Middletown transcript., 1903-09-26
A Charade and Its Ending /.
MARGOT M1UDE
MARGOT MiUDE

think it is right to make a jest OF solemn
words. didn't know you meant to d,
all this.
l didn't, admitted Chesteron drily
These are Charlie's additions, for hi
own amusement. But it doesn't matte
it is only joke.
Addie unwillingly went through lie
part, and then, when Chesteron hat
placed the ring OH her finger with til,
words, beginning, with this ring the,
wed, Charlie pronounced them man ant
wife, insisting that they must sign thei
names on the sheet of paper provided
Then, in solemn procession, they all lef
the room-to Adde'S great relief.
1 say, you beggar, said Chesteron te
Charlie, you had the best Of the fun
Miss Delahay is very angry with you.
1t was rather risky though, Dellwyn
observed Mr.. Fenwick. 1t doesn't do te
play these little pranks in Scotland, as
you are apt to find yourself legally mar
ried before you wish it.
Oh, rot! exclaimed Chesteron uncere
moniously. At that rate I should have
committed bigamy, for have played the
part twice previously.
Yes, in England; but the Scotch mar.
riage-laws are very peculiar, you know
Well, it cannot make any difference,
remarked Mr.. Chesteron lightly. 1t was
only joke-they all know that. Come
and let us see if they have guessed the
word.
AS they entered no one looked round.
Most of the company had their eyes fixed
on small group of excited speakers in
the centre of the room. Among them
Nita recognized her father, who ap-
peared to be both annoyed and dismayed.
She went up to him, and touched his
arm.
What is the matter, dad? she inquired
gently. At the same time Charlie cried
ioyfully:
Well! Has anyone guessed the word?
Then the speakers turned and stood in
silence, as Mr.. Dellwyn answered Nita's
question.
There has been a rather unpleasant
discussion about your charade-or, rather,
about the last scene. You ought not to
have carried it so far. Manderton and
Joliffe both declare that it is legal mar
riage. They believe that, for some rea-
son Of their own, Chesteron and Miss
Delahay have brought it about purposely,
and are rather angry about it.
Purposely! expostulated Nita. 1t was
only a joke! You know that, father?
Why, they have never met until day
or two ago. How could they premedi-
tate such thing?
So have explained; but they insist
that the ceremony is binding, Mr.. DELL
wyn replied gloomily. 1t is most un-
fortunate affair and will occasion great
deal Of talk and scandal. Miss Delahay,
| beg your pardon, did not see that
you were there.
Talk and scandel Addie repeated the
words with white lips. A legal marriage!
l don't understand.
Don't worry yourself about it, darling,
advised Nita tenderly, touched by the
fright and bewilderment on her friends
face. 1t will be all right. Father will
see that it is.
What is this that they say? asked Mr..
Chesteron abruptly, coming up to Mr..
Dellwyn. l suppose it is joke; but do
l understand that this marriage is con-
sidered legal?
So hear.
1t can't be possible! They must I've
mistaken! 1t can't be true
You carried it SO far, observed Mr..
Dellwyn rather sternly. You could have
acted wedding without all the details
you thought necessary to bring in.
That wasn't my fault! declared Ches-
teron. 1t was joke of Charles!
Pm sure Pm beastly sorry, said Char
lie, looking rather alarmed and distinctly
apologetic. l never dreamed Of such
thing! How should 1? l wanted to
make it as real as possible, and
You have succeeded in making it a
great deal too real, interpolated his
father grimly. We must see what can
be done; but Joiiffe is very decided. He
says it is legal marriage, and the worst
OF it is that none OF them believe it was
accidental. They say that for some rea-
son Of your own, you have brought it
about.
But you can assure them
If you had ever tried to convince Man
derton of anything against his precon-
ceived opinion, said Mr.. Dellwyn drily,
you would know that it is no easy mat.
ter. l am afraid it will be a very dis
agreeable affair at the best, and-I think
it will most likely prove to be legal
A legal marriage! Chesteron, looking
a little pale, carefully averted his eyes
from Adde'S stricken face; he felt at that
that the sight OF her was loath-
some to him. For the joke of a moment
he was to be tied for life to this girl,
whom he hardly knew, for whom he
could not care rap! 1t could not be!
1t should not be! What would Juliet
think of him? For, although he was not
engaged, there had always been
an understand between Aldwyth and his
cousin, Juliet Greshem.
The matter had better be ignored for
the remainder of the evening, advised
Mr.. Dellwyn rather coldly. We must
not forget that We are in Manderton's
house, and we n'tspeak quite SO plainly
IS We should wish. Let the incident
drop for the present. You had better 20
and talk to Mrs. Manderton, Nita.
Addie felt that all eyes were turned
Upon her inquisitiyely. She knew that
they spoke of other things,
heir thoughts still dwelt on the un-
happy affair. There was a suppressed |
excitement everywhere-a tendency to
oil into croa1 rroros o,,l ax.oolx