The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-08-15
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hand thrust him back and a voice
again warned him of. You mustn't
come In"
But I'm your husband"
That's just why you mustn't come
In" The door opened little wider
to give him a view OF down-cast
beauty moaning:
"Oh, Arthur. I'm SO afraid"
"Afraid?" he shifted. with your
husband here?"
That's the trouble. Arthur. What
II your former wife should find us to-
gether7"
But she and are divorced"
In some states, yes-but other
states don't acknowledge the divorce.
That former wife Of yours is q fiend
to pursue us this way"
"She's no worse than your former
husband. He's pursuing US. too. My
divorce was as good as yours, my
dear"
Yes, and no better"
The angels looking on might have
judged from the ready tempers of the
newly married and not entirely un-
married twain that their new alliance
promised to be as exciting as their
previous estates. Perhaps the man
subtly felt the presence of those eter-
nal eavesdroppers. for he tried to end
the love-duel In the corridor with an
appeasing caress and tender APP
peal. But let's not start our honey
moon with quarrel"
His partial wife returned the caress
and tried to explain: I'm not quar-
reling with you, dear heart. but with
the horrid divorce laws. Why, oh.
why did we ever interfere with
them?" a
He made brave effort with: I'VE
ended two unhappy marriages. Edith.
to make one happy one"
But I'm SO unhappy. Arthur. and
SO afraid"
He seemed a trife afraid himself
and his gaze was askance as he
urged: But the train will start soon,
Edfth-and then we shall be safe
Mrs Fosdick had genius for In
venting unpleasant possibilities. But
what II your former wife or my for
mer husband should nave detective
on board?"
"A detective?-poof!" He snapped
his fingers in bravado. You are with
your husband, aren't you?"
In Illinois, yes" she admitted,
very dolefully. But when We come
to Iowa. I'm a bigamist, and when
we come to Nebraska. you're biga-
mist. and when we come to Wyoming.
we're not married at ALL
It was certainly tangled web they
had woven. but ray OF light shot
through it into his bewildered soul.
But we're all right In Utah. Come.
dearest"
He took her by the elbow to escort
her into their sanctuary. but still she
hung back
ION one condition, Arthur--that
you leave me as soon as we cross the
Iowa state line. and not come back
till we get to Utah. Remember, the
Iowa state line!'
.Oh, all right" he smiled. And see
ing the porter, beckoned him close
and asked with careless indifference:
"Oh, porter. what time do We reach
the Iowa state line?"
Two tifty-tive in the mawning,
sah.'
Two fifty-five a. MI" the wretch
exclaimed
Two fifty-hve a. M. yassah," the
porter repeated. and wondered why
this excerpt from the timetable
should exert such dramatic effect
on the luscious-eyed Fosdick
He had small time to mediate the
puzzle, for the train was about to be
launched upon its long voyage. He
went out to the platform. and watched
couple making that way. AS their
only luggage was dog he sup
posed that they were simply come to
bid some OF his passengers goodbye.
No tips We're to be expected from
such transients. SO he allowed them to
help themselves up the steps.
Mallory and his Marjorie had tried
to kiss the farewell or farewells half
a dozen times. but she could not let
him go at the gate. She asked the
guard to let her through. and her
beauty was bride enough.
Again and again, she and Mallory
paused. He wanted to take her back
to the taxicab, but she would not be
SO dismissed She must spend the
last available second with him.
I'm go as far as the stess OF the
car" she said. When they we're ar
rived there, two porters. sleeping
car conductor and several smoking
saunterers profaned lne tryst. So she
whispered thSt she would come
aboard. for the corridor would be a
quiet lane for the last rites.