Evening star., 1931-12-28
CHAPTER /.

vUDTTH DENNTNG was being mar
ried. The folding doors between
the big front and back parlor
- of the old Dennins house had
been flung open, making the
space into one long room.
Jp in the bay window an improvSeo
altar had been formed Of marble
topped center table. fianked with UNI
brrlla stands holding punches OF Gala
lilies. .....
Above the altar hung a white tissue
paper bell. 1t was trifie light struck
on the edges because it had been bor-
~owed from Mrs. Watson and had
served time at the wedding Of each OF
the three Watson girls in turn before
this present session.
Judy Denning was being married
Dearly beloved, we are gathered
here today
II was the Rev. Lemuel Miner speak
ing and his old voice had drone
like a bee. Judy thought dreamlly.
giant bee lowering over banks OF Gala
lilies.
The whole thing was dreamlike. She
tried to realize that she was being
married. but her attention kept slipping
out from under the thumb OF her nina.
A shade on the side window was
slapping family in the afternoon breeze.
In the tense group behind her we'd
ding guest shifted to the other foot
she could hear a shoe squeak How
close It was in the room She hoped
she wasn't going to faint like the
heroine in a melodrama. She should
have insisted on having the ceremony
out in the garden But Aunt Hetty
was old fashioned An outdoor wedding
didn't seem quite legal to her.
DO you. Judith, take this man
Her own name shocked her back to
reality. She heard a thin voice an
swering in the affirmative-a voice
which did not seem to belong to her
at all
She was being married This was her
wedding day-this strange rushing
dream in which paradise and squeaky
shoes were oddly jumbled!
DO you, Stanley take this wom-
an
How funny. to hear Stan called that!
He'd always been Stan TO the crowd,
ever since the first night when shed
met him at Rosamond Curley'S dance.
A month ago only month ago
and now she was being married to
him
How firm STAINS voice was when he
answered the old minister Defiant, al
most. as if he threw it in some ones
face. She stole a glance beneath her
lashes and her heart leaped, as the
sight of Stan could always make 1t leap.
Almost sinful for a man to be so good
looking! He was the best looking thing
that ever had came to this town! Sc
cretly. Judith wondered how she had
gotten him away from all the other
girls. Rosamond Curley had been crazy
about him. 80.
STAINS profile was set and white, like
a handsome head cut out Of marble.
There was a spangle Of moisture on his
forehead and she knew rush OF tender
ridicule That grim look only meant
that he was scared to death.
The old minister was speaking, For
better, for worse, till death do you
part ."
One moment-one little moment and
there would be no more Judy Denning.
There would be Mrs. Stanley Carter.
Sentimental to take it so seriously.
After all most people got married
s-lne several times. But little shiver
u excitement chased up her spine.
IT pronounce you man and wife,"
I was over. All over. That's all there
Is, there isn't any more. ...
Had the minister said that? Oh, no!
OF course not. Stan, turning to her,
ewes strange and dark in his white face.
How odd he lCoked-like a man daZed.
She gave little nervous laugh and said
softly derisive. TITS your wedding, not
your funeral, darling"