The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1912-12-20

den, and would he come down to the
train and marry me to charming
lady. He always wanted to marry
Anne. thought 1t would be durneo
good joke to let him marry hero
me-"
"D-did he accept?" Mallory asked
excitedly, lis be coming?"
He is-he did-here's his tele-
gram" said Ira. He brings the IL
cense and the ring" He passed II
over. and as Mallory read it look
Of hope spread across his face. but
Ira was saying: We're going to nave
the wedding obsequies right here IN
this car. You're all invited. VIII you
Gomez"
There was general yell Of accept
ance and Ashton began to sing
There Was l Waiting at the Church
Then he led a sort OF Indian war
dance round the next victim OF the
matrimonial stake. At the end OF the
hullaballoo all the men charged their
glasses, and drained them with an up
roarious Howl"
Poor DR.. Temple had taken luXuri-
Gus delight in the success OF his dis.
guise and in the prospect Of watch
ing some other clergyman working
while he rested. He joined the dance
as gaily, if not as gracefully, as any
of the rest, and in a. final triumph OF
recklessness, he tossed off bumper
of straight whisky.
Instantly his How" changed tc
Wow" and then his throat clamped
fast with a terrific spasm that flung
the tears from his eyes. He bent and
writhed In silent paroxysm till he
was pounded and shaken back to, life
and water poured down his throat to
reopen passage.
The others thought he had merely
choked and made no comment other
than sympathy. They could not have
dreamed that the old physician" was
as ignorant of the taste as OF the
vigor Of pure spirits.
After riot OF handshaking and
good wishes, Ira was permitted to es'
cape with his life. Mallory followed
him to the vestibule, when he caught
him by the sleeve with an anxious:
Excuse me-"
We'll. my boy"
Your minister-after you gel
, through with him-may use him%
: May you-what? Why do you
wapt Minister"
ITO get married"
again? Good Lord. are you a Nor
mon?"
| Me Mormon!"
) Then what do you want with ar
. extra wife? It's against the law
] even in Utah"
! You don't understand"
1 MY boy, one of US is disgracefully
drunk"
. Well, I'm not" said Mallory. anc
] then after fierce inner debate, he
: decided to take Lathrop into his con
fidence. The words came hard aftel
= SO long duplicity. but at last the.
. were out:
: Mr.. Lathrop. I'm not really mar
ried to my wife"
Q "You young scoundrel!"
1 But his fury changed to pity whel
J. he heard the history of Mallory's Ill
J. tated efforts, and he promised no
|. only to lend Mallory his minister a
Y secondhand, but also to keep tn,
whole affair secret, for Mallory ex
' planned his intention OF having hi
Q own ceremony in the baggage-car. O
d somewhere out OF sight of the othe
= passengers.
r Mallory's face was now aglow a
|. the cold embers Of hope leaped int,
t sudden blaze He wrung Lathrop'
r hand. saying: Lord love you. you'v,
r saved my life-wife-both."
9 Then he turned and ran to Mar
g jorie with the good news. He ha,
g quite forgotten their epoch.makin,
separation. And she was so glad Il
see him smiling at her again that sh
/: forgot 1t, too. He came tearing int,
F. the observation room and took her b.
the shoulders. whispering: ooh. Maj
n jorie, Marjorie, I've got him! I've go
n him!"
: mo. I've got him." she said. swing
g ing SnooZleums into view.
Mallory swung him back out of IN
o way: Il don't mean poodle, meal
parson I've got parson."
8 mo! can't believe 1t! Where /
" he?" She began to dance with dc
light. but she stopped when he e,
'. planned
e We'll. haven't got him yet, bu
& I'm going to get one"
"What-again?" she groaned, wear
=, Of this old bunco game OF hope.
O ITS real live one this time,
Mallory insisted. MIR. Lathrop ha
p ordered a minister and he's going t
lend him to me as soon as he
J. through with him, and we'll be ma,
II ried on this train"