Maude had liked Harold very much, and he had liked her, but had always preferred Jerrie; in short, matters had been as good as settled between them, long ago.
This last was a little fiction of Tom's brain, but the people accepted it as true, and began to look eagerly forward to the approaching marriage, wondering, as people will, who would be invited, and who would not.

It took place the 10th of October, in Mrs.Crawford's little parlor, with only a few intimate friends present--Grace Atherton, the St.Claires, Ann Eliza Peterkin, and the Tracys, with the exception of Dolly, who could not do so great violence to her feeling, as to attend a wedding.

Billy was not there, but he sent a magnificent emerald ring to Jerrie, with the following note: DEAR JERRIE,--I can't see you married, although I am glad for you, and glad for Hal.

God bless you both.

I shall never forget you as long as I live; and when you come back, maybe I can bear to see you as Hal's wife, but now it would kill me.