In these days it is seldom a girl thinks that she may make or mar the man whose bride she is to be. As a rule, the one thought of the girl is to gratify herself and her selfish desires for comfort, ease, position, and happiness. Not one girl in a thousand hesitates to marry a man through fear that she may become a burden to him. For years Inza had known Elsie to be generous, unselfish, and self-sacrificing to a wonderful degree; but now it seemed to Inza that her dearest friend was carrying her self-denying inclination to a mistaken extreme, and of this she attempted to convince her. Elsie listened to Inza’s argument, but it did not alter her determination. “My dearest friend,” she said softly yet firmly, “I am not strong enough now to pass through the excitement and strain of preparing for such a wedding. It would overtax me, even were I willing to place such a burden on Bart’s shoulders. But you must not permit me to delay your own happiness and that of Frank. You must marry him now.” This Inza was extremely loath to do. “It ruins our plan, which we have talked over so many times,” she murmured regretfully. “Does nothing ever transpire in this world as we plan it?” “I’m afraid few things come out just as we wish them,” answered Elsie; “yet we should be happy. I am sure all will be well in the end. Promise me that you will not put Frank off longer.” It was no simple task to induce Inza to agree to this, but finally, by her gentle persuasion, Elsie succeeded. Immediately a sweet smile illumined her face. “I am so glad!” she breathed. “Both you and Frank will be very happy together.” “But you, Elsie—how about you?” “Don’t think of me. I am all right here, where I have a good home and kind friends.” “Bart——” “It will be better for him than it would be if he found himself tied to an invalid wife. It is my love for him that has led me to this resolution. I have written him, explaining as well as possible the situation, although I have not told him that I am putting off our union for his sake. Promise me, Inza, that you will not tell him this. Let him think, if he will, that it is on my own account that I ask the delay.” Again Inza flung her arms round Elsie. “You are the dearest, sweetest girl in all the world!” she exclaimed; “but I cannot believe that your fears for your own health have any foundation. You have been so strong and well! It will all come out right in time, and we will be together again, you as Bart’s wife and I as Frank’s. We’ll have jolly times, as we have had in the past. Oh, but we have had such splendid times, haven’t we, Elsie?” “Surely we have. No matter what may happen to me now, I shall always remember the past with unspeakable pleasure and be glad I have lived.”