up, book in hand, and a hush fell over the room, the affair took
on a religious aspect and everyone felt more at home.

Mr. Cameron moved to a little open space in the centre of the room, and
bade Kirsty and Weaver Jimmie stand before him. Mary Lauchie, pale and
drooping as she always was now, stood at Kirsty's side, and Jimmie had
the much needed support of Roarin' Sandy's Archie, now the most
fashionable young man in the Oa, who was resplendent in aromatic hair
oil and a flaming tie. Jimmie was white and trembling, but Kirsty was
calm. Only once did she show any emotion, when she had to search for
her neatly-folded handkerchief in the pocket of her ample skirt to wipe
away a tear--a tear that, all the sympathetic onlookers knew, was for
the little mother who had said so confidently she had no fears for
Kirsty's future.

At last the minister pronounced them one, and the friends gathered
about them with their congratulations, and, to the delight of all, what
should Miss Herbert do, after hugging the bride, but fling her arms
about the bridegroom's neck also and give him a sounding kiss! If
anything could have added to Jimmie's pride and joy at that moment,
this treatment by Kirsty's little girl would certainly have done so.

And then came the wedding supper, the tables set out with the precious
new china dishes and weighed down and piled up with everything good the
MacDonald matrons knew how to cook. The bride and groom sat close
together at the head of the long table, Jimmie's affectionate
demonstrations partially hidden by the huge wedding cake. The minister
sat at the foot, and after a long and fervent grace had been said
everyone drew a deep breath and proceeded to enjoy himself.

There was a deal of clatter and noise and laughter and running to and
fro of waiters. In the old house where the work was going on, and
where there was no minister to put a damper on the proceedings, there
were high times indeed; for Dan Murphy was there, and wherever Dan was
there was sure to be an uproar. Scotty was responsible for the young
man's presence; he had invited Mr. Murphy on the strength of his own
relationship to both contracting parties, knowing a warm welcome was
assured. So, with an apron tied round his waist, Dan was making a fine
pretence of helping Betty Lauchie wash dishes, his chief efforts,
however, being directed towards balancing pots of boiling water in
impossible positions, twirling precious plates i