The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-07-31

blossoms from far away hothouses
filed the air.
Maids rushed to and fro with
caps slightly awry. The library
was given over to wedding gifts.
They made a brave array. Silver
and rock crystals. Mink and hand
fooled leather, carved jade and thin
nest porcelain.
The center Of all this confusion
was Lame, who sat, pale as dove,
in a big chair in her rose-tinted
room.
Give was at the club. He had
gone there the week before to live.
His mother thought it proper.
Lame had begged to return to her
shabby little apartment and to be
married from there. But the dow
ager. as usual, had overridden her
objections.
Nonsense" Mrs. Cleespaugh had
said. And that ruling went unchal-
lenged.
So now Lanes wedding day had
arrived. Her gown was waiting on
its scented hanger. Her cobwebby
undertakings with their traceries Of
priceless lace. Her frail, exquisite
veil and shining, narrow slippers.
Her pearls, the ones she had Of
fered as ransom that night in the
fetid house on the shore, lay in
their satin case.
Her stockings, which had cost
twice a shopgirrs weekly salary,
were folded in a pale blue box. All
was ready and waiting.
Cass f1uttered back and forth be-
tween the two rooms, youthful and
smart in her biscuit colored frock.
Time to dress now, sweet" she
said after a final nervous glance at
the clock. Its a quarter past g."
The wedding was set for 4.
Lame rose obediently. Nora and
Eileen who had been waiting for
this very moment appeared from
the hall and begged to be allowed to
assist. Among them all, they ar
rayed her. Like a. lay figure Lame
submitted docilely to their ministra-
tons.
Darling, your hands are cold as
ice" Cass murmured.
"Ah, she's nervous" Nora broke
in volubly. "All girls are nervous
on their wedding day. My sister
Katie"
Lame listened to their chatter,
laughed with them. They were so
gay. They helped her to forget
herself.
Mademoiselle, who had fitted the
gown at Christine's, arrived to see
to the train. Mademoiselle intended
personally to supervise this wedding.
It was like a dream through
which some strange girl moved
automatically. Lame stood, docile
and quiescent, for the draping Of
her veil. Dimly in the glass she
saw her own reflection.
At last they left her alone with
her mother.
you're not nervous, darling"
Cass whispered. You're wonder
full. So calm and poised"
Lame smiled back. She did not
trust herself to speak.
A TAP sounded at the door and
n Cass. opening it. found Mrs.
Cleespaugh standing there with a
white fur wrap over her arm. "a
wedding present for you, child" the
old lady beamed. They folded it
around her. They led her down.
stairs.
We're few minutes early" Cass
murmured. She left Lame alone in
the small sitting room. She had for
gotten her gloves.
Tressa came in. She wore a dove
gray dress that fitted as though she
had been poured into it. She said,
81 should have left for the church
ages ago, but I wanted to see you"
Lame regarded her calmly.
Il have a message for you" Tressa
oeN4O' O4lO AACA0 OtAO N14CL 14ebllO. Lii
ane's fingers closed over a thick
envelope.
"You were to read it before you
left" Tressa said. Her voice had a
strange, compelling urgency. Quick,
before anybody comes" She darted
to the door and stood, her back to
Lame, guarding her.
Lame tore open the envelope with
trembling fingers.
Il shall wait for you always" she
read. Wait for me. I am free.
Muriel has eloped with Desmond"
Lame crumpled the note. With
steady steps she walked to the fire
place. In an instant that note fired
up, melted into ashes.