Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1916-04-06

anything any more" regret
ted Fern. rcScuing q dis
carded shoe of Molly's from
under the boudoir couch and looking
a%nxiously about her for any other
traces Of untidincss which the hus-
tered maids might have left behind
them. Tn solemn in spite Of my
self"
please don't" objected Molly al
most %piteously. "lf you turn solemn
my last prop is gone"
II didn't NEAR to-" apologized Fern.
But getting married is rather a
weighty thing after all. Besides that,
my conscience hurts me-"
ut should, l suppose" agreed Molly.
sAnybody's should. Why?"
about Sledge. Molly. he's q nice
old fatty"
Il never can remember him with an
ugly thought" admitted Molly. 81
darcn't sympathize with him, though.
He started Il rough game with me, and
I beat him. 1 had to be rough to do it."
I'VE were mean to him." declared
Fern. 1--WE a notion to marry him
myself to make up for it,"
The pang of distastc which Molly
felt at that speech was not jealousy;
far from it. If anything, it was q
mere questioning Of Ferns taste in
making such Il remark. That was it!
Il suppose poor Bert's lonesome"
she suggested. I'VE really ought to
go down and keep him company until
the minister comes
"Murdcr.." objected Fern. "Molly,
you haven't a bit OF style about you.
You mustn't even see Bert until you
walk in the parlor on your fathers
arm and take him for better orwell,
for better"
"You don't any too hopeful"
laughed Molly, looking longingly at the
couch, but remembering her gorgeous
gown. Il don't believe you like Bert
very we'll"
Indeed 1 do" demonstrated Fern al
most too quickly. Hes still the hand
soonest fellow / ever saw-tall and big
and fine looking I'M the very best
dancer l ever swung across Il floor
with. l just couldn't get through en-
wing you when 1 first came"
Eyes, 1 was jealous Of you," con
fessed Molly. Bert is a fine dancer"
Cali the girls will be enyious Of you"
went on Fern. determined tt say nice
things. You should be very happy,
Molly, about the new home and the
fine business prospects and the social
triumphs which l know are waiting
for you, and you'll have a polished
husband, of whom you can always be
proud, and just bushels and bushels Of
love, of course"
"Of COURSE" agreed Molly, looking at
the little Dresden clock on the mantel.
Goodness, Fern, the minister is due
to arrive in ten minutes, and Jessie
Peters isn't here yeti"
IF she knew the Importance Of your
informal invitation to call this after
loon she'd have been here hours ago."
laughed Fern. Il don't wonder, Mol
ly, that Of all your girl friends she was
the one you insisted on having here.
She's a darling"
"She's true" added Molly. "Some-
how l always feel safe, even against
myself, when she's around me. I love
you to death. Fern, but you're wicked"
II guess I am" giggled Fern. 81
V can see anything else when
there's a chance for devilment."
Nina knocked at the door.
miss Peters," announced Nina,
gloating once more over her handiwork
as she surveyed the handsome Molly
and the pretty Fern.
"Have her come right up" directed
Molly, Frightening. and waited with
an expectant smile. which changed to
a look of concern when she saw the
poorly concealed traces Of tears in Jes-
sizes eyes.
whats the matter, Jessie?" she ask
ed, stepping hastily forward. and Jes-
sic, forgetting or not seeing that pain
fully fluffy wedding gown. threw her
self dismaliy into Molly's arms.
"They didn't want me to comet" she
gulped. "But I had promised you. and
Dicky said I might"
where is Dicky" asked Molly.
"He went on downtown on an er