Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-31

ceremony.
1t had been a full-dress rehearsal
for all but the bride, of course-an'
his ears were still filled with tn
crashing reverberations of the wed
ding march. his eyes still daZzled b,
t1issolving views of the eight Watteal
bridesmaids in rainbow -hued chiffol
frocks, advancing slowly up the aisle
swaying this way and that, leanins
affectedly on tall. ribbon-bedecket
sticks. They had broken ranks nov
and were moving about, chatting
animatedly with the groomsmen, THEN
conversation much interfered with bS
the diminutive flower girl and velvet
clad ring bearer, riotously at large
now that their onerous duties were
performed.
Over this scene the bride presided
competently and coolly. Warner
watching Remy as she moved from
one group to another, now talking
over the program with the organist
now turning to speak with the florist
who had dropped in for last sugges'
fions, now catching the fleeing flower
girl and ring bearer to coach them
once more in their parts" realized
finally that just so would she 90
through life-ordering its forces, I'M
posing her wishes on all around her.
The fear that had been Juggling at
him for weeks seemed suddenly TO
clutch him, physically, by the throat
and choke him.
The wedding party went back to
Remy's for sandwiches, and when it
broke up, Warner left with the rest.
Three blocks up the avenue he stop
ped his taxi, got out, paid the chauf-
feur, and walked back to the big
.I~t% 1,A "
He stood looking up at it for mo-
ment. and then. spurred by the fear
that Remy might demur at seeing him
so late, he ran up the steps and
pressed the electric button.
X * X X
BRIGGS, the Cosgroves' butler. loath
- to believe that anything more
could happen in day already packed
with hectic events, waited, doubtful
that the bell which had rung so often,
could possibly have rung again at that
hour. A second reverberation dashed
his hopes, and he told himself bitterly
that the eve Of wedding is a trying
time in any household. But at the
sight of Warner his bitterness dis
solved, and he welcomed the morrows
Bridegroom to the warmth of the
library. He, too, had known a we'd
ding eve. Men, high and low. were
pretty much alike, he reflected. He
assured the young man that he
would send a maid to Miss Remy with
the message, and as he disappeared
through the door on his errand, he
Favored Warner with a sympathetic
glance.
Warner resented the look and its
sentimental implications with a fer
YOUR that astonished himself. He
stood by the mantel, his clenched
hands thrust deep into his pockets.
xcowling at Briggs retreating back.
Well, he wouldn't have to see him
again, he told himself. No-he would
never see Briggs again. AS for that
matter, he would never see Remy
again--or this room. where so much
had happened to him. He looked
around it as though for the first
time. In a certain sense it was the
first time, for he had never before
been able to look at it with detach-
ment. Remy had always baen there
with him, and Reny had always de-
manded his entire attention. There
was something rather suffocating
about the demands Remy made upon
one. She was certainly not the sort
to give him time for all this-the
Franz Halls high above the carved
mantel, the Rodin near the window.
the long rows of dignifled. handsome
ly bound books, stretched along the
walls. which looked as though no one
ever handled or loved them.
AS he glanced at them now, he
grinned with sardonic amusement.
What was he doing dams cette galere
MAGNITUDE, anyway, he asked him.
In
change completely every seven years.
Well, he had changed completely in
seven weeks. He had come into that
charming room certain sort Of man.
seven weeks before, and he was leav-
ing it for the last time. tonight, a
totally different person. 1t was all
over-or would be, in a few minutes.
Remy would never forgive him, natu-
rally. He Strengthened up and raised
his head, as he heard her foot on the
stairway.
She came in quickly and laid a
hand on Warmers shoulder, putting
UP her provocative lips, on which how
cred a subtle feminine replica of
Briggs intimate smile. But Warner
only looked at her strangely and
made no movement to take her into
his arms.
w nat the matter! BIG oC-
manded. Are you still angry?
He shook his head.
'Then what is it?" She spoke with
a scarcely concealed impatient as
constituent.
Cant you guess?"
"Heavens, no"' she said, and
glanced at the clock. Its almost
IL o'clock. Phil-don't ask me to en-
gage in a guessing contest at this
hour of the night. Just let me have
At straight, can't you, old dear?"
In the beginning, Warner had
sometimes thought Remy too direct,
too brutalIy fortnight in her manner.
1t was note in her youthful ultra
modernism which he hadn't particu-
Iarly liked. But now he welcomed her
straightforward technique. The inter-
view couldn't be too short, too much
to the point for him.
II want to tell you something I
should have told you weeks ago,
Remy, and to give you back some
thing l should never nave asked you
for"
The girls intent gaze held a look
of surprise. followed by one of fear.
She moved slightly away from War
ner.
IT don't think / understand" Her
straight, dark brows that contrasteo
so beautifully with her yellow hair
drew together in puzzled froWn.
The curved. full lips fiattened out into
a thin red line. Il don't understand"
she said again:
4 y
WARNER filled his lungs with air
w as for a dive. Then he took
the plunge.
Its simply this, Remy.-IV We
known for weeks that we weren't
suited to each other-oh, don't shake
your head. You've found il as hard
TO put up with me as--well-the
truth is, my dear girl, We've made q
bad bargain. and now. at the eleventh
hour. I've found the courage to come
here and own up TO it and set you
free. I'm not the man for you, ano
] ought never to have asked you TO