Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-04-29
DAILY SHORT STORY
)IN MAID OF HoNoR.s CARRIAGE.

fluffy white. The young man removed
his high hat and mopped his perspir-
ing brow. He adjusted his tie and
brushed the dust from his coat sleeve
The carriage ratified briskly over the
pavements. Outside the early afternoon
sunshine flooded the streets with
mellow glow.
We'll" said the young man.
Strengthening himself and smiling at
the girl, another good man gone
wrong. Every time l assist at the
weddings OF these reckless youths
feel somehow like an executioner."
We're getting to be arch conspir-
ators in the wedding line, aren't weE
the girl laughed. 1t seems of late
that we are thrown together at every
one"
Lets see," he unused; this is the
third so far this month. We're &C
cumulstipg a great weight OF respon-
sibility'
IAN my friends seem to be going In
for matrimony," she said.
Mine. too" he returned cheerfully.
"Eymen 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 theyE she
said testify.
Most of them" he admitted.
That's the man of it," she said.
Marriage is lottery" he said.
lacking momentarily a more original
observation.
pheasant the snafties OF courtship.
improving the manners and carriage,
she quoted.
But the colt who is wise will re-
fraln from the terrible thorn bit of mar
riage.'" he finished.
There seems to be q 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 pathetic" she asked.
Always" he replied. "Often heart
rending."
well, mine shan't be-" she said. ut
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 cheerfully.
And it would be a very quiet af-
fair-just few friends. the cheerful
kind, not the weepy Sort
Second the motion" said he.
She looked UP quickly, then turned
her eyes and watched the hnrrying
crowds on the sidewalks.
AT high noon and at the house" she
mused The church is too big and
gloomy aud solemn. Surely at the
house. And for decorations few sim
pie orchids
Its amazing how you voice my sen
timents." said he.
The carriage swung around corner
and entered more quiet street. The
young man f1icked an imaginary bit OF
dust from bis coat
That would be a wedding" lie said.
You'd have an orchestra behind some
palms on the broad stairs, wouldn't
yOuE"
Yes; a string orchestra" she re-
turned.
"Of course. Of course-a string orches-
ira" said he.
And jolly informal wedding break
fast and punch" she went on.
That's the idea he said approx
ingly.
And every one who wept should be
fined So" she said
Make it SO" he suggested. 'Or thir-
ty days in the house of correction. The
crime would warrant it."
She laughed gayly.
ut wouldn't be somber affair I'll
warrant YOU" she asserted.
'I'H bet IL wouldn't" he said enthu-
siastcally.
He mopped his brow nervOusly and
looked covertly at the girl opposite him.
Her eyes were still turned from him.
I'D like TO try a wedding Of that
sort he said
There wouldn't be any ushers," she
remarked poIntedIy.
certainly not he said 81 fully
realize that. I'd like to try IL as-as
bridegroom"
Why don't your she asked family.
We'll. / would II were sure OF the
girl" he said. You see Hepaused
TN afraid l don't see" she said
laughingly
You see, there's only one girl I
want and don't dare ask her" he said
Indeed" she said coldly.
There's only one girl want" he re-
peated desperately. and she's the one
who has heard me rail at weddings
from time immemoriaI I'm afraidIshO
wouldn't believe | was serious"
The girls face grew very red.
"You-you haven't rallied al chis ina
+ ginary one" she said without turn
ing her eyes
10 an instant he was on the seat be-
side her
Then she will marry me:" he asked |