The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-02-08
HER WEDDING DAY
BY ELIZABETH SHIELDS.

|
cashier, had tried to count one pack
age of dimes. She pushed the money
aside petulantly, then sent dimpled
smile at Murray Kent, who, seated di-
rectly before her, was devouring ten
cent lunch.
In the crowd of messy laborers and
factory hands, eating with hats on,
sprawling all over the tables, Murray
stood out conspicuously.
She looked at him through curled
lashes and followed his gaze to his vel
low automobile, standing outside.
The day was uncomfortably hot.
Just across the street, beyond the vel
low car, was a strip of green grass and
trees.
deliberately nOnchalant, Murray Kent |
finished his meal and came toward the |
cash desk. With hands deep in the |
pockets of his gray flannel suit, he !
stood feasting his eyes on her alluring |
little body and flushed face, framed in |
soft, brown hair
Il shall come back for you later with |
the car" he said. Its yours for the |
afternoon, little bird. You're welcome
to everything 1 own
you're always making promises to
me" protested Cecilia.
"Tll keep this one" he assured her. !
"Well drive up Riverside and pick out /
fiat right now, sweetheart"
| Cecilia smiled uncertainty and slow
| ~ withdrew her hand, which he had
covered with his. ,.,-
"Tll return for you at four" he as
sured her.
When Murray crav7led into the low
seat of the car Julia Schmitt, proprie
tor, seated herself in the open door
way. THE loafer," she scolded his
well-tailored back. pays ten cents
for his lunch and spends the afternoon
here"
Cecilia felt too wilted with the heat
to reply. Suddenly Julia demanded:
did he tell you how he happens to
have IS on the door of his dads car
if his right name is Kent? She laughed
at her own shrewdness.
The hot afternoon droned on. Ju-
liza was quietly snoring when Murray
drove his yellow car to the restaurant
at four o'clock. Cecilia jumped in be-
side him.
They turned into Fifth avenue,
straight up to Central park, crossing
, to Riverside drive. They dashed past
blocks and blocks Of apartment houses.
Z Cecilia sat in breathless anticipation
till the car slowed down on rugged
road, little more than a lane, leading
to a narrow stream. Murray leaned
forward to lift her from the car, and
the warmth OF his face burned into
! hers as he Whispered: MY you're
pretty.' His lips touched her throat.
r kiss me, sweetheart" he begged, as
2 he held her.
no" Cecilia answered sharply.
: Take me back-to Julia"
Cecilia crouched back afraid not so
/ much of Murray as of herself. Her
. face famed as an overpowering i'm
pulse came to put her arms about him
and press her lips to his. However,
she ventured tiInidly to say. 1--WE for
/ got to look at apartments, didn't we?''
Murray bit his lips and then sent his
n dazzling smile at her.
"Why live cooped up in ten-room
: fiat? Wouldn't you rather have a coun-
try house, darling? That's it-wen
It live in the country"
"That would be wonderful" Cecilia
I" tried to adjust her puzzled mind, with
the nimbleness of Murray's, to Il coun-
try house and garden. a mist filled
= her eyes. Her head slipped to Muir
: rays shoulder as he kissed her and
!. painted in words rose-coyercd cot.
tage on the edge of stream that they
were to occupy as soon as he could
find it.
i At five the next morning Cecilia was
n out of bed. This was her wedding day
ii on card inscribed Murray Fraser
Il Kent" was scrubbed in lead pencil
Tomorrow morning at nine
4 Cecilia appeared in her softest little
n summer dress and a summary hat a
nine O'Clock, and happy smile in hel
IN eyes. She surveyed the crowded Thirt
ar avenue block for Murray's blond head
Julia Schmitt was busy in the hi:
t kitchen when ut eleven. Cecilia, he
III face white as the marble table tops
e tucked her hat under the cash desk
III With trembling fingers she tied tn,
e black apron strings about her slim
waist. Defeated and miserable, sh
climbed on the high stool behind TIL
cash desk.
He was only jollying me-" Cecilii
bent her head low on the desk. g
" didn't understand
Her eyes bright with unshed tears
er Cecilia raised her head and turned t
y meet the much-battered face and ban
daged head of Murray Kent standin
l.. hesitatingly in the restaurant door.
T. She flew to him. He muttered shame
facedly, Bumped the boss car into an
lr- other fellows and just came from tn
+ hospital"
n Your dads yellow carr" cried CO