The Delta independent., 1912-08-23


man anything except what he did be-
fore he met her."
He stared at her with masculine dis
may at feminine logic: IF you can't
forgive me, then why do you marry
| me?"
For revenge!" she cried. You
brought me on this train all this dis
tance to introduce me to girl you
used to spoon with. And l don't like
her She's awful"
"Yes, she is awfu.,' Mallory assent
ed. Il don't know how l ever"
"Oh, you admit it,"
mo"
We'll, I'm going to marry you
now-this minute-with that preach
er, then I'm going to get on at Reno
and divorce you
Divorce me! Good Lord! On what
grounds?"
"On the grounds of Miss Kitty
Katty-Llewellingto - or whatever
her name is"
Mallory was groggy with punish
ment, and the vain effort to foresee
her next blow. But you can't name
woman that way" he pleaded, for
just being nice to me before l ever
met you"
That's the worst kind of unfaith-
fulness," she reiterated. You should
have known that some day you would
meet me. You should have saved
your first love for me-"
But last love is best" Mallory in
terposed, weakly.
"Oh, no, it isn't, and if it is, how do
/ know I'm to be your last love? No,
sir, when I've divorced you, you can
go back to your first love and go
round the world with her till you get
dizzy"
But l don't want her for wife,"
Mallory urged, Il want you.'
You'll get me-but not for long.
And one other thing, l want you to
get that bracelet away from that
creature. Do you promise?"
How can l get 1t away?"
Take it away! Do you promise?"
Mallory surrendered completely.
Anything to get Marjorie safely into
his arms: Il promise anything, II
you'll really marry me-
'Oh, I'll marry you, sir, but not
really"
And while he stared in helpless awe
at the cynic and termagant that
jealousy had metamorphosed this tim
i'd, clinging creature into, they heard
the conductors voice at the rear door
of the car: Hurry up-we've got to
start"
They heard Lathrop's protest:
Hold on there, conductor" and Sci
by's plea: "Oh, say, my good man,
wait moment can't you?"
The conductor answered with the
gruffness of despot: mot minute.
I've my orders to make up lost time.
All aboard"
While the minister was tying the
last loose ends of the matrimonial
knot, Mallory and Marjorie were
struggling through the crowd to get
at him. Just as they were near, they
were swept aside by the rush OF the
bride and groom, for the parsons Il
pronounce you man and wife," pro
nounced as he backed toward the
door, was the signal for another wed.
ding riot.
Once more Ira and Anne were show.
cred with rice. This time it was their
own. Ira darted out into the corridor.
haling his brand-new wife by the
wrist. and the wedding guests pur.
sued them across the vestibule
through the next car, and on. and on.
Nobody remained to notice what
happened to the parson. Having per.
formed his function. he was without
further interest or use. But to NAL
lory and Marjorie he was vitally
necessary.
Mallory caught his hand as 1t turned
the knob of the door and drew him
back. Marjorie, equally determined.
caught his other elbow:
Please don't CO." Mallory urged,
until you've married u.s."
The Reverend Charles stared at his
captors in amazement:
But my dear man, the trains NOV.
ing"
Marjorie clung all the tighter and
invited him to Come on to the next
stop"
But my dear lady" Selby gasped.
''it's impossible"
You've just got to-" Mallory in.
sisted.
Aecicaoc me- picooS.
"Never!"
How dare you'll" the parson
shrieked, and with a sudden wriggle
writhed out OF his coat, leaving 1t in
Marjorie's hands. He darted to the
door and flung 1t open. with Mallory
hot after him.
The train was kicking up a cloud
OF dust and getting its stride. The
kidnapped clergyman paused mo-
ment. aghast at the speed with which
the ground was being paid out. Then
he climbed the brass rail and, with