“Sho’, sar. Dis is gwine teh be deyr home. Mistah Frank alwus did mean teh hab dis fo’ his home when he was married. He’s engaged me reg’ler fo’ teh obersee de ole place. Next year I ’spects he’ll mak lots ob changes an’ alterations an’ repairs. He says teh me, says he: ’Toots, when I come back from Mexico I’s gwine teh hab some fine horses an’ keep a prime stable, mah boy. Yo’ knows mo’ about horses dan anybody I ebber seen. I’s got teh hab yo teh look after dat stable an’ de ole place. Name yo’ price, Toots, an’ I’ll ’gage yo’ fo’ life.’ Ki-yi! Dat’s de sort of job teh fall into.” “Well, well, well!” said Bill Kimball. “Yes, sar, I’s bery well satisfied, sar. Mistah Frank is de fines’ gentleman ebber drew a bref. I knows him well, sar. He’s a prince, sho’. Some day yo’ll see one of de fines’ estates right heah dat can be foun’ anywhere in de country.” “Well, I must git along back inter the village,” said old Bill. “Won’t the folks talk when they hear all about this!” He hobbled away as fast as his old legs could carry him. CHAPTER XXXVI. THE WEDDING. Excitement in Bloomfield was at fever heat. Scores of visitors were in the town. The old hotel was filled to overflowing. Nearly all these guests were young men and women, and a pleasant, jovial lot they were. Of course, the members of Frank’s athletic team were present to the last man. Besides these there were others who had been his chums and comrades in college. Bink Stubbs and Danny Griswold were together again, fussing in their old, friendly way. Dismal Jones had turned up from somewhere, as long-faced as ever, quoting Scripture to fit all occasions. Grog Carker appeared more rabid in his socialistic views than in the old days, and equally easy to lead into prophesying the coming of the “great earthquake that should overturn the social conditions of the whole world.” A surprise that delighted every one was the appearance of Jack Diamond and his handsome wife, Julia, bringing with them a little Diamond somewhat more than a year old. Jack had “crossed the pond” to make a visit in Virginia and arrived just in time to hasten to Bloomfield for the wedding. Barney Mulloy came on from the West, and his brogue seemed not a whit changed, while his wit and good nature remained quite as infectious. It was the day before the wedding. A select party assembled at the station for the purpose of meeting Inza, who was to arrive on the afternoon train, accompanied by Winnie Badger, with Buck Badger and Bart Hodge as escorts. Frank had reached Bloomfield earlier in the day. As train time drew near a closed carriage that was quite unfamiliar in the village drew up beside the station platform. The curtains at the carriage windows were drawn. The carriage was drawn by two fiery horses. On the seat sat the driver, a wide-brimmed hat slouched over his eyes, while his features were almost wholly hidden by a profuse mass of whiskers.