Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1912-05-09


everything have said-and thougnt-
about you.' He turned to the porter:
There amt any law against giving
this way, is there?'
The porter grinned: Not II you-aii
bride the exercise.inspector.' And ne
held out a glass for the bride. MUIR
muring, Don't git tired as 1t was
noured. He set 1t inside his sanctum
and then hustled round with ice-nlied
glasses and siphon.
When Little Jimmie offered Of the
flask to Dr.. Temple. the clergyman
nut out his hand with politely hor-
ritied: No, thank you"
Lathrop frightened him with a sud
den comment: Look at that gesture!
Doc, I'd almost swear you were par
son."
Mallory whirled on him with the
ewes of a hawk about to pounce, ana
1.-THE very ideal" was the best dis
claimer DR.. Temple could manage
suddenly finding himself suspected.
Ashton put in with, "The only way
to disprove it, Doc, is to join u.s.
The poor old clergyman, too deeply
involved in his deception to brave
confession now, decided to DO ana
dare all. He stammered, "Er--ah-
certainly" and held out his hand for
his share OF the poison. Little JIM
ME winked at the others and almost
filled the glass. The innocent doctor
bowed his thanks. When the porter
reached him and prepared to I'LL the
remainder OF the glass from the
siphon, the parson waved him aside
with a misguided caution:
mo, thanks. I'll not mix them"
Mallory turned away with sigh:
He takes his straight. He's no par
son.
Then they forgot the doctor in
curiosity as to LathrOps sudden
spasm of generosity-with Yelling
tons liquor. Wedgewood voiced the
general curiosity when he said:
whats the old woman.hater up to
row?'
"Woman.hater?" laughed Ira. Its
the old story. I'm going to follow
Mallorys example-marriage."
II hope you succeed" said Mallory.
wherever did you pick up the
bride?" said Wedgewood, mellowing
with the long glass in his hand.
Brides are easy" said Mallory.
with surprising cynicism. Where DO
you get the parson?'
Hang the parson," Wedgewood re-
peated, Who's the gel?"
I'm bet | know who she Is" Ash
ton interposed; Its that nectarine OF
a damsel who got on at Green River"
mot the same!" Lathrop roared.
II found my bride blooming here all
the while. Girl used to spark back
in Rrattleboro, Vt. I've been vowing
for years that Id live and die an old
maid. I've kept my head out OF the
moose all this time-tili struck this
train and met up with Anne. We got
to talking over old times---waking 6b
old sentiments She got on my nerves.
1 got on hers. Finally | said 'Aw.
hell let's get married. Save price OF
one stateroom to China anyway She
says, Damned II l don't!'-or words
to that effect"
Mallory broke In with feverish in
terest: But you said you were going
to get married on this train"
Nothing easier. Here's how" and
he raised his glass, but Mallory hauled
It down to demand: How? that's
what | want to know. How are you
going to get married on this parson-
less express. Have you got a little
minister in your suitcase?"
Ira beamed with added pride as he
explained:
We'll. you see, when ] used to
court Anne had rival-Charlie Sell
by his name was. | thought he cut
me out, but he became clergyman
in Utah-Oh, Charlie! 1 telegraphed
him that ! was passing through Og.
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 a burned
good joke to let him marry her-to
me-"
"D-did he accept" Mallory asked.
excitedly, lis he coming"
"He is-he did-here's his tele-
gram" said Ira. HE brings the II.
cense and the ring" He passed II
over, and as Mallory read 1t look
of hope spread across his face. But
Ira was saying: Were going to have
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 Waiting at the Church
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 How"
Poor DR.. Temple had taken iuxuri.
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, II not as gracefully, as any
of the rest, and in final triumph OF
recklessness, he tossed of a bumper
OF straight whisky.
Instantly his How" changed to
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 a passage.
The others thought he had merely
choked and made no comment other
than sympathy. They could not have