"Yes, yes, I see now," said Harkins. "I"ll read just what you say and no more."
"And I"ll have a little spread that we can be longer at than the ceremony," added Watterly, who was inclined to be a little hilarious over the affair.
Holcroft, however, maintained his grave manner, and when they reached the almshouse he took Watterly aside and said, "See here, Tom, you"ve been a good friend today and seconded me in everything. Now let the affair pa.s.s off just as quietly and seriously as possible. She"s too cast down for a gay wedding. Suppose we had a daughter who"d been through such an experience--a nice, good, modest girl. Her heart"s too sore for fun and jokes. My marrying her is much the same as pulling her out of deep water in which she was sinking."
"You"re right, Jim. I didn"t think, and one doesn"t have much cause to be so sparing of the feelings of such creatures as come here. But she"s out of the common run, and I ought to have remembered it. By jocks! You"re mighty careful about promising to love, cherish, and obey, and all that, but I guess you"ll do a sight more than many who do promise."
"Of course I"m going to be kind. That"s my duty. Give Harkins a hint.
Tell him that she"s lost her mother. He needn"t know when the old lady died, but it will kind of solemnize him."
Watterly did as requested, and Harkins, now convinced that his political interests could be furthered by careful compliance with all requirements, put on a grave, official air and was ready for business.
Alida was sent for. She was too agitated to say farewell to any of the poor creatures with whom she had been compelled to a.s.sociate--even to the few who, though scarcely sane, had manifested tenderness and affection. She had felt that she must reserve all her strength for the coming ordeal, which she both welcomed and feared inexpressibly. She knew how critical was the step she was taking and how much depended on it, yet the more she thought, the more it seemed to her as if Providence had, as by a miracle, given her a refuge. Holcroft"s businesslike view of the marriage comforted her greatly, and she asked G.o.d to give her health and strength to work faithfully for him many years.
But she had sad misgivings as she followed the messenger, for she felt so weak that she could scarcely walk. It was indeed a pallid, sorrowful, trembling bride that entered Mr. Watterly"s parlor.
Holcroft met her and taking her hand, said kindly, "Courage! It will be over in a minute."
She was so pale and agitated that the justice asked, "do you enter into this marriage freely and without compulsion of any kind?"
"Please let me sit down a moment," she faltered, and Watterly hastened to give her a chair. She fixed her eyes on Holcroft, and said anxiously, "You see, sir, how weak I am. I have been sick and--and I fear I am far from being well now. I fear you will be disappointed--that it is not right to you, and that I may not be able--"
"Alida," interrupted Holcroft gravely, "I"m not one to break my word.
Home and quiet will soon restore you. Answer the justice and tell him the exact truth."
No elixir could have brought hope and courage like that word "home."
She rose at once and said to Harkins, "I have consented to Mr.
Holcroft"s wishes with feelings of the deepest grat.i.tude."
"Very well. Join hands."
She hesitated and looked for a moment at Holcroft with strange intensity.
"It"s all right, Alida," he said with a smile. "Come!"
His perfect honesty and steadfastness of purpose stood him in good stead then, for she came at once to his side and took his hand.
Justice Harkins solemnly opened his big book and read, ""By this act of joining hands you do take each other as husband and wife. Therefore, in accordance with the law of the State of New York, I do hereby p.r.o.nounce you husband and wife." That"s all."
"I don"t think you"ll ever be sorry, Alida," said Holcroft, pressing her hand as he led her to a chair. Watterly again bustled up with congratulations, and then said, "you must all come out now to a little supper, and also remember that it was gotten up in a hurry."
The domestic stared at Alida and Holcroft, and then surmising what had taken place, was so excited that she could scarcely wait on the guests.
Holcroft, with the simple tact which genuine kindness usually suggests, was attentive to his bride, but managed, by no slight effort for him, to engage the two men in general conversation, so that Alida might have time to recover her composure. His quiet, matter-of-fact bearing was rea.s.suring in itself. A cup of strong tea and a little old currant wine, which Watterly insisted on her taking, brightened her up not a little. Indeed her weakness was now largely due to the want of nourishment suited to her feeble condition. Moreover, both nerves and mind found relief and rest in the consciousness that the decisive step had been taken. She was no longer shuddering and recoiling from a past in which each day had revealed more disheartening elements. Her face was now toward a future that promised a refuge, security, and even hope.
The quiet meal was soon over. Holcroft put a five-dollar bill in the hands of the justice, who filled in a certificate and departed, feeling that the afternoon had not been spent in vain.
"Jim," said Watterly, drawing his friend aside, "you"ll want to make some purchases. You know she"s only what she wears. How are you off for money?"
"Well, Tom, you know I didn"t expect anything of this kind when--"
"Of course I know it. Will fifty answer?"
"Yes. You"re a good friend. I"ll return it in a day or two."
"Return it when you"re a mind to. I say, Alida, I want you to take this. Jim Holcroft can"t get married and his bride not receive a present from me," and he put ten dollars in her hand.
Tears rushed to her eyes as she turned them inquiringly to Holcroft to know what she should do.
"Now see here, Tom, you"ve done too much for us already."
"Shut up, Jim Holcroft! Don"t you end the day by hurting my feelings!
It"s perfectly right and proper for me to do this. Goodby, Alida. I don"t believe you"ll ever be sorry you found your way to my hotel."
Alida took his proffered hand, but could only falter, "I--I can never forget."
Chapter XX.
Uncle Jonathan"s Impression of the Bride
"Now, Alida," said Holcroft, as they drove away, "remember that we are two middle-aged, sensible people. At least I"m middle-aged, and fairly sensible, too, I hope. You"ll need to buy some things, and I want you to get all you need. Don"t stint yourself, and you needn"t hurry so as to get tired, for we shall have moonlight and there"s no use trying to get home before dark. Is there any particular store which you"d like to go to?"
"No, sir; only I"d rather go over on the east side of the town where I"m not known."
"That suits me, for it"s the side nearest home and I AM known there."
"Perhaps--perhaps you also would rather go this evening where you are not known," she said hesitatingly.
"It makes no difference to me. In fact I know of a place where you"ll have a good choice at reasonable rates."
"I"ll go where you wish," she said quietly.
They soon entered a large shop together, and the proprietor said pleasantly, "Good evening, Mr. Holcroft."
"Good evening, Mr. Jasper. My wife wants to get some things. If you"ll be good enough to wait on her, I"ll step out to do two or three errands."
The merchant looked curiously at Alida, but was too polite to ask questions or make comments on her very simple purchases. Her old skill and training were of service now. She knew just what she absolutely needed, and bought no more.
Holcroft laid in a good stock of groceries and some juicy beef and then returned. When Mr. Jasper gave him his bill, he went to Alida, who was resting, and said in a low voice, "This won"t do at all. You can"t have bought half enough."
For the first time something like a smile flitted across her face as she replied, "It"s enough to begin with. I know."
"Really, Mr. Holcroft, I didn"t know you were married," said the merchant. "I must congratulate you."
"Well, I am. Thank you. Good night."
A few moments later he and his wife were bowling out of town toward the hills. Reaching one of these, the horses came down to a walk and Holcroft turned and said, "Are you very tired, Alida? I"m troubled about you taking this long ride. You have been so sick."