The Monticellonian. [volume] (Monticello, Ark.) 1870-1920, 1916-08-31
THE lITTLEST BRIDESMAID:
BY IzolA FORESTER.

b~A~A~A~A~A~~A~AS~A~~A ~AsA~A~A~A~A~A~~~~ASN
III Nancy were only just a little
bit taller, she might do" Marjorie
the Raleigh family speculatively. II
do think 1t was perfectly fiendish of
Dell to disappoint me right at the
very last minute. She knew ! never
could get another girl way up here In
the mountains In time for the we'd
ding"
Don't you care, Marge," Nancy
spoke up generously. "Tll be the res
cue party. can wear your high.
heeled slippers If l stuff the toes and
III do my hair way up high. l don't
mind bit"
Marjorie went down to the vernnda.
where her mother sat planning the
final arrangements for the wedding
the next day. and presently Nancy
heard the familiar voice call her down
likewise for close inspection.
The high heels would add to her
height" Mrs. Randall said musingly,
"and there's little dress you wore ut
the Farley lawn party. You remem-
Der, dear. 1t has d lace undersstrt and
the oyerdress of white null lowered
In pink roses.
SO 1t was arranged, and Nancy trod
on air In the seventh heaven while
the dress was altered 10 fit her slim,
alert figure. The wedding was to be
ut ten in the little Uncovered chapel
hA MIN road ThA
Raleigh estate Nancy. as she came
downstairs with the other girls, in
tent on her slippers and new dignity,
heard one of the men saying that
Andy was late as usual. And IL
meant nothing ut all to her who Andy
was or why he was late. She almost
tripped on the veranda steps. but
caught her balance.
You tore the lace" Vera Kennedy
whispered-the girl just behind her
and Nancy, taking one backward
glance at the telltale shred dangling,
slipped out of line and made for the
sitting room for pin. It did seem
as if every pin had vanished.
did you lose something's"
Nancy was on her knees before the
lower desk drawers when the new
voice startled her. 1t must be be-
lated guest, she thought, yet very
desirable. He was tall and athletic
and just dusty and rumpled enough
to look refreshing after the groomed
perfection Of the others.
Have you pin?" asked Nancy. ~
tore my skirt
Indeed | have" he retorted heart
lily. Right here. Can | help the
flower girl?'
I'm not the flower girl, Nancy an
swered haughtily. Il am one of the
bridesmaids"
The littlest one" he added grave
~, as she rose with the ruffle pinned
safely in place. Can you run? I've
got to, because the rings in my pocket
and I'm late"
Nancy's blue eyes danced with sud
den mischief. They went down the
steps and the path on run like chill
dren.
You're Andy and you're always
late" she said.
Then she thanked her lucky stars
Marjorie could not see her, or her
mother, as she slipped back into her
place just as they reached the chapel.
you know, Nancy" Mrs. Raleigh
said few hours later, when ii was
all over and Marjorie started on the
crest of matrimony's tide, you looked
very winsome and sweet and acted
very nicely. l was glad you didn't
make yourself conspicuous at ALL"
''Yes'ln." said Nancy demurely. And
then. oddly enough, she went up to
the little hall room, she the last of
the Raleigh daughters, and just
jumped into the cushions on the win
dow seat. crying because Andy Kin
eaid had called her the ittlest brides
maid The hair done high and the
slippers and grown-up dress had not
deceived him. He had smiled at her
amusedly and had been nice Just to
please her In her masquerade. That
was all. And yet she was really go
Ing on eighteen. That was pretty
nearly grown up.
1t was nearly dusk when the car
stopped outside.
Nancy looked out the window, try
ing to distinguish the two figures. One
was surely her father and the other
the dilatory Andy. And they came
up the broad veranda steps like
couple of pals together. Nancy stood
in the little room. her heart beating
fast like a captured bird, listening.
Then came her fathers step on the
stairs. and she ran to meet him.
go down and welcome Andy. Man."
be said, cheerily. He's going to
spend a week with us. His dad and
l were chums through college And
listen, Mamie" as she started down,
"I1i tell your mother why he's here
myself, seer
Nan caught at the big. strong hand
on the bannisters, and pressed Ii to
her lips, then went softly, shyly down
TO the big, shadowy living room where
he stood waiting.
81 never dreamed you-you'd be
back SO soon" she faltered
II couldn't wait for you to grow
up, dear. And when Mr. Raleigh
asked me there at the station If |
wasn't Tad MIorrison's boy, / knew
the trail led back to your feet So
here | am" He paused and took her
hands In his, waiting. II won't hurry
you. you know; won't say anything
at all until you give me the signal,
but | inst wanted to come hack and