The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-11-07

going to get married on this parson
less express. Have you got little
minister in your suitcase?"
Ira beamed with added pride as he
explained:
well, you see, when used to
court Anne had rtvai--Charlie Sell
by his name was. | thought he cut
me out, but he became a clergyman
in Utah-Oh. Charlie! | telegraphed
him that was passing through 0g-
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 burned
good joke to let him marry her-to
me-"
"D-did he accept?' Mallory asked.
excitedly, is he comingg"
He is-he did--here's his tele-
gram" said Ira. HE brings the u
cense and the ring" He passed It
over and as Mallory read it a look
OF hope spread across his face, But
Ira was saying: We're going to have
the wedding obsequies right here In
this car. You're all invited. Wtil yen
Gomez"
There was general yell OF accept
ance and Ashton began to sing,
There Was Waiting at the Chusch Z
Then he led 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 luxurt
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 finai triumph OF
recklessness. he tossed of bumper
OF straight whisky.
Instantly his Howl" changed to
wow" and then his throat clamped
fast with 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 a 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
syigor Of pure spirits.
After riot Of Handwriting 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-"
Well. my boy" e
Your minister-after you get
through with him-may use him7"
May you---what? Why do you
want Minister
TO get married"
Again? Good Lord. are you Nor
mon?"
Me Mormon!"
Then what do you want with an
extra wife? It's against the law
even In Utah.
You don't understand"
MY boy, one of US Is disgracefully
drunk"
We'll, I'm not" said Mallory. and
then after a fierce inner debate, he
decided to take Lathrop into his con-
fidence. The words came hard after
SO long sduplicity, but at last they
were out:
Mr.. Lathrop. I'm not really mar
ried to my wife,"
You young scoundrel!"
But his fury changed to pity when
he heard the history OF Mallory's III
fated efforts, and he promised not
only to lend Mallory his minister at
secondhand, but also to keep the
whole affair a secret. for Mallory ex,
planned his intention OF having his
own ceremony in the baggagec cal. or
somewhere out of sight OF the other
passengers.
Mallory's face was now agiow as
the cold embers of hope leaped into
sudden blaze. He wrung Lathrop's
hand. saying: Lord love you. you've
saved my Nfe-wife-both."
Then he turned and ran to Mar
jorie with the good news. He had
quite forgotten their epoch-making
separation. And she was so glad to
see him smiling at her again that she
forgot 1t. too He came tearing into
the observation room and took her by
the shoulders. whispering: "Oh. Mar
jorie, Marjorie. I've got him! I've got
him!"
mo. I've got him." she said. swing
ing Snoozleums into view.
Mallory swung him back out Of the
way: Il don't mean a poodle. ! mean
a parson. I've got parson."
mo! l can't believe it! Where ID
he?" She began to dance with de.
light. but she stopped when he ex-
planned:
well, l haven't got him yet. bue
I'm going to get one."
"What-again?" she groaned. weary
OF this old bunco game of hope.
.Tt's a real live one this time
Mallory insisted. Mr.. Lathrop has
ordered minister and he's going 70
lend him to me as soon as he's
through with him. and we'li be mar
ried on this train"
cTO BE CoNTINUED.)