love her, and our world will fall at her feet!"

"But who is she? You must remember that love is very blind. Tryon, you
must come home at once. I shall die if you disgrace us all. Don't do
anything to spoil our lives. I know it is something dreadful, or you would
not do it in such haste."

"Nothing of the kind, Mother. Can't you trust me? Let me explain. She is
alone, and legal circumstances which it would take too long for me to
explain over the 'phone have made it desirable for her to have my
immediate protection. We are going at once to Edwin Twinell's church, and
he will marry us. It is all arranged, but I felt that you ought to be told
beforehand. We shall probably take the night express for home. Tell
Cornelia that I shall expect congratulations telegraphed to the hotel here
inside of two hours."

"But, Tryon, what will our friends think? It is most extraordinary! How
can you manage about announcements?"

"Bother the red tape, Mother! What difference does that make? Put it in
the society column if you want to."

"But, Tryon, we do not want to be conspicuous!"

"Well, Mother, I'm not going to put off my wedding at the last minute for
a matter of some bits of pasteboard. I'll do any reasonable thing to
please you, but not that."

"Couldn't you get a chaperon for her, and bring her on to me? Then we
could plan the wedding at our leisure."