Part 2 (1/2)
However, the throng of guests who were invited to the reception began coming in, and for the next two hours the parlors were crowded with the many friends of the plump girl, who, as Helen had said, found this the greatest day of her life, and there was little time for much individual chat, though, it seemed to Tom, Chess Copley kept as close as possible to Ruth's side.
It was after Jennie had gone to put on her traveling dress, and the immediate wedding party, who were to accompany the bridal couple to the dock to see them embark, were hurrying out of the room to put on street clothes that Tom, in a low voice, demanded of Chess:
”What are you trying to do--put a label on Ruth? Don't forget she belongs to all of us.”
Chess Copley had not won his commission in the war and wore only a sergeant's chevrons. But the war was over and he could tell his captain just what he thought of him. And he did.
”Do you know what you are, Tom Cameron?” he drawled, smiling a hard little smile. ”You are a regular dog in the manger, and I'm frank to tell you so!”
CHAPTER III
RICE AND OLD SHOES
”It is the greatest day in a girl's life,” declared Helen Cameron, sitting on the edge of one of the twin beds in the room she and Ruth occupied while they were at the Stone house. She buckled her fingers around her knee to hold one limb crossed over the other--a very mannish and independent position. ”I don't know that I ever envied Heavy before in my life. But she has got something now that we haven't, Ruth.”
”Cat's foot!” exclaimed Ann Hicks from her chair. ”Who'd want a Frenchman for a husband?”
Ruth laughed. ”Not to say that Major Marchand is not a fine fellow, I agree with Ann that I don't want a husband. Not--right--now!”
”Oh! Very well,” said Helen complacently. ”But if you thought you'd never be able to get one----”
”Shucks!” exclaimed Ann. ”As though our Ruth couldn't have all she wants if she wants them.”
”I really wish you would not speak plurally of them, Ann,” cried Ruth, laughing. ”You will make me feel like the Queen of the Amazons. They say she keeps a masculine harem--like a bey, or a sultan, or something of that kind.”
”Be serious,” rejoined Helen. ”I mean what I say. Jennie's great day has arrived. And she is the first of all our old bunch that went to Briarwood--and surely of those who went to Ardmore College--to fetter herself to a man for life.”
”Well, I shall never be fettered, even if I am married,” observed Ann.
”I'd like to see myself!”
”If the right man comes riding by, Ann, even you will change your mind,”
Ruth said softly.
”Then I suppose the right man has never ridden up to the Red Mill and asked for you?” demanded Helen, with a glance at her chum that was rather piercing.
”Perhaps he has,” said Ruth composedly, ”but I wasn't at home. Aunt Alvirah thinks I am almost never at home. And, girls, as I told you yesterday, I am going soon on another journey.”
”Oh, Ruth, I've been thinking of that!” Helen rejoined, with a sudden access of interest and excitement. ”To the Thousand Islands! And at the loveliest time of all the year up there.”
”And that is only the truth,” said one of the other bridesmaids. ”We spent last summer there.”
”The Copleys always go,” Helen remarked quietly.
”No! Do you mean it?” cried Ruth, showing some surprise. ”Well, indeed.”
”So you will see a lot more of 'La.s.ses Copley,” remarked Ann.
”I shall be glad if Chess Copley is there when and where we make this picture, for I think he is very nice,” was Ruth's composed reply.