The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-09
@NlCd i
and
SUMMER
BY Anne Austin

AS Faith shrank helplessly against
the wall, sick with the thought of
facing the bridal party with her
astounding news Of Cherry's disap-
pearance, a door to a tiny room ad-
joining the large vestry room opened
and the rector, the Rev. Mr.. Ash
burn, appeared, vast and dignified
in his rich vestments.
II am Faith Lane, the sister of
the-the BRIDE" she came close and
spoke in a voice so low that he
stopped to listen. 9TH re-there
won't be any wedding, Mr.. Ashburn.
My sister-Cherry-Cherry has"
She could not go on in face Of his
blank establishment.
MY dear young LADY," the rector
refused to believe his ears. You
can't possibly realize what you are
saying If you knew of any reason
why this marriage should not be per-
formed. why did you not speak out
sooner?"
You misunderstood me-" Faith
whimpered. her lips quivering
against her clenched rifiht fist. MY
sister has run away-just half an
hour ago. She ran away to keep
from marrying Mr.. Cluny. VIII
you tell him." she begged, laying a
trembling hand on his sleeve.
This is outrageous! Incredible
The rector's round face flushed scar.
let. What in the world shall / say
to my old friend, Ralph Cluny? I
would rather face a cannon" he
seemed to forget Faith, to be talking
to himself. Heaven knows 1 tried
TO dissuade him from the first. Mad
ness, sinful madness, for age to seek
to mate with youth"
Don't blame me-" Faith was
ashamed to feel tears gathering in
her eyes. "She left note. but-I'd
rather not show 1t to you. It's
it's so personal. She did not say
where she was going. Please don't
hope to try to find her or that she
will come back" she pleaded.
II don't know what to do" the
rector looked about him helplessly
1T will cause a terrible scandal
nothing like this ever happened IN
my church before. How shall l tell
Mr.. Cluny? He is late-I wonder If
she got word to him. But in that
event he should have teIephoned-"
Tho door was torn open and Bob
Hathaway, his blue eyes fixed wide
in stare of horror, staggered into
the room. lie was bareheaded and
without an overcoat, the cleaning
black Of his evening clothes pow
dered about the shoulders with big
flakes Of fast-melting snow.
"Mr. Ashburn-oh, Faith, Thank
God you're herer
Bob, darling" Faiths strength
and calmness came back in the mo-
ment Of his need for her. Don't
mind too much, darling. It's really
not so dreadful, unless Mother-oh,
Bobr'
Not so dleadful7" There was
horror and amazement in Bob
Hathaway's voice. DO you realize
WHAT II VIII mean! POOR uncle
Ralph" He groaned the last words.
Where s-Oaerry-now?'
Now" Faith questions dazedly.
II don't know, Bob. All know is
that she ran away while was dress
ing to come to the church. 1 don't
know where she went"
Then" Bob dropped his arms
and stood back to stare at her. you
don't know-what she did?" His
blue eyes were dark with horror and
pity.
What. Bob? Tell me! Don't look
like that! Tell mer' She dropped
her handbag and flung herself
against his breast, her hands grip
ping his shoulders.
Uncle Ralph has been-mur-
dered," he said slowly, almost DULY.
Cherry was there-just before-oh,
Faith. darlingl Don't faithr'
Copyright, 1926, NEA Service, Incl
. NEXT-BOb Hathaway tells Faith
of finding his uncle, Ralph CIuny,