een minutes or so."

She laughed up into his face: "How can I ever stand it? I've worried
along without you all my life. I guess I'll survive."

"You won't have to much longer," he smiled, and hastened from the room.
A half-hour later he returned to find her waiting in the hotel
"parlour." She saw that his eyes were shining as he crossed eagerly,
seated himself upon the haircloth sofa beside her, and whispered in her
ear.

"Winthrop! Indeed we won't do anything of the kind! Why
it's--it's----"

"It's impractical, and it's romantic," he finished for her. "Also,
it's unconventional. Now, refuse if you dare! The stage leaves for
Lewiston and the railroad at five. He seems to be a regular chap--the
parson. Both he and his wife insisted that the event take place in
their house. Said it would be much pleasanter than the hotel--and I
heartily agreed with them. We figured that half-past four would give
us just about time."

"Well, of all things!" blushed the girl. "You two arranged the whole
affair, and of course, as I'm only the bride, it wasn't necessary to
consult me at all!"

"Exactly," smiled Endicott; "I'm red-blooded, you know, and
romantic--and when I go in for little things like unconventionality,
and romance, I go the limit. And you don't dare refuse!"

She looked up into his eyes, shining with boyish enthusiasm: "I don't
dare," she whispered. "I don't want to dare. Oh, Win, I--I'm just
crazy about it!"

A few moments later she drew away from him and smoothed her hair.

"You must go right this minute and find Tex. And, oh, I hope Bat will
be here in time! I just love old Bat!" She ceased speaking and looked
questioningly into his eyes which had suddenly become grave.

"I have been looking for Tex, and I couldn't find him anywhere. Then I
went to the stable across the street. His horse is gone."

For some moments both were silent. "He never even said good-bye,"
faltered the girl, and in her voice was a note of real hurt.

"No," answered Endicott, softly, "he should have said good-bye."

Alice rose and put on her hat: "Come on, let's get out of this hateful
stuffy little room. Let's walk and enjoy this wonderful air while we
can. And besides, we must find some flowers--wild flowers they must be
for our wedding, mustn't they, dear? Wild flowers, right from God's
own gardens--wild, and free, and uncultivated--untouched by human
hands. I saw some lovely ones, blue and white, and so