Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-06-05

For fully an hour they conversed IN
low tones, he persuading she half re-
monstrating. occasionally both laugh
ing. until at last she said in a tone Of
yielding. II suppose II is all right. but
II does look ridiculous for
"Sh-sh. Here comes Hilda," eau
toned he.
Her mother was sewing busIly and
Ben was smoking very contentedly
when she entered. As neither made a
remark Of any kind, she seemed to feel
the urgent need of an explanation Of
something within her own mind and
commenced In the most voluble man
ner: Ibid you think was going to
stay all night, mother? We had such
a lot OF things to talk about. Nettie
and r.
"who?" interrupted Ben. The tone
was so derlsive that Hilda cried out
angrily:
perhaps you do not believe me!
You are always laughing at me, and
think it's awful mean OF you"
Ben smoked placidly and made no
reply. which angered Hllda all the
more. She looked toward her mother
as II craving support, but as she APP
peared absorbed In her occupation the
enraged girl fiounced out Of the room.
slamming the door vigorously.
1t lacked only a week to the date set
for the wedding. The evening was
coldly clear. but gusty, and the few re-
manning leaves were blown from the
bushes and scurried down the street
like droves Of frightened fairies. Hill
| da stood In the embrasure of the Win
dow drumming restlessly on the win
dow pane.
An automobile halted by the curb,
but well In the shadow Of the trees.
She turned. as II tired of her amuse-
| ment. and sauntered up to her room.
1t was but very few minutes until
soft frou-frou through the hall and the
cautious opening and closing of the
front door betrayed her departure.
Ben came from an adjoining room
laughing gleefully. Hurry up. Lottie!
II they get there before us 1t will spoil
all the fun"
"You are sure that It Is an elope-
ment, Ben"
Certainly. I heard them planning
1t. Come on, come on" he urged, TAX
ing her by the arm. They hurried out
by the rear entrance. and before the
others were under way they We're fly
ing down n side street to the parson-
age.
When the clippers arrived they were
conducted at once to the study by the
parson himself As they placed them
selves In readiness for the marriage
ceremony the parson remarked: you
must excuse me, but the law requires
two witnesses. suppose you do not
object" And without waiting for a
reply he opened side door and ad-
mitted Hilda's mother and Ben.
"Oh!" breathed Hilda, frightened.
But Ben said nothing. The minister
went on with the ceremony. and Hilda.
having caught sight Of Ben's derisive
smile, did not lift her eyes again till
the final words were spoken.
The ceremony concluded. her mother
congratulated her calmly. Ben's eyes
twinkled mockingly as he held out his
hand to Hilda.
Receive my hearty congratulations,
Mrs. Dupont. You rushed things a
bit, and yet we were ahead OF you.
came here to marry. / thought you
were to be my bride but you were u
little cheat. I overheard you planning
with the man who wore better coat
than I, and. listening to your very
amusing comments on my personal
peculiarities, acknowledged to myself
that the union would not be very sat
isfactory on either side. But the sit
uation was not rs unpleasant as 1t
might have been. had been mistaken
as well as you. and the more I saw
Of your mother the better satisfied
was with the way things were coming.
really wanted you to be honest
enough to speak out, but when you
wouldn't, why. we made first inning
and were married less than five min
utes before your arrival here"
Hilda's look OF establishment changed
to one Of demure mockery. Il trust,
papa, dear, that you enjoyed my sum-
mary Of your very mature charms"
she said.
at didn't hurt my feelings a little
Bit daughter. knew my age to a
day and all about the skating rink
and as to my coat. II Mr.. Charlie had
worn It you wouldn't have known It
from broadcloth."
Hilda laughed saucily and gave her
newly made husband an adoring look.
$50. you see. II wasn't the coat;
twas the man In the coat" philoso-
phized Ben.
ut was Just little game OF tit for
tat, In which we are all winners" re-
marked Mrs. Hildreth happily.