Mr.Lilburn and Annis, Captain Raymond and Violet were there, too, and some others of the married people, among them Mr.Horace Dinsmore, Jr., of The Oaks, and his wife, as Dick and Maud came up the steps together.

He led her directly to his uncle.
"We have come for your blessing, sir, Cousin Maud and I," he said in clear, distinct tones.

"Will you give her to me?
She is willing that you should, and I promise to do all in my power to provide for her and make her happy." "Why, children, this is a surprise--but a pleasant one," exclaimed Mr.
Dinsmore.

"Yes, I give you my blessing and wish you many happy years together." Then the others crowded about with exclamations of surprise and pleasure, congratulations, good wishes, and questions.

"How long had they been lovers ?" "Did they expect to marry very soon ?" "Yes, almost immediately," Dick answered to that last.