his critical juncture, with Mrs. Balcome's weeping gaining
in volume, a gay voice sounded from the
library--"Toot-toot-toot-toot-toot-toot-toot!" The library door
opened, disclosing Sue. She let the doorway frame her, and waited,
inviting attention. She was no longer in her simple work-dress. Silk
and net and lace--this was her bridesmaid's gown.

Balcome's face widened in a grin. "By Jove, you look fine!"

"Thanks to you!"

"Shush! Shush!" He shook hands. "Not married yet?"

Mrs. Milo, busily engaged in quieting Mrs. Balcome, lifted her head,
but without turning.

"_I?_" laughed Sue.

"Understand there's a good-looking parson here."

A quick smile--toward the door leading to the Church. Sue fell to
arranging her dress. "Mm, yes," she answered, a little
absent-mindedly; "yes, there is--one here."

"Oh, marry! Marry! Marry!" scolded Mrs. Milo. "I think people are
marry crazy."

Balcome laughed. "I believe you!--Sue, why don't you capture that
parson?"

Mrs. Milo rose, taking a peep at the tiny watch hidden under the frill
at a wrist. "Susan," she said sweetly, "will you see what the florist
is doing?"

"Oh, he's all right, mother dear. He----"

"Do you want your mother to do it?"

"Oh, no, mother. No." All gauze and sheen, like a mammoth butterfly,
Sue hurried across the room.

"I must save my strength for tomorrow," explained Mrs. Milo, and turned
with that benevolent smile. The next moment she flung up her hands.
"Susan!"

Sue halted. "Ah-ha-a-a-a!" she cried triumphantly. "I thought it'd
surprise you, mother! Isn't it lovely? Isn't it beautiful? Isn't it
an improvement over that old gray satin of mine?" She came back to
stroll to and fro, parading. "As Ikey says, 'Ain't it peaches?'"

"Tum-tum-tee-tum," hummed Balcome, in an attempt at the wedding-march.

"Susan! Stop!" ordered Mrs. Milo. "Where, if you please, have you
come by such a dress?"

Even Mrs. Balcome was listening, having forgotten her own troubles in
the double interest of the promised quarrel and the attractive costume.

Sue arraigned Mr. Balcome with a finger. "Well, this nice person told
Hattie to order it for me from her dressmaker."

"To land that parson," added Balcome, wickedly.

"He gave me two," went on Sue, turning a chin over one shoulder in a
vain attempt to get a glimpse of her back. "The other one is
wonderful! I'm--I'm keeping the other one."

"'Keeping the other one'?" repeated he