The Washington times., 1936-12-30
NOW READ ON
By MAY CHRISTIE

and two figures we're stretched
upon it Bernice fully clad
Freddie in his pajamas, snor.
ing loudly.
It was like a nightmare to Ann.
She remained calm outwardly,
however. Wells of courage came
to her, as courage often comes to
one in an apparently desperate
situation.
"Some sweet lovers? Huh?" the
widow fairly spat out.
Ann whirled on her.
Don't you know that Bernice
has every right to be here?"
st must congratulate her on her
daring! We all know she's mad
about Freddie. but isn't this going
a bit far?"
"She's married to him!"
Married? I simply don't be-
lieve it!" The widow was beside
herself with spite, jealousy and
the drinks she had consumed.
why, Freddie proposed to me
only three days ago"
"And then married Bernice!"
Ann supplanted.
One of the men guffawed: "A
heart caught on the rebound!"
Ann shook Bernice. She did not
move.
Honeymoon too much for
her!" laughed one of the gang.
Let the bride have her sleep out!"
Freddie awakened.
For the love of Mike, can't you
leave a fellow in peace? The
drinks are in the kitchen. All Of
you go on out and drown your
selveSw
He fell back on the pillows.
"It's a shame to disturb them,"
Ann smiled tolerantly, and with
apparent nonchalance. I'll mix
you all a drink if you promise to
leave directly after, for it's get
ting on to morning" She put on
an eiderdoWn comforter over
Bernice. Watching her, the sit
uation began to seem quite nat
ural to the others.
Secret marriages were fashion
able up and down Park Avenue
with the younger set Ann was al
ways truthful. They knew that.
Shaking the cocktails in the
kitchen, she kept the gang there
with story of the wedding cere'
mony at which she was sole wit
ness, and Freddie so nervous that
he forgot to bring a ring, so one
was borrowed for the time being
and now Bernice was deter
mined on a diamond circlet,
though heaven alone knew II
Freddie could afford it!
Ann played her part so well
that all doubts were removed.
"If only I can get them out Of
here before either Freddie or Ber'
nice wakes up!" she thought des-
perately. If that catastrophe
should happen, she would still
stick to her story. Denial from
one or both of them would be put
down to the desire for secrecy,
Dad being opposed to their mar
riage. Anything to save Bernice!
Finally, to her immense relief,
the five couples departed, Ann
calling after them gaily: Il must
undress the bride and tuck her
up in bed"
And now," thought she, as the
last echo of their steps floated up
the stairs. "the story will be all
over New York by breakfast time!
I'll have to hurry things along
so she has the marriage certifi
cate!"
Provided. she could wake them,
it wouldn't take long to drive to
Harrison, N. Y. AS Bernice was
81 years old, there would be no
obstacle. legally speaking, to the
wedding.
Freddie had a ramshackle Ford.
She would drive it herself, if neces
sary. This thing must go through.
She went into the bathroom.
Bromo-seltzer? Aspirin? The
pick-me-ups were in the cabinet.
Freddie was finally aroused.
$50 the gang was here Good
grief! I don't remember it
mean I vaguely remember some.
thing-didn't they want drinks
and piled out into the kitchen2"
Ann nodded.
Freddie, it'll be all over town
in a couple of hours Bernice
and you! You know what ]
mean?"
He blinked ruefully at the pale,
pretty face on the pillow above
the eiderdown quilt.
"They saw us-like this?" in
rueful amaze.
Ito Be COntinued)