bought Miriam's wedding gift some time ago. I really think this little
trip will benefit me, though the very idea of attending a wedding gives
me the horrors. Still Miriam is one of my adopted children. I hope David
can come. I am anxious to talk with him. Strange that he can find out
nothing about Tom."

Roused from the listless apathy which had so persistently preyed upon
her, Mrs. Gray rattled on with a new and surprising cheerfulness which
delighted Grace. Perhaps this was another link in the invisible chain.
The sudden upheaval of Miriam's plans for a magnificent wedding had at
least benefited one person. Then, too, they would perhaps see David and
learn more definitely of the territory which Tom had invaded to his
sorrow.

Waiting only long enough to see Mrs. Gray deep in her preparations for
the coming journey, Grace hurried home to don a traveling gown, say a
fond farewell to her mother and leave a loving good-bye message for her
father. A telephone call left with her mother for her during her absence
informed her that Nora had heard from Miriam, too. She and Hippy would
take the evening train for New York.

"We are rallying to Miriam's standard," Grace declared with a flash of
her former enthusiasm, when her mother had repeated Nora's message. "If
Jessica and Reddy can manage the trip, then--" She stopped, the smile
faded from her face. She had been about to say that the Eight Originals
would all be there. Turning abruptly she walked from the living-room,
the sentence unfinished. For a brief instant she had forgotten that
unless the unknown suddenly yielded up its prey, one loved face would be
missing from the Eight Originals.

CHAPTER XVI

J. ELFREDA'S MASTER STROKE

As the twilight of a perfect September day deepened into purple night, a
little company of persons crossed the threshold of the quaint Little
Church Around the Corner. Though few in number it was a gathering
strongly fortified by warm affection. The several passers-by who chanced
to see this small procession enter the unpretentious sanctuary had no
difficulty in divining their purpose or singling out the chief
participants in the affair. The face of the beautiful, dark-eyed girl,
gowned in a smart tailored coat suit of brown, wore the shy radiance of
a bride. The tall, distinguished-looking man who accompanied her was
easily identified as the happy party of the second part.

Though destiny had taken an unexpected hand in Miriam Nes