1948-12-18 — Page 27

CHRISTMAS WEDDING EVE

(Continued from Page 1

were

THE CHINA MAIL, CHRISTMAS SUPPLEMENT, DECEMBER:10, 1940.-

Jber Marion, and I never did. Elke jap the stairs, feeling ns though her. Was your call from her?" she word making her Woy She gave him a wavering smile. "Yea. And, of course, you through dark walers that were "Yes, our very special Christmas know what she told Evo! It really

me. She swiring higher each moment and dors. gren araw you in Eileen Shawn's dress-would soon close over her. though it belongs to us this year." ing room. You

kisaing

If only There were footsteps in the

she could night long hall, Jan scrambled of Doug's

enough to convince Doug that he meant no more to her now thin knees just as her grandfather's

she meant to him! housekeeper paused in the door-

And then, at the top of the way.

usked.

her!"

"But look here, darling, it wasn't the way you're making it sound! Actresses just naturally second, your friend happened to Ford Westley.

"Know ye the love of Mary,

Know ye the angels" song,

Find ye the way to Christmas-Day Where hearts sing all day long!"

|

a

חה !

last two years. My husband died, She went into the dining toom. and my daughter and I came 10

apray of holly in her hand. live where could be neat' Alan Feeling a though her knees again, even though he wouldn't would no longer hold her, know that I was here."

{went back to the stairs and sank

down "You mean"-Jan tried to un-tands together, she looked straight on them... Gripping her

you're there? That Cousin Mary miles away, in Columbus, and dismay that deeperied slowly into that grandfather doesn't know horrer. doesn't know it, either?"

What is it, Mrs. Carrist" is expect lo be kinned. Just at that stairs, she almost 'rollded with | derstand-"that you live just twoahead, her blue eyes niled with 1

"It's a telephone call for you, Mia Janice. Long distance,”

"Oh," said Jan, "thank you. Excuse me for a minute, Doug." She nddiect. *Why don't you turn an the radio?" There should be some good music."

She went out to the hall, and down to the telephone.

"Hello!" she said expectantly, into the mouthpiece.

There was the asual delay about connection, and then ahe heted a girl's voleo, "Hello, Jan! This is Marion Harkness," "Oh, Marion, how nice at you to cull me! I love the wedding present you sent, i wrote you rote today."

"I had fo wall you. There's something must tell you. It's Just this: A man know took me last night to sew South with the Robink." That's the

play Elleen Shawn is starring in, and your Doug's sister is in it, 100, you know.

"Yes," Jan returned, "of course I know. Did you like the play, Marion Doug WAS there Jast, night, too. Did you see him?”

"I certainly did." stid Marion oddly. "That's what I'm trying to tell you. The man I was with knows Elleen Shawn, so he want- ed to go backstage anul ace her. But when we got to her dressing room nonne answered his knock, so he pener the door. That was when I saw Douglas Tyler."

"In

Elleen jer

Shawn's dressing room, you mean?" Jan asked slowly, "But he has known her for ages. So why shoudn't he be there?"

It

ktes would have taken place, just "I didn't expect to get a word come to the room, Yet that Hello, there!" he said eagerly; as it did, if Marion Harkness malone with you tonight," the man who was with her huut For been there all the time."

bech

If it was so ensual, why didn't you tell me you had Eileen's dressing room? Inked if you hatt seen her, you know, But you deliberately led me to believe you had seen only her performance on the stage.",

me

moment she stood arrest-

She had seen a ghost! Not only had she seen one she had talke with onet 1

Maybe an lty finger seemed to Buse over Jon's spine-mayb; even now there was BOTICONS NEDE mwhom she couldn't see, as she hy

bly

ed, looking intently up at him. "Yes, that's what I menn. formation, I can't talk with since I've come back, but I'm

she spoke with forced de- | haven'i

mel your grandfather you now. Ford, but if you want sure he wouldn't recognise to come back later tonight and after all this time. And your you, I might give you a different Holwell. She knows me as Mrs. wanted Doug, wanted him terri

and nak me again to marry cousin Mary, I presume, is Mrs. Been Rosemary!

