us black waiter with soiled cuffs--March felt that he had never
despatched so much business at one sitting in his life before.

"John," said Ravenel as they took the first puff, "there's one thing you
can do for me if you will: I want you to stand up with me at my
wedding."

March stiffened and clenched his chair. "Jeff-Jack, you oughtn't to've
asked me that, sir! And least of all in connection with this Widewood
business, in which I'm so indebted to you! It's not fair, sir!"

Ravenel scarcely roused himself from reverie to reply, "You mustn't make
any connection. I don't."

"Well, then, I'll not," said March. "I'll even thank you for the honor.
But I don't deserve either the honor or the punishment, and I simply
can't do it!"

"Can't you 'hide in your breast every selfish care and flush your pale
cheek with wine'? Every man has got to eat a good deal of crow. It's not
so bad, from the hand of a friend. It shan't compromise you."

With head up and eyes widened John gazed at the friendly-cynical face
before him. "It would compromise me; you know it would! Yes, sir, you
may laugh, but you knew it when you asked me. You knew it would be
unconditional surrender. I don't say you hadn't a right to ask, but--I'm
a last ditcher, you know."

"Well," drawled Ravenel, pleasantly, when they rose, "if that's what you
prefer----"

"No, I don't prefer it, Jeff-Jack; but if you were me could you help
it?"

"I shouldn't try," said Ravenel.

XLII.

JOHN HEADS A PROCESSION

By the afternoon train on this last day of the year there had come into
Suez a missionary returning from China on leave of absence, ill from
scant fare and overwork.

General Halliday, Fannie, and Barbara were at tea when Parson Tombs
brought in the returned wanderer. The General sprang to his feet with an
energy that overturned his chair. "Why, Sammie Messenger, confound your
young hide! Well, upon my soul! I'm outrageous proud to see you!
Fan--Barb--come here! This is one of my old boys! Sam, this is the
daughter of your old Major; Miss Garnet. Why, confound your young hide!"

Parson Tombs giggled with joy. "Brother Messenger is going to add a word
of exhortation to Brother Garnet's discourse," he said with grave
elation, and when the General execrated such cruelty to a weary
traveler, he laughed again. But being called to the front door for a
moment's consultation with the pastor of the other church, he presently
returned, much embarrassed