"CAN YOU PERFORM THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY AT ONCE, REVEREND SIR ?" It was the hour of eleven by the village clock.

Eleven sounded from the old clock on the mantel.

The fire burned low in the grate of Rev.Dr.
Warner's study.

The air was growing chill in the room.

Still, the old pastor, who had looked after the village flock for nearly half a century, heeded neither the time nor the chill, he was so intent upon the sermon he was writing for the morrow.
He had scarcely concluded the last line ere he heard a well-known tap upon the door.
He smiled as he arose from his chair, crossed the room and flung open the door.
He knew well whom he should find standing there, old Adam, the village sexton and grave digger, who always stopped when he saw a light in the study window.
"Come in, Adam," said the reverend gentleman; "come up to the fire and warm yourself; it's a wild night to be about.