And then Jan knew that th Answer.

Livingston, who moved, two years "Jant Do you really mean it?"ngo, into the big white house besh cwould no longer feel like this, With his arms around her He tried to take her in his fore you turn down to the sta- so dreadfully afraid, arms, but she drew back.

tion."

With a

childish gesture sh awept the hair back thee, got up.

from he Anil then, from the living room

startling sound. Loud, ed almost at once by the sound angry volces. They were follow of a heavy fall,

Lo

"No, I can't promise now! must have time to think."

1

"I didn't tell you I was in hy dressing room because you would have thought I wanted to see her, nnd I slot. I went there only becaum: Sandra askert thank Eileen for getting her that part in the piny. Doug said de- fensively.

Ay

for that kiss, 1. never have it another thought,"

"Bul"--Jan's Youce broke. Hittle before sho hurried on-“I'm giving it a thought! I ren't want to marry a man who would kins another gut, and then treeive m about It, the night before our wedding."

"Oh, yes," she said, her eyes lost-looking, know what saying. And I know that while

dis-

Jan hear the front door open and a girl's voice in the hull. Sandra was here. She enulidn't | Was see her now. She must get to her room.

Jan had no idea how long she stayed there in the window seat, but she had become cramped and cold when someone knocked on her door,

It

Was

"But why ld you want to be near grandfather?”

"Because"--the woman's volee only n whisper."I have loved him always. That is why. when I heard you quarrelling with that boy tonight, I bail to come and beg you not to ruin your life as I ruined mine.

מת

CORIC 4

Mrs. Halwell came back into the hall,

Jan Kave

a questioning glance, and crossed to the living room door:

042

"So you can't wait until you ge to war to get tough" he said

"I have," she went on to ex- plain, "always kept the key to

"My goodness," abe sold, ex- Reluctantly she rose, unfasten-this house, and tonight I slipped citedly, "Douglas has knocked Douglas looked borrowed, laited the door and opened it.

in when there was no one in the Ford down! Well, I always kald by no means beaten. "Jan, zoubi There, In the sbudowy hall, hall. Then I hid in the closet, that young

maz needed some talking like a chilit. You don't stood a tile old Indy.

waiting for a chance 10. take a starch taken out of him, but know what you're saying!?

"May I come in and speak good look at the living room, don't know that I meant anything with you for #1

But you were in there. I heard, like this." she mument" aaked gently.

you breaking off your engage Jun ran across the hail, Surprised, uncertain, Juhlement the night before your wed- went with Mrs. Holwell into the were there with Eileen, they moved back. The vistor cam ding. Just as I did. So I had to living roan. Douglas was stand- were giving a lovely party for us

Into the room.

fee you."

ing there, darkly serowing. Ford both here. I was terribly

stopped snowing now A feeling of shocked disinac was scrambling to his feet, але appointed because you couldn't

the room was flied withheld Janice speechless. She re- hand cinsping his jaw. come, but I thought I under- moonlight, Jun KAW that the ally had,tonight, done just what stoor. I reilly behevel you hard] wunatt

old-Rosemary Wayne dla sixty years wearing an stopped in New York because it fashioned bonnet. and a heav age! There would be no wed-furlously. "All this because 1 was your one chance to see San-shoulder cape over a queer, full ding here tomorrow, Just as there you that Jan was going to marry

lea's phy And still believe atcirt.

hnd

болм you when you implied that you'

wedding that other me, instead of you! She said—- " hope," she continued, "that Christmas

she Day. And

19.1

I don't care what she sald, ni only seen Eileen on the stage you won't mind if I ask you not

been too unhappy to Kixe R what you have to say," Doug brok "He wasn't only there." Marion lust night.

there's no tis! asserted, "he Was klasing her saying any more, about 1

to turn on the light. I don't want thought to the way hiatury was in, his voice curt conclusive, “An Here's anyone else to see me." Jun as we opener the door.

repeating itself. Not once had now either you get out of here, in your ring, Doug!"

