The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-08-15

day. Not at the garage because Mir Steve never bothers to drive to the garage. l saw the roadster last night parked by the hedge.
 Lottie surveyed Mona triumph antly.
 twas 1t there this morning. Jack son? Is Mir Steve staying over for the wedding? You've heard about the wedding, suppose?"
 Who indeed in the Townsend employ had not heard about the wedding? But Jackson's reply was circumspect. Begging your par don, Miss, about the roadster l could not say. I left early to do some errands for MT Townsend"
 You didn't see 1t them beside the hedge this morningH
 Jackson smiled. "Mr Steve used it last night. That's all know. l saw him get into 1t when drove the doctor to the station. That's the only time. I saw 1t. Of course" 1" apoiogetically, "Mr Steve never parks it twice in the same place"
 And Twilands is full of parking places, isn't it?" offered Lottie. She was jubilant. This meant, of course. that Steve would be there. He'd be best man, most likely and she maid of honor--or whatever you could call it when the wedding takes place in a sick room.
 They rode now in silence. The sun was shining and spring was in the air. A tender haze of green filled the distant fields and finally the dim outlines of Twilands raised above the sheltering branches across the valley.
 Lottie craned her neck as the car entered the gate but failed to spy Steve's car.
 Listen, honey" she whispered as they drew up before the door, "if you want to back out right now I'm with you. Nobody on earth can make you go through with this if you don't want to-"
 Jimmy appeared at the door, his face beaming. MT Garretson will be down directly, Miss he told Mona. II wish you much happiness, Miss, if I may be so bold" He turned to the stairway and lowing, pointed the way into the drawing room.
 The room was empty. From a drawer in q table the butler drew out a package. It was long, fiat jewellers box. MT Steve asked me to give you this, Miss" he said. Privately, Miss. He said you would understand"
 "Mr Steve!" Lottie exclaimed. Hes here?"
 Jimmy shook his head. No, Miss He's gone. But he asked me to de- liver the package before the we'd ding. Miss"
 Lottie turned in dismay to Mona who stood with the open jewel case in her hand. It was the necklace and Mona had promised to wear it on her wedding day.
 Mechanically she slipped the thin chain of diamonds about her neck and fastened the clasp.
 "Gone?" Lottie repeated. You mean Steve didn't want to stay for the wedding, Jimmy"
 Hardly, I think, Miss. You see-"
 Whatever Lottie was to see could not be explained at the moment. MT Garretson entered the room and, murmuring, the butler bowed himself out.
 "Ah, Miss Moran!" MT Garretson was saying. And I'm glad to know you, Miss Carr. You both look very charming"
 "The gardener. sir, with the bou- quet," Jimmy's voice came from the doorway.
 The old gardener, hat in hand, shuffled forward to present an of- ArirA "A v1N, sD made every bridal bouquet for Twi-
 "It's beautiful. Thank you!"
 And you, Miss, if l may say so, are beautiful too."
 provingly. "The ceremony is to said. Townsend had a slight re- serious! But we thought 1t best not and nurse are there with the miQ- ister. Miss Lottie and I are to be the official witnesses"
 In silence they climbed the stairs. The staircase seemed inter- minable to Mona but they reached the top and moved down the dim,
 
 Barry's door. Which one would it be? An, here!"
 'Everything's ready, sir a nurse whispered. She moved aside as Mona, large-eyeds clutching the roses, followed MT Garretson's ges- ture and stepped within.
 If only they would give her one moment, just one, alone with him!
 "Mr Townsend has been very ill.," the nurse said softly.
 The sick man, lying back on his pillows, opened his eyes. It was not Barry. Mona understood it all in a flash! It was Barry,s uncle the tall, slender man who had been lunching with MT Garretson at the Savarin!
 The stern eyes. opening. held the girls for long moment. Miss Moran?" he said. Thank you for coming. I'm sorry my rascally nep- hew can't be here to witness our marriage. He insisted on sailing for South America last night"
 (To Be COntinucd)