The Cricket Part 65

"Trust me," he said.

Isabelle went and stood in front of her mother.

"Well?" said Isabelle.

"I think you ought to kiss me, don't you?"

She did.

"It is ridiculous for you to be engaged before you're out," remarked Mrs. Bryce.

"Max, I never intended to come out. I made up my mind about that long ago."

Max shrugged her shoulders and held out a hand to Larry.

"I'm glad we are going to have such a handsome person in the family,"

she said.

He bowed over the hand.

"Ye're remindin' me that 'handsome is as handsome does.' I invite ye to watch me."

She laughed.

"Don't talk any nonsense about getting married, for this child is only eighteen."

"I'm expectin' my orders any day," he said, turning to the girl.

"To go back--there?" she cried.

He nodded. She went to stand in the circle of his arm.

"Max, when Larry goes, I go with him, if it is to-morrow," she said--quietly, firmly.

No more was said about it at that time, but it was an issue that had to be faced very shortly. Two halcyon weeks followed for the lovers, and then for Larry a summons came. He brought the news to her one afternoon.

When he came into the room she knew. She went into his arms with a little cry--

"Dearest, when?"

He held her close for a moment.

"I must sail on Sat.u.r.day, belovedest."

He felt the s.h.i.+ver that went through her, but she made no protest.

"I can be ready," she said.

"Little love, I've been thinkin', maybe ye'd better not go. Maybe ye'd better stay here and wait for me."

"I'll wait for you, just as close to those dreadful trenches as they'll let me come!" she said, fiercely.

She summoned the family and told them the news. She wished to be married on the morrow and sail with her boy on Sat.u.r.day.

"But you've got no clothes!" protested Max.

"We'll be married to-morrow at five, Max; here or in a church, whichever you say."

"Here, of course," said Wally.

"We don't want any fuss, or people, or excitement. I will pack to-night so that Larry and I may have the whole day free to-morrow," said Isabelle, with a quiet authority that silenced them all.

For once Max let her have it her own way. She had always dreamed of Isabelle's wedding as a big fas.h.i.+onable event. It was like her daughter to do it this way. She actually went off for the entire day with her lover, coming back only in time to dress.

There were no guests except Miss Watts and Martin Christiansen. Major O'Dell, whose orders took him back on the s.h.i.+p with them, acted as best man for Larry. Just as she was hurrying downstairs, Isabelle met Wally, waiting for her. He slipped a box into her hand and said brokenly:

"Little secret between us, Isabelle. I know you're going to be happy with this chap, but I'm frightened,--it's all such a gamble!"

She put her arms about him and kissed him tenderly. He felt that she had grown into a woman over night.

"It's all right, dear. I'm not frightened. I'm sure!"

"Lord, but I'll miss you!"

"Dear old Wally--dear old Wally!" she said very close to tears.

It was a simple brief ceremony, this wedding. They were all a little solemn with the thought of what this world in dissolution might hold for these radiant young lovers. Larry O'Leary's face was something to remember, when Isabelle plighted him her troth, and there was a sudden womanly dignity in Isabelle's bearing that made the eyes smart.

But later, at the wedding supper, no one could resist the boyish happiness of Larry. He swept them all into his joyousness, and when the time came for their farewells, there were no tears, only good wishes and high hopes.

In the motor car on the way to the hotel, Larry's arm held Isabelle close.

"Wee wife," he said, softly; "wee wife."

There was no need of words, their happiness was folded round them like a cloak. They dined in their sitting room, as merry as larks.

"Happy, darlin'?" he asked her.

"I suppose that's what you call it! I've got a whole new world, Larry.

That's your wedding gift to me!"

He kissed her hair and went into the other room for a second. When he came back he held something behind him.

"Heart of me," said he, "I've a confession!"

"Larry!"

"It's only luck that you're here to-night."