Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-03-27
Booked For
MatrinOny
BY NEWTON CHANCE.
Copyrighted. 1909. by Associated
Literary Press.


Paul Ardmore nodded his thanks to
the conductor as he swung down the
car steps to the snow covered platform
and made his way toward the waiting
room.
No expectant committee gathered
about the stove, and the only signs Of
life were the clicking Of the telegraph
instruments and thin film OF very
rank tobacco smoke that curled from
under the closed window Of the ticket
Office.
He waited minute; then he raped
on the ground glass. and presently a
face, appearing In the opening. evinced
surly interest.
II am Professor Ardmore," explained
Paul. II am TO give lecture at the
Gothic church. There Is no committee
TO meet me. and there seems to be no
hack about the station"
'"Therc il one generally, but Jim got
job driving Teller over to Moor
way. He'll be back to meet the 0:43.
but II you don't want to wait It's easy
to walk there. You go down the road
II piece till you come to Pine street.
Then you go over to Maple until you
come to Spruce. It's just around the
corner on Spruce. Are you that Teller
that was to lecture In the Star course
last night and didn't come? The ladies'
got up show, so they wouldn't have
to give the money back"
Paul clutched at his pocket and ex-
tracted letter. He glanced at the
fine feminine handwriting and breathed
a sigh of relief.
at Is for the 17th." he announced
In relief. II am so absentminded that
! have to be very careful of my dates.
Perhaps the committee has discovered
the error and will gather the audience
again tonight. In any event It would
be best for me to go over"
He turned up the collar of his ulster
to protect his throat and, leaving the
station, plunged through the drifting
snow.
1t was not long walk, for Maple
wood was small place, and present
~ he was In sight OF the church that
was attended by the towns fashiona-
BILE families.
To his relief the lights shone out,
and a little knot Of people stood about
the door.
They eyed him curiously as he push
ed his way through to the door and
entered the vestibule. Several young
women came forward expectantly as he
entered, and Paul. deciding that they
were the committee Of the Ladies'
guild, grasped an outstretched hand.
'They told me at the station that
the lecture was yesterday. or. rather,
that the audience had gathered yes
tcrday through some error" he said
cordially. II am glad that you were
able to gather them together again this
evening. presume an error was made. p"
The welcoming smile faded from the
girlish faces. "You are the lecturer
cried one I'VE thought you were the
bridegroom
Mercy. nor exclaimed Paul. color
Ing wildly.
The lecture was announced for last
night" went on the speaker. 1.-THE
guild members organized an impromp-
tn concert TO avoid disappointing the
audience. You might at least have tele-
graphed when you found that you
could not come"
but have come" declared Paul as
he produced his letter. 'Your commu.
nication says very distinctly that the
lecture is on the 17th."
The girl took the letter unbelieving-
ly. then gave a little cry OF dismay.
'You are Professor Ardmorey she
cried. 1T was Burton Brooks. the
Psychologist. who was to have lec-
tured last night. Your lecture is to be
given on the 9th. I made the mistake
in the date. This is my letter. ] am
very sorry"
II can come again on the 27th."
promised Paul as he perceived the
n wedding here this evening. May
stay until II Is time for my train? 1t
is scarcely inviting ut the station, and
the agent smokes very bad tobacco"
"Yes; we've reported his bad man
ners to the company dozens of times"
was the discouraged reply. you are
welcome here, but II Is rehearsal for
the bridal party. not the wedding"
She led the way into the body Of
the church, and Paul slipped into
pew on the side aisle. glad of u rest
full haven until train time.
Presently the organ pealed. and at
the first strains there entered the
groom and his best man. An elderly
woman. who seemed TO have CONSTITUTE
ed herself the mistress Of ceremonies.
shouted to the organist to stop and
charged upon the sheepish groom.
go back.' she cried. You don't
give the organ chance! He's got to
play the march all the way through.
and II you come out now you'll have
to stand like a toy figure waiting for
the bride to come In! Don't come un-
I'll say Now and then rNnember the
place In the musicw
The groom and his supporter STUN
&a~l hal. l.t, ela x,aofru anA In