The Prescott daily news., 1920-06-23
LISTENING IN
By MARJORIE PURDv.


 Doris Laird's gaze passed idly over the dainty room In which she lay in- dulging in an unaccustomed afternoon rest-mentally she entrusted its pret- ty appointments with the simple fur niture of her bedroom In the little Yer mont town where she taught school.
 It hardly seemed possible that she was here in this lovely home to be Nina Hazen's maid of honor-Nina, the wealthiest 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 it was just like warm-hearted Nina to choose quiet litle Doris to be her first attendant at her marriage te Phil Crosby. No wonder all the oth1 young men in Nina's set were so en- yious of Phil's successt
 Everyone at the Hazens' had been kind and courteous-Nina's 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 retiring nature and everyone seemed to take rather an impersonal 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 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 ealing: Run to the exten- sion in the library and listen in. It's Ted Manning, Phil's best man, and this is the only chance you two will have to 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 I want you to know one another before the big event." Then, with a hurried apology about being called for a final fitting, Nina's re- ceiver was placed on its hook with 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 if they had been lifelong friends. They spoke only of conven- tional things, but there was something in Ted Manning's courteous words, as they drifted over the wire, that made him.
 Twenty minutes later Nina. passing through tue 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 oily downstairs.
 The morning hours were busy ones for Doris, but through all the prepara- 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 fles made her look very much like a first time Beneath a 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 a quaint little old-fashioned nose gay. with it's wbite 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 Yed's rather extraordinary ac- knowledgment of the introduction. And the elderly gentleman who had brought them together decided they were get ting along very nicely together and icok his departure.
 As inc wedding party moved down the church aisle Nina's stately beauty held the eyes of all the guests. but there was many an admiring glance for the little girl in mauve.
 After it was over Doris remained for a 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