The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-01-16
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 1t was 2:5O D. m. when the tele- phone rang and the operators posce announced: Ready with pr. ( stanley ct Easton.'
 A rause, then scOtts deep voice. NHello."
 @scott-" N
 s.fEeilo, there, Dr. Osborne" Then quickly, Nothing wrong, hope"
 Plenty, I'm afraid, Scott"
 Lets have it, sir."
 ssThey say your wife's getting married to Bonnie Moore-tonight
 Silence. Then Scott,s voice, hcagse with emotion. Thanks, sir. Tin coming as fast as I can"
 The telephone clicked. Dr. Os- borne hung up. smiling . little. A load was oR his mind. He had ale most made one of the big mistakes of his life. He would have made 1t if it hadn't been for that tirnid old lady. But now Scott was coming as fast as he could. That meant he'd be coming more than fast. The new car of Scott's was 8 traveller! And with good roads all the way, Scott should have time to get home be- fore nightfall, with Q good margin to spare.
 When Scott spoke in the tone he had just used over the phone, something was bound to happen. It had taken jolt like this to bring that hard-headed, hard-bitten young reaiist to his senses, bringing him tearing across the country to put . stop to this fool business.
 Meanwhile Dana continued her preparations in half daze. There was sense of unreality about everything. The rain had stopped, but the sky was still dark. and the gloom had penetrated the house, wrapping 1t in gray shadows.
 The silent, fiower.filled rooms surely had nothing to do with . happy occasion. Dana could not bear to look into the big. front draw ing room. Once she had, but had glanced away quickly. The big man. tel facing her was like . solemn rebulke.
 She and Scott had stood in front of 1t two years ago when they gave their pledges to each other, with Q soft glow from tall candles about them. Forever and ever. What . mockeryl Nobody ever married for forever and ever any more.
 Nancy with shut up in her room. Aunt Ellen's blue eyes looked as though they were being perpetually washed with tears. It was easy enough to understand why Aunt Ellen looked unhappy.| She believ- cd romance had reality, when really 1t was only a trap. But why should Nancy who had so much to profit from this marriage withdraw from the plans with such cold hostility?
 Her travelling cases were packed. Her travelling outfit was on a han. ger. Hat, gloves, the new pocket book, daintily outfitted, were on the bed.
 An orchid shoulder bouquet was in the icebox. A big, beautiful one. But not bigger no more beautiful than the one Scott had sent on that other wedding day. She wished Ronnie had sent something else anything but orchids. But then he couldn't have known that orchids were going to make her miserable Aunt Ellen had almost caught her splashing tears all over Ronnie's orchids.
 Nancy would probably smile cy- nically when she pinned them on her shoulder.
 It was o'clock now. Just 5. The hours seemed leaden. Not even lighted fires, recklessly blazing all over the house and the prodigal waste of electricity were bringing a cheerful aspect.
 She would feel differently, per- haps, if Nancy were friendly, if peo- pie were chattering all over the place, and if Ronnie were here.
 He was 50 dear and considerate. When she was with him, some of her doubts fell away.
 'pana, dear, Miss Burton has come. Are you ready for the mani- Cyire?"
 Aunt Ellen opened the door gent 1y and put her gray head in. Then she closed the door behind her quickly: Dana, you're cryingl"
 Tits Q cold, Aunt Ellen"
 T guess I know tears when see thenn," Aunt Ellen answered with surprising spirit. Her own tears fell on Dana's bright hair, as she took her niece in her arms.
 Dana, there's something want Co tell you. T."
 But her words were interrupted. Mrs. Cameron had opened the door. sDana, here is Miss Burton"
 Aunt Ellen had whisked c hand kerchief from somewhere and dab- bed Dana's cheeks quickly, and then her own.
 "so this is the little lady who's getting married?" Miss Burton's eyes were fixed. admirably, on Dana. Ready, dearie?"
 "Yes, I'm ready" Dana answered Estlessly.
 Miss Burton was flssing busily with her paraphernalia, keeping up a constant stream of conversation that scarcely pricked Danas ab- etracti0n.
 "eorry to be late" Miss Burton said, "but I had Q hard customer. She wanted . deep red. and then when 1t was on, decided sl1e wanted pale pink"
 \ suppose you do have some try ing people" Dana said.
 "Xes, dearie. But Miss Long was 0ne Of the worst I've ever hadl" '.AEiss- LOngS Miss Paula I0ng?" 'erh@eis right. DO you know her? My, 0iae,s nervous and irritable" pnna'B heart was beating wildly. Raula nervous and irritable. PeO- pAs weren't nervous and irritable when they we're getting along with