ion was about
to move, and at the last minute five girls turned up to be married to
fellows who were leaving. They came from all over, and believe me there
was some excitement. All day the General and Chaplain Haverford were
fussing about licenses, and those girls sat around and waited, and
looked droopy but sort of happy--you know what I mean.

"It was nine o'clock in the evening before everything was ready. Delight
had trimmed up the little church which is in the camp and had a flag
over the altar. Then we had a multiple wedding. Honestly! The organ
played a squeaky wedding march, and we went in, six couples. The church
was full of soldiers, and--I don't mind saying I was ready to shed
tears.

"We lined up, and Doctor Haverford married us. Delight says she is sure
we are only one-sixth married. Quiet! You never heard such quiet--except
for the General blowing his nose. I think myself he was weeping, and
there was a rumor about the camp to that effect. You know--the flag over
the altar, and all that. I tell you it made a fellow think.

"Well, I'm going over now. Quick work, isn't it? And to think that a few
months ago I was hanging around the club and generally making a mess
of life. That's all over now, thank God. I'm going to make good. Try to
buck mother up. It's pretty hard for her. It's hard for all women, just
waiting. And while I know I'm coming back, safe and sound, I'd like
to feel that you are going to keep an eye on Delight. She's the most
important thing in the world to me now."

Then scrawled in a corner he had added,

"You've been mighty fine with me always, dad. I was a good bit of a pup
last winter. If I make anything of myself at all, it will be because I
want to be like you."

Clayton sat for a long time with the letter in his hand. The happiness
and hope that fairly radiated from it cheered and warmed him. He was
nearly happy. And it came to him then that, while every man had the
right to happiness, only those achieved it who craved it for others, and
having craved it for them, at last saw the realization of their longing.

CHAPTER XLVI

Natalie had had a dull Spring. With Graham's departure for camp she
moved to the country house, carrying with her vast amounts of luggage,
the innumerable thing, large and small, which were necessary for her
comfort. The installing of herself in her new and luxurious rooms gave
her occupation for several days. She liked her new environment. She
liked