--I may as well call you so, for
when my friend says he'll do a thing he does it,--I congratulate you.
I think you are well out of your troubles. Since you are to marry my
old friend, we must be friends, too," and he shook her heartily by the
hand.

His words and manner were another ray of light--a welcome rift in the
black pall that had gathered round her.

"You were the first friend I found, sir, after--what happened," she
said gratefully.

"Well, you've found another and a better one; and he'll always be just
the same. Any woman might be glad--"

"Come, Tom, no more of that. I'm a plain old farmer that does what he
agrees, and that's all there is about it. I've told Alida just what I
wished and could do--"

"I should hope so," interrupted Watterly, laughing. "You've taken time
enough, certainly, and I guess you've talked more than you have before
in a year."

"Yes, I know I'm almost as bad as an oyster about talking except when
I'm with you. Somehow we've always had a good deal to say to each
other. In this case, I felt that it was due to Alida that she should
know all about me and understand fully just how I felt concerning this
marriage. The very fact that she hasn't friends to advise her made it
all the more needful that I should be plain and not mislead her in any
respect.--She has just as good a right to judge and act for herself as
any woman in the land, and she takes me, and I take her, with no
sentimental lies to start with. Now let's get back to business. I
rather think, since Harkins was an old acquaintance of mine, he'll come
up here and marry us, don't you? Alida, wouldn't you rather be married
here quietly than face a lot of strangers? You can have your own way,
I don't care now if half the town was present."

"Oh, yes, indeed, sir! I don't want to meet strangers--and--and--I'm
not very strong yet. I thank you for considering my feelings so
kindly."

"Why, that's my duty," replied the farmer. "Come, Watterly, the sun is
getting low, and we've considerable to do yet before we start home."

"I'm with you. Now, Alida, you go back quietly and act as if nothing
had happened till I send for you. Of course this impatient young groom
will hurry back with the justice as fast as possible. Still, we may
not find him, or he may be so busy that we shall have to come back for
you and take you to his office."

As she turned to leave the room, Holcroft gave her his hand and said
kindly, "No