do not know--you can never know the service you
have performed this day. Our lives would have been ruined had you not
been here to manage this affair."

"Ben, I forgive you for writing those letters, now. You are the greatest
man that ever lived. George Washington couldn't class with you," said
Jim.

"Probably not," said I. "I certainly told many a good lie when I wrote
those letters. You set me on fire and saved me. I have done the same for
you."

Jim was radiant and rosy as in the old days. Gabrielle never looked more
beautiful. Wasn't I happy!

We talked it all over, and I laid a wager with them both that Mr.
Tescheron would repent that night to Gabrielle before she could tell him
of her definite plans. I did not tell them why I thought I was betting
on a sure thing.

I carried out telegrams of joy and summonses to the Gibsons and Hygeia.

CHAPTER XXVII

The Hosley-Tescheron wedding was the happiest society event in my life.
Hygeia, as bridesmaid, dazzled me into forgetfulness; but I stood up and
did my part, nevertheless, with a fair degree of precision, but might
have done better had I practiced trying to find a ring in my pocket
while wearing a glove. Mr. Tescheron behaved admirably. He and his
lordly son-in-law on that day really began to get acquainted. The
sheepish look he gave me at the wedding betrayed that my letter with the
money had happily convinced him, and also his trip to the little
cemetery.

Concerning Gabrielle and Nellie Gibson, her maid of honor, I would need
to shower the technicalities of a fashion journal's vocabulary to
present a picture of the loveliness wrought by milliners and dressmakers
from the choicest fabrics to grace the slender figures of those pretty
girls. Mrs. Tescheron's tears were those of joy. My joy was without
tears, for the occasion brought a hearty welcome to Hygeia's Connecticut
home.

Jim Hosley and I are associated to-day in the management of one of the
largest industries rehabilitated by that great executive, John
MacDonald, with whom we are on terms of close intimacy. We are surprised
at the changes that have come in a few years, and as we look back, we
often wonder if the folly of those bachelor days was not after all
profitable. Mr. Tescheron has lived long enough to believe it was.
To-day he is a charming father-in-law and grandpa, with an improved
sense of humor which has robbed him of his keen interest in ornithology,
for I heard him say he wi