The Coolidge examiner., 1935-12-20

Ellen Lovell's thoughts, when Tony
came and sat beside her.
"It's about time to bid your baby
good-by," he said, gently. do you
want to take her into some other
ROOM"
Almost at the same moment Bob
Coles appeared.
Mrs. Lowell" he said, "Perira
wants to see you alone, before she
goes, and the time is flying"
"Thank you, Bob, I'll go to her
at once. No, Tony, you bring her
to me, in my little sewing room"
Mrs. Lowell went off, and Gas
kell found Perilla and asked her to
follow her mother.
The girl looked at him pleading
ly, but as Tony had no idea of what
she wanted, if anything, he merely
escorted her to the staircase and
she went upstairs alone. She found
her mother awaiting her, and Mrs.
Lowell was astounded to find Perilla
with tear-filled eyes.
what is the matter, child?" she
asked, restraining her anxiety.
"There's nothing wrong, is there?
Just bit sad at leaving the old
home, aren't you?"
"Yes-that's it," but Perilla spoke
brokenly and Ellen Lowell knew
the words were not true.
"Well, brace up now. You must
be getting dressed. And remember,
dear, I'll write you every day, and
you write me whenever you feel
like it. Come, dear, don't spoil
things at the last minute"
1T isn't that, Mummy; you're on
the wrong track. I'm not afraid
Of Corey, or lonesome for you. It's
its Bob"
"Bob Coles! What do you mean?
Has he been teasing you?"
More than teasing. He just now
whispered to me to remember that
he once told me that If I married
anyone except him he would kill
either the bridegroom, or me, or
himself"
"Good heavens, child, he didn't
mean that. You must know he
didn't"
Il didn't think he did at the
time, but today, a few moments
ago, he reminded me of it, and he
was-oh, he looked dreadful"
well, come along, dear, and get
off with Corey. and forget the
very fact that Bobby is in exist
ence."
Ellen thought little Of Perilla's
fears; she felt sure it was a nat
ural nervousness, and that Bob had
been merely chatting her. That he
loved Perilla, she knew, and he had
often begged her to marry him, but
Perilla was a one-man girl, and
ever since she had known Corey she
had cared for him. m.esase ,-g.-----.-4-
1T isn't imagination, DEAR" Peril
la said earnestly to her mother.
"Bob has been queer and fright
ening all day, and last evening, too.
Ask Malcolm, he noticed it. Now,
I'll forget him and go away, but l
want you and dad to keep an eye
on him, will you?"
"Of course we will. Now, will
you be good?"
They went to Perilla's own room,
and changed her beautiful white
gown for russet brown knitted
silk and a modish hat.
The great hall was crowded with
the guests eager for last glimpse
of the now flushed and smiling
bride. Halfway down she threw
her bouquet. 1t was caught by
Hilda, which was not really sur
prising, as Perilla threw it directly
at her, and Tony Gaskell assisted
it bit on its course.
The car was waiting, and Corey
himself helped his wife in. At
the wheel was Boynton, skilled
chauffeur and mechanician, who
could, as well, act as Coreys valet.
With him in front was Sarah, one
time nurse, and now maid of her be.
loved Perilla.
AS Corey got in, he paused a mo-
ment for last word with Tony,
when Bob Coles took the opportu.
nifty to jump ON the running board
on the other side and give Peril!a
a long, deep kiss, not at all the
sort of kiss to bestow in public.
The girl turned white, but pre-
served her poise, and calling out a
gay good-by to all, clasped Corey's
arm as a signal to start.
Home, Jamesr' Maiden shouted,
and futtering handkerchiefs and
scarfs waved farewell.
Tony Gaskell turned to tell Coles
what he thought of him, but sud-
denly decided not to. His work as
best man was done now, his trust
was over. And while he regretted
Bob's rudeness, it was not his busi-
ness to remark upon it. Stepping
past Coles as if he were not there,
Tony turned his attention to Ellen
Lowell.
Everything went off all right"
he said, cheerily, "but I'm quite