The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-09-28
Copyright, 1911, By Ii. K Fly 90.
CHAPTER XIX.
Fooled


1t was late in the forenoon before
the train came to the end of its iron
furrow across that fertile space be-
tween two of the worlds greatest riv-
ers, which the Indians called Iowa."
nobody knows exactly why. In con-
trast with the palisades of the Missis-
sippi, the Missouri twists like a great
brown dragon wallowing in congenial
mud. The water itself, as Bob Bur
dette said, is so muddy that the wind
blowing across it raises a cloud Of
dust.
A sonorous bridge led the way into
Nebraska, and the train came to a
halt at Omaha. Mallory and Marjorie
got out to stretch their legs and their
dog. II they had only known that the
train was to stop there the quarter of
some preacher there and had had him
to the station, the ceremony could have
been consummated then and there.
The horizon was fairly saw-toothed
with church spires. There were
preachers, preachers everywhere, and
not a dominic to do their deed.
After they had strolled up and down
the platform, and up and down, and
up and down till they were fain of
their cramped quarters, again, Mar
jorie suddenly dug her nails into NAL
lory's arm.
Honey! look-look!"
Honey looked, and there before
their very eyes stood as clerical a
looking person as ever announced a
strawberry festival.
Mallory stared and stared, till Mar
jorie said:
Don't you see? stupid! it's a
preacher! preacher!"
"It looks like one," was as far as
Mallory would commit himself, and he
was turning away. He had about come
to the belief that anything that looked
like parson was something else. But
Marjorie whirled him round again,
with sbrill whisper to listen. And
he overheard in tones addicted to the
pulpit:
Yes, deacon, trust that the har-
vest will be plentiful at my new
church. 1t grieves me to leave the
dear brothers and sisters in the Lord
in Omaha, but l felt called to wider
pastures"
And lady who was evidently Mrs.
Deacon spoke up:
We'll miss you terrible. We all
say you are the best pastor our church
ever mad"
Mallory prepared to spring on his
prey and drag him to his lair, but
Marjorie held him back.
He's taking our train, Lord bless
his dear old soul"
And Mallory could have Rugged him
But he kept close watch. To the rap.
ture of the wedding-hungry twain, the
preacher shook hands with such of his
flock as had followed him to the sta.
ton, picked up his valise and walked
up to the porter, extending his ticket
But the porter said-and Mallory
coud have throttled him for saying it
Scuse me, poison, but that's 20
train ova yonda. You beta move right
smaht, for it's gettin' ready to pull
out"
With a little shrek of dismay, the
| parson clutched his valise and set of
at a run. Mallory dashed after him
| and Marjorie after Mallory. They
shouted as they ran, but the conductor
| Of the east-bound train sang out al
aboard" and swung on.
The parson made a sprint ant
caught the ultimate rail of the movins
train. Mallory made a frantic leap al
a flying coat-tail and missed. AS he
and Marjorie stood gazing reproach
fully at the train which was giving &
beautiful illustration of the laws of re
treating perspective, they heard wild
bowls Of Hi! hi!" and Hay! hay!'
and turned to see their own train in
motion, and the porter dancing g
Zulu step alongside.
II CONTINUED Monday