e in the hedge. Agreed,
signed, sealed, and delivered in the presence of Miss Caroline Mullett
and Doctor Joseph Crimmins."

"Eh?" asked the Doctor. "What's that? I heard my name spoken, didn't I?"

"You did, Doctor, but quite respectfully," answered Eve.

"Respectfully!" grumbled the Doctor. "That's all age gets, just respect!
Thirty years ago, madam, you wouldn't have dared to respect me! I beg
your pardon, Miss Mullett; you are right, it is my first count.
Fifteen-two, fifteen-four, fifteen-six, and a pair's eight and one's
nine. And that puts me out!"

"Brute!" said Miss Mullett.

"Who won?" asked Eve.

"I, Miss Eve, but an empty victory since I have incurred this dear
lady's displeasure," replied the Doctor, arising. "I had the misfortune
to run out when she needed but one to win, an unpardonable crime in the
game of cribbage, Mr. Herrick."

"I'm not sure we wouldn't hang you for that out our way, Doctor," said
Wade, with a smile.

"Well, something ought to be done to him," grumbled Miss Mullett,
closing the cribbage box with a snap.

"Madam, leave me to the reproaches of my conscience," advised the
offender.

"Your conscience!" jeered Miss Mullett. "You haven't any. You're a
doctor."

[Illustration: "STERN IN HER ANGER, MR. HERRICK, BUT OF AN AMIABLE AND
FORGIVING DISPOSITION"]

"Mr. Herrick, let us be going, I pray.

"'From pole to pole the thunder roars aloud,
And broken lightnings flash from ev'ry cloud.'

"Besides which, sir, it is close upon ten o'clock, I see, the bed-hour
of our virtuous village. Miss Mullett, I shall pray for your
forgiveness. Miss Eve, I trust you to say a good word for me. If the
storm clears, do you hang a white handkerchief from the window there and
I, going by, will see it and be comforted." The Doctor laid a hand on
Wade's shoulder and, with a mischievous glance at Miss Mullett,
whispered hoarsely: "Stern in her anger, Mr. Herrick, but of an amiable
and forgiving disposition."

"I'll forgive you when I've had my revenge," answered Miss Mullett,
laughingly.

"Ah, the clouds break! Let us be gone, Mr. Herrick, while the sun shines
on our pathway!"

When the front door had closed Miss Mullett turned eagerly to Eve.

"Sit down, dear, and tell me! Was he nice? What did he say?"

IX.

"'When He cometh, when He cometh
To make up His jewels,
All His jewels, precious jewels,
His loved and His own.
Like the stars of the morning,
His