Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 134: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

604 ‘“ But there isn’t time for that,” said Garry. ‘“ And besides—the way you do it doesn’t matter so much, does it? It’s get- ting married that’s important!” “Of course,” said Katherine, smiling. Their eyes met in a long, long look. ‘““ Have you got a ring that you can use?” asked Joan. “Yes,” answered Garry, holding it out. “This one that I wear.” It was a star sapphire, set very simply in a heavy band of platinum and gold—a ring that his mother had given him years before, and that possessed tender associations for him. Katherine knew this, and her eyes filled. “You can get a regular wedding ring afterward, of course,” said Joan. But Katherine shook her head. “No, I shall wear this one always,” she said. They crossed in the ferry to the Jersey side, Joan and Fielding leaving the lovers alone during the crossing. And, cuddled against him in the dimness of the taxi, Katherine said to Garry: “They have been very good to us, you know. I wish we could do something for them!” ‘“ Maybe we can,” he reflected. would you like to do?” ‘‘ Anything that would make them hap- py,” said Katherine. “Id like them—lI’d like every one to be as happy as I am to- night!” “Hush,” he said, drawing her close. “Tm trying to think about Fielding and Joan.” And when they came back again, as the beat neared the Jersey shore, Garry said: ‘Listen, you two! I’ve got a suggestion to make! Why not make it a double wed- ding?” “You mean ws?” asked Joan, with a glance toward Fielding. “Yes. He adores you. And you need him. Why don’t you take a fresh start— you two—and try it out together—helping each other?” Fielding drew a long breath. _“ She deserves a better man than I am,” said he huskily. “What ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. “No, no! J’m not the kind of girl men marry! You know I’m not!” said Joan. ‘* Personally,” said Garry, “I think you would make a go of it together. And Kath- erine and I would like to see you try it! We'd be glad to lend a hand, too.” Fielding and Joan looked at each other, while the other two held their breath, and suddenly—instinctively—they kissed. And then both girls cried a little over this turn of affairs. All in all, it was rather an ex- citing and unexpected sort of night. The Rev. Mr. Tilldon was asleep when the taxicab finally drove up to his front door, and it took quite a good deal of push- ing on the front-door button before he was induced to wake up and come down. But he appeared in time, with a coat over his nightgown, and listened with surprising good humor to the wedding plans outlined to him. He was, in fact, one of those amaz- ing people who can wake out of a sound sleep without being in the least cross or irritable; and his stout wife, whom he roused out when he hurried upstairs for a more complete and clerical attire, proved to be no less cheery and even more approv- ing. She busied herself cooking ham and eggs and making coffee while the two wed- dings were in progress, so that a wedding breakfast awaited them when the knots were finally tied. They .were married in the quaint old- fashioned drawing-room—just standing op- posite the Rev. Mr. Tilldon and facing him simply — Katherine and Garry first, with Joan and Fielding as witnesses—then Joan and Fielding, with Katherine and Garry signing their married names for the first time to Joan’s certificate. And as Garry took his wife into his arms and kissed her for the first time, there was no trace of regret or misgiving in his heart —only a great happiness. He always liked to remember that afterward. They had had no time to think of a wed- ding breakfast, but it was ready for them when they were ready for it; all set out on a snowy covered table in Mrs. Tilldon’s dining room. Ham and eggs, and crisp buttered toast, and home-made jams and jellies, and delicious coffee with thick cream to go into it. EOPMIE OOOKS COM Sea SS US ee