San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-11-23

Mormon and could get married twici
year. It's q thrill"
She thought of her marriage TO
mantically as though she were some
gracious young princess who had con.
descended to marry her lover out OF
pity for his terrible emotion. Murillo
adored her. He exulted in her beauty
He would give her whatever she askd
Indeed, he would have no choice in this
so complete was her power over him.
She would be his goddess. Her will
would be the law.
oh. she might smile at him now
and then in her lovely way. He would
bend down to kiss her hands: whisper
pieadingly of his anguish and devo-
ton. But when she shook lsr head,
he would forget himself and talk OF
entertaining things-his travels; the
enchanting trips they must take; the
wondrous places she must visit.
Then, after a long, poetic time, this
magnificent unselfishneSs Of his might
win her.
She pictured marriage as one pro-
longed courtship with Murillo gently
but delightfully."- suing for her favor
and she granting or Withholding what
ever she chose.
But now, standing in this big, barn.
like room, where she knew every
crack and smear on the faded yellow
walls, sense of unreality wreathed
about her. She had an inordinate de-
sire 10 let herself quietly down from
the old window, run along the misty
path, find Timmy's hand. reaching out
TO grab her-She kept saying to her
self softly in kind of frightened way !:
"One day more-tomorrow !"
In the living room her sisters were
lacking garlands of smilax. Their ham,
mers went rap-tap-tap very decisively
They stopped now and then to ask
judiciously: "How does this look?
Would it be better a little higher?"
Her mother murmured: Lovely
you're doing it like artists They
were all very happy.
Sandy listened to this hubbub, her
breath quickening with vague, chilly
excitement. For her marriage. They
were doing all this for her wedding
A step-someone skirting the tables
-Ben-coming with the bridal gift.
She wouldn't turn, though she knew
he wished her to.
She could see the black, silky eye
trows so arched and so long, giving an
inquiring. disdainful lok to his face.
She could see the narrow shoulders
and limp hands. He had mis- arms
out, the languid eyes half closed. He
had habit Of coming toward her like
this. without speaking. She didn't like
it. 1t seemed so moony and stupid.
So she wouldn't turn. He stood
behind her, taking hold of her elbows,
whispering with his moist lips almost
touching her ear: Darling, tomor-
row :"
She gave a shrug: "Well, what no:
Tomorrow and began TO laugh
I'm have to teach you how to
love"
Don't be so sure of what you'll
be doing tomorrow. Penny Yenuto.'
He touched her hair: I'm sure of
one thing. I'm marrying the most
beautiful girl in the world. I'm 50
proud of you. Sandy. dearest"
why? If I'm good 10 look at it's
no thanks to you. Why all the
prideT'
He looked at her dreamily, his
hands still holding her elbows. BE
cause you'll soon be mine. That's
why I'm proud"
She felt suddenly oppressed and
turned abruptly. shaking off the
warmth Of his clasp. She moved to-
- 81 sol fo1l- xr~ffh
animation. showing where each per.
son was TO sit. describing what this
one and that would wear. Old Mrs.
Coulter would be sure to come with
c bertha of Chantilly lace; the Costa
girls would have Sanish combs IN
their black hair. They would say:
"Oh, yes, the governor OF Mexico sent
these TO our grandmother q hundred
years ago"
She kept up this chatter and was
finally about to lead him to the Ilv-
ing room on the pretext Of showing
the decorations. He drew her back.
wait a moment, I've this for you.
Look at IL while we're alone" He
caught her hand. ran his lips along
her bare arm. slipping over it as he
did this q bracelet Of diamonds and
eTneraluS.
1t took Sandy's breath away. II
brought unexpected tears 10 her eyes.
She said trembling: ooh. Bcn-it's
too beautiful. Oh. don't think
want it"
Eyes. you do. Here. look at me
once-not ar il. Kiss me. Sandy"
But she held her arm out, e;l
traneed by the brilliant stones. u
must show Il TO them she said
abruptly. "Oh. ] must hurry" She
grabbed his hand, ran her lips with
a light. impudent flourish across the
palm and sped down the dingy hail.
Not much later Sandy was going
up the back steps. They said she'd
better get n good nights sleep or she'd
be a sorry looking bride tomorrow.
She paused in the dimness. held thu
bracelet before her. She took it off
suddenly. clasped il hard between her
hands. She stood there a long time
with her check pressed against the
wall.