nook and cranny of the church. From
outside came the cheery piping of a robin that had paused upon a
convenient window sill to peep in. There was a rush of tiny, furred feet
through the drifted leaves, and a gleam of scarlet as a falling maple
leaf floated past the open door. In the sunlight the taper lights on the
altar gleamed like great stars suddenly come to earth.

"That ye may so live together in this life," the deep voice was saying,
"and in the life everlasting. Amen!"

[Sidenote: Good-byes]

After the benediction, came the minister's perfunctory congratulations.
When he called her "Mrs. Marsh," Rosemary instinctively looked toward
Madame, then laughed and blushed when she understood. Madame took the
girl into her arms as she came down from the altar. "Dear daughter!" she
said. "Truly my daughter, now!"

Aunt Matilda and Rosemary hurried back to the little brown house,
mindful of Alden's whispered admonition: "Don't keep me waiting long,
dear--please." Neither spoke until after Rosemary had changed her gown,
and stood before her mirror in pale lustrous grey, with hat and gloves
to match.

"I'll go in and say good-bye to Grandmother," Rosemary said.

"Wait a minute. She may be asleep."

Aunt Matilda tiptoed into the old lady's room, then came out again, with
her finger on her lips. "She's sound asleep," she said, "and her face
looks as if she felt better. I guess she'll come to herself again all
right. The Starrs have always been healthy and hard to kill."

[Sidenote: Into the World]

So the two went down-stairs quietly. When the door was opened, Rosemary
saw that Alden was waiting for her at the gate. Smiling and with joy
thrilling her to the utmost fibre of her being, Rosemary kissed Aunt
Matilda good-bye, then ran out to where her bridegroom was waiting, to
lead her into the world of service--and of love.

THE END

TRANSCRIBERS' NOTES

Page 53: hilltop standardised to hill-top

Page 103: shirt-waist standardised to shirtwaist

Page 171: heartbreaking standardised to heart-breaking

Page 221: Millkin' corrected to Milkin'

Various: upstairs standardised to up-stairs; downstairs standardised to
down-stairs

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Master of the Vineyard, by Myrtle Reed

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