Middletown transcript., 1903-09-26
[coNrINUKD FROM LAST WEEK.

CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK
Wait moment. How many of us will
you want?
About half dozen, l should think.
1t won't do to choose them all out Of
our own party, will it?
l suppose not Fenwick is a very de-
cent chap-let us have him. Charlie, you
and
And Addie, interpolated Nita quickly,
and one Of the Misses Lister. Would
that do?
Yes, that will be sufficient.
You don't want much in the way Of
dress, hope2
No, anything will do, except Oh,
see Miss Delahay has white dress, SO
that will be all right.
But l am sure 1 can't act, reiterated
Addie. have never tried.
I'll tell you what to do--it is quite
simple.
Mrs. Manderton somewhat reluctantly
gave her consent, and the little party Of
six went out of the room.
You know the rules? asked Chesteron.
You must bring in the syllables OF the
word in separate scenes, and the whole
word in the last scene.
Well2
The word is registrar.
Registrar! How the dickens do you
act that?
sRe'-'gist' 'Rar' is the weak
point, but ore can't be particular. This
is how it is done. The first scene ia a
lawyers Office, and you mention GER
tain case-'Re Jones' In the second,
there is squabble between father and
son, and the father says that the 'gist'
OF the whole matter is that the son wants
his money before he is dead; and in the
third told you this was difficult-there
is family of daughters and a prim
father, who is irate because his daughters
will sing comic songs, Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-
ay' among them.
You can do that, Nita, said Charlie
graciously.
don't know all the words.
That doesn't matter, observed Aid.
wyth. Then you finish by a marriage
before the registrar You see, you
don't have to say the word, but one man
must be the registrar, and il you have
the bride in white frock people guess
all sorts. Of words-anything but regis
trar.'
I should have thought they would
have known it at once, said Nita. How
ever, that really doesn't matter-it will
amuse them, and give us something to
do. Addie must be the bride if you
want a white dress, as Miss Lister and
are both in colors. Isuppose it is quite
an easy part, and you will have to be a
rebellious daughter, too, Addie. Miss
Lister, can't you sing 'Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-
ay?'
I'm afraid l don't know it, replied the
girl pleasantly; but will sing verse Of
one of Chevalier's songs, if you like, and
perhaps it will make it more difficult for
them to guess.
What part did you take before, Ches-
teron? asked Charlie.
I was a clerk in the lawyers office,
answered Mr.. Chesteron refectively, and
the bridegroom. / can't remember do
ing anything else.
Oh, well, that will do; we shall get
through somehow!
The first three scenes went very well.
The comic-song incident was great sue
cess, and Nita and Miss Lister, with Mr..
Fenwick as their enraged parent, were
most amusing.
Now for the last! Can you put some-
thing like veil OH Miss Delahay? asked
Chesteron Of Nita. 1t isn't correct, of
course, but We don't want it to he too
obvious. As long as the officiating man
isn't in surplice it isn't church, and
that is near enough.
When they were ready, Addie rather
reluctantly followed him along the hall
to the drawing-room, where Charlie was
already waiting behind table with pen,
ink and book before him.
What am | to say? asked Miss Delahay
nervously.
Oh, just I will when he asks you if
you will marry me, and then, 1'-what
is your Christian name?
Adelaide.
I, Adelaide, take thee, Aldwyth,' and
80 on.
1t seems very irreverent, objected Ad-
die. l don't like it.
It's all right! Come along!
They went up to the table, and Charlie,
who had insisted on taking the part of
the registrar on the ground that he had
been best man at wedding some weeks
previously and knew all about it, received
them with becoming gravity.
You wish to be married? he inquired,
glaring at them through pair OF bor-
rowed spectacles.
We do, answered Chesteron, with ad-
mirable gravity.
Addie was smiling involuntarily at the
sternness Of Charles aspect.
You swear there is no just cause or
impediment?
I say, old fellow, remarked Aldwyth,
in a hurried undertone, you're
Go on!
We swear, replied Chesteron, humor.
ing him.
Who giveth this woman to be married
to this man? and Charlie beckoned with
his finger to Fenwick, who advanced,
looking rather dumbfounded.
do.
The ring, please, continued Charlie
solemnly.
I say, demonstrated Chesteron once
more, you'll have them all up in arms
if you 60 on like that.
We may as well do the thing properly.
If you haven't got a ring, have.
Oh, have one that will do!
Aldwvtb drau q rino fH b;a E,,no. , |