Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1912-10-26

him that ] was passing through o.
den, and would he come down to the
train and marry me to o charming
lady. He always wanted to marry
Anne. I thought II would be burned
good joke to let him marry her--to
me-"
"Ddid he accept?" Mallory asked
excitedly, rs he coming?"
He is-he did-hepe's his teie-
gram" said Ira. HE brings the H.
cense and the ring" He passed II
over, and as Mallory read 1t a look
or hope spread across his face. But
Ira was saying: Were going to have
the wedding obsequies right here In
this car. You're all invited. VIII you
conner"
There was general yell OF accept.
ance and Ashton began to sing,
There Was Waiting at the Church
Then he led a sort Of Indian war.
dance round the next victim OF the
matrimonial stake. At the end of the
hullaballoo all the men charged their
glasses. and drained them with an up
roarious Howl"
Poor DR.. Temple had taken luxuri
GUS delight In the success OF his dis.
gulse and In the prospect OF watch
Ing some other clergyman working
while he rested. He joined the dance
as gaily, II not as gracefully. as any
or the rest, and In a final triumph OF
recklessness. he tossed off a bumper
of straight whisky.
Instantly his How" changed to
Wow" and then his throat clamped
fast with a terrific spasm that flung
the tears from his eyes. He bent and
writhed In silent paroxysm till be
was pounded and shaken back to life
and water poured down his throat to
reopen passage.
The others thought he had merely
choked and made no comment other
than sympathy. They could not have
dreamed that the old physician" was
as ignorant of the taste as OF the
vigor of pure spirits.
After riot OF handshaking and
good wishes. Ira was permitted to es
cape with his life. Mallory followed
him to the vestibule. when he caught
him by the sleeve with an anxious:
Excuse me-"
We'll, my boy"
Your minister-after you get
through with him-may | use him p
May you-what? Why do you
want a minister"
TO get married"
Again? Good Lord. are you a Nor.
mon?"
Me Mormon!"
Then what do you want with an
extra wife? It's against the law
even In Utah"
You don't understand"
MY boy. one OF us is disgracefully
drunk
Well, I'm not" said Mallory. and
then after a fierce inner debate. he
decided to take Lathrop into his con.
tidence The words came hard after
so long a duplicity, but at last they
were out:
"Mr. Lathrop, I'm not really mar.
ried to my wife,"
You young scoundrel!"
But his fury changed to pity when
he heard the history OF Mallory's Ill
tated efforts. and he promised not
only to lend Mallory his minister at
secondhand, but also to keep the
whole affair a secret, for Mallory ex
planned his intention of having his
own ceremony In the baggage-car, or
somewhere out OF sight OF the other
passengers.
Mallory's face was now agiow as
the cold embers OF hope leaped into
sudden blaze. He wrung Lathrop's
hand. saying: Lord love you. you've
saved my ife-wife-both."
Then he turned and ran to Mar.
jorie with the good news. He had
quite forgotten their epoch-making
separation. And she was so glad to
see him smiling at her again that she
forgot it, too. He came tearing into
the observation room and took her by
the shoulders. whispering: "Oh, Mar
jorie, Marjorie, I've got him! I've got
him!"
NO, I've got him." she said, swing
ing Snoozleums into view.
Mallory swung him back out OF the
way: Il don't mean poodle. | mean
a parson. I've got parson."
No. can't believe 1t! Where is
he?" She began to dance with de-
light. but she stopped when he ex-
planned:
We'll, | haven't got him yet. but
I'm going to get one"
"What-again?" she groaned, weary
OF this old bunco game or hope.
ITS q real live one this time, -
Mallory insisted. Mr.. Lathrop has
ordered a minister aid he's going to
lend him to me as soon as he's
through with him, and We'll be mar
ried on this train"
(To BE CONTINUED.)