The Cairo bulletin., 1907-07-07
.XXzlEzlz1Ez1IzHz1IzE
|RUTtl'S Boz MERANC |
by Claire Scaton.

least have the satisfaction of feelinI
that did 1t to Gertie first"
We certainly are doing It..
laughed Harding. as he tackled
Just Married" sign to the back o
the coach. This will be the bes
advertised wedding OF the season. =
Hand me those old shoes and W.
are done" orderedaRlith. X The shoes
were handed over and while Ruth
was attaching them tor the rear Of
the carriage with dong white stream
res, Harding went to the box to warn
the driver not to drive UP far enough
to let the new Mrs. Morse see the
decorations, and then he and Ruth
ran into the house.
AS best man and bridesmaid they
were busy throughout the recep-
ton, and 1t was not until the bride
was about to descend the stairway
that the idea came to Harding.
Lets take another OF the car
riages and get to the station first
he suggested. I'VE can have the
laugh on them when they pull up"
Wait moment" she laughed, II
want to see II can catch the bou-
quet"
Gertrude appeared at the head of
the stairs and tossed her flowers into
the expectant crowd below There
was more design than accident In
her aim, for they almost fell into
Ruths outstretched hands. With
cry of triumph she ran down the
steps, followed by Harding.
Heedlessly she turned to enter the
first carriage. but Harding held her
back. Take the next" he remind
ed; don't you recognize the driver"
He helped her into the second We
hicle and with an order to the coach
man to drive to the station followed
her In.
The driver whipped up his horses
and they started off at trot I'VE
will be on the platform when they
drive up" she exulted. Il wonder
II we can get the ribbons and tie
them on the trunks?"
Billy Seton did that" he ex-
planned He left early and is down
there now"
What funny humping noise?"
she asked, suddenly.
Harding listened for a moment.
Il guess it's small boy on behind"
he said, comfortingly. 1T sounds
like his feet hitting against the body
Of the carriage"
Fl That's all right" she smiled
back. II was afraid that there might
not be any one in the boots
Fred and Cert are In the first
carriage he explained. Il saw the
driver"
Then it's all right" she said.
Look at the crowd waiting for |
them" he chucklad. as they drew up |
to the station PLATFORM lined with
oilers. billy must have given them
the tip"
A cheer went up when they drew
up alongside of the station, and as
they stepped out OF the Vehicle they
were showered with rice from the
windows of the upper story Then
Seton hurried forward and caught
Harding by the arm.
What's the matter?" he asked
anxiously. Aren't they coming?"
Certainly" answered Harding.
but ! guess you've wasted all that
rice on u.s."
Serves you right for riding in
their carriage he growled. You've
gone and spoiled 1t ALL"
'"Theirs," gasped Ruth. "Oh, Bill
"! Was this" She ran to the rear
Of the coach while the crowd roared !
is enjoyment. There was the sign
Ind the long white streamers that
hey had so carefully prepared for
he others. Clearly the crowd
hought that they were the bride
md groom. Harding suffered his
objections to the coachman.
The explanation was simple enough.
rhe driver of the bridal coach had
zone to get drink and the other
nan was on the box watching the
estive horses. When he returned
lie was told to keep back and had 4,
aiken second place in line that the
decorations would not show. 1t was
il very simple but decidedly en-
'arrassing.
You can't convince the crowd
hat We are not the bride and v
room" he complained as he led the
way to the waiting room. Until d
rain time the evidence is all against
g. Even the bouquet looks like a o
tveaway." F
There's Cert" gasped Ruth.
She must have come up while the
rowd was occupied with u.s."
The crowds In the station gath v
red about them and listened to the a
oking, but It was not until the b
iorses left on the Grain that they T
called that the whole thing was r
Joke to throw of suspicion. D
Harding and Ruth stood on the r
latform as the train rolled off.
Well" sighed the girl as she !.
armed away. II am through being =
bride. II was sort OF nice while II y
lsted even though It was rather en- u
arrassing." q
I'm glad :" he said simply. &c
THAT | was embarrassed"
NO. that you like it." he ex- &c
lained. because I'm going TO ask b
gu to do Il all over again lust aa "
bon as you can get ready"