ld grow brutal
without you to curb us. But, on the other hand, you need, now and then,
the masculine common-sense view-point."

"I don't want the common-sense point of view in this, Anthony."

He laid his hands on her shoulders and stood looking down at her.

"Diana."

"Yes."

"What is it, dear?"

"I don't quite like--being curbed, Anthony."

She was laughing a little for, in spite of her rebellion, there was
something stimulating in the thought of his masterfulness. "You see,
I've always ruled," she said.

"You shall still rule, everywhere, except in one little corner of my
kingdom which has to do with things medical--over that I must still
reign."

"Of course if you think that you are right in this----"

"I know that I am right. Look at me, Diana."

Thrilled by his tone of command, she did look at him with eyes like
stars.

Then, knowing that he had conquered, he drew her up to him and said,
gently, "We doctors have to seem cruel to be kind--but you must never
believe me cruel, Diana."

So July passed and August, and the little town took on all the beauty of
its September coloring. The dahlias blazed from every fence corner.
Against the gray rocks their masses of brilliance tempted the brushes of
the artists who came to paint.

The yachts began to leave the harbor, some of them going South, some of
them making their exit to the clanking chorus of the marine railway. The
yacht clubs sounded their last guns, packed away their pennants and
hauled up their floating docks. The hotels were closed, and most of the
mansions on the Neck were deserted. The summer folk were turning toward
the city, and the little seaport town was settling down to its winter
routine.

It was on one of those quiet September days that Anthony said to
Bettina, "Set your wedding day, my dear."

"Oh, Anthony, may I, really?"

"Yes. The specialists who came yesterday gave a final decision. Justin
is going to get--well."

The invalid, propped up in a big chair, was approached thus:

"Would you mind if it were a big affair, Justin?"

"Not if you want it that way, sweetheart."

"I don't, if you don't. But Diana and the rest are planning----"

He laughed. "I want the whole world to see you, and I want all the bells
to ring, and I want to run away afterward with you, and to have our
honeymoon last forever."

So they were married from Diana's, at high noon, and as the bride
descended the stairway, a sigh of admiration went up