As soon as the opening set closed, there was a general thronging to “de bar.” “Rem” made his purchases and retired. With a large bag in one hand, and Judy on the other arm, he sought the seclusion of the old pulpit. The inclosure was furnished with only the preacher’s bench, but that had plenty of length for two. “Rem” and Judy sat down, with the bag between them. The former seized a huge piece of cake, and intimated to the latter that she might “dip in.” The second dance was “sot out.” When the third was announced, neither “Rem” nor Judy had engaged a partner. It was natural and pleasant enough for them to dance together again. Further along, they did not hesitate to pass over several sets at a time. All spare moments were spent in the pulpit. “Rem” kept an abundance of nicknacks on hand, so that they might “dip in,” and relieve the embarrassment of occasional silence. Until quite late the conversation was, on the whole, comparatively general. “Rem” now came a little more to the point, by remarking that he had “bin ’templatin’ takin’ a wife.” “Is you?” said Judy, simply. “Dat’s good.” “Jobs is bin putty brisk dis fall,” added “Rem,” “an’ I’s got my yother room all fixed.” “Is you done picked her out?” asked Judy, with apparent unconcern. “Picked her out!” exclaimed “Rem,” “long’s I bin gwine wid you, Judy Marshall, now you ax me who I wants to marry!” Rosy dawn dispersed the moneychangers from the temple and shamed the lovers from the pulpit. On the following Sunday, St. Michael’s church was packed with an unusually large audience, and the morning service was concluded with a wedding. “Judy Marshall,” said the preacher, “does you solemnly promise to live up to dis man, lack you ought ter?” “I does.” “Remington Ingleheart, is you gwine to cherry dis ’oman, whether she’s sick or no?” “Sho’s God, I be!” [Illustration: Decoration] CHRISTMAS EVE AT THE CLUB. CHRISTMAS EVE AT THE CLUB. HARRY A. TERREL. [Illustrations by H. M. Chase.] “What if she i-s waiting? Ha, ha, ha,—hic! it’ll do her good to wait.” The speaker was a well dressed, wealthy young aristocrat of New York. It was Christmas eve at the club, and he had sat with his comrades-in-revelry at cards and wine till the early hours of the morning, not thinking of his young wife at home, alone; and when one of the soberer of the company asked if his wife would be waiting for him, he answered, with a mocking laugh, “Ha, ha, ha—hic! it’ll do her good to wait.” [Illustration: Man with cane] Finally the wine-cup was emptied for the last time, and the party at the club dispersed. The aristocrat wandered unsteadily homeward. A few blocks from his residence a fire-engine thundered past him, and he gave a drunken shout to the drivers, as if to encourage them, and continued on his way.