wn within twenty-four
hours; and then I hope the pater will do the handsome thing and give his
workmen a general holiday and jollification."

"I doubt it, since he has not even refurnished the shabby old drawing
room at Rockhold in honor of the occasion," said Mr. Clarence.

Then the brothers separated for the day.

Whenever the family traveling carriage happened to be sent from Rockhold
to the North End railway depot, it always stopped at the North End
Hotel to rest and water the horses. So when the afternoon waned, as
Messrs. Fabian and Clarence Rockharrt had to remain busy in their
respective offices up to the last possible minute, Sylvan was stationed
on the front porch of the hotel, with the day's newspapers and a case of
cigars to solace him while watching for the carriage.

It came at a quarter to five o'clock, and while the horses were resting
and feeding, Sylvan sent a messenger to summon his two uncles. By the
time the two horses were ready to start again, the two men came up and
entered the carriage. Sylvan followed them in.

"See here, my boy," said Mr. Fabian, "you can't go, you know. There will
be no room for you coming back. Clarence and myself fill two seats, and
your grandfather and--"

"Grandmother fill up the other," added Sylvan. "But never mind; in
coming back I can ride on the box with the coachman; but go I will to
meet my venerable grandparents! Bless my wig! didn't I give away my
grandmother at the altar, and shall I not pay them the attention of
going to meet them on their return from their wedding tour?"

The horses started at a good pace, passed through the village street,
entered the main road running miles between the great works, and rolled
on into the silent forest road that led to the railway depot in the
valley.

Here the carriage drew up before the solitary station house.

Soon the train ran in and stopped. Old Aaron Rockharrt got out and
handed down his wife, before turning to face his sons. A man and maid
servant, loaded down with handbags, umbrellas, waterproofs, and shawls,
got out of another car.

"Fabian, put Mrs. Rockharrt into the carriage. I shall step into the
waiting room to speak to the ticket agent," said old Aaron Rockharrt, as
he strode off to the building.

Fabian Rockharrt gave his arm to the lady, who during all this time had
remained closely veiled. He led her off, leaving Clarence and Sylvan on
the platform to wait for the return of Mr. Rockharrt. As so