Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1912-10-03
the Insult and sought to repay IT with


irony.
Thanks. And If you ever want to
run this road for a couple OF weeks.
just let me know
Marjorie nodded appreciatiyely and
said. 81 will. You're very kind"
And that completed the rout Of that
conductor. lie retired in disorder,
leaving Marjorie to fondle Snoozle-
ums with a neglected. Indifference that
would have greatly fattered Mallory,
II he could have seen through the
partition that divided them.
But he was witnessing with the
cynical superiority OF an aged and
disillusioned man the, to him, childish
behavior Of Ira Lathrop. an eleventh
hour Orlando
For Just as Mallory moped into the
smoking.room at one door, Ira Lath.
rop swept In at the other, his face
rubicund with embarrassment and
ecstasy. He had donned an old frock
coat with creases like ruts from long
exile in his trunk. But he was feel
ing like an heir apparent; and he
startled everybody by his jovial hail:
We'll, boys-er--gentlemen - the
drinks are on me. Waiter. take the
orders"
Little Jimmie woke with start,
rose hastily to his feet and saluted,
saying: Present! Who said take the
orders!"
Il did" said Lathrop, I'm giving a
party Waiter, take the orders"
"Sarsaparilla," said Dr. Temple, but
they howled him down and ordered
other things. The porter shook his
head sadly: "Nothin' but soi drinks
in Utah, gemmen."
A groan went up from the club
members, and Lathrop groaned loud
est OF all:
We'll. we've got to drink something
Take the orders. Wen all have sarsa-
parilla"
Little Jimmie Wellington came to
the rescue.
Don't do anything desperate, gen
tlcmen." he said, with a look OF III
vine philanthropy. The bars closed.
but Little Jimmie Wellington is here
with the life preserver." From his
hip.pocket he produced a silver flask
that looked to be big enough TO carry
a regiment through the Alps. 1t was
greeted with salvo, and Lathrop
said TO Jimmie: II apologize for
everything have said-and thought
about you" He turned to the porter:
There amt any law against giving
this way, Is there!"
The porter grinned: Not II you-alI
bride tho exercise-inspector." And he
held out glass for the bride, muir
muring, Don't git tired" as 1t was
poured He set It inside his sanctum
and then hustled round with ice-tilled
glasses and siphon.
When Little Jimmie offered OF the
flask TO DR.. Temple, the clergyman
put out his hand with a politely hor-
rified: NO, thank you"
Lathrop frightened him with sud
den comment: Look at that gesture!
Doc. I'd almost swear you were a par
SON.
Mallory whirled on him with the
The very ideal" was the best dis
claimer DR.. Temple could manage.
suddenly finding himself suspected
Ashton put in with, The only way
TO disprove it. Doc, is to join u.s.
The poor old clergyman, too deeply
involved In his deception to brave
confession now, decided TO do and
dare all. He stsmmered. "Er-ah-
certainly" and held out his hand for
his share of the poison. Little Jim
ME winked at the others and almost
filled the glass. The innocent doctor
bowed his thanks. When the porter
reached him and prepared TO Ill the
remainder of the glass from the
siphOn. the parsOn waved him aside
with a misguided. caution:
NO. thanks. I'll not mix them"
Mallory turned away with a sigh:
He takes his straight. He's no par
son"
Then they forgot the doctor in
curiosity as TO Lathrops sudden
spasm OF generosity-with Yelling
tons liquor. Wedgewood voiced the
general curiosity when he said:
What's the old woman-hater UP to
now"
'Woman-hater? laughed Ira. It's
the old story. I'm going to follow
Mallory's eXample-marriage"
Il hope you succeed" said Mallory.
Wherever did you pick up the
bride?" said Wedgewood, mellowing
with the long glass in his hand.
Brides are easy" said Mallory,
with surprising cynicism. Where do
you get the parson?'
Hang the parson." Wedgewood re-
peated, Who's the gel7"
I'm bet | know who she u.s." Ash
ton interposed; its that nectarine OF
a damsel who got on at Green River"
Not the same" Lathrop roared.
Il found my bride blooming here all
the while. Girl used to spark back
in Brattleboro, VT I've been vowing
for years that Id live and die an old |
maid. I've kept my head out OF the |
moose all this time-till | struck this