The Detroit times., 1911-12-26
CHAPTER X.
(Contfnuel.D


Don't you be scared. honey" she
said soothingly 1T amt half as bad
as IL seems TO you now, and I'm sure
Sims going TO make you good nus
band"
Mrs. Lipscombe was patting the
runaway bride on her other shoulder.
her sweet eyes shining with womanly
comprehension. Mary Todhunter drew
close TO her girl friend. Sim Bird
song, seeing the women ministering
10 his sweetheart, opened his mouth
TO voice manful thanks, but was utter
ly unequal 10 the task He licked his
stlffening lips. instead, truly piiful
spectacle.
Happily. however. the minister came
| TO the rescue. My dear young
| friends" he said. II have already
spoken with you OF the gravity OF the
step you are about TO take, and IL has
pleased me to see that you contem-
plate it's meaning In a proper spirit.
The ceremony will now be performed,
since the necessary witnesses are
present"
The runaway couple arose and stood
before the minister. In what forever
after seemed TO them an incredibly
short time they were made husband
and wife. The Reverend Mr.. Lips
combe and Colonel Todhunter both
shook hands heartily with Sim Bird
song and claimed kiss from the
| bride Their wives, tremendously
moved. insisted upon giving Sim him
| self motherly kiss each. after which
they again sustained the spirits OF the
bride Mary Todhunter. too, joined
| In the work OF comforting her.
That is, they essayed to do this In
all sincerity, but by this time all
three were weeping. and, at sight or
their tears, the newly made Mrs. Bird
song fell victim TO sudden and dread
! full inconsistencies for her own mother.
/ Somebody's got to tell her this very
night" she cried piteously. II can't
bear TO think of her being there all
alone, the way | left her! Colonel
Todhunter, won't you go and tell ma
that I've been married TO Sim and that
ask her forgiveness for running
away TO do II? | know you'll do II,
Colonel. You've been so good TO me
and Sim, planning this whole thing
out for us and being the first to adj
wise Sim TO run away with me-"
Colonel Todhunter's blood went cold
in his veins. He felt Mrs. Todhunter's
accusing eyes upon him.
why, Miss Angelica-er-I mean
Mrs. Birdsong!" he gasped Il
l --I-er-well, I'm afeard-I'm afeard
your ma may not like It the least bit II
go to her so sudden-like with the
news, Miss Angelica"
AT this the bride wept afresh "Oh,
| Colonel Todhunters, she walled. you
surely ought to do II for me. never
would have run away with Sim II II
hadn't been for you. think you
might, Colonel Todhunter-ma1l be 30
lonesome II you DON'T"
Into Mrs. Todhunter's eyes came
the light of justice. Also a CLEAN OF
family humorous appreciation OF Col
onel Todhunter's plight. The Col
onel's incorrigible sentimentalism was
plainly responsible for this elopement
1t was also destined. later. to give her
i-sd half-hour with Mrs. Exall. II
would serve the Colonel right 70 make
him pay this demanded penalty for
his share in the runaway wedding.
Angelica Is Justified In asking you
20 do this for her, Colonel Todhunter,'
she spoke firmly. "You can't refuse Ia
do as she asks, and you mustn't think
OF such a thing!"
The Colonel stood aghast Mary
he protested. I-I-well, just cant
that's all there is to IL! I'll Just be
jiggered II cant"
But he was doomed. The bride cluns
| to him beseechingly. Mrs Todhunt
, er's voice was against him. The Rev
erend Mr. Lipscombe and Mrs. Lips
combe seemed to look at him with
/. nominating eyes. Even Mary wat
plainly OF their opinion. Mournfully
the Colonel bowed to the inevitable
Mrs. Todhunter accompanied him t
the door.
Mary" he said. you'll be sorry 1
anything happens to me I'll com,
back here to tell Miss Angelica tn,
result, and TO take you and Mar!
home II there's anything left OF me
but give you fair warning, Mrs. Tod
3 hunter. You're a-sendin' your hus
band on a mighty dangerous errand
ma 'aml"
Mrs. Todhunter's reception OF thiI
\ foreboding speech was the severes
, blow yet received by the Colonel. She
laughed I'm his face 1T serves yoi
!, right" she said
And the Colonel went into the outel
darkness.