Di burst tempestuously into Shirley's room, where he was neatly folding clothes into his bag.

"I am delighted that Rilla is getting married," she pronounced. "But I can't help wishing it was Nan's wedding instead."

"Are she and Jerry actually getting married this year?" inquired Shirley curiously. It had become a standing joke that Nan and Jerry would be engaged forever, and never actually get married.

Di shrugged. "Why knows?" she laughed. "I also can't help wishing Rilla's wedding was a little later. Crossing the ocean in summer is bad enough, but in April…" she gave a little shudder.

"I know," said Shirley sympathetically. "Paul called yesterday with a positive update on Cecily for the first time. They think she's starting to show signs of improvement. I really don't want to be away from her right now."

"Rilla always was a selfish, thoughtless little puss," said Di impatiently. Then she bit her lip, looking ashamed. "That was unfair of me. Rilla may have been a bit self-centered when she was a 'teen, but she's matured remarkably over the years. I think Mother's even closer to her now than she is to Nan or me. I'm very happy for Rilla, really I am. But since we're not going home for the summer, I selfishly wish my one trip back this year could be in nicer weather."

Shirley smiled silently. He and Di had decided to stay in the States for the summer. Di didn't want to leave the Home for three months, and Shirley didn't want to leave Cecily for that long. Besides, with traveling home now for Rilla and Ken's wedding, it would be too expensive to go back again in June.

"I can't believe my baby sister is getting married at twenty-two, and here I am at the ripe old age of twenty-six with no beau in sight!" laughed Di. "To be sure, little Bobby asked me yesterday if he could marry me when he grows up, but as he is only seven, that might be a while." She floated back out the door, leaving a trill of laughter floating in her wake.

Shirley smiled and shook his head. Di was a good sport and the best of sisters, and they had grown very close in the almost-eight months they had spent in Potsdam. He went back to his packing, wishing as he did so that he could at least see Cecily before he had to leave. He had a horrible feeling that something bad was going to happen to her while he was away and he wouldn't be able to do anything about it.

He told himself sternly to stop fretting as he strapped up his bag. He was not of such colossal importance in the universe that as soon as he was out of things for a short time the world would stop turning. Cecily would be fine or not, whether he was there or in Glen St. Mary. He determined to enjoy his visit home and the wedding of his baby sister without ruining things with an overactive imagination.

Nan was awaiting the duo at the train station, brimming with excitement. She had grown even lovelier since they'd last seen her, her creamy skin flushed slightly with excitement, her brown eyes sparkling like sun-dappled brook water, her nut-brown hair bobbed and banged in the very latest "Dutch bob" style. She flung herself into Di's arms as soon as her twin stepped off the train.

"Di darling!" she cried, as though they'd been parted for years. "I've missed you so much! It's been simply ages since you left." She released Di briefly to give Shirley a swift peck on the cheek, and then looped her arm through Di's and led the way out of the station, chattering on about the wedding.

Underneath all her good cheer, Shirley thought he detected a hint of pain when she mentioned Rilla's wedding, and guessed it came from not knowing when such an event would happen for her. It wasn't in Nan's nature to be bitter, but she did have it in her to be slightly envious.

The two girls went on their merry way, leaving Shirley to follow with the bags. He was wryly thankful that Di packed lightly as he quietly made his way behind them.

Things were remarkably calm at Ingleside, considering there was to be a wedding in two days. Susan and Mother were knitting on the verandah, while Rilla and Faith were in the living room chatting casually with Gertrude Oliver, who had come over from Charlottetown to be Rilla's matron-of-honor. Dad and Jem were off on their rounds.

Everyone sprang up to welcome to newcomers. Rilla whisked Di upstairs to see her dress, and Susan rushed Shirley off to the kitchen to sample the treats she'd been making for him. While there, he mentioned the odd lack of activity.

Susan smiled. "Rilla, bless the lamb's heart, has insisted that her family take it easy and enjoy her wedding without fussing over every little thing. She has taken matters into her own two hands and has everything under control. The pet always had a knack for organizing, that she has."

