The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1937-07-23
Op-
FLORI.A HOWE BR RUESo,

any oaae else. lie has everything excsps
money and can surely supply that !
have money-ard plenty. In my own
right. you know"
Polly made an effort, found her voice.
ssWhy didn't you tell me last night when
we talked In your roon?" She listened
intently to her voice. It was natural.
@I wasn't engaged then" Marcia's
amused eyes met Polly's. 1t certainly
was an unique proposal. This morning
after breakfast Ted slipped sheet OF
paper Ia my hand. It was pencil draw
Ing CT bride and groom standing at an
altar before d minister In robes And
unde4 sleath Ted had written:
ssYou and I. How about it2"
Marcia laughed. Like Ted, isn't its
told him I'd take chance"
Polly said something did not know
what, for she was watching love and
happiness close like a steel door In her
face. What she said must have been
right, however, FOR Marcia laughed and
said you're to be one OF my brides
maids, Polly"
And then Marcia was gone and Polly
was alone to look this thing la the facs.
Ted had never said he loved her. and
what did kiss, stolen In the dark.
mean? aNot thing
CHE wore her other dinner dress that
- night. lovely clinging thing OF black
velvet. AS she slipped 1t over her head
sI1e said aloud. voice bright and brittle
I'm mourning for lost love"
When she entered the living room Ted
brought her cocktail to her. At sight Of
that beloved face the pain she thought
she had buried deep was upon her, tear
ing at her heart like claws.
Ted touched her glass with his ITO
you, Polly. he said In . singlilarly still
voice. He drained his glass and turned
away Just as her long lashes fiecked with
bronze lifted. A moment later he stood
beside Marcia and Polly heard their
laughter.
Dinner wax announced. The evening
passed with bridge. It wasn't so hard,
Polly thought. But as she undressed that
night d white, drained face looked back
at her from the mirror.
The party broke into different anuse-
ments the following morning. Ted, Mar
cia, Ken and Polly decided to ski.
Polly would take last turn at the hill.
for she wanted to watch the others She
had not played at the sport for several
winters. She must get the hang OF 1t.
for there would be no mere chances this
gear.
The others stood ak the foot Of the bill
watching the Iittla figure skiSn down ths
niii iiks bird OF brilliant plusnage. shs
was coming along fns when something
went wrong. The horrided eyes OF those
watching her saw her swerve. fall and
crash into tree near the hill.
They started up the hill. eyes on this
notionless figure In Its flaming orange
costume; like splash OF vivid sunset
against the white snow.
She doesn't get up she's hurt Mar
cia said swiftly. But she spoke 10 Ken,
for Ted's long legs were outdistancing
her and Ken.
~ S44J 0ECAAGA AASA EJS&s WAAbGS G1 ILLS
were holding her 80 convulsively7 She
lifted her head. @Ted2" she asked won-
deringly.
@Polly. ara yo'i badly hurtq Darling.
are you in pain7" he cried frantically.
Polly's eyes were dazed as she looked
at Teds gray, strained face. I'm all
right. Ted. The breath was knocked out
OF me, that's all. don't hurt any place"
He gave an inarticulate little sound,
held her hard against his breast. when
saw you crash against that tree some-
thing died in me, Polly"
"And something bloomed. too." sha
murmured, face against his.
.sYes." he said eagerly. polly, never
knew loved you so--terribIy. Nothing
else matters, darling. II you'll have me,
TIL work for you. I'll get job; you
watch. I'll go places-in time"
"Well-evidently Polly wasn't hurt"
came Marcia's voice. An astonished
voice with an incredulous thread In it.
Polly drew away from Ted's arms. They
had forgotten Marcial
Are you two that way about each
either? But what an unnecessary ques~
ton"
Ted released Polly's sturdy little shoes
from the broken skis, helped her to her
feet and stood with his arm around her.
Il never knew loved her SO much
until-is it all right with you. Marcia?"
Marcia looked keenly from one face to
the other, then down the hill at Ken,
who was making slow headway, for Ken
was bit overweight.
$50 I'm d Tilted woman, am n" She
looked at Ted and chuckled. @I'm glad
you discovered your Low for Polly before
Lohengrin pealed over our heads. It's
all right, Ted: in fact, it's right as rain.
Polly will put some ambition In you"
sENTARCIA. you're bricki. Polly cried
49, unsteadily. Her eyes were lumi-
nous. her cheeks. lips like poppies.
Love agrees with you. Polly. / think
I'll wait for something like that After
ALL" Marcia looked thoughtfully
across the white and shining landscape.
well, well" Ken puffed, you're not
hurt. Polly? That's good news"
Congratulate Ted, you porpoise.. Mar
ella commanded gayly. I'm going to be
bridesmaid again.