bit's wedding
plans, she was perhaps better satisfied to make her vows of life-long
devotion in the presence of only those she had known best. Miss
Southard, Mrs. Nesbit, David, Anne, Grace, Hippy, Nora and Mrs. Gray
were present, as Miriam's nearest, and undoubtedly her dearest. Second
in her regard were J. Elfreda Briggs, Arline Thayer, Kathleen West and
Mabel Ashe, whose residence in or near New York made their attendance
possible. Greatly to the regret of all concerned, Jessica and Reddy had
been unable to come to the wedding. Though a decided air of informality
permeated the little assemblage, the always impressive ceremony of
marriage had never seemed more sacred to the chosen few. At Miriam's
earnest request they grouped themselves about her, a fond guard, while
the minister, Everett Southard's comrade of long standing, spoke the
simple, beautiful words that linked two lives together, "for better or
for worse, through good and evil report."

From the moment she entered the Little Church until, the ceremony over,
she found herself being helped into the Nesbits' automobile, Grace was
as one in a dream. She had noted in absent wonder the play of more than
one handkerchief as her friends wiped away the furtive tears that are
always as sure to fall in the presence of a great happiness, as when the
occasion is one of grief. But she had no tears to shed. Weeks of silent
suffering had bereft her of that relief. Her sensitive face grew a
trifle more wistful as she listened to the sonorous voice intoning the
sacred words, but her brooding gray eyes remained dry. She alone knew
the agony of dull pain which clutched persistently at her heart.

During the ceremony more than one pair of sympathetic eyes strayed from
Miriam and Everett Southard to the slender, white-clad girly whose
grave, sweet mouth and unfaltering glance told of a strength that came
from within. In the thick of the congratulations which followed, there
was not one of those who adored Grace who did not yearn to turn to her
and comfort her. Yet her very composure made consolation impossible.
They realized that she was sufficient unto herself.

On the way to the station, where the Southards were to entrain almost
immediately for the West, she talked in her usual cheerful strain to
Mrs. Nesbit, Mrs. Gray and Elfreda Briggs, who shared an automobile with
her. David and Anne were in the Southards' limousine with Miss Southard
and the newly wedded pair, while the