Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1912-08-16
CHAPTER XXI.
Matrlmony to and Fro.


And the next morning they were IN
'Wyoming-well toward the center of
that State. They had left behind the
tame levels and the truly rural towns
and they were among foothills and
mountains, passing cities of wildly
picturesque repute. like Cheyenne, and
Laramie, Bowie, and Medicine Bow,
and Bitter Creek, whose very names
imply literature and war whoops, COW
boy yelps. barking revolvers, another
redskin biting the dust, cattle STAN
pedes, town-paintings, humorous
lyrchings and bronchos in epileptic
frenzy.
But the talk Of this train was con-
cerned with none of these wonders,
which the novelists and the maya
zinist have perhaps trifle overpub-
lished. The talk Of this train was con-
cerned with the eighth wonder Of the
world, semi-detached bridal couple.
Mrs. Whitcomb was eager enough to
voice the sentiment of the whole pop
ulace, when she looked up from her
novel in the observation room and,
nudging Mrs. Temple. drawled: by
the way, my dear, has that bridal
couple made up its second nights
quarrel YETI"
"The Mallorys?" Mrs. Temple
flushed as she answered, mercifully.
"Oh, yes, they were very friendly
again this morning"
Mrs. Whitcomb's countenance was
cynical: my dear. I've been married
twice and l ought to know something
about honeymoons, but this honeyless
honeymoon" she cast up her eyes
and her hands in despair.
The women were so concerned about
Mr.. and Mrs" Mallory, that they
hardly noticed the uncomfortable
plight of the Wellingtons, or the curl
GUS behavior Of the lady from the
stateroom who seemed to be afraid Of
something and never spoke to any
body. The strange behavior Of Anne
Cattle and Ira Lathrop even escaped
much comment, though they were for
ever being stumbled on when anybody
went out to the observation platform.
When they were dislodged from there.
they sat playing checkers and talking
very little, but making eyes at one an
other and signing like furnaces.
They had evidently concocted some
secret Of their own, for Ira, looking
at his watch, murmured sentimentally
to Anne: "Only q few hours more,
Annie"
And Anne turned geranium-color
and dropped a handful Of checkers. Il
don't know how can face It,"
Ira growled, like a lovesick lion:
Jaw, what do you care?"
But l was never married before.
1ra," Anne protested, and on train.
too"
"Why, all the bridal couples take to
the railroads"
II should think 1t would be the last
place they'd CO." said Anne-a sensible
woman, Anne! Look at the Mallories
how miserable they are"
II thought they were happy" said
Ira, whose great virtue 1t was to pay
little heed to what was none Of his
business.
ooh, Ira." cried Anne. II hope we
shan't begin to quarrel as soon as We
are married"
+. CAS- If anybody could quarrel with
you, Anne" he said.
do you think I'll be so monotonous
as that?" she retorted.
Her spunk delighted him beyond
words. He whispered: "Anne. you're
80 gol-darned sweet If I don't get . !
chance to kiss you, I'll bust"
'Why, Ira-we're on the train"
"Da-darn the train! Who ever
heard Of fellow proposing and get :
ting engaged to q girl and not even !;
kissing her."
But our engagement is 80 short"
'Well. I'm not going to marry you
until get kiss
Perhaps innocent old Anne really :
believed this blood-curdling threat. It !,
brought her instantly to terms, though
she b;ushed: But everybody's al. !,
ways looking"
Come out on the observation plat !
Iorm."
"oh. Ira. again?"
81 dare YOU"
al,