yle ran on ahead; Hoke carried his
baby in his arms. Behind them all rode Uncle Jerry Carew, full of the
liveliest interest and curiosity.

Said David: "This is May-day. I know what they're doing at home now, if
the weather will let them. They're having gay times with out-of-door
fetes. The country girls are wearing their prettiest gowns, and the men
are wearing sprigs of May in their buttonholes. Where did you get your
roses?"

"Azalie brought them."

"And who put them in your hair?"

"Mrs. Towahs did that. Do you like me this way, David?"

"You are the loveliest being my eyes ever rested on."

"This was my best dress last year. I did it up and mended it this
morning. It's home-woven like the one I--like the other one you said you
liked."

David smiled, looking up into the gray eyes with the green lights and
blue depths in them. How serene and poised her manner was, on the verge
of the momentous step she was about to take, while his own heart was
beating high. He wondered if she really comprehended the change it was
to make in her life, that she showed no apprehension or fear.

"Cassandra, do you realize that in fifteen minutes you will be my wife?
It will be a great change for you, dearest. In spite of all I can do,
you may be sad sometimes, and I may ask of you things you don't want to
do."

"I've been sad already in my life, and done things I didn't want to do.
I don't guess you could change that--only God could."

"And you don't feel in the least disturbed? Your heart doesn't beat any
harder nor your breath come quicker? Tell me how you feel."

She smiled and drew a long breath. "I don't know how it is. Everything
is right peaceful and sweet outside--the sky and the hills and all the
birds--even the wind is still in the trees, like everything was waiting
for something good to happen."

"In your heart it is sweet and peaceful, too, and waiting for something
good to happen?"

"Yes, David."

"God forgive me if ever I fail you," he said, drawing her down to him.
"God make me worthy of you."

Then the bishop entered, and the little procession followed, and
gathered about while the solemn words of the service were uttered.
Cassandra knelt at David's side, as together they partook of the bread
and wine, and with the worn circlet of gold which had been tied to her
father's little Greek books, they were pronounced man and wife. Then,
rising from her knees, she bent and kissed David, the long first kiss o