Hardly were the words out of his mouth, when Miss Arabella leaped to
her feet.

"A snake! A snake!" she yelled. "It's gone down my neck!"

With much difficulty the men soothed her excitement, telling her that
there was nothing the matter. At last they induced her to enter the
auto, and soon she was being borne rapidly to her home.

Rod remained for a few seconds staring after them, while an amused
twinkle shone in his eyes.

"She thought it was a snake, ho, ho. Won't Captain Josh laugh when I
tell him that? I didn't mean any harm, though. I just wanted to do a
good turn. Guess that was something that a scout would do."

About half an hour after this incident, Parson Dan arrived home,
stabled his horse, and went into the rectory. He found Mrs. Royal in
her little sewing-room on the north side of the house, busily engaged
upon some of the Ladies' Aid work. She smiled as her husband entered.

"I was afraid you would be late, Daniel," she remarked.

"I drove hard," was the reply, "for I never like to keep a wedding
waiting. I believe that I have ten minutes to spare, so I shall take a
glance at the Marriage Service. It is so seldom we have a wedding that
I am a little rusty."

"Won't you have a cup of tea, Daniel?" his wife asked. "It might