Middletown transcript., 1908-11-07
- AND HIS HONEYMOON
BY JOHN WoRNE

be murmured, drearily.
thought many things, but !
lever thought we should be
friends.
Things often turn out better
than we expect.
He took out his watch.
Are we late? she asked; not
that shscared, but something had
to be said.
l was only looking, he replied, to see
how long We had been married.
About four hours, she said, | member
it distinctly.
Three hours and forty-eeyen minutes,
he groaned.
1t seems lifetime, she said.
Doesn't it? And SO full Of glorious,
throbbing being!
Qnite, she agreed. Its pity that it
is over.
Qnite. The carriage drew up. He
looked out. This seems very like rail-
way station. Where are you thinking OF
going ioF your honeymoon believe it 10
railway station, for porter bad opened
the door.
was thinking Of Sir John Wardlaw's
little place near Torquay. He has lent
it, you knew. and it is charmingIy sit
uated, commanding fine sea view and
fitted with ELECTRIC light on every floor.
Rsallyl be said, with some show Of IN
terest. How awfully jolly! May get you
ticket
Thank you very much, And one for
my maid.
He went to the booking Office, and was
back in few minutes With the tickets.
Thank you, she said, And where are
you thinking of going for your honey.
moon?
/? Oh, haven't quite made up my
mind. A run down to Margate, perhaps
"a little Whit of the brIny, as married
men say
His man Samson came up at the mo-
ment to say that the luggage was all In.
Who told you to put mine in this traini
samsoa expressed no surprise, but ad'
mitted that he fisd done it on bis own in
itiative, misled by resent eyents into
false inference OF fact.
Then take it out again.
Very good, sir. You are not going2
Whoever said WASP
Again bad sampGon to confess that be
had been acting upon utterly nnjustifable
conjecture. And yet, as be superintendent
the removal OF Bsrtis's luggage from the
van tit had been put in early and could
be got at only with great difficulty and
much annoyance), he could not help
thinking that most reasonable men would
have made the same mistake.
He said % mpch to Lucette, Eya'f
maid. ! never heard of 3 couple haVin'
separate honeymoons in different parts Of
the country.
Lucette said they were an "eKtfaorai'
naire couple"
He agreed, and prophesied trouble.
MesaWhile, Berthe was spending the few
minutes during which the train was de-
layed in hanging on to the carriage door
and discharging his last few remarks.
Don't forget to write occasionally, ha
said, putting his head in at tile window.
She nodded. There was another pause.
Now. you're off? But they weren't. Ber.
ties seventh partmanteau was still elud-
ing pursuit in dark corner of the luggage
van.
hope you will have good weather fol-
your honeymoon.
hope go, said Eva, little soBriy.
She had been looking upon the affair
as rather joke, but seemed to be begin.
ming to take serious view OF things.
The realoval OF all Bertie's luggage was
ominoHs.
AT last the poStGaRateau was found, the
guard whistled, Bertis raiaeq his hat with
a cheerful emile, and the train Ess gone.
He turned round and found Samson,
sitting on the largest portmanteau, scratch.
ing his worried head. Is anybody likely
now, asked BERTHE, to mistake US for q
newly married pair?
No, sir; but II that was the object, sir,
amt the means to it rather stEGng.
And as they were passing out they
heard two porters discussing the strange
| event.
Quarrelled on their 'oneymoon, they
ave, said one.
'0w dyer know they're just married?
Cos seen the old silae tied to lis port
manteau.
Eya's young brother. no doubt.
Berthe stopped suddenly, yowing ven
geanee. He was obviously disguised.
Samson. at q respectful distance, sympa.
thized with the collapse Of the little plan
for securing secrecy.
If there's anything loathe, muttesed
BERTHE, it is being grinned at for a newly
married bridegroom. Samson did not
quite understand. His lovemaking was
Of the kind #bich takes no account Of
spectators.
BERTHE took turn 5p sn9 down the
platform.
Ever been to Margate? he asked.
Yes, sir.
What do you cay OF il as a place for d
honeymoou9
Not being married. sIr-
But suppose you were9
Well, sir. it might have it's good points
il my wife was there. too.
Don't argue, said BERTHE, and took
another walk. The next time he reached
Samson he ssked Samson abruptly, When
ia the next train to FOrnuay2