The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1923-02-15
Two Days Before
Her Wedding Day
By HARRIET DRUNKHURST

Mark Dorrance swung down from
he naughty express as it grudgingly
stopped to let him off at Merton
Merton was too small for regular
stops-a decidedly unmportant 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 it.
Today he was oddly impressed by
what seemed an undue amount of in
terest in him. People spoke as usual
was it as naturally as usual then
continued te stare curiOusly.
I'm imagining it," he told himself,
Iimpatientiy endeavoring to shake off
his embarrassment and appear at ease
as he tossed his bag into MertOns
ionly taxicab. "Why shouldn't they
take a second look when I'm about
ITO be married to the prettiest girl in
town? Their eyes are not glued to
tme as | feel that they are. I've been
imagining things all the way" he
Thought, angrily.
He was really disturbed over a
rather singular obsession that had
tseized him of late. He found himself
unable to visualize his fiancee with
tout another face floating between him
land the exquisite face OF the girl he
was about TO marry.
Mabel Ellins generally ranked as
the most beautiful girl her beholders
had seen. Her features were deli
icately perfect. her skin milk white,
with true carmine cheeks and deep
red lips. her hair dusky black, her
Ieyes almond shaped, with dainty
Earched brows and silken lashes. A
truly wonderful face.
Yet another face, softly indetermi-
nate and appealing but with no par
ticular beauty, persstently remained
with the prospective bridegroom of
the prettiest girl in Merton.
Mark paid the taxicab's owner and
again encountered that clinging, Gu
rious stare.
"WellT" he asked impatiently. He
knew the man well, liked him Ordi-
Enarily, but just now he felt distinctly
iantagonistic 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 a taxicab fairly well occupied.
$50 Mark strobe into the hotel with
ibis serenity restored
cWeIl. well 1.-THE hotel proprietor
scame 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.
st looked to me as if everyone was
expecting me-" he said lightly but
flushed little. Rather natural un-
der the circumstances"
"Oh, sure sure!'' 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 closed?"
Eyes, but you always had pull
I'm 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
tneversliked 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. 1t was a. relief when
lMabeps mother answered the tele-
phone.
"This is Mark" he said. "May
!. ONE up about four. Mother Ellins? ?"
"Why-why. yes. Mark" Mrs Ell
q rs answered.
:. THANK you much" he said cheerily,
Z 1ded an adieu and replaced the re-
!. .eiver upon it's hook. There won't
: De much of interest about that con-
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, but today
she was almost tearfully maternal in
her care ri ktsu
II didn't know rhat they wept over
the groom" he chuckled to 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 dozen maxims about
beauty's being only skin deep. But