The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1910-06-03


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 if 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 a justice of
the peace.
"A Justice of the peace.' exclaimed
the old lady contemptuously. DO you
call that marriage: l shall telephone
for our own rector at once. If 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. l 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 sniff the old lady bounced out
of the room.
The girl and | looked at each other
We would have laughed, but the affair
was far too serious for mirth.
you've got me into terrible pic
kle." said Lois. much irritated.
81? | ask Il thousand
'Why did you say we were married?
only said we were engaged. There
was a retreat from that There is none
from marriage"
"An engagement doesn't warrant
girl having a lover in a closet"
II 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 splendid joke, awfully funny.
Hasn't your aunt any sense of hui
moro"
about as much as a cat has of
poetry"
What do you suggest?"
Il can't think of anything unless l
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 smirched, at least to your
aunt?'
NO. and she can never keep the Sc
cret. Others will know it. 1t will go
everywhere. What shall do?" She
wrung her hands.
There's another trouble in the way"
l said. "She asked each of US if We
admitted we were married. That in
the presence of a witness makes US
man and wife"
"Oh, my goodness gracious"'
! There was a silence, at the end of
which said:
Pm responsible for all this. Now
let me make an admission. ! have seen
and admired you before. and l have
said to myself. That's girl l would
like for my wife, l heard your aunt
refer to me as person you had"-she
hung her head-"had admired. Now,
suppose we let the matter rest. pledg-
ing your aunt to keep our secret till
we can determine what we wish to be
the outcome Of this singular adventure.
l will keep my home; you can keep
yours. If we decide not to be man and
wife we can find some way out of it
with your aunt. IL we wish to be mar
ried we can have more pretentious
ceremony than the one just perform
ed"
We filled up the hour celebrating.
but found no better plan than this.
Then we rejoined Aunt Jane, and l
acted as spokesman.
Aunt Jane" l said-"I presume I
may now call you aunt admit that
have done very wrong in hurrying
your niece into Il secret marriage, es-
pecially since my affairs are not just
now in a condition that will enable me
to take care of wife in the style to
which she has been accustomed. | ask
short time in which to get them in
such condition. and | shall then ac-
knowledge the marriage. AS for my
self. l would be willing to do this now
but Lois. whom we both love and
whose reputation we are both bound tC
protect, thinks that we had better wait
awhile then announce an engagement
and after q brief one celebrate a mar
rage without saying anything about
the one that has occurred. Meanwhile
/ ask permission to visit my wife just
as | would visit her with your permits
sion TO win her. l should have takeI
; this course before. The strength OF
my love for her is my only excuse fol
not doing so. l am convinced that il
she turns out to be as estimable lady
as her aunt l shall have won treas
ure."
Aunt Jane gave me reason to b.
proud of myself for this speech b.
j, saying that it was never too late to d.
. the right thing and she hoped woul'
prove myself as worthy as my words
indicated.
l kissed the old lady at my depar
ture. and my wife followed me to tn