The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-11-13


 Prettier every day-and younger-that's the devil of It. You know I am going to self to believe it." said Dot. After hard struggle, suppose sneered Tackle ton. "Very," retorted Dot emphatically.
 Well, we'll three weeks from today that's my wedding day" why, it's our wedding day, too'' said Dot. "Ha! hal Just such another couple" laughed the toy merchant. T say, you will come to the wedding?' And he took John little aside, continuing in an undertone "We are in the same boat, you knowl a little disparity of years. you know. Come and spend an evening beforehand. You are what tea-drinking people call comfort able appearing couple when you are to- gether; of course, we know better, you and I, but you look well. and would make a good impression on Edith. You and l know it's all moonshine; but it looks we'll" q don't know any such thing" said John. What are you driv- ing at?" "Oh. pretend if you want to- but We understand-say you'll come." I've had arranged to keep our wedding day at home,' said John. "Homer sneered Tackleton. Whats home but four walls? And, as I live. you've got cricket here, too; hear him making that racket Qor the Cricket had started up again In spite of Tackleton. I kill crick- cts, scrunch them, so. But say youll come. There's a spirit of emulation among women, so that if your wife says to my wife-that-is-t to-be, I'm the happiest woman in the world, my wife will say the same and half believe it."
 So 1t was arranged, reluctantly, that Dot and John should spend the day of the wedding not at Tackleton's, but at the house of his toy-maker. Caleb Plum mer-this was a compromise. .'I have the humor," said Tackleton, to marry young wife; I am able to gratify that humor, and I do. But now look there." He pointed to where Dot was sitting thoughtfully before the fire. "She honors and obeys you, of course-no doubt. And that, as I am not man of sentiment, is enough for me in my wife. But do you imagine there's anything more in it?" "1 think,' said the carrier slowly, ''that I should chuck any man out of the window who said as there wasn't" Exactly. Good night. Come Caleb.' And Tackle ton turned to go.
 But just at that moment Dot gave a cry which attracted the attention of ala sudden cry that made the room ring like one transixed by terror and surprise. The stranger had advanced toward the fire to warm himself and stood within a short stride of her chair, but quite still. "Dotv' cried the carrier Mary darling what Is the matter?" She only answered by beat ing her hands together and falling into a fit of wild laughter. Then she covered her face with her apron and wept bitter ly; the old man. the stranger, standing as before, quite still. "Oh, I'm quite right now, John," said Dot recovering herself somewhat. 'I had a-a-shock; a-some- thing coming suddenly before my eyes that is all I am all right, John-now- only fancy"
 Was her brain wandering? John could not make 1t out at all. "Humph," said Tackleton, sending his searching suspi- cious glance around the room. John, come here. Who's that gray-headed man there; who Is he?" John told all he knew of the Stranger. "Humphw said-Tackleton, "come, Caleb bring the wedding cake" The carrier was so much astounded by the hysterical action of his wife and so busily engaged in soothing her that he for time for got the presence of the Stranger Then suddenly he realized that the man was still there, and said: "He does not belong to them, you see; must give him hint to begone.'
 T fear, friend that your wife has been Ill.," said the Stranger. but the attendant whom my infirmity renders almost indis- pensable"--here he touched his ears-''not having arrived. I fear there must have been same mistake. The night is bad Would you in kindness allow me to rent a bed here?" "Yes, yes," cried Dot eager ly, "certainly." "Oh,' said the puzzled carrier, "of course-and yet-certanly. But Pm not quite sure that" But Dot ea gerly breaking in again. it was ar ranged that the Stranger should remain for the night under the hospitable roof