Lavender and Old Lace

"Now Ruth," said Aunt Jane, "you can go after the minister. My first

choice is Methodis', after that Baptis' and then Presbyterian. I will

entertain James durin' your absence."

Ruth was longing for fresh air and gladly undertook the delicate

mission. Before she was half way down the hill, she met Winfield, who

had come on the afternoon train.

"You're just in time to see a wedding," she said, when the first

raptures had subsided.

"Whose wedding, sweetheart? Ours?"

"Far from it," answered Ruth, laughing. "Come with me and I'll explain."

She gave him a vivid description of the events that had transpired

during his absence, and had invited him to the wedding before it

occurred to her that Aunt Jane might not be pleased. "I may be obliged

to recall my invitation," she said seriously, "I'll have to ask Aunty

about it. She may not want you."

"That doesn't make any difference," announced Winfield, in high spirits,

"I'm agoin' to the wedding and I'm a-goin' to kiss the bride, if you'll

let me."

Ruth smothered a laugh. "You may, if you want to, and I won't be

jealous. Isn't that sweet of me?"

"You're always sweet, dear. Is this the abode of the parson?"

The Methodist minister was at home, but his wife was not, and Ruth

determined to take Winfield in her place. The clergyman said that he

would come immediately, and, as the lovers loitered up the hill, they

arrived at the same time.

Winfield was presented to the bridal couple, but there was no time for

conversation, since Aunt Jane was in a hurry. After the brief ceremony

was over, Ruth said wickedly: "Aunty, on the way to the minister's, Mr. Winfield told me he was going

to kiss the bride. I hope you don't mind?"

Winfield looked unutterable things at Ruth, but nobly fulfilled the

obligation. Uncle James beamed upon Ruth in a way which indicated that

an attractive idea lay behind it, and Winfield created a diversion by

tipping over a vase of flowers. "He shan't," he whispered to Ruth, "I'll

be darned if he shall!"

"Ruth," said Aunt Jane, after a close scrutiny of Winfield, "if you'

relayin' out to marry that awkward creeter, what ain't accustomed to

a parlour, you'd better do it now, while him and the minister are both

here."

Winfield was willing, but Ruth said that one wedding at a time was

enough in any family, and the minister, pledged to secrecy, took his

departure. The bride cut the wedding cake and each solemnly ate a piece

of it. It was a sacrament, rather than a festivity.

When the silence became oppressive, Ruth suggested a walk.

"You will set here, Niece Ruth," remarked Aunt Jane, "until I have

changed my dress."

Uncle James sighed softly, as she went upstairs. "Well," he said,

"I'm merried now, hard and fast, and there ain't no help for it, world

without end."