By the Way of the Silverthorns (Musaicum Romance Classics). Grace Livingston Hill

clear voice so steady and so glad, “I do!”

      It seemed long while they stood there, but the minutes were over swiftly, and then they were marching down in the procession, Rae with her hand on the arm of the best man. Oh, she was glad this wasn’t a permanent thing for all of them. She was glad she didn’t have to go off tonight with the best man. He was handsome, yes, and he was a lot of fun at the table last night, but if she had to go away with him forever tonight it would break her heart.

      And how about the rest of them? Her mind traveled back along the line of the procession. Frannie and Steve Grant? Well that might be all right, but Lou McHale with Curlin, no, never! Whoever thought they ought to go together? Just because Curlin was so good-natured! And was she quite satisfied with Carey Carewe for her precious brother Link? Her heart shrank back from answering that.

      And besides she was marching down the aisle with this strange best man and ought to be smiling up into his face and being fascinating.

      Then they were out in the vestibule, hurrying down the enclosure to their cars, with so many curious eyes behind them studying how their dresses were made. My! She would have liked to be back there for a minute just to watch themselves all go by!

      Minnie Lazarelle watched, and took in every detail, and almost groaned aloud, there in the gallery. It was a lovely wedding.

      The reception room at the Hollis house was all hung with silver wires twisted about with smilax, a white carnation at the end of each wire. It was a lovely pace for the bride to stand! And how lovely all their dresses looked together! How the rainbow colors brought out the beauty of the bridal white!

      When they were seated about the bride’s table again Rae had a passing thought of the poor arrogant girl who had barged in when they were at the table the night before and spoiled things for a few minutes. Remembering her own experience with that girl she half expected to see her coming in again! Oh, that would be so horrid for Sydney to have to remember if it happened again. So worried for Link, for Link would be sure to offer to take her away if anybody had to do it, and he would be the one of course whom they would ask to help in case she came again, he had been so successful last night.

      Then how quickly it was all over, Sydney, going up the stairs in her long white gown and veil, standing at the curve and throwing down her lovely flowers, and throwing them straight at Rae, her best friend, of course.

      Rae hadn’t intended to try and get them. She felt it wasn’t quite modest to seem to be grabbing for the next chance to be married. For herself, Rae Silverthorn had no immediate desire to be married. Some day perhaps, if God willed it, but not now. And yet that bouquet came straight to her, as if with intention, and almost fell into her arms, as if the others reaching for it suddenly saw Sydney’s loving intention and drew their reaching hands back.

      When Sydney came back in her going-away garb she seemed almost a stranger; lovely yet, but already gone from them, and Rae felt a sudden desolation settle down upon her. But there was too much hurry to give way to it, for they were all going to the station to see the bridal pair off, and there were confetti and paper rose leaves, and rice, and a few old slippers to think about as they started away. More rose leaves and rice for the station. Oh, this seemed all out of keeping to Rae, after that sweetly solemn sacrament of marriage.

      And now at last the train was moving and the last good-bye was said, and they must turn back to their old life again with Sydney gone from them into a new life of her own.