Evening capital. [volume] (Annapolis, Md.) 1922-1981, 1923-03-26
Two Days Before
Her Wedding Day
By HARRIET DRUNKHURsT


stopped TO let him of at Merton
Merton was too small for regular
stops-a decidedly unimportant little
town. 1t was pretty and friendly.
however and as Mark passed down
the platform he was invariably hailed
cheerily by a dozen or more acquaint-
ances. And he liked II.
To-day he was oddly impressed by
what seemed an undue amount of In
terest In him. People spoke as usual
was 1t as naturally as usual f-then
continued 10 stare curiously.
I'm imagining H." he told himself.
impatiently endeavoring TO shake OF
his embarrassment and appear at ease
as he tossed his bag into Merton's
only taxicab. "Why shouldn't they
take a second look when I'm about
TO be married TO the prettiest girl In
town? Their eyes are not glued to
me as feel that they are. I've been
imagining things all the way" he
thought. angrily.
He was really disturbed over
rather singular obsession that had
seized him OF late. He found himself
unable TO visualize his fianeee with
out another face floating between him
and the exquisite face of the girl he
was about 10 marry.
Mabel EIlins generally ranked as
the most beautiful girl her beholders
had seen. Her features were deli
cately perfect. her skin milk white.
with true carmine cheeks and deep
red lips. her hair dusky black. her
eyes almond shaped. with dainty
| arched brows and silken lashes. A
truly wonderful face.
Yet another face, softly indetermi-
nate and appealing but with no par
ticular' beauty. persistently remained
with the prospective bridegroom of
the prettlest girl In Merton.
Mark paid the taxicab's owner and
again encountered that clinging. Gu
rious stare.
"WeIlT' he asked impatiently. He
knew the man well, hked him ordi-
J narily. hut just now he felt distinctly
antagonistic toward him.
The man fumbled in his pocket for
a card.
New telephone number in case you
want me-" he said.
I'll want you at four" said Mark,
his resentment vanishing. The man
was only looking after business. A
bridegroom might be expected TO
keep taxicab fairly well occupied.
So Mark strobe into the hotel with
his serenity restored.
well, well THE hotel proprietor
came forward to meet him-"glad to
see you. Didn't expect you, though"
Again that curious stare. but Mark
was by this time sure that his imagi-
nation was working overtime.
1T looked to me as If everyone was
expecting me-" he said lightly but
flushed little. Rather natural I'M
der the circumstances"
"oh. sure. surer" said the hotel
man, and had Mark not been some
what occupied with his own state of
mind. he might have observed a GER
| tain embarrassment in his hosts
! manner.
'My old room?" he inquired. I'll
telephone first" he added. 81 suppose
the dining room is closedT'
Yes. but you always had a pull
in the kitchen; they'll fix up some
thing for you."
Thanks. An omelet or cold meat
anything that is the least trouble"
said Mark, revealing the reason for
| his popularity in the kitchen. Mark
never liked to make trouble, and he
was liberal in paying for service But
despite his momentary reinsurance he
felt his hosts eyes glued to his back
as he entered the telephone booth.
Inserting his nickel in the slot, he
realized that his conversation would
doubtless be closely followed and
carefully reported. Well, no one had
| ever expected this part Of getting
married TO be anything but annoying,
he reflected. It was a relief when
Mabels mother answered the tele-
phone.
This is Mark" he said. SHAY 1
come up about four. Mother EllinsY'
-Why-why. yes, Mark" Mrs. FL
Inns answered.
Thank you much" he said cheerily,
added an adieu and replaced the re-
ceiyer upon its hook. "There won't
he much of interest about that con-
J versation.' he told himself compla-
Gently.
His luncheon was served by the al
ways attentive Ellen. mainstay of the
little hotel staff. Ellen was always
Solicitous for his comfort. hut today
she was almost tearfully maternal in
her. care of him.
Il didn't know that they wept over
! the groom" he chuckled 10 himself.
/ Maybe Ellen thinks I'm being wasted
on my beautiful bride" He watched
the heavy figure as the woman left
the dining room for fresh waffies-he
was eating most delicious fried chick
en- especially prepared for him-and
again smiled TO himself That's it.
Bet she has a dozen maxims about
4 a.