Omaha daily bee., 1884-10-11
= MARRIED FOR FUN,

Ess@A IL SAs
"What has been planned for to-mor-
row evenings" cried q chorus of voices,
as a small company of young people,
out among the New Hampshire
mountains, were about to separate for the
the night.
The question brought two or three
early birds, who were fastening to their
tents, back among the rest of the COM
pany to discuss some new pleasure Of
sport for the next evenings entertain
ment. Several plans were suggested. but
none of them met the approval of the
whole party.
"Mr. Carlson, you have as yet suggest
ed nothing. What do you think it
would be pleasant to do tomorrow
nightl' asked one of the young ladies'.
81, Miss Nary" answered the young
man addressed, who until this momen,
had been leaning inditferently against a
tree. ~ am going to che village to.
morrow, and will probably not return
until the following day"
The faces of the party fell, while it
was evident from the tones of regret
that Mr.. Carlson was a great favorite in
camp.
"Mr. Carlson must have found some
modern Maud Muller, who offers attract
ions much superior to ours, else he would
not make such frequent journeys to the
large metropolis of Meadville." This re-
mark was made in a very sarcastic tone
by q young lady who was stirring the dy-
ing embers of the camp fire, thereby u
ing a shower of sparks to fly around her.
The blood mounted high into the face
of the gentleman addressed, and, reach.
ing out his hand to brush off a spark
which had fallen on the young lady'a
dress, Mr.. Carlson said in a low tone
"Miss Thurston, what matters it to you
if 1 60 or stay?"
But before his question could be an
swered, Carlson's sister cried petulantly:
"Oh, friends, let him go. He told me he
had a business appointment, and Arthur
will never break an appointment, no mat.
ter trivial, unless, perhaps, for a wedding
or a funeral"
"Well, a funeral VT will not have,
even to keep your charming company,
Art" cried a boyish voice. "We might
have . wedding" the owner of the voice
continued; 81 wouldn't mind being party
to that myself" and the speaker looked
m~ischievously at one of the ladies', who
colored deeply and walked away in SEEM
ing anger.
laughilgly, who will volunteer to have a
wedding on Calrson's account?"
The boyish voice spoke again:
"No one loves you well enough, Art,
to be married for you but me, and L sup
pose l can't be a wedding all by myself"
81 will help you out in that, Cousin
gayly cried Miss Thurston; 81
have been meditating marriage for some
time, and this Is the first opportunity
size said, rather hesitatingly.
''This is the first opportunity which L
have cared to embrace"
"But, Margie," replied her Cousin
ohm, as if greatly perplexed, ''you see,
not anticipating this event, and never
been encouraged by you to con
slider myselfa candidate for such honor,
l have spoken to another girl upon the
same subject"
Every one Joined in the laugh at Miss
Thurston's expense but Arthur Carlson.
''Miss Thurston," he said after the laugh
had subsidized, ''you have been Tilted, al.
me to offer you r%eparation. If il is
only the opportunity you care to embrace
change of groom can make but little
difference. If you will be first party to
the contract l will agree to be second,
and will return tomorrow evening, with
all necessary preliminaries, in time for
wedding"
"You are certainly very kind, Mr..
Carlson" replied Miss Thurston, Taught.
lily. "People who are 30 generous seld-
ON expect their generosity to be accepted,
but shall surprise you by agreeing to
your proposition"
81 was in earnest when / made the
proposition, Miss Thurston."
"And | was in earnest when when !
accepted it, Mr.. Carlson"
These two were ever at swords points.
They had quarreled together since baby
hood, and although, up to this time, each
had guarded the secret jealousy from the
yet it was evident to most of their
friends that the two were dearer to each
other in their quarrels than many other
people in their friendships.
The party @ separated for the night,
elated at the prospect of the next even.
entertainment, but that the jest
would become reality never entered their
thoughts.
When the party breakfasted the next
morning Mr.. Carlson was already on his
way to the village. 1t was agreed that
part of the day should be spent in pre-.
pairing for the mock ceremony. Miss
Thurston was the gayest of the gay and
peals Of merry laughter awoke answering
echoes from rock and cliff. Only once or
twice, when alone in her tent, her cheeks
paled as she wondered what Arthrr
Carlson would do, for he had looked de-
termined the night before.
Swell, said Miss Thurston to herself,
''your word is given now, Margaret
Louise Thurston, and a Thurston was
never known to break their word"
In the late afternoon her friends came
to dress her for the wedding. They draped
her in some fluffy, white dress, which
filled out the girlish white form to the
) est, coiled the luxcriant brown hair
around her head, and placed a bunch OF
mountain flowers at her belt
Navar hafora had sha looLad 30 haant;e,l