, 1923-04-12

room. Luncheon was an informal re-
past snutched from the dininc-room
buffet at odd times by members Of the
Rayner family. Only Susan Sears
seemed to have time to eat in peace
and comfort and by that time she had
been completely forgotten. After she
had finished, "A maid showed her n
room on the third loor-a small
guest room where the gown and vari-
Gus accessories intended for Miss
Brook had been stretched out on the
bed.
IF you need anything else or If the
slippers or gloves and things don't fit
you" said the maid. Mrs. Rayner
says you are to 90 downtown and get
what you need. You can charge every
thing at Blanks and there will be one
OF the cars to take You any time now
n you're to ask Mr.. Bob for money"
Fortunately Susan found that not
only the gown intended for Miss Brook
but all the accessories fitted her If not
to perfection ut least well enough so
that no observer might have guessed
that they had not been made for her.
With the help of the maid she
dressed and then in n room below
stairs where the three other brides
maids, the maid Of honor, and the ex-
cited bride We're assembling she was
given n glance of hasty approval by
Mrs. Rayner and no one even took the
trouble to introduce her. one or two
of the party addressed her as Miss
Brook n asked her If she had Just
arrived that morning, and when Bob
appeared he went out of his way to
call her Daisy and Susan noticed that
the other bridesmaids watched her
with considerable interest whenever
Bob appeared.
Were all quite mad about Bob"
one of the bridesmaids pushed TO her.
ITO think that he ven all the way to
Boston to lose his heart with all of us
just distracted about him-but never
mind. Wen forgive YOU" And Susan
Sears felt that for some reason or
another she was beginning to dislike
the real Daisy very much.
After the ceremony in the church
Susan ound herself facing Bob Rayner
and following the lead of the others
80 INV Nhlhtu uOMH llt ulSlt 10
gether. For some reason, she realized.
her heart was beating very fast and
she was blushing with great happiness
as she felt the eyes of the guests
focused on her and Bob.
They'll be the next ones" she heard
one of the guests remark. isn't she
beautifully all can the prettiest
bridesmaid"
And so aristOcratic," commented
another guest.
Susan played her part so well that
she forgot at times hal she was play
ing a part ut all. 1t was obvious that
Bob was engaged or nearly engaged
to Daisy Brook and she was Daisy
Brook-for the afternoon. She noticed
his look of searching admiration as
they sat together in one of the motor
cars on the way back to the Rayner
house and she convinced herself that
this admiration really belonged to
Daisy Brook.
You are perfectly beautiful" he
whispered to her, and she persuaded
herself that he said this in order TO
be overheard.
At the bridal supper they sat beside
each other and afterward they danced
or sat together, laughed together and
ilirted together.
1t was all part of a fairy trance for
Susan. She remembered being in n
group of laughing. excited young peo-
pie waiting at the foot of the stairs for
the bride TO throw her bouquet. One
young man, obviously a friend of Bob's,
said: Congratulations, Bob. Every
man here envies you. Why don't you
persuade her to your engage
ment right now? Every one has
guessed It,"
All eyes were On Susan. The people
seemed to have forgotten TO watch for
the bride and the bouquet at the top
of the stairs. Then Susan felt Bob's
arm around her shoulders. She saw
him look down, tenderly. gravely into
her face. and then to every ones de-
light and her own supreme embarrass-
ment he kissed her.
I'm only waiting for her to answer"
he said N then he whispered. "Susan
Sears, will you marry me?'
And because Susan felt that she
must play the part and because she
was fascinated by the glance OF the
young man beside her. she archly Wits
pered, Yes"
After IT was all over nd the last
guest had gone Susan started. feeling
like a poor Cinderella, back to the little
guest room, To change into her drab
work-a-day clothes. "Please," pleaded
Bob, "Pm going to take you home. Put
your own things in the bag-the maid
will bring you one. and 20 home that
way"
So apparently Susan's dream was
not quite ready to fade. In the Rayner