第92章

Dorinda was there, garbed in rustling black alpaca, her Sunday gown for ten years at least, and made over and "turned" four or five times.Lute was on deck, cutaway coat, "high water" trousers and purple tie, grand to look upon, Alvin Baker and Elnathan Mullet and Alonzo Black and Thoph Newcomb and Zeb Kendrick were, as the Item would say, "among those present" and if Zeb's black cutaway smelled slightly of fish it was, at least, a change from the pervading "May Lilac."Captain Jed strutted pompously about, monarch of the day.He greeted me genially.

"Hello, Ros!" he said."You out here? Thought you'd be busy overhaulin' George's runnin' riggin' and makin' sure he was all ready to heave alongside the parson.""I have been," I answered."I am on my way back there now.""All right, all right.Matildy give me fits for not stayin'

upstairs until the startin' gun was fired, but I told her that, between her with her eyes full of tears and Olindy Cahoon with her mouth full of pins, 'twas no place for a male man.So I cleared out till everything was shipshape.Say, Ros," he laid his hand on my shoulder and bent to whisper in my ear: "Say, Ros," he said, "I'm glad to see you're takin' my advice.""Taking your advice?" I repeated, puzzled.

"Yes; about not playin' with fire, you know.I ain't heard of you and the Princess cruisin' together for the past week.Thought 'twas best not to be too familiar with the R'yal family, didn't you? That's right, that's right.We can't take chances.We've got Denboro and the Shore Lane to think about, ain't we?"I did not answer.I did not risk looking him in the face.

"She's liable to be here most any time, I cal'late," he went on.

"Nellie would insist on invitin' her.And I must say that, to be honest, the present she sent is the finest that's come aboard yet.

The only thing I've got against her is her bad judgment in pickin'

a father.If 'twan't for that I--hello! Who--Why, I believe--"There was a commotion among the guests and heads were turned toward the door.The captain started forward.I started back.She had entered the room and was standing there, looking about her with smiling interest.I had forgotten that, considering her friendship with Nellie, she was certain to be invited.

She was dressed in a simple, but wonderful, white gown and wore a bunch of lilies of the valley at her bosom.The doorway was decorated with sprays of honeysuckle and green boughs and against this background she made a picture that brought admiring whispers from the people near me.She did not notice me at first and Ithink I should have escaped by the side door if it had not been for Sim Eldredge.Simeon was just behind me and he darted forward with outstretched hand.

"Why, how d'ye do, Miss Colton!" exclaimed Sim."You're just in time, ain't ye! Let me get you a chair.Alvin," to Mr.Baker, who, perspiring beneath the unaccustomed dignity of a starched shirt front, occupied a front seat, "get up and let Miss Colton set down."She looked in Sim's direction and saw me, standing beside him.Ihad no opportunity to avoid her look now, as I had done when we met in the street.She saw me and I could not turn away.I bowed.

She did not acknowledge the bow.She looked calmly past me, through me.I saw, or fancied that I saw, astonishment on the faces of those watching us.Captain Jed stepped forward to greet her and I went into the adjoining room, where George was anxiously awaiting me.

"Good land, Ros!" he exclaimed, with a sigh of relief, "I was beginning to be afraid you'd skipped out and left me to go through it all alone.Say something to brace me up, won't you; I'm scared to death.Say," with a wondering glance at my face, "what's struck YOU? You look more upset than I feel."I believe I ordered him not to be an idiot.I know I did not "brace him up" to any extent.

It was a very pretty wedding.At least every one said it was, although they say the same of all weddings, I am told.Personally I was very glad when it was over.Nellie whispered in my ear as Ioffered her my congratulations, "We owe it all to you, Roscoe."George said nothing, but the look he gave me as he wrung my hand was significant.For a moment I forgot myself, forgot to be envious of those to whom the door for happiness was not shut.

After all I had opened the door for these two, and that was something.

I walked as far as the corner with Lute and Dorinda.Dorinda's eyes were red and her husband commented upon it.

"I thought a weddin' was supposed to be a joyful sort of thing," he said, disgustedly."It's usually cal'lated to be.Yet you and the rest of the women folks set and cried through the whole of it.

What in time was there to cry about?"

"Oh, I don't know, Luther," replied Dorinda in, for her, an unusually tolerant tone."Perhaps it's because we've all been young once and can't forget it.""I don't forget, no more'n you do.I ain't so old that I can't remember that fur back, I hope.But it don't make me feel like cryin'.""Well, all right.We won't argue about it.Let's be pleasant as we can, for once."Now that is where Lute should have taken the hint and remained silent.At least he should have changed the subject.But he was hot and uncomfortable and, I suspect, his Sunday shoes were tight.

He persisted.

"Huh!" he sniffed; "I don't see's you've given me no sensible reason for cryin'.If I recollect right you didn't cry at your own weddin'."His wife turned on him.She looked him over from head to foot.

"Didn't I?" she said, tartly."Well, maybe not.But if I'd realized what was happenin' to me, I should.""Lute," said I, as I parted from them at the corner, "I am going to the bank for a little while.Then I think I shall take a short run down the bay in the Comfort.Did you fill her tank with gasolene as I asked you to?"Lute stopped short."There!" he exclaimed, "I knew there was somethin' I forgot.I'll do it soon's ever I get home.""When you get home," observed Dorinda, firmly, "you'll wash that henhouse window.""Now, Dorinda, if that ain't just like you! Don't you hear Roscoe askin' me about that gas? I've had that gas in my head ever since yesterday.""Um-hm," wearily."Well, I shouldn't think a little extry more or less would make much difference.Never mind, don't waste any more on me.Get the gas out of your head, if Roscoe wants you to.You can wash the window afterward."Lute's parting words were that he would fill that tank the very first thing.If he had--but there! he didn't.