The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-08-15
CHAPTER TX.
All Aboard

CHAPTER TX.
All Aboardl
The starting OF the train surprised
| the ironicai decorators in the last
| stages of their work. Their smiles
died out in a sudden shame, as 1t
came over them that the joke had re-
coiled on their own heads. They had
done their best to carry out the time
honored rite of making newly mar
rfed couple as miserable as possible
and the newly married couple had
failed to do its share.
The two lieutenants glared at each
other In mutual contempt. They had
studied much at West Point about
ambushes, and how to avoid them.
Could Mallory have escaped the pit
they had digged for him? They
looked at their handiwork In disgust.
The cosy-corner effect OF white rib
bons and orange flowers, gracefully
masking the concealed rice-trap, had
seemed the wittiest thing ever de-
vised. Now 1t looked the siIIiest.
The other passengers were equally
downcast. Meanwhile the two lovers
In the corridor. were kissing good
byes as II they were hoping to store
up honey enough to sustain their
hearts for three years fast. And
the porter was studying them with
perplexity.
He was used, however. to waking
people out Of dreamland, and he be-
gan to fear that If he were discovered
spying on the lovers, he might suf-
fer. So he coughed discreetiy three
or four times.
Since the increasing racket OF the
train made no effect on the two hearts
beating as one. the small matter OF a
cough was as nothing
Finally the porter was compelled to
reach forward and tap MalIorys arm.
and stutter:
"'Scuse me. but co-could i git b-by?',
The embrace was united, and the.
lovers stared at him with a dazed.
where-am-I? look. Marjorie was the
first to realize what awakened them.
She felt called upon to say something,
so she said, as carelessly as II she
had not Just emerged from young
gentleman's arms:
"Oh, porter, how long before the
train starts?"
Trains done started, Missy
This simple statement struck the
wool from her eyes and the cotton
from her ears, and she was wide
enough awake when she cried: "Oh,
stop it-stop i'll"
That's mon can do. Missy" the
porter expostulated.
Then I'll jump on" Marjorie
vowed. making dash for the door.
But the porter filled the narrow
path, and waved her back.
"Vestibule's done locked up
trains going lickety-split." Feeling
that he had safely checkmated any
rashness, the porter squeezed past
tho dumbfounded pair, and went to
change his blue blouse for the white
coat OF his chambermaidenly duties.
Mallory's first wondering thought was
a rapturous feeling that circum-
stances had forced his dream into q
reality. He thrilled with triumph:
You've got to go with me now"
"Yes-I've got to co." Marjorie as
sented meekly; then. sublimely. .Its
fate. Kismet!"
They clutched each other again in
fiercely blissful hug. Marjorie came
back to earth with a bump: Are
you really sure there's minister on
board?"
Pretty sure" said Mallory, sober
ing a trifie.
but you said you were sure?-
We'll. when you say you're sure.
that means you're not quite sure"
1t was not an entirely satisfactory
justification. and Marjorie began to
quake with alarm: Suppose there
shouldn't be?"
"Oh, then" Mallory answered care
iessly, there's bound to be one to-
| morrow"
Marjorie realized at once the enor-
nous abyss between then and the
morrow. and she gasped: Tomorrow!
And no chaperon! Oh. I'll jump out
of the window"
| Mallory could prevent that, but
when she pleaded. what shall we
dor" he had no solution to ofIer.
Again it was she who received the
| first Inspiration.
Il have it," she beamed.
Yes. Marjorie?" he assented, du-
biously.
Wen pretend not to be married at
ALL"
He seized the .rescuing ladder:
That's it! Not married-just
| friends"
It'll we can get married"
Yes. and then we can stop being
friends" ~
My love-my frlendl" They en-
braced in most unfriendIy manner.
| An impatient yelp from the neg
lected dog-basket awoke them.
"oh. Lord. we've brought SnooxIe-
ums."
"Of course we have" She took the
dog from the prison. tucked him un-
sSs 49, !. - 49, ~ y.