The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-05-01
CHhrrEp XVI.

To their intense surprise. Andrew Morton
shook hands cordially with Willard Chapman
and Clara Romaine
=" am glad 10 see you both so well, /" said the
merchant, in n friendly tone. Upon my word,
Clara, you are rs blooming as a rose. / don't
think ever noticed before what a nice-ooking
girl YOU are"
Clara blue eyes disiendcd with surprise
a compliment from yonl !" she gnsped.
why. the world must be coming 10 an end"
Mr. Morton" said Chapman, exctCdiy.
will yGu do me tho favor 10 step outside for n
few minntes2 | wish 10 make IA certain ez-
planatIUH 10 YOU"
save yourself tho trouble, sir" replied
Morton. with curtncss. ." There are some
things that don't need TO be explained they
speak Tor themselves. Allow me 10 introduce
30 you the Rev. Mr.. Edwards. minIktor Of The
Gospel. lie will perform the marriage ceFo-
mony. No license i required in the State Of
New York"
The marriage ceremony" roared the young
man. What marriage ceremony"
" Tho marriage ceremony graveiy ex-
planned Abigail. (which will make you the
husband Of Clara Romaiuo."
lightning dart from Heaven, had II pene-
trated the parior Of that country hotel, would
undoubtedly have wrought moro havoc. but
could Iot have created more surprise, than did
this announcement 10 those whom il princi-
pally concerned.
Their demeanpr was curioas and thoroughly
indicative Of their respective natures. Chap
man rushed 10 Abigail. With hands npiiitod
and placed palm to palm, as II ia prayer,
he mntely gupplicated her 10 alter the de-
termination at which she had evidently ar
riyed-that Of casting him of. Clara. on tho
contrary, was 0ycrjoycd at nn arrangement
which fell In with ali her most cherished do
sircs NJ once setting her free from her lifo AT
/ Ia. N,yfgv y.asHTftr. gb.g 4
| lowed 10 be kissed 10y the butter-man or any oi
/ his kind and permitting her, possibly by do
parture on the midnight train OF that very
| day, 10 realize her long. project 10
! visit the celebrated city Of New York. Thus,
/ while Chapman, mOt0ned away by Abigail,
| covered ptifuliy upon the sofa, hiding his face
] ia his hands, Clara, gracefully holding out her
! skirt ia the manner Of the dancers of the the
| atrica boards, skipped franticaly on her tip
toes from end 10 end Of the room, singing lua-
/ tiy. 10 no particular tune, number of dis.
| ioiuted phrases. like the following:
Oh. I'm going 10 bo married 10 Will Chap
man; oh, murder. amt ! glad pm going "a
be married TO Willyyard Chapman. to Chap
] man Wllyyard! Oh ira, la la (Gct out o.
the way Reverend Mr.. Edwards) propose {,
wed Mr.. Chapman, cnuse Abby don't want hin
any longer. All right! ! always have hat
her cast off things. aud mighty glad to get en-
um, un Say Rogers. fetch along your wed
ding cake. aud don't you forget IT, oh, hay
jim along. jim along jOsey!"
Her saltatory efforts ceased at sound Of Chap
mans voice, lifted ia anger.
This IS all trick" he cried. "a mean
contemplate trick; aud for all know ma,
have been gotten mp by the lot Of You togcthe
for purposes best known 10 yourselves / re
fuse 10 marry this crack Drained bound girl o
yours. My betrothed wife Is Abigail Morton
Abigail Morton ropudintes TINT betrothal
replied Abigail herself Indignantly, becaus
she considers that your pledge TO her has bee
ghamefuily violated"
You will repair your conduct by marryin
Ciara!" shouted Andrew Morton, or, old
man as | am, l will thrash you within an inc
Of your life"
Chapman shrugged his shoulders disdair
fully. and Abigail quickly proceeded TO off
, another proposition.
, AS before said,' she explained, we Low