The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1932-04-01
CHAPTER xXxIII

The next two days passed at
such a pace that Ellen felt guilty
when she took time to snatch a few
hours sleep. There were SO many,
many things to do. Such things as
trunks and laundry tags to think
of. There was that hurried trip for
: a riding habit, when Steven told
Ellen they would ride in London.
Oh, there were millions OF
things to do.
The Rossiter household moved
back and forth from the Brooklyn
apartment to the hospital until
Mike became as feverish with ex-
element as his elders. Molly's
81 question that the cerem onies
take place in the boys hospital
room was fatty vetoed.
There were the hours spent in
the cunning two rooms, kitchen
cite and bath where Myra and Bert
were at last to begin the great adj
venture. Fortunately this was
only two doors from the old apart
ment. Ellen and Myra were in
and out of the place at all times
of the day and night.
The girls ewed on chintz
draperies and slip-covers. They
hemmed tea-towels by the dozen
while Bert, humming in that tune
less way OF his, lacquered a bed
room suite he and Myra had
bought for a song.
The living room furniture was
overstuffed, comfortable and
ugly suite bought on the INSTALL
ment plan. Ellen was too wise
to suggest that she be allowed to
help. Myra was ecstatic at find
ing the tawdry things that would
nit her budget.
Late in the afternoon of the
day before the wedding Ellen went
out to buy tacks for Bert. She
found them sooner than she ex-
pected and hurried back. The
door had been left on the latch
ard she stepped into the disor,,
dered living room, then stepped
out as quickly, her heart pound
ing and her face suffused with
crimson. She waiting outside,
confused and feeling the begin
ming of great fear.
Bert and Myra had stood in the
middle of the small room, lips upon
lips, bodies pressed together, clasp
ed close in each others arms. They
had been oblivious of her presence,
obiivious of everything except the
burning flame that enveloped them.
Was that what Myra had tried
to tell her about SO long ago when
she had said only love mattered?
That embrace had nothing in COM
mon with the kisses ELLEN had
seen her sister and Bert exchange
before. Was that what Steven
wanted? Was that what she had
promised to give him? She could
never, never kiss Steven that way.
She waited long while before
rapping on the door. When she
entered Myra was sewing a towel
and Bert had returned to his
painting. Ellen glanced a little
foolishly from one to the other.
Bert casually thanked her for
the tacks, took them and went INTO
the kitchenette. They heard him
pounding with the hammer. Ellen
picked up the. chintz curtain she
had been lining, hunted for her
needle and set to work again. IN
consciously she avoided her SIS
ter's eyes.
"You came in on us, didn't
your" asked Myra after q, pause.
"Yes." admitted Ellen uncom-
fortably. II didn't think you
knew"
Myra did not appear to be par
ticularly disturbed. A little smile
played on her lips and touched
her eyes. She was a trif1e en-
barrassed but proud and thrilled,
too, as she stumblingly tried to
explain to Ellen that Bert's love
was Just as strong and as sure as
IT had ever been.
ITS all come back Myra said.
land Ellen, I'm so happy l can
hardly breathe. Just think to-
morrow night I'll be Mrs Ber-
trand B. Armstead!"
Eyes, that's right" said Ellen
soberly, drawing her needle
through the chintz. She pricked
her finger and in the furry that
followed the conversation was
abandoned.
Presently Ellen felt her fear
subside. She had been filling her
head with lot Of nonsense. Peo-
pie loved each other in all kinds
of ways. Steven with his INFINITE
kindness would never demand any
thing she could not give. Myra
and Bert - well, they were Myra
and Bert.
Later after that strange embar-
rassment had worn away, Ellen
talked with Bert. He was mailing
bright red oilcloth on the Kitchen
cite shelves when she went to wash
her hands. He seemed entirely
absorbed in his task but Ellen