The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-09-01
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please" he said, lapsing into what
vas evidently habitual phrasing.
Marks hand on Norma's arm
yuided her into the glow of the
amplight They stood directly be-
lore the minister.
Chris moved to Norma's side and
Bradley Hart took his place oppo-
site.
Mr.. Littlejohn coughed a second
time. His sharp glance from one
to the other seemed to ask, Are
you ready?" Then, without pre-
amble the Sonorous words began:
Marriage is OWNED that the
home is a sacred institution. God
has ordained that man shall leave
his father and mother and cleave
unto his wife"
The words rolled on. To Norma
they seemed without meaning. She
was aware dimly that what was
happening was to change the en-
tire course of her life.
Here she was beside Mark. 1t
was to be Mark and her forever
now. Or was the whole thing
fantastic dream? Would she awake
in moment and find that none of
this was real?
There was a pause. She heard
Mr.. Littlejohn's voice again:
"You will answer now as pro-
nounce the words to you. Do you,
Mark Travers, promise to take this
girl as your lawful and welded
companion through life, to love
and to cherish in sickness and in
health, in fortune and in adversely
and, forsaking all others, to cleave
unto her and her only till death
do you part?"
II do"
Norma thought Marks voice
sounded odd. She darted a quick
glance upward. Suddenly she real
lied Mr.. Littlejohn was addressing
her.
And do you, Norma Kent, prom
Use to take this man as your lawful
and welded companion"
1t was over. Norma was in
Marks arms and he was kissing
her The others we're laughing,
talking gayly.
Little Mrs. Littlejohn had come
forward. She smiled and said some
thing Norma did not hear clearly.
Brad Hart was declaring his right
to kiss the bride.
Every one seemed so happy. Why
had Norma been afraid? Why, there
was nothing to be afraid Of! The
world was beautiful and good now.
CHE shook hands with the Rev.
- Mr.. Littlejohn. She kissed
Chris. At last, with Marks arm
about her waist, they were out into
the night again.
The quartet walked down the
narrow brick walk to where the
roadster waited. Mark seated Nor
ma and took the wheel. Chris and
Brad Hart clambered into the rum
BILE seat.
Here comes the bride!" warbled
Hart in lusty bass as the heavy
roadster pulled away from the curb
ing.
The rest of his ballad was lost
in the rush of wind and droning of
the motor.
Norma sat still and close to Mark.
Presently she asked in a small
voice:
"Where-where are we going
now?"
Travers was guiding the roadster
With one hand. The other arm en-
circled Norma securely.
ITO the Marlboro. Going to cele-
brate, aren't we? Going to have the
wedding support"
It was not, however, at the pala-
tial Hotel Marlboro where they
dined. Half way to that hosiery
the dazzling electric signboards of
Bills Barbecue" loomed into sight.
Cat-calls from the rumble seat
caught the attention of the pair in
front.
"Hey, listen, you love birds!" Brad
Hart called. do you know that in
your enthusiasm over 1natrimony
you've forgotten that the bride and
maid of honor haven't had a mouth
full of food since noon?
Maybe you two can live on love,
but Miss Saunders is perishing for
food. Let's stop at Bills and order
the best in the house. My party,
old top! Bills sandwiches are bet
ter than starvation"
TRUE enough, none of them had
l. eaten. They left the car and
went into the brilliantly lighted pa
vilion. No tables here, but high
stools before a high counter.
Brad Hart became an expansive
host. He called, ordered quantities
of barbecued chicken served in quilt
buns, cole slaw, hot coffee and
sticky pastry desert.
Norma could not eat, but she
smiled as toasts to the bride were
drunk in ginger ale. She laughed
with the others, agreed that prob
ably never before had there been
such a wedding supper.
1t was well after midnight when
they left Bills. There was less talk
during the rest of the journey. Chris
Saunders was deposited at her door,
step. Hart rode downtown with
Mark and Norma, left them at his
club. Fifteen minutes later the
bride and groom had reached the
Marlboro.