The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-10-25
ROMANCE AND REALITY
hIr. and Mrs. Billiger McSwat's Iu-Fated
Wedding journey.

Mr. and Mrs. Billiger McSwat's Il-Fated
Wedding Journey.
The sun never shone upon a lovelier
morning than that which ushered in the
wedding day of Billiger McSwat and
LObelia Grubb.
Far away in the dreamy distance
stretched landscape that seemed ia
vibrate in the mellow haze of the
golden October day as if the unseen
spirits that inhabit the air we're beat
ing it with fairy wings in the irrepres-
sible exuberance of overlooking life
and joy.
Copyright. All rights reserved.1
Billiger and Lobelia McSwat had
Just started on their wedding journey.
Animated by the sincere and laudable
purpose of affOrding no indication in
their manner, apparel, or behavior
that they were taking such a trip
Billiger wore suit of new black broad
cloth. with a lavender necktie, anc
Lobelia was attired in a silk dress of a
delicate lilac tint with no conspicuous
ornaments except large solitaire ring
on one of the fingers of her left hand
and a few orange blossoms modestly
and becomingly arranged in her Par
isian travelling hat. They sat on the
luxurious cushion of a palace car, Bill.
gers arm resting carelessly on the
back OF the seat occupied by his lovely
bride, and Lobelia leaning toward
Billiger in the easy. tender, confidine
manner of a mother in Israel going
with her aged companion to an Old
Settlers meeting, or the Secretary of q
Young Lady Society for the Dissemin.
alton of Useful knowledge accompany.
ing an elder brother ON shopping ex.
petition.
"Billiger," faltered the bride, turn.
ing her beautiful eyes trustingly to his
"noboly would suspect that we are
that we have just been-that we are on
our-do you think:?'
"Certainly noi. Lobelia," affirmed
Billiger, with great positiveness, as he
smiled fondly and reassuringly upon
her.
They think we are brother and sis
ter, Billiger, or at least that we are old
married"
"Chestnuts" exclaimed a voice.
The young husband turned fercely
around to see who had spoken.
1t was the train-bOy, an innocent lad
of seventeen summers, on whose face
was a look of such child-like simplicity
that Billiger's hasty suspicious were al
once allayed.
''Lobelia, my love-" he said, ten.
derby, would you like some chest.
nuts?"
IF you like, dear,," she replied,
trustingly.
Billigerput his hand into his pocket.
Then he put his other hand into his
other pocket, and his face turned an
ashen gray.
''Lobelia!' he said, hoarsely. al
have left my pocket-book. with my
money and tickets. in my other pain
Any other trousers! Have you any
money with you? Quick! Here comes
the conductor!'
Il think l have, Billiger," said 10.
bella.
She put her hand in her pocket and
turned pale.
"Billiger.' she exclaimed piteously
81 have left my pocket-book in my
other dressr'
The station at which the train
stopped was only seven miles from
home. Billiger and Lobelia McSwat
got out, the ecstatic bridegroom per-
suaded q grasping, sordid monopolist
who kept a livery stable to accept his
gold watch as security for the hire of a
carriage and driver. and Mr. and Mrs.
McSwat drove home in pensive silence
through the balmy autumnal land
scape, which the mellow rays of the
golden October sun bathed in sea OF
molten glory.
If the story of the first day of Bill
ger and Lobelia's wedding journey
shall serve as a warning to others II
will not have been written by the sor-
rowing historian in vain. = Chicago
7ribune.