Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-21
lNSTAILWENT XVIII.
The Wedding.

THERE was no pretenSe at any
Observation-Disclosures or feStivity
either during or after the
strange little ceremony which
took place the following morn
ing at Ardrington Church. Laurita
listened to the words Of the service
with q rapt. dreamy expression IN her
large sonaber eyes To Martin, matter
of-fact although he usually was, the
whole thing seemed like dream The
one thing which he Gid appreciate, and
which filed him with a disturbing I'M
easiness was Lauritas curious Qules~
cence. She had not for single mo-
rent the air OF one who is playing a
part. She seemed 10 enter into the
service seriously and with unmistaSahle
emotion. Her fingers clutched his arm
as they passed down the aisle with a
nervous strength which surprised him.
His first words to her as they passed
from the cool. rather depressing close
ness of the little church into the sunlit
strip Of churehvard outside we're OF re-
assurance as much for himself as Tor
her
Please remember" he begged. that
what has happened makes not the
slightest difference You needn't be
afraid for a moment that I should ever
take advantage Of It.
She looked up at him shyly, almost
"You must not think that am
frightened. Martin she whispered.
"Only 1t is all so sudden. 1t was only
last night that I heard"
Martin welcomed the others, who
Joined them at that moment, with
sensation Of relief. OF the four who
crossed the stretch of park land which
separated the church from the hall,
Lord Ardrington was the only one who
made any attempt at conversation. and
he did not venture upon any reference
TO the ceremony On the terrace they
all ispersed-Blanche and Laurita
Fastening upstairs-the latter with
little wave Of the hand 10 Martin
and Lord Ardrington, who was button
hole6 by his agent, disappearing In the
direction of his study. Martin, after
O moments hesitation. took a cap and
stick and started of for walk across
the park. He felt the need of fresh
air and exercise, the environment Of
the everyday incidents and objects of
life. 10 recall him to its realities. He
kept on telling himself that the cere-
n7ony n which he had taken part
meant nothing, that the solemn words
which ne had recited and TO which
he had listened. had no significance
Yet there it Was-a legally accom-
plishe6 fact. He was married man
Laurita-Laurita was his wife!
On his way back, after an hour an
q half of vigorous traTnping. he met
Blanche. She was walking. contrary to
her custom. with her eyes fixed upon
the ground, and her start. when they
met IN the middle of a small fir planta-
ton. was the first sign Of nervousness
he had ever noticed in her.
Well. have you come To think over
your new responsibilities" she de-
nanded
81 have none" he rejoined little
shortly. Il suppose you know the |e@e
story?'
Everything" she admitted. ''Uncle
told us both together"
Well. then, you must know that I
haven't any responsibilities at all" he
insisted The thing had 10 be done,
and am glad that vas here 70 do it.
AL the same. it's stupid business
From some points OF view, damna-
bic business" Blanche assented turn
ing around "TYe come quite far
enough. III walk back with you"
4 hope you'll reassure L2urita." he
begged, after a moments silence. i
want her To realize that she need never
have q seconds uneasiness / under
stand perfectly that the ceremony was
entirely a matter Of form. l shall
slways remember that"
Blanche looked al him curiousiy
Il don't think that Laurita is feeling
IN the least alarmed" she conflded. Il
suppose al her age she is romantic,
and II does seem little queer to 60
through the service and hold hands
with a n1an--pronlise all sorts Of
things-and yet realize that II means
nothing all the time"
She's got to remember that" Mar
tin insisted you can help there, and
hope you viii"
Again her eyes sought his question
tngly Walking side by side, she WAS
almost as tall, the grace ~ her move
mlents more than ever perceptible
against his long strides.
Il rather thought that II was you
who would need all that drummed int0
you" she remarked II fancied that
you had rather penchant for our little
Laurita"
Il admire her, Of COURSE" he ad-
n1t'teG. Any one would. Marriage
Is entirely different thing"
ON. I done know. The modern
idea is that courtShip ought To begin
after marriage you'd better begin thu
afternoon. Lauriia Is Ia very emo
tio3aI state. You might make an in
preston"
7 lhlnk Zg4.re rather brutal n
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