silverware. See these pretty
doilies I am making. Aunt Grace is crocheting a bedspread for me, too.
Those are guest towels,--they were given to me.'

"Dan's lips curled scornfully. He turned the lovely linens roughly,
and wiped his hands on a dainty guest towel.

"'Connie, this is downright immodest. Furnishing your house before you
have a lover!'

"'Do you think so?' I kissed a circular hand-embroidered table-cloth.
'If I had known it was such fun furnishing my house, I'd have had the
lover years ago and don't you forgit it.'

"'I am disappointed in you.'

"'I am sorry,' I said lightly. 'But I am so excited over getting
married, that I can't bother much about what mere friends think any
more. My husband's opinions--'

"'Mere friends,' he shouted. 'Mere friends! I am no mere friend,
Connie Starr. I'M--I'M--'

"'Yes, what are you?'

"Well, I am your pal, your chum, your old schoolmate, your best
friend,--'

"'Oh, that was before I was engaged.'

"'Engaged?' Dan was staggered. 'Are you really engaged then? Have
you found the right one?'

"'Being engaged alters the situation. You must see that.'

"'Who is it?'

"'Oh, don't be so silly. I haven't found the right one yet. But the
principle is just the same. With marriage just ahead of me, all the
rest of the world must stand back to give place to my fiance.'

"Dan sneered. 'Yeh, look at the world standing back and gazing with
envy on this moonbeam fiance. Look!'

"'Oh, Dan it is the most fascinating thing in the world. In four
months I may be standing at the altar, dressed in filmy white,--I
bought the veil yesterday,--promising to love, honor and obey,--with
reservations,--for the rest of my life. A little home of my own, a
husband to pet, and chum with,--I am awfully happy, Dan, honestly I am.'

"And Carol I did enjoy it. It was fun. I was simply hypnotized with
the idea of having a house and a husband and a lot of little Julias.
Dan glared at me in disgust. Then he went home, snarling about my
mushiness. But he thought it was becoming to me. He said I got
prettier every day. I would not even let him touch my hand any more.
You know Dan and I were pretty good pals for a long time, and he was
allowed little privileges like that. Now it was all off. Dan might
rave and Dan might storm, but I stood firm. He could not touch my
hands! I was consecrated to my future husband.

"'It may not be wicked, Dan, I do not say it is.