The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1909-07-22

| was AFRAID to toss again, because then
II / sol Ned l might want Harry
don't you see?"
| I did not see. In fact, such vacilla'
tion was quite incomprehensible to
my well-balanced mind. but was
obliged to devote my energies to
soothing Josephine, who again turned
her face to the counterpane and wept
copiously.
And he's waiting on the corner by
Trinity church." she sobbed; "he said
he'd wait till / came. And it's rain
ing. And he has cold. And sim
ply can't go marry hin. And he's
bought the ring. And l think Harry's
such hideous name. And he'll wait
till | come, and-and--"
Josephine suddenly sat upright and
grasped my hand.
You go" she said. you 60, and
explain things"
1t is needless to recount the argu-
ment that followed Enough to say
that ! finally agreed to go and tell
the man waiting to marry my niece
that, after all. she preferred some one
else.
Josephine produced a long, light
cloak and wrapped me in It: she also
adorned me with a large hat loaded
with plumes, because, she explained.
Harry would be looking for just that
costume. Over the hat and face she
tied thick veil, remarking that no
one could possibly tell who was in
side 1t, and perhaps Harry would
marry me in spite of myself. as he
was very impatient. Then she gig
gled Historically.
Secure in the consciousness Of my
rectitude, / compressed my lips and
drew on my rubbers.
1t was not pleasant evening. A
fine. sleety rain fell steadily, turning
the pavements into shining sheets Of
glass, over which / shuffied carefully.
Trinity church Is situated on a side
street entirely off the main thorough
fare, where it is very quiet and se-
cluded. / paused as l reached the
corner and laid my hand on my bosom,
a little to the left of the breast bone.
as described in physiologes when To-
eating the heart. Its throbbing was
very evident.
Summoning all my fortitude,
looked in the direction Of the church.
There, beside the lamppost, stood a
manly form, and drawn conveniently
close to the curbing was a herdic cab.
Suddenly an arm appeared about my
waist, face was pressed close to
mine, and distinctly felt the pricking
of mustache. l blushed beneath
the veil and was glad the street hap
pened to be dark and quiet.
found myself gently but fcrcibly
propelled towards the cab, the door
of which stood invitingly open. Twice
| strove to articuIate, but both times
my voice failed me.
I'm going on the box with the
cabby," he continued. cheerfully. ito
make sure he gets the right place. 1t
won't do to have any mistake. you
know. Now, then, in you CO."
And found myself picked up bodily
and deposited in the cab. The door
slammed and we were off.
was eloping.
My first impulse was to scream, but
this resisted firmly; my second, to
draw the laprobe closer about me. and
to this yielded and resigned myself
to the inevitable.
The cab stopped abruptly and the
cab door was flung eagerly open.
Strange undulations travelled up and
down my spine.
We were in the chapel by this time,
and the clergyman In his robes was
waiting for us with two Witnesses
everything very proper and legal. AS
I could not trust my voice began
to tumble with my veil; at least /
could uncover my face.
Let me help you" he said, gently,
and united the knot.
turned and faced him, and for a
we stared at each other as
though petrified.
"The devil!" he exclaimed. very
rudely, l thought
] made a gigantic effort to speak.
MY dear young friend" said in a
voice which sounded weak and au-
tomato to my own ears, Il fear my
may be somewhat OF a dis
as we'll as a sur
prise
But | got no further, for he turned
nelplessly to the clergyman as though
terrified.
Take her away" he gasped, there's
some mistake. Let me out of this."
But the minister lifted his hand
There seems to be some strange
nisapprehension." he said, sternly:
let us get to the bottom OF this mat
.er at once. Did you expect to marry
his gentleman. madam? Pray ex-
plain
And l explained as well as could.
When / reached home-a long time
lfter, for the distance was great and
he street cars slow-T found my