The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-06-29

a dog in the manger.
She couldn't imagine Rod wanting
a divorce-Rod, who kissed her as
if he'd been hungry all his life for
her lips.
She had heard, however, girls
talking about the technique OF the
boys. Their attendance at the
movies had not been in vain, it was
agreed.
Had Rod ever kissed Lila like
thatP If he had, then he could
some day kiss a third girl-or would
she be only third?-the same
way.
The new girl scorned to ask the
man she was to marry If he'd ever
loved anyone else. She didn't want
him to lie to her.
Rod had no idea how BERTHE Lou
felt about Lila. They never talked
about her beyond Rods brief-"she's
magnetized."
BERTHE Lou swallowed the lump in
her throat. What was the useP
You couldn't read the future.
She closed her eyes a moment
and relived Rods goodnight to her.
It still sent delicious shivers along
her spine. He had kissed her eyes,
her lips, her hair, her throat.
She was brought to earth by her
mothers voice calling her to some
small task in the kitchen. BERTHE
Lou worked there and all over the
house until the bridesmaids ap-
peared. Then she went upstairs
with them, not come down again
until the wedding march summoned
her.
Most of the things for her trip
we're packed. One of the girls
checked off a list she had made to
use as suggestions for BERTHE Lou.
1t saved her overlooking her
handkerchiefs. The others put on
their own dresses, pale green Or
candle, and then helped BERTHE Lou
into her wedding dress.
She could not fail to look beau
tiful. The white taffeta was like
the spirit of her youth. Soft, yet
firmly crisp, supple and alive.
Her hair, half red, half brown,
framed her eager, sparkling counte-
nance like rich golden crown Of
heavy swirls.
One of the girls said that her
eyes would melt butter if she looked
at it-they were so soft. With that
peculiar velvety softness that only
brown eyes have.
She did not wear a veil, only a
small wreath of white rosebuds, like
the bouquet she was to carry in her
arms.
The girls heard her mother come
up the stairs and go into her room
just when they'd finished fastening
the wreath.
Then she called to BERTHE Lou and
the girl went to her. The instant
she was gone an excited chatter
broke out among the bridesmaids.
isn't she sweet Rods in luck!
I wonder how Lila will feel when
she sees herl She's coming, isn't
she? 1 guess so. BERTHE Lou
couldn't refuse to ask her. Darned
if would! Then you'd have every
body saying she had your goat. I
should worry my extra weight off
about thatl"
BERTHE Lou was coming back, but
they did not hear her.
II won't believe BERTHE Lou needs
to worry about Lila Marsh!". .
"Oh, you don't? Well, I do. I'D
worry if that mantrap had an in
terest in my man." But she
hasn't an interest in Rod. She
gave him the gatel" .. Eyes, but
we all know why. He didn't have
enough money for a husband
but sweetie now" 49,. "Oh,
Belle, shut up That's rotten"
Belle shrugged. "Is it. Sos life
then. Give me a cigaret. If Lila
wants Rod she'll have him eating
out of her hand. BERTHE LOUIS too
soft"
Another voice joined in. "I Won
der if BERTHE Lou likes being sec
ond love?" Someone turned on this
speaker. For Pete's sake, Marcella,
do you want to have to teach a guy
to make love?"
II don't want the girl he learned
on right under my aosel" Marcella
retorted. "He might have a relapse,
or something"
Outside the door a brides falter-
ing footsteps paused, hesitated be-
tween flight and entry, paused
again, and BERTHE Lou walked in
among them.
Mother says we must hurry" she
said, as though she hadn't heard a
word.
They were slightly uncomfortable,
not being sure about it. But ex-
IRENE compassion and tenderness
still lay ahead of them. 1t did not
trouble them much to hurt few
feelings. Life was like that-bru-
tal-they would tell you.
Amid merry laughter the final
preparations for BERTHE Louis we'd
ding went on. There was a little
stir that reached to her room, when
Rod arrived.
Guests were already taking their
seats in the living room-where an
electric fan contended with the
heat-or standing around on the
lawn.
BERTHE LOUIS fingers were like ice
when someone handed her the bri-
dial bouquet.
The minister had come, her moth
er had been in to say she would go
down and have Miss Eustace, the
church organist, begin the wedding
march. BERTHE Lou was ready.
But her heart had grown heavy.
Words rang in her head. Second
love. Second choice, perhaps. And
at her wedding there would be a
girl, laughing at her maybe, who
could have stood in her place had
she so desired.
BERTHE Lou, you'll have to put on