The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-11-06
CHAPTER XVI

Milo saw Jill come into the ball. room with his father and Jill's stepfather.
 Milo had been steeped in gloom all evening. There was c baffled, bewildered look in his eyes. Jill had not only snubbed him by asking another man to receive with her, but she had also gone of some- where and stayed away, This, which would have been his first dance with her this evening, was now al- most over.
 It was impossible that he--Milo with his sleek, good looks, and immense fortune, could be con- temptuously disregarded by any girl.
 It was true Jill was beautiful and popular. But there were other beautiful and popular girls, members of economic royalty, also, who would have fallen into his arms at the mere hint of marriage. He had wanted only Jill, for some reason. A reason not mixed with material considerations. And she would have nothing to do with him.
 His eyes fastened on Jill re- proachfully, she she stood In the wide doorway. He thought she looked very pale. White. Though her eyes were bright with excite. ment. What was it7
 What was his father doing here, anyway?
 When he had left home, his father had inquired gruffly: "Go- ing to the Wentworth party, any way? Where's your pride, when that girl has treated you like dirt under her feet2"
 And then, his father had nut tered angrily: If that girl but knew 1t, I could stop the easy flow of money to her house. stiff necked with pride, those Vent worths, with not an ounce of grati- tuae in their makeup. What they nted is humbling."
 Yet, here was his father with old man Wentworth, and they were as smiling and friendly as ever.
 Milo started toward jill. As he did so, the music stopped. He saw his father walk toward the orchestra and stoop to whisper in tke leaders ear.
 "so you ran out on me, Jill2" Milo began indignantly.
 Jill broke in quickly: "rhis ncxt dance is yours.
 To Milos amaSement the orches- tra was playing now and-of all things-the Wedding March. Play ing 1t as he had never heard 1t played before. Swinging itl
 He glanced toward his father, and saw him standing proudly be. side the orchestra leader.
 Milo looked down at Jill. There was e queer look in her eyes.
 jill whispered quickly. "Its for us, Milo. Don't you understand Isn't it 0 clever way to announce our enEagement7 But don't tell your father you didn't know. Par- ents are so old-fashioned. I've iust told him and dad, and Of course they thought you knew"
 "jiii, darling. Angel You planned to surprise me-you-"
 Milo's voice broke In excite- ment, He crushed Jill in his arms and swung her Into 0 one-step:
 The big room was whirling about Jill. Oh, please, don't let me faint. she prayed wildly. She mustn't faint. She must smile and laugh and look terribly happy and nroS,d over capturing the most eligible man in town. Nobody must guess the bitterness and desolation in her heart.
 She could see the astounded faces of other dancers. A few had ventured on the floor when the orchestra had begun playing But they had dropped out realiz- ing something unusual and I'm" portant was happening.
 Everybody was staring at her and Milo. They were thinking, lust as Milo had, that she had planned this clever way Of an" Ylouncing her engagement ta ta ta tn Here comes the Bride wouldn't it ever end2
 The orchestra was swinging the strains of the Bridal Chorus even more wildly now. And she and Milo were dancing alone on the floor, with sea of smiling faces about them.