The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1909-02-05

Is on"
How about you two in the front
there?" demanded the clergyman;
"seoms to me this ought 70 be a dou-
Bile wedding"
"Oh. we are already married." On
claimed Miss Applewhite. her quick
wit saving the situation from further
intricacies.
Very we'll; you can act as wit
nesses"
And with the entire group standing
IN their places, and the sIx-shooter
carefully covering them. the reverend
bandit repeated from memory and
without break. the marriage form IN
use among the clergy Of the Methodist
denomination.
Excuse me n omit to salute the
bride" be said politely. at the conclu-
sion OF the service. but congratu-
late you. young man, on securing such
beautiful wife. and you. young lady.
on the possession Of 30 handsome
husband. An that remains now IL TO
jot down your names and addresses on
a slip Of paper. pin It to the custom
ary fee. and drop II on the road, will
mnii you the certlncats in due time"
No ordinary hIghwayman would
have allowed Malcolm 70 tumble In his
pockets for a sheet Of paper. but. a.
matter OF fact. the entire party was
unarmed. The directions. however,
were promptly followed, the names OF
John Smith, Beirut, Syria" and
Helen Nimrod Kalkaska. vt.," being
duly set down. The paper was then
fastened to a fve-dollar bill and
dropped beside the auto.
With a profound bow the outlaw
motioned the chauffeur to proceed,
and as the vehicle turned a bend in
the road he picked up the precious pa
pers and disappeared within the
thicket
At fast the victims Of this exciting
farce were disposed to treat It as a
good Joke but as the question was dis
cussed pro and con, II began to assume
a more serious aspect All were dense
~ ignorant OF the law concerning
such case, but had read some dis
turblng court decisions in regard to
mock marriages. And what If the out
law we're truly ordained minister
"ohl do you really think we are
legally married ?" implored Miss Brent
wood, look OF CONSERVATION In her
pretty eyes.
by the son OF Giddash. don't
know laughed Malcolm, a trife un-
easily
The girl settled back IN her seat ana
became thoughtfully quiet for the re-
mainder OF the trip.
The auto overlook the Pontiac in
the last lock at the foot Of the hill.
The boat had settled until her upper
deck was on a level with the tow
path, and Mrs. Brentwood. standing
at the edge stepped ashore to greet
her daughter. varina sank into her
arms with a sudden little sob.
Mamma. I--I-don't know but what
I'm married"
married. What on earth do you
mean2' questioned the alarmed par
ent. glancing instinctively at Malcolm,
who was standing meekly by. holding
the wraps.
Il mean--I don't know-I can't tell
whether I'm married or not" fin
Ished Varina brokenly.
After this lucid explanation. Mrs
Brentwood looked more mystified than
ever, but her portly spouse. who
joined the group just then, soon got
the facts Strengthened out
7 hope we won't have to drag this
thing into the courts he said.
The courts!v echoed = wife, who
had a wholesome horrJr of such
places. what a disgrace to fall on ouI
familyY
Il think VarIna and / can arrange Il
much better suggested Malcolm
quietly. giving the girl who wal
blushing furiously, a side smile. I'VE
have reached an understanding. and
with your approval will be married
over again in a strictly conventional
manner"
To see the happy little coterie gath
cred in the cabin half an hour later
one would not need to be prophet tc
foretell dainty church wedding after
the arrival Of the steamer at Ogdens
burgh.