The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1908-08-28


minister of the gospel, but also a bold
Spectator in wild oats. So please
stand up, join your right hands on
high. and follow me as l repeat the
words of the ceremony"
Between terror and amusement the
young ladies were on the verge OF
Mysteries, but the ungloved hand of
the reluctant bride came in conjunc.
ton with Malcolms warm palm.
I'VE might better humor him." whis-
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"
ooh, 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
bandit repeated from memory, and
without a break, the marriage form in
use among the clergy of the Methodist
denominations.
Excuse me IL omit to salute the
bride" he said politely, at the conclu-
sion of the service, but l 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
airy fee, and drop it on the road. I 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
unarmedy The directions, however,
were promptly followed, the names of
John Smith, Beirut, Syria" and
Helen Nimrod, Kalkaska, w." being
duly set down. The paper was then
fastened to a fiVe-dollar bill and
uIOppSu DSSluG Tic duIO.
With a profound bow the outlaw
motioned the chauffeur to proceed,
and as the vehicle turned 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 it as q
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 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. trifle I'M
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 a sudden little sob.
Mamma, I-I7-don't know but what
I'm married"
Married! What on earth do you
mean?" questioned the alarmed par
ent, glancing instinctively at Malcolm,
who was standing meekly by, holding
the wraps.
Il mean4-I don't know--I can't tell
whether I'm married or not" fin
ished Varina brokenly.
After thise lucid explanation, Mrs.
Brentwoodlooked more mystified than
ever, but her portly spouse, who
joined the group just then, soon got
the facts Strengthened out.
81 hope weawon'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 disgrace to fall on our
family"
Il think Varinaaand I can arrange it
much better" suggested Malcolm
quietly, giving the girl, who was
blushing furiously, side smile. 1--WE
have reached an understanding, and
with your approval will be married
over again in, strictly conventional
To see the happy little coterie gath
cred in the cabin half an hour later
one would not need to be a prophet to !