The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-11-08
MARRIED FOR FUN.

The question brought two or three
carly birds, who were hasteningto their
tents, back among the rest of the COM
pany to discuss some new pleasure of
sport for the next evenings entertain
mcnt. Several plans were suggested,
but none of them met with the APP
proval of the whole party.
Mr.. Carlson, you have as yet sug-
gested nothing. What do you think it
would be pleasant to do tomorrow
night?" asked one Of the young ladies'.
q, Miss Mary" answered the young
man addressed, who until this moment
had been leaning indilterently against a
tree. Il am going to the village to-
morrow, and probably will not return
until the following day
The faces Of the whole party fell,
while it was evident from their tones of
regret that Mr.. Carlson was a great
favorite in camp.
"AIr. Carlson must have found some
modern Maud Muller, who offers at
fractions much superior to ours, else
he would not make such frequent jour
neys to the large metropolis Of Mead
Vile This remark was made in a
very sarcastic tone by a young lady
who was stirring the dying embers of
campfire, thereby causing shower of
sparks to fly around her.
The blood mounted high into the
face of the gentleman addressed, and,
reaching out his hand to brush off a
spark which had fallen on the young
ladys dress, Mr.. Carlson said in a low
tone; "AIiss Thurston, what matters it
to you if | 50 or stay?"
But before this question could be
answered, CarIson's sister cried petu-
lantly: ooh. friends, let him go. He
told me he had business appointment
and Arthur will never break an appoint
ment, 10 matter how trivial, unless,
perhaps, for wedding or funeral !"
"Well, a funeral we will not have,
even to keep your charming company,
Art" cried boyish voice. 1--WE might
have wedding the owner of the
voice continued Il wouldn't mind be-
ing a patty to that myself" and the
speaker looked mischievously at one
of the ladies, who colored deeply and
walked away in seeming anger.
"Hcre here - cried all the gentle
men laughingly, ''who will volunteer TO
have wedding on Carson's account? ~
The boyish voice spoke again:
mo one loves you well enough, Art,
to be married for you but me, and
suppose l can't be a wedding all by
myself"
Il will help you out in that, Cousin
John" gayly cried Miss Thurston II
have been meditating marriage for some
time, and this is the first opportunity
well" she said, rather hesitatingly, "this
is the first opportunity which l have
cared to embrace"
But, Margie," replied her Cousin
John, as if greatly perplexed, ''you
see, not anticipating this event, and
never having been encouraged by you
to consider myself a candidate for such
honor, l have spoken to another cir
upon the same subject"
Every one joined in the laugh at Miss
Thurston's expense but Arthur Carlson
Miss Thurston." he said, when the
laugh had subsidized, you have beer
Tilted allow me to oAeryou reparation
fit is only the opportunity you care tc
embrace a change Of groom can make
but little difference. If you will be first
party to the contract I will agree to be
second, and will return tomorrow even.
ing with all necessary preliminaries il
time for our wedding"
"You are certainly very kind, Mr.
Carlson, ''replied Miss Thurston, Taught
lily. People who are SO generous sci
dom expect their generosity to be &C
cepted, but l shall surprise you by
agreeing to your proposition
. Il was in earnest when l made the
, proposition, Miss Thurston."
/ And in earnest when l accepted
d it, Mr. Carlson
c These two were ever at sword
}, points. They had quarreled togethe
II since babyhood, and although up te
this time each had guarded the secre
jealousy from the other, yet it was evi
dent to most Of their friends that thu
= two were dearer to each other in thei
o quarrels than many other people il
p their friendships.
: The party now separated for tn
!; night, elated at the prospects of tn
= next evenings entertainment, but tina
t the jest would become reality neve
c entered their thoughts.
l When the party breakfasted the mex
morning Mr.. Carlson. was already Oh
his way to the village. 1t was agreed
that part of the day should be spent il
\ preparing a place for the mock cere
3 mony. Miss Thurston was the gayes
: Of the gay, and peals of merry laughte
e awoke answering echoes from rock anC
e cliff. Only once or twice, when alon
;, = in her tent, her checks paled as sh
+ wondered what Arthur Carlson woul,
do, for he had looked determined tn
night before.
"Wcl," said Miss Thurston to her
self, ''your word is given now, Margare
i Louise ThurSton. and 4 ThurstOn wa