. Her father was a very
popular minister and his home the Mecca of lovers for miles around.

Craddock, like her father, was inclined to be conservative in his forms.
Marriage he held with the old theologians to be a holy sacrament. He
never used the new-fangled marriage vows. He stuck to the formula of the
Book of Common Prayer.

When she stood before the preacher in this beautiful familiar scene
which she had witnessed so many times at home, Mary's heart beat with a
joy that was positively silly. She tried to be serious, and the dimple
would come in her cheek in spite of every effort.

As Craddock's musical voice began the opening address, the memory of a
foolish incident in her father's life flashed through her mind, and
she wondered if Jim in his excitement had forgotten his pocket-book and
couldn't pay the preacher.

"Dearly beloved," he began, "we are gathered together here in the sight
of God----"

Mary tried to remember that she was in the sight of God, but she was so
foolishly happy she could only remember that funny scene. A long-legged
Kentucky mountain bridegroom at the close of the ceremony had turned to
her father and drawled:

"Well, parson, I ain't got no money with me--but I want to give ye five
dollars. I've got a fine dawg. He's worth ten. I'll send him to ye fur
five--if it's all right?"

The children had giggled and her father blushed.

"Oh, that's all right," he had answered. "Money's no matter. Forget the
five. I hope you'll be very happy."

Two weeks later a crate containing the dog had come by express. On the
tag was scrawled:

Dear Parson:--I like Nancy so well, I send ye the hole dawg, anyhow.

She hadn't a doubt that Jim would feel the same way--but she hoped he
hadn't forgotten his pocketbook.

The scene had flashed through her mind in a single moment. She had
bitten her lips and kept from laughing by a supreme effort. Not a word
of the solemn ceremonial, however, had escaped her consciousness.

"And in the face of this company," the preacher's rich voice was saying,
"to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony; which is
commended of St. Paul to be honorable among all men: and therefore is
not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently,
discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God. Into this holy
estate these two persons present come now to be joined. If any man can
show just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together