ted his one-time playmate, his boyhood friend, his first
and only sweetheart, who had now come in all the bravery of her wedding
finery to place her hands, trustingly, confidently in his for the
journey over the untrodden trail they were to blaze together.

A soft murmur that was almost a sigh went up from the assembled guests
as Mr. Bright handed his most precious treasure into the keeping of the
man who had claimed her for his own, and the beautiful Episcopal ring
service began. Jessica's responses were clear and unfaltering, while
Reddy's firm earnest tones carried conviction of the sincerity of his
vows. Notwithstanding the fact that the appellation of "Reddy," by which
he was known throughout Oakdale, arose from his unmistakably red hair,
Lawrence Brooks looked singularly handsome on his wedding night and the
expression of proud affection in his eyes, as he took Jessica's hand,
was plainly indicative of the love he bore her.

The moment the ceremony was over Reddy kissed Jessica, who lifted loving
eyes to his, then, turning, wound both arms about her father's neck. The
bridesmaids quickly hemmed them in and the guests crowded about them to
offer their congratulations. Only the intimate friends of Reddy and
Jessica had been invited to attend the ceremony, Mrs. Allison, the
Southards, the Putnams, Mrs. Gibson, Eva Allen and James Gardner, Julia
Crosby, Marian Barber, Mrs. Gray, Miss Nevin, Guido Savelli, Arnold
Evans, Donald Earle, the immediate families of the bride and groom and
the families of the rest of the Eight Originals Plus Two.

The reception, which was to begin at half-past eight, included the
greater part of Oakdale's younger set, and before it was over Reddy and
Jessica were to slip away and motor to the next town, there to catch the
night train to New York. From there they were to take a boat bound for
the West Indies where they had planned to spend a month's honeymoon,
then journey to their Chicago home.

"Well, Reddy," declared Hippy condescendingly, when, a little later the
Eight Originals stood near the flower bank indulging in a brief old-time
chat before the arrival of the reception guests, "I must say that you
did very well, and Jessica, too." He beamed on the bride, with a wide
patronizing smile that caused her new dignity to vanish in a giggle of
ready appreciation of the irrepressible Hippy. "I hoped that you, Reddy,
would glance at me for inspiration. There you stood, like a wooden
Indian,