The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-01-20
| ADy b. NCHEH FARM

ceremony was performed, was dec
grated as 1t never had been before In
the hundred and fifty years Of its exs
istence. The Wallacetown Orchestra
played at the farm. A wedding sup
per. more sumptuous than any OF
which Hamstead had ever partaken,
was spread on tables under huge avn
ings extending over the lawns, and
two rooms were filled with presents
which any bride might well have been
proud to display and possess. Blanche,
wearing the countess pearls, enveloped
In mist of white tulle and soft lace,
looked more exquisite and fairy-like
than ever. Philips friends-and they
seemed to be legion-were there in
full force, nor had Hamstead real
lied before how many Boston friends
Mary had, too. Gale Hamlin was
there, with his sister and niece. Mr..
Davis, the senior partner of the firm,
had come, too, with his wife and sons !;
and many others. All Hamstead was
there, Of course, and most of White
Water and some of Wallacetown; and
all Hamstead included, that summer,
pretty, painted Rosalie King, with her
cousins, the Westons.
Finally, Blanche and Philip drove
off In their own motor, showered with
rice and confetti, cheering and waving
from their ribbon-bedecked car as they
went. The guests remained a little
1onear ~ lor.rr, md ,rx, onH III a.
over" Then gradually they went
home, motor-horns footing, aged carry
alls creaking, boys and girls singing
as they walked arm in arm up the
dusty road to the village. Jane crossed
the lawn to her own house and sat
looking at her ribbon-tied candy box
for some minutes before she went to
bed Violet collapsed, in an orgy Of
satisfaction and tears, and Mary un-
dressed her and made her a hot drink
with bromide tablet melted In it.
And finally, coming out of her cousins
room at two o'clock in the morning.
after having made her "as comfortable
as could be expected"--to quote Vio-
let's own feeble whisper-she met Paul
face to face in the hall.
He lurched towards her unsteadily.
There had been champagne, and a
strong punch served at the wedding,
for Violet had had some fear that
Philips Boston friends might think
her "countrified." And all the eve
ming, Paul had been alternately con-
Stunning first punch and then cham
payne and then punch again. The re-
suits of his over-indulgence were all
too obvious in both his appearance
and his manner Mary looked at him
and her very soul revolted.
How dare you!" she cried, "dis-
grace your sisters, wedding day like
thisi''
Paul seemed hardly to hear her.
But there was no doubt that he saw
her and that he found her very good
to look at. Philip had once said that
Mary was lovely always, but that IL
she ever got angry, she would be mag
nificent. Mary was very angry now,
so angry that she hardly knew that
she was wounded to the heart as well.
She was, indeed, magnificent, beauti-
full as Paul had never seen her, had
never known she could be. He threw
his arms around her. and began to
kiss her violently on her neck, her
cheeks, hve lips. Mary tried to strug
gle away from him, hot with fury, sick
with shame and disgust. He only held
her closer. At last she succeeded in
freeing one arm, and with all her
might, struck him across the mouth.
Instead of SOLDERING Paul, 1t stimu-
lated his raging senses to the point
of frenzy. He confronted Mary with
unleashed fury.
"You canting hypocrite!" he shout
ed, furiously, "moping around all sum-
mer. acting as If you were crazy to
have me make love to you! And now
going for me like wildcat when /
try i'll / guess knew what / was
doing when l let you alone! I guess
can get all the kisses / want without
paying for them by being hit in the
face! From now on, you can nope
forever for all care-but you won't
have chance to hit me again! I
never asked you to marry me, anyhow
you've only pretended did! l
never wanted you at ALL Why should
l want prude-or shrew-or q
jaNor-for wife? You wanted me-
though you've tried to act SO high and
holy about it! And d-n it, you al
most got me! But I'm through with
you now--through-do you hear? I'm
free! And you'll never get me again
after this !"
(To BE coNTINUED)