The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-12-24

steamship line 1t was presumed
that they were sailing on the hrst
boat out
And now out OF the silence of
months-thisl
1t. was a single sheet Of paper.
On, it was written in the doctors
/ hrm hand:
I'VE have heard and we would
| like to be the first to congratulate
you and wish you happiness. God
bless youkand keep you, child. and
bring you both the happiness you
should have had long ago. Forgive
Us, but do not quite forget us. Who
knows? Some day our caravans
may cross again.
Cynthia and Max"
Diana's eyes were wet with tears
when she laid down the letter. She
wondered how they had learned that
her marriage to Dale was to take
/ place this June.
sMarjorie,s voice in the hall caused
her to thrust the letter out of sight.
Marjorie had never learned the
whole truth about that eventful
day when she left, for Pasadena.
She came in breezily, trim and
crisp in her white linen frock.
WI oSteAN IS
prostration. because his white flan-
nels got crushed in his wardrobe
trunk" she laughed. i've offered
the services of the laundress. the
admirars valet. the chauffeur. and
the butler to put the correct crease
back, but he will not be consoled. -
Diana smiled.
And so suppose Mother Is at
her usual task of pouring oil on
the troubled waters and soothing
him back to good hdmor."
"Oh. Mary" shrugged Marjorie.
She's playing the usual fool.
have something to tell you, Diana"
she said with rapid change Of
manner. Look"
Smoothing More WrinkIes.
She held out her left hand "A
new diamond CLEANED on the third
finger: -. -.'
Diana uttered cry.
The admiral, Why the old dear"
she flung her arms around her
aunt. fou've, gone and done it,
well" smiled Marjorie, Il really
had to-, since you took my Steve
away from mo"
| 1T wassTthe- only reference she
had ever made to that afternoon
in,ithe 'hotel in San Francisco.
II love, him." whispered Diana.
her cheek against Marjoric's.
Nobody would ever doubt that
in the least" laughed Marjorie.
You're a funny creature, Diana, 4"
she added, holding her niece or at
arms length. you've been a little
vamp- ever since you were knee
high. All men have fallen for you
and you've played havoc with a
lot Of peoples lives and every
body's peace OF mind. And yet you
fell head ever heels in love with
Steve and went ON loving him
when IT looked as though the out
come Of the whole AFFAIR was hope
less. I don't think any other man
| exists for you"
Il never 'vamped' Intentionally"
protested Diana. II just seemed
to do 1t subconsciously."
AN involuntary vamp. eh?" Mar
3orie pfnched her cheek affection
ately. We'll. let mettcll you some
thing. The moment you become
Mrs. Stephen Dale, you're going to
md the pastime of vamping any
other man than your husband, dis
tlnctly unhealthy for you and posi-
S''Si5 sidtdi iOT inc NdulDeC. no"
Steve"
I shall never want to vamp any
one ever anymore" declared Diana
solemnly, after the manner of one
taking an oath.
Marjorie looked skeptical
Il don't put much faith in your
reformation. I only warn youw
But Diana knew that Marjorie
fears were groundless.
When. at high noon, in her simple
white bridal gown, she stood before
the reverend gentleman with the
open prayerbook and laid her hand
In Dale's strong clasp, she knew
that the involuntary vamp"- was
gone. She had passed into the
realm OF other childish, thoughtless
things,
Life stretched its happy length
oefore her like an open road
through the June sunlight.
Her hand in Dale's, she raised
her eyes to its promise.
. The End.