The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-04-28

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IT dol"
A clamor Of voices suddenly filled
the little entrance hall beyond the
parsonage parlor. Sally, recognize
ing both Of the voices, was gal
vanized to swift, un-Sallylike ini-
tiative. Stepping swiftly out of
the circle Of David's arm, but still
clinging to his hand, she Sprang
toward the preacher, her eyes
blazing, her face pinched with fear
and drained of all color.
"Please go on!" she gasped.
please, Mr.. Greer. Don't let them
stop us now! Ask me-'Do you
take this man-?' Please, do,
I dol"
sally, darling" David was try
ing to restrain her, his voice heavy
with pity.
I'm sorry, children" the old
preacher shook his head. II shall
have to investigate this disturb
ance, but promise you to continue
with the ceremony if there is no
legal impeachment to your marriage.
Just stand where you are"
The door was flung open and
Mrs. Stone, matron of the orphan
age, strobe into the room, painting,
her heavy face red with anger and
exertion. She was followed by a
huStered, weeping Mrs. Greer and
by a small, smartly dressed little
figure that halted in the doorway.
Even in the first dreadful moment
when Sally knew that she was
trapped, that the half-performed
wedding ceremony would not be
completed, she was conscious of that
shock of amazement and delight
which had always tingled along her
nerves whenever she had seen Enid
Barr. But why had Enid Barr
Joined in the cruel pursuit of
lucklesS orphan whose worst sin had
been running away from charity?
1t David'S arms had not been SO
tightly about her, she would have
tried to run away again
Are we too late?" Mrs. Stone
demanded in the loud, harsh voice
that had been a whip-lash upon
Sally Fords sensitive nerves for
twelve years. Are they married."
IT was reading the service when
you interrupted, madam" the Rev.
erend Mr.. Greer said with surpris-
ing severity. And I shall continue
it if you cannot show just cause
why these two young people should
not be married. May 1 ask who
you are, madame"
Certainly! 1 am Mrs. Miranda
Stone, matron of the State Orphans
Asylum of Capital City, and Sally
Ford is one of my charges, a minor,
ward of the state until her eight
zenith birthday. She is only sixteen
years old and cannot be married
without the permission of her
guardians, the trustees Of the or
phanage. Is it clear that you cannot
60 on with the ceremony" she con-
Guided in her hard, brisk voice.
rs this true, Sally?" the old man
asked Sally gently.
Eyes" she nodded, then laid her
head YEARLY and hopeleSsly upon
Davids shoulder.
Mrs. Stone" David began to
plead with passionate intensity,
one of his hands trembling upon
Sally's bowed head, for Gods sake
let us go on with this marriage!
I love Sally and she loves me.
have never harmed her and I never
will. It's not right for you to drag
her back to the asylum, to spend
two more years of dependence upon
charity. can support her, I'm
strong, I love her"
/ will all of you kindly leave the
room and let me talk with Sally?"
Mrs. Stone cut across his appeal
ruthlesSly. 81 may as well tell you,
Mr.. Greer, that my friend here, Mrs.
Barr, a very rich woman, intends
to adopt this girl and provide her
with all the advantages that wealth
makes possible. She has been hunt
ing for Sally for weeks, and it is
only through her persistence and
the power which her wealth COM
mands that we have been able to
prevent this ridiculous marriage
today"
I'VE shall be glad to let you talk
privately with the young couple"
the old minister answered with
punctilious politeness. Come
Mama, Coral"
will you please leave the room
also, Mr.. Nash?" Mrs. Stone went
on ruthlessly. without taking time
to acknowledge the old mans
courtesy.
Sally's arms chung more tightly
to David. He's going to stay, Mrs.
Stone" she gasped, amazed at her
own temerity. IF you don't let me
marry David now, I shall marry
him when I am eighteen. I don't
want to be adopted. I only want
David"
81 think the boy had better
stay" Enid Bars lovely voice,
strangely not at all arrogant now,
called from the doorway.
When the minister and his wife