The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-07-18
CHAPTER III

" was Sanora Leigh herself who went for the minister, using the broken down roustabout car owned by the caretaker of the lodge. she was to return with him we'll before noon, and in the meantime Crest Mountain Lodge vas Q. behive of activity. san- dra's friends delightedly decorated the big main room of the lodgs with fir boughs, and strips of col- cred paper which the lodgekeep- eeis wife regurrected.
 These are from Q New Years party that was held here once," she told them. And when 1t was over, I aaved ali the decorations. ! had q feeling they might come in useful some time. And, sure enough, they have" She sighed Tcinantically. T declare, never thought the place would see . wedding = although I'll confess I've seen Q heap of love affairs begin here that I bet turned into wed. dingS before very long,"
 More excited than any were Peter Henderson and Helena. For tho most part they kept close to their respective rooms, trembling against the time when sandra would return with the minister. Several times Helena, stricken by sudden panic, debated whether to escape to the station. Suppose 1t was all Q horrible mistake? There were Q hundred things that Could happen. She might discover that Peter was improvident and given to dFink: for Helena had ehard that these evils often went with charm. And she might learn-too late that Peter was one of those men who found all women attractive, and was in turn admired by them. There came back to Helena 0 cas. ual remark of Sandra Leigh's: "No woman can resist that charm of his :" What had she meant by that2 Perhaps 1t was Q calculated Statement, e remark designed to WaSn Q friend, to make her think.
 s9ut if Sandra had known of any reason why I shouldn't marry Peter she'd have told me-" Helena reminded herself stoutly.
 As the morning wore on, she bee gan to dress herself for the wed. ding. Sandra had told her that she might wear simple sport clothes for the ceremony, and Helena had been mildly amused ct the suggestion. In her week. end bag she had packed only three outtits; one for swimming, one for hiking through the woods, and c sports outfit adaptable to whatever informal affair might take place But she had never dreamed that any informal affair" might turn out to be her own wedding
 Just as she completed dressing she heard sandra's familiar voice on the veranda.
 'T couldn't find Q mlnIster-but I found c justice of the peace, and he insists he can marry people legallyl"
 4 momeInt later came sandras excited rap on Helena's door, At the latter's invitation she burst inside the room. You've no idea what perfectly ghastly time I had finding someone who could really marry you and Peterl"
 Helena laughed shakily. May be that's 0 bad ornen."
 "Nonsensel I didn't mean that. you goose. But this is c wild country up tere. They don't ex- pect marriages, you know. Though ! did find Q justice of the peace 1ze can't see very well, and he has whiskers, but I'm sure you'll adore him. He was Q little suspicious at first. Said he wouldn't have anything to do with what he called q gin wedding But finally l managed to assure him that no- body had taken e drink ct Crest Mountain Lodge for ct least 10 hours"
 Maybe you shouldn't have done that" Helena faltered. T feel as if I might do well with @ cocktail"
 4andra put her arm about Helena's shoulder. Buck up, baby. Girls get married every minute and live. It's the bridegroom who really needs drink. He takes all the responsibility" Sandra grinned mis- chievously. And I'd be willing to bet that Peter has had one or two"
 When Helena accompanied San- dra out into the giant living room with its roaring fire she diScov- cred that the Leigh girl was right. Peter had taken @ drink or two, although he did not show it. Helena would never have realized it had she not detected the sweet ish odor of liquor. She didn't blame him. The fact was that she rather envied the false assurance the alcohol had given Peter. How