The state herald., 1913-08-01

1t wasn't so bad as all that"
Aleck stiffened up. who said any
thing about its being bad! You'd bet
ter get some toys to wear at the we'd
ding. I'm going to need these clothes
myself"
1t turned out. actually enough. that
the wedding was to come of on GER
tain Wednesday In September.
Would you like New York and q
bishop and a big church better than
the old red house and the Charles
port minister" Aleck anxiously asked
Of Melanie.
oh, no." she protested; and Aleck
knew she was sincere. So they pre-
pared to terminate their holidays by
celebrating the wedding In the pine
grove. Melanie spent the intervening
days happily with Agatha, or walk.
ing with Aleck. or with the delightful
group that foregathered in Parson
Thayer's library. Jimmy made ex'
travagant and highly colored verses
to the bride-to-be. to Sallie Kingsbury,
and even to himself. His feet were
often lame. but he solemnly assured
the company that It was entirely due
to circumstances over which he had
no control. A wedding was a wedding.
said he. and should have its bard;
also its dancers and its minstrels.
We'll have all our friends in Ilion.
anyway" said Aleck. They counted
up the list Besides the occupants OF
the house and those from the Hillside.
there would be Doctor Thayer. Susan
Stoddard and Angie, Big and Little
Simon. and the lawyer.
And they're all going to dance
with the BRIDE" announced Jim.
After me. I'm frst choice"
"A dance led. SO to speak. by the
elusive Monsieur Chatelard?"
The name alone made Jimmy
wroth. Its dance for which he will
pay the fiddler yeti" he prophesied.
"Oh. he's gone this time. Scared
out Of the country for keeps!" was
Alexis expressed opinion. But that
It might or might not be %. was what
they all secretly thought.
The day before the wedding was .
Jewel Of day. such as New England
at her best can fling into the lap Of
early autumn. A wind from the sea.
fiocks OF white clouds scudding across
the sapphire sky. and sun all kind.
ness-such was the day. 1t was never
a weather breeder either: but
steady. promising good for the NOR
row.
Many times during the week James
and Chamberlain and Agstha had
their heads together. planning sur
prises for the bridal pair. The result
was that on Tuesday Jim and Cham
beriain borrowed the white motor-car.
loaded II down with large variety Of
Junk. such a. food from 6allie's kitch.
en-. flowers and 70 on. and started for
Charlesport. They ran down to the
wharf. transferred their loot to the
rcwboat. and pulled out to the Sea
Gull. swinging At her mooring In deep
water.
A half-hour OF work. and the yacht
was dressed for festival. There were
strings OF nass to stretch from bow to
masthead and to stern: pcnnnnts for
topmasts; tho Stars and Stripes In
beautiful silk for n standard. and a
gorgeous banner with nn embroidered
A and NJ intertwinod. for special oc-
canionn. Flowers were placed In the
cabins. and food In the lockers. The
scnmcn had been aboard. mnde the
yacht clean and shipshapc as war
vessel on parade. and had got per.
mission to leave for their last night
nshorc. Everything was In readiness.
even To tho laying OF the nrc In the
engine hold.
The bride and groom were to come
aboard tho next day about noon and
cruise down the eonst icisureiy. aa
weather permitted. Hand. In charge
OF tho whito motorcar. with Madame
Reynier, Chamberlain. Agatha and
Jimmy. were to start for New York.
touring as long M their inclination
instcd. Tho sophisticated Lizzie was
10 travel 20 what was. for her. tho
center OF tho universe. by the fnstcat
Pullman.
Jimmy and Chamberlain. on the
way homo from their visit TO the Sea
Gull. came very near being conn.
dental.
II want To say. Mr.. Hambieton. that
I shall never forgive myself for bang
ling that chatelard business"
"An I understand the matter. Il
want your bungling. but tho shor
iff'n."
ITS all the same." conceded Mr.
Chamberlain mournfuiiy. "And In my
opinion. tho rrenohmnn's not done
with his tricks yet He's dangerous
character. Mr.. Hamblaton."
Jim laughed. remembering certain
incidents on the Jeanne Dare.
DO you know" Chamberlain con
tlnued. "f'm convinced the bloomln'
berpaf In btdina about hero Houas