Evening star., 1934-01-11

L LIE living lOOli1 dOOA A~OA6
n took Charity's arm and sent Q
Il pleading look into her white, set
\ face, saying, We've got to see
this through. Buck up!"
Charity reused all her courage. They
stepped into the doorway and in sec
ond were surrounded by laughing.
cheering mob. Charity heard through
the pounding of her heart:
Here comes the bride, here comes
the bride,
Here comes the bride with the
gloom by her side"
A slip of blond girl was sitting at
the piano singing in high falSetto.
Soon every one but Doug and Charity
had Joined in. Bedlam broke loose
when the song was over. The girl OF
the piano ran to Charity and threw
her arms around her neck.
$50 this is the bride! I'm Yanner
vandergriff, darlin-an old friend Of
Dougs. Kiss the bride, boys! It's bad
luck If you dont!"
Charity, in a daze, felt herself being
surrounded by men. She stood like an
automaton while they kissed her-some
on the lips, others on the cheek. There
must have been at least 20 in the
party. When Charity recovered suffi-
ciently she saw that Doug was receiving
the same reception from the girls.
When the bedlam was qu1eted little
Charity realized that she was sitting
on a couch with Doug beside her. He
had slipped his arm through hers and
pasted foolish smile on his face.
Here. here" he begged, give the
poor bride chance to get her breath.
And the groom, too-if you don't mind
Whew"
Yanner threw herself down beside
Charity with a sweet little smile.
my dear-we just had to give you q
housewarming. 1t wouldn't be sociable
not to-"
1T was great of you boys and girls to
drop in" Doug said enthusiastically.
How about little drink"
That was the signal for cheer.
Doug summoned Walker. AS they
seemed to be entirely interested in CIV
ing their orders for refreshments,
Charity had little time to get grip
on her senses. SO far she hadn't
spoken word.
Yanner Vandergriff, a petite vision
in long white trailing evening gown,
which gave her the look of doll on
her bridal day, still sat beside Charity.
No one missed the contrast Charity
in her unbecoming blue evening gown
the wrong color for her white skin
looked like an old maid school teacher
with her child pupil.
Yanner's hair was bobbed close to
her head and rung in tiny ringlets
about her tanned face. Her eyes were
blue as stars. Charity had kept her
long. thick hair waved back from her
face since her marriage and 1t aged
her years.
Charity, as her wits began to func-
ton, looked over the crowd. One girl
seemed lovelier and more sophisticated
ly attractive than another. Their
gowns were revelations to Charity, who
had never been interested in her ward
robe-and had never worn an evening
gown until her marriage. The men
were OF all ages But none Of them
csAs as handsome as Doug.
He stood out in the room in class
by himself. If he were not such
selfish, spoiled, spendthrift-and things
were different-hoW proud she might
be Of him.
Charity knew she'd have to find her
voice sometime. She couldn't be
mummy all evening. Yanner was
amused when Charity turned to her to
say haltingly, Tit was nice Of you to
bring Dougs friends up to see us.
know he appreciates It,.
Yanner smiled Sweetly and looked
across at Doug, who sat beside Charity
looking helplessly i'll at ease.
"We couldn't let the poor darling get
lonesome-on his honeymoon"
Charity stiffened All the others
seemed to be busy enjoying themselves