Graham guardian., 1921-08-26

asked Cherry. She gave her father a
demure and lnterrogatlve glance,
Martin, following 1t, Immediately sob
cred.
"Just what Is your position there?"
he doctor asked pleasantly.
~ little bit of everything, now,"
Martin answered, readily and respect
FULLY. Later, Of course, | shall have
my own special work At present I'm
doing some of the assaying and have
charge of the sluce-Gang. They want
ne to make myself generally useful,
maize suggestions, take hold in every
Wayp
That's the way to get on" the old
er man said, approvingly. Cherry
looked admlrlngly, with all her heart
IN her eyes at her hushand-to-be the
other girls were impressed. too. Mar
in had not been with them more than
few hours before the engagement
was openly discussed. and there were
constant references to Cherry's mar
Iiage. rs
Somehow, few days later, wedding
plans were ii the air. and they were
all taking Il for granted that Cherry
and Martin were TO be married almost
Immediately; in October, in fact. The
doctor at first persisted that the event
must wait until April, but Martins
reasonable lmpatlence and Cherry's
plaintlve "But why, Daddy?" were tee
much for him. Why, indeed? Cher
RVS mother had been married at eight
cen. when that mothers husband was
more than ten years older than Martin
Lloyd was now.
"Would We let II go on, eh?' the
doctor asked, somewhat embarrassed,
one evening when he and Peter were
walking from the train In the late
September twilight.
lord, don't ask mew Peter said,
grunly 81 think she's too young to
marry anyone-but the mischiefs
done nowr
81 think I'll talk to her." her father
decided "Anythng Is better than
having her make a mistake. think
she'll listen to mel And day or
two later he called her Into the study.
1t was quiet autumn morning, foggy
yet warm, with dewy, woody sweet
ness in the air
"Bcfore we decide this thing final
ly" the doctor said, smiling into her
bright face, "before Martin writes his
people that it's settled, want to ask
YOU to do something, It's something
you won't like to do, my little girl.
want ye to walt while-wait
yearp
II was said. He watched the bright
ness fade from her glowing face. She
lowered her eyes. The line Of her
mouth grew firm.
"Wait until you're twenty, dear.
That's young enough. ! only ask you
to take little time--to be sure, dear |"
Silence. She shrugged family,
blinked the downcast eyes as If tears
stung them.
"Can't take your old fathers word
for III" Dr. Strickland asked.
at isn't that, Dadlr she protested
eagerly aud ariectionately. "I'll walt
Il have waited I'll walt until
Christmas, or April, If you say sol
But it won't make any difference;
nothing will. love him. and he loves
me, and we always will.
"You don't know" Cherry went on,
with suddenly watering eyes, "you
don't know what this summer Of sepa-
ration has meant to us both II we
must walt longer why, we will, of
course, but It will mean that I am
lust living along somehow-oh, won't
cry" she interrupted, smiling with
wet lashes. "Tll try to- bear It de-
Gently! But sometimes I feel as If
couldn't bear It." ra
rush of tears choked her. She
CROPPED for a handkerchief and felt.
as she had felt so many times, her
fathers handkerchief pressed into her
hand. The doctor sighed. There was
nothing more to be said.
So he gave Cherry wedding check
that made Ter dance with Joy, and
there was no more seriousness. There
were gowns, dinners, theater parties
and presents every day brought its
new surprise and new delight to Cher
ry. She had her cream-colored rajah
silk, but her sister and cousin per-
suaded her to be'married in white, and
II was their hands that dressed the
first bride when the great day came,
and fastened over her cop-colored
hair her mothers lace veil,
1t was q day Of soft sweetness, not
too brightly summery, but warm and
still under. the trees. Until ten o'clock
I&aN TU11NH