Part 46 (1/2)

wrote Songbird, ”it made a total of thirty-nine hundred returned to him, and he told me that I need not bother about the other hundred. But I paid it just the same, for I had just been fortunate enough to sell six of my poems--two to a magazine and four to a weekly paper--for one hundred and sixty dollars.

”Of course we had a grand time, and Mr. Sanderson has forgiven everything. He and Minnie think you are mighty smart fellows, and I agree with them. Minnie and I have fixed matters all up between us, and we are the happiest couple you ever saw. I don't know how to thank you enough for what you have done for me, and all I can add is, G.o.d bless you, every one!”

”Good old Songbird!” murmured Sam, as he read the communication a second time. ”I'll wager he feels a hundred per cent. better than he did.”

”And to think he sold six of his poems!” commented Tom. ”I shouldn't wonder if he thinks more of that than he does of getting the money back,” he added, somewhat drily.

On the following day came another telegram, this time from Mr. Rover, stating that the opposition of the Waltham interests in Wall Street had been suddenly withdrawn. But he added that business matters in the metropolis were becoming more and more arduous for him, and he asked when d.i.c.k expected to get back.

”I'm afraid it's getting too much for dear, old dad,” was d.i.c.k's comment, on perusing this message. ”I think the best thing I can do is to get back and help him.”

”Well, if you go back, I think I'll go back myself,” said Tom. ”Anyway, this tour seems to have come to a standstill, with so much rain.”

”I'm willing to go back if you fellows say so,” put in Sam.

”I'll wager he and Grace want to get ready for their wedding,” remarked Tom, slily.

”That's just what we do,” returned Sam, boldly. ”We're going to be married early this fall, aren't we, Grace?” and he gazed fondly at the girl, who nodded, and then turned away to hide her blushes.

But the tour did not come to an end as quickly as might have been expected. On the day following it was such fair weather that they left the Barlow farm and started once more on their trip westward. Colorado Springs was soon gained, and, pa.s.sing on to Manitou, they left the automobiles, and took the cog railway to the summit of Pike's Peak.

Then, on the day following, they motored up to Denver.

”We can s.h.i.+p our automobiles home by freight,” said d.i.c.k, ”and by returning by train we can be back in New York in no time.”

A week later found the entire party once more in the East. While d.i.c.k and Tom settled down to help their father at the offices in Wall Street, the others returned to Valley Brook and to Cedarville, to prepare for the coming wedding.

”And where is it to be, Sam?” questioned Tom, when the brothers were on the point of parting.

”Oh, it can only be in one place,” was Sam's answer.

”And I guess I know where that is,” returned Tom, with a grin.

Both d.i.c.k and Tom had been married in the Cedarville Union Church, a little stone edifice covered with ivy, which was located not a great distance from the homes of the Lanings and the Stanhopes, and also Putnam Hall. As before, it was a question if the numerous guests who were expected to the ceremony would be able to get into the building.

But both Grace and Sam said they would have to make the best of it.

As soon as the wedding invitations were issued, the presents began to come in, and they were fully as numerous and as costly as had been the gifts bestowed upon Dora and upon Nellie. From Mr. Rover came, as was to be expected, a bankbook containing an amount written therein which was the duplicate of that he had bestowed upon d.i.c.k and Dora and likewise upon Tom and Nellie.

”You can always depend on dad,” was Sam's comment, his voice choking a little. ”The best dad anybody ever had!”

”Indeed you are right!” answered the bride-to-be. ”And I'm going to love him just as if he were my own father.”

Sam's own present to his bride was a gold wrist-watch set in diamonds and pearls--a beautiful affair over which the happy girl went wild with delight.

At last came the eventful day, full of golden suns.h.i.+ne. All of the Rovers had arrived in Cedarville and were quartered at the hotel. Many other guests were at the Stanhope homestead and at the Laning farm, and still others--former cadets--had come back not only to attend the wedding but also to take another look at dear old Putnam Hall.

Among the old guard who had thus presented themselves were Fred Garrison, Larry Colby, Bart Conners and Harry Blossom. Among those who had attended Brill were Stanley Browne, Spud Jackson, Bob Grimes and, of course, Songbird.

”I'm engaged to Minnie,” whispered the latter to the Rovers at the first opportunity. ”We are going to be married just as soon as my income will permit. And what do you think? I've sold four more poems--got eighty dollars for them,” and his face beamed as they had never seen it s.h.i.+ne before.

”I congratulate you, Songbird,” returned Sam, heartily. ”I certainly hope you get to be the best-known poet in the United States.”