The Wilmington morning star., 1940-09-27
p

first. then talk to Miss Nevins?"
Caroline asked, and Linda sensed
The fear in the girls voice. Not
until the marriage vows were tax
en-. n a slim band was On her
finger, would Carolina feel un-
afraid.
THAT would be a little inconven-
lent" the elderly clergyman said.
''You see, we have prepared the
chapel for the wedding. 1t is cool
and beautiful in there"
The telephone was in the living
room of the parsonage, so Terry
took the call there while the others
waited in the small, lace-curtalneo
parlor.
Now and then his voice carried
to them. Once they heard him say,
NINA, you're being foolish. I'm
marrying Caroline. No, I'm not
marrying you'll" There was a
pause, then he exploded, You've
given my engagement to you to the
papers? You call them up and cor
rect it,"
He hung up and the clergyman
looked uuestioningly at the group.
No n said anything and the
four of them, accompanied by the
minister's wife, went across the
churchyard to the chapel. 1t was
cool and sweet inside. White flow
ers were massed in bowl; at either
side of the pulpit, and a few white
candles cleaned.
Dearly beloved, we are gath
cred together,'' the ministers deep
and kindly tones began the words
that he had said so many times.
, Linda felt the tears in her eyes.
She glanced up, beyond the bride
and bridegroom, and saw that Rob-
ert was looking beyond, a qulzzlcal
expression on his face.
The ceremony went on 80.
Caroline Elizabeth Pickard, do
YOU take this man to be your law
full welded companion in life, in
sickness and in health, in fortune
and in adversely and forsaking all
others to cleave unto him and him
only?"
C aroline's 81 do" was low and
triumphant just as Terry's was.
Then the ceremony had ended,
the diamond circlet was sparkling
on Caroline's slim finger, and the
four of them were driving back to
New York.
Robert said nothing of the beau
ty of the ceremony. If he had been
moved by the clustered sentiment
of the moment, it did not show. In
stead, when he spoke, his voice
was worried: e
Linda, Nina had some reason
for wanting to marry Terry, to
keep him from Caroline. 1 know
her well enough to understand that
she hasn't gone off the deep end
about him. Don't get me wrong.
He's a better man than l am, but
Nina isn't taking up with public
relations ~counsels. She had a reas-
on, deep seated, and I've a bunch
it's tied up in all this murder bust
ness"
He said nothing of this to the
bride and bridegroom. Caroline's
bags already were in the car, so
when the two who had stood up
with them were deposited at their
mutual door, the a winked a
merry tail light and went cheer
fully away.
Hungry" Robert asked. 1--WE
forgot that a wedding supper was
in order"
Linda gasped. Why, we did"
But she knew that Terry had not
wanted one He was too upset by
that strange message. Rob did not
wish to prolong the evening, either,
and she wanted to be alone. 1t
wasn't good to have Rob around,
not when he made her heart miss
curious beats. She 7as glad that
the evening had ended.
The apartment was lonely with
out Caroline. Linda had liked it at
first. She had drawn the curtains
against the dusk all winter and
read by the fire, not wanting COM
panionship, because Ronnie had
not come back.
Tonight she was restless. S he
wished that. Ronald would come
down when he finished his record
ings. She might even go to meet
him. No, that wouldn't do. He
Bella L~ANAN-COURT REL