"She and Ken are getting married in the church, said Faith, coming into the kitchen. "They'd wanted to get married on the lawn, like Jem and I, but it's too cold for that. Betty Mead and some of the other former Junior Reds have decorated the church, and Kenneth has hired a caterer from Toronto to provide food for the reception."

"Except the wedding cake," interposed Susan proudly. "Rilla said she would trust no-one but old Susan to make her wedding cake."

"Nobody can match your cakes, Susan," said Shirley, finishing his piece of fudge and licking the last remnants of chocolate from his fingers.

Susan beamed in satisfaction as Faith continued. "Rilla has taken care of everything, and all any of will have to do on Friday is show up at the church on time and in our wedding finery."

Susan sniffed slightly. "I cannot believe that Kenneth is taking that blessed lamb away from us in two days time."

"Now Susan, Toronto isn't that far away," comforted Shirley. "And they'll still be back in the summer for weekends when they can."

"Do not you tell me that Kenneth could not have found a newspaper to work at here on the Island," said Susan sternly. "Having baby Rilla come home for brief visits only will not be the same."

"Oh well, that's the way of life, Susan," said Faith comfortingly. "At least you still have Jem and me. Shirley, have you heard that Una is going away?"

"No," said Shirley interestedly. He couldn't imagine Una leaving the Glen. "Where is she going?"

"India," answered Faith soberly. "She says she can't spend her life here in hiding. She has to do something good while she can. So, she's going to start training with the Presbyterian Mission Board in June, and she'll be leaving in August. I can't imagine life without her here."

"The good Lord never intended for all you children to scatter like this," said Susan. "Here's Shirley and Di in the States, little Rilla and Ken going to Toronto, Una going to India"—

"And Carl will be leaving this fall for his scientific expedition to Africa," added Faith. "And Jerry will be leaving for Ottawa soon. It really is quite sad, when you think about it."

"So wags the good old world away," quoted Shirley practically.

Faith smiled. "At least we'll all be together for Rilla's wedding. She really is having a ridiculous number of attendants: Gertrude, Nan, Di, Una, and Persis for her, and you, Jem, Carl, and two of Ken's college chums for him."

Susan sniffed. "You cannot deny, Faith dear, that even with the caterer and the attendants, it is still less of a show than Mary Vance Douglas put on for her wedding."

"Did you know she's had another baby, Shirley?" giggled Faith, while Susan looked scandalized. She still didn't think it quite proper for children to be talking so freely about…babies…of all things! And from the minister's daughter, too!

"What did she name this one?" asked Shirley amusedly. Mary's first son had been named Elliot Miller John Kitchener Douglas.

"Vance Lloyd George Douglas," answered Faith, her eyes sparkling roguishly. "She decided to go easy on this one."

Everyone had been hoping for a nice day for Rilla and Ken, but the morning of the wedding dawned cold and drizzly.

"Never mind," sparkled Rilla at the breakfast table. "We'll have enough sunshine inside to make up for any lack outside. Oh dear, I'm so happy I'm almost frightened!"

"You deserve every happiness in the world, Rilla," said Gertrude Grant indulgently. Marriage had been very kind to Gertrude. Her cynicism had almost entirely vanished, and her mystic tendencies were all but gone. She said that she hadn't had a prophetic dream since the war ended, and with that burden lifted from her shoulders, she appeared much more carefree and relaxed.

Everyone rejoiced with Rilla, although Shirley was even quieter than usual and Nan had red rims around her eyes.

Shirley had stayed outside until late the previous night, wandering through the maple grove and by the shores of the Glen pond while praying desperately for Cecily. He'd had a 'phone call from Paul, saying that the doctors had just informed them that she'd taken a turn for the worse. He was heartsick with worry and fear, and struggling between wanting to rush back to Saranac Lake in case—well, just in case, and knowing he could do nothing even if was there. He finally managed to work himself into a tolerable calm, determined to give Rilla and Ken a good wedding day.

