The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-09-01

mine never to unite in hol,
matrimony fool girls and men tina
scarcely know their right names be-
cause they're full Of bootleg booze.
But, Mr.. Littlejohn, I assure
you"
IT'S all right" The minister
lifted a restraining hand. Il said
you don't look as bad as some OF
them. I'm willing to give you the
benefit Of the doubt. It's the looks
Of the thing that's bad, young man
Come on over here closer to the
light. I'll marry you all right. Nal"
he glanced around toward his wife,
ma, get me the marriage ritual,
will you?"
The subdued little woman across
the room murmured a Hurried
answer and disappeared.
DEFORE she returned, Norma
- had time to glance curiously
about the room. 1t was obviously
the parlor. There was the plush
upholstered sofa and arm chair that
every self-reSpecting parlor twenty
years ago must boast.
There were the crocheted lace
"tidies" pinned over the back and
arms Of chairs. Half the room was
in shadow and on the lowered car
pet there was clearly defined the
base of a cone Of light radiating
from the table lamp.
Beyond this arc the room was
darker. Norma noticed the old
fashioned secretary backed against
one wall.
On low stand before the win
dow facing the street stood a
spreading fern.
The girl caught Chris Saunders
watching her. She moved nearer
and clasped Chris hand. Norma
discovered her own fingers were icy.
Bradley Hart was saying some
thing to the minister. Mark turned
and came to Normas side. How
handsome he was! Oh, of course,
everything would be all right. Mark
would make sure of that.
"Are you ready, sweetS?"
Marks voice, low and rich toned.
Mark looking at her with adora-
ton. Suddenly Norma was blinded
by a hot film before her eyes.
Gropingly she put out a hand
1t found its way to Marks coat
sleeve and the rough wooden stuff
was comforting. Still blinded, she
raised her head, smiling.
"Of course I'm ready"
Chris spoke up then. Pent-up
emotion told in her voice. You're
you're awfully lucky, Mark. No
one ever had a lovelier bride"
bride? Why, Norma hadn't
- thought of herself as bride!
It seemed outlandish. Brides wore
white satin and snowy wells.
They breathed the fragrance of
orange blossoms and carried bou-
quets. There should be music, solemn
and beautiful music. Herself bride?
Oh, it couldn't be
The girl looked down at her tan
polo coat, the brown shoes. She
wore her beret instead of a hat.
Brides should have flowers-and
there was not even so much as an
artificial one pinned to her coat.
Mother seems to be taking her
time" Mr.. Littleiohn commented.
you folks like some music while
you waltz"
He crossed the room to a radio
cabinet Norma had not noticed. A
turn of the dials and strains of
dance music burst on the air.
A nasal tenor was singing to saxo-
phone accompaniment. The words
sounded raucous-more ribald than
they were:
Just blue-eyed blond
Who happened to be fond-of
me-ee!"
Turn it off" Chris spoke harsh
ly and Mr.. Littleiohn complied with
a shake of his head.
Seems like we don't get any
thing but that heather jazz most of
the time" he said with sigh.
There's good music they could play
if they wanted to-"
II
4 T that moment Mrs. Littlejohn
IN reappeared. She carried a small
black volume.
Here it is, Henry"
They had waited only few min
utes, though it seemed longer. Rev.
Littlejohn took the book, opened it
and Strengthened his spectacles. He
coughed.
you young folks come forward,