Nellie and Grace had always been Mrs. Stanhope’s favorite nieces, and now that lady sent a set of beautifully embroidered linen, some of which had been in the Stanhope family for several generations.  And to this gift Mr. and Mrs. Laning added some cut glass dishes of the latest design.  Then came from Captain Putnam of the school which the boys had attended so many years, a revolving bookstand, and with it a box of books, each volume from some particular youth who in the past had been a cadet at Putnam Hall—­ twenty-four volumes in all, each with a name in it that brought up all sorts of memories to Tom as he read it.

“One of the nicest gifts the Old Guard could have given me!” was Tom’s comment.  “It must have been some job to get that set of books together.  Why, some of those fellows are miles and miles away!  They are scattered all over the United States.”

Many of the students at Hope had remembered Nellie, and even Miss Harrow sent her a small water-color picture.  From the boys of Brill came half a dozen presents—­ some useful and some ornamental.  Even Tom’s former enemy, Dan Baxter, who was now his friend, had not forgotten him, and sent a pair of napkin rings, suitably engraved.  Tom’s own present to his bride was a magnificent diamond brooch, which pleased Nellie immensely.

And then came the great day, full of sunshine and with a gentle breeze blowing from the West.  Tom and his family, including his father, who now felt almost as strong as ever, were located at the old Stanhope home with a number of their friends, while many of Nellie’s relatives and friends were stopping with the Lanings at their farm.  Other friends of both the young folks were located at the Cedarville Hotel.

To follow the time set by Dick and Dora, it had been decided to hold the wedding at high noon.  As before, the church was decorated with palms brought up from Ithaca.  Soon the guests began to assemble, until the little edifice was crowded to its capacity.  Captain Putnam was there in full uniform, and with him over a score of cadets.  From Brill came at least a dozen collegians led by Spud and Stanley.  Even William, Philander Tubbs was on hand, in a full-dress suit of the latest pattern, and with a big chrysanthemum in his buttonhole.  There were several bridesmaids led by Grace, while Sam was Tom’s best man.  The wedding party was preceded by, a little flower girl, and a little boy beside her who carried the wedding rings on a pillow.

Nellie was on her father’s arm, daintily attired in white charmeuse with her tulle veil trimmed in orange blossoms, and her girl friends declared that she was the prettiest bride they had ever seen.  The ceremony was a short one, and at the conclusion Tom gave his bride such a hearty smack that every one present had to smile.

“A fine wedding, don’t you know!” was William Philander Tubbs’ comment, when a number of the guests were on their way to the Laning home, in carriages and automobiles.