But he could not clear his own brow so easily. Gentlemen visitors had never brought happiness to Bright Farm, and he could not dismiss the dark forebodings that filled his heart. This man was not likely to remain long content on that little mountain farm, and when he took Norine away among strangers, who would watch over her happiness? He was sitting thus, absorbed in heavy thought, when they entered the room. He arose from his seat when he found them standing near him. “We do not want you to sit alone, Jim,” said Norine, putting her arms around his neck and laying her soft cheek against his; “we want you to help us to be happy.” What could he do? There was no use in clouding that happy face. What _must_ be _will_ be. And with this philosophical conclusion in his mind, Jim shook hands with Clinton and wished him joy, showing, Clinton thought, an amount of brotherly affection as delightful as it was unexpected. He even managed to joke with them a little as they gathered in their usual places around the kitchen fire. The jokes were rather lame, but still they _were_ jokes, and even poor jokes are better than anger or discontent. Jim was at first inclined to object to an immediate marriage. “Norine is young,” he said, “and you can both afford to wait a while. Perhaps it would be better for you,” he added quizzically, “if you wait a year or two. You will at least be sure of your own minds.” “If that is all we need wait for, there need be no delay,” cried Clinton confidently. “I am sure that Norine loves me, and neither one year nor twenty could make any difference in my love for her.” Norine looked at him proudly. “I will wait if you think best, Jim,” she said quietly. But Jim could hardly insist upon it; in fact, he could find no just reason for delay. They were both old enough to know their own minds, and as long as they did not intend leaving the farm, and were going to be married anyway, there was no valid reason why they should not be married at once. After this was settled to the satisfaction of the lovers, Clinton left the little farm to be gone two weeks, and Jim drove Norine into town to make the few purchases necessary for her simple trousseau. Another member of the Higgins family was impressed for duty at the little cottage, and for a short time all was bustle and excitement over the preparations for the simple wedding. It was a very simple wedding, entirely without bridesmaids or other useless display; still, it was none the less impressive for the few friends that gathered at the simple ceremony, combined with the bright sunshine, the singing birds, and sweet flowers with which the cottage was decked to make the day a happy one. Not that Norine needed any help; she was happy. Very, very happy! Doctor Conway was there, laughing joyfully--too joyfully, perhaps, to be entirely natural, and his cheerfulness was belied somewhat by his set, white face and dim eyes.