The Delta independent., 1912-07-19

might die an old maid before he would
approach anybody else on that sub
5ect.
Nebraska would have been a nice
long state for a honeymoon, but its
four hundred-odd miles were a dreary
length for the couple SO near and yet
80 far. The railroad clinging to the
meandering Platte made the way far
longer. and Mallory and Marjorie left
like Pyramus and Thisbe wandering
along an eternal wall, through which
they could see, but not reach, one
another.
They dined together as dolefully as
II they had been married for forty
years. Then the slow twilight soaked
them in it's melancholy. The porter
lighted up the car, and the angels
lighed up the stars, but nothing light
ed up their hopes.
We've got to quarrel again, my be-
loved" Mallory groaned to Marjorie.
Somehow they were too dreary even
to nag one another with an outburst
for the benefit of the eager-eyed pas
sengers.
A little excitement bestirred them
oS thSy iSdllZSu ludl luty were COu-
fronted with another night-robeless
night and morrow without change of
gear.
What pity that we left our things
in the taxicab." Marjorie sighed. And
this time she said, I'VE left them" in
stead Of you left them" 1t was very
gracious Of her, but Mallory did not
acknowledge the courtesy. Instead he
gave start and gasp:
Good Lord, Marjorie, we never
paid the second taxicabi"
Great heavens, how shall We ever
pay him? He's been waiting there
twenty-four hours. How much do you
suppose we owe him?"
About year of my pay, guess"
"You must send him a telegram of
meter. He was such a nice man-the
kindest eyes-for a chauffeur"
But how can 1 telegraph him? I
don't know his name. or his number,
or his company, or anything"
Its too bad. He'll go through life
hating US and thinking we cheated
him"
We'll. he doesn't know our names
either"
And then they forgot him temporari-
ly for the more immediate need of
clothes. All the passengers knew that
they had left behind what baggage
they had not sent ahead, and much
sympathy had been expressed. But
most people would rather give you
their sympathy than lend you their
r1nfhao Mo11nrv
men, but Marjorie dreaded the wom-
en-. She was afraid of all Of them but
Mrs. Temple.
She threw herself on the little lady's
mercy and was asked to help herself.
She borrowed a nightgown Of extraor-
dinary simplicity, a shirt waist of an
ancient mode, and a number of other
things.
If there had been anyone there to
see she would have made a most ana.
chronistic bride.
Mallory canvassed the men and OBJ
tained a shockingly purple shirt from
Wedgewood. who meant to put him at
his ease, but somehow failed when he
said in answer to Mallorys thanks:
God bless my soul, old top. don't
you think Of thanking me. ought to
thank you. You see, the idiot who
makes my shirts, made that by mis-
take. and I'd be no end grateful If
you'd jolly well take the loathsome
thing of my hands. l mean to say,
[ shouldn't dream Of being seen in it
myself. You quite understand, don't
you?"
Ashton contributed a maroon afro
city in hosiery. with equal tact:
"If they fit you, keep 'em. got
stung on that batch Of socks. That
pair was originally lavender, but they
washed like that. Keep 'em. wouldn't
be found dead in EN-"
The mysterious Fosdick, who lived
a lonely life in the Observation car
and slept in the other sleeper, lent
Mallory a pair of pyjamas evidently
intended for a bridegroom Of romantic
disposition. Mallory blushed as he ac-
cepted them and when he found him
self in them, he whisked out the light,
he was 80 ashamed Of himself.
Once more the whole car gaped at
the unheard Of behavior Of its newly
welded pair. The poor porter had
been hungry for a bridal couple. but
as he went about gathering up the
cast-off footwear of his large family
and found Mallory's shoes at number
three and Marjorie's tiny boots at
number five. he shook his head and
Eroaned.
"Times has suttainly changed for
the wuss. II this 10 q bridal couple,
gimme Divorces"
CHAPTER XXI.