The Ordway new era., 1912-07-19

the napplest runaways that ever
sought train. They were not miser-
able like the young couple in the taxi
cab. They were white-haired both.
They had been married for thirty
years. Yet this was their real honey
moon. their real elopement
The little woman In the timid gray
bonnet clapped her hands and Uttered
like schoolgirl.
"Oh. Walter. l can't believe we're
really going to leave Ypsilanti for
while. Oh. but you've earned it after
thirty years Of being a preacher"
Hush. Don't let me hear you say
the awful word." said the little old
man in the little black hat and the
close-fitting black bib. I'm so tired
Of It. Sally. don't want anybody on
the train to know it."
They cant help guessing It, with
your collar buttoned behind"
And then the amazing minister act
ually dared to say. Here's where ]
change 1t around" What's more. he
actually did 1t. Actually took off his
collar and buttoned 1t to the front.
~ viz SoAAAuSc oCcHSo uAAlooS ~
rock with the earthquake Of tho deed.
"Why, Walter Temple!" his wife ex-
claimed. What would they say in
Ypsilanu?"
They'll never know" he answered.
deaantly.
'Dut your bib?" she said.
1--WE thought Of that, too" he cried.
rs lie whipped It of and stuffed 1t into
handbag. Look. what I've bought"
And he dangled before her startled
eyes a long affair which the sudden
light from a passing lamp.post re-
vealed to be nothing less than a faf-
ing red tie.
The old lady touched 1t to make
sure she was not dreaming 1t. Then.
emitting further parley with fate. she
snatched 1t away. put It round his
neck. and. since her arms were en-
bracing him. kissed him twice before
she knotted the ribbon into a flaming
bow. She sat back and regarded the
vision moment. then flung her arms
round him and hugged him till he
gasped:
Watch out-watch out. Don't crush
my cigars"
Cigars! cigars!" she echoed. in q
daze.
And then the astounding husband
produced them in proof.
Genuine Lillian Russells-five
cents straight"
But ] never saw you smoke"
Haven't taken a pun since was a
young fellow" he grinned. wagging
his head. But now it's my vacation.
and I'm going to smoke up"
She squeezed his hand with an
earlier ardor: Now you're the old
Walter Temple used to know"
Sally" he said. i've been travelling
through life on half.fare ticket. Now
I'm going to have my little fling. And
you brace up. too. and be the old mis-
chievous Sally used to know. Aren't
you glad to be away from those sew.
ing circles and gossip-bees. and -"
ugh! Don't ever mention them."
she shuddered. Then she. too. felt a
tinge Of recurring springtide. III you
start to smoking. l think Ill take up
flirting once more"
He pinched her cheek and laughed.
AS the saying Is. go as far as you de-
sire and I'll leave the coast clear"
lie kept his promise. too. for they
were no sooner on the trsin and snug.
ly bestowed In section FIVE. than he
was up and off.
Where are you going?" she asked.
ITO the smoking.room." he swag-
gered. brandishing a dangerous look
ing cigar.
"oh. Walter" she snickered. II feel
like a young runaway"
You look like one. Be careful not
to let anybody know that you're a.
he lowered his voice-"an old preach
er's wife"
I'm rs ashamed Of It as you are,"
she whispered. Then he threw her a
kiss and wink. She threw him n kiss
and winked too. And he went along
the aisle eyeing his cigar gloatingly.
As he entered the smoking.room, light
ed the weed and blew out a great puff
with sigh Of rapture. who could have
taken him. with his feet cooked up,
and his red tie rakishly askew. for q
minister?
And Sally herself was busy disguis-
ing herself, looscning up her hair CO.
queitishly. smiling the primness out
of the Sc; corners OF her mouth and
even-let the truth be told at all costs
even passing pink.rowdered pun
over her pale cheeks with guilty sur.
reptition.
Thus arrayed she was soon Joining
the conspirators bede:king the bower
for the expected bride and groom. She
was the youngest and most mischiev.
GUS of the lot. She felt herself bride
again. and vowed to protect this timid
little wife to come from too much hi.
larity at the hands Of the conspirators.
(TO RE CONTTNI,En,