Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1912-12-12

down the aisle. ne was received WIN
cheers. The passengers gave him an
ovation. but he only smiled timidly,
and made haste to Marjorie's seize.
She regarded him wi;n sue idol
airy that he almost regretted HE deed.
But this mood soon passed In her ex.
element, and in moment she was
surreptitiously showing him the
bracelet He became an accessory
after the fact. and shared her guilt,
for when she groaned with a sudden
droop: She'll get II back!" he grimly
answered. "Oh, no she WON'T hoist.
ed the window. and flung the bracelet
into little pool by the side OF the
track, with a farewell: Goodbye
trouble!"
AS he drew his head in, side
glauce showed him that up near the
engine a third train-robber held the
miserably weary train crew in line.
He found the conductor just about
to pull the bellrope, TO proceed. The
conductor had forgotten all about the
rest Of the stan Mallory took hin
aside. and told him the situation, Their
turned to Marjorie. said: Excuse me
a minute" and hurried forward. The
conductor followed Mallory through
the train into the baggage coach.
The first news the third outlaw had
OF the counter.revolution occurring II
the sleeping car was mysterious
bullet that nicked the dust near his
heel and a sonorous shout OF Hands
up As he whirlcd in amaze, he
saw two revolvers aimed point blank
at him from behind a trunk. lie
hoisted his guns without parley, ano
the train crew trussed him up In short
order
Mallory ran back to Marjorie. and
the conductor followed more slowly
reassuring the passengers in the other
cars, and making certain that the
train was ready to move on it's way.
Mallory went straight to DIR. Tenn
pie. with a burning demand:
You dear old fraud. will you marry
me?"
DR.. Temple laughed and nodded
Marjorie and Mrs Temple had been
telling him the story OF the prolonged
elopement, and he was eager to atone
for his own deception. by putting an
end to their misery.
Just wait one moment" he said,
and as a final proof OF affection, he
unbuttoned his collar and put 1t on
backwards Mrs. Temple brought out
the discarded bib, and he donned 1t
meekly The transformation ex.
planned many a mystery the old man
had enmeshed himself in.
Even at he made ready for the
ceremony, the conductor appeared,
looked him over, grinned, and reached
for the bell-cord. with a cheerful: All
aboard"
Mallory had a sort OF superstitious
| dread. not entirely unfounded on ex.
| perience, that IT the train got under
! way again. it would run into some
new obstacle to hts marriage. lie
| turned to the conductor:
Say. old man. just hold the train
till after my wedding, wont you?"
II was not much TO ask in return
| for his services. but the conductor
! was tired OF being second in com
| mand. He growed:
Not a minute. We're way behind
| time"
You might wait till I'm married.
| Mallory pleaded.
T, Not on your nfe!" the conductor
answered. and he pulled the bell-rope
twice: in the distance. the whistle an
swered twice.
Mallory's temper fiared again. lie
cried: This train doesn't go another
step till I'm married." lie reached
up and pulled the bell-rope once; in
the distance the whistle sounded
once.
This was high treason. and the con
ductor advanced on him threatening.
ly, as he seized the cord once more.
You touch that rope again, and I'LL
oh, no, you won't said Mallory,
as he whtsked revolver from his
right pocket and TANNED 1t into the
conductors watch-pocket The con
ductor came to attention.
Then Mallory. standing with his
right hand on military duty. put out
his left hand, and gave the word:
Now. parson"
He smiled still more as he heard
{ Kathleen's voice wailing: But | can't
find my bracelet Where's my brace
LETT
silence. Silencel" DR.. Temple
commanded, and then: Join hands
/ my children"
Marjorie shifted Snoozleums to heI
, left arm, put her right hand into Mai
p lory's. and DR. Temple, standing be
! tween them. began to drone the
I ritual
When the old clergyman had done
his work. the young husband-at.last
graciously rescinded military law, re
called the artillery from the conduc
= tors very midst. and remembering
Manila, smiled:
: You may fire when ready, conduc
I tor"
r The conductors rage mad cooled
and he slapped the bridegroom on N,
I back with one hand. as he pulled the
i cord with the other. The train began
p oak and tug and shift The ding