“But he won't! He WON'T! He never finds anything, even if it's in plain sight. He won't know what's become of me—”
“And he'll most likely have the whole town out lookin' for you. I guess now you see there's nothin' to do but for us to get married—don't you?”
“Oh! Oh! Oh!” wailed Miss Parker, and burst into tears.
Caleb groaned. “Git dap!” he shouted to the horse. “No use cryin', Hannah. Might's well grin and bear it. The joyful bridal party'll now proceed.”
But the horse refused to proceed, and his driver, peering forward, dimly saw a black barrier in front of him. He lit the lantern once more and, getting out of the carryall, discovered that the road apparently ended at a rail fence that barred further progress.
“Queer,” he said. “We must be pretty nigh civilization. Got to Bayport, most likely, Hannah; there seems to be a buildin' ahead of us there. I'm goin' to take the lantern and explore. You set still till I come back.”
But this Miss Parker refused to do. She declared that she would not wait alone in those woods for anybody or anything. If her companion was going to explore so was she. So Mr. Hammond assisted her to alight, and after he had taken down the bars, the pair went on through a grove to where a large building loomed against the sky.
“A church,” said Caleb. “One of the Bayport churches, I cal'late. Wonder which 'tis?”
“There's always a sign on the front of a church,” said Hannah. “Let's go around front and see.”
There were no trees in front of the church, and when they came out by the front platform, Miss Parker exclaimed, “Well, I never! I wouldn't believe I'd remember so clear. This church seems just as familiar as if I was here yesterday. Why, what's the matter?”