The Ordway new era., 1912-10-25

Thanks. And II you ever want to
run this road for couple OF weeks.
Just let me know"
Marjorie nodded appreciatively and
said: Il will. You're very kind"
And that completed the rout of that
conductor. He retired in disorder.
leaving Marjorie to fondle snoozie.
ums with neglectful Indifference that
would have greatly hattered 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 a. 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 Ike ruts from long
exile In his trunk. But he was feel
ing like an heir apparent: and he
startled everybody by his jovial hail:
well, boys-er-gentlemen - the
drinks are ON me. Waiter. take the
orders"
Little Jimmie woke with q start.
rose hastily to his feet and saluted.
saying: Present! Who said take the
ordersr'
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 sof' drinks
In Utah. gemmen."
A groan went up from the club
members. and Lathrop groaned loud
est OF all:
"Well, 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.
tlemen," he said. with look Of d.
vine philanthropy. THE bars closed.
but Little Jimmie Wellington is here
with the life preserver." From his
hip.pocket he produced silver fiask
that looked to be big enough to carry
a regiment through the Alps. 1t was
greeted with q salvo. and Lathrop
said to Jimmie: Il 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: mot II you.all
bribe the exercise.inspector." And he
held out q glass for the bribe. MUIR
muring, Don't git tired" as 1t was
poured. He set 1t inside his sanctum
and then hustled round with ice-filled
glasses and a siphon.
When Little Jimmie offered OF the
flask to DR.. Temple. the clergyman
put out his hand with q politely hor-
rified: mo. thank you"
Lathrop frightened him with q sud
den comment: Look at that gesture!
Doc, I'd almost swear you were par
SON."
Mallory whirled on him with the
eyes Of hawk about to pounce. and
1.-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 1t. 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 stammered. "Er-ah-
certainly" and held out his hand for
his share OF the poison. Little Jim
mile winked at the others and almost
filled the glass. The innocent doctor
bowed his thanks. When the porter
reached him and prepared to I'LL the
remainder OF the glass from the
siphon, the parson waved him aside
with a misguided caution:
mo, thanks. I'll not mix them
Mallory turned away with sigh:
HE takes his straight. He's no par
son."
Then they forgot the doctor in
curiosity as to Lathrop's sudden
spasm of generosity-with Yelling
toms liquor. Wedgewood voiced the
general curiosity when he said:
whats the old woman.hater up to
now?"
"Woman.hater?" laughed Ira. Its
the old story. I'm going to follow
Mallory's example-marriage."
II 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 gel?"
I'll bet l know who she is." Ash
ton interposed; Its that nectarine OF
a damsel who got on at Green River"
mot the same!" Lathrop roared,
II found my bride blooming here all
the while. Girl l 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