“Look yonder!” Phyllis laughingly exclaimed, “Here comes a mounted messenger at full speed.”
“It’s Bobsy, the gardener’s son,” Nan said. “He has been for an early ride on my Binnie.”
The boy, chancing to see the two girls at the upper window, waved a letter, and, believing that he wished to give it to them, they went downstairs and out on the veranda.
The boy’s freckled face was beaming. “Mr. Robert sent this over,” he said jubilantly, “and he gave me a five dollar gold piece toward my new bicycle.”
Then away the boy galloped to tell this astounding news to his mother, while Nan opened the letter and read:
“Good morning to you, Lady Red Bird. Can you believe it? This is our wedding day! I want to shout and sing, but I have much to do before that most wonderful of all hours, today at high noon.
“Since you promised that I might plan everything, I am asking my Nan to be dressed in gypsy fashion. Then your kinsfolk and my kinsfolk are to meet under the pepper tree as the bells of the old mission tell the hour of noon. Last night as I went through the hedge, I told our tree the great honor that was to befall it, and this morning the birds in it are singing a riotous song of joy, and I am sure that the pepper berries are redder than ever before.
“Then, at two o’clock will come the real surprise and the beginning of our joyous journey. Nan comrade, may I prove worthy of you!
“Your “Robert.”
After breakfast Aunt Dahlia, Phyllis and Nan were wondering what the bride would wear for a wedding gown, when Monsieur Alecsandri returned from the station, whither he had gone at an early hour. A few moments later an expressman brought a trunk which was carried to Nan’s room. Then her uncle Basil smilingly handed her a key as he said: “Elenan, do me the honor of wearing one of the gowns that were prepared for your mother’s wedding.”
Nan was indeed puzzled to know how she could please her uncle Basil, and yet keep her promise to Robert.
When the trunk was opened and the garments which it contained had been spread about on bed, lounge and chairs, Nan turned to the older lady, her dark eyes aglow as she said, “Aunt Dahlia, dear, did you ever see fabrics more beautiful?”
“This one is especially lovely,” the little lady said as she smoothed the folds of a soft, white silk. “I wish you would try it on, dearie.”