The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-12-12

to his vision He lurched as he made
his way to the mems room, but 1t was
plainly the trains swerve and not an
inner lurch that twisted the fortnight
of his progress.
He squeezed into the mems room
like whole crowd at once, and sang
out, Good morning, all with won
derful heartiness Then he paused
over a wash basin, rubbed his hands
gleefully and proclaimed, like another
Chantecler advertising new day:
''Well-I'm sober agatn!"
Three cheers for you," said his
rival in radiance, bridegroom Lathrop.
How does it feel?" demanded Ash
ton, smiling so broadly that he en-
countered the lather on his brush.
While he sputtered Wellington was
Tipping water over his hot head and
incidentally over Ashton.
Il feel" he chortled, i feel like the
first little robin redbreast OF the mer-
ry springtime. Tweet! Tweet!"
When the excitement over his re-
demption had somewhat calmed, Ash
ton reopened the old topic OF con-
yersati0n:
We'll, see they h I'D another scrap
last night"
"They-who?" said Ira, through his
flying toothbrush.
THE Mallorys. /Once more he oc-
cupied number tHfee and she number
seven" ~.
We'll, we'll, can't understand these
modern marriages" said Little jim
ME, with a side glance at Ira. Ira
suddenly remembered the plight OF
the Mallorys and was tempted to de-
fend them, but he saw the young lieu
tenant himself just entering the
Mushroom. This was more than Well
ington saw, for he went on talking
from behind towel:
well, If / were bridegroom and
had bride like that, it would take
more than quarrel to send me to
another BERTH"
The others made gestures which he
could not see. His enlightenment
came when Mallory snapped the towel
from his hands and glared into his
face with all the righteous wrath of a
man hearing his domestic affairs pub
licly discussed.
Were you abiding to me, Mr..
Wellington" he demanded, holly.
Little Jimmie almost perished with
-apoplexy: You, your" he mumbled
Why, of course not. You're not the
only bridegroom on the train"
HsxI1 tnc cd ho
You meant Mr.. Lathrop then?'
Me! Not much!" roared the in
dignant Lathrop.
Mallory returned to Wellington with
fiercer: Whom, then?'
He was in a dangerous mood, and
Ashton came to the recue: "Oh, don't
mind Wellington. He's not sober
yet"
This inspired suggestion came like
a life-buoy to the hard-pressed Well
ington He seized it and spoke thick
ly: Don't mind me-I'm not shober
yet.'''
well, it's a good thing you're not
was Mallorys final growl as he began
his own toilet.
ously, with touch they had already
come to recognize as the English
MANS The porter had learned to rec
ognize it, too, and he always took
double the necessary time to answer
It, He was sauntering down the aisle
at his most leisurely gait when
Wedgewood's rumpled name shot out
,.,fJ 70 a
jungle, and he beloved: "Pawtah!
Pawtah!"
"Still on the train" said the porter
You may give me my portman
teau."
"Yassah" He dragged 1t from the
upper berth, and set it inside Wedge
woods berth without special care a.
to its destination. Does you desire
anything else, sir"
Yes, your ABSENCE, said Wedge
wood
The same to you and many Of
them" the porter muttered to himself
and added to Marjorie, who was JUS
starting down the aisle: I'm suttainlJ
be interested in that man gittin
where he's goin to git to-" Noting
that she carried Snoozleums, he said
Were comm Into a station RICH
soon" Without further discussion
she handed him the dog, and he hob
bied away.
When she reached the women'i
door, she found Mrs. Wellington wait
ing with increasing evaporation
"Come, join the line at the box OF
fice," she said.
Good morning. Who's in there?
said Marjorie, and, Mrs. Wellington
not noting that Mrs. Whitcomb hat
come out OF her berth and fallen int
line, answered sharply:
Il don't know. She's been Their
forever. I'm sure it's that cat OF
Mrs. Whitcomb."
Good morning, Mrs. Mallory,
snapped Mrs Whitcomb.
Mrs. Wellington was rather prou
that the random shot landed, but MAJ
jorie felt most uneasy between tn
two tigresses: Good morning, Mr.:
Whitcomb," she said There was
disagreeable silence. broken finally b
Mrs. Wellington's: "Oh, Mrs. Mallory
would you. be angelic enough to hoo
my gown"
"Of course I WILL said Marjorie.
May I hook you?" said Mrs. Viii
comb.
You're awfuily kind" said Ma
1orfe presenting her shoulders