May sixth had just that warm and balmy air that allows girls to put on flimsy, dainty things, and youths to don sports outfits; and His Honor, as that mystifying day was not far off, said:-- "This, I think, is a trick by a kid or two, to show us old ducks that an 'incog' can hold out, right up to its actual consummation. I don't know a thing about what's going on; but, by golly! I'll show up; and if any fun is afloat, I'll join in, full blast." But!!---- As our Organization boys and girls, and Branton Hills folks got to Lilac Hill, _not a thing was found_ giving any indication that anything out of ordinary was to occur! Just that calm, charming knoll, with its lilacs, oaks, and happy vista out across Branton Hills' hill districts! What _is_ this, anyway? A hoax? But all sat down, talking in a big group, until, at just four o'clock,--_look!_ A stir, out back of that island boat landing! What? On that _pond_? This card said Lilac _Hill!_ But I said that a stir was occurring in back of that boat landing, with its small shack for storing oars and such. If our big crowd was laughing and talking up to now, it _quit!_ And quit mighty quickly, too! If you want to hold a crowd, just mystify it. Old Lady Flanagan was starting to shout about "this phony stuff," but Old Man Flanagan said:-- "Shut up! You ain't part of this show!" Nancy was actually hopping up and down, but Kathlyn stood calmly watching; for this studious girl, way up in an "ology" or two, knows that, by slow, thoughtful watching, you can gain much, as against working up a wild, panicky condition. Lady Gadsby said again and again: "What _is_ going on?" but Nina Adams said: "You ought to know that today, anything can----" But _look again!!_ From in back of that boat landing, a big fairy float is coming! Slowly,--slowly--slowly; a cabin amidships, just _dripping_ with lilacs, as still and noncommittal as old Gibraltar. Slowly, on and on it is coming; finally stopping right at that spot upon which our group is standing; forty boys, forty girls, and a big mob, all as still as a church. What _is_ it, anyway? Is anybody in it? Not a sign of it. But wait! Aha! It _has_ an occupant, for, coming out of that lilac glory is----_Parson Brown!!_ Parson Brown? _What_ was Parson Brown in that cabin for? Aha!! A lilac spray is moving; and, as our groups stand stock still, _look!_ Lucy Donaldson is coming out! Oh! _What_ a vision of girlish joy and glory!! And--and--and, ah! That lilac spray is moving again! Hulloa! Bill Gadsby is coming out!! A Spring sun was slowly approaching its horizonward droop, shooting rays of gold down onto our gasping crowd, as Parson Brown said:-- "William Gadsby, do you...?" William, but shortly back from abroad, you know, standing with grand, military rigidity, said: "I do." "And Lucy Donaldson, do you...?"