Henderson daily dispatch., 1937-01-22
CHAPTER 1

gathered here in the sight OF God
and in the face of this company
to join together =.
Janet's eyes lifted from the
white head bent over the book.
Her vision, synchrOnized with the
tumultuous beating of her heart,
Wavered so that for an instant the
china dogs on the mantel back of
the white head seemed to rise and
settle. She was aware, as in q
dream, of the echo of the music
of the old-fashioned organ expiring
on the air. Outdoors she heard
the passing of a heavy motor on
the country road, the distant bark
ing of a dog, the shifting of feet
at her back.
". this man and woman in
holy matrimony 49,.
She turned her head ever so
slightly and saw Joel standing
straight and solemn at her side.
He was framed by the room that
seemed smaller with his tall
gauntness. The light streaming
through lace curtains lent nobil-
ity to his head 1t pointed up the
clean shabbiness of the worn car
pet where so many other couples
had stood like these two. 1t
showed the careful darning in the
linen doilies on the plush chairs,
the fading colors Of the following
wallpaper.
Janet thought: this is my
background. Joel doesn't belong
here. ! can smell bread baking.
I've known that smell all my life.
I was brought up in home like
this and l thought that one day
would end it in just such a home.
But this is not for Joel Oh, Lord,
make me a good wife, the right
wife for him!
''. and, is commended by
Saint Paul to be honorable among
all men; and therefore is not by
anyone to be entered into unad-
ViSedly or lightly"
Martha Colby, standing at ia
nets left, cleared her throat. The
sound in that room, silent save for
the soft, old voice speaking so
WY, sounded harsh. She
dropped her eyes.
AS though Martha had spoken,
Janet protested within herself:
We are not entering into it light
ly. We loved each other from the
moment we met. Time doesn't
matter.
Martha thought: It's the most
unadvised thing I've ever heard of.
Who'd ever think that those two
would fall in love? Janet, you
should have better than this! A
sane, sweet child marrying
stranger. He's a temperamental
second-rate actor. What would
your Scotch father think Of this?
Martha thought of little DR..
Macleod. as she had been think
ing of him since Janet had called
her on the telephone the day be-
fore. There had been something
singing in Janet's voice then:
Martha, I want you to stand up
with me tomorrow. I'm going to
marry Joel Paynter. Reverend
Fisher is going to marry us at his
home in Chester. No, you're
not dreaming, it's true! Yes,
he's the boy met two weeks ago
but know it's right, Martha.
Will you?"
IF any man can show just cause
why they may not be lawfully
Joined together, let him now
speak, or else hereafter forever
hold his peace" the minister in
toned.
The faintest smile played mo-
mentarily at the corners of Janet's
mouth.
Almost the first words joel had
said to her were, I'm not mar
rying man." Before that he had
said, II don't know your name but
I've struggled through this jam to
get across to you ever since you
came in. Do you care very much
for this party or will you get your
things and leave with me? I want
to talk to YOU"
Janet had obtained her things
and when they were in the park,
driving from the Taylors' cocktail
party, they hardly spoke. Yet be-
tween them there was a quickened
sense Of understanding
Joel took her sensible little hand
in his big one and looked into her