The Story of the Big Front Door Part 39

The interesting events were, first, the school commencements, and, the week after, Cousin Helen's wedding.

This last, which was a grand affair, took place at her country home.

The ceremony was performed on the lawn, under the big forest trees, and Bess and Louise made two charming and happy bridesmaids, quite worthy of such a lovely bride.

The ten were all invited, for Miss Hazeltine took a deep interest in the Order of the Big Front Door, and said she meant to start something of the kind in her new home. There never was such a beautiful wedding, these young people thought, and they were not alone in their opinion.

The sweet summer day, the blue sky, the trees and gra.s.s, and the gay company, all made a lasting impression on the guests.

The bride would have no formality, but moved about among her friends as if it were simply a garden party.

"Do you know what this reminds me of?" Bess asked Louise, as they sat on the gra.s.s with the other girls, waiting for the boys to bring them some ices.

"No, what?"

"Why, Lucie Carleton's wedding, to be sure; you haven't forgotten that?" They both laughed at the recollection.

"Of course I haven't. What fun it was, and how long it is since we have played 'the Carletons'!"

"What is the joke?" inquired Jim, coming back with his hands full.

"Oh, just something this wedding reminds us of," Bess replied.

"I'm reminded that there is not much more fun for me," said Ikey, in a momentary fit of despondency.

"What a long face!" laughed Dora. "Remember this is a cheerful occasion. The next thing you will be married yourself to some California girl."

"He is coming back to see us before then, aren't you, Ikey?" said Louise.

"In six years he is coming back to stay," added Carl.

"I wonder where we shall all be six years from now," said Constance, placidly eating her ice.

"Dear me, I shall be twenty; think of it!" From Bess's tone one might have inferred that this meant extreme old age.

"I expect to be married before that," remarked Elsie confidently.

"Is it possible? I wonder to whom," Aleck exclaimed with an air of great surprise.

"I am sure I don't know, for I have never seen anybody I'd marry if he begged me forever," she retorted scornfully.

"Be quiet, you two geese, and don't spoil this lovely day by quarrelling," admonished Dora.

"To change the subject, isn't Aunt Zelie a daisy?" said Carl, pointing across the lawn where she stood, looking wonderfully fair and sweet in her soft white dress, with a touch of sunlight on her hair.

"There is n.o.body in the world like her," said Dora.

"I should think not!" echoed Jim.

"She is the dearest, loveliest, most beautiful, and everything-else-you-can-think-of person that ever lived," Louise declared with emphasis.

"You haven't left much for the rest of us to say," remarked Will, "but I am sure we all agree."

There must have been some attraction about the ten pairs of eyes, for just then she turned, and seeing them smiled and threw a kiss in their direction.

The sad thing about this wedding was the parting which followed. Mr.

Arthur found himself very unpopular when at last it dawned upon her young relatives what it meant to tell Cousin Helen good-by with the certainty that, though she promised to come back often to visit, she would never live among them, their merry playfellow, again.

Aleck discovered that he was extremely fond of this sister, and felt what he considered an unmanly tightness about his throat when she kissed him. The bridesmaids were decidedly tearful, and only the thought of the other wedding in prospect restored their cheerfulness.

This last-mentioned affair took place two days later at the Cathedral.

The whole family attended, and Joanna, in blue with a white veil and wreath, with Nannie for bridesmaid, in a dress the counterpart of her own, made a blooming and happy bride. After a wedding breakfast at the Hazeltines' the couple departed, with many good wishes for their happiness, to have their pictures taken.

Aunt Zelie sat alone in the wide hall that afternoon. The door was open, and outside the sunshine sifted through the vines as the wind kept them swinging softly to and fro; it was very still, and the ticking of the tall clock had a mournful sound.

No doubt it was the reaction after the excitement of the last few weeks that made her feel so weary and sad. Unhappy thoughts seemed determined to take possession of her mind--regrets for the past and fears for the future; she could not throw off the depression.

She thought of Carl's going, and how she would miss him. Would he become weaned from the old happy home life? Had she done all she might have done to help him to good, true manhood?

She asked herself these questions sadly; in her present mood it seemed to her she had failed of what she most wished to accomplish.

These dreary thoughts so engrossed her that Jim's voice, asking, "May I come in?" caused her to start.

"Certainly," she answered, "I am glad to see you, though I warn you I am not in a very good humor."

He did not appear alarmed. "I met Carl and he said I'd probably find you here. I want to tell you something."

"I am ready to listen," she said encouragingly, but Jim seemed to find it hard to begin, and looked at the floor in a hesitating way quite unusual.

Aunt Zelie watched him, thinking that something had come into that handsome young face of late which spoke hopefully for the future.

She was very much surprised at his words.

"Mrs. Howard, I have decided not to go to college." They were resolute eyes that looked up at her.

"But I thought your uncle wished you to go--that it was all settled.

Are you sure you are doing wisely?"

His face flushed.

"I beg your pardon, dear," she said before he could reply. "I know you have a good reason. I am surprised, that is all."

"It is on Mother's account, chiefly; she needs me now that Father is so feeble. Then you know she is used to having things, and though she thinks she could get along, I should feel mean to have her scrimp and pinch at home when I am having a good time at college. I went to see Mr. Barrows to-day, and he thinks he can give me a situation. They say it is a good place for a fellow to get a start in, so I am going to be a business man."

He spoke earnestly and cheerfully, but she guessed the struggle it had cost. He was used to "having things" himself.

She laid her hand on his. "You are learning to be brave and unselfish, to help in the truest sense, and these are far more valuable lessons than any you could learn out of books. I honor you for your decision."

Aunt Zelie spoke with shining eyes.