pon Abijah with just the touch
of grace and dignity he had long noted as the accepted manner of giving
a woman in marriage in the most exacting circles.

The groom sheepishly dug two one-dollar bills out of his trousers pocket
and the sum striking Archie as a pitifully inadequate fee he slipped a
ten-dollar bill into the minister's hand as the bride and groom were
hurrying from the house.

"Well, Sally," Archie remarked, as he joined them, "for better or worse
you are married. I certainly wish you all good luck."

"We'll be back in a week and everything will be smooth as butter," Sally
declared lightly.

The wedding journey from Brattleboro to Bennington was marred by tire
trouble and freakishness on the part of the engine, and as neither of
his passengers knew the roads Archie's good nature was severely tested
by the exigencies of the night drive.

Abijah helped with the tires but only stared helplessly while Archie
poked at the engine. Sally was far more resourceful and lent her
assistance with her usual good cheer, a cheer which Archie felt he would
miss when he bade them good-by at Bennington. As a mark of special favor
she moved to the front seat to keep him company and facilitate the study
of sign posts.

"We're only making half time," said Archie after a long interruption.
"We'll not get into Bennington before daylight."

"I've put you to an awful lot of trouble," Sally remarked with real
contrition. "And you've left your friend the Governor far behind. I
suppose they started out to look for us in pop's machine when we didn't
show up and they may be close behind us now. The only thing I'm sorry
about is missing hearing pop swear when he found I had skipped. It
would be funny if they thought I'd run off with you, wouldn't it! I'd
just love that!"

"I don't think it's so funny you didn't," Archie answered. "I think it
was my mistake!"

The groom had drawn up his knees and was attempting to sleep on the back
seat. It was quite improper to flirt with the newest of brides but Sally
gave tolerant ear and even encouraged Archie's protestations of
admiration while Abijah bumped about in the tonneau and now and then
rolled off the seat when the enraptured driver negotiated a sharp turn.
But for Sally's disposition to make the most of her last hours with him
the drive would have bored Archie exceedingly. By two o'clock he was
hungry and at three he was bringing all his powers of eloquence to bear
upon the obtus