The Coolidge examiner., 1937-06-03
CHAPTER X-Continued

latlonShlp with Jeremy. She had
never done that before. He had
felt very close to her. Had she
thought again of what he had told
her? Probably not. His symbolism
had been inept. He probably hadn't
gotten his meaning across. She had
defended him in thoughts. II don't
suppose you really liked picking
beans and changing tires" The dar-
ling!
Late in the afternoon following
Mr.. Vaughn's departure, Jim drove
to the station to inquire for the
package which he was to readdress.
The expressman told him that it
had been delivered at Meadow
brook" earlier in the afternoon. Jim
drove out to the estate. parked his
car at the side entrance of the
house and went into the hall.
A low voice murmuring in the
living-room attracted his attention.
He walked to the door and stood
looking in, smiling at what he saw.
Susan was, apparently. putting her.
self through a dress rehearsal for
some impending ceremony. Sh e
wore a pale peach-colored frock,
tight-waisted, quantity ruff1ed. with
a sash of a deeper tone and a
matching ribbon binding her taffy-
colored hair. She stood before a
long mirror, pra acticing a curtsey,
murmuring unintelligible words,
casting an occasional glance at her
feet festive in peach-colored socks
and white slippers tied with bows.
''Hello!" Jim said.
She whirled around from the mir
ror, a guilty flush staining her
cheeks.
whats the idea?" Jim asked,
smiling. Are you going to be pre-
sented at court?"
I'm going to be in the wedding
tomorrow, Susan replied. Mary
Lillians mother invited me. I'm
going to hold a white satin ribbon
when the wedding comes up the
aisle. We practiced this afternoon.
You look awfully nice"
He saw that he had pleased her
Jim laughed. you're growing
up, Sue. Did the expressman leave
a package here this afternoon"
Its out on the kitchen porch.
heard Nora tell Miss Parker"
She went out to the porch with
him, walking demurely, amusingly
conscious of her wedding frills. Jim
found the package lying on bench
and prepared to mark it with the
address of the camp in Maine.
Look, Jim!" Susan said in a
bright interested voice. There 5
Jerry Clyde!"
Jim's eyes turned to follow her
frankly pointing finger. Looking out
between vines, he saw Jeremy seat
ed on the narrow rim around the
fountain. apparently gazing at his
reflection in the water.
"Narcissus," Jim observed.
Susan was too deeply interested in
the news she had to impart to de-
mand an explanation.
Hes mad" she said cheerfully.
HE and Cecily had a fight this
morning"
"A fight!" Jim whitfield a point
on the black crayon he had brought
10 readdress the package.
well, they didn't hit each other
er throw anything" Susan contin.
ued, perching herself carefully or
the end of the bench. ''They were
mad, though-he was, anyway, anc
Cccily was, too. after a while. He
was mad because Marjory Patton
is having dinner-party and a dance
for her wedding party tonight-just
tee grown-up ones" she added re-
ifetfully He wasn't invited
tast an even number in the wedding
party and if Cecily took Jerry il
Would upset everything. And Jerry
said she was ashamed to take him
for fear he wouldn't know which
fork to use and Cecily said he was
setting Ike spoiled little boy ano
the talked sweet 20 him at first
and then she got mad-you know
tire way she does-like princess OF
something and Jerry said he'd prob
ably get drunk or something anc
Cecily said she didn't care what he
did" Susan, from sheer necessity
paused to get her breath.
Where were you when you heard
oil this?" Jim printed an unever
n beside staggering 'g.'
well, l was fishing in the brook
1 Just happened to be under the
bridge when Cecily and Jerry came
and leaned against the rail and
thought maybe they'd be embar
rassed if l came out SO 1 jus
stayed underneath"
That was considerate of YOU"
Susan Wriggled uncomfortably.
We'll, l couldn't help it." she
said heatedly. Il just happened tt
be there"
1T isn't being a good sport tt
listen to conversations you aren
intended to hear" Jim said feeling
hypocritical, making excuses fol
similar offenseS of his own.
well l don't like Jerry" Susar
Eaid as though personal feeling ex