The bee., 1908-10-01
On the Run

Il
papers.
'Im going to send you to Frisco,
Wilson: Adams is sick. You must
take bis place We have a big deal
on there now, and it's got to go
through. You'll have to catch the
next train That gives you an hour
and a half"
Outside the office Wilson's face
heightened dismally.
"Marjoriel" he gasped. Frisco!
Good Lord can't go, with things in
this critical condition. Then others
are always hanging around. It won't
do. It mightn't be Marjorie when
get back"
He jerked out his watch. "An hour
and twenty-five minutes left That's
plenty Of time. I'll do it. I'll know my
fate before leave"
Fifteen minutes later he was shown
into the parlor of large, prudish
locking apartment house. In one cor
ner sat three ladies'. They stared at
him.
Wonder how long they are going to
stay?" he thought.
A swish of skirts drew his eyes 10
the door, and Marjorie, all ribbons and
dimples, entered. Wilson seized the
hand she gave him and held IT,
I've come to tell you that-that--"
From the corner precise tones came
to his ear, and he dropped Marjorie's
hand. "To say goodby."
rive got to go to Frisco" he ex-
planned.
There was such regret in Mar
jorie's face that his heart gave a
Jump.
After that Wilson talked without
rhyme or reason. What he wanted to
say was on the tip Of his tongue, but
the three pairs of watching eyes in
the corner kept It back.
And you have to leave at III"
Marjorie said sympatheticaily.
Wilson gave despairing glance
toward the corner and rose.
Eyes, but want to say--that is,
want to tell"
He stopped, and his eye fell on a
magazine lying on a small center ia
BILE. He took pencil and wrote rap
Idly
Have you read this?" ne asked,
passing the magazine and pencil to
Marjorie.
What he wrote was: 81 love you,
but can't say so for those old CAB
blers in the corner"
For moment Marjorie hid her face
he
Of her ears grew red. Then she wrote
! \ reply.
What Wilson read was: TIN so
glad"
AS he lifted his eyes from the maya
zine he heard a rustic, and the last OF
three prim figures disappeared from
. the room. Then he took Marjorie In
bis arms.
you must go with me-" He slapped
his hands together emphaticaIly a.
Marjorie shook her head. I'VE must
= be married now. There's almost half
J an hour left"
The next instant he was at the tele-
phone, the next back at Mar1orie's
, side.
1.-THE minister's going to meet us at
the station. I'll get the license, and
; you must join me there"
, A few minutes later two vehicles
, raced up the plaza of the station.
) Wilson alighted from one, Marjorie
I from the other They had only fiVe
minutes to spare, but no minister was
r in sight Suddenly a fog-horn voice
. announced their train was on the eve
. Of departure. At that instant a meek
! looking little man entered. The next
I Ihe was in Wilson's grasp, and the
/. next being hurried toward the tracks.
II lost my collar button" he ex-
y planned. 1T was the most extraordin-
{ airy thing"
Listen to me-" Wilson interrupted.
/ Our trains about to leave. You can
marry us on it, and get of at the hrst
a station"
: But, my dear sir, have a minis
a .ers' meeting to attend this afternoon
Q he little man protested.
Across the tracks they went, and
Wilson lifted the little man on the al
' ready moving train. helped Marjorie
1 after him. and swung on himself.
Don't talk nonsense; marry US" he
q said.
The little man wiped his forehead
Y with a trembling hand. and then
2 smiled wanly.
IF II hadn't been for that extraor-
4 llnary collar button l would have
y oeen on time" he declared.
AS the train was beginning to leave
he city limits and emerge into the
v green country, ne lifted his hands and
said sOlemnly:
It pronounce you man and wife,"