nt, urging his suit, refusing to be
discouraged, waiting eagerly for the day when she would respond to his
passionate pleading and throw herself without restraint into his arms.

Meantime Fanny and Jimmie, having arrived at the conclusion that the
prospects were bright and that they had been engaged long enough,
suddenly decided to get married. Fourteen dollars a week--the weekly
income of the bridegroom--did not allow of the setting up of a very
elaborate establishment, but, as the clerk explained privately to his
bride, it was only a question of time when Virginia would become Mrs.
Stafford and then it would be smooth sailing for them all. Stafford
had promised him a fat job at a salary worth while, and that could not
possibly mean less than fifty dollars a week.

"He wouldn't have the cheek to offer me less than fifty per," said
Jimmie confidently.

All of which sounded very hopeful to Fanny, who, however, was shrewd
enough to make no mention to her sensitive sister of her intended's
sanguine expectations.

They were married at the little Roman Catholic church in 125th Street,
Virginia being the solitary bridesmaid, while Stafford--willing enough
to enter into the spirit of the occasion and taking a chance that in
such a remote neighborhood no one would recognize him--acted as best
man. The bride looked pretty and self-composed, while Jimmie was a
picture of masculine magnificence in a new frock coat, patent-leather
shoes, white tie, silk hat and a collar so high that he could not turn
his head round. After the ceremony, they all dined gaily at Claremont
at Stafford's expense and then the newly married couple left for
Atlantic City, where the brief honeymoon was to be spent--on slender
savings which Fanny had carefully hoarded for some time.

Virginia cried bitterly as her sister drove away. It was the first
time that they had been separated; she felt as if she was losing the
last friend she had in the world. Stafford, full of kindly sympathy,
tried to console her. Gently he whispered:

"Don't cry, dear. Don't you see how happy she is? You wouldn't rob her
of that happiness, would you?"

"No, indeed," she sobbed.

He bent down closer and whispered:

"One day--she will be kissing her hand to you as you drive away in
your bridal robes."

She made no answer and he pressed for some response.

"Won't she?" he pleaded.

Her eyes still fixed on the cab, now fast disappearing in the
distance, she murmured: