keep my voice from trembling.”
“Did he say anything or make any motion that seemed like a protest?”
“He cleared his throat in a nervous kind of way. I had a fancy that he was afraid I was going to tell more than I did. He stirred uneasily.”
“And didn’t he speak at all?”
“Only to answer the questions that were put to him by the clerk. Of course Mr. Copeland had explained the situation to the clerk in a general way, and the questions that were put were mere form. He just assented to everything. Mr. Copeland had really made it very easy for us all.”
“Hmm!” said Aunt Pat thoughtfully and then reverted to the bridegroom.
“And Carter assented to all the questions, did he? He made it very plain that he was marrying that other girl by intention? He didn’t make any protests nor attempt any explanations?”
“Not a word.” Sherrill’s voice told how deeply that fact weighed upon her.
“Little whippersnapper!” ejaculated the old lady indignantly. “Well, it’s just what I would have expected of him! He hasn’t the backbone of a jellyfish. He was born a coward! Perhaps you can’t blame him so much. He probably had ancestors like that. Well, now, tell me, how long did you stand there?”
“I stepped away immediately after he had answered his questions and made a place for her—for the bride—to stand.”
“And did you watch Carter’s face while she was being questioned?”
“I wanted to, but just then he dropped his handkerchief. He acted very nervous, and he stooped over to pick it up. It seemed to take him a long time. He didn’t seem to want to look at me. I tried to make him. It seemed as if I must make him look at me just once so that we could get adjusted to things. Just a look from him that he was ashamed, or that he felt I had done the right thing, would have made it so much easier. I felt so unhappy and frightened!”
“I know you did, dear child. Of course! But don’t have any question but that you did the right thing. Well, who else was there? Carter and that girl and the clerk and you? Was Mr. Copeland in the room?”
“Not at all,” said Sherrill quickly. “He stood outside in the hall every minute. I’m sure of that.”
“He didn’t even step back into the room when you all came away?”
“No,” said Sherrill with assurance. “I’m positive of that, for he waited for me at the door and walked across to the middle room with me, and Carter and Arla were behind us. The clerk went ahead, down the back hall and the back stairs the way he had come. He went out of the room before any of us left it.”
“Who was in the room last?”
“Why, Carter—and his—that is—the—bride!” she finished with a quick sharp breath. “You’re sure?”
“Yes, I looked back and called to her to follow me and that I would help her get ready. Carter was just behind her. He had apparently dropped his handkerchief again and was stooping to pick it up.”
“Hmm! What did he do with it?”
“Why, I think he put it in his pocket.” “And he didn’t look up even then?”
“No.” Her voice was grave and very sad. “He seemed as if he was ashamed. He almost looked—well—frightened!”
“Probably was,” said Aunt Pat dryly, “ashamed and baffled. He had been hoping to get a lot besides a bride in marrying you. I didn’t tell you, but I came on him looking at the emeralds the morning I gave them to you. He seemed tremendously impressed with them. In fact, he looked as if he were just gloating over them. He didn’t know I saw him. He thought he was alone. But I can’t help thinking if he’d gotten them he’d have pawned them before the night was over.”
“Oh, Aunt Pat!” exclaimed Sherrill in dismay. “Why—he—really spoke very beautifully about them. He said he was so proud that I should have regal jewels. He said he only wished that he were able to give me such things but he hoped someday he could.”
“Oh yes, he could talk!” sniffed Aunt Pat. “He was mealy-mouthed. But don’t try to defend him, Sherrill. I know it hurts to have him turn out that way, but you might as well understand the truth at once and not go to getting him up on a pedestal again. Now, I’ve got to think what to do for Lutie. I like to encourage the sort