Evening journal., 1905-05-26

the girl laughed. 1T seems OF late
that we are thrown together at every
one"
Lets see" he mused; "this IS the
third so far this month. We're ac
cumulating a great weight OF respon-
sibility."
"All my friends seem to be going in
FOR matrimony," she said.
mine. too" he returned cheerfully.
''Rymen is an indiscriminate old bur
glar. He gobbles 'em right and left
And when a mans married he's as
good as lost to his friends-at first" he
added.
"But they all come back to the club
and-aud the old life, don't theyr' she
said testify.
"AIost Of Them" he admitted.
"Thats the man Of IT," she said
'MarrIage is a lottery" he said,
lacking momentarily a more original
observation
"'Pleasant the snafles Of courtship,
improving the manners and carriage"
she quoted.
"'But the colt who is wise win re-
frain from the terrible thorn bit Of mar
riage'" he finished.
"There seems to be a great many
colts lacking wisdom" she remarked.
"And lots more willing to lack that
commodity" he laughed.
Doesn't a wedding ever impress you
as rather patheticY" she asked.
Always" he replied. "often heart
rending."
'Well, mine shan't be-" she said 1T
shall be very, very cheerful"
That's the kind l should prefer for
myself" he acquiesced-
"The service should be short" she
said
Just long enough to be legal" he
agreed cheerfuily.
"And 1t would be n very quiet af-
falr-iust few friends. the cheerful
kind. not the weepy sort"
Second the notion" said he.
She looked up quickly. then turned
her eyes and watched the hurrying
crowds on the sidewalks.
at high noon and at the house." she
mused. "rhe church IS too big and
gloomy and solemn. Surely at the
house. And for decorations a few sim
pie orchids"
"Its amazing how you voice my sen
timents." said he.
The carriage swung around a corner
and entered a more quiet street The
young man fiioked an imaginary bit Of
dust from his coat.
''That would be a wedding" he said
you'd have an orchestra behind some
palms on the broad stairs. wouldn't
your"
"Yes; string orchestra" she re
turned.
"Of course. Of course-a string orches
tra," said he.
'sAnd Jolly informal wedding break
fast and punch" she went on.
That's the idea" he said approx
ingly.
"And every one who wept should b'
fined So" she said
make it So" he suggested, "or thir
ty days in the house Of correction. TIT
crime would warrant II"
She laughed gayly.
"It wouldn't be a somber affair, II
warrant you" she asserted.
'Tn bet It wouldn't" he said enthu
siastically.
He mopped his brow nervously ant
looked covertly at the girl opposite him
Her eyes were still turned from him.
I'D like to try a wedding Of tina
sort" he said.
'There wouldn't be any ushers,' sh
remarked pointedly.
certainly not" he said. II full.
= realize that. I'd like TO try It asa
bridegroom"
"Why don't your she asked family.
"Wen, I would If I were sure OF tn
girl" he said. "You see"- He paused
'Tm afraid 1 don't see" she SAT-
laughingly.
"You see, there's only one girl
want and l don't dare ask her" he sal
plaintively.
'Indeedr she said coldly.
"There's only one girl / want" he re
peated desperately, "and she's the on
who has heard me rail at wedding
from time immemorial. I'm afraid sh
wouldn't believe l was serious"
The girls face grew very red.
'You-you haven't rallied at this In
aginary one" she said without turn
ing her eyes.
In an instant he was on the seat b
side her.
"Then she will marry meT' he aske
softly.
e The girl pressed her hot face agains
the window of the carriage.
'You said you thought marriage wa
IA lottery" she faltered.
d ''Well,D he said stoutly, ''wh
n wouldn't risk a lottery chance II
II knew he should draw the capiti
It prizeT CHARLES GRAVES.
Sir MOuntstuart GRANDEUR says tina