"Well, I'm glad to find some signs of life!" cried a familiar voice. "Edith!" Marian exclaimed. "Where on earth did you come from? And Mr. Cosden!" "Connie and I crept up on the house to surprise you," she explained, as greetings were exchanged all around, "but we began to think the joke was on us and we'd struck the morgue by mistake. Where are the people anyhow? We can't stay but a minute." "Here we are!" Merry answered her, and as if by magic the entire family appeared from various directions. "Where did you come from, where are you going, and why can't you stay but a minute?" Huntington demanded of Cosden as he grasped his hand. Cosden grinned and looked at Edith. "Oh, go ahead and tell them if you want to," she remarked indifferently. "They're sure to find it out some time, and it might as well be now." "What in the world--" Mrs. Thatcher began. "We're married!" Cosden announced, his face beaming with happiness and satisfaction. "Yes,--that's right," Edith corroborated, seeing doubt in the eager faces peering at them, speechless with surprise. "I told you that if once I gave Connie half a chance he'd have me packed up and shipped before I knew it, and that's just what has happened!" "Don't apologize," Marian laughed, kissing her. "I think you've done a very smart thing to elope like this." "Good heavens, Connie, I never thought of that! An elopement for me would just be the last thing in the world! How can you call it that when there is no one to elope from but Ricky!" "Whatever you call it, I've got you!" Cosden declared, tapping his pocket. "The parson gave me a perfectly good bill of sale, and it will take some trying to break this contract. Now don't you try!" Thatcher was the only one who rose fully to the occasion, and as a result of his presence of mind the butler appeared with a bottle of Pommery from which he filled the accompanying glasses. After Thatcher proposed the toast to the happy couple, Huntington again raised his glass to Cosden. "Here's to Edith, God bless her!" he exclaimed. Cosden understood, and the spirit of mischief seized him. "How about that other toast we drank that night, Monty?" Huntington put his arm around Merry's waist and drew her closer to him. "It stands!" he replied with smiling defiance. "To Marian--little Marian--God bless her!" "You rascal! You slipped it over on me!" "Well, good-bye, people!" Edith interrupted. "Stay for supper," Mrs. Thatcher urged. "No; here it is five o'clock and the wedding breakfast hasn't been served yet. We're off!" "It is pitiful to see you kidnapped like this," Marian teased her. "Oh, well!" she looked slyly up into her husband's face. "Connie's not a bad sort as men go, and I'm game to take a chance." "Isn't she the best ever?" Cosden cried proudly. "I'm strong for the Benedicts and the Benedictines! Hurry up, Monty,--go and do likewise!"