is
alone, and legal circumstances which it would take too long for me to
explain over the 'phone have made it desirable for her to have my
immediate protection. We are going at once to Edwin Twinell's church, and
he will marry us. It is all arranged, but I felt that you ought to be told
beforehand. We shall probably take the night express for home. Tell
Cornelia that I shall expect congratulations telegraphed to the hotel here
inside of two hours."

"But, Tryon, what will our friends think? It is most extraordinary! How
can you manage about announcements?"

"Bother the red tape, Mother! What difference does that make? Put it in
the society column if you want to."

"But, Tryon, we do not want to be conspicuous!"

"Well, Mother, I'm not going to put off my wedding at the last minute for
a matter of some bits of pasteboard. I'll do any reasonable thing to
please you, but not that."

"Couldn't you get a chaperon for her, and bring her on to me? Then we
could plan the wedding at our leisure."

"Impossible, Mother! In the first place, she never would consent. Really,
I cannot talk any more about it. I must go at once, or I shall be late.
Tell me you will love her for my sake, until you love her for her own."

"Tryon, you always were unreasonable. Suppose you have the cards engraved
at once, and I will telegraph our list to the engraver if you will give me
his address. If you prefer, you can get them engraved and sent out from
there. That will keep tongues still."

"All right, I'll do it. I'll have the engraver telegraph his address to
you within two hours. Have your list ready. And, Mother, don't worry.
She's all right. You couldn't have chosen better yourself. Say you will
love her, Mother dear."

"Oh, I suppose I'll try," sighed the wires disconsolately; "but I never
thought you would be married in such a way. Why, you haven't even told me
who she is."

"She's all right, Mother--good family and all. I really must hurry----"

"But what is her name, Tryon?"

"Say, Mother, I really must go. Ask Mrs. Parker Bowman what she thinks of
her. Good-by! Cheer up, it'll be all right."

"But, Tryon, her name----"

The receiver was hung up with a click, and Dunham looked at his watch
nervously. In two minutes his half-hour would be up, yet he must let Judge
Blackwell know. Perhaps he could still catch him at the office. He
sometimes stayed down-town late. Dunham rang up the office. The Judge was
still there, and in a m