Gray, because she was the beginning
of it all, and Frances was fond of her. This was the party, with their
own family and the bride and groom.

Caroline said that if Mrs. Richards had been going to entertain the
Queen and the President together, she couldn't have been more particular
about everything, and indeed she spared no trouble or expense.

The table was exquisite in its bridal decorations of lilies of the
valley, and the whole house was fragrant with flowers; the guests all
looked their best, and it was throughout a most festive and happy
occasion.

Frances fluttered about in her great-grandmother's dress, evidently
considering it her party; the Spectacle Man beamed on everybody; and old
Mrs. Gray, in a new silk gown, looked on in quiet enjoyment. Miss Moore
was, if possible, merrier than usual, but this may have been because she
was trying not to think how far away Lillian was going.

When the supper was over and the healths of the bride and groom had been
drank, "The Story of the Missing Bridge" was proposed, and the optician
rose to respond.

"It has occurred to me as a somewhat strange thing," he began, "that
seven or eight months ago we, who now feel like old friends, had not
met. In this time we have learned to know one another, and a little
story, which grew out of a foolish old song, has become a bond between
us,--something we shall carry with us wherever we go. We have learned
lessons of courage and cheer; some of us have found bridges over our
difficulties and troubles where we had supposed there were none; and I
can at least say for myself that hereafter, into whatever perplexities I
may fall, I shall remember the lesson of the story, that there is always
a way, and love and courage can find it."

He sat down amid applause, and Frances said, "I am going to remember it,
too, for I did find a way when Gladys and I quarrelled."

"I can add my testimony that ways open in the most unpromising places,"
put in her father.

"Perhaps if I had heard the story sooner my broken bridge would have
been mended long ago," said Mrs. Richards.

"It is wonderful," Mrs. Gray took courage to say, "how things turn out
sometimes. I feel like telling everybody how sweet and kind my new
daughter is. She really seems fond of me already, and I was so dreadful
afraid of her."

"When we look back we can't help seeing that we have been guided by a
higher Power, who could see the path that was dark to us," Mrs. Morrison