The Sauk Centre herald., 1908-09-10
pered the groom; you can see that he


is off,"
How about you two in the front
there?" demanded the clergyman;
seems to me this ought to be dou-
BILE wedding"
"Oh, we are already married." ex-
claimed, Miss Applewhite, her quick
wit saving the situation from further
intricacies.
"very well; you can act as wit
nesses."
And with the entire group standing
In their places, and the six-shooter
carefully covering them, the reverend
bandit repeated from memory, and
without break, the marriage form In
use among the clergy of the Methodist
denomination.
Excuse me If I omit to salute the
BRIDE" he said politely, at the conclu-
sion of the service, ''but congratu-
late you, young man, on securing such
a beautiful wife, and you, young lady,
on the possession of so handsome
husband. All that remains now Is to
jot down your names and addresses on
slip of paper, pin it to the custom
ary fee, and drop it on the road. 1 will
mail you the certificate in due time"
No ordinary highwayman would
have allowed Malcolm to tumble in his
pockets for a sheet of paper, but, as
a matter of fact, the entire party was
unarmed. The directions, however,
were promptly followed, the names of
John Smith, Beirut, Syria" and
"Helen Nimrod, Kalkaska, W.T." being
duly set down. The paper was then
fastened to a five-dollar bill and
dropped beside the auto.
With a profound bow the outlaw
motioned the chauffeur to proceed,
and as the vehicle turned a bend in
the road he picked up the precious pa
pers and disappeared within the
thicket.
At first the victims of this exciting
farce were disposed to treat 1t as
good joke, but as the question was dis
cussed pro and con, it began to assume
more serious aspect. All were dense
ly ignorant of the law concerning
such a case, but had read some dis
turbing court decisions in regard to
mock marriages. And what if the out
law were a truly ordained minister?
ooh! do you really think we are
legally married?" implored Miss Brent
| wood, a look of CONSERVATION in her
| pretty eyes.
"By the son of Giddash, don't
know" laughed Malcolm, trif1e un-
easily.
The girl settled back in her seat, and
became thoughtfully quiet for the re-
mainder of the trip.
The auto overlook the Pontiac in
the last lock at the foot of the hill.
The boat had settled until her upper
deck was on a level with the tow
path, and Mrs. Brentwood, standing
at the edge, stepped ashore to greet
her daughter. Varina sank into her
arms with sudden little sob.
Mamma, I-I-don't know but what
I'm married"
Married! What on earth do you
mean?" questioned the alarmed par
| ent, glancing instinct1vely at Malcolm,
who was standing meekly by, holding
| the wraps.
81 mean-I don't know can't tell
whether I'm married or not" fin
ished Varina brokenly.
After this lucid explanation, Mrs.
Brentwood looked more mystified than
ever, but her portly spouse, who
joined the group just then, soon got
the facts Strengthened out.
81 hope we won't have to drag this
thing into the courts" he said.
'The courts!" echoed his wife, who
had a wholesome horror of such
| places, what a disgrace to fall on our
| family"
| 81 think Varina and can arrange it
much BETTER" suggested Malcolm
| quietly. giving the girl, who was
blushing furiously, side smile. 1--WE
have reached All understanding, and
| with your approval will be married
over again in strictly conventional
manner"
To see the happy little coterie gath
cred in the cabin half an hour later
one would not need to be prophet to
foretell a dainty church wedding after
the arrival of the steamer at Ogdens,
burgh.