The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1912-08-02
CHAPTER TX.
All Aboard


The starting of the train surprised
the ironical decorators In the last
stages Of their work. Their smiles
died out in sudden shame, as it
came over them that the joke had re-
coiled on their own heads. They had
done their best to carry out the time
hOnored rite Of making newly mar
ried couple as miserable as possible
and the newly married couple had
failed to do its share.
The two lieutenants glared at each
other In mutual contempt. They had
studied much at West Point about
ambushes, and how to avoid them.
Could Mallory have escaped the pit
they had digged for him? They
looked at their handiwork in disgust.
The cosy-corner eff.r; Of white rib
bons and orange flowers, gracefully
masking the concealed rice-trap, had
seemed the wittiest thing ever de-
vised Now 1t looked the silliest.
The other passengers were equally
downcast. Meanwhile the two lovers
in the corridor were kissing good.
byes as If they were hoping to store
up honey enough to sustain their
hearts for three years fast. And
the porter was studying them with
perplexity.
He was used. however, to waking
people out of dreamland, and he be-
gan to fear that II he were discovered
spying on the lovers, he might sui
fer. SO he coughed discreetly three
or four times
Since the increasing racket OF the
train made no effect on the two hearts
beating as one, the small matter OF
cough was as nothing
Finally the porter was compelled to
reach forward and tap Mallory's arm,
and stutter:
Scuse me, but cocould git bly,"
The embrace was united, and the
lovers stared at him with a dazed.
Where-am-l? look. Marjorie was the
first to realize what awakened them.
She felt called upon to say something,
so she said, as careIessly as if she
had not just emerged from young
gentleman's arms:
oh porter. how long before the
train starts?"
Trains done started. Missy"
This simple statement struck the
wool from her eyes and the cotton
from her ears, and she was wide
enough awake when she cried: "Oh,
stop it-stop it,"
That's mon can do, Missy" the
porter expostulated.
Then III Jump off" Marjorie
vowed, making dash for the door.
But the porter filled the narrow
path, and waved her back.
"Nestibule's done locked up-
trains going lickety split" Feeling
that he had safely checkmated any
rashness. the porter squeezed past
the dumbfounded pair, and went to
change his blue blouse for the white
coat OF his chambermaidenly duties
Maliory's first wondering thought was
a rapturous feeling that circum.
stances had forced his dream into
reality He thrilled with triumph:
You've got to go with me now"
Yes-rve got to CO." Marjorie as
scented meekly: then. sublimely, IT'S
fate. Kismet,"
they ciutched each other again in
a fiercely blissful hug, Marjorie came
PACK to earth with a bump: Are
you really sure there's a minister m
board?"
Pretty sure" said Mallory. sober
ing a trifle.
But You said you were sure?"
We'll, when you say you're sure
that means you're not quite sure"
1t was not an entirely satisfactory
justification. and Marjorie began To
quake with alarm: Suppose there
shouldn't be?"
oh. then" Mallory answered care
lessly there's bound TO be one to.
morrow"
Marjorie realized at once the enor.
nous abyss between then and tho
morrow, and she gasped: Tomorrow,
And no chaperon! Oh. I'll jump out
of the window"
Mallory could prevent that. but
when she pleaded. What shall We
dof" he had no solution to offer