"A man with a raft of wives, first and last, is like a fellow with good luck--the Lord never gives him anything else.

And I may say in point of fact, that the man with no wife is like a man with bad luck--the Lord never gives him anything else, either!" The colonel slapped his right hand on his knee and exclaimed: "Watts McHurdie--what's the matter with you, man?
Don't you see Nellie's all ready and waitin'-- just fairly honin', and longin', I may say, for a home and a place to begin to live ?" McHurdie gave his treadle a jam and swayed forward over his work and answered, "Marry in haste--repent at leisure." But nevertheless that night Watts sat with Nellie Logan on the front porch of the Wards' house, watching the rising harvest moon, while Mrs.Ward, inside, was singing to her baby.

Nellie Logan roomed with the Wards, and was bookkeeper in Dorman's store.

It was nearly ten o'clock and the man rose to go.

"Well," he said, and hesitated a moment, "well, Nellie, I suppose you're still waiting ?" It was a question rather than an assertion.
The woman put her hands gently on the man's arms and sighed.