“And in the morning we went up to the great house and into the big parlor, and Fanny Montrose came in, as I had said she should, very white and not looking at me.  And the child ran to her, and I watched Fanny Montrose catch her up to her breast, and I sobbed.  And she looked at me, and saw it.  So I said: 

“’It’s because now I know you love the child and that you’ll be kind to her.’

“Then she fell down before me and tried to take my hand.  But I stepped back and said: 

“’I’ve made you an honest woman, Fanny Montrose, and now as long as I live I’m going to see you do nothing to disgrace my child.’

“And I went out and took the train back.  And Mr. Gilday was at the station there waiting for me, and he took my arm, without a word, and led me to his carriage and drove up without speaking.  And when we got to the house, he got out, and took off his hat and made me a bow and said:  ‘I’m proud to know you, Larry Moore.’”

MY WIFE’S WEDDING PRESENTS

I

I don’t believe in wedding functions.  I don’t believe in honeymoons and particularly I abominate the inhuman custom of giving wedding presents.  And this is why: 

Clara was the fifth poor daughter of a rich man.  I was respectably poor but artistic.  We had looked forward to marriage as a time when two persons chose a home and garnished it with furnishings of their own choice, happy in the daily contact with beautiful things.  We had often discussed our future home.  We knew just the pictures that must hang on the walls, the tone of the rugs that should lie on the floors, the style of the furniture that should stand in the rooms, the pattern of the silver that should adorn our table.  Our ideas were clear and positive.

Unfortunately Clara had eight rich relatives who approved of me and I had three maiden aunts, two of whom were in precarious health and must not be financially offended.

I am rather an imperious man, with theories that a woman is happiest when she finds a master; but when the details of the wedding came up for decision I was astounded to find myself not only flouted but actually forced to humiliating surrender.  Since then I have learned that my own case was not glaringly exceptional.  At the time, however, I was nonplused and rather disturbed in my dreams of the future.  I had decided on a house wedding with but the family and a few intimate friends to be present at my happiness.  After Clara had done me the honor to consult me, several thousand cards were sent out for the ceremony at the church and an addition was begun on the front veranda.

Clara herself led me to the library and analyzed the situation to me, in the profoundest manner.

“You dear, old, impracticable goose,” she said with the wisdom of just twenty, “what do you know about such things?  How much do you suppose it will cost us to furnish a house the way we want?”