1
THE car took them through the deepening snow on up to the county seat,
where the license was soon made out for them. “You’re lucky to find me
here on hand tonight,” said the county clark. They expressed their
appreciation. “But I like to accommodate young folks,” he said smiling,
and shook hands with them when they left.
It was snowing more heavily all the time, and the roads were difficult,
but Judge Peabody had kept his promise, and was waiting for them when
they arrived. He greeted them with grave benevolence.
“Mr. Bangs tells me you want a very simple ceremony,” he said, and put
on his spectacles and took out a little book, turning the pages back and
forth until he found the right place.
“Do you, Felix Fay, take this woman, Rose-Ann Prentiss, to be your
wedded wife, to cherish and protect, in sickness and in health, till
death do you part?”
A promise: a strange defiance flung out by the human spirit against the
infinite vicissitudes of chance; a barrier of will against all the
hostile forces of the days and years; a renunciation of whatever may lie
outside the magic circle of our little mutual happiness, forever; a few
weak words, easily forgotten, that must be stronger than passion,
stronger than forgetfulness....
“I do,” he said.
“Do you, Rose-Ann Prentiss....”
“I do.”
“Then, by the authority of the State of Illinois, in me vested, I
pronounce you husband and wife.”
He took off his spectacles and put them in his pocket.
2
Rose-Ann and Felix looked at each other in a kind of surprise. So they
were married!
The judge was wishing them happiness. “And now,” he said, “I’ll hurry
home before the snow gets any deeper.”
Felix, a little embarrassed, and wishing he could do it less
obtrusively, gave him a crumpled bill, which the judge, without
embarrassment, smoothed out and placed in a wallet.
“Good-night!” he said, and let Phyllis help him on with his overcoat.
“Good-night!”
At the door he turned. “Oh, by the way,” he said. “Do you want a
marriage certificate?”
The question was addressed to Rose-Ann. She shook her head in a
determined negative.
“No?” he repeated absently. “Lots of people don’t, nowadays....
Good-night!”
“I suppose you know the house is yours for as long as you want it now,”
said Clive to Rose-Ann.
“Yes,” she said, “Felix just remembered to tell me a little while ago.
It’s terribly nice of you, Clive. I can’t think of a lovelier place to
be!”
“And that’s the car honking outside,” he said, “to take Phyllis home and
me to the station. I shall just catch the ten-fifteen. Efficiency!” He
gave her his hand. “I’ll leave you two strictly alone here—but I’ll
expect to come and visit you in your real home as soon as you acquire
one. May I? You’ll probably be willing by that time to see other human
beings again.”
“Of course!” she said. “And you, too, Phyllis!”
“I’m sorry,” said Phyllis. “I shan’t be here. I’m just home for the
week-end, and then I’m off to school again. I hope I _shall_ see you
again sometime. I’m sure you’re going to be very happy. Good-bye.” The
girls kissed.
“Felix,” said Clive, “doesn’t like me any more. He thinks I almost
spoiled his wedding. Good-bye, old man!”
“Well,” said Rose-Ann, when the door shut them out, “that’s over!” She
came to him and drooped within his arms. “I’m very tired. Felix, I never
want to be married again!”
“Poor dear!” he said, “it is rather awful, isn’t it?”
“Oh,” she said, lifting her head from his breast, “there’s one more
thing to do, before we can be—just us. I promised to save a piece of my
wedding cake for somebody.” She smiled. “You can’t guess who!”
“Yes, I can,” he said. “Old Granny Perk!”
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