Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-12-31
ers, bachelors and benedicts, maids and

ers, bachelors and bened1Cts, maids and
matrons-Fort Frayne seemed surging
tumultuously up the colonel's step, sur
rounding and bedeviling poor Wayne to
the verge Of distraction. He laid the
blame on his spring overcoat, venera.
BILE garment Of the fashion of 20 years
agone, but that he had so seldom worn
as to cause it to seem to him ever new
and available. and for this garment he
darted into the adjoining quarters while
the laughing guests came tripping up
the steps in the wake Of the bride, who,
totally ignoring Helen and Leale now,
who were gazing into each others eyes
in the deep bow window, rushed at her
uncle with characteristic explosive
abuse.
"I'll never be married at Fort Frayne
again as long as livel What on earth
did Major But she could go no fur
ther, for the shout Of laughter that
greeted her sally and the exclamations
which resulted from the discovery of
Leale and Helen silenced her complete
ly. And then the bride was rushed away
to doff her fnery and reappear in trav-
cling garb, and then Will was hustled
to his quarters to change his full dress
uniform to the conventional garb Of civ
il life, just as Wayne came in, dazed,
half demented, overcoat in one hand
and package in the other that'he now
dreamily held forth to Ormsby, who
took it, as wonderingly opened and be-
gan slowly counting over a number Of
greenbacks, sole contents Of the wrap
per, bnt he dropped them as Of little
consequence when the bewi]dered major
little note from the depths of all inner
pocket. They were all crowding around
him now, but at sight of this missive
Ellis made spring and captured it, on
ly just in time, and was seized in turn
by Ormsby, who pleaded for possession
Of what was plainly addressed to him,
and then came renewed uproar, for
Will reappeared in uniform trousers and
unfastened blouse and towering rage
"Of all things that could have hap
pened to a man, think of this!' he cried.
Major Wayne, didn't you promise mo
from the field to send that dispatch to
Hatfield the moment you got to the
post?"
Il did, and pledge my solemn word
that kept it, sent it the very first
post struck" "
"You did, for fact, you moonstruck
oh, but just listen, all Of you! In
stead of my travelling suit here's what
find--a letter from Hatfield, forwarded
from Fort Washakie. Dear Sir: In ac-
oordance with your telegraphic instruc-
tions, we have this day forwarded to
you cutaway tweed travelling suit by
American express and trust the same
is, etc. also statement of'-um, never
mind that-'We are'-now, mark this,
all of you, good people-'we are some
what at loss to understand your sud
den change Of address, but are compelled
to act on your telegram, copy of which
is inclosed. Fort Washakie, May %.
Have tweed cutaway travelling suit here
by 18th prox. without fail. w. Far
rar. - Fort Washakie! Gracious pow
ersl Think Of my travelling suit at
Washakie and here and the train COM
ing!"
But Willy, DEAR" said his mother
soothingly, "surely you can wear for
just day or two last years suit"
"That2 Now? Why, heavens ablazel
Rorke couldn't squeeze me into it with
a shoehorn. I'll have to travel in my
pyjamas. Oh, couldn't l murder you,
Major Percival Wayne!"
Poor Wayne's cup was indeed full to
overfowing. Martin and some Of the
youngsters lugged Will off to squeeze
him into last years garments, made on
Mdet measure. and then down came
Kitty, the bonniest Of brides, in the
daintiest and most coquettish of Co.'S
tunes, and while Rorke ana his satel-
lites were passing the champagne, and
verybody-no, almost verybody-was
crowding about the bride. there stood
poor Wayne still diving into those long
forgotten placer mines of his pockets
and fetching up bills and billets and
odds and ends, while Lucretia tremu-
lously and Fenton, Farwell and Amory
delightedly watched him, and then
came new excitement. Enter Will,
squeezed at last into the light gray
tweeds he had so complacently donned
a year before and that now fitted him
like the skin Of sausage. A sudden
move of one arm carried away the
breast button.
"It's no use," he cried. "I'm worse
of than Peggotty. Every jumps but.
ton" And then Kitty caught sight Of
him, and then there came scene.
"What's that?" she exclaimed. ''That
isn't the man I married. won't stir a
step with him in those things"
"But I haven't any other" pleaded
Will in despair.
"Who wants you to wear such
things?" she fairly screamed in almost
hysterical laughter. II married SOL
dier. Your uniform, sir, your best
blouse and trousers and forage cap, and
don't you dare wear cits till tell you.
And, as it was manifest that he
couldn't wear those now inoasing him,
the groom third time hastened away
to the upper regions, and, while dozens
clustered as before about Kitty, an alb
sorbed group still hung upon the move
ments Of the major. The light as Of
other days was dawning on his face.
He was searching still. and at last he
found and drew forth tiny box, at sight
Of which Lucretia's maiden heart flut-
tered almost out Of her throat.
"And now what have you unearthed,
old Rip Van Winklef" doomed Fenton.
IA ring, by all that's gorgeous-a ring,
and beauty, and an inscription on 1t.
p. W. to l. F.. 1874 Who's P. W.