"Elsie, if anybody else comes, don't--_don't_ let them tell me," she whispered piteously. "It makes me feel awful!" The bridesmaid took her hand and patted it soothingly. "I won't," she promised cheerily. "Don't listen to a word any one says. I'll tell you when it's time to go out, and there's nothing to be afraid of. Why, you look just lovely! And think how proud Martin will be! You mustn't get nervous, for his sake, you know." "Arabella!" The keyhole once more gave forth a hissing whisper. "We've all been waiting half an hour." Mrs. Winters tightened her teeth. "He'll spoil everything!" she declared. "It's awful old-fashioned for the bride to be on time, but you can't knock that into William's head. You might as well go, Arabella; and for pity's sakes, stand up straight, an' don't look so scared!" She pushed the trembling little blue figure toward the door. "Elsie, you go first, and walk slow; no--wait! Bella, open the door and nod to Cousin Martha to start playin'." Bella's head shot out and in, the door slammed again, and there arose from the other side of it faint, squeaky sounds from the organ. "Goodness me! you can hardly hear her!" cried Mrs. Winters. "I told Christena Martha'd spoil it! My sakes! I wish Ella Anne Long hadn't run away so soon! Now open the door, Bella, awful slow. Now, Elsie, go on. Arabella, hang on to your flowers! It's a perfect shame your brother ain't with you! For goodness' sake, stand up straight, an' don't look as if you was goin' to be hung! Go on, Elsie!" But the bride was clinging desperately to her maid's arm, and refused to let her go. "I--I can't go, Susan!" she whispered. "Oh, mercy me! Everything's goin' to be spoiled!" wailed her sister-in-law. "Arabella's going to walk out holding my arm," said Elsie firmly, seeing that the little bride's condition demanded immediate relief. "Well, go on, then," said Mrs. Winters, with a gesture of despair. "It'll be a fool of a thing, anyhow. Now, Bella, open the door, slow--slow!" The door swung gradually, but when it was half open Mrs. Winters slammed it again. "Arabella," she cried, in a panic, "did you shut Polly up?" The bride stared at her, uncomprehending. "No, she never, maw," whispered Bella hysterically, "an' she'll be sure to come right out with them swear-words in the middle of everything." Once more the bridesmaid met the emergency. "It can't be helped now," she said. "Please don't bother her. Open the door, Bella."