Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-06-02
Booked For
MatrirnOny
BY NEWTON CHANCE.
Copyrighted, 1909. by Associated
Literary Press.

N~<~<rv~<~N~NN ~~~NN~>NN~~~8
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 eurled from
under the closed window of the ticket
office.
He waited minute; then he raped
on the ground glass. and presently
face. appearing in the opening. evineed
surly interest
Il am Professor Ardmore." explained
Paul. Il am to give lecture at the
Gothic church There is 10 committee
to meet me, and there seems to be no
hack about the station"
There is one generally. but Jim got
a job driving Teller over TO Moor
way. He'll be back to meet the 9:i3,
but If you don't want to wait it's easy
to walk there. You go down the road
a 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
sigh of relief.
1T is for the 18th" he announced
in relief. Il am SO absentminded that
have to he very careful Of my dates.
Perhaps the committee has discovered
the error and will gather the audience
again tonight. In any event ii 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 a small place, and present.
ly he was in sight of the church that
was attended by the towns fashiona-
bic families.
To his relief the lights shone out,
and 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 expectanty as be
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
terday through some error he said
cordially. Il am glad that you were
able to gather them together again this
evening. presume an error was made"
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
WcHt vi Tic SDtdhtE. L ne
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 I have coroe." declared Paul as
be produced his letter. your commu-
nication says very distinctly that thu
lecture is on the 18th"
The girl took the letter unbelieving-
ly, then gave little cry Of dismay.
you are Professor Ardmorey' she
cried. 1T was Burton Brooks. the
Psychologist. who was to have lee
tured last night. Your lecture is to be
given on the 9th. made the mistake
in the date. This is my letter. ] am
very sorry"
II can come again on the 9th"
promised Paul as he perceived the
girls distress. II take 1t that there is
q wedding here this evening. May l
stay until It is time for my train? 1t
is scarcely inviting at the station. and
the agent smokes very bad tobacco"
Yes; we've reported his bad man
Bers to the company dozens Of times"
was the discouraged reply. "You are
welcome here, but it is a rehearsal for
the bridal party, not the wedding"
She led the way into the body of
the church. and Paul slipped into a
pew on the side aisle, glad Of 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 constitut-
ed herself the mistress of ceremonies,
shouted to the organist to stop and
charged upon the sheepish groom.
60 backf' abe cried. You don't
give the organ chance! He's got to
play the march all the way through.
and II you cone out now you'll have
to stand like toy figure waiting fol
the bride to come in! Don't come IN
til l say Now and then remember the