Dic"s faculties again began to wane, and he did not answer at once.
"The answer is, "I do," you stupid," cried Billy, and Dic said, "I do."
"Do you, Rita Fisher Bays,--Margarita Fisher Bays,--take this man whom you hold by the right hand to be your husband?"
Rita"s faculties were in perfect condition and very alert, so she answered quickly, "I do."
"Then," continued our worthy justice of the peace, "by virtue of authority vested in me by the laws of the state of Indiana, I p.r.o.nounce you husband and wife. I kiss the bride."
After kissing Rita, and shaking hands with Dic and Mrs. Bright, Billy hurried out through the door, and the new-made husband and wife watched him as he mounted and rode away. He was singing--not humming, but singing--at his topmost pitch, "Maxwelton"s braes are bonny, where early falls the dew." He had never before been known to complete the stanza.
His voice could be heard after he had pa.s.sed out of sight into the forest, and just as the sun peeped from the east, turning the frost dust to glittering diamonds and the snow-clad forest to a paradise in white, the song lost itself among the trees, and Dic, closing the door, led Rita to his hearth log.