The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-01-11
The Bride Buys a Trousseau

OOyO AAO'
same mind, I shall be proud to
share your name. And II you
have reconsidered and wish tol
withdraw the offer, please be-
lieve / understand.
Sincerely,
Anna winters.
She sealed the letter hurriedly,
found q stamp and rushed out to
post 1t before she might change
her mind.
The next night brought Gilbert
Lenox to Soho Square. The
sight Of him renewed her courage.
II don't think you viii regret
this decision he said seriously.
ut isn't that I will ever bother
you Your personal life will be as
free as 1t always has BEEN"
Mary nodded. That was one Of
the reasons she had held back.
He could give her so much and
she could give him nothing In re-
turn.
"You only have TO say I will
In the registry and 1t will be all
over. It's quite simple to get mar
ried In wartime; everything Is
easily arranged. ] made inquiries
today he went on. II will have
time off on Saturday afternoon. I
think II would be best to have the
ceremony then, II you agree,
Then, II I have TO 60 to France
next week, everything win have
been taken care Of"
ut isn't as II he weren't one
of the most eligible men In Lon
don," Mary told herself. Hand
some, educated, likeable, and as
dependable as the Bank Of Eng
land. Why Is II that men like Gil
bert Lenox are always second
choices to the Vincent Greggs?"
But TO love Vincent had been
her destiny and to escape his love
she could not. Nor would she ever
stop loving Vincent. And was she
being fair TO Vincentp After all,
he thought her dead. Was 1t not
unjust to expect that he would
cut himself off from all the things
OF life because Of her memory?
Gilbert's voice brought her back
TO the immediate problem.
"You will want 10 get yourself
some gay clothes to be married
In" he was saying. He rendered
n 10 = pound note. Some new
clothes will b. make you feel better.
You don't get married every day,
you know"
"How exactly like him!" she re.
Elected as she murmured her
thanks. Thoughtful. above ALL"
She had not included that In the
swift catalog Of his qualities.
When she spoke IL was hard 10
express the fullness OF her gratitude.
"You are much much too good.
You deserve the finest wife In the
world"
"I'm not complaining about the
wife Tin going to get" he said
quietly. even II she Is to be O
wife In name only"
The next day Mary went shop
ping to nearby selfridges, the
American department store In OK
ford street. She was surprised to
find she could care again about
lines and materials, colors and
treatments.
Blues my best color" she de-
cided Blue 1t will be-" The right
shade would accentuate the color
Of her eyes that the accident on
the Moravia, for all Its malevo-
lence, had not been able to harm.
She was pleased with O royal blue
frock With jaunty pleats and
close fitting bodice. And 1t even
had jacket that would do away
with the shroud like black coat
Lady Ponce Townsend had given
her. The outfit, even In winter,
seemed to promise spring.
A close-fitting toque Of the same
color had q smartness that was
almost American. And Its finger
tip veil would cast mercful UNI
certainty over the marred side Of
her face.
A gold clip, new gloves, hose
and oxfords Of London tan gave
Mary an exhilaration she had not
felt In months.
But all the time she husied her.
self with these outward details,
she battled with her conscience,
too. On the marriage records she
must give the name Of Anna Win
tiers. Hitherto her masquerade had
hurt no one. Would 1t be wrong
to take this legal step without re-
vealing her own identity?
In the end, she had her answer.
This ceremony was to be an i'm
personal contract-not q marriage
at all. II she betrayed her real
identity now she would be sent
back to America. Some day she
would make everything clear to
Gilbert LenoX.
Saturday found DR.. Lenox and his
bride-to-be en- route to the registry.
Cheer up, little sober Sides"
Gilbert said, looking at her kindly
as the taxi bounced over the cob