"'Tis possible Young Zeb an' he have a-met 'pon the road hither," hazarded Calvin Oke by a wonderful imaginative effort; "an' 'tis possible that feelings have broke loose an' one o' the twain be swelterin' in his own bloodshed, or vicey-versey." "I heard tell of a man once," said Uncle Issy, "that committed murder upon another for love; but, save my life, I can't think 'pon his name, nor where 't befell." "What an old store-house 'tis!" ejaculated Elias Sweetland, bending a contemplative gaze on Uncle Issy. "Mark her pale face, naybours," put in a woman; "an' Tresidder, he looks like a man that's neither got nor lost." "Trew, trew." "Quarter past the hour, I make it," said Old Zeb, pulling out his timepiece. Still the bridegroom tarried. Higher up the church, in the front pew but one, Modesty Prowse said aloud to Sarah Ann Nan Julian-- "If he doesn' look sharp, we'll be married before she after all." Ruby heard the sneer, and answered it with a look of concentrated spite. Probably she would have risked her dignity to retort, had not Parson Babbage advanced down the chancel at this juncture. "Has anyone seen the bridegroom to-day?" he inquired of Tresidder. "Or will you send some one to hurry him?" "Be danged if I know," the farmer began testily, mopping his bald head, and then he broke off, catching sound of a stir among the folk behind. "Here he be--here he be at last!" cried somebody. And with that a hush of bewilderment fell on the congregation. In the doorway, flushed with running and glorious in bridal attire, stood Young Zeb. It took everybody's breath away, and he walked up the nave between silent men and women. His eyes were fastened on Ruby, and she in turn stared at him as a rabbit at a snake, shrinking slightly on her father's arm. Tresidder's jaw dropped, and his eyes began to protrude. "What's the meanin' o' this?" he stammered. "I've come to marry your daughter," answered Zeb, very slow and distinct. "She was to wed Zebedee Minards to-day, an' I'm Zebedee Minards." "But--" "I've a note to hand to each of 'ee. Better save your breath till you've read 'em." He delivered the two notes, and stood, tapping a toe on the tiles, in the bridegroom's place on the right of the chancel-rails. "Damnation!" "Mr. Tresidder," interrupted the parson, "I like a man to swear off his rage if he's upset, but I can't allow it in the church." "I don't care if you do or you don't." "Then do it, and I'll kick you out with this very boot." The farmer's face was purple, and big veins stood out by his temples. "I've been cheated," he growled. Zeb, who had kept his eyes on Ruby, stepped quickly towards her. First picking up the paper that had drifted to the pavement, he crushed it into his pocket. He then took her hand. It was cold and damp. "Parson, will 'ee marry us up, please?" "You haven't asked if she'll have you." "No, an' I don't mean to. I didn't come to ax questions--that's your business--but to answer."