The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-01-22
The Wedding
Party
By SIDNEY BLAIR

was taking the guests to Phyllis
EWlng's wedding. 1t hardly seemed
possible that she was part of that
gay throng-and an important part,
too, bridesmaid. Shed been in her
own little home town ever since last
June, when she and Phyllis and the
other bridesmaids were graduated
from school, and all these other girls
had been having such gay times since
then-how sweet it was of Phyllis to
want her now. They'd been room
mates, Of course, but Phyllis knew
that she hadn't much money, and most
girls wouldn't have thought of asking
her!
There were gay greetings all about
!her-"Hello, Sue; hear you're going
to Paris next month. So am I-see
you on the Rue de la Paix!" "Nan-
cite, did you hear about Madge? She
ieloped, my dear, and her fathers raw
ing; says he'll cut her off without a
cent"
"Oh, well, she'll soon get a divorce!
Madge will try anything once, even
loves young dream" retorted Nam
nette, dropping into a chair near
Helena's. Then, suddenly recognizing
her, "Oh, hello, Helena. Haven't seen
you since you used to help me with
my themes at school"
Nannette turned her back when the
inspection was over. Speaking Of
loves young dream" she remarked,
swat till you see the best man. He's
absolutely the best looking thing I
ever saw. And with whole week of
parties and things in romantic scenery
ahead Of us-well, girls, just give me
free hand. warn you all. I'm 60
ing to do my best to land the hand
some Daniel"
SIS that his nameY "Who is he,
Nan?" "What's he like"
Daniel Gray. He's just out Of West
Point year. I've never met anyone
like him. had luncheon with Phyllis
and her best beloved and him when
she was buying her trousseau in town,
and lost my heart right then"
ulCI DdlllCl 0Idy LudL dlIeE-
noon, but Nannette ran over to him
with tale Of the latest joke, and
pulled him away before he had much
more than acknowledged the introduc-
ton. Helena liked him, liked the nice,
steady look in his eyes, his square
chin.
There was a dance that night,
very gay one. Daniel Gray danced
with Helena, and told her little
about his life; he'd been stationed
near Chicago this last year, but his
regiment was going to the Philippines
In just two weeks.
ooh, how wonderful" cried Helena,
her blue eyes glowing. She was so
small that she had to look up very far
to catch the answering CLEAN in his
dark ones. "How happy you must be
at the thought of seeing so much Of
the world"
II am" Daniel Gray answered. II
wouldn't want to stay all my life in
the same place."
She saw little of him during the
next few days. There were polo
games between the men and girls
and she couldn't ride horseback. Nan
nette could, perfectly. They all went
swimming a lot, too, but Helena
couldn't swim way out to the raft, as
Nannette could.
"Can't you do anything?" cried Nam
nette that night at dinner, disgustedly.
Helena blushed, when everyone turned
and looked at her. Then, suddenly,
she threw back her head spiritedly.
IT can cook and straighten up
house, sew" she said, her voice trem-
bling a little. "And I can make pre-
serves, and play the piano little, and
take care of little children. That's ALL"
"Bravo, Helena!" cried Mr.. Ewing.
you're a dear, old-fashioned girl, and
/ wish Phyllis was going to make John
half as good wife as you'll make the
man you marry"
A dreadful thing happened two days
later-two long days, they were, in
which Helena spent most of her time
with Mr.. Ewing, except for one gold
en- afternoon when Daniel Gray and
she went for long walk together, and
talked as If they'd been friends all
their lives. The dreadful thing was
that the maid Of honor came down
with mumps. go. 49,. r. 49,
Its so inconsiderate of you'll"
walled Phyllis. eff you'd just had
something that didn't show!"
"Well, she didn't, so pick another
maid Of honor, Phyl," urged Nannette.
"Tm an applicant for the position; in
fact, 1 insist on having 1.-THE dress
will just fit me, and" III,
"And it will fit Helena, too" said
Phyllis, quietly. 81 choose her"
So it happened that little Helena
walked down the aisle. alone just in
front of the bride, her lovely blue eyes
starry with Joy, straight toward where
Daniel Gray and the groom waited.
And it happened, too, later that eve
ming, that Daniel Gray took her to a
secluded corner Of the moonlit lawn.
IT can't help rushing you, Helena,
but-well, I fell in love with you at
first sight, and I'm sailing so soon,
and I'll be so far away from you, for
so long-unless you'll go with me, to
cook, and straighten up a house-and
play the piano a little-won't you
marry me, please, Helena dear?"