Evening star., 1940-07-09
CHAPTER TX.

S-N-@-~~S'
CHAPTER TX.
Jane, with a heart that was
breaking and calling for the man
she loved, smiled and ran lightly
into the living room, calling:
Aunt Beth! Aunt BETH" She
turned to Bill. She'll think we are
crazy"
And who has better right?"
He caught her to him for one brief
moment but did not kiss her. For
that she was very grateful; another
kiss would have been too much for
her wrought nerves. Perhaps,
she thought. he understood her
feelings better than she realized
Good gracious" exclaimed Aunt
Beth as she came to an abrupt
stop in the doorway, her eyes wide
with surprise at finding Jane with
Bills arms around her Mrs. Lori
mer had her robe caught about her,
sleeves hanging loosely at the side,
for she had not taken time to don
1t correctly. What is going on
here, anyway"
Jane ran to her aunt and threw
loving arms about the older woman's S
neck, but when she tried to speak
she choked up and couldn't say a
word. So it was Bill who explained
their plans and asked Aunt Beth's
permission to marry her niece. Mrs.
Lorimer smiled into his eyes with
something like gladness and relief.
Bill MerriWeather, she said, try
ing to control her own voice, there
Is nobody Id rather turn her over
to than you. like you. All I ask
is that you make her happy"
That's my one aim in life now,
Mrs. Lorimer," he vowed sincerely,
and his eyes glinted with earnest
ness. She will be happy"
Overwhelmed by Emotion.
Jane looked at him, studied him
for moment, realizing that soon
he would be her husband and jim
my Martin would be cut from her
life completely. A big lump rose in
her throat and flood of tears
swept to the surface. She ran from
the room.
Aunt Beth took command of the
situation promptly.
Run along, Bill. I must help her
get ready, and there is lots to do on
such a short notice" Then she
shook her head slowly, bit
thoughtfully. This is going to be
mighty hard on her for a while.
You understand that?" He nodded,
and she continued her little ex-
planation. You see. Bill, she has
worshiped at James Martins shrine
since I took her to raise. He
has been like a god to her. But I
think you can make her forget If
you will just be patient with her"
Jane heard Bill leave, and then
only did she make a move toward
packing. She was taking things
from the closet when her aunt came
in to help her. She smiled from
-dimmed eyes.
Rather childish, getting married
like this, isn't it, Auntie? You
really don't mind that I'm not hav-
ing big wedding?"
Why, I think it is fun-just like
an elopement. So romantic!" Aunt
Beth did like things that sounded
of romance. Now I'll pack. You
just relax and take warm shower.
How about the new blue dress?
Want to wear it?"
James Aunt Packs.
Jane nodded silently, then crossed
the room and stretched out full
length on the bed. Her aunt went
about the business of packing, but
after moment Jane was only half
conscious of the other woman's
presence. Thoughts ran through her
mind in strange, bewildering con-
fusion; happy thoughts and rem
iniscences, sudden fears, shocking
recollections of things she had
heard Susan, Martin say during
these past few days.
She must have lain there nearly
an hour, letting her mind wander
wherever it would. She found Bill
creeping into her thoughts frequent
ly, but always with kind of vague
ness that was almost unaccountable
she had seen him so much lately
Strangely, too, those times when
he was there were quiet times, and
restful. He was comfortable, like
an old shoe, she thought, and she
could feel slight flush touch her
temples at thinking so callously OF
the man she was going to marry.
Then at last she felt Aunt Beth
tugging at her slippers in a laugh
ing attempt to get her ready for hel
shower. She sat up and stretched
languidly; she felt better than she
had in days. Everything seemed te
be slipping into pattern-not the
pattern she had dreamed of for sc
long, but at least one that held some
promise of adventure and new life
Sleeps as Bill Drives.
When the minister said, ct now
pronounce you man and wife" Jane
turned and stared at Bill as if she
had never seen him before. He
smiled warmly and kissed her up
turned face quickly Then there
were kisses and words from Aunt
Beth and Mrs. Merriweather ano
best wishes from the minister ano
his wife. Every one seemed so happy
and delighted over the wedding ano
Jane felt herself carried along with
the tide, smiling and accepting the
good wishes, never being given g
chance to really give thought to the
step she had taken.
AS the sun peeped up over the
eastern horizon, they drove away
with the customary rice following
in their wake. Bill turned to hel
and smiled.
Lay your pretty head on my
shoulder and go to sleep while
drive, darling. I am taking yol
miles away" He pulled her heae
down gently. III wake you fol
breakfast"
Thank you. Bill" she said crate.