: Dad's heart is set on this
marriage. He wants to get me out of the way." Then as Mrs. Milo's
expression changed from a gratified beam to a stare of horror, "Oh, don't
be shocked; he has his good reasons. But as I'm going, why can't he make
a few concessions, instead of trying to spoil the wedding?"

"Spoil, dear?" chided the elder woman. "The wedding will be beautiful in
the Close."

Hattie's brown eyes swam with sudden tears. "Perhaps," she answered.
"But just for this one time, why can't my father and mother----"

"Please, Hattie!" pleaded Mrs. Milo. "We must be discreet!" Then to
change the subject, "My dear, let me see the back."

Once more Hattie revolved accommodatingly. Close to the door leading to
the lawn was a door which led, by a short passage, to the little, old
Gothic church which, long planted on its generous allowance of grounds,
had defied--along with an Orphanage that was all but a part of the
Church, so near did the two buildings stand--the encroachment of new,
tall, office structures. As Hattie turned about, she kept her watch on
the door leading to the Church.

"It's really very sweet," condescended Mrs. Milo. "But--you mustn't let
Wallace get a glimpse of this dress before tomorrow." She shook a
playful finger. "That would be bad luck. Now,--what does Susan think of
it?" She seated herself to receive the verdict.

Hattie wagged her head in mock despair. "Oh," she complained, "how I've
tried to find out!"

All Mrs. Milo's playfulness went. She stood up, her manner suddenly
anxious. "Isn't she upstairs?" she asked.

One solemn finger was pointed ceilingward. "I have even paged the attic!"

Mrs. Milo hastened across the room. "Why, she must be upstairs," she
cried. "I sent her up not an hour ago."

"Well, the villain has just naturally come down."

"Susan! Susan!"--Mrs. Milo was calling into the hall leading to the
upper floors of the Rectory. "Look in the vestibule, Hattie."

"Perhaps she has escaped to the Orphanage." Hattie gave a teasing laugh
over her shoulder as she moved to obey.

Mrs. Milo had abandoned the hall door by now, and was fluttering toward
the library. "Orp