Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-06-03
The Argus Daily Short Story
Married by Accdent-By Regi maid D. Haven
copyrighted 1870 BY Associated Literary

, Is remarkable. How did you manage
nY'
Love laughs at locksmiths," said
knowingly, not having any explanation
ready.
1T should think So" said the aunt
| impressively. How long have you
been married."
didn't dare risk an answer to this
question. fearing to be caught in a
trap. ! threw the burden on my bride.
Lois. DEAR" ] said. tell your aunt
all about it. She will be more forgiv-
ing at getting the story from one she
loves. Or would you prefer sitting
down with her alone and talking 1t all
over with herr
"I think l would like to have a little
| time" stammered Lois family.
And think I want the whole story
this minute" cried the aunt.
Had 1 not better withdraw" sug-
| gested. was beginning to get very
hot in the face. Confound these houses
built in blocks! I'll never live In one
again!
BY this time Lois had thought what
answer would be less likely TO sink Us
deeper In the mire. 1t occurred to her
that If she said we had just been mar
ried the result in the end would be less
compromising. so she told her aunt
that we had been married that day at
noon. She hit upon this hour because
she had been away from home at that
time. Then her aunt asked II we had
been married by clergyman. Lois,
dreading that the old woman would
pounce on the dominic. told her that
we had been married by justice OF
the peace.
"a justice Of the peace" exclaimed
the old lady CONTEMPORARY. "Do you
call that marriage? 1 shall telephone
for our own rector at once. II you
can't be married respectfully you shall
at least be married religiously."
She was making for the telephone.
We both clutched her.
Madam" cried, permit me to say
a word. beg Of you to leave me and
my-your niece alone together for
awhile that we may talk this matter
over. These unconventional marriages
are liable to bring a stain upon the
parties concerned. You certainly don't
wish your niece to suffer in that way,
do you? Give US an hour to decide as
to when and how we shall publish our
union to the world"
With a sniff the old lady bounced out
of the room.
The girl and 1 looked at each other.
We would have laughed, but the affair
was far too serious for mirth.
you've got me into a terrible pic
kle." said Lois, much irritated.
"I? / ask thousand"-
"Why did you say we were married?
/ only said we were engaged. There
was a retreat from that. There is none
from marriage"
IAN engagement doesn't warrant a
girl having a lover in a closet"
81 don't suppose it does"
Marriage is the only thing that will
excuse that"
But how are we going to get out of
it,"
Cant you confess the whole thing?
It's a splendid joke. awfully funny.
Hasn't your aunt any sense of hui
mor?'
About as much as a cat has of
poetry"
what DO you suggestr'
81 can't think of anything unless
do as you say-confess-but that would
be the same thing as acknowledging
criminality. Aunt Jane would never
believe anything else"
Then you can't get out of it with
out being ernirched- ar least to your
auntY'
mo, and she can never keep the Sc
cret. Others will know IT. IL will. go
everywhere. What shall do?" Shs>!
wrung her hands.
There's another trouble in the way"
/ said. "She asked each OF US IL we
admitted we were married. That in
the presence Of a witness makes US
man and wife"
"Oh, my goodness graciousr
There was a silence, at the end of
which I said:
I'm responsible for all this. Now
let me make an admission. / have seen
and admired you before. and / have
said TO myself. That's a girl | would
like for my wife | heard your aunt
refer 70 me as a person you had"--she