"seeing I am already some ten or a dozen years older than you were at
the time of your first marriage, Raymond."

"Yet by no means too old to hope yet to become in the near future a
happy husband and father. I am at a loss to understand why you have not
found a mate before this."

"Ah, none so blind as those that won't see!" returned Keith with a
slight laugh; then changed the subject of conversation by asking a
question in regard to the plans of the young couple expecting to be
united on the morrow.

Captain Raymond answered the query. A moment's silence followed; then
Keith, turning to Dick, said: "I presume you and I are of about the same
age, doctor?"

"Quite likely; and confirmed bachelors, both of us, it would seem," was
the nonchalant rejoinder. "I am some years older than Cousin Vi."

"Not too old for reformation, however," remarked Captain Raymond
pleasantly. "And let me assure you that a wife--such as mine, for
instance--is a very great blessing; doubling the happiness of life."

"I don't doubt it, sir," said Dick; "but such an one is not to be picked
up every day."

"No, certainly not. I have always felt myself strangely fortunate in
securing so great a treasure."

"As you well may," remarked Keith pleasantly; "yet your good fortune has