It was very still when his weak voice ceased; but in a moment the silence was broken by a cry from J.W.

“Why, Mr. Drury, it has been you, all these years!”

“What do you mean, J.W.?”. said Marty, somewhat alarmed and thoroughly mystified.

“Exactly what I say, Marty.  Can’t you see it too?  Can’t all of you see it?” and J.W. looked from one face to another around the room.  “Jeannette, you know what I mean, don’t you?”

And Jeannette, at once smiling and tearful, said, “Yes, J.W., I’ve thought about it many times, and I know now it is true.”

Marty said, “Maybe so; but what?” for he was still bewildered.

“Why,” J.W. began, with eager haste, “Mr. Drury planned all this—­years and years ago.  Not our wedding, I don’t mean that,” and he paused long enough to find Jeannette’s hand and get it firmly in his own, “we managed that ourselves, didn’t we, dear?  But—­I don’t know why—­this blessed minister of God began, somewhere far back yonder, to show me what God was trying to do through our church, and, later, through the other churches.  He saw that I went to Institute.  He steered me through my Sunday school work.  He showed me my lifework.  He made me want to go to college.  He introduced me to the Delafield that is outside our own church.  He got me my job in Saint Louis—­don’t you dare to deny it,” as the pastor raised a protesting hand.  “I’ve talked with our sales manager; he put the idea of the Far Eastern trip into Mr. McDougall’s mind—­and, well, it has been Pastor Drury all these years, and he knew what he was doing!”

Pastor Drury had kept his secret bravely, but there was no need to keep it longer, and now he was well content that these dear friends should have discovered it on such a day of joy.  After all, it had been a beautiful Experiment, and not altogether without its value.  So he made no more ado, and in his heart there was a great peace.