Charlevoix county herald., 1912-07-20


sought train. They were not miser-
able like the young couple In the taxi.
cab. They were whitehaired both
They had been married for thirty
years. Yet this was their real honey
moon, their real elopement.
The little woman in the timid gray
bonnet clapped her hands and Uttered
like schoolgirl.
"Oh. Walter. Il can't believe we're
really going to leave Ypsilanti for
while. Oh. but you've earned II after
thirty years Of being a preacher"
Hush. Don't let me hear you say
the awful word" said the little old
man In the little black hat and the
close-fitting black bib. I'm so tired
OF 1t, Sally. / don't want anybody on
the train to know It."
They can't help guessing 1t. with
your collar buttoned behind"
And then the amazing minister act
ually dared to say, Here's where
change 1t around" What's more, he
actually did 1t. Actually took off his
collar and buttoned II to the front.
The old carriage seemed almost to
rock with the earthquake of the deed.
why. Walter Temple!" his wife ex-
claimed. What would they say in
Ypsilanu?"
They'll never know" he answered.
defiantly.
But your bib" she said.
I've thought of that, too" he cried,
as he whipped 1t off and stuffed 1t into
a handbag. Look. what I've bought"
And he dangled before her startled
eyes long affair which the sudden
light from a passing lamp-post re-
vealed to be nothing less than a far
ing red tie.
The old lady touched 1t to make
sure she was not dreaming 1t. Then
emitting further parley with fate, she
snatched it away. put 1t round his
neck. and, since her arms were en-
bracing him, kissed him twice before
she knotted the ribbon into a flaming
bow. She sat back and regarded the
vision a moment, then flung her arms
round him and Rugged him till he
gasped:
Watch out-watch out. Don't crush
my cigars"
Cigars! Cigars!" she echoed, in a
daze.
And then the astounding husband
produced them in proof.
Genuine Lillian Russells-five
cents straight"
But | never saw you smoke"
Haven't taken puff since | was
young fellow" he grinned, wagging
his head. But now it's my vacation,
and I'm going to smoke up"
She squeezed his hand with an
earlier ardor: Now you're the old
Walter Temple ! used to know"
Sally" he said, I've been travelling
through life on half-fare ticket. Now
I'm going to have my little fling And
you brace up, too, and be the old mis-
chievous Sally used to know. Aren't
you glad to be away from those sew
ing circles and gossip-bees. and -"
Ugh! Don't ever mention Them"
she shuddered. Then she, too, felt a
tinge OF recurring springtide. IF you
start to smoking, l think I'll take up
flirting once more"
He pinched her cheek and laughed.
las the saying is. go as far as you de
sire and I'll leave the coast clear"
lie kept his promise. too, for they
were no sooner on the train and snug.
ly bestowed in section five, than he
was up and off.
Where are you going?" she asked.
ITO the smoking-room," he swag-
Gered, brandishing a dangerous look
ing cigar.
"Oh, Walter" she snickered, 81 feel
like young runaway"
You look like one. Be careful not
to let anybody know that you're a.
he lowered his voice-"an old preach
er's WIFE"
I'm as ashamed of 1t as you are"
she whispered. Then he threw her
kiss and wink. She threw him kiss
and winked too. And he went along
the aisle cycling his cigar gloatingly.
AS he entered the smoking-room, light
ed the weed and blew out a great puff
with sigh Of rapture, who could have
taken him. with his feet cooked up,
and his red tie rakishly askew, for
minister?
And Sally herself was busy disguis-
ing herself, looscning up her hair CO.
quettishly, smiling the primness out
of the Sc; corners Of her mouth and
even-let the truth be told at all costs
even passing a pinkrowdered pun
over her pale cheeks with guilty sur
REPETITION.
Thus arrayed she was soon joining
the conspirators bederkirg the bower
for the expected bride and groom. She
was the youngest and most mischiev-
Gus of the lot. She felt herself a bride
again. and vowed to protect this timid
little wife to come from too much hi.
larity at the hands OF the conspirators.
(TO BE CONTINUED