!"

"Is she ready?" inquired the manager at the door an hour later.

"I am," said the Girl stepping through.

The astounded Harvester stood and stared, utterly oblivious of the
curious people.

"Here, here, here!" suddenly he whistled it, in the red bird's most
entreating tones.

The Girl laughed and the colour in her face deepened.

"Let us go," she said.

"But what about you?" asked the manager of the Harvester.

"Thunder!" cried the man aghast. "I was so busy getting everything else
ready, I forgot all about myself. I can't stand before a minister beside
her, can I?"

"Well I should say not," said the manager.

"Indeed yes," said the Girl. "I never saw you in any other clothing. You
would be a stranger of whom I'd be afraid."

"That settles it!" said the Harvester calmly. "Thank all of you more
than words can express. I will come in the first of the week and tell
you how we get along."

Then they went to the carriage and started for the residence of a
minister.

"Ruth, you are my Dream Girl to the tips of your eyelashes," said the
Harvester. "I almost wish you were not. It wouldn't keep me thinking so
much of the remainder of that dream. You are the loveliest sight I ever
saw."

"Do I really appear well?" asked the Girl, hungry for appreciation.

"Indeed you do!" said the Harvester. "I never could have guessed that
such a miracle could be wrought. And you don't seem so tired. Were they
good to you?"

"Wonderfully! I did not know there was kindness like that in all the
world for a stranger. I did not feel lost or embarrassed, except the
first few seconds when I didn't know what to do. Oh I thank you for
this! You were right. Whatever comes in life I always shall love to
remember that I was daintily dressed and appeared as well as I could
when I was married. But I must tell you I am not real. They did
everything on earth to me, three of them working at a time. I feel an
increase in self-respect in some way. David, I do appear better?"

When she said "David," the Harvester looked out of the window and gulped
down his delight. He leaned toward her.

"Shut your eyes and imagine you see the red bird," he said. "In my
soul, I am saying to you again and again just what he sang. You are
wonderfully beautiful, Ruth, and more than wonderfully sweet. Will you
answer me a question?"

"If I can."

"I love you with all my heart. Will you marry me?"

"I said I would."

"Then we are engaged, aren't we?"