When he'd finally come in, he'd accidentally heard Nan on the telephone. It was obvious from her end of the conversation that she was talking to Jerry, and that she was upset. She'd hung up quickly when she noticed him and rushed away upstairs without saying anything, but he could tell this morning that she hadn't slept well. He made a mental note to keep an eye on her throughout the day.

The day passed quickly but smoothly, and exactly at six in the evening Shirley stood at the end of a line of gentlemen in dress uniforms, awaiting the strains of Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring for the ladies to make their way down the aisle. Betty Mead and Rilla's other chums had done a marvelous job of decorating the building with white candles and blue ribbons, and all the guests were waiting in breathless anticipation.

First down the aisle was Persis Ford, looking dazzling in her smoke-blue gown. She was followed by Nan, who had covered the black circles under her eyes with powder and was looking very chic; Di, who winked at Shirley as she walked; Una, whose blue eyes were brought out beautifully by her dress; and finally Gertrude Grant, looking very happy for her young friend.

The organist switched from Bach to Wagner, and everyone rose as Gilbert and Rilla started down the aisle, Rilla's ripe loveliness brought out by her white lace gown and wreath of white flowers on her ruddy hair. Shirley, despite his own worries, couldn't help but smile at his baby sister as she kissed Dad on the cheek and turned to Ken. The love shining from her eyes brought an unexpected lump to his throat as she and Ken repeated their vows. When Rev. Meredith pronounced them man and wife, he couldn't help cheering with the rest.

The reception afterward was very pleasant, although Shirley couldn't help wishing he could escape from the crowded stuffiness of the fellowship hall and get outdoors to be alone. He stood by himself, leaning on an open windowsill, and observed all the village folk and they mingled and gossiped and consumed Susan's matchless wedding cake.

He wasn't really thinking about much until he overheard someone mention his name. He looked around and saw Olive Kirk and Kate Drew standing nearby, gossiping maliciously.

"—What about him?" asked Olive, a smug look on her fat face.

Kate giggled gratingly. "Oh, Shirley! Who ever even thinks about him? He's so plain and boring. Nothing like his brothers. The famous Blythe charm passed him by, sure enough."

"I doubt he'll ever marry," sneered Olive. "Unless his family pays some girl to marry him. No one could possibly be attracted to someone like that. If you didn't see him once in a while you'd forget he even existed!"

"Mmm…did you see Faith Blythe's dress?" asked Kate. "She gets married and all fashion sense goes out the door."

Their conversation turned to criticizing everyone's dress, and Shirley straightened abruptly and left the building. He stood outside in the cold rain and took several deep breaths. He knew better than to heed what those girls said…and yet it stung, too. He knew he was the plain one in the family, always the odd man out. It didn't bother him, but…sometimes he wished he had more of the "famous Blythe charm." As was becoming common with him, his thoughts turned to Cecily. What if she'd only ever thought of him as a brother? What if she thought of him as "plain and boring?" perhaps if he were like Walter he could win her with clever words and eloquent look. If he were Jem he could charm her with his fearless attitude and ready smile. But he was just Shirley. What did he really have to offer her, anyway?

Before he could dwell too much on that depressing thought, Persis came out the door looking for her wedding partner and drew him back inside for the next dance. There, the words and music of the latest waltz put everything else out of his head, at least for a time.

Just another waltz beneath the red moon Just another kiss before we part
Let me tell my love beneath the red moon dancing with you
Sweetheart hold me in your arms, for day is dawning
Starlight will leave us soon
Just another waltz before the morning
Under the red moon while the violins are playing
We'll be swaying to and fro
And it seems your eyes are saying that you love me, love me so
While the music of the cello
Sings its haunting melody
You can watch the red moon mellow
And leave the rest to me.

Just another waltz beneath the red moon
Just another kiss before we part let me
Tell my love beneath the red moon dancing with you
Sweetheart hold me in your arms for day is dawning
Starlight will leave us soon
Just another waltz before the morning
Under the red red moon.
Under the red red moon.

Author's Note: Red Moon was written by John Traver, 1922