Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-08-17

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Seeing that relations were becoming
dangerous, Mary succeeded in changing
the subject. Mindful of her orders, she
exerted herself to please Mr.. Strip; and
| succeeded so well that her fiance became
gloomy and wondered whether he had
been altogether wise in taking the
course he$had done.
During the next few days he had fur
Their reason for misgiving. Twice he
met Mary walking with his rival; and
though he joined them instantly he was
not quite sure that she welcomed his in
reference as she should have done. Aft
er the second occasion he saw his mis-
take.
Mary" he said, 1--WE 'ad enough of
this foolishness. | acted wrong when /
told you to make up to that chap Strip.
! can see it now. It's tearing of is
cart. | 'adn't no right to do it."
Very well, Ben" she said, with a sigh.
perhaps | may have gone a bit too far.
Mother thinks so. anyway. And Sam
did ask me to marry him yesterday. But,
of course, if you think it ought to come
to an end, it ought. Only l think he de-
serves lesson for the way he treated
you"
The bitter recollection caused Mr..
Hobbs to hesitate.
IF you're sure" he began. "'Old
ard Let me think" He paused and
wrinkled his forehead "You can give
i'm last lesson, my girl" he said, but
it'll ave to be the last. I've got the
way to do it. It's wonderful the things
| thinks of at times. You say e asked
you to marry 'im?"
''Yes, Benz
"And wot answer did you give 'im?"
"He said he'd wait. | told him | had
to think of you. And he told me | was
to keep on thinking of you, and he
wouldn't be afraid. ] was to give him
his answer tomorrow"
''Then see 'ere Tomorrow you'll tell
him that if ELL go with you to the regis
trar's office in Littleport you'll marry
inn
'Ben!" she cried, astonished.
81 said Marry i'm That's wot you'll
tell i'm by way of leading him on like.
But when you gets there, I'll be there
before you. And when the registrar
says, "'As anyone any objection to this
ere marriageY I'll step forward and
forbid the banns."
On the following morning Mr.. Hobbs
stood outside the door of the registrars
office in Littleport and waited foE the
pair he was expecting. In due course
they appeared, and he felt that his plans
had so far gone well, inasmuch as both
their faces were wreathed in smiles, and
Mr.. Strip had not only gone so far as
to put a rose in his buttonhole, but had
washed his face with more than ordi-
nary care
"Hullo, Mr. Hobbs!" he said cheerily
"Why, you've come in the nick of time.
Mary and me has made up our minds to
be married"
"Oh, ave your" said Mr.. Hobbs, with
a faint grin at the thought of his COM
ing triumph. There's two words to
that"
"Well come inside and say 'em," said
Mr.. Strip cheerfully, leading the way
into the office.
The registrar, an acute, clean-shaven
individual, listened to their application,
and prepared to perform the ceremony.
At the psychological moment Mr.. Hobbs
stepped forth.
'"Old 'ard!" he said loudly. Il forbid
this marriage. This ERE girl belongs to
me-"
The registrar paused, astonished.
DO you mean that she is married to
your" he asked, ''or that you are her
father?"
Il amt Ter father said Mr.. Hobbs
savagely 'Wot dye take me for? 'Ow
old do you think / am? And | amt
married to FER either. But I'm going to
be. She's engaged to me-"
Really" said the registrar, with a
faint smile, IF this young lady has
come here to be married to this gentle
man of her own free will, your objection
doesn't hold. can't consider it,
81 do come of my own free WILL" said
Mary with a blush.
do you mean to say" yelled Mr..
Hobbs, conscious all at once of his pow
erlessness, 'that l can't stop this mar
riage?"
Certainly not" said the registrar, "un-
less you have better grounds than those
you have Just stated"
Mr.. Hobbs stared wildly about him.
Then he ventured last appeal to the
girl.
Mary" he said solemnly, you'll be
sorry for this when your mother ears
of it,
please go home and break it to her, y
said the damsel with mock sweetness;
''you know you can persuade her to do
anything"
"Td "a done anything for you" he an
swered reproachfully. Think, Mary,
wot I've done for you already. I've been
chucked out of pub for your sake"
But here Mr.. Strip interposed.
you don't want to be chueked out of
a registrars office, l supposed" he said
casually
q don't!'' said Mr.. Hobbs testify.
Then go out quietly" said Mr..
Strip, and shut the door"
Mr. Hobbs, meeting his eye, went. He
fingered in agony on the pavement.
When at length Mr.. Strip came forth
Mary was hanging on his arm and blush
ing as he hummed the wedding march
j. Sackville Martin in The Sketch.