him into the parlor. At the same instant the preacher entered by
another door. Craig's excitement, far from diminishing, grew
wilder and wilder. The preacher thought him insane or drunk. Grant
and Margaret tried in vain to calm him. Nothing would do but the
ceremony instantly--and he had his way. Never was there a more
undignified wedding. When the responses were all said and the
marriage was a fact accomplished, so far as preacher could
accomplish it, Craig seemed suddenly to subside.

"I should like to go into the next room for a moment," said the
pallid and trembling Margaret.

"Certainly," said Doctor Scones sympathetically, and, with a
fierce scowl at the groom, he accompanied the bride from the room.

"What a mess you have made!" exclaimed Arkwright indignantly.
"You've been acting like a lunatic."

"It wasn't acting--altogether," laughed Josh, giving Grant one of
those tremendous slaps on the back. "You see, it was wise to give
her something else to think about so she couldn't possibly
hesitate or bolt. So I just gave way to my natural feelings. It's
a way I have in difficult situations."

Grant's expression as he looked at him was a mingling of
admiration, fear and scorn. "You are full of those petty tricks,"
said he.

"Why petty? Is it petty to meet the requirements of a situation?
The situation was petty--the trick had to be. Besides, I tell you,