it.

"My, ain't it beautiful!" she continued, as Rosemary slipped her white
gown over her head. "Please let me hook it up, Rosemary--this is as near
as I'll ever come to a wedding. Are you going in to see her before you
go?"

Rosemary hesitated. "Yes," she sighed, "I'll go. I think I ought to."

"Don't if you don't want to. I wouldn't spoil my wedding-day by doing
anything I didn't like to do."

[Sidenote: Grandmother Relaxes]

"I want to," murmured Rosemary. "I wouldn't feel right not to."

So, when she was ready, she went into the old lady's room. Happiness
made her almost lovely as she stood there in her simple white gown and
big plumed hat, drawing long white kid gloves over her red hands.

"Grandmother," she said, tremulously, "I'm going up to the church now,
to be married to Alden Marsh. Before I go, I want to tell you I'm sorry
if I've ever done anything I shouldn't do, and ask you to forgive me for
any unhappiness I may ever have caused you. I haven't meant to do it,
and I--I believe you've meant to be good to me. I hope you're glad I'm
going to be happy now."

The stern old face relaxed, ever so little, the sharp eyes softened with
mist, and by tremendous effort, Grandmother put out a withered, wavering
hand. Rosemary bent over the bed, lifted her in her strong young arms,
and kissed her twice, then hurried away.

Alden met them as they were half-way to the church, and, utterly
regardless of two or three interested children who happened to be
passing, shook hands with Aunt Matilda, then bent to kiss the flushed
and happy face under the big plumed hat.

"What magnificence!" he said. "I'm unworthy of so much splendour, I'm
afraid. How on earth did you manage it?"

[Sidenote: The Ceremony]

Rosemary glanced at Aunt Matilda, then laughed a little sadly. "Oh," she
answered, with assumed lightness, "I--just managed it, that's all."

At the door of the church Madame welcomed them with an armful of white
roses for the bride. She, too, had a new gown in honour of the occasion,
and her sweet old face was radiant with smiles. "What a lovely bride,"
she said, as she kissed Rosemary. "Oh, my dear! You mustn't, truly! No
tears on a wedding-day!"

The minister was waiting at the altar. Madame and Aunt Matilda sat down
together in a front pew; there was a moment's solemn hush, then the
beautiful service began.

Sunlight streamed through the open windows, carrying the colour and
fragrance of Autumn into every