"And Miss Webster," she said, still holding Miss Webster's kindly hand,
"I talked over the name with John--I mean the name I am to be called
by--and we fixed on Mrs. John. You see there is nothing extraordinary
in that, and it is still John's name. I can not take his full name on
account of his uncle, as we must run no risks; but I will be Mrs. John.
Do you think you can remember Mrs. John?"
"Yes, my dear, I can remember," answered Miss Webster, and she kissed
May's fair face again. "And it is better that you should be known as a
married woman."
"Much better," said May, and then she left the sisters and retired to
her own room to think there and pray for John with all her heart.
The next day, of course, she wished to write to John, but he had told
her not to do so unless Miss Webster directed her letter. And it seemed
almost too soon to ask Miss Webster to do this. Still she wrote,
telling him all her sweet thoughts, and prattling to him on paper as
she had done when nestling by his side. This letter would be sent
the next day, she decided, after she had added this and that to it.
Then after lunch she went out to walk with Miss Eliza, and when they
returned they found Ralph Webster sitting in the dining-room with his
Aunt Margaret.
Miss Webster had by this time told Ralph Webster that it had been
decided that their young guest had for the present to bear the name of
"Mrs. John." Ralph had listened in somewhat grim silence, and when May
and Aunt Eliza appeared Miss Webster rose in a little flurry.
"This is Mrs. John, Ralph," she said, hastily.
Ralph Webster rose quietly and held out his hand.
"How are you, Mrs. John?" he said. "I hear I have to congratulate you."
"Yes," answered May, with a charming blush, taking his hand; "I have
been married since I saw you last."
"So my aunt has been telling me. Well, I did not forget the edelweiss,
and have three separate packets of it at this moment in my coat pocket
which is hanging in the hall."
May had forgotten about the edelweiss. But she did not tell Mr. Webster
this, and accepted her portion of the ice-flower smilingly. She thought
he looked graver and older, but supposed he had been working very hard.
She said something about this after dinner in the drawing-room, and
Ralph Webster admitted it was true.
"Yes," he said, "I have rather an important case coming on to-morrow,
and have been burning the midnight oil over it. And as it is about
jewelry I suppose it would interest you ladies. I do not know whether
you have ever heard of Miss Kathleen Weir, the actress?"
May, to whom he addressed this question, shook her head.
"An actress?" echoed Miss Webster.
"Yes, and I am told a very fascinating and handsome young woman. But
I shall see her to-morrow, as I am junior in the case, and have to
examine the witnesses."
"And are you for the prosecution or the defense?" asked May.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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