"Dut but why not?" Jan she remembered Rosemary and {* will." seemed pretty raw to me, two

With coll Angers, she drew futtered. Then, "I'm sorry, but her grandfather. And now Rose- Ford turned to Jan. "You let Alghis before his wedding! off the square-cut sapphire he I'm afraid I don't recogulse you." thought you should know about had given her, mul lauk it on the

mary, a frail old lady, was stund him. He won't listen to me." The woman smile faintly. ing before Ler!

"Yes," she admitted, with 1."

iable.

"No

of course you don't. But I strangled stund,

Childishly, the tried to defendt catch in her voice, "I did sy hulf-sub. Jan!" He strode forward and know you. You are Alan Barr-herself. "But the half-protest of the pain that was would have taken her is his arms,ington's granddaughter. And I had

quarrel you about an hour ago, that I migh searing her, broke from Jan Shehut she steppert back, placing a well, a long time ago they used have been like the one I had with going to, Ford. I'm sorry"

with grandfather couldn't marry you. But I... I'm not spring to her feel, and went chair between them. Tarling, to call me Rosemary Wayne." Doug. I found out that he

"Sorry!" His laugh was

ahori quickly back to the living room. you can't do this thing! You've

and bitter. "Well, don't apolo- She crossed straight to the got to listent You mustment. "Not the Rosemary Wayne

"Are

gise I can inke 1. And”-he radio, switchell of

you sure?" the music.at Elleen Shawn is nothing to who" She paused. Then she

to Doug.

asked quietly. "The explanation thanked

He me and that i love you, with "Who

ran away was placing another log on the everything there is in me!"

from your that your Doug gave you round- Doug's reach "you take your grandfather sixty years ago to- perfectly reasonable

hras buttons, too, for all I care fre. Light from:

the

Narges

"But what is there in you, Doux her "Yes, I was that girl."

A stark laugh broke from Jar. nugh17" the woman inished for Yet you concluded from it that h Good night, Mrs. Holwell."

A girl, who was just coming WH not worth Inving. Let me I don't want your kind of

then, why are you here?" tell you, my child, that the love through the doorway, steppe love. I mean that. I won't change

back to let him pass. She gav my mind. We just don't speak gain as I have always remem-trust or understanding, was worth

see the house you gave him, without falth of Ford п surprised glance, and the same language, and now bered I made ready for a wed- very little Indeed.

came on Into the living room. know that we never could. Soling an

J don't even Christmas Day. And I feel sura that it was love."

She was alender, oddly arrest- this is good-by?"

ki not have for to come. I've

the 'colour

Janice," zaid Doug briefly, "this Jan stood very still, her hearing. with hair

honey.

is Sandrn."

player over the bronze strength of his face.

She spoke with an effort, "You met Murion Harkness in Phila- delphia Fost November. She's working in New York, now."

Dougins straightened, gaveˆ her

a searching glance. "I remem

1

Jun's eyes widen with anonze- he just wasn't worth mastrode over to the door, well o

wanted to

lo me.

She went out of the room and been living in Columbus for the high, but she felt as though some

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one had dashed cold water into her face. How dared this wo- man question her love for Doug las?

10

Jan went forward with out- stretched hand. "I'm so glad you are here!"

And yel, wasn't it true that

There was, she thoughil, some- she hatin't really tried to believe thing ikable about the firm, un Doug, hadn't even listened to him? affected grip of Sandra's hand. She had been hurt and angay-The two girls aniled #t each wasn't that all she had thought about?

1035.

At any rate, she had to admit that Rosemary was right about love without faith being value

Oh, yes, of course that was (ruel Perhaps, right now, Doug thinking that she was the one who wasn't worth loving!

"Think it over, my dear," Rosemary sold out of the silence. "Remember that it isn't too late, You can avold all the regret that

was

other.

And then, as though a warning hell had sounded in her ears, Jor looked down at the sleader band in her own, and saw, on Sandra's wrist, a bracelet.

