As Julia came down the aisle, with a sudden nervous jump of her heart, she saw Jim and Richie, who was limping badly, but without his crutch, come toward her.  The old priest came down the altar steps at the same time.  She and Jim listened respectfully to a short address without hearing a word of it, and found themselves saying the familiar words without in the least sensing them.  Julia battled through the prayer with a vague idea that she was losing a valuable opportunity to invoke the blessing of God, but unable to think of anything but the fact that the bride usually walked out of church on the groom’s arm, and that St. Charles’s aisle was long and rather dismal in the waning afternoon light.

“Here, darling, in the vestry!” Jim was whispering, smiling his dear, easy, reassuring smile as he guided her to the nearby door.  And in a second they were all about her, her first kiss on the wet cheek of Aunt Sanna, the second to her mother—­“Evelyn, you were a darling to come way across the city, and Marguerite, you were a darling to bring those precious angels”—­and then the old doctor’s kiss, and Richie’s kiss, and a pressure from his big bony fingers.  Julia half knelt to embrace little Scott Marbury.  “He’s beautiful, Kennedy; no wonder you’re proud!” And she tore her beautiful bunch of roses apart, that each girl might have a few.

“I’ve got to get her to the train!” Jim protested presently, trying patiently to disengage his wife’s hands, eyes, and attention.  “Julia!  Julia Studdiford!”

“Yes, I know!” Julia laughed, and was snatched away, half laughing and half in tears, and hurried down to the side street, where a carriage was waiting.  And here there was one more delay:  Chester Cox, a thin shambling figure, came forward from a shadowy doorway, and rather timidly held out his hand.

“I couldn’t get away until jest now,” said Chester.  “But of course I wish you luck, Julia!”

“Why, it’s my uncle!” Julia said, cordially clasping his hand.  “Mr. Cox—­Doctor Studdiford.  I’m so glad you came, Chess!”

“Glad to know you, Mr. Cox,” Jim said heartily.

“And I brought you a little present; it ain’t much, but maybe you can use it!” mumbled Chester, terribly embarrassed, and with a nervous laugh handing Julia a rather large package somewhat flimsily wrapped and tied.

“Oh, thank you!” Julia said gratefully.  And before she got in the carriage she put her hand on Chester’s arm, and raised her fresh, exquisite little face for a kiss.

“Now, about this—­” Doctor Studdiford began delicately, glancing at Chester’s gift, which Julia had given him to hold.  “I wonder if it wouldn’t be wise to ask your uncle to send this to my mother’s until we get back, Ju.  You see, dear—­”

“Oh, no-no!” Julia said eagerly, leaning out of the carriage, and taking the package again.  She sent Chester a last bright smile, as Jim jumped in and slammed the door, but it was an April face that she turned a second later to her husband.