Butler.
"Pooh, you're a goose!" nodded back this good woman. But a slow smile
stole over her face as she said the words.
The moments flew on. The organist took his place at the organ, the choir
boys filed into their places.
At the end of the church the bride's-maids looked nervously around. Had
any one listened very attentively they might have heard Matty Bell's
titter.
A thrill went through the waiting crowds. The bridegroom had appeared;
he was accompanied by a strange youth, a young officer from his
regiment. He walked slowly up the church, and took his place before the
altar.
Bertram looked so handsome at this moment, so pale, so dignified, that
every woman in the church fell in love with him. Miss Peters sighed
audibly, and even shed a tear for the memory of that Sam, who had never
proposed for her, but had been attentive, and had died thirty years ago.
Matty Bell felt quite a little tumult in her heart. No, no, whatever her
mother might say her Bayard was not like Beatrice's Bayard. She did not
even want to look at her Gusty this moment.
Bertram stood before the altar and waited.
_The bride!_
There was a little buzz through the church. All the occupants of the
pews rose; all heads were turned towards the door. In the excitement of
the moment the Beatricites clasped the Hartites by the hands, Mrs.
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