Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1927-04-15
ROCKVILLE. MARYLAND FRIDAY MORNING, APRIL l5 1927

hand trr!Hhed so he could scarcely |
hold the receiver Finally he got his |
number It's Bruce Fenton. Yes
yes. Tell her I'll be there In half an |
hour" And he hung up the receiver. |
MY God !" he groaned. "What will |
she think of me? Do you know what |
you have done? II is nine o'clock. l |
was to have been married at half-past |
eight"
The face of the other man went
almost us white as his
"Oh, forgive me, old mani didn't
know"
"YOu must come with me now" said
Bruce, and the two men rushed out,
hailed Il taxi and were soon on the
way TO FentOns hotel The clerk at
the desk, frightened and anxious, met
Fenton with string of telephone calls
and messages The excitement at the
home Of the bride had penetrated the
place, and curious groups stared at
the two men. Fenton made the hastl-
est toilet of his life; but, In spite Of
It all, he found after he was In the
taxi he would be nearer an hour than
thirty minutes late.
ITS all of three miles to the house."
he groaned. "My god, what can
sayT
"You VIII have to tell the TRUTH"
said Forbush, vislbly wincing.
"They won't believe me-"
Forbush was forced to acknowledge
that probably they wouldn't. AS they
neared the house he begged to be al
lowed to remain outside and wait, as
he was not in evening dress, but the
distracted bridegroom would take no
denial. Forbush effaced himself in
corner OF the hall as his friend, rush
ing pell nell past the curious guests,
sought the presence of the bride-elect.
She was white, fearless and unfor-
| giving.
go in there and explain to the
guests shall be behind these por-
there's listening. II I open them you
may come and get me. II l do not,
there will be no ceremony"
But Ethel"
81 advise you to do as she says"
broke in her father sternly. ut has
been all we could do to keep her from
an entire collapse. She must have
her way"
The chatter among the guests in
stantly hushed as Fenton appeared
in the drawing room. He told his
experience exactly as It had happened.
1t seemed to Fenton after he had
finished as though the silence would
crush him. BE looked toward the
portieres. They remained tightly
closed. Just then a noise from an
automobile enabled some of the men
near the door to indulge In comment
The noise ceased so suddenly that the
word "rowdy" came out unpleasantly
distinct.
THAT'S a lie" rang out a voice
loud enough to be heard by all, and
Forbush strobe into the room and
faced the astonished assembly.
Jack FOrbush !" cried two or three
voices at once. He waived back the
outstretched hands. "WaitI" he de-
manded. II ought to be kicked In
stead OF being spoken to. am the
one responsible for all this. But I
want you to know never dreamed
It was his wedding night"
Bruce looked toward the portieres.
They were tightly closed. He turned
appealngly to Forbush, and his friend
understood.
"Whoever said that word 'rowdy'
ought to apologlzel" cried Forbush.
"Mr. FentOn never touched thipg
When / chaffed him about his total
abstinence newell, think must
tell you what he said-lf he will allow
me" He looked at Fenton, who
nodded his acqulescence. Jack he
said, I used to take too much One
year ago promised to leave It alone.
II hadn't kept my promise, I wouldn't
be fit to face the woman I love.
That's the one thing she would not
forgive It's all due to her that I'm
the decent fellow l am today
II can tell you was pretty much
ashamed at having urged him. But
when I could not awaken him, was
so frightened and anxious that forced
a few drops Of brandy into his mouth.
wouldn't think It necessary to tell
all this but for that remark. 1t means
too much to go unexplained.
Jack You rascal !" broken In ope
of the men. II can believe you did 1t,
since you played that sleep trick on
me"
"But I want It understood" he an
swered seriously, "this Is the last time
play with hypnotism."
Bruce, watching with desDairlng
eyes the closed portlerss, saw them
open. woman in white raIment
waited for him.