The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1908-03-07

neared it Tom became more and more
nervous. There seemed to be
weight on his heart that he could not
lift. At that moment the best man
was hanging out the cab window, ours
ing the driver for the snail-like pace
they were pursuing.
Il say, cabby. this is wedding that
we are going to, not funeral. I'll give
you an extra half dollar If you hurry.
IAN extra half, is it? You talk like
a politician. Well. sir, you might
corrupt me, but the horse can't be
bribed and weddin's or funerals, his
gait is all the same. Rest easy while
you can, sir-the lady will drive you
fast enough, once she gets the reins."
The best man was about to rail
at the Irish as nation, when Tom
said: III anything should happen
jumping Juniper, Tom. brace up.
You look as if yon had curvature ofthe
spine. Pull yourself together. will
you? Any girl who had such look
ing object as you on her calling list
would be ostracized by good society.
and one who would marry you would
be declared mentally incompetent"
"All right. III pull up, but I've
beastly idea that something is going
wrong. Jack, old man, l can't do 1t.
I'm in love with Edna Cross and not
with Eleanor. I've just begun to real
ize it,
you old poacher, then why did you
ask Eleanor to marry you, when you
knew that have loved her all my life,
and have been trying to forget her for
months Night after night went over
and sat with Edna, trying to make my
self think l was forgetting Eleanor"
"And every night" said Tom. i
went to see Eleanor because you were
over at Edna's, and had no right to
trespass on your preserves. A nice
mess we've made Of it. What are we
going to do?"
do? Why, that's easy enough as
sured Jack. Il am going to be the
groom, and you can just slide back In
| to by boots as best man. Well blame
the whole thing on the printer. Trust
me, old man, said I'll see you
through this ordeal, and I'm going to
keep my word"
AS the cab finally reached the house
the men stepped out and were ushered
into the room where the minister was
waiting for them.
No word of explanation was uttered,
and the men took their places by the
| minister who was to pronounce them
man and wife. The wedding march
was played, and as Eleanor, in her
gorgeous robes, came forth to meet the
man of her choice, Jack Winston
stepped forth and offered her his arm.
Eleanor was speechless, but too hap
py to resent, and before the gaping
crowd the minister tied the knot that
made them one till death do them
part"
Then Jack began his explanations:
simplest thing in the world he
said you see, Tom ordered the invita-
lions, and, of course, the printer took
it for granted that it was his wedding
merely a typographical error. moth
ing more"
Eleanor's mother stepped in at this
moment, and with a naughty manner
inquired:
Then, may l ask why Tom gave
the bachelor dinner-why Tom bought
the ring?"
Eyes mother" said Jack, with a very
proprietary manner, you see l was
broke at the time, and Tom, as you all
know, is just loaded with money, SO
gave him carte blanche to 60 ahead as
If it was his own wedding, and Id pay
him back in good time. You see,
only came into my inheritance yester-
day, and that would have been too late
to order invitations, give dinners. etc.
Anyway, how could you ever think
that Tom was going to marry Eleanor?
Why, he's engaged to marry Edna, and
if you don't believe me. ask them for
yourself. tell you it was Topographic
cal error. nothing more"
The color that suffused Edna's face
and the smile that glorified Jacks GER
flied the statement, and the guests
were in f1utter of pleasurable excite
ment, while, in the corner, Jack was
shaking Tom by the hand and saying:
Didn't tell you I'd see you through
it, old an."-Brooklyn Times.