Part 15 (2/2)

She forgot her anxiety for a few moments during the hush that attended the solemn rendering of the marriage service. She slipped clear out in front of everybody to see better, but Ernest pulled her back impatiently. When the last words were uttered and the minister extended his hand in congratulation, she slipped quietly around behind the bridal pair, to look Marian over at close range. Her brother caught sight of her.

”Come on, Chicken Little, and kiss your new sister. Why, what a solemn face!”

Marian hugged her up tight and Jane found courage to whisper, ”You haven't got anything blue on.”

Marian looked puzzled for an instant, then laughed heartily.

”Yes, I have, little sister, but don't you tell--it's a blue garter. And my handkerchief is old and borrowed from my mother. It was her wedding handkerchief--so you see it's all right. I'm glad you wished me to be just right.”

”Katy said brides wouldn't be happy if they didn't,” explained the child.

”And you wanted me to be happy--bless your heart! I'm going to be the happiest girl in the world and I'm going to love my little new sister very dearly.”

The child's heart was rather divided for the remainder of the evening between the desire to stay close to the new sister, and her allegiance to Alice. A glimpse of the latter standing off by herself near a window, decided her. With her usual impetuous movement she made a dash in her direction, b.u.mping smartly into a tall young man who chanced to be in the way.

Mr. Richard Harding looked down at her with a smile.

”h.e.l.lo, small craft, where are you heading for at such speed?”

Chicken Little returned the smile, rubbing her cheek where it had grazed against his coat b.u.t.ton.

”I was just a going to Alice.”

”Alice, eh?--You are Frank Morton's little sister aren't you?”

Jane nodded.

”I'm Chicken Little.”

”I see, well, Chicken Little, you'll have hard work getting through this crowd--let me help you. Where is Alice?”

Chicken Little pointed.

Alice's simple white swiss dress was outlined very distinctly against a dark red curtain. She looked very lovely as Mr. Harding immediately observed. Her dark hair was coiled low on her neck with two long curls hanging down over one shoulder. Her gray eyes were sweet and wistful as she watched the gay company in which she had so little part. She had tucked a spray of red berries in her hair and another was fastened at her throat with a handsome old cameo brooch.

”So that is Alice. Well, I think I should like to go to Alice myself.

Suppose you take me over and introduce me. I'm d.i.c.k Harding.”

The introduction was adequate if not conventional. One of Chicken Little's hands was slipped confidingly into d.i.c.k Harding's by this time, and she promptly tucked the other into Alice's when she reached her.

This brought the two very close together indeed and made them laugh.

”Here, Chicken Little, what about that introduction?”

Jane glanced from one face to the other with shy embarra.s.sment.

”This is Alice,” she said, looking up at d.i.c.k Harding, ”and this is d.i.c.k Harding, Alice.”

”I am delighted to meet you, Miss Alice,” d.i.c.k said, smiling again.

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