“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.”

“Impossible, Mother!  In the first place, she never would consent.  Really, I cannot talk any more about it.  I must go at once, or I shall be late.  Tell me you will love her for my sake, until you love her for her own.”

“Tryon, you always were unreasonable.  Suppose you have the cards engraved at once, and I will telegraph our list to the engraver if you will give me his address.  If you prefer, you can get them engraved and sent out from there.  That will keep tongues still.”

“All right, I’ll do it.  I’ll have the engraver telegraph his address to you within two hours.  Have your list ready.  And, Mother, don’t worry.  She’s all right.  You couldn’t have chosen better yourself.  Say you will love her, Mother dear.”

“Oh, I suppose I’ll try,” sighed the wires disconsolately; “but I never thought you would be married in such a way.  Why, you haven’t even told me who she is.”

“She’s all right, Mother—­good family and all.  I really must hurry——­”

“But what is her name, Tryon?”

“Say, Mother, I really must go.  Ask Mrs. Parker Bowman what she thinks of her.  Good-by!  Cheer up, it’ll be all right.”

“But, Tryon, her name——­”

The receiver was hung up with a click, and Dunham looked at his watch nervously.  In two minutes his half-hour would be up, yet he must let Judge Blackwell know.  Perhaps he could still catch him at the office.  He sometimes stayed down-town late.  Dunham rang up the office.  The Judge was still there, and in a moment his cheery voice was heard ringing out, “Hello!”

“Hello, Judge!  Is that you?...  This is Dunham....  Chicago.  Yes, the business is all done, and I’m ready to come home, but I want to give you a bit of news.  Do you remember the young woman who dined with us at Mrs. Bowman’s and played the piano so well?...  Yes, the night I met you....  Well, you half guessed that night how it was with us, I think.  And now she is here, and we are to be married at once, before I return.  I am just about to go to the church, but I wanted your blessing first.”

“Blessings and congratulations on you both!” came in a hearty voice over the phone.  “Tell her she shall be at once taken into the firm as chief consultant on condition that she plays for me whenever I ask her.”

A great gladness entered the young man’s heart as he again hung up the receiver, at this glimpse into the bright vista of future possibilities.  He hurried into the street, forgetful of engravers.  The half-hour was up and one minute over.