The Lamar register., 1920-06-09
LISTENING IN
BY MARJORIE PURDY.

Doris Lalrd's gaze passed idlN over
the dainty room in which she lay in
dulging In an unaccustomed afternoon
rest-mentally she contrasted Its pret-
ty appointments with the simple fur
niture of her bedroom In the little Yer
mont town where she taught school.
1t hardly seemed possible that she
WAS here in this lovely home to he
Nina Hazen's maid of honor-Nina,
the wealthlest and most accomplished
girl In the school which they had both
attended. but In which Doris. lacking
the pretty clothes and the means to do
the things In which the other girls in
dulged. remained almost unknown.
But 1t was just like warm hearted
Nina to choose quiet little Doris to he
her first attendant at her marriage to
Phil Crosby. No wonder all the other
young men In Nina's set were 50 en-
vious of Phirs successl
Everyone at the Hnzens' had been
kind and courteous-Nina' friends
had helped Doris choose her gown, and
there had always been plenty Of es-
corts for the different affairs. But
still Doris was naturally of n retiring
nature and everyone seemed to take
rather an lmpersonal interest In her
Just now she was thinking that Nina
was the only person in this great house
whom she could call an intimate
friend
Her day dreaming was interrupted
by n knock at the door, which opened
to admit one Of the housemaids. Miss
Nina is calling you from downstairs
Miss Laird" she said.
Doris. hastenIng into the corridor
heard Nina calling: Run to the exten-
sion In the library and listen In. It's
Ted Manning. Phll's hest man. and this
is the only chance you two will have
10 become acquainted before tomor-
row."
BY this time Doris had lifted the re-
ceiver from Its hook and heard Nina
very prettily speaking the necessary
Introduction. "You two will have a
great deal in common tomorrow" she
added. "and want you to know one
another before the big event" Then.
with hurried apology about being
called for final fitting. Nina's re-
ceiver was placed on its hook with a
sharp click.
There was moments embarrassing
silence. then the mans voice came TO
the rescue In hearty tones. Doris rec
ognized a Western accent and soon she
found herself talking to this utter
stranger as II they had been lifelong
friends. They spoke only of conven-
tional things. but there was something
In Ted Mnnnlng's courteous words. ms
they drifted over the wire. that made
Doris very curious TO know more Of
him.
Twenty minutes later Nina. passing
through the library. caught Doris just
hanging up the receiver.
"why. Doris Laird You don't mean
to say Ted Manning has kept you talk
ing all this time Do come and see the
gorgeous lavalliere that Aunt Harriet
has sent" And the two girls ran hap
PLY downstairs.
The morning hours were busy ones
for Doris. but through all the prepHra-
tions ran curious thoughts of Ted Man
ming. She dressed with a carefulness
not entirely due TO the occasion, and
the result was really very satisfactory.
Her gown of many dainty mauve ruff
fies made her look very much like a
little girl dressed in long skirts for the
first time. Beneath rose-crowned
poke her hair framed her face in pret-
ty brown waves, and in place of the
conventional roses and orchids she car
ried quaint little old-fnshioned nose
gay. with its white lace frill.
Doris recognized Ted Manning the
minute she entered the drawing room
and heard him as he moved from one
friend to another. And then some one
was Introducing them. "Your eyes
match your voice, Miss Doris Laird"
was Ted's rather extraordinary ac-
acknowledgement OF the Introduction. And
the elderly gentleman who had brought
them together decided they were get
ting along very nicely together and
took his departure.
As the wedding party moved down
the church aisle Nina's stately beauty
held the eyes of all the guests, but
there was many an ad1nlring glance
for the little girl In mauve.
After II was over Doris remained for
few days with Mrs. Hazen, as Nina
had said. Just until she becomes ac-
customed to my being away"
During her stay there Ted called
tFr IA