It was gold, narrow and carved. The clasp was ni medallion framed in umethysts and diamonds!

Surtled blue eyes swept up to Sandra's face, "You!" Jon gasp- ¦rd. "You were Rosemary Waynel": Sandra lookod unceraln and

world did you know? I hadn't spoken a word!"

It was the bracelet. I noticed It upstairs, when I....I shoul hands with you before."

With a quivering, laugh, "Jan sank into a chair. "And I've been thinking you were a ghost!

I have suffered. Go down to rather deflated, "How in the your Doug and be happy! And now I must go. My daughter is waiting for me outside in th car. I can trust you, I know. nover to tell anyone that I was here tonight. Good-by, child."

A moment later, the door clos- ed behind Rosemary Livingston.

Jan dashed into the bathroom, bathed her

face, powdered her nose, and ran camb through Her shining hair. Then she ran ribwn the stairs. Only one thing mattered-to find Douglas batars he left, the house,

In the lower hall Mrs. Holwell was rearranging some holly.

Where's

Please don't be angry with me, she pleaded. When Dou told me what had happened: be- tween you, I felt responsible. because I had asked him to goʻt Eileen's dressing room, and thank her. And want to any, right here, that fil-bet Elleen mado, the Ørst’inove toward that kiss.. Doug

I

anxiously oug?" Jan asked won't admit it because he is” a ́

He's in the living room with Fort Westley." Mary Holwell said with 0: smile" "You didn't I think he'd run away, did year?

Jun drew a breath of relief. He was still here!

02/48

gentleman, but" 1 "khow: Eileen. She kisses everybody.

wild because you had broken with

"But, anyway, Doug was.

agh tonight, I know just what to dopra

"Of course, I'm familiar with make-up Sandra went on. "It was easy to use white powder on my hair and skin, and, make, leal

him, so sure that he couldn't snak you understand, that I had to de |something. And when he spoke.of Sho, started on toward the lv how another girl had broken off how history was repeating itself, ing room, then patised to Spy her engagement Here bety years. capually, mehnt to ask you about some people: -moved to ^ Columbus, Cousin Mary: Their home is Livingston There's an elderly mother and her daughter. You know them, of course

No, I certainly

"don't cousin answered flatly warp, they "upposed to moved there?" Ang

"Why, about two years You must know them! know simply everybody Columbus."

When

penell - Hines' on "my","faco, Ang (Kinee-I wouldn't let yoúðtúrn on julight,” you couldn't tell that: 1 have wann Lake Particularly since my "clothes -looked)-so' «nüthentic) Mrs. Holwell got them for me out of's trunk la' the 'atile.

in

our try to understand, Jen, that I had to do it, she concluded. "1. should say I do. After all, I couldn't lot Dour's life" be it's only a village. And I can ruined, 12 I could prevent it.. Hə fall you right now that there's no-he's such a swell personal body there by tha the name.” "I know he is, Jan quavered, *.. Jan,started at her, "But there. She got up, pushing, her: þínir, .......... there has to be! Think agari, back, with the old childish gos Causi v “Mary," Mrs Livingston's ture, and locked at Doug His a trail-looking little old lady. tuce had softened.

"Well," there are plenty of frail): "He made a queer" sound in 'hia, old ladies in Columbrusy butthroat and held out his arms. -they'vn keen thežo ever since 1] Jen ran straight into them, the

can remember; • There's nobody Funny, nubborn Utle Jant”” he there by, thé néné, óf: Livingston, said, very near her lipa KATAN Jurt, where were they supposed | Tha kim ha, gave - her- then to Ilva?* but, and one kne would, Jan Juw, be remembered emiger.in tháts big-white when she was ns." 'old- as hor house Just this side of station. grandfather, the best fr „Thon Manalinnaised to live 'theré.“. 10gh); ^ above-i them;”, “through-

“My goodness, child 2 mid Mary, aublio sijenta, the man in the moon Hotwell, “that honisë bas been looked down. vacant for, ten yours!”* =

THE END

ROLEX

OYSTER-PERPETUAL