The Carlisle independent., 1909-07-15
The Methods of Josephine
By Ella Middleton Tybout
Copyright, by J. B. Lippincott Co)

was afraid to toss again, because then if I got Ned I 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 I 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; The. said he'd wait till I came And it's rain ing. And he has cold And l sim ply cant go marry him. And he's bought the ring. And I think Harry's such a hideous name. And he'll wait till I come, and-and-'
 Josephine suddenly sat upright and grasped my hand
 You go,' she said, you go, and explain things"
 It is needless to recount the argu- ment that followed. Enough to say | that I finally agreed to go and tell the man waiting to marry my niece that, after all, she preferred some one 1 else.
 Josephine produced a long, light cloak and wrapped me in it; she also adorned me with 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 it, 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, I compressed my lips and drew on my rubbers. l It was not a pleasant evening. A | fine, sleety rain fell steadily, turning l the pavements into shining sheets of | glass, over which I shuffied carefully.
 Trinity church is situated on a. side street entirely off the main thorough. fare, where it is very quiet and se- cluded. I paused as I 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 eurbing was herdic cab.
 Suddenly an arm appeared about my waist, face was pressed close to mine, and I distinctly felt the pricking of mustache. I blushed beneath the veil and was glad the street hap pened to be dark and quiet.
 I found myself gently but forcibly propelled towards the cab, the door of which stood invitingly open. Twice I stroye to articulate, 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. It won't do to have any mistake, you know. Now, then, in you go" And I found myself picked up bodily and deposited in the cab. The door slammed and we were off. l 1 was eloplng.
 My first impulse was to scream, but this I resisted firmly; my second, to draw the laprobe closer about me, and to this I 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 I began to tumble with my veil; at least l could uncover my face.
 Let me help you" he said, gently. and united the knot.
 I turned and faced him, and for moment we stared at each other as though petrified.
 "The devill" he exclaimed, very rudely, I thought.
 I made a gigantic effort to speak.
 My dear young friend,' I said in a voice which sounded weak and au- | tomatic to my own ears, T fear my presence may be somewhat of a dis appointment as we'll as sur l prise"
 But I got no further, for he turned helplessly to the clergyman as though | terrified.
 Take her away" he gasped, there's some mistake. Let me out of thisi"
 But the minister lifted his hand solemnly.
 There seems to be some strange misapprehension," he said, sternly; ''let us get to the bottom of this mat l ter at once. Did you expect to marry this gentleman, madam? Pray ex- plain"
 And I explained as we'll as could. When I reached home-a long time after, for the distance was great and | the street cars slow-I found my wrapper and slippers laid out in my room and Josephine lowering anxious lv about the window watching for me. l I told her the whole story. and she