small illuminated text upon
the wall in a neat frame. It met her eye as she entered--"Rejoice and be
glad." Just a common little picture card, it was, with a phrase that has
become trite to many, yet it seemed a message to her, and her heart leaped
to obey. She went to the window to catch a glimpse of the man who would
soon be her husband, but he was not there, and the hurrying people
reminded her that she must hasten. Across the street a slouching figure in
a baggy coat looked fixedly up and caught her glance. She trembled and
drew back out of the sunshine, remembering what Dunham had told her about
the Irishman of the night before. With a quick instinct, she drew down the
shade, and locked her door.

[Illustration]




XII


The rubbered feet across the way hurried their owner into the cigar-store
in front of which he had been standing, and where he had a good view of
the Y.W.C.A. Building. He flung down some change and demanded the use of
the telephone. Then, with one eye on the opposite doorway, he called up a
number and delivered his message.

"Oi've treed me bird. She's in a room all roight at the Y.W.C.A. place,
fer I seed her at the winder. She come with a foine gintlemin, but he's
gahn now, an' she's loike to stay a spell. You'd best come at once.... All
roight. Hurry up!" He hung up the telephone-receiver and hurried back to
his post in front of the big entrance. Meanwhile the bride-elect upstairs,
with happy heart and trembling fingers, was putting on her own beautiful
garments once more, and arranging the waves of lovely hair in their old
accustomed way.

Tryon Dunham's plans were well laid. He first called up his friend the
minister and told him to be ready; then a florist not far from the church;
then a large department store where he had spent some time that morning.
"Is that Mr. Hunter, head of the fur department? Mr. Hunter, this is Mr.
Dunham. You remember our conversation this morning? Kindly send the coat
and hat I selected to the Y.W.C.A. Building at o