Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1916-11-23
WEDDING LACE
81 LouIsE oLIvER.


the offerings Of the summer hotel hat
SO far not produced anyone so divert
ing as to looks. He said before hs
knew II, completely contrary to his
good old New England bringing up
''It's foolish to waste time on knitting
on day like this. Why don't you
play7"
She looked up from her yards of ex
quisite lace and answered quite com
posediy, "Please don't think l don't
want to, but this is a work Of neces.
sity-it's wedding finery..
II say--can't you chuck IL Just for q
few minutes. Come on and play in this
one set with us and ia find you a
partner. It's a shame TO waste this
weather on that stuffF'
She shook her head with determine.
ton, but an appreciatlve smile light,
ened her face. 'rd just love to, but
/ can't. Weddings don't walt, you
know"
"All right You're the doctor. Sor.
ryiu he answered. "Coming--coming =
he called, as Lorita becEoned impa.
tiently. Hanged II that girl isn't o
peach for looks. Lucky fellow TO get
herl' Then her words came back with
force. Weddings don't wait !" she Ind
said, and It struck him suddenly that
bis own nuptiaIs were approaching
with rather breath-taking speed.
-Four months would consummate the
plan SO long dear to the heart Of his
parents.
Lorita was talking with Captain
Natter; Il was just telling Paul. she
explained. that would have to start
you in training right away In order 10
have you in form by the time Of our
wedding. Unpunctuality is your worst
fault, Gordon"
I've a good excused"
Il saw your excuse just now !" Lor-
.ta's eyes flashed.
did your Wen. she's pretty any
way, don't you think1 / asked her to
play"
"WhatT Lorita had gone OF into
peals Of laughter. "oh. Gordon you1l
KIN me. Come on.-iet's play. No,
III tell you the joke some dime again.
! hate TO spoil Il by hurrying"
That night Gordon was called away
on business. when he returned 10 the
hotel, a week later. he was amazed
% learn that I.oritn aud her mother
had departed, aud day later ho
learned Of her marriage 10 Capt. Paul
Matcer
lie returned 10 his Office and hard
work, thoughtful and sober, but not
crushed In soul aud spirit as his New
England conscience told him he should
be. But after awhile reaction set IN
and he felt vague longing. Indefinite
and unaccountahle az nrst. desire
for something he could not name. But
gradually tie want took form aud out
Of the chaos Of his thoughts appeared
pais Of sca-gray eyes and q tired,
white face looking gratefully at him.
November came, dark and dreary
aud wet, and the third week brough,
"a letter from his mother. Obeylng
Instructions. he went 20 tea room to
meet her one afternoon nj four.
Gordon looked around approyingly
his artistic eye pleased with the scene
Then he started, for there at the mex,
table was his summer girl and sh0 waA
Knitting
us isn't Il finished yetT asked Cor.
don across the space The gray eyes
flashed up AZ him and suddenly wild.
ened and dnrkcncd. And WIS Il i'm.
aginaiion or did faint rose touch the
dead Wilderness Of her chcck9 Then
she smiled. "No, it's never finished.
But you are not served yet. Can't you
come over here. Its so unsociable
eating alone"
He needed no second Invitation.
I'm come II you stop knitting. Don't
sou think it's bad for you-so much
.of It. / should thln, your husband
would rather have YOU Ia sackcloth
with some roses IN your cheeks Ia.
stead Of an that tnzzy stuff--and-I'
he stopped lamely
MY husband" She looked blank.
"oh, | see ] said II was FOR wed.
ding and you Thought II was for mine.
How funny Why. this N the way /
earn my living Last summer at Oak.
hurst I was mixing things for II
was her turn TO stop and she famed
red, for she remembered the tragic
ending 70 his romance,
FOR LorltaT he asked.
''Yes.D
'"rell me something" Hc leaned
forward eagerly. "rye dreamed OF
your gray eyes all fan and think
heaven sent me here today 70 find you.
Isis there any prospect Of your max
Ing your own wedding LAGER l must
know II If there Is"
None that know orr she an
swered, Then briefly. "But wouldn't
waste the time on myself; there are
50 many more wonderful things 10
dol l think I'd look up at the sky
and trees so long I'd soon grow a
neck like the little girl In the story
and have to carry my head around
on wheelbarrow.'
II love your he whispered tense
ly. Suppose, dear little Miss Gray
Eyes, YOU give me chance to take
care Of you. II you'll marry me we
will take whole days and weeks and
months just looking at the sea and
trees and sky. win you, dear2"
For an instant she hesitated. Then
she looked at him and smiled.
Copyright, 1916, by the Mcclure NewBpa.