Evening star., 1922-04-20
BRIDES WILL Be BRIDES
THE rENurENr,s GARB.

full assortment Of the we'll
advertised morning after
symptoms 1t was his first sampling
of these sensations and he was not
enjoying their novelty. He sat on the
edge Of his bed clutching his aching
head. He experimental cautiously
with a fur-lined tongue. He prowled
forth to a prolonged cold shower
which made him feel worse than be-
fore. He tried hot water. Which
gave him chill. Scraps of a long
ago song that lugubriously intoned
''R-e-m-o-r-s-e" spells 'remorse.' and
sparkling June sunlight can be even
more obnoxious than a cold gray
dawn. He bathed his bloodshot eyes
tenderly.
Through the bathroom window he
could look upon a charminGty do
mestic scene. Ragsy industriously
digging for last springs bone: Su-
san Sue on a bench under the apple
tree, shelling peas; Arthur Mallory
carefully spraying the roses. and Mer-
riam herself, her bronze curls hidden
by a PREDETERMINED sun hat. gay
with cornflowers and buttercups. her
white frock almost covered with a
voluminous buff-coIored garden
smock. was kneeling to snip the wee
buds of the sweetheart roses.
Susan Sue rose heavily.
"Should we put luncheon al ma am?
she asked apologetically.
One as usual. Merriam's clear
contralto replied
John scratched his chin obviously.
his hands steady enough to hold a
razor. He most awfully wanted a
gallon or so of icewater to drink.
but was too ashamed to ask Susan
Sue to bring it to him. 1t took him
the better part of an hour to get him
self into presentable condition.
The even rumble of Mallory's pleas
ant baritone came through the opened
windows. He was evidently trying
to conciliate Merriam.
But it's no use your making eX-
"uses for him. Arty." her syllables
were enunciated softly. but clearly
or advising me to ignore it'-ignore
last night! Why how can To-
. John shivered.
Much simpler" Mallory's voice
was indistinct. John lost most of what
he was saying. Nothing you say can
alter circumstances-think how he
except. the one he can't offer-cant
decently blame it on that mighty
dangerous gar-lisble to be touchy''
He could have refused after the
niSt urink- Merriam s righteous in
dignation made John shudder.
II wonder" Mallory's chuckle came.
Wei. 1 don't suppose you'll take it.
but my advice Is that"
Il hate advice" Merry's petulance
was charming John had to grin in
take it you're sorry, and if you do
YOU are. and
Rather like vice itself. isn't it?"
Mallory interrupted. he was squirting
''he sprayer industriously. That's
exactly the way / felt-dast night
offered me one I was sorry that /
didn't take it,
You" gasped Merriam why. 1
thought you never drank"
Regular tank when I>go to It.
Mallory's tones were cheerful. But
AT that I'm rather like pal of mine
who boasts that when he goes to a
party where they are not serving
drinks that he does not miss it-and
who adds. quickly. that when he goes
to a party where there is something
10 drink-that he doesn't miss il.
either
g.. The pair of them strolled SO far
tacross the garden that John could no
longer hear them. He dressed him
self with meticulous care. He felt
like a small boy who had a bitter
dose of medicine waiting. He posi-
lively braced himself as he started
downstairs.
On the threshold of the porch he
paused. shamefaced
Ragsy saw him first. Blessed be
dogs. for bridging awkward moments!
For. with all his doggy might. he
dashed to wish his master rap
turous good morning.
Call off your dog, please, kind
lady" John tried to be casual
Merriam was closer than he knew.
just around the corner of the porch.
with her wide basket filled to over
flowing with posies
Her brown eyes lifted themselves
soberly under the brim of her flower
decked hat. the deep violet shadows
under them almost broke his heart.
He caught her hand in his.
You can't forgive me-" he mumbled
tragically. II can't forgive myself
His gaze was as appealing as a
child's. And even while he was speak
ing the corners of her lips began to
curve upward in a wavering smile.
For John Munro Lindsay. humble
and contrite. had painstakingly earbeG
himself in the absurdly gaudy striped
shirt that he had tactlessly refused
to wear yesterday. Hamlet himself
would have been irresistibly funny in
so grotesque a garment.
Merry's adorable head tilted, her
soft laughter babbled.
"Arty! Come quickv she cried Be
hold our jazZy penitent in twentieth
century sackcloth and ashes"
Another episode of this story in to-
rnnrrovysx Star.