Sharp County record., 1918-03-08
HER WEDDING DAY
By ELIZABETH SHIELDS.

&sSsSssssssssssSsssssssssssssssssssss&
For fifteen minutes Cecilia O'Malley,
cashier, had tried to count one pack
age Of dimes. She pushed the money
aside petulantly, then sent a dimpled
smile at Murray Kent, who, seated d.
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 yel,
low car, was a strip Of green grass and
trees.
Elaborately 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 allurins
little body and flushed face, framed in
soft, brown hair.
II shall come back for you later with
the car" he said. TITS yours for the
afternoon, little bird. You're welcome
to everything I own"
"You're always making promises to
me-" protested Cecilia.
"I'll keep this one" he assured her.
"Well drive up Riverside and pick out
fat right now, sweetheart"
Cecilia smiled uncertainty and slow.
ly withdrew her hand, which he had
covered with his.
"rll return for you at four" he as.
sured her.
When Murray crawled into the low
seat Of the car, Julia Schmitt, proprie-
tor, seated herself in the open door,
way. "The loafer," she scoided his
well-tallored 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
Il his right name is Kent? She laughed
at her own shrewdness.
The hot afternoon droned on. Ju-
la was quietly snoring when Murray
1rove 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
% Riverside drive. They dashed past
blocks and blocks Of apartment houses.
Cecilia sat in breathless anticipation
till the car slowed down on a rugged
road, little more than 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
prettyW His lips touched her throat.
"Klss me, sweetheart" he begged, as
he held her.
mo" 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 tlmidly to say, 1--WE for
got to look at apartments, didn't WEI"
Murray bit his lips and then sent his
azzling smile at her.
"Why live cooped up In a ten.room
iati wouldn't you rather have coun-
.ry house, darlng1 That's it--well
I've In the country"
"That would be wonderful" Cecilia
:ried to adjust her puzzled mind, with
he nimbleness Of Murrnys, to a eoun.
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.covered cot
tage on the edge Of stream that they
we're to occupy as soon as he could
and II,
AT fye the next morning Cecilia was
out Of bed. This was her wedding day !
On card inscribed Murray Fraser
Kent" was serlbbled In lead pencil,
Tomorrow morning at nlne."
Cecilia appeared In her softest little
summer dress and n summery hat at
nine o'clock, and happy smile In her
eyes, She surveyed the crowded Third
avenue block for Murray's blond head.
Julia sehmltt was busy In the big
kitchen when at eleven, Cecilia her
face white as the marble table tops,
tucked her hat under the cash desk.
with trembling fingers she tied the
black apron strings about her slim
waist. Defeated and miserable, she
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