The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-10-01
Q SERIAL STORY
 OF BRIGHTNESS GONE
on
COPYRIGHT. SeA4 NEA SERVICE. ING.

groaned inwardly. But he smiled at the others.
 One of the girls said, laughing, You're too late, the minister's been called away" but the pastor said, mo, no indeed, Doctor. I'll stay while you go through it once at least, quickly"
 The thing didn't take long but it seemed ages, conscious as he was of Faith standing aside so tensely while he went through the prescribed motions with the girl taking her part. He knew he could depend on her to keep smil- ing in front of people, she would not subject him to public scene; but he knew he was due for hours of coaxing and cabling. Yet even through his irritation he was con- scious of pity. Because she really suffered. She was really i'll after one of these scenes. He wondered how on earth girl could get to her age and not realize that noth- ing in the world mattered as much as she seemed to think, that mo- body was worth this devotion, this wearing, poSsessive devotion. .f,a4,
 At the door when the group was breaking up she said with that bright hurt smile, I'd better go home with the girls, dear. You go right on to your party. You're already late"
 He shepherded her to his car firmly. Nonsense" he said. That can wait."
 Hail the bridegroom goeth, ,'' one of his ushers shouted to the others in warning. Hey, Corby, aren't you coming to your own shindig?"
 Martin laughed, "Soon," he said. You bet. See that you birds don't get too many up on me"
 He chose to drive through the business section on his way through town since that would make it appear natural enough not to do too much talking while he had to wiggle through traffic in this rain.
 Faith was weeping, he knew that. Over the swish-swish of the windshield wiper he heard an oc- casional Sniffle, and sidewise he saw her dabbing surreptitiusly at her eyes.
 When he could no longer appear oblivious, he pretended great sur prise. "Why, darling, what's the matter?"
 She pulled her hand away from his touch. Nothing" she said stiffly.
 But there must be-" he said They had come out onto oper highway. He drew over to the side and stopped. Tell me-" he said, what is it?"
 "You don't even care" she saic passionately. You don't ever care about getting to your we'd ding rehearsal on time. You keer me standing around waiting, hu' initiated and you don't eve. care"
 MNpsin captured her struggling hands. You're marrying doc tor, my dear" he said firmly, "s man whose time is not really hi! own, not a boy who can TUT around with you all the time, bt at your beck and call. There vii be lots of times when you'll have to stand around and wait. Lot! of times when you'll be disap' pointed at the last minute because I've been called out on case. He added gently, T couldn't hell it, you know that. I phoned tha Mrs. Simmons wanted me"
 Mrs. Simmons!" She mimicket him furiously. That neurotic olC fooll You told me yourself there'i nothing really the matter witt her. She's more important thar I am, suppose; she's more i'm portant than our wedding re- hearsal!"
 I'm afraid she is." Martin said "She's a patient. And inciden tally" he added. in a way tha meant 1t wasn't incidental at all T sec I've made @ mistake II mentioning my patients to you. shan't do 1t again. And you'r' not to speak of any of them il that tone of voice; not to me, no to anyone else"
 She said coldly, q sec. Your to have everything your own way Cock of the roost." She iashed oti unexpectedly. 60 that he saw wha actually had been troubling her "How do ! know where you Eeaii. werea"
 "what do you meanf" he de manded.
 "Just what I said. You told ml you were at Mrs. @immonn' Hol d0 I know you really Werol enn't call up, can I, eyexywhss