The Judge ran up the stairs two steps at a time and woke his daughter with a kiss.
"Will she, Papa?"
"Yes, dear," he answered. "She has been good enough to say 'yes.' We'll make her happy, won't we, Patty?"
"We shall," replied the girl. "And how young you seem to have grown!" she gasped. "I never noticed it before. I'm glad for you and I'm glad for her. She's a dear. I've always loved her and she's such a stunning looking woman, too. I tell you, we'll be proud of her, Papa."
They talked for half an hour over the virtues of Miss Kate, and each went to sleep thinking of how lovely she was.
When Kate and Patty met they said not a word, but from the quiet, sincere embrace each knew that the other would try and make her happy.
Congratulations poured in from all sides. Archie and his wife with Aunt Susan, Grandmother and Tom, motored all the way over to Columbus to offer theirs. Ethel was wild with joy.
"Why," she exclaimed, "everything is getting better! People are doing such sensible things lately, just as they should do. Isn't it wonderful? But, Tom, I always thought that you cared for Cousin Kate."
"So I have all along, but just as I was considering, in walked the Judge and took her off under my very nose. While I was a poor lawyer I felt that she might refuse me and I took no chances, but I never imagined she'd look at a man of his age. She's certainly met the one for her. What a splendid couple they'll make."
"You always were slow, Tom; that's your fault," laughed Ethel, "and you'll always get left. It serves you right."