Mexico Missouri message., 1909-07-15


don't you see?"
1 did not see. In fact, such vacilia-
ton was quite incomprehensible to
my well-balanced mind, but l was
obliged to devote my energies to
soothing Josephine, who again turned
her face to the counterpart and wept
copiously.
"And he's waiting on the corner by
Trinity church." she sobbed che said
| he'd wait till came. And it's rain
| ing. And he has q cold. And / sim
ply can't go marry him. And he's
bought the ring. And think Harry's
such hideous name. And he'll walt
till l come, and-and-"
Josephine suddenly sat upright and
grasped my hand.
you co." she said, you go, 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 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, remarktng 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 n >
rectitude, compressed my lips ant
drew on my rubbers.
1t was not a pleasant evening. A
fine, sleety rain fell steadily, turning
the pavements into shining sheets of
glass, over which shCffed carefully.
Trinity church is situated on side
street entirely off the main thorough
fare, where it is very quiet and Sc
cluded. I paused as l reached the
corner and laid my hand on my bosom,
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 lainppost, stood a
manly form, and drawn conveniently
close to the curbing was herdic cab.
Suddenly an arm appeared about my
waist, a face was pressed close to
mine, and distinctly felt the pricking
Of mustache. I blushed beneath
the veil and was glad the street hap
pened to be dark and quiet.
l found myself gently but forcibly
propelled towards the cab, the door
of which stood invitingly open. Twice
strove to articulate, but both times
my voice failed me.
Pm going on the box with the
cabby," he continued, cheerfully, "to
make sure he gets the right place II
.. won't do to have any mistake, you
know. Now, then, in you CO."
And found myself picked up bodily
ard deposited in the cab. The door
. slammed and we were off.
I was clipping.
My first impulse was to scream, but
this l resisted firmly; my second, tc
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 anC
down my spine.
> We were in the chapel by this time
and the clergyman in his robes wa!
waiting for us with two Witnesses
= everything very proper and legal. A!
could not trust my voice / begaI
to tumble with my veil; at least
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 al
= though petrified.
1.-THE devil!" he exclaimed, yer.
: rudely, l thought.
= l made a gigantic effort to speak
= "My dear young friend" l said in
: voice which sounded weak and au
: tomato to my own ears, Il fear m.
- presence may be somewhat of a dis
= appointment as well as a SUI
II prise"
~ But / got no further, for he turne
1 helplessly to the clergyman as thoug
% terrified.
7 "Take her away" he gasped, there
n some mistake. Let me out of this!"
sr But the minister lifted his han
solemnly.
q There seems to be some strang
d misapprehension," he said, sternly
a ''let us get to the bottom of this ma
It ter at once, Did you expect to MARI
d, this gentleman, madam? Pray Ell
If plain"
And I explained as well as / coult
', When / reached home--a long tim
re after, for the distance was great an
the street cars slow--I found m
d. wrapper and slippers laid out in m
room and Josephine lowering anxious