"Oh, stay, Merwyn," said Strahan. "It was I who brought you here, and I shouldn't feel that the evening was complete without you."
The former looked doubtfully at Marian, who added, quickly: "You cannot refuse papa's invitation, Mr. Merwyn, since it removes the only scruple you can have. It is, perhaps, natural that the bride should wish to see only familiar faces at this time, and it was thoughtful of you to remember this, but, as papa says, the affair will soon be over."
"And then," resumed Strahan, "I have a little pie to show you, Miss
Marian, in which Merwyn had a big finger."
"I thought that was an affair between ourselves," said Merwyn, throwing off his overcoat.
"Oh, do not for the world reveal any of Mr. Merwyn's secrets!" cried the girl.
"It is no secret at all to you, Miss Marian, nor did I ever intend that it should be one," Strahan explained.
"Mr. Merwyn, you labor under a disadvantage in your relations with Mr. Strahan. He has friends, and friendship is not based on reticence."
"Therefore I can have no friends, is the inference, I suppose."
"That cannot be said while I live," began the young officer, warmly; but here a ring at the door produced instant dispersion. "I suppose I can be present," Strahan whispered to Marian. "Barney Ghegan is an older acquaintance of mine than of yours, and your pretty waitress has condescended to smile graciously on me more than once, although my frequent presence at your door must have taxed her patience."
"You have crossed her palm with too much silver, I fear, to make frowns possible. Silver, indeed! when has any been seen? But money in any form is said to buy woman's smiles."